If you ever dreamed of what a supersized reproduction of an Audemars Piguet movement would look like sitting on your desk, dream no further. Audemars Piguet has just made available what in our opinion is one of the coolest and most incredible watch related items that a watch collector could own. This actual reproduction of a selfwinding Audemars Piguet movement that is not the 40-jewel calibre 3120 nor the new 38-jewle calibre 4302, is an exact reproduction of an actual AP movement with all of its components —all of them of course supersized more than hundred or a thousand times. Even the jewels, bridges, the architecture and finishes are exactly done in the exact same way.
Posts filed under Watch Goodies
News: Presenting the MB&F + Loupe System Project LpX. The First Collaboration Between the Two.
If you’re a serious watch enthusiast, you have undoubtedly heard of Loupe System —quite simply the most advanced portable magnifying loupes in the world today. Loupe System has teamed up with MB&F to create Project LpX, an intergalactic magnification station enabling accurate viewing of watch movement details, while simultaneously reminding you of the immensity of our galaxy. Synchronous, forward-thinking imagination knows no boundaries.
Experience: Berd Vay'e Lost in Time Sculpture. A Crystal Clear Skull Filled with Vintage Watch Parts.
Berd Vay’e is the brainchild of two dynamic individuals with decades of experience in the fine watch and jewelry industry. The pair combined a shared fascination which began at a young age with watchmaking and the harmony in which watch components work together to inspire art lovers and watch collectors alike from around the world. These two artisans have sourced and continue to source thousands of vintage watches and watch components from around the globe with the final goal of the preserving their venerable history in precious Lucite. They passionately seek out new design inspiration from the world of horology. The name "Berd Vay’e" represents a culmination of syllables from the designer's names, an homage to their each of their personal passions for horology itself.
Experience: Rolex Baselworld Chocolates. A Highly Coveted Triplock Crown Sweet Treat.
It’s been a while since we last posted those special watch goodies that as watch collectors we all love. A now long tradition at Rolex during Baselworld is to give out to their VIPs and special friends from the press, a box of their highly coveted signature Rolex crown chocolates. A special sweet treat in the form of a Rolex triplock crown filled with four different flavors. These sixteen chocolates are looking to please the most demanding palates combining milk and dark chocolate as well as coffee and hazelnut flavors.
Experience: Hermès Pavage Watch Box. There are Watch Boxes and Then There's this One.
When it comes to watch boxes, the options are infinite. From leather, to fabric, to wood, watch boxes come in all sorts of shapes and forms. And just like some watch boxes are meant to be taken around the world as you travel with your precious possessions, other watch boxes are meant to simply stay at home and be that one statement décor piece that you lust after day after day. Just like we like to say that there are watches and then there are certain watches, the same goes to watch boxes. There are watch boxes and then there’s the Hermès Pavage watch box for ten watches.
Experience: Jaquet Droz The Signing Machine. The King of All Automatons.
When we thought we had seen it all when it comes to Jaquet Droz, the brand wowed us one more time with the release of an object of desire unlike any other. If you thought it would be impossible that one day a mechanical machine would sign for you all your important documents with fresh ink, well, Jaquet Droz just decided to prove everyone wrong. This Jaquet Droz automaton is the ultimate luxurious toy for those that can have it all. By means of highly complex movements and driven by a set of cams that are handmade in order to produce a fluid, natural script, the Jaquet Droz Signing Machine duplicates its owner’s signature.
From the Editor: Presenting the First Issue of Watch Collecting Lifestyle Magazine. Available Now.
Four years ago, I never thought that today I would be writing this announcement for the first issue of Watch Collecting Lifestyle Magazine. Turning from watch collector to journalist and becoming a leading voice in the watch industry has been one helluva journey. Never in my wildest dreams, I would’ve imagined that in only four years, WatchCollectingLifestyle.com would’ve become one of the top luxury watch digital content destinations worldwide and that today, I would be bringing our readers our first print copy.
Watch Goodies: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Table Clock. One of the Coolest AP Clocks Out There.
What watch collector doesn't love big swag from the watch brands? Well, since most of us do, here's one of those very special AP clocks to get you drooling and aspiring for one. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Table Clock is perhaps one of the most rare and least common clocks gifted by AP and one that you rarely see in the wild. This table clock, just like the Royal Oak Desk clock we featured here is also fitted with the 'Le Brassus' themed wooden stand and it was released in 2016.
Watch Goodies: Officine Panerai Pendulette Teak Desk Clock OP 6676 PAM 254. Owning One is a Paneristi Dream Come True.
There are desk clocks and then there's this particular clock. The Officine Panerai Pendulette teak wood desk clock PAM 254 is one of those items typically reserved for authorized dealers and one that we've seen in person only a handful of times. The clock, is very maritime looking —similar to a porthole— and typically available in satin brushed finish or black.
Watch Goodies: Patek Philippe The Authorized Biography. Live Pictures of the Actual Book that Exceeded Our Expectations in Every Way Possible.
A month away from its official release and after placing our order on the Patek.com website, last Friday we received our very own copy of the most definitive and the only authorized Patek Philippe biography. A must have and a must read, this book exceeded our expectations as soon as we opened the shipping container that came all the way from the U.K as the book was carefully packed inside a second white box with the Patek Philippe logo and the words 'The Authorized Biography' on the front. With our Golden Ellipse ref. 3738 on our wrist and a warm coffee by our desk, we first removed the cellophane wrap from the white box and then proceeded to take the book out.
Watch Goodies: Patek Philippe 'The Authorized Biography'. The Definitive History of the Legendary Swiss Manufacture, A Must Read.
A must have and a must read. Patek Philippe: The Authorized Biography is the definitive history of the legendary Swiss manufacture written by Nicholas Foulkes, an acclaimed specialist in art and horology. Spanning over 500 pages and more than 600 images, this work describes the evolution of the independent Genevan manufacture from its beginnings in 1839 to the present.
Watch Goodies: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Pen. A 'Must Have' Writing Instrument for Royal Oak Lovers.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak pen is one of those watch swag items that very few get to possess. Designed after the most iconic elements on the Royal Oak, the pen has an octagonal shape and is fully engraved with a pattern resembling the legendary tapisserie on the Royal Oak's dial. While the pen is quite similar in design to the Caran d'Ache pens, the pen is much thicker than those and extremely heavy for a ballpoint type of pen —total weight almost 43 grams.
Watch Goodies: Zenith El Primero 1969 Chronograph Wall Clock. One of Our Favorite Clocks Out There.
Wall clocks designed after of some of the most iconic watches in the world is something every watch collector loves and lusts after. Whether you run into them at an authorized dealer, an airport lounge or just at someone's office or home, branded wall clocks are the type of watch paraphernalia that when you are a serious watch collector you would love to own.
Watch Goodies: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Alarm Desk Clock. Simply Beautiful.
Today, we start a new section to talk about those little —and sometimes big— goodies we all love to receive from the watch brands. Watch paraphernalia is commonly received as part of an important watch purchase at a brand boutique or just as part of those little swag bags we all receive while attending a watch event.
Experience: The Audemars Piguet Floral Clock at Singapore's Gardens by The Bay. Celebrating Singapore's 50th Year of Independence.
To celebrate Singapore's 50th Independence anniversary, Audemars Piguet and Gardens by The Bay have come together to commemorate the occasion with the unveiling of Singapore’s only sizable public floral clock. Blending timekeeping precision with botanical artistry, the Floral Clock was unveiled by Minister for National Development, Mr. Khaw Boon Wan, together with Dr. Kiat W. Tan, CEO of Gardens by the Bay, and Mr. Oliviero Bottinelli, Member of the Board of Directors, Audemars Piguet Holding SA. Displayed prominently in the Gardens, at the intersection between the cooled conservatoires and the Supertree Grove, the seven-meter-wide Floral Clock draws inspiration from the signature characteristics of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak collection and fuses traditional and contemporary landscaping elements in its design. Featuring tropical plants with colored foliage and flowers, its plant palette will be refreshed regularly for the public to enjoy.
Watch Goodies: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Wall Clock. Unboxing an Iconic and Coveted Clock.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak wall clock is perhaps one of the most coveted items of watch swag but unfortunately for AP lovers this clocks are not for sale to the public but given by the brand to top clients and 'friends of the brand'. The AP Royal Oak wall clock just like the Royal Oak, has evolved in the last 15 years and the current generation of the clock is not only bigger but nicer. While the previous generation of Audemars Piguet wall clocks is still beautiful and as coveted as the new generation, the older clocks were bulkier and slightly smaller —13" in diameter compared to the 15" diameter of the new ones. While the hex bolts on the new AP clocks are recessed just like on the watches, the previous clocks had protruding bolts that made them look more like a ship porthole. Additionally, there is one other 13" AP wall clock with actual tapisserie and recessed bolts that was launched as a transitional clock right in between the 13" clock pictured below and the 15" on the first picture.
Another big difference between the newer clocks and the older ones, is that the new version comes with an actual raised 'tapisserie', while the older clocks featured a 'tapisserie' that was just printed on the dial. Something we do love about the previous generation of AP clocks is the double baton at 12 o'clock, the super bright luminescent material on the batons and hands and the Swiss quartz movement —ironically, the new clocks feature a German quartz movement.
The Audemars Piguet clocks are typically located in 86 Delta Air Lines Sky Club lounges throughout the United States and internationally, at NetJets locations in Woodbridge, NJ, Beverly Hills, CA and New York City, throughout 21 Four Seasons Hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Latin America and aboard The World by Residensea.
Additionally, you will also find them at the Audemars Piguet boutiques, authorized dealers carrying the brand and at the prestigious Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey where Audemars Piguet is the Official Timekeeper.
As we mentioned earlier, these clocks are not for sale by Audemars Piguet but from time to time they will pop-up on Ebay or watch forum classifieds posted by private sellers or authorized dealers wanting to make a quick buck. This particular clock was purchased by a very close friend of ours and true watchlifestyler that waited over two weeks to meet with us before unboxing it, so that we could document it. What a great friend!
While we could've done the unboxing at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago —since they have a couple Audemars Piguet clocks there—, we decided to honor the German quartz movement in the clock with some beer 'steins' filled with the finest German beer at the Hofbräuhaus here in Chicago. Now, enjoy these images of the iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak wall clock. As expected, the finish on the clock is up to par with the finish on the Audemars Piguet timepieces.
Estimated Sticker Price $1,400-2,500 USD. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.
Watch Goodies: Mondaine Magnetic Red Desk Cube Clock. The Official Swiss Railways Clock.
One of the most iconic elements in almost every Bahnhof —train station— in Switzerland's largest cities is the Mondaine clock. With its unmistakable and easy-to-read face, distinctive hands and the iconic red seconds hand, the Mondaine clock is now an icon in the horological world. It is estimated that there are close to 3,000 of these clocks on station concourses and train platforms throughout Switzerland.
In 1944, Hans Hilfiker, a Swiss engineer/designer and employee of the Federal Swiss Railways created this clock which immediately became the 'Official Swiss Railways Clock'.
Based out of Zurich, the Mondaine Watch Group was founded in 1951 by Erwin Bernheim and started creating miniature clocks and watches to immortalize the iconic design of the railroad station clocks in the 1980s. Today, Mondaine Watch Group is the holding company for Mondaine, Camel Active, M-Watch and Luminox.
This modern Mondaine red desk clock ref. A660.30318.84SBC can enhance your workspace both at home and at the office. Fitted with a Swiss quartz movement, the brushed aluminum clock case measures 49mm in diameter and its red cube measures 7" x 7" x 4". The clock can be removed from the cube and attached to any metallic surface.
Next time you find yourself on your way to Baselworld or just visiting one of the 'haute horlogerie' manufactures in the Vallée de Joux, make sure you get one of these clocks to add a nice accent to that room where you keep your watch books and catalogs.
Sticker Price CHF 225, approximately $250 USD. For more info click here.
Watch Goodies: Porsche 911 Alarm Clock. Wake Up to a Roaring Engine.
The Porsche Design 911 alarm clock is a must have for watchlifestylers that are hardcore Porsche enthusiasts. Designed to look like the tachometer on the 911's dashboard, this alarm clock is meant to make you feel like you are still driving your car, even while sitting at your desk or laying in bed. The clock comes with a sturdy but finely finished aluminum case, digital time and date display, alarm, second time zone and timer functions.
The orange hand on the dial is used to set the alarm which will wake you up to the roaring sounds of a 911 mono-block with a blinking red brake light indicator. If you hate getting out of your car every time you get home, then you definitely need one of these clocks. To get this clock click here.
Here's a video showing the sounds of the clock.
Watch Goodies: The Wooden Rolex Clock. Hard to Find.
The real story behind the very hard to find wooden Rolex clocks has always been a mystery. Among different groups of avid Rolex watch collectors we've heard dozens of versions but until now we didn't have what we feel is a definitive answer.
Some people mention that the clock was given to select authorized dealers during the 1970s, another version assures that these clocks were given to employees after 'x' number of years of service at the Rolex Service Centers but you are about to hear the real story behind these iconic wall clocks.
The owner of this clock is a former Rolex Service Center watchmaker that has finally provided a trustworthy answer for us. In the early 80s, this wall clocks were given by Rolex USA to authorized dealers with very high volume of sales. This particular watch was purchased by our friend from one of these dealers back in 1988 for $125. Ironic enough, the infamous Rolex wooden clock is fitted with a battery operated quartz movement made in Japan.
Going price for one of this clocks today is around $1500.
Is it really worth it with a Japanese quartz movement as its beating heart?
Watch Goodies: The Rolex Wimbledon Tie. For Attendees Only.
This rare green Rolex tie was released as a gift to the attendees of the 125th edition of the Wimbledon championship back in 2011. This green tie comes with a beautiful gold silk thread embroidered Rolex crown on the front around the center of the tie. The small end of the tie has a Rolex logo with crown embroidered with the same gold silk thread.
The back of the tie features a purple label with the Rolex brand and the writing commemorating the 125th edition of the Wimbledon championship dated 2011. This tie looks superb with a Navy Blazer with gold buttons, a light blue shirt and a full-Windsor knot as the tie is quite thick.
