Swatch Group Chairman Nicolas G. Hayek Dies at Age 82
Swatch Group AG founder and chairman Nicolas Hayek died unexpectedly from heart failure at his office earlier today. He was 82.Hayek, a colorful entrepreneur and one of Switzerland’s leading businessmen, was credited with saving the Swiss watch industry. In a statement, Swatch Group said “With deep sadness and regret we inform you that Mr. Nicolas G. Hayek, Chairman and Delegate of the Board of Directors of The Swatch Group Ltd. unexpectedly passed away today due to heart failure during work at his beloved Swatch Group. [His] greatest merit was his enormous contribution to the saving of the Swiss watch industry and the foundation and the commercial development of the Swatch Group,” the company said. “Hayek’s extraordinary vision enabled him to realize and ensure the sustainability of a strong watch-making enterprise with high Swiss added value. He is rightly recognized as a leading entrepreneur in this country.”You can read Swatch Group’s offic

My First Grail Watch: Mikael Sandstr?m
Welcome back to an original watches-dealer feature, "My First Grail Watch." In this series, we ask prominent people in the watch industry about the first timepiece that they lusted after. Today, we are speaking with Mikael Sandstr?m, the engineer who is now at the helm of Halda, the company that created his first grail watch - well before he owned the company.watches-dealer (ABTW): Who are you, and what is your relationship to the watch industry?Mikael Sandstr?m : I am an engineer, and I have had the pleasure to be in the industry for over 25 years, developing watches. Today, I am the owner and CEO of Halda Watch Co. that started back in 1887.ABTW: When did your fascination with watches start?Mikael Sandstr?m : I have always been fascinated in fine mechanics. This fascination is especially focused on watches, which I find to be the ultimate - and most impressive - example of a small mechanical machine. My passion for watches, in combination with my education as an engineer, set off a d

Found: A Patek Philippe 3448 White Gold At Sotheby's New York (Or Is It A 3450 Yellow Gold?) �C T
The reference 3448 has always been one of my favorite vintage references. There is something so refreshing about the razor sharps lugs (when the case hasn't been polished) and the simple dial layout with. So when I heard about a very special 3448 coming up at Sotheby's, I had to go see it in person. What you are about to see is something you have likely never encountered before – a Patek Philippe reference 3448 in white gold, with a later yellow-gold reference 3450 case as a back up. Say hello to a convertible Patek Philippe. 1 OF 5 This reference 3448 white gold is accompanied by an entirely different case, dial, hand-set, and crown �C all in yellow gold. That's right, you read that correctly. This watch, coming up for auction at Sotheby's in New York tomorrow, was born a white-gold 3448 in 1966 and was purchased by the original owner in 1967. Then later in 1986, the owner decided that he would really like a yellow gold version, so he wrote to P

Pam504 Strap Idea?
I'm looking for a new strap, any ideas, quite fancy a dark tobacco croc strap, does anyone have any pics of a 504 or 505 on different straps to the original?

Gathering input.. Fair deal?
I was offered 2 watches from a local guy and I would like to hear some input on what you would pay. I keep going back and forth if this is a good deal that I shouldn't pass up on or if its nothing special. He is firm at $10kThe watches are1) Rolex Explorer II Polar, full set w/receipt dated 7/20172 Breitling Navitimer 01 46mm full set dated 12/2016What would you pay? Thanks for your help.