Watch Reviews

If you haven’t been living in a cave for the past two months you know that 33 Chilean miners were trapped half a mile underground since the mountainside collapsed above them, shutting off access to the light and air above. Can you imagine spending 69 days underground? Neither can we. Life underground, even for a few days is disorienting. Without visible daylight, the body’s circadian rhythms are disrupted, day and night merge, and the passage of time gets suspended.

Continue reading “The Rolex Explorer II 1655: In Honor of the Rescued Chilean Miners, We Bring You A Spelunker’s Watch” »

When we first wrote about Armin Strom, we called them the boutique brand of the future.  This 16-person shop makes everything on their watches IN HOUSE.  The level of finish is superb, and it is one of the few luxury brands where the price you pay isn’t helping to offset massive marketing overhead, you’re really getting your money’s worth.

Continue reading “Armin Strom X Virgin Racing Bespoke Timepieces: F1 Meets Traditional Watchmaking, The Upstart Way” »

Mica is an up and coming brand that has come out with some sick new watches. Mica has release 4 new models with a total of 4 different colorways for each. Mica has a ton of dope riders backing their snow, skate and surf programs. Follow these cryptic fools who love to throw down every day. Snow season is on it’s way and we’re pumped to get some runs in, there is no better way to get your snow blood flowing like watching these guys shred. Check out mica and have a look at the mica team.

some cool history on the chronograph with date. interesting stuff, check it out.

A chronograph with a date – seems simple enough, doesn’t it?  One would think, but it wasn’t until the mid 1960s that one appeared on the market.  Hell, the Rolex Daytona STILL doesn’t have a date window today.

Continue reading “The First Chronograph With A Date: "A Wristwatch, A Stopwatch and A Calendar All In One!"” »

MICA has developed an entire line of watches made from maple wood.  The nature inspired watch collection is the first in many new styles and models from mica.  Mica is a skate/snow/surf brand with their style designed in each watch. Laid back natural progression is down. Check out a Mica watch.

If you’re in to complicated watches then you missed out. check out the jaeger-lecoultre hybrid mechanica grand sonnerie.

Last week, we had the chance to view Jaeger-LeCoultre’s record-setting Hybris Mechanica Grand Sonnerie in person.  It was an exciting event to say the least, and not just because Don Draper was there (man-swoon!). 

Continue reading “The Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Mechanica Grand Sonnerie: $2.5 Million & 26 Complications” »

Deep sea special with the rolex. check yourself before you wreck yoself.

After our event at Bonhams on Saturday, it’s pretty clear you guys like getting together to talk about watches.  As such, we’re here with another opportunity to do just that!

Continue reading “You’re Invited: Rolex & Tourneau Present The Deep Sea Special in NYC” »

The haslinger collection preview was on…if you didn’t check it the you missed out.

Click to enlarge invitationWe’ve mentioned it but once before – tomorrow (Saturday, October 16th), Hodinkee will be hosting a small preview of Arno Haslinger’s epically awesome watches at the Bonhams offices here in New York.  Again, the sale consists of 81 vintage Heuer Chronographs that are considered the finest in the world, most of which are featured in his bible of watch collecting, Heuer Chronographs.

Continue reading “Event Reminder: Haslinger Collection Preview Tomorrow, Saturday October 16, 3-5pm in NYC” »

Check out the rolex divomet prototype…booyah!

It’s pretty rare that we get to introduce you guys to an entirely new product from Rolex.  Their line has stayed shockingly consistent over the past 70 years or so, and well, by now, you know what it consists of; Submariner, GMT, Datejust, Day-Date, Daytona, et. al.

Last week we showed you a Rolex that featured a Louis Cottier engineered world-time movement, and now we’re here to show you an actual Rolex prototype that has never been seen before.

The Rolex Divomet was an in-house designed diving meter with the purpose of reading the depth of oceans or lakes; one hand indicating the feet 10 by 10, the second hand showing the relevant feet. A bracelet passes through the circular crankcase which contains the mechanism as found in a Bourdon manometer.

The Divomet, we are safe to assume, was developed in hopes to be used by Jacques Piccard and Donald Walsh in their descent in the Trieste to the deepest known point on earth (the Mariana Trench in the Pacific).  There, they used the Rolex Deep Sea Special strapped to the outside of the bathyscaph. 

The Rolex Divomet never made it out of prototyping and was, up until this very item surfaced, totally undocumented.  It is interested to note that the Divomet features a bakelite outter ring, just like you’d find on the early Rolex GMT 6542s made at the same time. 

This particular (and particularly awesome) piece of Rolex dive history is coming up for sale at Christies November 15th Geneva sale and has a pre-sale estimate of roughly $16,000-$21,000.  Click here fore more details.

Wow! These guys seem to have it wired, servicing 100 year old watches from different manufacturers. Skill patience and nerves of steal. I would enjoy being on the sidelines while they work but wouldn’t want that weight on my shoulders. I don’t want to be the one breaking the news, “well, you’ve had this piece in the family for a century but…I spilled my coffee.” oops.

Notice the hand-drawn diagram in the background?Last month I had the distinct pleasure of visiting Audemars Piguet’s facilities at Le Brassus.  I already showed you a quick look at some of the limited edition and prototype Royal Oaks on display in the museum, and today I’ll be taking you inside the AP Restoration Department.
Continue reading “Inside the Audemars Piguet Restoration Department at Le Brassus (VIDEO)” »