Shinola Launches "Great Americans Series" With Wright Brothers Limited Edition Watch & Bicycle
Shinola has just announced (today) a new type of watch collection it calls the "Great American Series." The first model is The Wright Brothers Limited Edition, and more on that in a moment. The purpose of the Great American Series is to celebrate American inventors, innovators, and all-around important folks. It is a brilliant marketing concept and makes total sense coming from a brand that somehow was able to make it cool to have watches produced in Detroit based on the name of an old brand of shoe polish.In addition to two different versions of The Wright Brothers Limited Edition watch there will be a limited edition bicycle. Why a bicycle? Well, given the fact that I did multiple book reports on the Wright bothers in elementary school I know why. Orville and Wilbur Wright had a bicycle store in their home town of Dayton Ohio. They later went on to play around with the world's first flying airplane, but they still really liked bikes. Their store was called the Wright Cycle Exchange (

Baselworld 2016: A Quick Look At The Slightly Overlooked Patek Philippe 5204R
The 5204R is a split seconds (rattrapante) chronograph with perpetual calendary; a combination of complications that puts it just one chiming complication away from being a bona fide grand complication watch (traditionally the term "grand complication" meant the combination of a rattrapante chronograph, a minute repeater, and a perpetual calendar). The 5204R is the red-gold version of the original, platinum 5204, which was introduced in 2012; that watch was, in turn, the successor to the reference 5004 perpetual calendar rattrapante, which was introduced in 1996 and which Patek made only in very small numbers every year (the last 50 were made in stainless steel, priced at CHF 270,000, and sold out basically immediately, as we reported here). 1 OF 6 As we've said, the great thing about the 5204R is that it's a reminder of why Patek enjoys the reputation that it does – but why does it do that? I think it has a lot do do with, of course, the classicis

Waikiki Boutique
Does anyone have an recent experience with this particular store? I'm leaving for Oahu this weekend and want to check it out. However, we are staying on the opposite side of the island so was planning on climbing Diamond Head in the morning, grabbing lunch at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel then stopping by afterwords. The problem is I'll probably be dressed like a bum since we are hiking in the morning so I'm a bit hesitant of even stopping in if they are going to be rude since I really don't care for any negativity on my vacation. Are the salespeople here friendly and allow shoppers to try on different models? Also, if we end up shopping in Waikiki until dinner does anyone have any good restaurant recommendations?

No more AP jewelry
My friend brought this to my attention and it was confirmed this weekend at the NY boutique. AP is no longer making jewelry (i.e. rings, though not sure what else might be included). I believe they will still make their very nice but very expensive cufflinks. I'm glad I got my rings while they still made them, but it is a bit disappointing that they are discontinuing it.

5712 White Gold
I realize the 5712 in stainless steel is very difficult to find. I imagine the white gold version is easier to source. Is that a correct assumption or am I off base? With the current explosion in prices for the stainless pieces, doesn't looking at gold make a lot of sense?