Foundational piece: the author’s Vianney Halter Antiqua

Why I Bought It: Vianney Halter Antiqua

A piece that for me is a long-term keeper, is the wonderful Antiqua by Vianney Halter. The truth is that I fell for the Antiqua when I first saw one more than a dozen years ago; while many of my friends will freely confess that at the time they were at first put off by its looks, I was smitten from the start. But that’s not all that I love about this watch.

Winner of the International Chronometry Competition, the Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon Technique

Putting The Incredible Accuracy Of Mechanical Wristwatches Into Perspective

One thing that blows my mind each and every time I think of it is the remarkable accuracy of mechanical wristwatches. I know some of you are thinking, “Well, I paid thousands of dollars, I expect it to be dead accurate.” And while I understand that train of thought, try digesting this information and see if I can convince you to be a little bit less critical.

A. Lange & Söhne Double Split after refurbishment

Why You Can’t Afford To Buy Your Watch If You Can’t Afford To Break It (Archive)

My first rule when it comes to collecting is to avoid setting too many exclusionary rules. If, however, I force myself to set criteria for what constitutes collecting to me, I keep coming back to passion and enjoyment. Nevertheless, there are lots of “safe queens” in the watch world. Yes, I’m looking at you, Mr. “Triple Sealed In Its Own Original Geneva Air And Never Wound Let Alone Chimed Patek Minute Repeater.”

Unique Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph II commissioned by the author

Commissioning A Watch: My Journey With The Kari Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph II

Date: late February 2010. Place: a small San Francisco restaurant. Players: an informal group of Northern California watch collectors, all owners of at least one Kari Voutilainen watch. One of the members of the group nonchalantly mentioned, “I’ve been talking with Kari about something . . ..” It was a set of bespoke Kari Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph II models. Time: two seconds later. Response: “I’m in!”

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

Seriously, let’s face it, criminals are flippin’ stupid! Here are 6 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.

Corum American Flag Bubble

6 Intriguing American-Themed Watches You May Have Forgotten About

Independence Day in the United States of America is celebrated on the 4th of July. In honor of this important day, I’d like to take a look at some American-themed wristwatches you may have forgotten or never even knew about. These timepieces proudly wear their red, white, and blue!

Ouchhh!!! This Rolex Submariner has seen better times

5 Unexpected Ways You Might Damage A Mechanical Watch

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.

Assortment of F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverains with a variety of dials

You Are There: F.P. Journe Tourbillon 25th Anniversary Event In New York

As much as I love watches, I love the people who are occupied with our specialized hobby even more! So, you can imagine that I immediately began scheming about how to route my travels through New York when I opened my inbox one morning several weeks ago to find this message: “You are invited: invitation to the F.P. Journe Tourbillon Anniversary Event.”

Omega Speedmaster Professional Limited Edition from 2005 was a true gift from the heart

What Makes A Great Watch Gift? Personal Stories Are The Answer

There aren’t many gifts one can give that will endure the test of time as well as a watch will. A gift of a timepiece has the air of timelessness, of endurance, and of value. Each and every watch that I have ever been given has a very special story. Here are some examples and brief histories of a few of them.

Rolex Oyster Zerograph mono pusher flyback chronograph Reference 3346 from 1937

One Of The Rarest Rolex References Of Them All: The Oyster Zerograph Monopusher Flyback Chronograph Reference 3346

So now that the dust has settled on the recent Phillips Start-Stop-Reset auction of stainless steel chronographs in Geneva, a sale that saw 100 percent of its 88 lots sold, I’d like to focus on a watch that I thought stood out from the very strong field.