Why The Hate?
Hello chaps, 1st time posting in this part of the forum...I was wondering why people seem to completely dismiss the AP T3 watch. Is it simply the size? Or is there another fundamental reason?I actually tried one on recently and it was surprisingly light and comfortable and didn't look as ridiculous as expected - my daily wear is a Rolex SDDS so I'm used to big time-pieces.There are a few around for sale but don't seem to move quickly. Is it one of those LE's that will just fade away with time?I'd love some opinions.....Cheers!

Aviation wristwatches: "Time Flies" article from AOPA
Thought you guys and gals might like this. It was written by Thomas A. Horne and published in AOPA magazine.Take a look around. It seems like every wrist sports a huge, thick, clunky-looking watch. How did this fashion come about, you may wonder?The answer lies in the intertwining of aviation and watchmaking history. It’s interesting to note that before aviation came along in the early 1900s, there were no wristwatches to speak of. Pocket watches were the rule for men; women wore watches pinned on their blouses, or as a pendant. For those who couldn’t afford to buy a watch, the town clock or church bells served as timekeepers, or a factory whistle, or the family grandfather clock if you were fortunate enough to have one.The first recorded mention of a watch made specifically for pilots came in 1906. That’s when Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont, previously a balloon pilot, flew his first airplane, the 14-bis, before an audience in France. Santos-Dumont kept track of the

Determining year of production
Can you determine the year of production of a Breitling from the model and the serial numbers?

has anyone installed a thomas Preik caseback for the new Speedmaster Pro?
just wondering if anyone has installed the thomas Preik sapphire case back on the new Speedy Pro model 311.30.42.30.01.005 .I would like to know if the see through case backs will fit the newer model.

Speedmaster "Chocolate" 311.30 with sapphire crystal
Hi all,I always wanted a Speedmaster because of the amazing history of the watch. I know quite a bit about the older Speedys with the hesalite Chrystals. But the newer one with the Sapphire crystals I didn't read that much about. Now there is one for sale locally for around $3000. It has all the papers etc. It looks to be in very nice shape. Do you think that is an ok deal?Do those Chocolate Speedys have a different movement as the regular ones because of the see-through-back?What else was changed in the newer Speedys with sapphire crystal?I was always very reluctant to get a Speedmaster because of the Hesalite Crystal. All the watches I have with plastic crystals scratch like crazy, so sapphire would interest me a lot.If you have a Chocolate Speedy, how do you like it?ThanksHerbert