There is so much great watch-related content coming out on a weekly basis that it’s a struggle to keep up! Here’s what I recommend from last week.
The Omega Speedmaster Story
The Omega Speedmaster, known to many as simply the ‘Moon Watch’, is arguably one of the most recognizable chronographs on the market today. A gateway watch for many aspiring collectors, vintage models can be had in good condition for no more than a few thousand dollars and make a stylish addition to any wardrobe. Dig a little deeper however and you will discover a rich and exciting history unlike any other timepiece. Fortunately the guys over at Monochrome Watches have done all the hard-work for you, publishing last week Part. 1 of a three-part series on the history of the Omega Speedmaster, starting with the highly sought after pre-moon models.
It’s an interesting read to say the least and provides a good starting point for enthusiasts who want to learn more about this famous timekeeper. Check out Monochrome Watches for the full story.
Inside Roger Dubuis
If you’ve ever seen a Roger Dubuis timepiece in the flesh chances are you either hated it or loved it. Known for their bold, dare I say polarising, designs the brand’s watches certainly leave an impression. Look beyond the sometimes over-the-top aesthetics however and you will discover one of the best watch manufacturers in the game today and the only one to have all of its movements stamped with the Geneva Seal of quality. To give you a better idea of what that actually means the guys over at Watch Anish went to visit the Roger Dubuis manufacturing facilities in Switzerland, documenting their experience with some awesome photographs (as usual.)
Head over to Watch Anish for the complete picture.
Piaget x F.P. Journe?
If you’re anything like me then you’re probably scratching your head at the above title. The famous independent watchmaker F.P. Journe would never collaborate with one of the ‘big boys’, let alone one that is better known for its jewellery than its watches. Would he? Apparently the answer is actually yes, incredibly. To put things in context however, this particular event transpired almost 20 years ago when Mr. Journe was still working as a freelance movement maker. Piaget had decided they wanted to create a Grand Sonnerie (I mean who doesn’t, right?) and so they contracted Mr. Journe to design and make a functioning prototype. In total 10 were made, with one selling at a Christie’s auction back in 2011 for an impressive US$116,500.
The team at Quill & Pad has the full story, which I encourage you to read as it is really quite interesting plus there is a particularly tasty insight at the end which I was not aware of.
The In-House Movement Fad
There’s been a lot of chatter online in the last few weeks about Bremont’s recently launched Wright Flyer watch, which the brand claimed was powered by an in-house movement. We all know the furore that erupted after those claims were found to be less than accurate, with Bremont unfortunately bearing the brunt of the frustration stemming from this at times contentious issue. Fortunately, Ask Men contributor and Editor of the US-Edition of Revolution Jack Forster was on hand to dispense such much needed wisdom on this issue, pointing out that the term ‘in-house’ has become so misused and abused that it’s true meaning has almost been lost altogether.
This article is definitely a must read for watch enthusiasts and you can find it on Ask Men here.
Rolex Deep Sea Sea-Dweller D-Blue Dial
One of the major announcements coming out of the watch world last week was Rolex’s surprise unveiling of a special edition of its Deep Sea Sea-Dweller, celebrating director and explorer James Cameron’s successful journey into the Mariana Trench, the deepest point of the earth’s ocean (10,908 meters underwater.) To be honest the only thing that sets this new watch apart from the original model is the dial but perhaps that’s all people who were previously sitting on the fence needed to help them make the decision to purchase? Especially given that the new model is only $300 more expensive than the original, an almost unheard of occurrence in the world of luxury watches.
You can read the full article here.
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