Best Super NEWS Watches
Happenings: Register Now For The HODINKEE 10th Anniversary Weekend
In early September, we announced that we would be hosting a weekend-long celebration in honor of 10 years of HODINKEE. Well the time has come, and we have a great lineup of speakers, panels, and activities for you to partake in. We have managed to gather a group of some of the most influential people in the watch industry, including Fran?ois Bennahmias (CEO of Audemars Piguet), Wilhelm Schmid (CEO of A. Lange & Sohne), Raynald Aeschlimann (CEO Of Omega), Rolf Studer (co-CEO of Oris), Maximilian Bsser (CEO and Founder of MB&F), Jean-Claude Biver (Chairman of Hublot and watch industry legend), and many more.? In addition t...
Happenings: Watches & Wonders 2019 In The Miami Design District
After last year's successful first edition, the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie and the Miami Design District will once again host Watches & Wonders in Miami over Presidents' Day Weekend, February 15-17, 2019. This is exciting news for watch lovers everywhere C we attended last year's show (even hosting a little meet-up too) and it was an unqualified success, unlike any other watch show we've seen before in the United States. The second edition promises to be even better, with more brands and new partnerships adding to the experience.There will be 28 watch brands exhibiting during the event (up from last year's 21), representing all four major luxury groups (Kering, LVMH, Richemont, and...
Introducing: The Omega 1948 Seamaster Platinum Limited Editions
Back in Basel, two of the cooler-looking wristwatches Omega showed us were limited editions to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Seamaster, a postwar classic of Swiss watch design that enjoyed popularity among returning British servicemen.? One had a small seconds, the other a center seconds. Both were powered by a Master Chronometer movement packaged in a 38mm stainless steel case, and had vintage styling that tied them back to the golden age of mid-century watchmaking. Each was also limited to 1,948 pieces. At the time, we assumed that these two 38mm limited?were it for the collection. But two days ago, Omega added two new platinum watches to its Omega Seam...
Happenings: Watch The 2018 GPHG Live From Geneva, Right Here
Well, today's the big day. Over in Geneva, the who's who of the watch industry are adjusting their bowties and slipping on their heels in preparation for one of the most important nights of the year. This evening is the awards ceremony for the 2018 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genve (GPHG), sometimes called the "Oscars of Watchmaking." Earlier this week we gave you a little preview of what to expect, but now the time for speculation is over and we'll find out this year's winners in the coming hours. And the best part? You can watch it all happen live, right here on HODINKEE, beginning at 6:30 PM CET (12:30 PM ET). In all, there are 72 w...
Breaking News: The Bovet Rcital 22 Grand Rcital Takes Home The Aiguille d'Or At The 2018 GPHG Awards
The big winner from the 2018 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genve, the watch industry's most prestigious awards, is Bovet with its Rcital 22 Grand Rcital,?a highly complicated and elaborately decorated wristwatch that is built around a tellurium, an astronomical complication that shows the position of the earth with respect to the Moon and the Sun. This is one of the most complicated wristwatches ever made, combining the display for the tellurium with a perpetual calendar with retrograde disk, world time (via the tellurium display), a one-minute flying tourbillon, and retrograde displays for the power reserve (9 days) and for the minutes. This is the first time that Bovet has won this prestig...
That time of the year is here again, when dealers, collectors, and journalists flock to Geneva to kick off auction season. With this in mind, weve highlighted a few pieces on offer at Christies, Phillips, and Antiquorum, including an ultra-desirable Heuer Skipper Carrera, a prototype Speedmaster originally delivered to NASA, and a range of Rolex ephemera that ought to impress the scholarly collector. For good measure, there's also a fun chronograph that competed with the Speedmaster for the moon watch title and an often overlooked variant of yet another stellar vintage chronograph. Lets do just what the title of the column would suggest, and take a closer look at this weeks curiosities o...
HODINKEE Radio: Episode 19: The 2018 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genve
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! As I write this, it's the morning after the 2018 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genve (GPHG), the most important awards ceremony in watches. This was my first year attending the ceremony itself, and I have to say it was quite the experience. Outside of the major trade shows it's rare to see this many people from all corners of the watch world in the same place, and despite the competition at hand the overall atmosphere we very warm and community-minded. The cheers...
Introducing: The Oak & Oscar Humboldt
One of the more notable companies to be part of the so called "micro-brand" explosion over the last number of years, Oak & Oscar has made a name for themselves by producing casual, well-built watches that get the details right. Until now, they've always been closed, limited series too (the Sandford GMT and the Jackson chronograph, for example). Today that changes. The Humboldt is Oak & Oscar's first non-limited watch, and it's a classic tool watch that's made to be worn through just about anything.The Humboldt has a 40mm stainless steel case (39.5mm if you don't count the bezel) that's a medium thickness at 12.4mm and features a nice matte, brushed finish. The rotating bezel has mark...
Just Because: A Look Inside Davide Parmegiani's Insane Geneva Watch Exhibition
While the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genve and the various auctions garnered plenty of attention over the last few days, there are always other things going on in the watchmaking capital of Geneva when all the big players are in town. This past week though, we got an extra treat. Tucked away in a relatively quiet corner of the Four Seasons Hotel Des Bergues,?Mr. Davide Parmegiani, unquestionably one of of the most important watch collectors, specialists, and dealers on the planet, set up an exhibition of a few dozen watches to share with visitors and would-be clients. These weren't just any watches though. No, they were the ne plus ultra of contemporary collecting, mostly the kinds of mega ...
The Grey NATO: Episode 68: What Watch Should I Get?
Subscribe to the show: (Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Google Play). Already heard it once or twice? Please leave a short review here, and tell us what topics you'd like us to chat about.? Episode 68 is all about how to pick your next watch, and why it might not be the best question to leave to someone else. But first, catch up with a jet-lagged Jason, fresh back from a trip to Sri Lanka full of old Land Rovers and more. Likewise, James is back from New York City with Free Solo on the mind, and both of the guys are excited to be back in New York soon for the upcoming HODINKEE 10th Anniversary Weekend in early December (see you there?). ...
There was very little debate heading into this week's auctions that amongst the top lots at the four major auction houses, this watch was king. What you're looking at here is a Patek Philippe ref. 2499 signed by Asprey. What's more, it's a first series 2499 and the only known example with the famed London retailer's name on the dial, plus it's in great condition overall. When the hammer fell earlier today, this watch became the most expensive reference 2499 to ever sell at auction, bringing it $3,879,843 all-in (that's the official conversion from CHF 3,915,000, in case you're wondering why it's such a strange figure). What watch previous held this title, you ask...
Introducing: The Merci LMM-01 Projet Spcial Collection (Live Pics & Pricing)
Following up the cult success of last year's LMM-01 watch, their debut timepiece, Parisian lifestyle retailer Merci is both officially launching its own watch label, Merci Instruments, and releasing a collection of four watches called the LMM-01 Projet Spcial under that new banner. There are a lot of traits from the original models carried through into these new tickers, including the 1930s-inspired stepped steel case, the double domed crystal, and the restrained, heritage-focused design philosophy. However, instead of carrying basic quartz or hand-wound movements, these watches utilize a special selection of Seiko quartz movements C?the center seconds models have sweeping seconds hands tha...
Introducing: The New Tudor Glamour Double Date
When most people think of Tudor, they think of classic sports watches like the Black Bay and the Heritage Chrono. But the brand has always made a wide variety of watches, and continues to do so right to this day. One great example of this is the new Glamour Double Date, unveiled earlier today at an event in Hong Kong (with brand ambassador David Beckham, no less). These new models build off a familiar archetype, but with a new in-house movement under the hood and a number of aesthetic changes too. At its core, the watch is a 42mm daily-wearer with a sub-seconds dial and a two-window big date complication up at 12 o'clock. It's definitely a dressier Tudor than what you're probably used to.The...
Introducing: The Habring2 Erwin-LAB01 For Massena LAB
This is not just a new watch, but also the launch of a new "brand" of sorts. Massena LAB is the creation of Mr. William Massena, a noted collector and industry veteran who you might remember from his episode of Talking Watches. Essentially he's created a brand that will both collaborate with existing watchmakers to produce limited edition pieces and make watches of its own at some point. To kick things off, he has teamed up with Habring2 to make a special Erwin that recalls classic dress watches of the mid-century, but with a few modern twists. The Erwin-LAB01 and the TZ21, side-by-side. For some context, this isn't the first ...
Introducing: The Oris Big Crown Pointer Date 80th Anniversary Edition (Live Pics & Pricing)
Its been 80 years since Oris introduced its first pointer date mechanism, which has become a signature complication within the larger Oris watch range. The Big Crown collection that this easy-to-read date function graces is likewise a signature Oris collection, and has done much to advance the Swiss watchmakers reputation for crafting interesting, affordable mechanical watches with great vintage looks. To honor the 80th year of the Big Crown Pointer Date, Oris has created a special anniversary edition of its star aviator watch featuring a a 40mm bronze case and a distinctive green dial that looks great now, but might just go perfectly with this watch as the case ages into its eventual pati...
Introducing: The Swatch Spot Mickey And Mirror Spot Mickey, Designed By Damien Hirst
Swatch is no stranger to collaborations. Ever since the early days of the company's success in the 1980s it has been teaming up with creatives, athletes, and all manner of other people to create special, limited edition watches that express various facets of popular culture. The brand's latest pair of watches continue this tradition while bringing together two very different artistic forces for the first time C?the Spot Mickey and Mirror Spot Mickey are British artist Damien Hirst's take on the iconic character watch, created to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Mickey Mouse's creation. The former uses a simple black, red, and yellow color scheme, along with a minimalist interpretation of Mi...
Talking Watches: With Fred Savage
It isnt often that you meet someone for the first time and feel like youve known them for years. In the case of first meeting Fred Savage, it was as if Id spent my entire childhood with him. And thats because, well, I had.?His role as Kevin Arnold on The Wonder Years made him an entire generations TV best friend, and here I was in his living room.? Freds vintage Breitling C purchased after receiving his pilot's license. As a pilot, a vintage GMT-Master was a must. Fred is the person 12-year-old you imagined he would be. Hes warm, kind, and gracious. ...
Auction week has come to an end, and as expected, the vintage Rolex market continues to amaze and advance with confidence. With highlights like the sale of the Pulsometer dial ref. 6239 Daytona for over $820,000 at Sothebys, the tropical dial ref. 6238 chronograph for nearly $500,000 at Phillips, and a host of both conventional and Paul Newman Daytonas performing strongly at Christies, theres no sign of vintage Rolex slowing down any time soon. With that said, my personal highlights of the weekend were the 2499 sales, including the Serpico y Laino retailed first series example that fetched north of $3.2 million at Christies and the unique Asprey-dialed example that set a new world record...
In-Depth: The Greubel Forsey Double Balancier Sapphire
It is a truism among many who read criticism that it's a critic's job to be objective. I think that's actually a mistaken idea C well, maybe not a mistaken idea as such, but a mistaken way of expressing a certain expectation, which is that a critic will be honest. In critiquing utilitarian objects there are always objective features that aren't up for debate C the weight of a car, or its 0-60 time, or the amount of torque available from an electric blender motor, are numbers that exist independently of taste. But when it comes to design and aesthetics things are a lot more murky; it's very hard to argue that there is anything that is really objectively ugly, as "ugly" is inherently a value j...
Introducing: The HODINKEE Magazine, Volume 3
After the overwhelmingly positive reception of our first two efforts, we're back with the third installment of our premium printed journal, the HODINKEE Magazine. And believe me when I tell you, from cover to cover this is one that you will not want to miss. The HODINKEE Magazine is a carefully considered, beautifully photographed, closely edited expression of the taste, creativity, and values that have made HODINKEE the preeminent online destination for watch lovers around the world for a decade. With the HODINKEE Magazine, we take a moment to slow down and tell the kind of in-depth, timeless stories that are tailor-made for the printed page.?They extend beyond ...