My First Grail Watch: Patrick Bek
Welcome back to an original watches-dealer feature, "My First Grail Watch." In this series, we ask prominent people in the watch industry about the first timepiece that they lusted after. Today, we are speaking with Patrick Bek, one of the founders of Uniform Wares. Read on to learn about his first watch, what he sees in the classic Rolex Oyster case, and what particular Rolex reference he hopes to pick up some day.watches-dealer (ABTW): Who are you, and what is your relationship to the watch industry?Patrick Bek: I am a co-founder of the British watch brand Uniform Wares. We create watches with an emphasis on character and distinction through intelligent design, not branding. The collection is the result of our design and development background, underpinned by the manufacturing expertise provided by our collaborative international factories. We sell via our website and a roster of international design and fashion stores.ABTW: When did your fascination with watches start?Patrick Bek: I

A Conversation with Tom Anstead of Anstead Watches
A few weeks ago, we got the chance to chat with Tom Anstead, owner and designer of Anstead Watches. Anstead is a retired officer of the United States Navy. His naval career, as well as the watches available to him during his time in service, very much informed the design of the Anstead Oceanis.Anstead's first generation Oceanis debuted a couple of years ago, a product of one of the early Kickstarter watch campaigns. The second generation debuted in September. We wanted to get his thoughts on a second generation timepiece, his plans for the future of Anstead Watches, and his thoughts on the potential of the watch industry in the United States.Ed Estlow for Worn and Wound:With easy global sourcing and availability of watch parts, there are dozens, maybe hundreds, of boutique brands starting up. I'm curious �C what was your motivation or overall goal for starting another one?Tom Anstead:Well, from my prospective, I didn't necessarily see the hundreds of boutique brands. I knew of some out

difference in straps?
I wanted to buy a standard buckle for my 24mm OEM panerai rubber strap. I was looking at the panerai price list, and noticed there are straps for 'ardillion' buckles and straps for folding buckles. if I want just a regular (non-folding) buckle, I am going to have to buy a new strap for it also? I attached a picture of the buckle I was going to bid on, but not if I have to buy another strap.

OPINIONS PLEASE - 5164 or 5167 & Royal Oak?
Ladies and Gentlemen,Having been greatly influenced by JorgeCCW, I am in the process of reducing my Rolex collection from 6 to 2 or 3 with a view to entering the rarified world of PP and AP.Whilst I like both the 15400 and the Diver, I am slowly coming to the conclusion that many of you have already reached....however wonderful AP is, PP is a level above.The only PPs that are correct for me at this time are the Aquanauts....I only wear sporty watches (no leather straps) and unfortunately the Nautilus just don't do it for me. I love the clean face of the 5167, whilst I prefer the thickness and weight of the 5164. I think the travel time complication is fantastic, and that the date wheel on the 5164 is unattractive and a waste of space!So.....if you had the choice of having either the 5164, or the 5167 and an SS Royal Oak.....WHAT WOULD YOU DO?All of this is unfortunately made slightly more urgent by the recent actions of the Swiss Central Bank.....so I really look forward to your opinio

Tudor North Flag - Flop?
Is it safe to Tudor North Flag is not a popular model? Whenever Tudor has a recent release from Black Bay Red, Black Bay Blue, Pelagos - Black and Blue and now Black Bay Black.. we seen too much excitement over it and lot of incoming threads. With the recent release of BBB, Tudor has outdone itself and the numerous incoming threads itself shows the story that its going to be very successful model. So, after the relaunch of Tudor - all the models (BBB, Pelagos, Heritage Chrono and Chronograph) are sold to an extent but I don't see that happening with North Flag. It is difficult to prefer it even in Tudor brand alone and then it has to compete with similar priced watches (lower end Omega, etc) and its going to be a difficult battle to win. So, what do you guys this? Will North Flag will be successful? Or will eventually will be stopped after few years of production?