Historical Perspectives: Audemars Piguet And The Ultra Thin Automatic Tourbillon Caliber 2870 (AKA T
There are, let’s face it, not a whole lot of real firsts in watchmaking, which isn’t surprising when you think about its history. The lever escapement, which is found  in basically every modern watch in one form or another, blew into town in 1750; the minute repeater had basically taken on its current form by the end of the 18th century; the first perpetual calendar watch is probably one made by Thomas Mudge, in 1764.  The history of watchmaking is very much a history of small, hard-won incremental improvements that unfolded over a very long period of time, which is why watches like Audemars Piguet’s caliber 2870 automatic tourbillon – less well known for its reference number, 25643, than for the name of the movement, for reasons we’ll see shortly –  continue to be interesting, and continue to be stories worth telling. The other reason (besides intrinsic interest) that the caliber 2870 is worth remembering is because it’s one of

Ref # Help.
Hey Team....I've been itching for a chrono and want to pull the trigger on a speedmaster reduced. I saw what looked like Ref 3510.50 with white sub dials. Can anyone point me to the exact ref number for this watch. Thanks so much!

Not a real big Omega fan . . .
But this one is the cat's meow, sublime simplicity at its best!!

Interested in a Panerai - questions.
I own a Rolex blue YM (116622) and am possibly interested in a Panerai, just to add something different. I'd like a Luminor with a date (Ideally with date bubble), an in-house movement, and a display back. From what I can tell on the website, that does not exist?The 1950's luminor does not have a date bubble and the newer versions don't seem to have a display back?

Explorer 11 cream dial / Submariner buying advice
HiThis is my first post. I'm looking for a couple of pointers from all you knowledgable folks.I have a cream dial Explorer 11 (pic below) that I have had from new and just hammered (I can't even begin to tell you what it's been through!). Anyhow I plan on making it my weekend watch as to be honest I need a darker dial because I can't actually see it clearly in lower light. I have a friend who had a similar watch and when he sent it for servicing to Rolex, they replaced the dial contrary to his wishes. Is this something anyone else has ever encountered? So, to the second part of my post; I'm looking to get a no date steel sub but here in the UK the waiting list is 2yrs as of today. Is it worth getting in on a good but expensive preowned one or waiting my turn for a new one. I do realise this latter point is subjective but just wanting to garner some general thoughts.Thanks in advance for your helpRaf