Harry Winston Opus V on the wrist

Felix Baumgartner, Urwerk, Harry Winston, And The Opus V: Where On Earth Did That Come From? – Reprise

Blast from the past! This post is a “reprint” of an article Ian wrote that was first published on The PuristS in 2005 and it covers Felix Baumgartner, Urwerk, the Harry Winston Rare Timepieces Opus V, The Urwerk 103.03, plus an Urwerk 103.03 user review. Enjoy!

Richard Mille RM 37-01 Cerise

Richard Mille’s Delicious Bonbon Collection: Real Craftsmanship And Colorfully Dosed Daring Make Up The Main Ingredients

Walking into the Richard Mille booth at the 2019 SIHH – the brand’s last appearance at this invitation-only trade show – was like entering another world. Gone were the other beige-toned booths, cream-colored carpets, and taupe tables and chairs. Here color burst forth from every nook and cranny, begging to be set free from displays, windows, and tables. Follow us into a world of ten mindbogglingly sweet timepieces that look good enough to eat!

Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Twin Beat

Top 5 Wristshots From 2019 SIHH, Plus 5 More (Just Because), And Then . . .

Ian doesn’t usually have time to look at his photos on a screen until well after the SIHH. And as it’s after the fair now, here are his Top 5 wristshots from SIHH 2019. Plus five more that he felt well deserving. And then one more that he just couldn’t let go.

Partagás Lusitania cigars

Partagás Lusitania Cigars: Reliably Top Notch

When it comes to Partagás Lusitania cigars, Ken Gargett stresses that size matters. As does checking the box before buying. One caveat, however: he warns that if you are not prepared to devote two to two and a half hours to the cigar, read no further. This is a very fine cigar – a double corona – to enjoy over time.

Vacheron Constantin Tourbillon with blue dial

SIHH 2019 Round Table: What We Liked, What We Didn’t Like, And What We Would Buy For Ourselves. Warning: Heavy Photo Fest And Sexually Graphic Images

Join our Quill & Pad round table discussion where we reveal what we did and didn’t like at the 2019 SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie). Erotic “hot horologie” and bonbons included along with the most honest opinions you’re bound to find.

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Huracán Performante

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Huracán Performante: Serious High-Performance Synergy With Lamborghini

Roger Dubuis and Lamborghini have a special relationship: the watches that have so far come from this still relatively young collaboration have not only been impressive but also suck you into the world of Lamborghini without a car even being in sight. It is almost like the watchmakers at Roger Dubuis have infused this watch with motor oil and replaced the ticking of the escapement with the growl of an Italian high-performance engine. And the Excalibur Huracán Performante is all the evidence you need!

Cartier Santos-Dumont large wristshot

The Best-Looking Cartier Santos-Dumont Is As Of 2019 The Most Affordable

At SIHH 2019, George Cramer was pleased to see a stunning new historically inspired Santos-Dumont model in stainless steel. And to his eye it looks even better than the model from the now-defunct Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) line.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with blue Tapisserie dial

Trends: Not All Watches Are Created Equal – Reprise

Trends rule a larger part of our lives than many of us wish to admit. Sometimes we follow trends consciously, but often we are subconsciously influenced in the choices we make. All brands perform a delicate tightrope walk, but they differ in how successful they are. Let’s take a look at how trends affect or don’t affect now-iconic timepieces.

MB&F HM6 Final Edition wristshot

MB&F Horological Machine N°6 Final Edition: The Last HM6, But Not The Best

Martin Green ranks the Horological Machine N°6 Sapphire Vision, which MB&F released in 2016, as one of the most memorable watches ever created. And now with the final edition of Horological Machine N°6 he asks whether MB&F saved the best for last.

Not for beginners: the author’s Kari Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph II with bespoke dial and case

Commissioning A Watch: My Journey With The Kari Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph II – Reprise

In late February 2010, an informal group of Northern California watch collectors, all owners of at least one Kari Voutilainen watch, met for lunch. One of the members of the group nonchalantly mentioned, “I’ve been talking with Kari about something . . ..” It was a set of bespoke Kari Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph II models. GaryG’s response two seconds later: “I’m in!” So how did it go after that?