New Release: Louis Moinet Astronef Techno Unique Piece Featuring Two Flying Tourbillons and a Eye-Catching Iridescent High-Tech Silicon Wafer Dial

The ever-changing colors of the silicon wafer dial on the Louis Moinet Astronef Techno are not caused by light reflections but by iridescence. This is the phenomenon of a surface changing color as the angle of view or the angle of illumination changes. But there is much more to this unique piece watch than a stunning dial.

Why I Bought It: Vintage Rolex Day-Date Reference 1803

Sometimes with watches it’s like it is with pets: you don’t choose them, they choose you. When Martin Green strapped on this vintage Rolex Day-Date quite by accident, everything fell into place for him. Here he explains how and why he bought it.

Nomos Orion Neomatic 41 Date New Black: Minimalistic with a Lot of Details and all for a (relatively) Affordable Price

In Martin Green’s opinion, one of the most incredible qualities of Nomos is that they know how to make a small detail have large impact. The Orion Neomatic 41 Date New Black has hands and the numerals on the date disc in gold and that makes a big statement.

Why I Bought It: Collector Quentin R. Bufogle and his 2006 Omega De Ville Chronoscope Chronograph

If you would’ve told Quentin R. Bufogle six months ago that he’d pass on a Breguet Type XX in favor of an Omega, he might’ve thought you were crazy. What changed his mind? Granted that in terms of sheer aesthetics, it ticks all the right boxes for him. But there’s much more to it.

Why I Bought It: Collector Koen Simon and his Two-Tone Christiaan Van Der Klaauw Orion

Koen Simon is a 28-year-old watch collector from The Netherlands. A regular reader of Quill & Pad, he is a fan of high-end watchmaking. He recently sent us this story about how and why he acquired his rare two-tone Orion timepiece by Christiaan van der Klaauw, which we are pleased to share here.

A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour le Mérite Reviewed by Tim Mosso

A. Lange & Söhne flagship Richard Lange model is the Tourbillon Pour le Mérite (TPLM). It features fusée-and-chain constant force, a tourbillon regulator, and a power reserve indicator. And the hand finishing is superb!

‘Ataelier Haute Complication’ Dual Time by Vladimir Négault: A François-Paul Journe Disciple Making Sensational Watches with a Polarizing Design and Inventive Complications

Vladimir Négault, founder of Ataelier Haute Complication, a relatively new independent watchmaker based in Geneva who is making some of the most interesting and inventive watches Ian Skellern has ever seen.

Why I Bought It: Rolex Air-King “Bloodhound” Ref. 116900

Quentin Bufogle has never worshipped at the “Green ‘n’ Gold” Rolex altar. But the Rolex Air-King reference 116900 has always been his favorite stainless steel 40 mm Rolex and here he explains why he bought one.

Konstantin Chaykin Wristmon Zebra Unique Piece Featuring First In-House Micro-Rotor Caliber K.33.3 Movement

Konstantin Chaykin has designed, developed, and manufactured his own automatic movement, caliber K.33.3, which features a tungsten micro-rotor. The movement makes its debut in the unique piece Zebra Wristmon.

The One Hertz by Tim and Bart Grönefeld

Grönefeld One Hertz: A Collector’s Journey

GaryG has the pleasure of covering the wonderful Grönefeld One Hertz. For a watch fanatic, and especially for lovers of independent watch brands, it’s a dream come true to meet the makers of the watches that we admire.