New F.P. Journe Book and Exhibit Celebrate Historic Gunmetal Watches
Most of the watches that Francois-Paul Journe produces for his independent brand are anything but “proletarian:” most come in gold or platinum cases and have movement parts made of 18k rose gold. However, Journe’s newest publishing project, “Steel Time,” celebrates the classic burnished steel “gunmetal” watches of the mid- to late 19th century and how they made timepieces accessible to the masses. “Steel Time” is written by vintage-watch experts Jean Claude Sabrier and Georges Rigot. Journe, who contributes the preface, has assembled what he says is the world’s largest collection of gunmetal watches (some of which he acquired from Sabrier, another collector of vintage steel timepieces) �� a total of 200, all of which are covered in the tome’s 300 pages and are on display throughout the summer at the Forbes Galleries, on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. The NAWCC (National Watch and Clock Museum) in Columbia, PA is also

Introducing The Blancpain Villeret Grand Date, A Favorite Upgrades To Two Windows
If one thing is certain about SIHH, it’s that it foreshadows Basel. And storming out of the gate for Pre-Basel 2015 is Blancpain’s new Villeret Grand Date. This watch is notable for a few reasons. There is a clever simplicity in applying the Aqualung’s (spotted here on Vladimir Putin’s wrist) signature date window to the Villeret. But, regardless of how clever and simple it may seem, applying such a window has the potential to go horribly wrong. Thankfully, Blancpain seems to have gotten it right.Earlier in the year, we celebrated Blancpain’s New NYC Boutique. In said article you’ll find a wristshot of the current Villeret with the date at 3 o’clock. While that design works, the Grand Date at 6 o’clock takes the design in a different direction. Notice that the opaline/crème-like shaded dial spans the date window as well. The printing of the date is bold, curvaceous, accentuated and now symmetrical to the Blancpain logo up top. &nbs

What am I missing? 15400 vs. 15202
I'm looking to get one of the aforementioned pieces next to add to my collection. I love the navy dial on what looks to be the same on both pieces, but I'm a bit puzzled...What's the difference between the two? I get that one is 41mm vs. 39mm and the 15202 is nicknamed the Jumbo and Ultrathin, however I'm not seeing much difference at all.When comparing the 15202's $20k+ price and the 15400's $11-15k price (depending upon color dial), I only have one question....What gives? Hopefully I'm really missing a key detail that values the anniv much higher...

Omega Ad on the PGA Championship
Anyone see the Omega commercial during the PGA coverage?Great looking Seamaster month/day watch. I've actually not seen that particular watch before. I think I'll stop by my local AD and check it out a little closer.

Two SS in One Day
So this just happened. According to the AD in Guam, one of their regulars had been waitlisted for this BLNR for many months. One unit finally arrived last week, but for some reason the customer backed out. The next day, my cousin was walking around the mall and remembered I had asked her to be on the lookout for a BLNR. She just casually asked if they have one in stock, expecting a hard no, but lo and behold! They have one that they were just about to put on display. I am still in a bit of a shock at this incredibly fortunate find. As my cousin said, it was really meant to be mine. Then bonus round: on the very same day, the AD in Manila told me that the SubC Date LN I had reserved three months ago, had finally arrived. What manner of sorcery is this?!? :DBoth still wrapped in their original plastic and tags. I haven't even opened them yet.So here is the current state of the collection :Just wanted to share this as a reminder to my fellow expectant customers, that despite the global