Archive for March 2021
An MB&F LM1 PT Legacy Machine
The madness at MB&F had to peak somewhere. From 2005 until 2011 we as horology fanatics were treated to an ever-increasing series of ambitiously outrageous designs. In my estimation, this is the near-apex. The LM1 featured a flying central balance, one-off vertical power reserve, and two completely independent time zones. Max Büsser, Jean-François Mojon, and…
Read MoreCyma Multi-Scale Chronograph in Yellow Gold
It is always refreshing to find a vintage chronograph that has not only survived, but aged gracefully. However, when a fine wine condition is paired with this triple stepped case and muti-scale dial, I just can’t say no to a feature. Cyma are a now (basically) defunct, under-the-radar vintage manufacture who didn’t quite have the…
Read MoreValue Proposition: Ulysse Nardin Freak X Carbon
The Freak is UN’s quintessential modern offering. Despite sounding like a polo-shirt company from India, they are in fact one of the world’s oldest and most pre-eminant watch manufactures. UN have been innovating since the very start and in continuous production no less. At the outset of the new century, UN unveiled the Freak design.…
Read MoreSchumacher Legends: the Most Rolex Speedmaster Ever Made
This is a watch I adore but struggle to articulate precisely why. There is the obvious visual appeal—it’s a lovely chronograph. But it goes deeper than that. I generally don’t gravitate toward homage or heavily inspired inspired designs. I prize creativity in mechanics and design, it’s something horology offers like no other discipline. Yet, I…
Read MoreA Gorgeous Gilt 5513 Submariner
It’s hard to objectively quantify why we like old watches. I trip over my own words writing here all the time in attempts to justify this insane fixation. However, I would assert that if I showed this 5513 and a modern 124060 to the everyman on the street side-by-side, they would understand. This classic gilt…
Read MoreHeuer 73463 Silver-Dial ‘Orange Boy’ Autavia
Vintage Heuer has been coming into its own in the last few years. The Autavia, Carrera, and Monaco are the lifeblood of that revival. While the Rindt and Siffert are likely the most recognizable Autavia chronographs, this, the silver orange boy, is the rarer 73463. It may not have been glued to the wrist of…
Read MorePatek Philippe ‘Tasti Tondi’ 1463
This is a mecca in vintage Patek Philippe collecting. The 1463 was Patek’s first water resistant chronograph, succeeding the previous and iconic 130 chronograph. The improvements were characterized by a larger, modern case, rounded pushers, and a screw-down back. Some call this the Patek’s first ‘sports’ watch, though it is a bit of a stretch.…
Read MoreeBay’s Finest: 1st Generation Lecoultre Polaris Diving Alarm
Once in awhile I am truly blown away by what I find in random places. I remember spotting a 6265 in Bozeman, Montana and a vintage Omega officer’s chronograph in Chile. Where? eBay. Every time I post a round of finds here I usually also post a eBay find in Instagram stories. While a majority…
Read MoreThe Ultra Rare ‘Grey Racing’ 145.022 Speedmaster
As any niche grows, its more obscure and dark corners begin to illuminate. Since the advent of our church, Hodinkee, Speedmasters have become a genre onto themselves. Collectors used to just refer to any 321 as pre-moon, casually. An original Mitsukoshi wasn’t pretending to be any special until the mid-2000s. Good luck finding one under…
Read MoreEberhard ‘Pre Extra-Fort’ Rattrapante
Not often discussed, Eberhard Split Seconds chronographs were among the very first to attempt the complication. There is, of course, controversy over whether Rolex or Eberhard reached rattrapante first, but consensus seems to be that Eberhard were first to market. Demand was driven by the heyday of the Bentley Boys and Italian playboys on newly…
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