Alpina Startimer Classic Automatic Chrono Watch Has Very Sad Hands
WTF Alpina? Seriously, is this a joke? Does this watch suffer from hereditary dwarfism? Can you even call a 44mm wide watch a dwarf? Oh, I am sorry, I meant "little watch." No, the watch is the right size, but the hands, those sad pathetic looking hands, are shrunken at the least. Look at them looking all sad? Even the chronograph subdial hands feel bigger.I have no clue what Alpina was thinking when their designer approved the hands on this Startimer Classic Automatic Chronograph watch. More like TinyTimer. This is exactly the type of crap that pisses me off. This watch makes me want to yell obscenities. Everything else about this watch is fine if you are going for that retro chronograph watch look - but those hands, what the hell is up with those stupid tiny hands? This isn't just a mistake, this is horological abuse.Do I need to even explain to anyone why or how the hour, minute, and chronograph seconds hands are small beyond excuse? Maybe this is a joke. Maybe Alpina is just messin

In-Depth: A Visit To Kansas City For The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute's 2015 Natio
The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute held its 2015 national convention in Kansas City last week and by all accounts it was a massive success. With many upstart American watch brands in attendance, the theme for this year's convention was The Rebirth of the American Watchmaking Spirit. HODINKEE was there to learn more about the history of this venerable organization, and what is in store for its future. 1 OF 9 The convention was held at Kansas City's glamorous Hotel Phillips. The AWCI is America's professional organization for the horological industry. The institute was founded in 1960 when regional watchmaking guilds found it in their best interest to organize on a nationwide basis. You may recognize the name of one of the founding regional guilds of the AWCI – the Horological Society of New York. Today, the AWCI represents America's watchmakers and clockmakers through a range of education, certification and business services. In addit

Sihh 2015
Stay tune guys! I've seen a lot of members asking whether if that's all AP would be revealing this year. Worry not, AP is revealing more than just the new RO Concept Tourbillon Chronograph, RO Tourbillon Chronograph, two-tone self-winding RO and those diamond-set millenary!

I need a Speedy
I never liked the speed master until I tried one on. This last weekend at the big T, I saw a speedy in the case and I said what the heck, I'll try it on. I was actually in the store awaiting the status of my Pam104. The speedy is so much more in person that in the pictures. The way the crystal stand above the dial, the way the white hands look against the matte black. I need one now. I almost dont even care about the Pam. My question is, the hesalite crystal: should I look into getting the sapphire or the acrylic. They had a 50th in the case as well as a reg pro. The two look almost identical with the exception of the display back and the 50th logo. But at a price difference of almost a thousand dollars, is it worth it. Not only the 50th but just the regular sapphire sandwich.(Do they still make the reg sapphire w/o the 50th anniv logo?)(Will I get sick of winding this watch and forget to wind it?) What are you thoughts? Experiences? Passion?

New to the Panerai world
I've always like the clean look of Panerai watches, nice simple, nothing too crazy, and I have been looking for something as a treat for myself recently and was bouncing back and forth between the Yachtmaster, Navitimer, and the Luminor Marina. As you may have already guessed since I am posting in here which one I went with!So I took the plunge yesterday and got my first Panerai!a PAM00499. Looking forward to chatting up with the rest of you guys to learn more about these amazing watches!PS: Where is the best place to get a deployment clasp? I hate having to use the buckle to take this off each time.... Can anyone point me in the right direction? I don't want to get a fake, or be duped by a good replica. I want an OEM, brushed finish if possible.