Dish by Niki Nakayama from the Netflix series Chef's Table

How Contemporary Haute Horlogerie Stacks Up Against Contemporary Haute Cuisine: Netflix’s ‘Chef’s Table’ Offers Tasty Lessons

/3 Comments/in , , , /by

Contemporary watchmaking has been making waves in the generally calm waters of traditional watchmaking for nearly two decades and has radically changed perceptions as to what haute horlogerie might be. But watching the superb Netflix series ‘Chef’s Table ‘ and contemporary haute cuisine, I can’t help but wonder if the pioneers and leaders of contemporary watchmaking are doing enough.

Read more

Caption Competition No. 26: Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees, Watches However . . .

/11 Comments/in , , /by

They say that money doesn’t grow on trees, but during a visit to Christophe Claret I discovered what appears to be the secret to the company’s manufacturing process: regular pruning. What story do you think explains the horological fruit that this tree bears? Please leave your suggestions in the comments.

Read more
Breitling Mulliner Tourbillon in the Bentley Bentayga

The Bentley Bentayga: You Will Love The $160,000 Dashboard Clock Option

/10 Comments/in , /by

Bentley created the Bentayga as the ultimate SUV, whose base price of just about one-quarter of a million dollars does not include several important and very luxurious extras that include removable tablets ($7,155), replacement of wood trim with carbon fiber ($28,500) . . . and the automatic Breitling for Bentley Mulliner Tourbillon ($160,000).

Read more
Alexia Masseron (far right),“Mademoiselle Diane par Longines,” most elegantly matched her outfit to the steel-and-diamonds Longines DolceVita she received; Eddie Peng and jury president former Miss France Sophie Thalmann awarded it to her

You Are There: The 167th Prix De Diane Longines In Chantilly, France

/0 Comments/in , /by

Horse racing is really about elegance – the way the animals move as they gallop, the dressed up day out for the spectators, and of course the hats. For many at Chantilly, the day is more about fashion in the grandstands than the jockeys and fillies giving it their all on the track.

Read more
Patek Philippe Ref. 5950A-001

Behind The Lens: Patek Philippe Ref. 5950A-001 Split-Seconds Chronograph

/5 Comments/in , /by

Given my recent musings on these pages about the relative roles of rarity and complication in driving the value of a watch, it seems appropriate to dedicate this “Behind the Lens” entry to a piece that is both complicated and limited in production: Patek Philippe’s Reference 5950A. What’s so special about this watch? Well, first of all it’s a split-seconds chronograph. What else?

Read more

Caption Competition No. 25: Now That’s A Pothole!

/16 Comments/in , /by

This photo was taken in what was then Zaire, but is now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and it highlights what happens if a small pothole is not repaired . . . it just keeps getting larger and larger until it can literally swallow trucks whole. What other stories can you suggest for this photo? Please share your suggestions in the comments.

Read more
Grayson Tighe Series 5 for Blancpain

Blancpain’s Pen Pal: Canadian Pen Maker Grayson Tighe

/1 Comment/in , , , /by

A watch brand adding writing instruments to its repertoire is not breaking news, but it is notable when a company focuses the same amount of attention and care on its pens as it does on its watches. Such was the case when almost ten years ago now, Blancpain engaged Canadian pen designer and maker Grayson Tighe to produce its writing instruments.

Read more
Ouchhh!!! This Rolex Submariner has seen better times

5 Unexpected Ways You Might Damage A Mechanical Watch

/48 Comments/in , , /by

Timepiece repairs can be expensive and often take a long time, so you generally want to avoid damaging a watch. It’s obvious that throwing your watch against a wall, running over it with a Bentley, or smashing it with a hammer are things to to avoid. However, not everything that can damage a watch is so obvious, so here I list five common things you may not be aware of that can damage a watch and how to prevent them.

Read more

Caption Competition No. 24: Which Way Is Front?

/11 Comments/in , /by

The car is a prototype by Pininfarina for Lancia from 1957 called the “Florida II” and it was the personal car of Mr. Pinin Farina for many years. This was one of the most influentially stylistic cars of its era. But why on earth do the windscreen and steering wheel appear to be at opposite ends of the cabin? What might this car really have been designed for?

Read more
Richard Mille diamond-set RM 67-01 Extra Flat at home on the wrist during the 2016 Rallye des Princesses

Richard Mille’s 2016 Princess Rally: The Ultimate Road Trip

/0 Comments/in , /by

Seventeen years ago the Rallye des Princesses (Princess Rally) was staged for the first time. Adding even more elegance, glamour, and performance, Richard Mille joined the event as principle sponsor in 2015.

Richard Mille invited Nola Martin and I on this year’s road trip, which took place May 28 through June 2, 2016. We were given a shiny new BMW press car with which to follow the rally, thereby gaining firsthand experience to find out what it takes to complete this beautiful journey.

Read more