Swiss Watch Magazine 'Montres Passion' Crowns Two Piaget Watches As Watches Of the Year
It is nice to have your tastes validated, especially by people with such legendary priss a Swiss watch magazines. The magazine Montres Passion once again released the results of their annual Watch of the Year Award (2008) giving actual trophy awards to several watches in a few categories. However, the title of "watch of the year" and "best ladies' watch" were both awarded to Piaget watches. Both watches that I like a lot; the Piaget Altiplano Petit Seconds (aka the Piaget Altiplano Eccentric Small Seconds), and the ladies' Piaget Magic Hours.The criteria for the two watches was very different. Men's watches are judged based on style, mechanics, and practicality. While ladies' watches are judged based on use of materials, beauty, and uniqueness. For example, I don't think that any man's watch with a quartz movement would make it anywhere near "watch of the year" but that is ok for a ladies' watch.I wrote about the Piaget Altiplano Petit Seconds watch when it first came out a while ago.

Recommended Reading: IWC Releases A 164-Page Online Book About The History Of The Portuguese (N��e Portugieser)
IWC has a wonderful history of no nonsense, beautiful, and impactful wristwatches. I'm talking Mark XI pilots watches, Ingenuiers, and of course, the Portuguese. To be fair, there isn't a more important IWC family to any real collector than the Portuguese, and just yesterday, IWC released a 164-page online book about this most important collection. 1 OF 3 This online book covers not only the earliest days of the Portuguese family – including how many examples of the early reference 325 were made and in which series – but also every subsequent variation of the Portuguese family. Of note, you will find a detailed section on the Jubilee models of 1993, which revived the collection, and on the several limited edition pieces – some of which I bet you've never even seen. 2 OF 3 This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Portuguese and this a great way to encourage collecting and scholarship of this family. You can read the entire 164

First AP !
Hi boys ! Very happy to say that I have my first AP on the way, after a few Rolex I finally tried on the silver dial 15400 and I was hooked.Is there anything I need to know ? I'm very used to Rolex being built like tanks I'm just wondering if there's something I should know about. Like Omega's 'don't change the date between 10 and 2'. My mindset with Rolex has been to send for service only when needed, it always ended up being cheaper then just sending it in every 5 years even if something happen to break. I'm talking 10 years or so not 20-30. Should I be more careful with the AP ?What about swimming with the AP ?I'm sure this is mostly dumb questions just rather be safe then sorry.

Incoming - A Twist on a Classic
I got it 5 days ago to be exact! OK... it's not a popular contemporary models we often see here but this discontinued reference is a love-at-first-sight despite its age! With the help from some very knowledgeable members from various forums as well as the exceptional service from AP Singapore, I was able to acquire this rare piece with a peace of mind, and tremendous pleasure.The special material combo and that exquisite flat dial make a refreshing twist from the classic RO design. It might be small by today's standard, but the 36mm case balance well on my wrist, and it is hefty thanks to the tantalum. The two-tone appeal completes the twist!As this reference is really rare, I'm very pleased to receive great assistance from Oliviero and his team from AP Singapore on the verification of the accuracy and originality of the design. I must say, the joy of this particular acquisition does not only come from the intriguing product, but also completed by the exemplary service from the brand.

Seamaster 2254 Size Comparison
Wondering how the old Seamaster 2254.50 compares in size to the Watchco Seamaster 300 and the Rolex Submariner (no date)Greg