Hands-On: The Vacheron Constantin Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 (Live Pics, Details, Pricing)
At the risk of either overstating the obvious or resorting to a bad cliche, the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Cornes de Vache 1955 is a time machine in both senses of the word. Yes, it tells time, and quite well, but that’s not why everyone got excited when this watch was announced at Watches and Wonders in Hong Kong a couple months ago. That enthusiasm was due to the watch’s throwback good looks and perfect proportions which are inspired by a forebear in Vacheron’s deep archives. Going hands-on with it reminded me just how good a classic handwound dress chronograph can be. 1 OF 6 First, a bit of history. The Cornes de Vache (which I’ll call it from here on for the sake of brevity) is based on a watch made in very small numbers starting in 1955, simply called the ref. 6087 but nicknamed the “Cornes de Vache” due to its lugs bearing a resemblance to the horns of a cow. You did pay attention in French class, didn’t you? Vacheron h

It's a "manjewel"
When I start talking about my 5402 with folks - even watch guys (I've never actually met anyone in the flesh who could appreciate it) - I see a lot of smirks, a lot of eye rolling and a lot of impatient looks as I struggle for words.I usually end up somewhere between, It changes to way you look at watches,to, it completely recalibrates your conception of aesthetics.It's because the 5402 goes so far beyond what I knew a watch, indeed any tangible object, save one*, was capable of. What's the exception? I'll get there in a second...The complexity and detail of the case design. The richness of the dial. The perfection of the execution of the finish. You can keep throwing words out there, and they help, certainly, but they don't suffice. Indeed, even the best photographs - and I have seen some incredible ones - help one tremendously to understand the 5402 but even they don't quite suffice. The beauty of the 5402 cannot quite be captured in a photograph.Only when you hold it in your hands,

RO ROC ROO - visit to Wempe in NYC
As I'm thinking about my next AP, I'm thinking of one of these. Also, what about a Schumacher TI? If I'd go for the ROC, I'd probably sell the SS 15400. Thoughts?

Patek 5170J - Basel Rumours
There are some rumours that Patek may discontinue the yellow gold version and replace it with a different metal.Does anyone know if this is likely to happen and whether it is worth snapping up the 5170J in advance of Basel in a few weeks?

Opionion on which age of 16710
I'm a big fan of the 16710 both in early form Coke on Jubilee and late pepsi oyster.However, I'm finding many average versions mostly on an oyster and prices are quite high, even those for those without box and papers. With B&P are either dubious sets or the watch has been over polished and the asking price will be silly. I'm hunting in Europe mainly but on these the paperwork rarely identifies if the original was black/coke/pepsi. So after searching for the last month mainly on C24 I have about 3 main options.A 1989 L serial Coke on jubilee, has been polished but waiting for photo's to guage the extent.A 1997 T serial - SWISS - T <25 dial - Drilled case - hollow end links on oyster2005 - SWISS MADE dial - Drilled case - SEL should have an etched crown crystal These run out 16710s have a lot of dial changes and two case variations. Where is the sweet spot for the future value? A 3186 is outside of my rangeIf the 97 and 05 watches are mint condition Pepsi with box and papers an