2010 Winners: Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Gen��ve
The watch world gathered in Geneva this past Thursday for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Gen��ve. Prizes were awarded in several categories, including men’s and ladies’ watches, complicated watches, sports watches, design watches, and the coveted Aiguille d’Or or “Golden Hand” Grand Prix Award. Look inside for the complete list of winners for 2010. Ladies’ Watch Prize: Van Cleef & Arpels, Le Pont des AmoureuxMen’s Watch Prize: Laurent Ferrier, Galet Classic Tourbillon Double SpiralDesign & Concept Watch Prize: MB&F, Horological Machine N�� 4 ThunderboltJewelery Watch Prize: Chopard, High Jewelery Owl WatchComplicated Watch Prize: F.P.Journe, Chronom��tre �� R��sonanceSports Watch Prize: Seiko, Spring Drive Spacewalk Commemorative Edition“La Petite Aiguillle” (Small Hand) Prize, for watches retailing below 5,000 Swiss francs: TAG Heuer, Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph.Public Prize (selected by SIHH attendees and the pu

Hajime Asaoka Tourbillon Watch
I am not too familiar with independent Japanese watch makers. There are lots of smaller brands making timepieces in Japan aside from the big three (Seiko, Casio, and Citizen), but most of those are less expensive or novelty pieces. Here is a high-end independent Japanese watch maker you should be familiar with named Hajime Asaoka - with a brand of the same name.His watch is the simply named Hajime Asaoka Tourbillon and it is a very attractive timepiece. The design is actually more architectural and art deco than it is traditionally Japanese. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but aside from the name and "Tokyo Japan" label on the dial, there isn't much to let you know this is a fine Japanese instrument.For me the design quickly becomes appealing as you begin to identify its values. This is about an expression of technique and industrial design. A good start is to look at the tourbillon bridge. It is formed out of a single piece of steel that has a bar through the middle and an

seamaster 300 Click bearings under bezel
hi does anyone know how t remove-replace the three click bearings on a vintage seamaster 300 166-024 case thanks respectfully Mike

Peter Gunny strap for the 422
This was the other strap I ordered for the 422. Picked it up on s Black Friday deal. Peter's straps are more rustic than Aaron's but softer/more pliable. Excellent quality.

BLNR rejection at AD
Whilst visiting my local AD today I witnessed a customer who had arrived at the dealer after getting the call that his new Rolex GMT BLNR had just arrived! Whilst he was left alone for a few minutes to look at the BLNR in more detail I took the opportunity to make comment on the watch. To cut a long story short, he was underwhelmed when he saw the watch in the flesh and actually passed on the opportunity to buy the watch! He was wearing a black faced explorer II and thought the BLNR was too small in comparison. He also thought the blue was brighter than he had expected and didn't think it was a watch he could use for everyday wear like the explorer. He had intended to trade his explorer against the BLNR but in the end decided to put the safety catch back on and not pull the trigger! I couldn't believe what I was witnessing.I guess it was a lucky day for the guy next on the list. During a chat over a coffee with one of the owners of the AD about the usual availability of SS models and B