Best Super NEWS Watches
Weekend Reading: Six Next-Level (And Anonymous) Watch Collectors You Need To Follow On Instagram
Ah, the oh-so-complicated relationship between the watch world and Instagram. It's not always pretty, but the platform and this world of watches go hand-in-hand. There is lots (and lots) of horological buffonery to see on IG, but that's not what this post is about. Instead, I want to highlight six accounts that I think are just awesome. The quality of the watches they post are well beyond what most of us see day to day. You won't see those commercial watches available in the boutiques (no matter how expensive), and or even just really nice vintage watches. These guys are next level, and so are the watches they post. ?I dont know these people by anything but their Instagram handles, but they...
Hands-On: Paul Newman's Paul Newman Daytona
Since news first broke in June that Paul Newman's very own Paul Newman Daytona would be hitting the auction block this fall, it's been the most-talked-about subject in watch circles across the world, and with good reason. This is the watch that in many ways kick-started the vintage Rolex madness we're seeing today, nearly three decades ago. Collectors and dealers have known the watch is out there, and have been chasing it for just as long. Well, last week I got a chance to spend a few minutes with the actual watch, and I have to say, it was a pretty exhilarating experience. Paul Newman's Paul Newman Daytona, in the metal. For ...
Auctions: Norman Rockwell's What Makes It Tick? (The Watchmaker) To Be Auctioned by Christie's
In 1948 the Swiss Federation of Watchmakers, now known as the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH), began work on an advertising campaign to raise the profile of Swiss watchmakers globally. The campaign needed an image that would make an immediate impact, communicating relatable aspects of watchmaking to a worldwide audience. They chose American illustrator Norman Rockwell for the job, and the result was an incredible painting of a boy, mesmerized by a watchmaker at the bench. The painting is now being offered for sale as part of Christie's November 21, 2017 American Art sale. Norman Rockwell Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)...
The story of the problem of longitude is well-known, with the British Board of Longitude and John Harrison's marine chronometers playing a major role. The British horological industry produced some of the finest navigational and military timepieces in history, and today that history is exemplified by the large crowds of tourists that visit the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, to take their photo standing over the prime meridian. This coming weekend in London, the British Horological Institute will host a conference on navigational and military watches featuring some of the world's foremost experts in the field, and you don't want to miss it. BHI Land, Sea ...
Found: New-Old-Stock TAG Heuer 6000 McLaren F1 Owners Watch From The 1990s Available For 25 Million
In some ways, this might just be the holy grail of TAG Heuer collecting. What you're looking at is a TAG Heuer 6000 Chronometer, one of only 64 in the world, dating to about 1993. The watch is made of titanium and is indeed a chronometer. It is currently available in the United Kingdom for a price of 25 Million. And if you do go ahead and purchase this new-old-stock 90s TAG Heuer, with it you will receive a complimentary vehicle, because the reason there are only 64 examples of this particular TAG is because they were issued exclusively to the owners of the McLaren F1. And this watch, and the car that comes with it, is an absolu...
The Omega watch known as the Alaska Project was originally developed as one of several efforts made by Omega to introduce a version of the Speedmaster built specifically with support for manned space flight in mind. As we all know, the original Speedmaster was never designed for use in space, and especially not for one of the roles in which it became most famous: as a watch to be worn during EVA (that is, on the outside of a suit during a spacewalk, or during work on the lunar surface). "Alaska" had nothing to do with the state of Alaska; instead, it was simply Omega's internal code-name for the project, which included a version of the Speedmaster with a very large, cushion shaped titanium c...
Happenings: Join Us To See Paul Newman's Paul Newman In New York This Friday
Unless you have been living under a rock, you may have heard that Paul Newman's Paul Newman is coming up for auction next Thursday evening. We have already covered this watch extensively and will continue to do so until the hammer drops. This week we are honored to announce that we are hosting a get together this Friday evening with Phillips, to preview their upcoming Winning Icons auction, including a Vacheron Constantin Cioccolatone, a Cartier Grand Cintre in platinum, and a Philippe Dufour Duality. ?If you're looking for more Rolex goodness, by the way, there is new-to-market Submariner 6200 in amazing original condition (with an estimate to match) as well as, of course, Paul Newman's Pa...
Friday Live: Episode 21: Paul Boutros From Phillips Auction House With Highlights From Winning Icons
It's been a busy week here at HODINKEE, and we are excited to say that tomorrow is Friday, and you know what that means C?Friday Live! This week we have two very exciting guests. First we have Paul Boutros, Head of Americas & International Strategy Advisor at Phillips Bacs and Russo, who is heading up the first ever New York-based Phillips auction. You may remember Paul from his previous contributions to HODINKEE for our Three on Three on a dress watch under $20,000 and his three-part dissection of the modern Rolex Daytona. Our second guest is Paul Newman's Paul Newman, who is coming up for auction at Phillips a week from today. Paul Newman's Paul N...
Business News: Swiss Watch Exports Jump Again; Latest Figures Showing Continuing Recovery
Swiss watch global exports jumped 3.7% in value in September, in the latest sign that the industrys two-year slump is over. It was the fifth consecutive month that exports rose in year-to-year comparisons, and the sixth increase in the last seven months. The trend over a 12 months period shows a continuing recovery, said the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH), which released the data today. ? ?September watch exports amounted to SF1.77 billion ($1.81 billion). The data represents wholesale C not retail C sales, i.e., shipments from watch companies to their distributors and retail agents. ? By far the best news for the Swis...
Editorial: Squaring The Circle
Theres a lot of obsessing about watch size in HODINKEE articles and comments. Its a subject nearly as apt to create controversy as the always provocative date window, and probably more so, I dare say, than the relative merits of the pin buckle versus the folding clasp.? Lets talk about an issue that bears heavily on watch size, which, to my knowledge, has not been fully exposed on the Dink: ?How do square watches wear versus their round counterparts? If 40 mm is a kind of populist line of demarcation for wearability in round watches, which make up the overwhelming majority of the products we cover, where ought we draw that line as it applies to the square one...
Four Revolutions: Part 2: A Concise History Of The Fashion Watch Revolution
In the 1970s, when Seiko became the worlds top watch brand on the strength of its revolutionary quartz technology, its New York ad agency created a brilliant campaign for it. Its tagline said simply: Someday all watches will be made this way.? The ad underscored Seikos triumph as the worlds quartz watch champion. But it also pointed to a dilemma that Seiko would ultimately face. What would happen to the market leader once all watches went quartz?? Seiko soon found out. In the mid-1980s, the quartz watch revolution took an unforeseen turn that robbed Seiko of its core message and its mojo. The Swi...
Way back in 2006, Richemont acquired the Minerva manufacture in Villeret, Switzerland, and folded the historic chronograph maker into Montblanc's watch division. The results over the years have been pretty noteworthy, with a number of cool vintage-inspired chronographs that make use of Minerva's stunning movements. The latest is this limited edition in bronze and titanium with a salmon-colored dial. I got to spend a few minutes with the piece last week, and I have to say, I'm pretty impressed. On the wrist, this does not wear like a 44mm watch. This watch is an evolution of a family first released about a year ago, just before...
Editorial: Why Philippe Dufour Duality No.00 Is My Favorite Watch Of Auction Season
It's no secret C this year's fall auction season is all about Paul Newman's Paul Newman Daytona. You might be forgiven for forgetting that there are any other watches hitting the block at all, with the wall-to-wall coverage, the non-stop chatter on social media, and the anticipation of seeing one of the most legendary watches of all time sell publicly. But you'd be making a big mistake. Just 39 lots later in the very same Phillips auction, there is a watch that, to me, is even more enticing than Newman's chronograph: Philippe Dufour Duality No.00. Philippe Dufour's Duality was the first wristwatch to ever include two escapements. ...
Two weeks ago, Stephen went hands-on with Paul Newman's Paul Newman Daytona, and then last week we gave you the inside story of the watch on Friday Live with Phillips's own Paul Boutros. Well now you can see the watch for yourself if you're in New York City. Phillips is hosting its fall auction exhibition at its Park Avenue gallery and we highly recommend you stop by the check it out. Here are all the details:Phillips New York, 450 Park AvenueOctober 20-26Monday-Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PMSunday: 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM An incredible ref. 6200 Rolex Submariner is also in the Winning Icons sale. ...
Watch Spotting: Eric Clapton Rocking His Universal Genve Tri-Compax (With Jimi Hendrix)
You probably already know that Eric Clapton was the original celebrity watch collector. And he's had some pretty important watches over the years, including the legendary platinum Patek Philippe ref. 2499 that we told you all about back in 2012 (when it pulled $3.65 million at auction, no less). We've also known all along that Clapton had the Universal Genve Tri-Compax ref. 881101 you see here, but damned if this isnt a killer shot of Slowhand, shooting the breeze with friend and fellow guitar legend Jimi Hendrix. The photo was taken at the launch party for Track Records, March 16, 1967 (Track Records was a label founded in 1966 by Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp, managers of The Who).? ...
Hands-On: The CWC 1980 Royal Navy Diver Re-Issue
Earlier this year, I wrote an article about the wristwatch that succeeded the Rolex Submariner as official issue to the United Kingdoms Royal Navy divers. That watch, made by Cabot Watch Company, was only built in self-winding form for two years C 1980 and 1981 C making it one of the rarest military watches, and highly collectible. CWC went on to make updated versions of the same watch for distribution to Navy and Royal Marines divers, albeit powered by quartz movements. The company also released updated automatic versions, which were not military-issue, and subtle changes were made to the basic watch platform over the years, such as a new CWC logo, Luminova-painted markers and hands, and a...
Introducing: The Omata One, An Analog Bike Computer
Lets be clear from the start: this is not a watch. Its a bicycle computer. But before you fire off a comment saying that Hodinkee has lost its way once and for all, consider the Omata One, a Finnish-made instrument with groundbreaking design marrying simplicity with intelligence, intuitive analog display and digital data collection. Oh, and it uses a Seiko movement. Got your attention? Read on. The One is a bike computer that translates GPS-derived data to an analog display. Analog bike speedometers are nothing new. As far back as the 1950s, various companies from Schwinn to VDO (German maker of automobile instruments and a ...
Hands-On: The Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Acciaio 42mm
As long as Ive been into watches, Ive loved the Panerai aesthetic. From the svelte lines of the Radiomir to the boyish charm of the Luminor and the dive-themed Submersible, I have a soft spot for that instantly recognizable Panerai vibe. Unfortunately for me, Panerai watches are, generally speaking, quite large. True to both form and legacy, many of Panerais most interesting designs are 44mm or larger, which is simply too much watch for my wrist.? What a difference 2mm makes. Note: authors wrist is 7 inches in circumference. Case in point, the Luminor Submersible is readily found in both 44mm and 47mm sizes, and while I th...
Hands-On: The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 In Steel
There's been a developing trend in the last year, towards the presentation of haute horlogerie timepieces at more approachable price points. Two of the most interesting recent examples came from Vacheron Constantin and A. Lange & Sohne C Vacheron now offers a beautiful triple calendar stainless steel watch at $19,500 (still expensive, but relatively affordably priced for such a complication from Vacheron) and of course Lange has the Saxonia Thin at $14,800, which was introduced in 2016. In the same vein, Parmigiani introduced, at this year's SIHH, ?a steel-cased version in its Tonda family: the Tonda 1950. The Tonda 1950 is intended to be a member of what today is still a vanishingly sma...
Introducing: The Martenero Kerrison (Live Pics & Pricing)
Over the last few years, so-called "micro-brands" have become a serious phenomenon in the watch collecting world. These small brands are often one-man-bands formed by collectors who decided to quit their day jobs and create the watches they wish already existed. These include the likes of Autodromo, Oak & Oscar, and the brand I'm talking about today, Martenero. Formed in New York City back in 2014, the brand started by selling customizable watches made to order, but has now moved into more standard collection-based offerings. The black and blue Kerrison has mixed matte and glossy finishes. Today the brand is launching its ...