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Best Super NEWS Watches
This is shaping up to be an absolutely astonishing year for Vacheron Constantin. Even without the Reference 57260 (which we covered for you here, and here, and here) it would have been an impressive year for VC just on the basis of its new Harmony Collection (which, you might remember, we looked at here and here, and which we also covered in the latest installment of Three on Three). But then, they dropped the Reference 57260 on us C and now, at Watches & Wonders in Hong Kong, theyve give us even more. Lets start with a watch we fell in love with the minute we saw the pictures: the Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955. The name is just one of the many things th...
Introducing: The Official HODINKEE Mobile App, Now Available For iOS
Since joining HODINKEE a few months ago, I can say one thing with total certainty: we're all a bunch of geeks. Ben, Jack, Cara, and Nick are true watch geeks, and I love them for it. Will is a video geek, and myself and our team of engineers are total tech geeks. It's why we all work so well together C and today you'll see the first product of our collaboration C the HODINKEE Mobile App, for iOS. Why an app, why now? Well, we know based on our own experience and on our analytics that there is a 50% chance that you're reading this very article on your phone or tablet. The mobile web is great, but it can be slow and clunky, making ...
This fall is looking like it will be an amazing time to be a vintage watch lover. Last week we showed you some highlights from the Phillips November sale, and now we're back with a few highlights from the Christie's sale. The absolute highlight of this sale is a Patek Philippe perpetual calendar from 1954 C reference 2497 C but this isn't your average 2497. No, this is a fresh to market example, with a never before seen black gilt dial and luminous hands. It's likely one of a kind, and it belonged Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie. It is absolutely spectacular. The Emporer Selassie Patek Philippe 2497 With Black Dial And Luminous Hands ...
Found: Astronaut Dave Scott's Personal Bulova Chronograph Actually Worn On The Moon, For Sale
Little known fact: any Omega Speedmaster issued by NASA is always and forever the property of the United States government C unless they expressly gift it to someone, which doesn't happen often. That means that every single Omega Speedmaster that ever made it into the space, much more so onto the moon, belongs to Uncle Sam. That, in turn, means that the chance to own a watch that has been to the moon is not something that will happen. Except now, all of the sudden, it's happening. Up for sale is Apollo 15 Astronaut Dave Scott's personal Bulova chronograph. Yup, now is your chance own an actual moon watch. See that photo up to...
Introducing: The Limited Edition Laurent Ferrier Galet Square Motorsport For Fourtane Jewelers
Laurent Ferrier has been on a roll recently, and this new limited edition is no exception. Partnering with Fourtane Jewelers in Carmel, CA, this run of five pieces has a few little flourishes that will appeal to vintage motorsports collectors C which of course includes Mr. Ferrier himself. Still present are the insanely beautiful self-winding movement, the stainless-steel case, but now we have a beautiful blue-toned, vertically satin-brushed finish. We see "rosso corsa" colored accents on the sub-seconds, with a dial inspired by mid-century chronometers. The strap on this limited piece is either a dark blue alligator with Alcantara lining and rosso corsa st...
In-Depth: A Visit To Glashtte Originals Alfred Helwig Watchmaking School
Glashtte has a very strong tradition of horological education, dating back to the 19th century. In 1878, the German School of Watchmaking Glashtte was founded in the center of the German mountain town. Today, the school is run by Glashtte Original and named after its famous student and instructor, Alfred Helwig. While you may not know of Alfred Helwig, you most likely know of his famous invention, the flying tourbillon. HODINKEE recently visited the school and met instructor Thomas Goldbeck for a tour. What I saw was incredible, and left me feeling great about the future of watchmaking in Glashtte. Thomas Goldbeck, Instructor ...
Talking Watches: With Jos Bautista
Jos Bautista crushes baseballs for a living. In 2010, the former part-time player exploded on the scene for the Toronto Blue Jays with a Major League-leading 54 home runs. He hasn't slowed down since; over the past six seasons, he has hit the most home runs in baseball. (Bautista finished the recently completed 2015 season with 40 home runs; his Blue Jays begin the playoffs on October 8th against the Texas Rangers.) And so when all that success led to a lucrative, multi-year contract, Jos decided to reward himself by rekindling a childhood passion: watches. This is your official HODINKEE Talking Watches with Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jos Bautista. ...
Weekend Report: A Look Back At A Big Week For HODINKEE
This special weekend report is going out to, well, ourselves. Why? Because this was a huge week for us, and I want to make sure you didn't miss any of the amazing things we revealed this week, both for some great watchmakers, for us, and for you guys as watch lovers. 1. We Launched The HODINKEE iPhone App! We put in a lot of work on this one C our very first native mobile app. The HODINKEE app goes well, well beyond just a re-packaging of our RSS feed C this a robust interface that allows you to search and browse by our most popular columns (think Talking Watches, Three on Three, and Reference Points)...
The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute held its 2015 national convention in Kansas City last week and by all accounts it was a massive success. With many upstart American watch brands in attendance, the theme for this year's convention was The Rebirth of the American Watchmaking Spirit. HODINKEE was there to learn more about the history of this venerable organization, and what is in store for its future. The convention was held at Kansas City's glamorous Hotel Phillips. The AWCI is America's professional organization for the horological industry. The institute was founded in 1960 when regional watchmaking guilds found ...
Two months ago, Apple followed up the announcement of the Apple Watch with a special edition model in partnership with no less than Herms. Herms is, of course, the still-to-this-day family run hyper-luxury lifestyle brand by which all others are measured. It is quite simply one of the great brand stories of the 20th century and beyond, and a rare success story of those who never cut corners being rewarded by the consumer. Further, Herms is actually an important brand to a watch collector C having partnered with several great Swiss manufactures over the years as a distributor, retailer, co-designer, and more. Even more, several Herms items, though technically unrelated to horology, have b...
Introducing: The Radiomir 1940 Automatic In 42 MM, And Three Other New Releases From Panerai
Panerai came storming out of the gates at Watches & Wonders 2015 in Hong Kong. Not only did it release a long awaited piece in a slimmer, more constrained size while upgrading its hardware, but it also upgraded a few other models in its Radiomir lineup C be they simple timekeeping pieces or haute complications. The Radiomir 1940 3 Days Automatic C 42 MM (PAM 620) This watch has been anticipated for some time. In a sense, it may even have been overdue given the seemingly simple combination of precursory features that consumers had petitioned for after seeing them individually scattered among other releases. We saw a great 1940 Radiomir...
Patek Philippe Officially Announces New Watchmaker Training Program In The U.S.
Patek Philippe has just officially announced the opening of something it sees as critical to its continued long-term success in the United States: a new program for training watchmakers in the U.S. Though Patek has of course for many years trained its watchmakers in its own in-house program, which teaches everything from the most basic, but essential skills (starting with learning how to make your own tools, including the proper method of sharpening a screwdriver, and going all the way up to learning how to work on minute repeaters and other high complications) this is only the second Patek Philippe watchmaking school to be inaugurated outside Switzerland (the other is in Shanghai). ...
Introducing: The Glashtte Original Sixties Iconic Collection, A Horological Tribute To A Unique Time
In 1964, VEB Glashtter Uhrenbetriebe (now known as Glashtte Original) launched one of the most iconic wristwatches of its time, the Spezimatic. Today, Glashtte Original pays tribute to the '60s and the Spezimatic with the launch of the Sixties Iconic Collection. The Sixties Iconic Collection comprises five colorful timepieces, in red, gold, aqua, brown, and grey. The curved dials have a dgrad effect, which gives the watches an intense three dimensional look. They are first galvanized, and then layers of lacquer are applied. This lacquer work is so deep that the dials look almost wet; light dances from their surface. Fina...
Breaking News: Christie's New York To Hold 'The Omega Speedmaster 50' Thematic Sale This December
It's safe to say the Omega Speedmaster is one of the most universally adored timepieces in all the land. Its combination of timeless design, excellent movement and build quality, plus its superior place in the global cultural narrative, elevate it beyond simply a watch to a downright icon of American, and even world, history. Today, we are thrilled to announce that Christie's will be celebrating this iconic chronograph with a thematic sale entitled "OMEGA SPEEDMASTER 50: From A Spacewalk To Today." The 50-lot sale marks the half-century anniversary of the Omega Speedmaster's first trip into space, on the wrist of Gemini IV as...
Quick Thoughts On The Sotheby's Hong Kong Sale: Vintage Rules, Even In Asia
Hong Kong sales make an interesting bellweather for the general health of the watch market in the Far East. Until last year, they were thriving, reaching astronomical prices across a wide range of references, and hitting record after record with ultra-flashy and complicated modern wristwatches (Patek Philippe in particular). However, with last years crackdown on luxury gift-giving in China (part of the larger anti-corruption crusade) the recent market dip, and subsequent deflation of the yuan earlier this year, the luxury watch market is in the spotlight more than ever C and maybe in the crosshairs as well. The results of such economical challenges can be seen in the number of Swiss watch e...
YOU'RE INVITED: Join HODINKEE At Manfredi Jewels In Greenwich, CT, On October 13th
It's that time of year again! Please join HODINKEE as we host an awesome event with our good friends, Manfredi Jewels in Greenwich, CT on Tuesday, 13th October at 6:30pm. Our very own, Benjamin Clymer will co-host the cocktail event with Manfredi Jewels Owner, Roberto Chiappelloni. There will be drinks, light bites, and of course, plenty of watches. Something you definitely don't want to miss. Please RSVP to [email protected] by Monday 12th October. If you would like transportation from Downtown Manhattan to Greenwich, please include this in your RSVP. Looking forward to seeing you there!...
NOMOS Glashtte has been around since 1990, believe it or not C here at HODINKEE we find it hard to imagine that the companys already a quarter century old, because theyve managed to keep a sense of inventiveness in how they present themselves, and in their watches, that makes them seem perpetually fresh. None of this is an accident, of course C in fact, a big part of the reason that NOMOS has as much goodwill from the watch community as it has, stems from its obsessive concentration on getting all the details just right. Weve all seen innumerable watches from innumerable brands that almost work, but that have that one niggling detail that, like a puncture in a balloon, lets all the air o...
This week's Bring A Loupe will present to you an outstanding Vacheron Constantin with a glorious case. Then comes a round-up of great tool watches, but here is the catch - none are from Rolex. Instead we preferred to surprise you with some less expected watches from Aquastar, IWC, and Universal Geneve - all fantastic in their own right. This is your Bring A Loupe for October 9, 2015. A Rare Vacheron Ref. 4790 With An Incredible Case The case of this Vacheron Constantin deserves a good close look: I have rarely seen such an interesting build in such dreamy condition. The articulated lugs are absolutely...
Photo Report: RGM Watches At The Balvenie Rare Craft Collection In New York City
The Balvenie Rare Craft Collection recently came to New York City, featuring an exposition of five craftspeople demonstrating how they do what they love. Anthony Bourdain curated the exposition, which included a metalsmith, letterpress printer, stoneworker, cooper (barrel maker), and a watchmaker C RGM's Roland Murphy. Roland Murphy of RGM Watches. For over a century, The Balvenie Distillery has made whisky the old way, staying true to what they describe as their Five Rare Crafts. It turns out, watchmaking has a lot in common with how whiskey is made. There are shortcuts you can take, but the traditional methods still are very...
In-Depth: The Story Behind The Name 'Glashtte Original'
The road to Glashtte is long, winding and beautiful C just like the eponymous brand, Glashtte Original. HODINKEE recently visited Germany to learn more about how Glashtte Original is so intrinsically linked to German horological history. From the early 19th century with Glashttes four founding watchmaking fathers to the postwar German Democratic Republic (GDR) period, to the modern watchmaking renaissance we know so well today, watchmaking never stopped in Glashtte. Join me on a trip to Germany to learn what the Original in Glashtte Original really means. Road sign, entering Glashtte. Rough translation via Google: "Here lives the time, Glasht...