Summer’s over and it’s back to business as usual. Over the past weeks, we have published a bit less, and that was not only due to the diminished number of news and press releases that we received from watch brands. Our team has enjoyed their summer holidays, and as usual, after the summer, travel season …
Sprung to life: who manufactures Hairsprings? An industry perspective on this key component whose production is still shrouded in secrecy – Barely one centimeter in diameter, the hairspring is the beating heart of a watch movement. It is a strategic component in several respects. Manufacturing hairsprings is a complex process and the whole Swiss watch industry has been relying on one supplier, Swatch Group’s Nivarox… at least, until very recently!
Talking about an update in the case of the “new” Rolex Yacht-Master II is almost ironical, as the changes done by the “Crown” to its Regatta watch are minimal. However, the reality is that we indeed have a new iteration of this niche model, without changing its reference number (Ref. 116680 for the steel version). Something that actually sounds like a nice occasion to look back at the Yacht-Master II and its great functionalities.
A Steel Sky-Dweller… This is a watch many of us were secretly hoping for (we did) but we knew chances to see it would be small. Well, it seems that dreams can become reality, as here we are: for Baselworld 2017, Rolex introduced its most complicated watch – and what certainly is the ultimate traveller’s watch – in commoner attires; meaning more casual look and more accessible prices. Here are the Rolex Sky-Dweller Steel ref. 326934 and Two-Tone ref. 326933, and they come with more than just a material evolution.
You may or may not be planning a deep dive over the summer. It does not really matter. You do not need to be a diver to love these high-performing, utilitarian dive watches. They make great daily wearers too and as summer is fast approaching, we have picked 10 new dive watches of 2017, with choices to suit every pocket and every taste. In short, the best watches to look cool on the beach, on a boat and with your favorite summer cocktail.
Here is the story: Dr. Crott Auctioneers is about to auction what COULD be (and that “could” is extremely important to keep in mind…) a Rolex Rattrapante Pocket Watch. This combination Rolex / Rattrapante / Pocket Watch is, considering the immense literature about Rolex, something never seen before. So what do we have here? Potentially one of the rarest and most important Rolex watches ever? A superb example of limited (maybe unique) production by the Crown? Or an example of re-encasing work done by one of those vintage magicians? What is certain though, is that we are facing a highly interesting mystery (found thanks to watch journalist Gregory Pons).
Usually, when you imagine a watch bearing the name Rolex, you have something purpose-built, casual-sport (not always, but usually the dressier you can think about is a Day-Date) and quite simple in terms of complications (to the exception of the Sky-Dweller… but it is one watch in the middle of mainly time-and-date pieces). Yet, in 2014, Rolex revived a name synonymous of elegance and dressed watches: Cellini. Built around a classical and subtle case, this watch already introduced several complications, with all of them being rather practical. But what if The Crown goes where you don’t expect them… into poetical complications. Not very Rolex you’ll admit. Though, this is what you’ll get with the new Rolex Cellini Moonphase Ref. 50535 and it feels very satisfying.
After Xavier’s and Frank’s Top 10 watches of Baselworld 2017, after our list of the 10 most read articles of the fair (just to give us an indication of what collectors loved), it is time for your humble editor to come with his 10 favorite watches of Baselworld 2017. First all, before going into further details, this ranking is not about the 10 best watches of the show but it is based on my personal tastes – and as collecting dive and sports watches myself, you’ll see it is a little biased. From a super-friendly priced Oris to a complex Patek, here are my 10 favorite watches of 2017 (and yes, all of them are on my wish-list).
Baselworld 2017 is over. Thus, we, at the redaction, have to come with our Top 10 watches of the show. You’ve already seen Xavier Markl’s picks and Frank Geelen’s top 10 watches, combined with a quite critical take on the fair. And don’t worry, my best of the show will come later this week. But what about you, readers? What are the 10 watches you enjoyed most during Baselworld 2017? The deal is simple: what were the 10 most read articles from the 22nd of March till the 30th of March 2017. And the result is not that surprising…
Both extremely expected, very surprising and somehow controversial, as maybe not what long-time Rolex collectors were hopping for, the new Rolex Sea-Dweller 43mm Ref. 126600 has been one of the main talking pieces of Baselworld 2017, just like the Ceramic / Steel Daytona made the headlines in 2016… But not for the same reasons. The main novelty of Rolex for 2017 is indeed less easy to understand than the star of the previous collection, and this is why we had to give you all the possible explanations about this Rolex Sea-Dweller 43mm Ref. 126600, a watch that needs more than just a quick glance to be perfectly apprehended.