Patek Philippe "Advanced Research" Ref. 5550P Watch Uses Lots of Silicon
Silicon for the win! The material that has had watch brands debating and experimenting is here to stay and Patek Philippe is making sure of that. News from the big guys in Switzerland says that they intend for all Patek Philippe watches in the future to have Silinvar (their type of silicon) parts. A new limited edition watch called the ref. 5550P uses the brand's newest Silinvar component called the GyromaxSi balance wheel. This balance wheel has a new shape that looks less like a wheel and more like an hour glass with inlaid gold added for weight. The ref. 5550P encapsulates the brand's total efforts in Silinvar research to date and has three areas of the movement done in Silinvar. Now, get ready to remember some vocabulary.The three areas of the watch done in Silinvar are the GryomaxSi balance wheel, the Pulsomax escapement (two parts which includes the escapement wheel and anchor in Silinvar), and the Spiromax balance spring. Patek Philippe first began using silicon parts a few year

Diver Bracelet, yay or nay?
I need to ask all you AP bracelet wearing hombres this. I have an opportunity to buy the bracelet for my ROO Diver at a very good price. The rubber strap is super comfortable and I like how it feels on my wrist. It is similar in weight to my Rolex Exp 2 Polar. The bracelet looks amazing but I am not sure I want the added weight. How does the diver sit on your wrist with the bracelet compared to the rubber? Does the added weight cause you to not wear the watch for long periods of time?How difficult is it to remove the rubber, size the bracelet and install? My wrist size is slightly larger than 7.25.Thanks in advance!!

Would you trade a PAM 243 for a Planet Ocean C Chrono?
On the ropes on this one - Of course I understand this is an Omega sympathetic blog....Thoughts? -

Omega or Breitling...
Hello all, need a bit of input. I'm looking at the Omega GMT Chrono 3581.30.00 w/ white dial, and trying to choose between that and the Breitling Chronomat Evolution747 Windrider white dial. Both can be seen on Alan Furman's site.I know, buy the one that sings to you. Well, they both sing to me. What are your opinions, which would you choose and why? Thanks in advance. Larry.

Storage Unit Find Giveaway....
Hello all...I was recently emptying out my dads storage unit and came across (2) old Patek watch clothes and a fold out pamphlet. These items are most likely from the 80's. The clothes are old and worn (especially the middle middle one). However they have been laundered so they are clean (I am sure with some TLC they can be cleaned further). I am going to mail it for FREE to the first person who PM's me their address. * SORRY TO MY FRIENDS OVERSEAS, BUT I WANT TO KEEP IT IN THE U.S.