The Inside Story Of How One Collector’s ‘Paul Newman’ Rolex Made It Into The Hit Film ‘Crazy Rich Asians’

One day vintage expert Eric Wind’s friend Kevin Kwan sent him a fateful ‘URGENT!!!’ e-mail searching for an ‘impressive’ new or vintage watch for a special scene in the movie version of his book ‘Crazy Rich Asians.’ He sourced a valuable ‘Paul Newman’ Rolex from a collector in Singapore and when Eric was invited to an advanced screening of the film in New York, he waited with bated breath for the scene, not knowing what to expect. But when Astrid handed her husband the watch in the movie and the beautiful ‘Paul Newman’ dial got a solo shot on screen, it was pure magic!

Are Today’s Vintage Watch Buyers Killing Watchmaking?

To the extent that new enthusiasts represent the future of the watch market, is it possible that their enthusiasm for the past will prove highly damaging, or even lethal, to the industry’s future? GaryG shares his thoughts on the subject here.

Vianney Halter Antiqua Number 30R

Why I Bought It: Vianney Halter Antiqua – Reprise

For GaryG the wonderful Antiqua by Vianney Halter is a long-term keeper. He fell for the Antiqua when he first saw one more than a dozen years ago; while many of his friends will freely confess that at the time they were at first put off by its looks, Gary was smitten from the start. But that’s not all that he loves about this watch. Find out here why he bought it!

Marvels of watchmaking: Patek Philippe Reference 5370P and A. Lange & Söhne Double Split

Split Decision: Patek Philippe Reference 5370P vs. A. Lange & Söhne Double Split, An Owner’s Perspective – Reprise

If there were a watch enthusiasts’ encyclopedia, under “embarrassment of riches” the image might just be a side-by-side shot two of contemporary watchmaking’s great complicated pieces: the “mighty” A. Lange & Söhne Double Split and Patek Philippe’s Reference 5370P split-second chronograph. In this article, GaryG compares and contrasts them to come out with a winner.

You don’t need a garage: a selection of chronographs from GaryG’s collection

Collecting Watches And Cars: What’s The Same And What’s Different? – Reprise

Cars and watches, watches and cars: they do seem to go together! Scratch almost any watch lover and you’re going to find a car lover just under the surface. GaryG talks with his pal “Enzo” in this interesting discussion about the similarities and dissimilarities of car and watch collecting.

Piaget Upstream (photo courtesy Geo Cramer)

Serving Up Salmon: Watches With Sublime Salmon-Colored Dials And Why They Remain Rare – Reprise

Even seasoned watch connoisseurs look twice when presented with a men’s watch fitted with what’s known as a “salmon” dial. If it is a fairly common model, a salmon-colored dial usually elevates the watch to a higher plane. Martin Green explains why this is so.

The Quest For My Ultimate Fountain Pen Part 3: The Luxury Brand Period – Reprise

After obtaining a Delta Dolce Vita Oversized at the conclusion of his Italian period, Martin Green was a very happy man. The pen served him very well, and he was in love with the looks as well as the writing experience. And while Martin wasn’t looking for a replacement pen, it happened anyway . . . with some very famous brands. Read the third part of his writing instrument odyssey here.

What Makes A Daily Wearer Wristwatch?

GaryG wears all of the watches in his collection, though some watches are more suited to daily wear than others. A reader’s question got Gary thinking, both about which pieces in his assortment are the go-to routine watches for frequent wear and, at a more fundamental level, what makes a watch a “daily wearer.” Read his opinion on that right here.

Navigating The Grey Market: A Retail Expert Explains The Whys And Wherefores – Reprise

In this article retail expert John Keil explains how and why the gray market for watches exists.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox in pink gold

Watch Collecting Regrets? I’ve Had A Few, But Not Too Few To Mention: They Include Selling Too Soon And Failing To Buy – Reprise

You can like everything, but you can’t buy – or keep – everything! Inevitably, the choices involved lead at times to regrets; for GaryG, along with many of his pals, the sadness is much more often about pieces they sold too soon or failed to buy rather than pieces they were sorry about buying in the first place (although surely everyone has a few “what was I thinking?” buying moments).