Parting shot: Boucheron bespoke tiger cufflink and Philippe Dufour Simplicity

GaryG Goes To Paris To Pick Up Custom Boucheron Cufflinks Or How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Ah, Paris! City of Lights, Paname, Babylon on the Seine – no matter how one refers to it, there is nothing remotely like it. For the watch collector, it’s a great place to visit as well with boutiques aplenty, some owned and operated by the major brands; high-end mega-stores like Bucherer; and smaller independent retailers like Chronopassion and Dubail. Recently, I took a quick weekend trip to Paris and while there I took the opportunity to pack in as much fun as possible. Come along with me and join in!

A little Mexican music to put us in the mood (or was that the tequila?)

Video: The Difference Between Mexicans and Swiss, Explained With Music

There are surely lots and lots of differences between the citizens of Mexico and Switzerland. These differences really come to light when you see national music styles played one after the other, though. Have a look at what we caught on video during the recent TAG Heuer introduction of its sponsorship of the Carrera Panamerica. What similarities and what differences do you spy through the music?

Type 21 by Dodane 1857 is entered in the chronograph category of the 2015 International Timing Competition

2015 International Chronometry Competition Now Underway, But Does Anyone Care?

International timing competitions used to be the Formula 1 of watchmaking, and the watchmakers who prepared the high-precision (pocket) watches were treated like Formula 1 drivers. And that shouldn’t be surprising because until recently, the primary raison d’être of a timepiece was to tell the time. To tell THE time, not the approximate time. An error of 30 seconds day isn’t much . . . until you miss your train by 10 seconds.

The Rolling Stones

Paint It Black: Zenith (And I) On Tour With The Rolling Stones

It had been a long time since I’d been to a rock concert, let alone experience “the greatest rock band of all time.” So when Zenith offered me two tickets to the Dallas leg of the Rolling Stones’ multi-city North American Zip Code Tour at AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys), I jumped at the chance. I sprung them on my husband, who was equally excited about taking an overnight trip from our home in Houston.

Eric Singer dressed for work

Kiss Drummer Eric Singer Joins The 2015 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie De Genève Jury

Since its reboot four years ago, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève – watchmaking’s highest profile event, often described as the “Oscars of watchmaking” – has attracted a few celebrity watch collectors to the jury in addition to some of the most knowledgeable experts in the world of watches.

Kiss drummer Eric Singer, an avid watch collector for decades, is the latest. During a recent interview session, he struck me not only as a serious collector, but also as an honest-to-goodness “watch guy.” I am very pleased he has joined the jury of this excellent event.

Tourbillon Cylindrique Geosphères Vasco da Gama

World Travel Made Easy: Montblanc Villeret Tourbillon Cylindrique Geosphères Vasco da Gama

The Tourbillon Cylindrique Geosphères Vasco da Gama is an insanely awesome watch style-wise, and the movement mechanics prove to be equally interesting to the WIS in all of us. It features two sapphire crystal half spheres painted to look like the northern and southern hemispheres side by side. Twenty-four lines of latitude and longitude indicating time zones are debossed on these tiny half globes. And that’s not all!

"Cat on a Clothesline" by Jeff Koons. Cute, but is it 10 million dollars of cuteness?

Baselworld Vs. Art Basel: A Look Between The 2015 Fairs

I have been involved in the watch world for 26 years; my first visit to Baselworld was in 1991. The massive fair halls have undergone two major reconstructive changes during this long period, in addition to several smaller updates. The last major reconstruction was finished in 2013. In no way, though, was I prepared for how the complex looks and feels when Art Basel is on compared to how I know it during the hustle and bustle of Baselworld.

Jean Dunand Palace

Opinions From A Marquis: The Jean Dunand Palace

Palaces by definition are usually very traditional, very ornate, and very large. The Palace by Jean Dunand has two of those three descriptives going for it – its size and the fact that it is very ornate.

But its design and inspiration are anything but horologically traditional. It is modern, it is complicated, and it is very unique, especially the two linear displays for the second time zone ( GMT) and power reserve indication.

Glashütte Original Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date

Glashütte Original Chronograph Caliber 37: Continuing Tradition (Exhibition In California)

Glashütte Original’s goal for the chronograph movement inside the new Senator Chronograph Panorama Date was to have balanced functions with reliability, legibility, and a feeling of luxuriousness. To achieve this, the company’s experienced team took the best elements of its previous chronographs, added the company’s signature panorama date, and created the automatic flyback Caliber 37-01.

The alarm winder/activator is discreetly concealed flush in the crown

Vacheron Constantin Reveals Elements of ‘Most Complicated Watch In The World’ For 260th Anniversary

In honor of the manufacture’s 260th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin will present a new special order masterpiece on September 17, 2015 the company has called “one of the greatest man-made objects in the world.” Here we take an early look at a sampling of what is in store.