Steve McQueen Rolex Submariner to be auctioned by Phillips

The Steve McQueen/Loren Janes Rolex Submariner 5513 Coming To Auction: How Long Did He Own It, How Often Did He Wear It, And How Much Survived The Fire?

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Nick Gould’s interest in the upcoming Phillips auction of a Steve McQueen Rolex Submariner was piqued when he read that McQueen had worn the timepiece himself in the 1960s before gifting it to stuntman Loren Janes, as Nick could not recall seeing any photographs of McQueen wearing a Rolex before 1970. So he began to research, and this is what he found.

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Controversy Or Not? Synthetic Vs. Natural Diamonds In Watchmaking (Archive)

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Discover in this video how a Geneva symposium’s aim was to explain the indubitable reality of the arrival of synthetic diamonds in the world of watchmaking and to demonstrate how it is possible to differentiate natural from lab-grown stones.

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Patek Philippe Ref 5270P Perpetual Chronograph with salmon dial

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

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Even seasoned watch connoisseurs will 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. What else did you not know about salmon dials? Find out here!

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Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1

Does Hand Finishing Matter? A Collector’s View Of Movement Decoration (Archive)

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Many of you are likely to have come across at least a few heated discussions of “finishing,” a topic that seems to fascinate, and divide, watch enthusiasts. Like many people, GaryG’s starting point for serious watches was with a well-priced brand long known for its expertise in developing movements, justly viewed as offering good value for money – but not necessarily for the refinement of its movement finishing, at least on its less expensive pieces. Read on to discover what he has learned since then?

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Light, subject, composition, camera: Romain Gauthier Logical One as captured with the Hasselblad X1D

Watchmaker Of Historical Significance: Romain Gauthier

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Throughout history, hundreds of talented watchmakers have left their mark on the science and industry of timekeeping. For the inaugural edition of WOHS (Watchmakers of Historical Significance), Joshua Munchow highlights an engineer that has used technology to push forward since his beginnings, creating a company that is not only a leading brand among independents, but also a supplier to many established brands: the incredible yet humble Romain Gauthier.

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The laureates of 2017 GPHG award ceremony (photo courtesy Gregory Maillot/www.point-of-views.ch)

2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie De Genève (GPHG) Gets Underway – With Two Quill & Pad Editors On Jury

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The first news from the 2018 edition of the “Oscars of watchmaking” – the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève – have arrived, and returning jury member Elizabeth Doerr thinks that overall things are looking very positive for the popular competition.

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Shopping The Airports For A Luxury Watch: Customs, Duties, And Discounts Explained

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Some people understand the benefits, limitations, and mechanics of duty-free shopping for a luxury watch at an airport: they know a deal when they see one. For these savvy individuals, shopping at the airport can and does make economic sense – sometimes. In this article Chris Malburg explains watch shopping at airports for the rest of us.

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Up close and personal: Philippe Dufour Duality dial desktop photo

Independent Watchmaking: A New Trend Or Just A Trendy Term?

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The word “independent” is used frequently in connection with watchmakers and brands that couldn’t be more different in their scope; and we seem to be seeing more “independent watchmakers” and “independent niche brands” pop up. In this new age of “independents” how can we determine who actually is and who isn’t (but claims to be) independent?

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Silicon: A Closer Look At The Material That Unleashed A Refreshing Range Of Haute Horlogerie Ideas

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Following the recent article on silicon balance springs by watchmaker Ashton Tracy called ‘Is Silicon Here To Stay In (Rolex) Watch Movements?’ Timothy Treffry decided to take a closer, more technical look at the intriguing silicon material from which the components are made.

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Vintage Jaeger "Panda dial 4 ATM"

Vintage Watch Restoration: Should You Or Not? A Guide To The Oft-Controversial World Of Making Things Worse By Trying To Make Them Better

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Deciding whether or not to restore a vintage watch is a tough decision to make. The internet is awash with tales of watches butchered by an incompetent independent watchmaker or, worse still, the brand itself. Even more confusing is deciding which options offered should be accepted. Refinish the case? Change the hands? Replace the crystal? Here is some help for you.

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