Best Super NEWS Watches
Business News: Jr?me Lambert Appointed CEO Of Richemont
We have some big news out of Switzerland this morning: Jr?me Lambert has been named the CEO of Richemont. This appointment is unlikely to surprise those who follow the luxury watch industry, but it's still a huge move. Lambert is a longtime Richemont executive who in the past ran both Jaeger-LeCoultre and Montblanc, and more recently directed the group's specialist watchmaking maisons before being named the group's Chief Operating Officer in November 2017.? Richemont announced the appointment via a press release circulated to journalists this morning. Richemont Chairman Johann Rupert writes, "Jr?me's new role sees him taking responsibility for the Group's futur...
Introducing: The Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix Tourbillon (Live Pics & Pricing)
The Fiftysix Collection launched at this year's SIHH with the mission of bringing to Vacheron Constantin's lineup, some of the mid-20th century swing that characterized some of the company's most interesting work from the 1950s. In particular, the Fiftysix Collection takes its inspiration from Vacheron Constantin's ref. 6073, which had very distinctive faceted lugs that have been reproduced in the new Fiftysix models. Now, Vacheron's taken one of its most interesting movements and placed it in a Fiftysix case C that movement is the caliber 2160, which is a self-winding tourbillon movement with a peripheral winding rotor, and which was first introduced in the Patrimony Traditionnelle Tourbill...
Watch Spotting: Naomi Osaka Wins The U.S. Open While Wearing A Citizen
The U.S. Open has drawn to a close here in New York, and it was an exciting tournament as usual. On the men's side, we saw the continued comeback of Novak Djokovic, whose winning ways followed him from Wimbledon earlier this summer. Likewise, the women's side saw a resurgent Serena Williams make it to the final, only to be stopped by a relative newcomer in the form of the 20-year-old Japanese challenger Naomi Osaka. Osaka defeated Willians 6-2, 6-4 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center's Ashe Stadium, and she did it with a Citizen watch on her wrist. Citizen Eco-Drive Bluetooth BZ4006-01E The women's final was no...
Introducing: The Panerai Radiomir 1940 Art Deco Dial (PAM 790 & 791)
For the most part, Panerai's watches are variations on one of a handful of formulae. You've got the basic Radiomir and Luminor archetypes, and each year the brand finds new and interesting ways to riff on these classic models. The watches we have here today though, the PAM 790 and PAM 791, break the mold a little bit. The Radiomir 1940 case is just as you'd expect it to be (rendered here in the 47mm size), but the dials of these two watches are inspired by a historic pendulum clock that sat in Panerai's original boutique in Florence. They both forgo the sandwich construction and ample lume, opting instead for flat dials that have Art Deco style numerals, printed chapter rings, and ornate, fa...
Over the last number of years, H. Moser has become well known for its Concept line of watches, which do away with the markings and branding usually placed on watch dials, opting instead for a clean, open look that lets the materials and finishes speak for themselves. The latest installment in that series is the Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept, which really takes things to the next level. The dial of this watch is coated in Vantablack, a proprietary material that uses carbon nanotubes to absorb light. The result is a black that appears blacker than any other manmade substance. Here it's used on a moonphase watch, which gives the moon at six o'clock the appearance of almost floating against t...
A Week On The Wrist: The Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic COSC
The Richemont Group as a whole has embraced innovation in materials science in watchmaking on a lot of levels, but one area in which it has C until recently C remained very conventional is in the key regulating elements of the mechanical watch. These are the balance spring, lever, and escape wheel. The Swatch Group, as well as other brands such as Ulysse Nardin (an early pioneer in the use of silicon components) have enthusiastically embraced silicon escapements and balance springs for their ability to sidestep some of the classic problems of achieving rate stability: lubrication and magnetism. A silicon balance and escape wheel can run without oiling, and thus w...
Happenings: The HODINKEE Meet-Up At The UTA Artist Space In Los Angeles
If you haven't been able to come see us at our Los Angeles pop-up at the UTA Artist Space, fear not, there is still time! We opened with a bang on Friday night, and followed that up with a weekend full of of panel discussions and live HODINKEE Radio recordings. To close out our weeklong residency, we are hosting a meet-up on Thursday, September 13, at the UTA Artist Space, where you can admire the vintage Porsche 911T in the gallery and check out our crazy selection of vintage and modern watches and leather goods too.?If you're interested in joining, please sign up for the event here. We hope to see you there! HODINKEE x UTA Artist Space Meet-UpThursday, Septembe...
Introducing: The Apple Watch Series 4 (Live Pics & Pricing)
Apple has just released the latest update to the Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 4, at its annual keynote presentation at Apple Park in Cupertino, California.?Rumors have been swirling for weeks, but we can now confirm that the Series 4 includes a number of key updates and changes that should make the Apple Watch even more compelling for many people. These include new colors and materials for the Watch's case, larger screens with slimmer bezels, and an interface that enables you to do more at a glance without shuffling through apps.I had the chance to attend the Cupertino event this morning and to see the Series 4 in the metal just after the keynote ended, and here is a full run-down cov...
Photo Report: The Watches And Wheels Of The 2018 Goodwood Revival
The pomp and ceremony, grandeur, and elaborate dress may seem like an anachronism, but for Goodwood Revival devotees its an annual ritual. The Goodwood Revival celebrated its 20th anniversary this past weekend; the current Duke of Richmond, then Lord March, started the Revival in 1998 as a way to capture the pageantry and spirit of the golden era of motorsport. The original Goodwood Circuit was in use from 1948 to 1966, and even hosted early Formula One races. The modern festival features the very cars from the period wheel-to-wheel racing.?And thus, enthusiasts in attendance dress in period correct clothing: Think tweed jackets, ascots, flat caps, and watches from the era. The stars of the...
Talking Watches: With David Robinson
A fixture of both the San Antonio Spurs and '90s professional basketball, David Robinson, aka The Admiral, is one of the most dominant centers to have ever played the game. Standing seven-foot-one, Robinson had a 14-year NBA career spent entirely with the Spurs. During that time, he won Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and league MVP, not to mention being a scoring champion, rebound leader, block leader, and a 10-time All-Star. And oh yeah, he was instrumental in the Spurs winning two NBA Championships too. Want more? Ever hear of The Dream Team? In 1992, Robinson was part of the United States Mens Basketbal...
Just last Friday, we we went all-out with Bring A Loupe, but we still wanted to push things a bit with this week's installment. The watches we've gathered for you here C complete with a flight of rare and unconventional Submariners, a platinum Cartier, and a perfect, tropical ref. 2998-1 Speedmaster C surely gives last week's collection a run for its money. Lets get into it.? Omega Speedmaster Ref. 2998-1 With Tropical Dial As far as Speedmasters go, they dont get much better than this C and youd be hard-pressed to find someone who would disagree. This is a true tropical dial in the richest, most choco...
Introducing: The Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Military Semper Fortis
Ulysse Nardin's legacy as a maker of on-board ship's chronometers C highly precise timekeepers used for navigation on the world's seas C is fairly well known among watch lovers. After all, some of the company's most popular timepieces are those that point to its nautical legacy. Ulysse Nardin's horological prowess on the high seas even saw it partner with the American Navy as early as 1905, when UN answered a call to submit marine chronometers for a competition for precision torpedo boat timepieces. Ulysse Nardin won this chronometer competition, and several thereafter, they say. This is a watch that commemorates an important chapter in Ulysse Nardin's history, and which bears the allusive n...
Fresh from a sold-out program in Singapore, the 152-year-old Horological Society of New York (HSNY) is adding new destinations to its Traveling Education schedule with first-time stops in Detroit and Denver. In October, HSNY will also embark on a California leg of the tour, revisiting San Francisco and Los Angeles due to popular demand.?Here are the four upcoming tour stops: Detroit, MI (September 29-30) C Hosted by StockX? San Francisco, CA (October 6-7) C Hosted by Harry Winston? Los Angeles, CA (October 13-14) C Hosted by F.P. Journe? Denver, CO (October 20-21) C Hosted by RedBar? On each stop of the early fall tour, a duo of expert HSNY watchmakers will condu...
Sunday Rewind: A Look Inside The World's Only Authorized Vintage Omega Dealer
George Somlo started as a passionate collector and dealer of antique pocket watches. As tastes changed though, he started to get into wristwatches as well, though at first he was skeptical that they would ever become true collectables. Obviously we know how that turned out and Somlo has gone on to become one of the premier dealers of vintage Omega watches on the planet C in fact, he's the only one that's actually certified by Omega to sell their vintage pieces. It's hard to overstate how incredible that is and the advantage that this gives Somlo Antiques & Omega Vintage, Mr. Somlo's eponymous shop, when it comes to sourcing parts and verifying information. ...
HODINKEE Radio: Episode 11: Spike Feresten (LIVE)
Subscribe to the show: (Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn). Already heard it once or twice? Please leave a short review here, and tell us which guests we should have on! Alright, it's time: We've got the first ever live episode of HODINKEE Radio for you today. We recorded this episode last week at the HODINKEE Pop-Up at the UTA Artist Space in Beverley Hills, just after coming in from a great Saturday morning Cars + Coffee that saw more than 100 people come out to check out an all-star line-up of cars that included nearly two dozen Porsche 911s of various kinds, an Alpha Romeo Sprint Zagato, a Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, and more. Ou...
Introducing: Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage
No stranger to creating accessibly priced and generally appealing sports watches, Alpina has just announced a new GMT model into their Startimer line of aviation-inspired watches. With a new-vintage design and several available dial colors, the new Startimer Pilot Heritage may look like just another ETA-based GMT, but the party trick here is local jumping hour GMT functionality via Alpina's modification of an existing Sellita caliber.? The four versions of Alpina's Startimer Pilot Heritage - grey, light blue, navy blue, and rose gold. Initial Thoughts Oh, now I have your attention? Yes, this sub-$1,500...
Hands-On: The Ikepod Duopod And Chronopod
I'll just come right out and say it. I really did not want to like these watches. I'm something of a purist by nature and the idea of reviving the Ikepod brand without Marc Newson just seemed wrong to me. It's like if Genesis decided to go on a reunion tour without Phil Collins...or something. However, it's sometimes best for us to set our more knee-jerk impulses aside, even if reluctantly. I can whine all I want about Ikepod no longer involving Marc Newson, but those days are in the rearview mirror and I can either take the new watches on their own merits or let them pass my unnoticed. I decided to the do the former and I'm thankful that I did. Looking at them objectively, Ikepod's two new ...
A Week On The Wrist: Apple Watch Series 4
During my tenure covering the watch industry, there is no single watch that has been talked about more than the Apple Watch. At first glance, this is very strange. The device is not made by a watchmaker, it is not distributed and sold through the traditional channels for selling watches and jewelry, it has none of the patrimonie and heritage that watch brands so love to talk about, and its primary purpose is almost certainly not telling the time. But then you remember that it is a key product for the most valuable company in the history of the human race, it is created by some of the best designers and engineers on planet Earth, and it is making the case for wearing a watch to a generation w...
Photo Report: The Watches And Cars Of The HODINKEE Pop-Up At The UTA Artist Space In Los Angeles
Last week, for the very first time, we hosted a week-long West Coast pop-up at the UTA Artist Space in Beverly Hills. Festivities kicked off with a Friday night opening party, continued through the weekend with an incredible Cars + Coffee on Saturday morning, a pair of live podcast recordings (you can hear the first episode, with legendary comedian and car nut Spike Feresten, right here), a few panel discussions, and then a giant meet-up to close things out on Thursday evening. All week we had HODINKEE editors working out of the space, welcoming guests, hanging out, and talking watches, and of course the HODINKEE Shop was there in full effect too, with modern watches, vintage watches, and a ...
Introducing: The Richard Mille RM 12-01 Tourbillon
Richard Mille is back at it again with a new limited edition series that combines their TPT case construction with a equipped movement that is the evolution of that seen in the award-winning RM 012 Tourbillon.?Available in a handful of colorways and various signature Richard Mille materials, the new RM 12-01 Tourbillon blends specialized movement architecture and a classic complication with RM's recognizable chunky but easy-wearing tonneau case shape.? Initial Thoughts While I know it seems like RM drops a bonkers watch every week, even if (like me) you're not wild about tourbillons, the new RM 12-01 is quite the thing. Offered in four ve...