Alec Monopoly Joins The TAG Heuer Universe:  A (Street) Artist In Swiss Residence

Alec Monopoly was announced as a new collaboration for TAG Heuer in its art & music universe. Now, opinions have been divided on the cooperation with the famous graffiti artist so let’s take a closer look at what makes this particular collaboration a potential turning point in the modern history of TAG Heuer.

"Fine Watchmaking" Trivial Pursuit by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie

Happy Holidays And Merry Christmas With Quill & Pad! Win Books And Fine Watchmaking Trivial Pursuit Here!

Without our readers there would be no Quill & Pad, so at this “giving” time of year we’d like to offer a few gifts to say thank you. Entering the draw to win one of these presents is easy: all you need to do is be a subscriber to our weekly newsletter. The draw will take place at 6:00 Central European Time on Sunday, December 18. Sign up to win!

Genuine fake watches

6 Ways To Spot A Fake Watch, Even If You Don’t Know How To Spot A Fake Watch (Archive)

One evening while we were sipping away at his ex-wife’s stock of 1945 Pétrus, my buddy Slippery Steve and I contemplated a few of the essential questions in life, the kind that rarely find a real answer. Where do I come from? Is there life after death? Can I wear brown shoes after 6:00 PM? Is my Audemars Piguet a fake? Following on that conversation, Slippery Steve and I offer you six easy ways to recognize if your watch is fake.

Fonderie 47 Cross Peerless Collector’s Edition Pen

Fonderie 47 Cross Peerless Collector’s Edition Pen Saves One Life At A Time

The Cross Peerless Fonderie 47 Collector’s Edition rollerball pen follows a limited edition fountain pen. And it, too, transforms an object of disdain into an element of hope, incorporating a bit of blackened steel from a melted-down AK-47 into the design of its cap crown. To further the message, the side of the pen’s cap reveals the unique serial number of the gun that was taken out of circulation and used to embellish the special edition pen. Its price makes it an ideal holiday gift!

Going upmarket: the author’s Vianney Halter Deep Space Tourbillon

Why I Bought It: Vianney Halter Deep Space Tourbillon (Archive)

I hope you’ll find this commentary on a collector’s mindset and the motivations, delights, and possible misgivings behind why I bought a Vianney Halter Deep Space Tourbillon interesting and helpful.

Rolex Explorer with Juste un Clou bracelet by Aldo Cipullo for Cartier

Aldo Cipullo Hits The Nail On The Head: From Cult Designer To Cartier’s Cash Cow

One of the coolest jewelry designers of 1960s New York was Aldo Cipullo.

Cipullo was an artist often surrounded by New York’s Studio 54 “in” crowd. The designer, who had his own clientele and his own collection, always dared to draw inspiration from everyday items such as a horseshoe or tank tracks, transforming them into jeweled marvels. He was an important figure in the contemporary history of Cartier. Read on to find out why.

Ferrari 488 GTB

Ferrari 488 GTB: Talking ‘Bout A Revolution

Being Ferrari means that you have a significant challenge. Where each new generation of Porsche’s 911 is an evolution, each Ferrari has to be a revolution: superior to its predecessor in often radical ways. Not every revolution empowers the right forces, but when it does, you get something like the Ferrari 488 GTB, a thoroughbred sportscar that even dips a tire into the supercar arena.

Breguet Grande Complication No. 1160, on rare display in Tokyo at the beginning of November 2016

Breguet Supports Versailles’ Marie Antoinette Exhibit At Tokyo’s Mori Art Museum

The Mori Art Museum has organized a special exhibition on Versailles starring Marie Antoinette. This is the very first retrospective exhibition on the life and times of the young queen to ever take place in Japan, and it does so using more than 150 items from the French castle. Additionally, two beautiful unique piece creations were launched in celebration.

Mainstream value: the author’s Rolex GMT Master II BLNR “Batman”

Buying (And Selling) Watches In Tough Economic Times

What sells watches? This is the 20 billion Swiss franc question in today’s challenging economic climate.For at least part of the answer to what sells watches (and how to buy them in down markets), we can learn a lot from two of the steadiest performers in the watch industry.

Arnold & Son HM Double Hemisphere Perpetual Moon

Arnold & Son HM Double Hemisphere Perpetual Moon: Perigee-Syzygy Of A Supermoon

One of my favorite complications is the moon phase, and an appropriately magnificent example is the Arnold & Son HM Double Hemisphere Perpetual Moon. This watch is among the biggest and boldest moon phase watches in existence, and it is one of my favorite pieces from Arnold & Son.