Business News: Troubled Cult-Favorite Vulcain Cuts Staff Positions Amid Sale Rumors; Still Gifting A Watch To President-Elect Trump

Times are tough out there – and not only are we seeing major brands take a hit, but also some of the little guys. Today, a fan favorite here at HODINKEE – Vulcain – announced that it would be laying off seven of its 12 remaining managerial positions. The company declined to say whether or not it would be for sale, though it seems likely it would be considering how thin staffing has become.

8 years ago

Bring a Loupe: A Stunning Rolex GMT-Master 6542, A ‘Disco Volante’ Patek Philippe Reference 2552, A Technical Mimo Loga, And More

After a two-week hiatus Bring A Loupe is back, with a killer selection of vintage watches. The Rolex GMT-Master reference 6542 is logically the star of the week, as it comes in great condition and retains its original bakelite bezel. On the dressy side, the Patek Philippe “Disco Volante” reference 2552 scores high as well, hiding a sumptuous automatic movement. You can also discover the Mimo Loga, a forgotten slide-rule watch that competed with the Breitling Chronomat and the Juvenia Arithmo in the 1940s. Lastly, two great chronographs from less obvious brands step in – a mint Minerva (with a gorgeous in-house Minerva chronograph caliber) and a beauty of a Nivada Chronoking Aviator Diver, at a no-brainer price. This is your Bring A Loupe for December 9, 2016.

8 years ago

Piaget Altiplano 60th Anniversary: Ultra Thin line between genius and madness

In 1976, a little known (in modern time) watchmaker named Jean Bouchet-Lassale was making ultra thin movements in the fairly esoteric category of “prestige watches”. In magical terms, “the prestige” refers to the final act of an Illusionist where he performs an act of illusion so nigh miraculous and beyond common understanding that it…

8 years ago

Bringing Back The Golden Age Of Travel With Glashütte Original

We live in a fast-paced, hyper-connected world of couch surfing, ride sharing, instant communication and all manner of other technological marvels I can barely grasp. Not surprisingly we are now travelling more than ever before – both domestically and internationally – which is great. The problem? Travel has become such a common place occurrence that many of us seem to have forgotten how to dress for the occasion. Chic dresses have been replaced by yoga pants, tailored suits passed over in favour of jeans with a stretchy waist and don’t even get me started on the watches (or lack thereof). It wasn’t always this way though you know.

8 years ago

Rolex Day-Date 40 Exhibition – Schaap en Citroen Den Haag

It has been exactly 60 years since the introduction of the first Rolex Day-Date, reference 6511. This is being celebrated by a dedicated Rolex Day-Date 40 exhibition at one of the largest retailers in The Netherlands, Schaap en Citroen. Even better, their boutique in The Hague was chosen for this exhibition. A ‘home game’ for us, for […]

8 years ago

Fading Vulcain to Present Cricket Wristwatch to President Trump

Once Donald Trump becomes the 45th President of the United States, he will receive a Vulcain Cricket, reports Bloomberg, continuing a practice that began with Harry Truman. The ailing Swiss watchmaker has gifted its signature alarm wristwatch to almost every U.S. President since Truman, though only Eisenhower and Johnson were ever spotted with one in public. President Barack […]

8 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2017 – Piaget Altiplano 60th Anniversary Collection, Celebrating 60 Years of Ultra-Thin Watches

Keep these three informations in mind: 1957 – 9P – 2mm. Three informations that sum up an immense technical achievement and define an icon of the watchmaking industry: the Altiplano. If we had to summarize Piaget to one single fact, it would inevitably be “ultra-thin” watches – even if this would clearly be a disappointing shortcut. Since 1957, Piaget is one of the best, if not the most significant representative of the ultra-thin concept, a story that started with the calibre 9P and its 2mm height (and now, you know why these three informations are so important). To celebrate 60 years of ultra-thin watchmaking, here is the Piaget Altiplano 60th Anniversary Collection, to be introduced at the SIH 2017.

8 years ago