The Real Story Behind Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco: Exclusive Interview With ‘Le Mans’ Property Master Don Nunley – Reprise
Back in the 1970s, Steve McQueen was the king of cool: he was a world-famous movie star and a prominent racecar driver. So it’s no surprise that the Heuer Monaco he wore in the film ‘Le Mans’ instantly became a hit. But what happened to the Monaco models used on set and where are they today? Chris Malburg interviews the prop master to find out.
Why I Bought It: Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Black Matte Ceramic
The first time Bhanu Chopra strapped a borrowed BR 03-92 Black Matte Ceramic on his wrist, he thought that it was the perfect Bell & Ross watch for him, checking all the boxes for the characteristics he expected from an aviation-style instrument watch. He bought one and it has been part of his core pilot’s watch collection ever since. This is why.
Fauxtina: A Faux Vintage Faux Pas
Ashton likes vintage watches so much that his prized possession is a 1978 Rolex Submariner Reference 1680. Why does he love this watch so much? Not because it looks like it’s from 1978, but because it is from 1978. So, he asks, is the current vintage trend something we should be wholeheartedly embracing?
Sex Sells – But What, For Whom, And To Whom? – Reprise
When someone says “I’m no prude,” it is pretty easy to imagine what typically comes next: a prudish commentary on some aspect of modern society or youth culture. GaryG likes sex. There we go! To the point and leaves no doubt as to intent. That said, he typically tries to keep his interests in sex and watches somewhat distinct. But does the watch industry at large?
Why The Patek Philippe Nautilus Is King: A Collector Weighs In
After reading article after article discussing the virtues of Patek Philippe’s Nautilus, it became clear to watch enthusiast and Quill & Pad reader Perry Heim that none stated a self-evident truth that appears obvious to him. In this “letter to the editor” Perry 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.
Graf Von Faber-Castell Bentley Limited Edition Barnato Pen: A ‘Bentley Boy’ Driving Force
Graf von Faber-Castell’s new Bentley Limited Edition Barnato, the most recent addition to its Bentley pen collection that debuted in 2018, is an homage to Woolf Barnato, who was one of the legendary “Bentley Boys.” Nancy Olson has the lowdown on this pen world high point.
MB&F, L’Épée 1839, Massena Lab’s T-Rex Bronze: The Missing Link
For Martin Green, the MB&F L’Épée 1839 Massena Lab T-Rex Bronze seems more raw and animalistic than its predecessors, as though you can smell the scent of this top predator moving through dense vegetation. He thinks that the true T-Rex variation has landed, and here he explains why.
The Golden Age Of Rolex Movements: 4-Part Series Looking At Breakthroughs, Golden Years, And Predictions For The Future Of The World’s Most Iconic Watch Brand
In 2019 we ran an interesting four-part series by Tim Mosso of Watchbox fame detailing the history, present, and future of Rolex movements. Tim put hours and hours’ worth of research into this oeuvre, and now, as we settle into a slow, post-lockdown summer, we thought it well worth drawing your attention to this series in case you missed it first time round. Enjoy!
Patek Phillipe Calatrava Ref. 6007A: A Very Un-Calatrava Calatrava
The Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 6007A marks a physical and spiritual shift for the brand, and may be one of the most un-Calatrava Calatravas of recent memory. Joshua Munchow takes a look at what makes this model an outlier and also why it simultaneously doesn’t come from left field.
Why I Bought It: Romain Gauthier Logical One – Reprise
GaryG was sitting at his breakfast table on the morning of January 18, 2013 when during his morning scan of news he saw a photo of something breathtaking. It was Logical One by Romain Gauthier – a watch he immediately knew that he would own someday. He was captivated by the white gold version with frosted gold movement: this was “the one” for him.