HYT H2O reviewed by Tim Mosso: It looks Huge, but it merely wears Big
The HYT H2O sits like an agreeably secure sapphire tuna tin, even on smaller wrists. It looks huge, but it merely wears big. Tim Mosso takes a closer look.
Behind The Lens: Ming 20.01 Series 2 AgenGraphe Chronograph – Reprise
The Ming 20.01 Series 2 AgenGraphe Mosaic chronograph was only made in a series of eight prototypes for early backers of the brand. Happily for collectors including Chuck, a modified Series 2 version of the 20.01 did subsequently go into production, and thanks to his kindness GaryG is able to present it to you here.
Arcanaut Arc II Havender: Accidental Discovery, (Relatively) Affordable Luxury
Swedish blue mussels are not the typical material used to make a dial, but that’s what gives the Arcanaut Arc II Havender its unique color. And there’s more that makes this watch special.
John McGonigle Oileán H-B1 Triple Calendar Chronograph: I Don’t Know of a More Beautiful Complicated Movement Available for the Money – Reprise
In 2021, John McGonigle launched the H-B1, the first watch under his solo brand Oileán. It’s a beautifully hand-finished triple-calendar column wheel chronograph powered by a highly modified new-old stock Valjoux 88 movement. While not cheap, Ian Skellern thinks it’s the best value-for-money, exquisitely hand-finished, complicated watch he has ever seen.
Friendship and Watches: Chick-Lip!, a 23-Piece Limited Edition of Customized Vintage LIP watches as a gift for Friends
The 23 vintage LIP watches in this article are not for sale: they were made for friends and are based on wristwatches from the late 40s and early 50s from the LIP brand. Thomas Brechtel shares this story of passion.
Abraham-Louis Breguet Souscription Pocket Watch No. 1836, dated 1807: Touched (perhaps) by The Hand of the Horological God Himself, I’m Jaded No Longer – Reprise
This Breguet souscription pocket watch number 1836 was created just after the French Revolution in 1796 and was sold in 1807 for £600. A testament to the quality of the movement’s design and the skill of its watchmaker, after more than 200 years it still runs impeccably today, which makes it the perfect role model for Breguet’s modern Tradition line.
Why I Bought It: Patek Philippe Reference 3940P-027 Vintage Collection – Reprise
November 2018 marked a personal horological high point for GaryG as he took delivery of an “unobtainable” watch, the Patek Philippe Reference 3940P-027. Gary shares his reasons for buying this rare timepiece with us here.
De Bethune DB28 Tourbillon Deadbeat Seconds reviewed by Tim Mosso
When the De Bethune DB28 Tourbillon Deadbeat Seconds launched in 2012 it represented the upper echelon of the catalog and could be considered something approaching a brand flagship. And in Tim Mosso’s opinion, it certainly has the presence of a flagship.
Commissioning a Watch: My Journey with the Kari Voutilainen Masterpiece Chronograph II – Reprise
An informal group of Northern California watch collectors, all owners of at least one Kari Voutilainen watch, met for lunch. 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. GaryG’s response two seconds later: “I’m in!”
Dial Restoration: Aesthetics or Functionality? How to Decide – Reprise
Most will agree that re-painting a dial is a big no-no. Vintage pieces with re-painted dials can be had for a steal as they are difficult to shift and mostly unwanted. But not all dial restorations are created equal, and we do encounter varying degrees of “upgrades.” Some of these upgrades are purposeful deception, while others are not. Here is what one watchmaker feels about the subject.