As read by you, here are the top ten most viewed articles on Quill & Pad in 2020. There are likely to be a few surprises.

Drum roll, please: in no particular order, our top ten most viewed articles of 2020 were . . .

Why I Bought It (Despite The Strap And Buckle): Grand Seiko Blue Snowflake Reference SBGA407

After seeing it at a local retailer earlier in 2020, Chris Malburg fell in love with the Grand Seiko Blue Snowflake Reference SBGA407, so he organized a wearing test (and wrote about that experience in Grand Seiko Blue Snowflake Reference SBGA407: On The Wrist)– which coincidentally (or not) also comes in on this top ten list.

Grand Seiko Spring Drive Snowflake

Despite what he perceived to be a couple of shortcomings, Chris fell deeply in love with the Blue Snowflake that week and soon purchased one, writing about why here. And you accompanied him.

See his whole journey in Why I Bought It (Despite The Strap And Buckle): Grand Seiko Blue Snowflake Reference SBGA407.

Five Vintage-Style Diver’s Watches To “Seas” The Day From Blancpain, Seiko, Longines, Oris, And Tudor

This was the best summer to get out to the water and just take it easy, letting all your cares melt away. Alone. Or with just a few loved ones.

The vintage-styled Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Day Date

Sabine Zwettler thought the same thing, which is why she took a quick swim through time to have a closer look at five vintage-style diver’s watches new in 2020, many of which are relatively affordably priced. With their robustness and air of discovery and adventure, diver’s watches leave a striking impression on the wrist – whether on dry land or in the water.

Apparently, you thought so too.

See what she wrote in Five Vintage-Style Diver’s Watches To “Seas” The Day From Blancpain, Seiko, Longines, Oris, And Tudor.

All 7 Of The Latest Rolex Models Of 2019, Plus Some Cool Variations (Rolex Photofest!)

Just before Baselworld 2020 would have taken place, I decided to review the entire palette of new Rolex models that had come out at Baselworld 2019 as a little memory jog before the biggest watch event of the year was to take place.

The 2019 edition of the Rolex GMT-Master II

Of course, I couldn’t have known when I planned that article that Baselworld would not only be canceled due to COVID-19 but will never take place as such again. So my tribute to the world’s most famous luxury brand’s output from the world’s biggest fair turned out to be something of a swan song tribute.

This is the standout Rolex story you read on Quill & Pad this year.

Review all of Rolex’s 2019 introductions in All 7 Of The Latest Rolex Models Of 2019, Plus Some Cool Variations (Rolex Photofest!).

Patek Phillipe Calatrava Reference 6007A: A Very Un-Calatrava Calatrava

Because Baselworld 2020 was canceled, Patek Philippe also did not show any new products at the fair. Word reached us in late spring that the brand might not bring out any new watches in 2020, preferring instead to give beleaguered retailers a break and save the new models for 2021.

However, Patek Philippe had an exceptional occasion to celebrate in 2020, the completion of a new manufacture building. And the brand marked the milestone with a new Calatrava model.

Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 6007A-001

Joshua Munchow sees Patek Philippe’s Calatrava Reference 6007A as a symbolic marker for a physical and spiritual shift at the brand. As he writes, it may be one of the most “un-Calatrava” Calatravas of recent memory.

What makes this model an outlier and simultaneously not at all from left field? That’s the question he asks and answers in this popular post.

For the full story see Patek Phillipe Calatrava Ref. 6007A: A Very Un-Calatrava Calatrava.

Why I Bought It: A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus (A Photofest!)

The A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus has been a controversial watch since the day it made its debut in October 2019. Naturally, GaryG wanted one and was able to put his name in early. Lucky him: he was allotted an early one, after which he gifted us with an essay on why he bought it.

Odysseus in stainless steel from A. Lange & Söhne

Gary’s post is accompanied by a delightful gaggle of beautifully photographed shots of this compelling watch.

Now that the whole furor has died down, it appears that most of the watch-buying public has come to accept the Odysseus for what it is and even appreciate it. What is your feeling on that? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments.

See GaryG’s whole story in Why I Bought It: A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus (A Photofest!).

False Scarcity And Steel Sports Watches: A Collector’s View

A continuing subject among collectors in 2020 has been the “false” or “manufactured” scarcity of certain stainless steel sports watches. The “unobtanium” phenomenon isn’t limited to watches from the past: there are a variety of modern references indicating that supply is now lagging demand.

Just make more? Royal Oak Reference 15202 from Audemars Piguet

GaryG dove headlong into the subject this year with many smart observations, highlighting some interesting dynamics and led by a loud chorus of complaints from prospective buyers.

See GaryG’s opinionated post at False Scarcity And Steel Sports Watches: A Collector’s View.

Wrist Watching: Why New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Will Give His Breguet Marine 5817 To His Daughter

U.S. politics was (and still is) a polorizing subject in 2020, but I took the plunge anyway and pointed out great watch spots on both Andrew Cuomo and Joe Biden’s wrists. I kept politics out of the stories and focused on the wrists of these famous men, both of which were constantly in the news in 2020.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo wearing his Breguet Marine 5817 at a press conference in 2018

Cuomo was interesting because for one he was not wearing one of the usual watches you find on famous wrists and for another he actually talked about his watch in a press conference he was giving after one reporter asked him about it.

See the whole interesting story in Wrist Watching: Why New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Will Give His Breguet Marine 5817 To His Daughter.

Why The Patek Philippe Nautilus Is King: A Collector Weighs In

We don’t do this very often, but I’m glad we did it this time.

We received an email from Quill & Pad reader Perry Heim.

Patek Philippe Ref 5711-1A Nautilus (photo courtesy Tim Mosso)

After reading article after article discussing the virtues of Patek Philippe’s Nautilus, it became clear to Perry that none stated a self-evident truth appearing obvious to him. In this “letter to the editor,” he explains in detail what he finds so appealing about the Patek Philippe Nautilus Reference 5711. And he stacks the Nautilus up against some serious contemporary contenders.

You found his conclusions as refreshing as we did.

Read the Perry’s letter in Why The Patek Philippe Nautilus Is King: A Collector Weighs In.

Diamonds Are Forever: Chopard Partners With James Bond In ‘No Time To Die’

Never underestimate the fervent fandom of the James Bond universe!

Ana de Armas wearing Chopard in ‘No Time to Die’

Bond girls often dazzle us with their brains and beauty, but for the upcoming twenty-fifth James Bond movie, Chopard jewels are also set to do some dazzling. The Swiss brand sees some of its most stunning jewelry creations worn in the movie by Cuban-Spanish actress Ana de Armas, who plays Paloma, this film’s “Bond girl.” Martin Green fills us in on which diamonds will grace her character. Forever. (Yeah, I went there.)

In case you missed it the first time around, read it at Diamonds Are Forever: Chopard Partners With James Bond In ‘No Time To Die’. And keep your fingers crossed that we can finally see this movie soon!

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