How serious can you take a watch company that doesn’t seem to take itself seriously? We are talking here about erupting vulcanos, Spacecraft, a shiny skull or even Pacman on the dial. Not the average cup of tea for a high end watch company, yet Romain Jerome does it. ... Read more
The James Ward Packard and Henry Graves, Jr. unofficial rivalry to own the most complicated watch is a story of legends in the horology world. The two magnates regularly called upon Patek Philippe as well as Vacheron Constantin to bring their designs to fruition. When all was said and done, ... Read more
Harry Winston, Van Cleef and Arpels, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe—all great jewelry houses. Wait a minute, did I say Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin? Aren’t they top haute horlogerie watch brands? Yes, of course. But what many don’t realize is that Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin can compete ... Read more
At the close of yesterday’s Christie’s New York Important Watches auction, the Stephen S. Palmer Grand Complication stirred up fierce bidding and brought in a final price of $2,251,750. In addition to redefining history, the watch adds three other distinctions to its resume: as a world record for a Patek Philippe ... Read more
Pedigree is an important aspect that determines the overall value of a watch. Many watch brands know that and often they gladly go the extra mile to preserve their history for future generations. Great when you have a vintage watch by a reknowed watchmaker. But often these vintage pieces are ... Read more
You probably know that Christie’s New York Important Watches auction is around the corner on Tuesday, June 11 at 20 Rockefeller Plaza. What you may not know is that all the watches, each and every one, are on preview. They are sitting pretty and displayed through Monday. All of the ... Read more
Pocket watches may not be in vogue, the wristwatch having usurped their place as the modern timekeeper of choice. Pocket watches are much bigger and (usually) bulkier than their wrist dwelling progeny and less easy to accommodate with modern dress styles. When first created, wristwatches were in the domain of ... Read more
Most of the time you have no idea who designed your watch. And yet, the first thing that attracts you to a timepiece is its aesthetic. Almost 100% of the time if you don’t like how a watch looks you won’t consider buying it, even if the mechanics are special. ... Read more
BY ANGUS DAVIES It is that time of year, when the most beautiful, glamorous and wealthy congregate on the Côtes d’Azur—and Chopard is right there with them as sponsors of the Festival de Cannes. Oscar Wilde once remarked, “Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to ... Read more
Girard-Perregaux is on a tear lately. Since Michele Sofisti took over as CEO he’s dug in to revamp the veritable old brand and bring it back to glory. Truth be told, Girard-Perregaux had been floundering along for the past decade or so, riding along on past laurels like the award-winning ... Read more