Posts Tagged ‘Haute Horology’
Audemars Piguet Quantieme Perpetual 25657 BA
AP’s first Perpetual Quantieme, the 5548, was conceived in secrecy during the height of Switzerland’s quartz crisis. At the time, the marque was struggling and contemplating leaning more on quartz for future models. Three senior watchmakers within AP (Michel Rochat, Daniel Golay, and Wilfred Berney) developed an ultra-thin perpetual calendar movement that would become an…
Read MoreJaeger Lecoultre Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 Rouge
I get nervous every time a legendary design is re-issued. This is so much room to royally fuck up a classic watch when the proper amount of care is not given. Tag, I’m looking at you. There is one exception, however. There is one manufacture that has proven themselves time and time again to know…
Read MoreFP Journe Octa Resérve de Marche Straight-Line
In modern times, early-production Journes of any guise are far and few between. Despite being relatively recent by watchmaking standards (1999), FP Journe’s early watches have become modern classics. From 1999 and 2004, all FP Journes used brass movements. Since 2004, every piece Journe has introduced uses the now-signature gold. The very earliest brass iterations…
Read More1 of 500: Rose Gold Jaeger Lecoultre Reverso Septantième
I am beginning to think I’m going to have to create a neo-vintage cateogory here. Some of my very-favourite pieces come from the era of modern watchmaking, but pre-instagram. I really quite enjoy the obscure corner of Chrono24 that these pieces have faded to. It’s easy to forget that JLC was producing icons since well…
Read MoreVacheron Constantin 47245 Patrimony Retrograde ‘247’ LE
In my view, a 247th anniversary celebration should not be the rager. 250th deserves the splash. And while Vacheron Constantin’s 2005 Esprit des Cabinotiers (the golden clock-egg) was incredibly impressive, I like unique wristwatches. For reasons I cannot surmise, in 2002, Vacheron arrived a few years early with this incredible Patrimony retrograde. Who among us…
Read MoreHaute Daily: FP Journe Octa Sport Rattrapante
Casual FP Journe is an oxymoron. Nonetheless, this rattrapante was an attempt at just that. If there is an unloved Journe category, the Line Sport is probably it. The centigraphe is remarkable for its complication and abilities, it occasionally sees mention. Yet, despite some others looking like lemondrops, they all don’t really get much limelight.…
Read MoreLaurent Ferrier Classic ‘Série Atelier’ Opaline Origin Green
If Aston’s DB4 Zagato in british racing green could be crystallized in watch form, this would be it. Laurent Ferrier himself has quite the background in motorsport, having raced seven times at the Le Mans 24. How many competitive Le Mans legends do you know that are also trained in watchmaking by Patek Philippe? The…
Read MoreAn 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 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 MoreAnniversary Patek Philippe 3940G Salmon Dial
When the 5711 was discontinued a few weeks back, asking prices rocketed north of 100K. That is an astonishing sum for the humble Nautilus. When the market goes mad, you have to maintain logic. And in that vein, you have to consider this Anniversary 3940G. For a paltry additional 50K (laughable statement, I am aware)…
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