C.R. Spillmann - The Making of the Rolex Oyster & Beyond
The case maker C.R. Spillmann is the masterful artisan that brought us the very first Oyster cases in 1926 and was ultimately swallowed up by Rolex in the 1980s. However,...
Articles
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Fresh Wind from Rolex - The Curious Case of the Rolex Zephyr
During the 1950s the Rolex Zephyr was advertised as the "world's handsomest and most waterproof watch". And while modern Rolex appears like same same every time there's a "new" release...
Design
About Those Curves - The Quest for Comfortable Watches
Haptics matter as much as aesthetics to me. Sooo have you ever worn a Polyplan? Or a Cintree, a Curvex? The ergonomics are an increasingly important factor in our watch...
Rare Patek Philippe Watches - The "Turtle" Collection
Let me introduce you to your next collection centerpiece - The Patek Philippe "Turtle" set. A collection of seven different types of outgoing mid-Century pieces of lug and case art....
Unveiling Mechanical Excellence - The History of the Hinged Case-Back
Watches aren't only accurate tools but beautiful accessories that should celebrate their complexity. But this complexity is mostly hidden behind the case-back. Reflecting bridges and surfaces have fascinated humans ever...
The Gold Crisis - Re-evaluating 1970s & 80s Watch Design
The late 1970s gold prices shook the Swiss watch industry and led to important changes. Coming on the heels of the new Quartz technology the gold price surge ignited a...
All You Need To Know About Early Vacheron Constantin Chronographs (1916-70) - An Introduction
When we think of classic vintage chronograph powerhouses Vacheron Constantin might not the first to come to mind... However, VC executed some of the most breathtaking and finest chronograph designs...
The Guide to Watch Case Makers - The Hammer & La Chaux-De-Fonds
This is the second guide on the history and designs of Swiss watch case makers from the last Century. Third party suppliers have been the backbone of the industry for...
More than just an Oyster - 5 Unusual Rolex References
We believe collecting vintage Rolex is exciting. But are puzzle pieces, red bezel details and Submariners with more rocks than Alcatraz the new generation of Rolex collectibles? Who knows. The...
Dress Watches of the 1970s - Loud Understatement
What defines a 1970s dress watch? Is it about lavish materials, impeccable textures or delicate finishing? It appears that during that era the time-telling function of the (dress) watch is...
The Ellipse - Tracing the Origin of Patek Philippe's Design
When we hear the name Ellipse we immediately think of the deep blue eyes of Patek Philippe's iconoclastic collection. However, this will not only be about the watch itself but...
Tudor Ranger II - The Oysterquartz Inspiration?
The Tudor Ranger II, not exactly the most coveted watch out there. But I have a fascinating piece of lore that might make you see this design in a very...
A Deep Dive into Gerald Genta's Design Legacy
Gerald Genta wasn't just the Royal Oak, or the Omega Constellation C, or his eponymous brand. As LVMH just announced the re-launch of his brand with help of his widow...
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