Inside The Manufacture: Going Where Few Have Gone Before �C Inside All Four Rolex Manufacturing Facilities
I will begin this detailed article with a wholly unsurprising admission. I love Rolex. I own more of them than any other watch from any other manufacture, and I have always believed its contribution to watchmaking is beyond measure. But, I have another admission. Of the handful of Rolex watches I own, the youngest dates to 1976 – making it, in fact, older than I am. There is and was a distinct difference between the Rolex of today and the Rolex of yesterday, and I don’t think it would come as a surprise to anyone if I said I preferred that of yesterday. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t have great respect for Rolex of today, nor would it prevent me from encouraging family, friends, and readers to look to the Crown for a new watch today. When my only sister gave birth to her first son, my first nephew, I purchased him a brand new Rolex and engraved his initials on the back. He will get it the day he turns 18 (or 25, depending on how moody he is at 18) after years o

Interesting outing
I'm not sure which forum to post this in given the range of brands involved, but thought I'd try the AP forum, as this is where I spend most of my time. Last night I used the excuse of a trip to my tailor to get out of the office to do a quick circuit of some of the grey dealers and ADs in Tsim Sha Tsui and encountered quite a nice selection of watches. The Rolex ADs had nothing of interest, but I did come across the Sea-dweller 43 - for an absurd premium over MSRP (in line with what these are going for here, though) but it was good to try it on. And I must say that I found it a bit disappointing - it seemed much smaller than I'd been expecting (not helped by putting it on after taking off my AP 44!). I liked it...didn't love it - but removing any sense of urgency to acquire this is good for my bank balance. At the same dealer; I also had the chance to try on the AP 44 summer edition - while I wouldn't wear this enough to justify the purchase, it is a really striking pieceOn a lark, I

I still love mine.... BUT
So, I thought I am getting bored with my 15400. I even post a thread about it. It's too thick! It's dull, it's plain.... so I told myself. But wear it again after 3 weeks, and it suddenly grow on me by leaps and bounds. How I ever even contemplate of selling it??? Still love mine.... BUT A formidable competitor is on the horizon. It's way more proportional in every way. It seduces with it's sleeker, super-model figure. It's arguably way more iconic. Need I say more? Had my first real close-encounter today. And it's .... A civil war looming. The battle of the Royal Oaks. Just sharing some pics and my thoughts. Have a nice day.

DeVille - No Love
I put this one up for sale and it doesn't seem like I could give it away. I'm wearing it today and recalling why I bought it in the first place! Simple, elegant, perfectly sized for my wrist at 39mm, coaxial movement. I'm keeping her! My Omega love continues to grow!!

Black Friday Treat for Myself
I picked up a new to me GMT Master II 116713 today and I'm so very pleased. I stopped in at the local dealer because I heard he had taken in a blue sub on trade and I was thinking that just might be my next watch.... Until I saw this one. I'm very pleased with how different and more substantial it feels from my sub (2001 serial range). Now to figure out how to set the darn thing!