On The Watch: Vintage Racing Chronographs A.K.A. The Monaco Bros

If you read my last “vintage” article, “Watches That Will Make Any Collector Fall to His Knees,” you’d know that I am a hardcore online vintage watch watcher. So what exactly is an “online vintage watch watcher?” An “online vintage watch watcher” is an individual who spends 99% of his or her time scouring through watch listings on various watch-trading sites, but never seems to purchase anything. Yep, so that basically describes me every night of the week. Anyway, I decided that I would go on a quest to find the most perfect, flawless, iconic vintage chronographs out there and this is what I found.

The Panerai Luminor Marina 8 Days Acciaio: A Modern Classic

Today, I’d like to introduce you to the new Panerai Luminor Marina 8 Days Acciaio, a modern sports watch that, I suspect, one day will be a vintage treasure. This watch is the epitome of a perfect Panerai: a clean dial, an in-house movement, a rugged pebbled-leather strap, and a case that has the weight of a solid block of steel. The official name of this watch is the PAM 590, a name that I know we all will be hearing a lot more of.

Richemont, Review, Panerai, SIHHLuke RottmanMay 29, 2014Panerai, SIHH, Richemont, Luminor, 8 Days Power Reserve, Acciaio, Swiss WatchmakingComment

VIDEO: De Bethnune. Avant Garde Watchmaking From L'Auberson.

Baselworld, Events, Timecrafters, VideosLuke RottmanMay 27, 2014Baselworld 2014, Timecrafters, De Bethune, Swiss Watchmaking, Videos, Haute HorologyComment

HANDS-ON [WITH LIVE PICS]: Introducing the JLC Grand Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 Chocolate

Today, I spent some time looking back at some of my favorite watches from this year’s shows. As I was sorting through my millions of wristies (no not selfies, wristies), I found a few awesome pictures of an also awesome Reverso. But this was not just any Reverso: this was the Ultra Thin 1931 Chocolate Reverso, the watch that was under the spotlight at 2014’s SIHH. This irrefutably stunning wristwatch combines JLC’s technical sophistication as well as the brand’s appreciation of the icon’s (still referring to the watch) heritage.

HANDS-ON [WITH LIVE PICS]: Introducing The Pilot D’Aeronef Type 20 GMT 1903 by Zenith @Timecrafters2014

Timecrafters was so action-packed (and, yes a watch show can be action-packed, for those who don’t know) that I nearly forgot half of the watches that I saw at the show. But through all of this watch-mania, some very special watches found their way into a part of my mind where I would never be able to forget them. This was one of those watches.

Events, Review, Timecrafters, Zenith, Pilots Watch, BaselworldLuke RottmanMay 22, 2014Timecrafters, Baselworld 2014, Zenith, Hands-On, PVD/DLC, Pilots WatchComment

FOUND: Watches That Will Make Any Collector Fall To His Knees

As always, I am constantly looking online for the best watch deals on top-name brands. Today, as I was scrolling down pages of watches that I could only dream of owning, on eBay I stumbled upon an amazingly military-styled vintage chronograph and a very special dive watch that are both in need of some serious pointing-out time.

Luke RottmanMay 20, 2014Comment

HANDS-ON: Dizzy Hands From Richard Mille @Timecrafters2014

Today, I spent time with one of the brands that has most inspired me in my watch-blogging journey. Richard Mille, the swiss company that sponsors many famous athletes such as Rafael Nadal, has recently introduced the new RM 63-01, known as “Dizzy Hands,” at SIHH 2014. Luckily, this watch made a stop at Timecrafters for me and many other journalists, who did not get the chance to attend SIHH, to see.

HANDS-ON: Spending An Hour With A Memorizing Wristwatch @Timecrafters2014

After a hectic, but exciting two days at Timecrafters, I stopped by one of my top-ten favorite watch booths, A. Lange & Sohne. While I was there, I viewed some of the newest additions to the collection, all from Geneva’s SIHH 2014. I found that I took a strong liking to the astonishingly complicated Richard Lange “Terraluna.” This exceptional piece features two important complications, including a perpetual calendar and a magnificent orbital moon-phase display that is almost reminiscent of Patek’s Sky Moon Tourbillon’s celestial dial, but much more accurate and, interestingly enough, much smaller (a more sensible size).

VIDEO: A Day At Timecrafters With Christie's Private Sales

Christie's, Auctions, Events, Higlights, Timecrafters, VideosLuke RottmanMay 16, 2014The Watch Shop, Auction, Reginald Brack, Patek Philippe, Omega, Rolex, Vintage Watches, Videos, Timecrafters, NYC, HighlightsComment

HANDS-ON: Contemporary World, Contemporary Beauty: Hublot @Timecrafters2014

As Timecrafters, here in New York City, approaches, over the next few days I’ll have to point out some of the year’s best watches from some of my favorite brands. Today, let’s delve into some of the newest, most exclusive pieces from Hublot’s Baselworld 2014 collection that will be featured at the Timecrafters watch exhibition. Hublot is not only a company of excellence and prestige, but also a company whose technology is worn on the wrists of a seemingly infinite number of athletes, performers, and world leaders. Today, I chose three wristwatches that I can assuredly say will turn-heads.

Rock n’ Roll Fashion Meets Adventurous Horology At MAWW 2014

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to sit down with Leonid Khankin, the Owner and Managing Creative Director of Ernst Benz, and take a closer look at his new line of limited edition, in-store only John Varvatos watches. Traditionally, Ernst Benz watches have always been for the rugged, but sophisticated, guy so they seem right at home behind the vintage glass cases at the John Varvatos New York store.

A Surprise From Baselworld Arrives @Timecrafters2014

The Geneva-based manufacturer, De Bethune, will be exhibiting their most highly appreciated piece of the year, the Dream Watch 5.2, at Timecrafters 2014, the largest luxury watch show in America. The Dream Watch 5.2 is a watch for an extraordinarily specialized client, one who is fond of fine horology and an individual who really wants to be under the radar when it comes to wearing a watch.

Events, Review, NYC, Timecrafters, BaselworldLuke RottmanMay 11, 2014Timecrafters, Watch Events, De Bethune, Dream WatchComment