In-Depth: Smoke And Mirrors In The American Watchmaking Industry
Recently there has been a resurgence of new American watch brands, selling "handmade watches,” “manufactured” and “built” in America. Bringing watch manufacturing back to the USA is a huge and exciting undertaking that a wide audience of watch customers are eagerly waiting for. The problem is, a lot of the watch brands advertising using those slogans are not telling the truth. If your watch is Made in USA, the movement inside it also needs to be made in the USA. Some background helps for clarity. A mechanical watch consists of a case, strap or bracelet, dial, hands and movement. The movement is the engine of a watch, containing all of the parts that make a watch tick. A very simple mechanical watch movement will contain around 50 individual parts. The movement is not one part, like the case is. The movement consists of the majority of parts in a mechanical watch, and is very expensive and time consuming to manufacture.

INCOMING - my first AP and entry into the world of Haut Horlogerie
So, I have finally ordered a BNIB black dial 15400 and expect to receive it early next week.I will admit to having been amazed by the wide range of prices/discounts/deals, including the kind offer of not a penny off from the AP boutique in Geneva. The recent actions of the Swiss National Bank spurred me into action, and I will report back on my chosen grey market dealer once the transaction is complete...In the meantime, I am very much looking forward to entering the rarified world of Audemars Piguet and haut horlogerie.Here's a brochure shot just for fun....

Help! Case ref for mid-size seamaster.
Hi, I've got a mid size seamaster coming in that looks like it will need a new case back.Can any one give me the case reference for model number 2262.5000 ( mid sized back dial quartz).Thanks, Alan

Omega Planet Ocean ..
Need pics of the following model ~ 2200.50.00 Thats the 45.5mm Planet Ocean with steel bracelet,black dial and bezel.If you have some pic please post.Thanks Also,at what price can it be found ? Want to compare with the local pricing.

Ever flipped complete 180* on a model?
Have you ever gone from one extreme to the other with a model? I never gave the Milgauss more than the briefest consideration before being totally not interested. Just did nothing for me. Seemed a little too out there color wise and that second hand...Then, today, for no apparent reason I find myself totally infatuated with the Z Blue. That dial, the green rimmed crystal, that whimsical second hand....can’t get it out of my head. I have no idea why this has happened. Maybe it’s just a little boredom with the black dial.