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Best Super NEWS Watches
Montblanc has been doing many a right thing recently. Think about the lineup that we covered in 2014 C the Meisterstck Heritage Pulsograph, the Villeret 1858 Vintage Pulsographe, the Meisterstck Heritage Perpetual Calendar, and even the limited edition homage to Nicolas Rieussec Superluminova Monopusher. We've covered in-house chronos, enamel dials, superbly finished devils tails, Minerva engravings, and a perpetual calendar deal of the year. Therefore, their latest offering shouldnt come as a shocker. The Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum is Montblancs new in-house(ish) World Timer.The Spirit Orbis Terrarum has a round 41 mm by 12 mm case, which is an appropriate compromise in diameter fo...
Photo Report: Recapping HODINKEE's Holiday Celebration With A. Lange & Sohne
Okay, it may seem like we party a lot, but that's not really the case. The events we host are intended to build a community among the growing network of watch collectors we meet almost daily, those with shared passions and a common interest in the craft that fascinates us all. So, when we had the opportunity to host an intimate event at the newly opened Lange boutique in New York City, we couldn't resist. It was the perfect chance to celebrate the end of year, surrounded by friends, both new and old, and surrounded by great watches (and beer and pretzels). Click through for a photo report of our celebration with A. Lange & Sohne. Zeitwerk Striking T...
Historical Perspectives: Inside The Archives Of Audemars Piguet (Video)
To me, vintage Audemars Piguet is one of the most exciting, underappreciated, and beautiful categories of watches to study and collect. But let's not get it twisted.I won't pretend that as a whole, the vintage Patek Philippe market doesn't trump just about all other vintage markets combined, including AP. Still, that doesn't mean individually Pateks are the most valuable, desirable, rare, or even most interesting. I would contend, and I know I'm not alone in this, that piece by piece, a complicated, vintage Audemars Piguet is far more interesting than your average complicated vintage Patek, and after this article, I think you'll agree with me. ...
The Greubel Forsey GMT Black is limited to 22?pieces. There is a 3-D globe set within the Greubel Forsey GMT that will tell you where around the world, at any given moment, the sun is shining or moonlight governs the night. While it isn't the only watch?in the world?to feature this terrestrial component, its gallant stylings, mechanical prowess, and heavyweight brand pedigree make it perhaps the most dauntless. Announced today is a new blacked-out version of this watch, limited to just 22 pieces, which will most likely end up in the collections of sophisticated?Greubel Forsey aficionados plus one or two other persons, most likely persons?with?megalomaniacal tendenc...
Bring a Loupe: Shopping At Cool Vintage Watches In Parkville, Missouri
If you love vintage watches and ever find yourself in Kansas City, it is certainly worth the 20-minute drive to the quaint town of Parkville to check out Cool Vintage Watches (CVW). Located on the revitalized mid-century Main Street next to a hip coffee shop, Cool Vintage Watches opened two years ago and added a new dimension to what was previously an online-only store owned and operated by John Putnam. I visited the store last year and it has a great man-cave quality to it. It isnt just watches inside, but is a mix of all kinds of vintage items, including cameras, typewriters, pens, cufflinks, and records. It also has your ...
TAG Heuer CEO Stphane Linder Resigns, Jean-Claude Biver Steps In As Interim CEO
Stphane Linder worked at Tag Heuer for 21 years. Big news out of La Chaux-de-Fonds: Stphane Linder, CEO of TAG?Heuer, has resigned from his position at the helm of one of the world's largest watchmakers. Jean-Claude Biver, current Head of Watchmaking?at LVMH, will act as CEO of TAG?Heuer in the interim.Linder assumed the role of CEO just last year, after former CEO Jean-Christophe Babin left TAG?Heuer to become CEO at Bulgari.?The departure of Linder, who has worked at TAG?Heuer for 21 years, comes amidst significant?restructuring at the firm, including 46 layoffs in September and a refocus on lower-priced watches.Linder's resignation is the second departure of k...
Introducing The Ulysse Nardin Imperial Blue, A Flying Tourbillon With Sonnerie Westminster Carillon
As of late, Ulysse Nardin has decided to really own the nautical theme, almost exclusively. Make no mistake,?the nautical theme isnt necessarily a rotating bezel and a brushed, depth-resistant case. No, were talking about designs that would make Poseidon himself gleam with pride. Earlier in the year, we showcased the Ulysse Nardin Blue Cruiser, a watch plentiful in navy accents that sported an open-worked carousel tourbillon, with a bezel-controlled setting/winding mechanism instead of a crown. Now, Ulysse Nardins latest release continues on the path of nautical-themed ingenuity with the introduction of the Imperial Blue C?a limited edition flying tourbillon, minute repeater and grande so...
Introducing the Cartier Crash Skeleton, An Icon Reimagined
Recently, Ben implored a simple point to Hodinkee readers: Cartier deserves your respect. The manufactures latest release of the Crash Skeleton, with Calibre 9618 MC, furthers that notion. Cartier has skeletonized a number of watches in the past (such as the Tank LC Sapphire Skeleton) but with this reissue, the watchmaker is doing more than offering just another timepiece C it is rekindling memories and reminding us (those that need reminding) of its longstanding pedigree. For those that might be unfamiliar with the (slightly macabre)?story, the Crash was born in 1967, after?a?Cartier Bagnoire wristwatch that was damaged and accidentally transformed into a surrealist, oddly shaped case?foun...
There are two main similarities between a Lamborghini Veneno Roadster and?the watches of Roger Dubuis.?Both take an extreme approach to design relative to their respective industries. And inside of both are skillfully crafted engines, the former automotive and the latter horological. This is not so much of a paradox for the Veneno, but more so for modern Roger Dubuis watches?because (to wristwatch purists)?they?flout most of the classical design concepts generally associated?with?beautifully-made?in-house movements. In a conversation with Roger Dubuis CEO Jean-Marc Pontroue,?he explained how the perceived incongruence between polarizing designs?and technical merit can actually work in a comp...
The new certification process is open to watches from any manufacturer. With the introduction of the Master Co-Axial movement in 2013, touted as "the world's first truly anti-magnetic movement,"?Omega made it clear that technical development would remain a strong component of the brand's identity moving forward. The new movement featured a number of novel material applications that boosted its magnetic resistance to more than 15,000 gauss (whereas most watches up until that point protected?against 1,000 gauss). In order to maintain quality control over the production of these new movements?C with much higher thresholds for magnetic protection?C?Omega has teamed up ...
Introducing The Longines Conquest 1/100th Alpine Skiing Chronograph
The ability to time?events to hundredths of a?second?is quite a technological feat. Such recording requirements surpass the needs of the average chronograph-user (who is more likely to?use this complication in more modern ways (e.g. grilling time, decanting time, souffl-rising time. Heck, maybe even a light?jog if its not raining). But for the adventurous watch-wearer, especially one who lives on the slopes, Longines is offering the Conquest 1/100th Alpine Skiing Chronograph.Longines has a long history of athletic timekeeping C since 1878, to be exact C and this new model continues that heritage.?The case measures in at 41 mm C modern dimensions, but not egregious. The dial is black with a...
A. Lange & Sohne Refreshes Saxonia Line For SIHH
Not content to leave well enough alone, A. Lange & Sohne has given three?models from their Saxonia line a discreet dial makeover before going into SIHH next month. The updated design affects?the Saxonia Dual Time, the Saxionia Automatic, and the Saxonia (handwind). The modifications are subtle, and have been done in the name of improving legibility. Additionally, the Saxonia handwind and Saxonia Dual Time drop more than 1?mm each in diameter. The changes may be minimal on their own, but together, they spell a distinct shift in personality. Lets start with the universal changes that will adorn all three of the Saxonia wat...
Bring a Loupe: Highlights Of Next Week's New York Auctions
This coming week features a number of auctions in New York (plus one in London) so I thought I would compile the highlights in a single article, while also flag some lots of concern in the hope that it will help bidders and also encourage the auction houses to up their games. Here are selected timepieces from Auctionata, Bonhams (New York), Christie's, Sotheby's, Bonhams (London), and Antiquorum. Sunday, December 7: Auctionata in New York This Sunday is another Auctionata sale in New York. The last one was quite entertaining, to say the least. It was reminiscent of a QVC set and featured an animated auctioneer, who instead of saying "Date...
Watch Spotting: Art Basel Miami Edition, At The W Hotel South Beach
IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days In not-so-inconspicuous strategies catering to presumably affluent consumers, a number of watch brands engage in elaborate marketing exercises during the annual Art Basel Miami show for modern and contemporary art. This year, IWC showcased its new Portofino Midsize collection amid the swank sun-drenched pool deck of the W South Beach. That's nice and all, but in all honesty, what caught our eyes were the classic IWC watches on both staff and guests, as well as a few non-brand outliers that some intrepid attendees sported on their wrists. An intrepid attendee wears a Panerai Luminor Marina Au...
Here it is people. This is a major new introduction from Piaget, and it is really impressive stuff. Piaget is known for making the thinnest complicated watches in the world. Actually, they also happen to make the thinnest mechanical watch in the world, period. Today, they add a major introduction to their revered Altiplano line with a new in-house, ultra-thin flyback chronograph. This is the real deal. This 41 mm chronograph features the new Piaget caliber 883P, the thinnest hand-wound flyback chronograph ever made. The depth of the whole movement is just 4.65 mm thick, with a power reserve of 50 hours and 3Hz beat rate. But ...
Hands-On: With The Entire Collection Of Lange & Sohne Lange 1 20th Anniversary Sets
About a month ago, A. Lange & Sohne announced a set of limited edition Lange 1's that would be sold in pairs to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its most iconic watch. We made that announcement here. Today we're back to show you the full set in the metal, because like with most high-end watches, press photos simply don't do these watches any justice. These watches are simply stunning in person. The dial work is superb, and contrary to what you might believe based on the ornate descriptions and press photos, they are not over the top in any way. At the top...
A Limited Edition Panerai Celebrates Revolution Magazines Tenth Anniversary
The watch magazine?Revolution?is celebrating its tenth?anniversary this year and Panerai has created a limited?edition watch to commemorate the milestone. Revolution was founded in Singapore in 2004 and has set itself apart as a big, bold magazine that blends lavishly produced photo spreads with in-depth technical writing on watches and the watch industry. The magazine, which is produced quarterly, has since grown to include four international editions.? Its fitting that a big,?bold magazine gets a big, bold watch to commemorate its anniversary. The Luminor Marina 8-Day PAM00599 has the familiar half-moon crown guard and 44?...
Hands-On: With The Nomos Zurich Worldtimer True Blue
A new dial color was introduced for the Nomos Zurich Worldtimer: Two months ago, when we first heard word of a new dial color for the Nomos Zurich Worldtimer, two things were certain: we knew it would probably be good;?and we knew we had to get our hands on one to assess the new dial in person and, of course, to share it with you. True Blue A list of global cities, in English, surround the dial. In person, the new blue dial is striking C the hue is a dusty petrol blue that works well within the polished stainless-steel case. The blue co...
Introducing the 6B MK2, A New Pilots Watch From The Maker Of GasGasBones Straps
As most readers know, theres a lot of BS in the watch business C?dubious claims, hyperbolic claims of pedigree and purpose, and breathless marketing hype. But Carl Evans is the real deal. Hes the man behind the cult favorite GasGasBones straps and the fledgling watch brand 6B. Theres a lot of chatter, interest, and controversy about British watches these days but 6B, and the latest release, the MK2, side step all of that with an earnestness and honesty thats refreshing.First of all, some background on Evans. Hes a retired survival equipment fitter who put in 25 years with Britain's?Royal Air Force. During those years, he developed a love not only for Queen and country but also for the g...
HODINKEE Teams Up With Freemans Sporting Club To Create The Traveler Sportcoat
The Traveler Sportcoat is the first collaboration between HODINKEE and Freemans Sporting Club. We travel. A lot. This year alone our team has been to Tokyo, Reykjadalur, Chantilly, Schaffhausen, Cupertino, Dresden, Lake Como, the Glapagos Islands,?and, of course, Geneva. While we wouldn't have it any other way, at times it feels?like we're running?a gauntlet from the boarding gate to product presentations with nary a moment to spare before hitting the?dinner table.?This presents a unique conundrum: how best to keep presentable with all this dashing about? The unstructured sportcoat is made from 100% Italian cashmere. ...