Point Of Reference: The Standards Of The Geneva Seal

The Geneva Seal is very old, having been proposed on November 6, 1886 by the Grand Council of the Republic and Canton of Geneva as a way to certify a level of quality for which the canton was becoming known. Every piece produced with the Geneva Seal is equally outstanding, so let’s have a look at what goes into attaining this coveted seal.

7 years ago

Why I Bought It: Patek Philippe Reference 5370P

The first weekend of November 2016 was a big one for me: in addition to attending the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, I collected not one, not two, but three spectacular watches. The watch I left home certain to bring back was one that I had been waiting patiently for since January 2016: the split-seconds chronograph Reference 5370P from Patek Philippe. Here’s why I bought it.

7 years ago

Are Watch Winders Good For Anything?

A client recently asked me if there are any benefits to using automatic watch winders. The short answer is that I have two viewpoints on watch winders. Click to learn the pros and cons as I see them.

7 years ago

Navigating The Grey Market: A Retail Expert Explains The Whys And Wherefores

Friends, colleagues, and clients have posed many questions about the grey market for fine timepieces over the years. Most recently, my post ‘A Cautionary Tale on Buying New Watches Online’ was met with quite a few comments, quite possibly leaving more questions than answers. Here are a few answers.

7 years ago

A Cautionary Tale On Buying New Watches Online

Though this cautionary example of buying a new watch online is not new, with the current influx (or perhaps “flood” is a better word) of grey market watches to mainstream channels it’s perhaps more poignant today than ever before. Read how you can protect yourself when buying pre-owned timepieces from unknown online sources.

7 years ago