Today, Audemars Piguet presents five new iterations of the Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph models in 42 mm equipped with the latest integrated flyback chronograph movement, calibre 4404. The new five models include versions in titanium, stainless steel, and 18K rose gold. The first three models mirror the look of the original Royal Oak Offshore ref. 25721ST ‘The Beast’ which you can read all about it here.
From the Editor: What Happens when a Secondary Market Watch Dealer Like WatchBox Invests in an Independent Brand Like De Bethune?
This morning it was announced that WatchBox —a secondary market-leading platform for buying and trading luxury timepieces— was investing in independent watchmaking brand De Bethune. WatchBox was launched at the end of 2019 by watch industry veterans Danny Govberg —CEO of Govberg Jewelers in Philadelphia— and Liam Wee Tay —former owner of Sincere Fine Watches the oldest watch retailer in Singapore—, along with investor-entrepreneur Justin Reis to transform the pre-owned luxury watch category.
Introducing: Ferdinand Berthoud Chronomètre FB 1.6-3 Unique Piece. Their Sportiest Watch Thus Far.
In a first for the manufacture, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud has applied an all-black DLC treatment to the fine sand-blasted steel case. Has fitted the crown with a ceramic insert, used titanium screws to fasten the case, and equipped the watch with a rubber strap. This is the sportiest watch ever presented by Ferdinand Berthoud thus far.
Introducing: Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer. Two 25-Piece Limited Series in White Gold.
Following the initial introduction as a concept watch at last year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer now takes on its final form. This high-performance chronometer with a revolutionary escapement is housed in a 44 mm case, surrounded by two round and domed crystals that have the effect of slimming the timepiece.
The Watch Collectors: @ilikerolexes An Impressive Collector that Loves Rolex and Patek Philippe
We’ve said it before, watch collectors come in all sizes and types. From all sorts of personalities, styles, and tastes. While it is interesting to see what Hollywood celebrities and professional athletes like own when it comes to watches, there is nothing more rewarding than to see the watch collection of that normal guy or gal that we can relate to as mere mortals.
Experience: Creyente Mezcal Joven. Perfectly Paired with a Rolex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126622.
As we’ve discussed before, Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from any type of agave and the word comes from the Nahuatl language mexcalli, which means ‘oven-cooked agave’. While all tequilas are considered mezcals, not all mezcals can be tequilas. Even though tequila and mezcal are both agave-based distilled spirits, tequila can only be made out of blue agave —agave tequilana— and that is one of the main differences between these two Mexican spirits, not to mention the prominent smoky flavor of mezcal on the palate.
From the Editor: MCT, Franc Vila, Badollet, Breva Genève, JeanRichard, Romain Jerome, Cabestan and HYT Watches are Long Gone. Who's Else is Still Alive?
I love independent watchmaking as much as I love watch manufactures that have been around for centuries. I have a soft spot for the independents because I admire their disruptive behavior, tenacity and the high impact creativity they bring to the watch industry. From brands like MB&F to Urwerk and everything in between, I have a little bit of love for each and every one of them for many reasons.
Eye Candy: MB&F Horological Machine No. 9 Flow. Inspired by Automotive and Aviation Design.
Released in 2018, the MB&F HM9 Flow was presented in two limited editions of 33 pieces each. The watch was conceptualized by Max Büsser and designed by mastermind Eric Giroud. With Guillaume Thévenin who developed the movement, Camile Fournet who worked on the strap and Jean-François Mojon who collaborated on the precision turning of wheels, pinions and axes, amongst other parts.
News: Breguet Appoints Lionel a Marca as its CEO
Heading the House of Breguet since 2021, Lionel a Marca is a watchmaker through and through. Born in Porrentruy, Switzerland in 1967, it was only natural that he should turn to watchmaking. After all, both originate from the beautiful Jura region. Following a watchmaking and repair apprenticeship and several years gaining experience, he joined the Swatch Group in 1992, at Frédéric Piguet located in the Vallée de Joux.
Insider: Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver Military Limited Edition. A Great Ceramic Tool Watch with Formidable Lume.
The day Bell & Ross dropped the new BR 03-92 Diver Military Limited Edition we knew we had to own one and work on a hands-on review. Since we have a soft spot for diving watches here at WCL, the Diver Military had to go on the chopping block. First of all, we have to say that we like the fact that this is a true diving watch in all its form as it complies with the Standard NIHS 92611/ISO 6425 for Diver Watches.
Insider: Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Opaline. Timeless Watchmaking Cues Meet Contemporary Looks.
When it comes to watch collecting, there are only a handful of independent horology brands that we feel like talking about. While we don’t get to review Laurent Ferrier timepieces as often as we would want to, we really enjoy when we do so. Not to be confused with Laurent Perrier champagne, Laurent Ferrier is one of those independent brands that hold a special aura with its clean simple designs where the craftsmanship makes the difference.
From the Editor: Girard-Perregaux Laureato the Best Option When You Can't Have a Nautilus or a Royal Oak
Since its release in 2016 to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the manufacture, the new Laureato has been on my radar as a watch that could easily compete against an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15500ST with a blue dial or a Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711/1A-010 blue dial. Considering today’s watch market, as it is nearly impossible to find an AP Royal Oak or a Patek Nautilus, let alone pay retail price for them, the best option when you can’t have either is the Girard-Perregaux Laureato ref. 81010 and here are some of the reasons why.
Experience: Patek Philippe. A Chronological Journey of The Manufacture's Rich History.
May 1st, 2014 marked the 175th anniversary of the establishment of one of the oldest and finest watchmaking manufactures of all time. Patek Philippe is Geneva's oldest independent family-owned watch manufacturer. Its independence enables it to go its own way and control its own destiny while pursuing a long-term vision.
Introducing: Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Ti 230
Girard-Perregaux was founded 230 years ago in 1791, the same year an English clergyman, William Gregor, discovered titanium in Cornwall. William Gregor, discovered a black sand called menachanite. He analyzed it and concluded that it contained oxides of iron and an unknown metal. This metal was subsequently identified as titanium, an element named after the Titans, the children of Uranus and Gaea in Greek mythology. Today, titanium is widely used, not only in watchmaking but also in the fields of aerospace, medicine and motorsport, selected for its array of benefits.
Insider: Hublot Big Bang Unico Golf Blue. Keeping Track of Your Golfing Score has Never Been this Easy.
Carrying a pencil and a scorecard at the golf course seems to now be a thing of the past when you can just keep track of your score on your wrist. First released in 2018, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Golf in white texalium was later released in green texalium during Dubai week 2020. Now, we bring you our hands-on review of the latest iteration of the Big Bang Unico Golf in blue texalium, which happens to be one of our favorite models.
Introducing: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Titanium Salmon Dial
Joining the other limited editions of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar comes now a 300-piece limited edition in titanium with a salmon dial. Some of the other limited edition pieces include the 50-piece limited edition in platinum with ice blue dial for Switzerland, the 100-piece in pink gold with pink-toned dial for Latin America, the 50-piece in stainless steel with a green dial for Hong Kong…
From the Editor: My Seven Stolen Watches and the Worst Night of My Life
I’ve been very hermetic about what happened to me the night of September 27, 2019; however, with watch theft on the rise around the globe, I’ve decided to finally share with all of you what happened to me and how I was stripped off of seven watches in my collection in what I like to call the worst night of my life. Some of you probably heard about it through Instagram as I shared pictures of the stolen watches with their serial numbers back then. However, the vast majority of you our readers have not heard about this violent crime.
Introducing: Panerai Radiomir Eilean PAM1243. Two Iconic 1936 Designs.
Both the original Radiomir and Eilean, the yacht that became a part of Panerai history, were created in 1936. The Radiomir Eilean PAM1243 honors the underlying bond between these two legends. The Panerai Radiomir Eilean couples the hallmark features of the historic Radiomir collection and the aesthetic lineage of Eilean.
Introducing: Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet-One Tourbillon
The new Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet-One Tourbillon paves the way for a new artistic horizon, breaking away from traditional designs and towards open-worked mechanics. The Grande Seconde Skelet-One Tourbillon displays its watchmaking precision, pushing the founding principal of the skeleton movement to the extreme: a minimum amount of material for the maximum amount of rigidity and light.
From the Editor: Seems I've Identified the Gregory Pau that Consigned the Olive Green Patek Nautilus to Antiquorum
Well, I’ve done my thorough research as this is a very hot topic. Yesterday, I told you about the Patek Philippe Nautilus ‘Olive Green’ ref. 5711/1A-014 that sold for almost half a million dollars —$490,000 USD to be precise— at the Antiquorum auction in Monaco. After my rant about the watch industry and the nonsense going on with regards to the pricing bubble and the lack of inventory from brands like Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex, it’s time to now release some details on who the consigner of the watch seems to be.
