First of all, I won’t continue to beat a dead horse with this editorial while I express my honest thoughts on the just released Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Companion' X KAWS. By now, my perspective on Audemars Piguet as a watch brand and on the course it has taken in the last three years has not changed. Where I feel the brand is today is something I never expected after becoming a hardcore lover of all things AP and a real AP collector in 1998.
Posts filed under From the Editor
From the Editor: My Honest Thoughts on the New Patek Philippe Cubitus Collection
When I saw the leaked Patek Philippe advertisement from Fortune magazine early last week, I wasn’t sure that Patek would be releasing such a watch. The new Patek Philippe Cubitus sums up all that is wrong with the watch industry and its growing pains. I’ve been a watch collector for 34 years and a marketer for 30 years. After I launched WCL in 2013, I never imagined what lies behind the watch industry and I’ve seen it all by now.
From the Editor: My Thoughts on The Acquisition of Hodinkee by The Watches of Switzerland
Let me start by saying that I’ve never been the biggest fan of Hodinkee and I was never a regular reader of it even before I started Watch Collecting Lifestyle in 2013. Nevertheless, I do applaud what Ben Clymer was able to build in such a short period and how much he did to raise awareness in an industry that was slowly dying, especially among the younger generations. Ben is a master at getting the right attention from the right people at the right time.
From the Editor: LVMH to Finally Acquire Richemont? Or Will it be Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels?
Today has been an interesting day with the news coming from Richemont regarding some very high-level changes to CEO positions at Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels; changes that also affect Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger-LeCoultre as of September 1st, 2024. While Catherine Rénier is set to leave her post as CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre and become CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels, Louis Ferla, currently CEO of Vacheron Constantin will succeed Cyrille Vigneron as Chief Executive Officer of Cartier, effective September 1, 2024.
From the Editor: Hands-on with the New MB&F LM Sequential Flyback. A Platinum 33-Piece Limited Edition.
The Legacy Machine Sequential EVO, conceived by Stephen McDonnell, was MB&F’s first-ever chronograph. A ground-breaking dual chronograph that not only fixed the inherent flaws of conventional chronograph design but also offered a combination of timing modes that was unique. Now comes the new MB&F LM Sequential Flyback where Stephen McDonnell decided to go above and beyond by adding a Flyback function via the pusher at 8 and 4 o’clock respectively.
From the Editor: My Opinion About The Disjointed TAG Heuer Formula 1 KITH Collaboration
Let me start this editorial by saying that KITH means nothing in my book. I am not into the so-called ‘luxury streetwear’ and I enjoy wearing things that are exclusive and not mainstream. For those of you as unfamiliar as I was with Kith, this is a U.S. fashion and lifestyle brand established in New York City in 2011 by Ronnie Fieg, a footwear and clothing designer who started his career as a stock boy at David Z. Even though Kith is not for me, I am still trying to grasp my head around the latest collaboration between TAG Heuer and this brand.
From the Editor: Netflix's New Series 'The Gentlemen' Includes an Unforgettable Conversation About a Legendary Patek Philippe Reference 1518. This Series is a Must Watch.
Yesterday, I decided to binge-watch the new Netflix series ‘The Gentlemen’ and all I can say is that not only it is an incredibly well-produced show —engaging, with high production values, terrific cast, scenery, and very entertaining—, but the watch candy and watch-related conversations in it are also amazing. The U.K. series was produced and directed by Guy Ritchie with actress Kaya Scodelario as Miss Susie Glass and Theo James as Eddie Horniman revolves around an aristocrat in the U.K. who inherits the family estate, to then discover that it's home to an enormous weed empire and its proprietors aren't going anywhere.
From the Editor: What is so Alluring About the Zenith DEFY El Primero 21 Titanium That I Had to Get a Third One?
Every time that I’ve let go of the Zenith DEFY El Primero 21, I end up regretting it. This is the third Zenith DEFY El Primero 21 that I own. But, what is so alluring about this particular watch that I keep going back to it? Well, let me go into it. Originally released in 1969, the DEFY line has seen numerous facelifts and at one point it was responsible for almost killing Zenith during the reign of Thierry Nataf as CEO of Zenith between 2002 and 2009. The DEFY line was relaunched in 2017 and since then this model has come back stronger than ever.
From the Editor: Piaget Polo 79. Hands-On with the Hottest Release of 2024 Thus Far.
As part of the new releases celebrating the 150th anniversary of Piaget, yesterday Monday February 5, 2024, Piaget dropped the hottest watch of 2024 thus far. Referred to by many as the next big thing in gold watches, the new Piaget Polo 79 is a watch that needs to be seen in person to fully appreciate it.
From the Editor: The Rolex 24 at Daytona Race and the Rolex That is Given to the Winners
This weekend January 27-28, 2024 is the weekend for the legendary 24 Hours at Daytona Race now called The Rolex 24 at Daytona. Held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, it is considered one of the most prestigious races worldwide. A thrilling endurance race, The Rolex 24 at Daytona is the second most important endurance race in the world after the 24 Hours of Le Mans —24 Heures du Mans— in France.
From the Editor: My 12 Favorite Watches of 2023
As I wrap up the year here at WCL, I decided to put together a list of my favorite 12 watches of 2023. Each of these watches sang to me one way or another during 2023 so I thought it would be good to share with all of you and celebrate each of the months of the year that is now ending. There is a little bit of everything for everyone, from Vacheron Constantin to Ferdinand Berthoud and everything in between including IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Tudor. Now let’s take a look at the best watches of 2023.
From the Editor: My Thoughts on the Breitling Chronomat B01 42 and Why I Had to Get One
It’s been more than 20 years since I purchased a new out-of-the-box Breitling watch. In the early 1990s as I was starting my journey as a watch collector Breitling was a brand that I truly loved. I still remember buying my first Breitling, which was a Colt with a white dial on a brown calf strap. Later, I added the stainless steel bracelet to the watch and I nose-dove back then buying more than half a dozen Breitlings including Chronomats, Crosswinds, Navitimers, Aerospace Navitimers, and a Blackbird Chronomat that I will never forget as it was one of the two Chronomats to have a full satin brushed —including the bracelet, rider tabs, case, and bezel— finish at the time.
From the Editor: Royal Oak Perpetual Cactus Jack Solidifies AP's Status as Brand for 'Nouveau Riche'
Following the steps of brands like Hublot and with François-Henry Bennahmias’ —AP’s CEO— obsession with celebrities and aspirations to become one himself, what used to be one of my favorite luxury watch brands has finally lost all its allure and value, at least for me. The old classics will remain as icons in my book, but when it comes to their latest watches, all I see is a decline in AP’s brand equity, and I am not sure how much more it will endure.
From the Editor: Explaining Quiet Luxury and Why the Loro Piana Open Walk is Geneva's Watch Collectors' Grail Shoe.
In a world filled with ostentatious displays and clamorous extravagance, there exists a rare breed of luxury that whispers its elegance rather than boasting it aloud, and that we call ‘quiet luxury’. Walking through the streets of Geneva in Switzerland, one can attest to the finest examples of it. It is the realm of quiet luxury, where refinement and sophistication are found in the subtlest of details. Quiet luxury is marked by an understated charm, a sense of effortless grace that captivates without overwhelming. It is a sanctuary from the raucousness of trends and the constant need for attention.
From the Editor: Vacheron Constantin Presents Two Heritage Timepieces Closely Connected to Mexico at the SIAR 2023 in Mexico City
Last week at the SIAR 2023 —Salón Internacional de Alta Relojería— in Mexico City, Vacheron Constantin presented two incredible heritage timepieces that have a very strong and special connection with Mexico. As a Mexican, I could’ve not been more delighted to peruse these two incredible watches in the company of Christian Selmoni, Style and Heritage Director at Vacheron Constantin. This was an unprecedented exhibition that included pieces dating back to the early 20th century with a close connection to Mexico, as well as the latest innovations from the house directly from Watches and Wonders Shanghai 2023.
From the Editor: Jaeger-LeCoultre Brings the Hybris Mechanica à Grand Sonnerie to the SIAR Mexico 2023. Beyond Impressive to Say the Least.
Jaeger-LeCoutlre is better known as the ‘Watchmaker of Watchmakers’ and I’ve seen some impressive timepieces from them in the past including the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel that I perused in 2019. However, it wasn’t until yesterday at the SIAR 2023 in Mexico City, that I got to peruse for the first time in the metal, the most complex wristwatch ever produced, yes, I am talking about the JLC Hybris Mechanica à Grand Sonnerie first presented in 2009.
From the Editor: Do You Know How to Properly Size the Rolex Oysterflex Bracelet/Strap? I Explain How to Achieve the Perfect Fit.
While Rolex calls it an Oysterflex bracelet, this is in reality a high-performance elastomer strap with flexible metal blades in its core. The Rolex Yacht-Master’s Oysterflex bracelet was developed and patented by Rolex using a high-performance elastomer over-molded over a flexible titanium and nickel alloy metal blade. To provide higher resistance, the metal blades are located within the areas where the strap connects to the case and to the clasp.
From the Editor: My Thoughts on the Akrivia X Louis Vuitton Collaboration
Akrivia and Rexhep have somewhat of a cult following and it’s not until you get to peruse one of his watches in the metal that you come to realize the great and the not-so-great things about the brand and their watches. Today, as we published the news about the Akrivia X Louis Vuitton LVRR-01 Chronographe à Sonnerie, I had to go back to my notes when I dissected the Akrivia AK-06.
From the Editor: One of the World's Biggest Watch Collectors Rocks the Boat for the 'ONLY Watch' Auction
If you are a real watch collector, you probably know who are some of the biggest watch collectors in the world. Then, most likely you’ve heard the name ‘Santa Laura’ or you might already be following him on Instagram. Santa Laura is one of the biggest watch collectors in the world —located in Asia— and also somewhat of a mysterious man that only a few have met in person. His collection of cars and watches is beyond impressive and he is a lover of brands like Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, F.P. Journe, Vianney Halter, De Bethune, Harry Winston, and MB&F just to name a few.
From the Editor: Atelier Holgur Frømand. Dissecting the Latest Redefined Diving Watch.
Almost two months ago, Atelier Holgur —a new brand founded by Matthew de Bakker and Asbjørn Simonen-Andersen— presented the Frømand. Since I liked the look of the watch from the press pictures, I decided to ask for a prototype and do a proper review of it. The Frømand is a watch that tries to redefine the diving watch genre by adding certain ‘haute horlogerie’ features seldom found on diving watches.
