My First Grail Watch: Manuel Emch
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're speaking with Manuel Emch, who, along with being a watch designer, was at the helm of Jaquet Droz, and?is currently the CEO of Romain Jerome. He also has a relatively rare distinction as having designed what he identifies as being one of his grail watches.watches-dealer (ABTW): Who are you, and what is your relationship to the watch industry?Manuel Emch (ME): My name is Manuel Emch and I was born and raised surrounded by watches. I come from a family of watchmakers and grew up in Grenchen, home of ETA headquarters. Needless to say, that the watch industry was imprinted in me from a very young age.ABTW: When did your fascination with watches start?ME: At the end of the 1970's we went through a big crisis in the watchmaking industry. Most of my friend's parents lost their jobs and it really

The Longines Pulsometer Chronograph, With White Lacquer Dial
Building upon its existing range of vintage-inspired chronographs within its Heritage collection, Longines introduces a handsome new watch with pulsometer scale and monopusher chronograph function. The model is inspired by a 1920's Longines watch and brings a number of old-world design elements – Breguet-style numerals and hands included – to a model that you don't have to wait to pick up at auction. 1 OF 3 The simple, highly-polished, 40 mm stainless-steel case features a sapphire crystal case back, through which you can see the ETA A08.L11 caliber beating inside. This self-winding movement offers 54 hours of power reserve and features a column-wheel monopusher chronograph mechanism, placing it above more standard ETA ebauches in terms of movement complexity and construction. 2 OF 3 A bold red pulsometer scale surrounds the white lacquer dial. To accommodate this relatively thick scale, the railroad-style minutes track is set further wit

Landmark Lower Manhattan Clock Tower Saved From Condo Conversion
Last October HODINKEE featured a guest editorial from Mr. Troy Torrison, board member of the Tribeca Trust, describing the struggle (and lawsuit) to save a landmark clock in New York City. The clock in question is perched atop the New York Life Insurance Company's former headquarters at 346 Broadway in Lower Manhattan, which is being converted to "luxury condominium residences." The clock tower contains valuable square footage occupied by a large mechanical movement that the developers wanted to remove. They argued that the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission should not be able to grant landmark status to a mechanical clock movement, but Justice Kotler of the New York State Supreme Court disagreed. 1 OF 2 346 Broadway in New York City. A recent New York Times article discusses the decision by Justice Kotler in detail, laying out her arguments: "There can be no dispute that the internal mechanism by which the clock operates is a significant portio

Incoming! Finally - A member of "Club ROC"!
It felt like an eternity; in reality it was only on order for about 2 1/2 months. Obtained my first high end watch - the 26331ST (Blue). I am thrilled. I know my pics aren't the quality of some of the folks (Ben!) but I wanted to get the post and then get better at the pics, in different light, macro, etc. A big shout out to my AD in Greenwich, CT. (and thanks to christianj for the referral!). Also thanks to this forum, and all of the thoughts and posts along the way. You all really confirmed my choice in AP! For the longest time I had my eye on an ALS 1815 but I felt to start I wanted a watch that easily worked for dressed up and down - and where sweat wouldn't hurt the band. This watch will be my daily wear for the most part, except for grungy activities!

New 41mm AP RO....
...will be presented Monday on SIHH 2012/masterkiller