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Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch: The Making of an Icon
Sergio Galanti takes a look at the story behind the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch to learn how this iconic watch was created.
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How a Mechanical Watch Works with Simple to Understand Animations
In theory, a mechanical watch is very simple: it's 'simply' a spring (the mainspring) unwinding at a constant rate with hands attached to gears that rotate as the spring unwinds. Easy! Ian Skellern highly recommends anyone at all interested in mechanical watches to watch this video as it clearly highlights how a mechanical watch works.
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Grand Seiko: Looking at What Makes the Brand so Special – And Grand Seiko is Definitely Special!
The first association for many on hearing the word "Seiko" is likely to be affordable quartz watches or automatic divers. However, Seiko offers much more, particularly in terms of luxury timepieces. Grand Seiko, which became its own brand under the Seiko Group in 2017, produces some of the most competitive luxury watches on the market, rivaling the best Swiss brands at prices that are still (somewhat) attainable.
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Grönefeld One Hertz Classic Titanium Reviewed by Tim Mosso
The appeal of the Grönefeld One Hertz Titanium isn’t its parlor trick but its holistic excellence. It is nearly as compelling while static as in motion. From design to materials to decoration to engineering, the Grönefeld One Hertz Titanium distinguishes itself as a rare pleasure for the observer and a rare privilege for the owner.
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Why I Bought It (Despite the Strap and Buckle): Grand Seiko Blue Snowflake Reference SBGA407
After a week on the wrist, Chris Malburg had some issues with Grand Seiko’s Blue Snowflake Reference SBGA407. Even so, he pulled the trigger. Here Chris explains how he fixed those issues and why this watch just might deserve a place in your collection too.
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Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGZ003 Reviewed by Tim Mosso: High-Tech Mechanical Masterpieces offering Sensational Hand Finishing and Excellent Value
Tim Mosso thinks that on a qualitative and technical basis, the Grand Seiko SBGZ003 should be on the radars of open-minded collectors who value innovation and refinement in equal measure.
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Why I Bought It: Rolex Air-King “Bloodhound” Ref. 116900
Quentin Bufogle has never worshipped at the “Green ‘n’ Gold” Rolex altar. But the Rolex Air-King reference 116900 has always been his favorite stainless steel 40 mm Rolex and here he explains why he bought one.
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Coteaux Champagne: No Fizz but Lots of Terroir
Prior to fizz in champagne arriving late 18th century, the Champagne region was making nine bottles of non-sparkling win for every single bottle of fizz. Thomas Jefferson preferred the still version of champagne to sparkling.
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WatchCharts February 2025 Secondary Watch Market Update
January 2025 saw straight declines across the board for the WatchCharts Overall Market Index which fell by -0.9%, as well as for the Rolex (-0.8%), Patek Philippe (-0.9%), and Audemars Piguet (-0.5%) indexes. These declines are comparable to what we observed a year ago in February 2024 and two years ago in February 2023.
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New Release: Czapek Promenade Plissé – Hail to the Dial!
The dial of the Czapek Promenade Plissé gives the impression of fabric being pushed and bunched up by the sub-dial into pleats across the dial.
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New Release: Bvlgari X MB&F; Serpenti – Look Out, it Doesn’t Bite, it Mesmerizes!
Reimagining Serpenti into a Horological Machine required a complete redevelopment of this historical piece, not only in terms of mechanical engineering and movement conception, but also in terms of case design and manufacturing.
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Why I Bought It (The Day Before It Was Discontinued): Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 with White Dial Ref. 114300
After years of consideration, Bhanu Chopra took the plunge and bought both a Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 mm and a Submariner Reference 114060. And less than 24 hours after finally taking ownership of them, Rolex discontinued both watches! Here he shares the story of how it all went down. Spoiler alert: he couldn't be happier!
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Watches I’ve Loved by Tim Mosso: Part 3 – Paths not Taken
Tim Mosso debated writing this installment of his “Watches I’ve Loved” series because it’s better described as deflating restraint and paths not taken. Nobody wants to read about that! But he was in love with many of the watches he shares here.
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10 Affordable Alternatives to Iconic Watches including the Rolex Submariner and Omega Moonwatch: The Lightweight Heavyweights!
A few brands and watches stand high above the rest. They are known to almost everyone and have become icons. Watches of this stature are not cheap, however, there are alternatives out there that are as compelling in their own right for a fraction of the price.
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Here’s Why a Watch Strap is More Than Just an Accessory
A watch strap is the ubiquitous “accessory” to a wristwatch that can completely change a person’s feeling about said timepiece. A strap is the single most functional component on a wristwatch that you interact with. Joshua Munchow takes a closer look at why that is true.
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A Contemporary Watch Collector Goes Vintage with Omega, Patek Philippe and Jaeger-LeCoultre
To my longtime friends in the watch hobby, and perhaps to regular readers here as well, the mention of my name may conjure up a number of connotations: patron of the independents, fan of A. Lange & Söhne, admirer of Patek Philippe grand complications, and longtime customer of Jaeger-LeCoultre, among other characterizations more or less favorable. But vintage?
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Watches I Love by Tim Mosso – Part 2: The Jaeger-LeCoultre Years
Tim Mosso had saved a war chest for watches during his Navy and freelance writing years. Fueled by prescription-strength rationalization that a credible watch collection was a path to credibility in his new profession,he sought multiple JLC models long on his radar.
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Wine Buying Vintage Recommendations for 2025
Everyday wines are very much a budget/quality/preference equation and you should always ensure you have sufficient of these available. Pointy end wines are those for special occasions and family events. These are the wines you want to be good for your cellar or wine fridge.
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New Release: Urwerk UR-100V Magic T “Hunter Green” in Titanium with Full Titanium Bracelet
red gold – especially with a blue dial - does stand out, and it’s usually seen with more formally-styled watches, what colors work in a more casual setting? Urwerk proposes grey and green with the UR˜100V Magic T “Hunter Green” and the color combination works.
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The Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence is Well-Named: Is Louis Vuitton Converging with Urwerk?
The new The Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence has received a lot of press recently, and well deservedly so: it's a well-size (37 mm), quirky take on modern dress watch. But Ian Skellern think it looks too much like a Urwerk UR-101.
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Warning, Iceberg Dead Ahead! F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Joaillerie
In Tim Mosso's opinion, the F.P. Journe The Tourbillon Souverain Joaillerie is a halo model for a brand that sells almost nothing but halo models. It’s as special as the discontinued Journe Sonnerie Souveraine or current Astronomic Souveraine.
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Breguet Classique Quantième Perpétuel Ref. 5327BR/1E/9V6 Reviewed by Tim Mosso
Breguet needs your love. Despite excellent products, a rich history, significant investment, and financial stability, the company bearing this most illustrious name often ranks among the most anonymous in the space. Tim Mosso thinks that needs to change.
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New Release: Ming 37.09 Uni Dive Watch with Black PVD Case
Ian Skellern did not like the Ming 37.09 Uni dive watch on first sight. Or second. The ‘industrial’ – to my eyes – rather than elegant ‘chunky’ white minute ring, while practical i.e., highly visible, which is good for a dive watch, just didn’t work for him. But after a couple of days he looked at the dial again and decided that he liked it.
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New Release: Greubel Forsey Hand Made 2. My New Grail Watch!
The Greubel Forsey Hand Made 2 embodies the ultimate pursuit of hand watchmaking. Every component, whether visible or hidden, is created, finished, and assembled by hand with unprecedented rigor.
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Watches I Love by Tim Mosso – Part 1: How I Got Into Watches and My First Watches
Of all the questions Tim Mosso has been asked by other watch collectors, the most personal is the one that he has never answered in full. “What kind of watches do you like?”
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‘Something Special’ Birthday and Anniversary Wines for 2025
It is that time of year, again, when we make promises to review the cellar, weed out the excess, put plans in place to ensure we add top wines from great vintages for future enjoyment and perhaps, most importantly, identify some bottles to enjoy.
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New Releases: MB&F; Celebrates its 20th Anniversary starting with LM Perpetual Longhorn and LM Sequential Flyback Longhorn
2025 is MB&F;’s 20th Anniversary and their celebrations kick off with two 20-piece Limited Edition “Longhorns” in stainless steel with rhodium-plated base plates, glossy black lacquer dials, and blued hands.
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De Bethune DB17 Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar Unique Piece Reviewed by Tim Mosso
The De Bethune DB17 Piece Unique is a technical tour-de-force by two of the greatest minds in modern watchmaking, and it embodies a thrilling combination of beauty and ambition.
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Girard-Perregaux Tri-Axial Tourbillon reviewed by Tim Mosso
In 2014, Girard-Perregaux induced triple-takes at Baselworld with its Tri-Axial Tourbillon. While the name is clinically literal, the romance is in the dance. And GP’s mega-watch is a thrilling dance partner.
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PS Horology by Peter Speake Presents Tsuba Blue and Tsuba Dong Son (+ Video)
In the 7 years since Peter Speake parted with the Speake-Marin brand he has been collaborating with other brands and watchmakers. Now he is back with a new brand PS Horology and two new models: the Tsuba Blue and Tsuba Dong Son.
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