Watch Experts Network: ‘DECAMP Goods Watch Rolls, an Interview’
This week, we feature an interview with the owner of a small watch goods company. I had the opportunity to meet this person on a recent trip to San Diego and was really taken by his story, his real interest in watches and, most importantly, the quality and design of his watch rolls. Erik gave me a watch roll of his own creation and it's been my go to accessory during travel and, believe me, I travel a lot. We hope you enjoy this candid view from a collector.What's your name and where are you based?Erik Akin and I'm from San Diego, California USA. I've lived here my whole life except for 5 years in Japan.What's your business and what type of products do you create? How did you come up with the name?DECAMP is all about watch rolls for the collector, of late I've also started creating some wallets too. I had been thinking long and hard about a name that would evoke an emotion instead of something eponymous. I was out to dinner one night and gazing out the window when I saw a sign for a

Peter Speake�\Marin’s New Marin 2 Mk 1 “Thalassa”
It is rare for one man to design every component of a watch's case, dial and movement. Peter Speake-Marin’s new Thalassa is such a watch. The harmonious design incorporates Peter’s trademark elements, and so is instantly recognizable as his. The blued�\steel of the outer dial, hands and seconds wheel create a nautical ambiance which inspired the name “Thalassa”, a sea goddess from Greek mythology and the personification of the Mediterranean Sea. The case is Peter’s iconic “Piccadilly” design, rendered in 18K white gold. The basic shape was inspired by the cases used to house prototype movements Peter worked with early in his career. The name “Piccadilly” honors the formative years Peter spent working in restoration at Somlo Antiques in Piccadilly, London. The lugs assure a solid connection to the case, with a screwed solid stainless steel bar attaching the strap to the lugs.You may enlarge the images with a click.Inside resides the s

Historical Perspectives: American Pocket Watches: A Primer For The Wristwatch Collector
John Cote is a professional photographer and watch collector living in Indianapolis, Indiana. HODINKEE welcomes his insights on the world of American pocket watches. – NM What should a wristwatch nerd know about American pocket watches and the industry that made them? In my opinion, from the late 1850s until just after WWII, the American watch industry produced more and probably better portable timekeeping machines than the rest of the world combined.I said portable timekeeping machines instead of watches, because during the same time the Swiss produced a lot of fabulous and technically amazing watches. The American watch industry primarily produced time-only watches while the Swiss made these, and also a lot of exquisitely complicated watches. What drove the American watch industry was the idea of producing tool watches for the masses. The founders of the industry were starting from scratch and they wanted to produce quality timepieces that the common man could afford. Ea

ProPlof clasp swap
Does anyone know if I can swap the original clasp on my 42mm PO for the micro adjustable one from the Proplof? Any one with pics to share also?

Vacheron's new challenger to the 5711 / Nautilus..?
Dropped by my AD who couldn't wait to show off his latest delivery.. the brand new Vacheron Overseas ultra-thin. Have to say I'm very, very tempted.. White gold instead of steel. No date, no second hand. Pure simplicity. A few immediate impressions: I) You can definitely spot the white gold sparkle relative to SS. II) it feels ALOT heavier than the 5711.. given its gold perhaps I should not have been surprised, but it really stood out to me. III) the bracelet is gorgeous, but a lot wider & thicker than I expected vs both the 5711 and 15202. IV) the case didn't feel ultra thin; about as wide as the 5711 I was wearing today. Only issue.. It's 2x the price of the 5711. I'm sure that will put most in the Nautilus camp, though by the same token, that makes this Vacheron all the more exclusive and special when you see it out and about. Would be eager to hear what others think.. (will reply to this post with 2 other photos as for some reason my phone can only upload one at a time!)