Best Super NEWS Watches
Introducing The Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage II
Last year, Zenith released the original Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage, an exceptionally complex watch that puts a fuse and chain constant force mechanism and a unique Gravity Control module on full display. This year, Zenith is following up on that watch with a sequel, and this one adds ornate decoration and artistry to the mix in honor of Christopher Columbus, for whom the watch is named. Theres a lot to take in here, so lets take a closer look at each component. The Grand Voyage?uses the same 45 mm case as last years model, with a thickness that goes from 14.8 mm to 21.8 mm at the domed sapphire cryst...
At The HODINKEE Pop-Up At Haberdash In Chicago
HODINKEE At Haberdash Chicago We spent this past weekend in Chicago at Haberdash hosting a pop-up vintage watch store. It started with a kick-off party Friday night and continued through the beautiful spring weekend. We sold some truly amazing watches and got to chat with tons of watch guys who came from all over the Chicago area (and some from much further). It was a great weekend and you can check out some highlights here.The watches we had on offer weren't the only cool watches in Haberdash this weekend. Guys came through the door wearing everything from funky 70s chronographs to elegant perpetual calendars, including watches from Patek Philippe, Tudor, Jaeger-L...
Hands-On: With The New Patek Philippe 5205R Annual Calendar In Rose Gold (Live Pics & Pricing)
Patek Philippe 5205R While the bulk of the excitement surrounding Basel World has to do with the introduction of entirely new designs and movements, it's important not to overlook updates to?existing?references. Patek Philippe added a rose gold option for the 5205 in the 5205R, which is awesome in ways completely different from the previous white gold 5205s. It's a great example of a new metal giving an existing reference a totally new feel. First, let's do a quick re-cap of the basics of the 5205. It's an annual calendar with instantaneously jumping indicators for the day, date, and month all house...
Book Review: Heuer Autavia Chronographs 1962-85
If one were to look at the world of vintage watches over the past five years, one brand that has seen a significant increase in visibility, prices, and desirability is Heuer. And one of the strongest wristwatch models made by Heuer from the 1960s to the 1980s is the Autavia (a combination of "Automobile" and "Aviation").? Autavias also represent one of the watches with the widest range of styles made by Heuer during that period, and it is for these reasons that Richard Crosthwaite and Paul?Gavin?recently published?Heuer Autavia Chronographs 1962-85.? Crosthwaite previously published?Heuer Monaco - Design Classic?and he runs b...
Imagine finding a beaten up old Breitling at a garage sale.? You pay 25 for it, and then think "hey, this looks just like that watch James Bond wore back in 1965!".? And then you find out it is the very watch that James Bond wore back in 1965!Well, that happened. And now Christie's sill get the chance to sell this one of a kind, movie-worn James Bond Breitling in London on June 28th.? The estimates top out at 60,000 which may sound like a lot. But, you must remember this watch is being sold at a memorabilia sale, not a watch sale.? And when this occurs, crazy stuff has been known to happen.? If you don't remember this particular Bond watch, he wore it in Thunderball and used this converted...
We're Looking For NY-Based Journalists And Photographers To Join The HODINKEE Team
Hey guys.? HODINKEE is growing, and quickly.? To support this growth, we're on the look-out for some talented people to join the team.? We're looking for experienced journalists and photographers in the NY area who have a knowledge of and an even deeper interest in the great watches we cover here on the site.? If you think you'd be a good fit for HODINKEE, shoot us a note at iwannawork(at)hodinkee(dot)com.? Be sure to include your CV, writing samples (or links to writing samples), some photographic work, and what you'd be interested (and available!) to do for us.? Again, at the moment, we are looking for writers in New York only....
Hands-On: With The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Column-Wheel Chronograph (Live Pics, Pricing, Thoughts)
One of the most exciting new launches at Basel World 2013 was Girard-Perregaux's manually wound integrated chronograph.? We told you about it on the very first day of the show here, and now we're back with live photos and thoughts.First things first, this watch was a long time coming.? GP has been making nice looking chronos for years in its 1966 collection, but, as Jason said in our Week On The Wrist review of one, its a high-price to pay for a modular chronograph.? Of course others charge even more for modular chronos - we're looking at you AP Royal Oak Offshore - but that's a sport watch for a sporty guy who may not care so much about mechanics or horological purity.? The 1966 looks like ...
Introducing The Panerai Mare Nostrum Titanio
Panerai is once again reviving the Mare Nostrum, this time in the form of a titanium cased special edition with a design reminiscent of the original prototype developed in 1943. So named for the Royal Italian Navys WWII victories in the Mediterranean Sea, Mare Nostrum translates to Our Sea.?The naming dates back to 1924, used on what was likely the first Panerai chronograph, but any hint of these watches has long since disappeared. This left Panerai?with the 1943 prototypes from which to draw their inspiration for a new watch, something weve seen before in the 90s and again about four?years ago. The newest Mare Nostrum i...
The Road To Basel Episode 1: Seeing The Unseen With Vacheron Constantin
You've followed us on Instagram and Twitter, you've seen the teaser, and now it's time to show you what we were up to all along the #roadtobasel. This will be a multi-part video series documenting Ben and Will's voyage from Paris, through Burgundy to Geneva, to the Valle de Joux, back to Geneva, through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Lake Como and Milan, up to Lucerne, and finally on to Basel itself.?In episode one, we visit the historic maison of one of the world's greatest watchmakers C Vacheron Constantin. When we told them we were coming, they asked us what we wanted to see. We said, "show us the three watches you are most proud of." And that's exactly what we saw that day in Geneva, and what...
Patek Philippe Creates Unique 5004 Split-Seconds Perpetual Calendar In Titanium For Only Watch 2013
Only Watch is one the most exciting horological events in the world. Taking place once every two years, many of the finest manufactures in the world task their developers with building a unique piece to be auction completely for charity. The results are often astonishing - like MB&F's Panda-adorned HM4, Ikepod's Marc Newson designed red Hourglass, or Vacheron's simply beautiful MC Escher inspired dove watch. But, undoubtedly, this auciton is all about raising money, and if you want big (financial) results, you've gotta talk Patek Philippe. Last time around, Patek cased the very last 3939 minute repeater tourbillon in stainless steel. We were lucky enough to snap some photos of it he...
A Week On The Wrist: The Baume & Mercier Clifton 10057 Complete Calendar
Baume & Mercier's new Clifton collection brings together vintage styling and affordable pricing in watches that when you see them, you want to wear them. It can be hard to find well-executed, complicated watches at prices that don't make most guys' eyes water, so we decided to take the Clifton 10057 Complete Calendar, which comes in under $5,000, for a spin. Introduction To The Calendar Watch There are a lot of brands today focused on shaving time into ever-finer slivers with record-breaking chronographs and new balance technology, but long before that was even a possibility, people were building calendars into their timepieces. In f...
Hands-On: With The Omega Seamaster Bullhead (Live Pics + Pricing)
The late 60s were an exciting time for Omega. The Constellation line was in full stride, the Speedmaster was heading into space, and the Seamaster Bullhead was finding love in a growing sea of sporty chronograph fans. More than 40 years later, the Speedmaster is still on top of its game?and?the Constellation is well it's still here (though a far cry from the 561s of the 60s). The Bullhead however, was been but a faint memory, only discussed within the nerdiest of WIS circles (you know who you are). That's about to change though, thanks to a faithful re-issue of the 1969 Bullhead Chronograph?unveiled in Basel just a few weeks ago.? ...
Introducing The Greubel Forsey GMT, Now Housed In Platinum With Rose Gold
We've shown you the Greubel Forsey GMT before - recently in a Hands-On cover of the ADLC version. It is an unmistakable, if not defining piece within the manufacture's lineup. This is of course mostly because of the three-dimensional titanium globe at 7 o'clock which doubles as a worldtime complication.?That's right, a world time complication. While many watches tout their GMT offerings as world timers, Greubel Forsey seems to do just the opposite by marketing its world timer as a GMT. Indubitably, there's a 24-hour sub dial at 9 o'clock and an accommodating pusher on the side of the case right after it, but there's so much more.? ...
Hands-On: With The 4N By Francois Quentin (Live Pics, Pricing, Details)
The long story of the 4N seems to be reaching its climax, with watchmaker Francois Quentin showing a working production model at this year's Basel World fair. About a year ago, we brought you video of an actual working watch, having been brought to life by none other than Renaud & Papi, a good sign that we'd soon get to see the finished product ourselves. And so it was. We sat down with Francois in Basel just last month and got our hands on a production model of the 4N. The complex inner workings of the 4N, which are on full display inside the deep, bath-tub shaped case, are a lot to take in at first glance. So much so th...
Let me start off by saying I'm not quire sure of the thought process behind this one.? You're looking at the brand new TAG Heuer Monaco Automobile Club de Monaco Black Edition.? So yes, this is a black Monaco, and yet it has nothing to do with the original black Monaco?? This seems to be the case.? Let us explain. The reference 74033 Heuer Monaco was a fully PVD watch that Heuer brought out in very limited numbers in the late 1970s as something of a last-ditch effort to save the floundering line.? You can see one above and read more about it here. It didn't work, so Heuer made very few of them. Because of this, these black M...
Introducing: The A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater
We knew it was coming, we just didn't know when. Borrowing technology from the incredible $2.6m Grande Complication, and a case from the ever cool Zeitwerk, today in Geneva A. Lange & Sohne revealed the new Zeitwerk MInute Repeater. We had heard tell the Zeitwerk would take on a new role as the family that would lead with complications, and a minute repeater is one of the holiest of all horological achievements. But this isn't any minute repeater, this is an A. Lange & Sohne minute repeater, meaning it's chock full of little details that only Lange would think of. The case is the very same used in the Zeitwerk Striking Ti...
Ref.5200 Gondolo 8 Days, Day & Date? It's not all that often that Patek Philippe introduces an entirely new concept, but here we have just that with the Ref. 5200 Gondolo 8 Days, Day & Date. This is a real purist's watch that combines traditional styling with a beautiful manually-wound 8-day movement, all while including Patek's latest technological innovations.? Ref. 5200 Gondolo 8 Day With Blue Dial When you first look at the 5200, chances are you immediately think back to the Ref. 5100 10-Day, which was released over a decade ago. While the Gondolo case shape and prominent power reserve indica...
The Galet Classic from Laurent Ferrier is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful watches in the world.? You know the one - it's the one with a double spiral tourbillon that was named Best Men's Watch at the 2010 GPHG.? The Tourbillon Double Spiral, or Galet Classic, was LF's first watch, and it's the one that inspired the incredible Galet micro-rotor.? And at this year's Basel World, Laurent Ferrier introduced a re-worked tourbillon caliber.? To celebrate, they showed us an 18 piece limited edition, in stainless steel.? Yes, that's a Laurent Ferrier tourbillon in steel, people. So what's different about the new tourbillon?...
Hands-On: With The Tissot Powermatic 80 Chronometer (Live Pics & Pricing)
Tissot Powermatic 80 Chronometer Along with the vintage-inspired worldtimer, Tissot released an update of their popular Powermatic line at this year's Basel World. The new Powermatic 80 Chronometer is an extremely straightforward watch with an 80 hour power reserve and chronometer certified movement, giving you a lot of timekeeping power for your money. The handsome package is an added bonus and here's a hands-on look at this high-value watch from Tissot. 80 Hour Power Reserve and COSC Chronometer Certification COSC-certification is nothing new for Tissot. A few months ago we gave you an in-depth rev...
This afternoon in Geneva, Antiquorum held its spring sale. ?One watch that everyone was closely watching was the Paul Newman Daytona above. ?What made this one so interesting was its unique dial, which is a lemon color (as opposed to cream), with white markers in the sub-registers (as opposed to gold). ?What's more, and to us what made this watch REALLY special is its serial number, which indicates this watch could very well be one of the first reference 6263 Daytonas ever built.The serial even indicates this watch was made prior to many reference 6262 and 6264's, the last of the pump-pusher chronographs. ?Antiquorum even went as far as to call this a prototype, and after the dust settled in...