Fr��d��rique Constant Classic Index GMT Watch
Not every watch needs to change the world. Sometimes, it's good enough for an established brand to offer their take on the simpler, more useful complications that make up the bedrock of horology. The Fr��d��rique Constant Classic Index GMT is just that: a solid, no-nonsense watch, powered by the FC-350 automatic calibre, offering 38 hours of power reserve, and an easy-to-read GMT function. It comes in four variations: there are two stainless steel models with stainless steel bracelets, one with a white dial, the other with a black dial, a white-dialed variant on a black leather strap, and a rose gold-plated version with a brown leather strap and a white dial. All of the cases are of identical proportions and movement specifications.It's always nice to have a bit of choice?when it comes to case and dial combinations, but it strikes me as odd they only made the black dial available with the stainless steel bracelet. Of course, there's nothing to stop you changing it for a leather strap or

Revisiting Le Brassus: Audemars Piguet Watches Mix Serious Horology With Iconic Designs
It has been about four years since I last toured the halls of Audemars Piguet. The historic Swiss watch maker still makes movements in the same building that Mr. Audemars and Mr. Piguet did in the 19th century �C though the company has expanded its footprint a bit since that time. Even now in 2014, plans for yet another addition to the Audemars Piguet presence in the sleepy mountain town of Le Brassus are being implemented. In several years an updated museum (with an exciting design that was recently unveiled) will open in a new and exciting space showcasing the brand's true right to call themselves a high-end watch maker. Even most Audemars Piguet fans don't know much about the company's history until the 1970s, when the now iconic Royal Oak was first debuted. If they are smart, a focus of Audemars Piguet moving forward will be to both leverage their successful designs with their rich heritage, as one of the most innovative Swiss watch makers still in operation today.Not long after I l

This 20-Minute Video Will Teach You About Watch Collecting & The History Of The Modern Timepiece
Did you know that we, at HODINKEE, have published hundreds of professionally shot, highly produced videos on watches over the span of the last few years? You can see them all on our Youtube page. One video, originally published in June of 2014, the HODINKEE editorial team felt would be a particularly poignant clip to show today, when most Americans are away from work due to Labor Day. This video, Talking Watches with Jean-Claude Biver, not only tells us how he, and other top tier consumers collect (case quality and dial originality are a must!), but also about his early days in the watch industry, which date back to the 1970s. In sum, this 20 minute video is an amazing primer on not only serious watch collecting, but also how the watch industry came to be what it is today. Watch above and for more, you can see the full Talking Watches with Jean-Claude Biver here.

Chuck Maddox and Wally Schirra
I'm sitting here listening to an interview Chuck Maddox had with Wally Schirra back in 2007.The interview is on a CD that someone at the ATL GTG will take home with him/her this afternoon. The CD was made by Chuck and given to a friend who donated it to the GTG. Truly a bit of history.Some of you may not have known Chuck but he was the Speedy Pro guru on the forums and my mentor (and fellow ham radio operator).

Cyclops Magnification, Rolex QC issue or am I being paranoid?
I bought a Bluesy 116613LB couple weeks ago and it's just been a headache ever since. It was a private seller, a wife who was selling off ex-husbands pieces, and this was one of them. Had it authenticated by Vestaire Collective before I bought it and they said everything's original. I'm like ok cool, didnt think much of it.Everything was fine, until I put it next up to my sub.uhhh, why does the magnification look like it's from a $30 China town fake? Posted on another forum and they said to take it into an AD because VC isn't qualified to authenticate. I'm like ok, but closest AD to me is 2 hours and they charge $100 for appraisal. Which isn't the end of the world but I'd rather not do that if I don't need to.Then someone told me about how Rolex had QC issues in 2014-2015ish and that matches up because the seller said her ex-husband bought the watch in 2014. (it's been in their safe ever since).I don't even want the piece anymore because it'll just remind me of this headache every