Hodinkee
Business News: U.S. Smartwatch Sales Are Soaring
Apple, Fitbit, and Samsung have joined Rolex and Patek Philippe as America's five best-selling watch brands.
1,478 articles · 33 videos found · page 42 of 51
Hodinkee
Apple, Fitbit, and Samsung have joined Rolex and Patek Philippe as America's five best-selling watch brands.
SJX Watches
The Phillips Perpetual boutique in London officially opens this week with 40 watches encompassing all important genres of watch collecting, from a Rolex Daytona “John Player Special” to a Patek Philippe Nautilus “Jumbo” ref. 3700 (from the collection of Jean-Claude Biver no less). But one of the flagship offerings is an important example of independent watchmaking – a Roger W. Smith Series 2 “Edition 2” that’s “No. 1”. It is very much a quintessential, early Roger W. Smith creation with the hallmark elements of his watchmaking. But the watch is also historically interesting, being an example of the road not taken for Mr Smith. The forgotten “Edition” This watch illuminates an intriguing bit of early Roger W. Smith history. Shortly after Mr Smith delivered the first batch of Series 2 watches in late 2007, he decided to create the “Edition” concept. According to Mr Smith, the idea was to produce Series 2 as a limited edition of 90 watches in total, with 30 watches in each colour of gold. All Edition watches had 38mm cases and solid silver dials; the Edition 1 was in yellow gold, Edition 2 in rose, and Edition 3 in white gold. At the same time, Mr Smith also offered custom versions of the Series 2, which were also available in a platinum case. But as it turned out, most clients wanted a custom watch, rather than an Edition example. So Mr Smith discreetly abandoned Edition not long after, and only a five of each Edition were made. This is on...
SJX Watches
The average Urwerk is distinctly sci-fi in appearance, more Star Trek than Games of Thrones. But every once in a while Urwerk gives one of its watches the ornately-fully-engraved treatment, with the latest being the UR-111C “Pistol”. It’s a one-off creation based on the UR-111C, a watch inspired by the earlier and much more expensive UR-CC1, itself modelled on the 1950s Patek Philippe ref. 3414, an experimental wristwatch nicknamed “Cobra”. The standard UR-111C has a streamlined case with a mechanical looking details, very much in the house style of Urwerk. The Pistol, in contrast, is decorated on all surfaces with an ornate motif that’s hand-engraved by Urwerk’s go-to engraver. It was commissioned by a client who has a soft spot for such engraved Urwerk watches; the UR-111C “Pistol” is his third fully engraved watch. (Editor’s note: This Pistol shares the same name as the EMC Pistol from 2015, and was decorated by the same engraver, but is a completely different model.) Inspired by 19th century French wrought iron fixtures, the motif is in relief, raised against the background by only a fraction of a millimetre but enough to give it significant depth. Add to that the refined, narrow and perfectly straight lines of the decoration, and the talent of the engraver is obvious. Credit for the work goes to Florian Güllert, an Austrian engraver who trained as a gunsmith and usually decorates firearms. Based in Klagenfurt, a city in the south of ...
Time+Tide
To celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Bauhaus design movement, Swatch have released the Bau Swatch Collection of 25 new watches inspired by the pre-WWII German school of design. The Bauhaus design philosophy has had significant impact on a number of watch designs over the years, including from Patek Philippe, Nomos and Stowa. Now Swatch … ContinuedThe post In the Haus with the new Bau Swatch Collection appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
Kennsen Watches makes its debut with a notably clever and well-priced annual calendar chronograph powered by a patented calendar module on top of a Valjoux 7750. Though Kennsen is newly set-up, its founder David Lea specialises in constructing complications for other brands, explaining the surprising degree of technical innovation for a small start-up. Annual calendar chronographs are relatively uncommon on the market and most are fairly costly – Patek Philippe and Ulysse Nardin are amongst the handful of brands that offer one – making the new Kennsen the most affordable example today, with a retail price of just over US$5000. Despite its affordability, the Kennsen annual calendar chronograph is entirely Swiss-made. The case is produced by Victorinox, the famed maker of Swiss army knives and also watches, while the module was designed by Lea & Associé – Mr Lea’s design outfit – and manufactured by a firm in the Vallée de Joux. Made of stainless steel, the case is 42mm in diameter, with a polished bezel and case back, while the case band has a brushed finish. The dial, available in either black or champagne, has a clean and pleasant design. It features recessed sub-dials, applied indices and a telemeter scale in miles and kilometres on the outer rim. At one o’clock is a day and night indicator displayed in a small aperture, and nestled subtly next to the central axis of the dial is the month display, aligned on the same axis as the date at three. ...
SJX Watches
The George Daniels Space Traveller I, one of the most important watches of the 20th century, has just sold at Sotheby’s in London for £3.62m, or about US$4.56m, all fees included. That makes the Space Traveller I the most expensive watch sold in 2019 so far – though it will doubtlessly be eclipsed by the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime in steel for Only Watch – and the most expensive watch ever by an independent watchmaker. A big boost to Sotheby’s market share in watch auctions, the record-setting Daniels was the final lot in the first auction of Masterworks of Time, the sale of a collection of over 800 pocket watches owned by Erivan Haub, the late German supermarket tycoon. The last time the Space Traveller was sold was in 1988, where Haub paid 220,000 Swiss francs for it at Sotheby’s in Geneva. Prior to that, the watch was been sold by London antique watch dealer Bobinet in 1982 to a collector by the name of Jay Lennon. In almost forty years, the Space Traveller has had only three owners. The auction Having concluded just over an hour ago, the auction took place on a pleasant summer’s day in London, but it was slow going in the half-filled room. The average age of the attendees was notedly higher than that for a wristwatch auction, reflecting the niche nature of pocket watch collecting. But a crowd started to form as soon as it came to the Space Traveller, and the atmosphere perked up. Bidding started out as a tussle between an absentee bidder...
SJX Watches
A “new old stock” Rolex or Patek Philippe from the 1950s is a marvel. So this Jehan Cremsdorff pocket watch – which was made around 1650, making it almost 370 years old – is miraculous. So incredible is the Cremsdorff that for pocket watch collectors, the last time it was sold was a landmark event; the watch was the “Bao Dai” or “Paul Newman” or Grandmaster Chime “Only Watch” of the 1980s. Part of the epic collection of pocket watches owned by a late German billionaire, which also includes the George Daniels Space Traveller I, the Cremsdorff watch is an incredible object that has been mysteriously well preserved over the centuries, with only minimal restoration to the enamel. Though little is known about him, Jehan Cremsdorff was a watchmaker active in Paris during the late 17th century. Its immensely elaborate enamel work indicates Cremsdorff probably made the watch for a royal or noble client; the identity of the original owner is lost to time, but the watch came from Sweden when it was first sold publicly. Made of thin sheets of gold, the case is entirely enamelled, inside and out, an artistic accomplishment that was done by a now unknown Parisian enameller. The outer case is decorated with champleve and relief enamel, forming a remarkably intricate and vivid flower motif. And for good measure the outer case is also set with diamonds on both sides. The inside faces of the case are finished in a brilliant turquoise enamel that’s been...
Time+Tide
Editor’s note: One of the funny quirks of the English language is that there’s no word that rhymes with orange. Certainly, Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph Ref. 5968A doesn’t, but don’t let that fool you, because this (very) fine fellow, with its orange details and neon strap option, is as orange as the sunset over Miami … … ContinuedThe post Not your granddad’s Patek – the Aquanaut Chronograph Ref. 5968A appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Revolution
The upcoming Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva has strong offerings of Patek Philippe watches and manual-wind Daytonas.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Based on the Lemania 2310 - a movement that would serve as a base for watches like the Patek Philippe 3970 - the original caliber 321 stands as the spirit of the "true" moon and pre-moon watches. As a column-wheel chronograph, it's also highly coveted by collectors due to the historical significance and purported superiority as well.
Deployant
In Conversation with Rexhep Rexhepi, the young man who apprenticed with Patek Philippe at 15 and founded Akrivia and remains the creative force.
Time+Tide
At this point it’s not news to state that Ellen DeGeneres is, in addition to being a talk show host par excellence, possessed of exceptional taste in watches. From vintage Daytonas to what appears to be most of Patek Philippe’s complicated catalogue, Ellen has some truly outstanding taste (I mean, seriously, when will she appear … ContinuedThe post WATCHSPOTTING: Ellen, Patek, Omega and Ryan Reynolds appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Deployant
Throwback Sunday: Six highly desirable, modestly priced watches which you may not be able to buy. From Rolex, Patek Philippe, Tudor, Omega and Citizen.
Deployant
The Chief Editor makes his picks from the crop of Baselworld 2018 watches. All likely to cause heart palpitations from your bank manager. Selection from Rolex, Grand Seiko, Andreas Strehler, H. Moser and Patek Philippe.
Time+Tide
Much of the hype of Baselworld is transfixed on the monolithic Hall 1, where the majority of the media attention is focused on the big industry players from the Swatch Group and LVMH, as well as big indies like Rolex and Patek Philippe. But beyond the glitz, there’s another Baselworld. Hall 2, located across the … ContinuedThe post LIST: 7 of the best sub-$5000 watches of Basel 2018 – from beyond the glitz of Hall 1 appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Revolution
Patek Philippe unveils the 5524R (42mm) and 7234R (37.5mm), two new versions of the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time, now in rose gold.
Revolution’s sister magazine - The Rake speaks to Ahmed Rahman about his favourite watches, his love for Patek Philippe and just what makes the Swiss watch manufacture so special.
Revolution’s sister magazine, The Rake highlights individuals who have taken to that most extraordinary of Swiss watch manufactures, Patek Philippe.
Time+Tide
Film and television producer Jonathan Schwartz lives in Vancouver (obviously) with his wife and two kids. He’s also got a passion for cars, guitars and of course - watches. Hey Jonathan, what’s your daily watch and why? My daily watch is my Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711R Tiffany Dial. There is no other watch in my collection that … ContinuedThe post WHO TO FOLLOW: @VancouverFilmProducer appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Deployant
In this week's article, we look at six complicated dress watches, featuring brands such as Patek Philippe, Chopard, NOMOS, JLC, Breguet, and Lange.
The Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time ref. 5650G with its two Advanced Research innovations gets everyone involved at the forefront of horological innovation.
Revolution
Two Rolexes and one Patek Philippe breaks the million CHF mark on evening two of Phillips Watches Geneva Spring Auctions 2017.
Time+Tide
The past few months have been so crazy that we split last month’s dispatch into two. As Basel wrapped up, I headed back to the great city of London for round two. Apparently I wasn’t sick of looking at watches yet. Silas’s Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 3940G Whilst roaming the streets of Clerkenwell, I took the … ContinuedThe post SPOTTED! BY AG: Dispatch 8, May 2017 appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Deployant
We take a look at six twin register chronograph, featuring brands such as Patek Philippe, Habring2, Longines, Hamilton, Lange, and Montblanc.
Deployant
Today, Robin shares the five watches that has caught his eyes in Baselworld 2017, featuring brands such as Tudor, Patek Philippe, and Grand Seiko.
Deployant
In this week's Throwback Sunday, we feature six watch recommendations for the "God of Gamblers", featuring brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Breguet.
Deployant
In this week's Throwback Sundays, we look at six watch recommendations for the Lunar New Year, featuring brands such as Tudor, HYT, and Patek Philippe.
Time+Tide
Today we’re taking another look at a video that explores the connection between tattooing and watchmaking with world-famous ink-master Benjamin Laukis. The watch in focus here is his TAG Heuer Calibre 18 Telemeter. Other watches in Ben’s enviable stable include an A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk and a Tiffany dialled Patek Philippe Calatrava. The man knows his … ContinuedThe post VIDEO: “I want something created by a person, not a production line” – 3 key quotes from a watch-obsessed tattooist appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Revolution
The term “World Time” is an integral part of today’s watchmaking vocabulary, but its origins are relatively new in the grand horological scheme of things. Revolution Switzerland’s Sophie Furley takes a look at the history of the Patek Philippe World Time collections and the fascinating stories they have to tell, with a little help from Patek Philippe’s Head of Watch Development, Mr. Philip Barat.
Deployant
Event opening: Singapore National Museum reopens the revamped Glass Rotunda and the story of the magnificent Patek Philippe Dome clock which was an enabler.
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