Christie’s Geneva Sale Realizes Over $21 Million
Christie’s Geneva sale of important watches generated an impressive $21,099,940, far exceeding the pre-sale high estimate of about $15.8 million. Nearly 370 watches were offered with 96% selling by value and by lot. The sale included “A Connoisseur’s Vision, Part II”, and along with the “Connoisseur’s Vision Part I” group offered this past November, the two sales represent the most important private Patek Philippe collection ever offered at auction, and the most expensive collection ever sold.The sale set an attendance record with 831 bidders from 5 continents. An additional 250 bidders participated online. The top lot in the sale, number 84, was a unique Patek Philippe ref. 1527 perpetual calendar chronograph with moon phases produced in 1943, and at $5,708,833, it set a world record for any yellow gold watch ever sold at auction. The top 5 lots are pictured belowmenting on the sale, Aurel Bacs, International Co-Head of Christie’s Watch

Panerai Novelties SIHH 2015
For 2015, Officine Panerai goes back again to its roots as a historic supplier of instruments for the Italian navy and releases a quartet of new iterations on popular models as well as one reissue from the heritage collection. Coverage of the first model, the most complicated one: Radiomir 1940 with equation of time, deserved separate coverage and can be found in a separate post. The remaining model iterations constitute three Panerai Luminor Submersible watches, one Panerai Radiomir, and one special novel reissue. First, three new models of the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 with flyback chronograph function. These maintain the large 47mm case size that somehow still wears small due to short lugs. Being built in titanium reduces the weight and so does using a flexible rubber caoutchouc strap. Both models have rotating bezels but one, like the PAM389, uses a scratch resistant ceramic insert.Instead of using the typical subdials for minute counters, Panerai opted to use two central ha

Hands-On: The Piaget Emperador Coussin XL 700P (Live Pics, Pricing, And A Bit More On Quartz/Mech Hybrids)
There are always a few major surprises at any major watch show, and the Salon this year had a big one. That was the presentation by Piaget of the Emperador Coussin XL 700P, a hybrid quartz-mechanical watch, which we first presented to you as part of our pre-SIHH coverage last December, and which was created, says Piaget, in celebration of its first in-house quartz movement from 1976. Having seen it, at last, “in the metal” at the Salon, we think we can address the questions many of you have, including how it works, and for those of you who are interested in quartz/mechanical hybrids, the question, “is it a Spring Drive?” The answer is both yes – and no. 1 OF 9 The good folks at Piaget must be mighty tired of hearing the words “Spring Drive” by now, although questions about parallel technology are fair. The 700P is indeed very close in most respects to the Seiko Spring Drive.  Although there are some differences in execution,

Clicking Clasp - Oyster Bracelet
Hi All,I recently purchased a 114200 oyster perpetual with blue dial. It's a gorgeous watch and I'm loving it so far, however I've noticed that the clasp clicks when I press down on it. Obviously not a major issue but in my mind a 3.5k watch probably shouldn't be doing this!Here's a video of another person with the exact same issue:Hope someone can help.Thanks.

The Rolex Sky-Dweller
Evening All,Before setting out my two questions below, I just wanted to say how fabulous this forum is. I've been a fan of the brand for many years, and have yet to pull the trigger on my first. I'm in no way torn as to which one, as the clue is in the title. As seasoned Rolex owners, buyers, and sellers: (1) do you think it's possible as a newbie to buy a SS SD in blue or black for RRP right now, or even in the next three months?(2) do you think the SS SD will become more affordable--meaning RRP-- in the next 12 months, or do you think the watch will go the way of the SS Daytona and require joining a waiting list?I ask because I have called many AD's on the East Coast (I'm based in VA), and no-one seems to have any. I mean no-one. I note that there are quite a few on the grey market for $17.5-20k, which makes me wonder if there are any with the AD's. It stands to reason that if the GM sellers can get them, then there must be some around. Of course, it could be that the current