Durian: The King of Fruits – Absolutely Delicious, But The Smell Is Unforgettable (And That’s Putting It Mildly)

The first description Ken Gargett ever heard of the durian fruit was that it was like “eating custard over an open sewer”. He never forgot that . . . but it made him curious. He he reveals why despite its obnoxious odor, durian is considered by many as ‘The King of Fruits.’

Vanessa Redgrave’s Rolex Reference 5513 Submariner With Explorer Dial: Could It Be The Female ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona?

Are there special vintage watch dial variations named after notable women in a vein similar to that of the Paul Newman Rolex Daytona? Nick Gould was wondering just that and researched. Finding a photo of Vanessa Redgrave wearing a Rolex Submariner Reference 5513 with “Explorer” dial in 1966, he ruefully opines that this rare model would sound so much cooler as the Rolex “Vanessa Redgrave” Submariner rather than what collectors call it now: Rolex Reference 5513 Submariner with Explorer dial.

6 Reasons You Would Have To Be An Idiot To Steal A Fine Watch – Reprise

Seriously, let’s face it, criminals are flippin’ stupid! Here are six reasons why stealing watches is a really bad idea (aside from the obvious) and those who try probably won’t get away with it anyway.

Watch Goes Up Must Come Down: An Industry Insider’s Top Secret Report . . . Or Is It? Warning: You May Laugh Out Loud – Reprise

London, one day in the not-too-distant future, the final board meeting of the Lux Timepieces III Fund had been a stormy one. Principal investor Igor Abramovich had flounced out after throwing his Roger W Smith Series 1 on the boardroom table, where it shattered into dozens of meticulously handmade pieces . . . hang on to your hats because this is a wild and laugh-out-loud ride!

Omega Speedmaster Professional at the Chrono24 GTG in Karlsruhe (photo courtesy Alex Stiebritz/AMX Studio)

Tool Watch Revolution: Utilitarian Goes Upmarket; There’s More – Much More – Than Rolex! – Reprise

Tool watches continue their evolution among the watch industry’s most luxurious and coveted brands. Here Chris Malburg explores where their evolution has gone and might still go.

How Watches Are Made Seminars By John McGonigle – And You Can Follow Them Live

Engineers Ireland is hosting two seminars by John McGonigle in which he will talk about the engineering of watchmaking, i.e. how watches are made. The first seminar will start at 18:30 of the 23rd of February 2023 and the second a month later on the 23rd of March 2023. Both seminars will be streamed online, but you do have to register.

GPHG 2016 juror Elizabeth Doerr (photo courtesy Guy Lucas de Peslouan)

Elizabeth Doerr Retires As Editor-In-Chief Of Quill & Pad

After nine hectic years as Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of Quill & Pad, Elizabeth Doerr announces her well-earned retirement.

Patria Brigadier Flyback Chronograph: Run, Don’t Walk, It Was The Best Value Swiss Made Automatic Chronograph Available Today (Until Sold Out)- Reprise

Every time Ian Skellern writes the words “relatively affordable” here on Quill & Pad, he braces himself for the stream of comments reminding him that he must live in an alternative reality to most of the world. So he doesn’t describe the Patria Brigadier Flyback Chrono as relatively affordable (though compared to most of the watches we review on Quill & Pad he thinks it well merits that description), but he does think that it’s fantastic value and the bargain of the year. And here he explains why.

HYT Moon Runner: A Moon Phase Straight Outta Cyberpunk

The HYT Moon Runner is straight out of cyberpunk, blurring the line between terrestrial and interplanetary travel, with massive, diverse, and dark cityscapes filled with glowing neon. And then there’s its semi-spherical moonphase, capillary hour display, minutes, date and month. Joshua Munchow takes a closer look.

ETA/Valjoux 7750 front and back

Valjoux 7750: The World’s Greatest Chronograph Movement By Far (By Popularity And Numbers) – Reprise

As Martin Green became ever more impressed by the performance of the Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement, he also found himself enamored by its little quirks and the variety of watches it has been tapped to power. Here Martin outlines the history of this classic automatic chronograph movement.