Ulysse Nardin Freak Blue Cruiser on the wrist

Ulysse Nardin’s Freak Blue Cruiser

It is just possible that the modern era of watchmaking truly began in 2001 when Ulysse Nardin introduced its Dual Direct Escapement in the first version of the Freak. Not only was this particular timepiece groundbreaking in its avant-garde design, but more importantly in its fundamental escapement technology invented by Dr. Ludwig Oechslin.

Graham Silverstone Endurance 12

Graham Races To Baselworld: A Reminiscence

Lighter and faster: Graham’s speedy new models dig deep into the motorsports heritage that has inspired the brand’s CEO, Eric Loth. Energetic and charismatic, Graham’s CEO assumes pole position and leaves his engines running; with him, it’s always full throttle when the time comes to talk about two of his biggest passions: racy watches and fast cars.

Micro laser sintering

Focus On Technology: 3D Printing, What Is It Really? Part Deux

This article I focuses on Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), which utilizes a high-powered laser to heat a powdered material and sinter it into a solid structure. This is the process most likely to change the watchmaking industry, as it is able to print with metals and ceramics.

Delaneau oven-fired enamel seahorse and coral

Give Me Five! Ladies’ Watches From Baselworld 2014

The last few years have seen a slow but steady increase in the number of ladies’ watches with both serious artistically decorated dials and cases and high-quality mechanical movements.

Here we highlight just five of the stunners that caught our eyes from Patek Philippe, Blancpain, Bulgari, Breguet and Delaneau.

Stephen Forsey (left) and Robert Greubel

Greubel Forsey Celebrates 10th Anniversary And I Reminisce Back When . . .

In ten years, Greubel Forsey has presented the Double Tourbillon 30°, the Opus 6 for Harry Winston, the Tourbillon 24 Secondes, Invention Piece 1 (another of my all-time favorite watches), the Quadruple Tourbillon, the GMT, the Double Balancier and lastly the Quantième Perpétuel à Équation du Temps.

Jaeger LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Lady for the Ovarian National Cancer Alliance

Love, Loss, And Watches: Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Tribute

This hobby ostensibly centers on the watches, but in reality it’s all about the people. The first person in this story is friend, fellow collector, and photographer Howard Parr. Inspired by the memory of his late stepmother, Libby Parr, and her courage in the face of ovarian cancer, Howard undertook a photographic journey to capture images of other women who are fighting ovarian cancer. The resulting images are both beautiful and inspiring.

Tomas Berdych and Rolex court clock via Instagram

Time For A Contender: Meet Tomas Berdych, The Tennis Champion With A Passion For Watches

Just about every top tennis player can boast a significant watch sponsorship. Just about everyone that is, except for the one who knows the most about timepieces: world number six Tomas Berdych.

Brightly colored model of a tourbillon escapement designed by Nicholas Manousos

Focus On Technology: 3D Printing, What Is It Really?

I went to the theater recently and saw a typical raunchy comedy called ‘Neighbors.’ Much to my surprise, I saw something I cannot remember ever seeing in a mass-marketed movie: a 3D scanner and 3D printer being used by the main characters in a funny circumstance. (For said circumstance, please watch the movie because it cannot be discussed here.)

Yevgeny Khaldei's original photo of the Soviet flag being raised on the Reichstag, the German parliament building in the center of Berlin

Heartbeat: Historic Yevgeny Khaldei Photograph In Leica Exhibition

Last week I visited the Leica factory and spent some time admiring an exhibition placed in the spacious foyer of this massive new factory building called “36 aus 100” (“36 from 100”). This image of the soldier wearing two watches – perhaps very, very briefly reminding me of the late Nicolas G. Hayek’s penchant for wearing two timepieces – caught my attention.

The Armin Strom team trying their hands at the casino

Monthly News Roundup May: Rolex, Patek Philippe, Panerai, A. Lange & Söhne, Girard-Perregaux And More

Quill & Pad’s monthly news roundup for May includes Rolex, Patek Philippe, Panerai, Girard-Perregaux, A. Lange & Söhne at the Concorso d’Eleganza in Italy, new Chrono Hawk chronograph by Girard-Perregaux, Armin Strom at the casino, the Monegasque from Roger Dubuis, impressive auction results, Skeleton Tourbillon by DeWitt, Breva Génie 02 does the Patrouille des Glaciers, MB&F sponsors the A.H.C.I., the 2014 GPdG calling for entries, and much more.