Close-Up: the $150, Swiss-Mechanical Swatch Sistem51
One of the most buzzed-about new watch launches in recent years is the Sistem51, a new mechanical watch from the Swatch brand. First released in Switzerland, the Swatch Sistem51 became available at U.S. retailers in 2014. In this article, we explore what makes these watches fascinating.There are three main features that make the Sistem51 noteworthy. First, like the original Swatch quartz watches, it has only 51 components, whereas most mechanical watches have upwards of 100. Also like the original Swatch, its assembly is entirely automated. Finally, it will cost just $150.?The four models are Sistem Red, Sistem Blue, Sistem Black and Sistem White. The red and blue models have translucent plastic cases and black silicone straps with accent-color stitching. Their dials are black with a red or blue central seconds hand, respectively. The bezel is in black plastic with white Super-LumiNova hour markers. Through the caseback, a transparent crystal rotor is visible, as well a printed star-b

Hublot Big Bang Gold for the Holidays
This holiday season, Hublot suggests the Big Bang Gold. The 5N red gold case measures 44.5mm in diameter and features a bezel wearing a vertical satin finish with 6 titanium H-shaped countersunk, polished screws. The anti-reflective sapphire crystal covers a matte black dial with red gold indexes that match the color of the case. The crown and push-pieces are similarly 5N red gold, with rubber inserts. The sapphire crystal display back reveals a Hublot caliber HUB 4100 mechanical automatic winding chronograph movement consisting of 252 components including 27 jewels. The bridges are micro-blasted, beveled and polished. The rotor is tungsten carbide with a black PVD-treated dimpled surface. The power reserve is 42 hours. The strap is lined natural black rubber, and the clasp is a 5N red gold with black PVD deployant.You may click the image to view a larger version.

Anyone Sporting a Brightly Colored Rubber Strap?
Thinking about throwing an orange rubber strap on my navy (new style) just to mix it up a little. Pictures and opinions (good or bad) are welcome.

Would you sell these (5) for that (1)?
So I've been bitted by the AP bug pretty bad lately and have started to crave for one of the new 42mm ROOs, either the Safari or the Navy I think. In the last year, I added a stainless steel AP Diver and stainless steel 44mm Ceramic... these two watches are definitely part of my top 3 watches and now I feel like I need (want) a third AP. But that will cost me a pretty penny... in order to afford the third AP, I would need to sell part of my collection. So if you were me...Would you sell the 5 watches on the right hand side of the pic below (PAM305, PAM183, Zenith Defy T-Open, B&R 01-96, and B&R 01-97 (plus probably a bit of cash) to get 1 of the new AP 42mm ROOs (either Safari or Navy pictured below)?

East Coast AP events
Anyone going?