Why There Is No Best Watch And How I Don't Have A Favorite Timepiece
Choose just one watch forever? Why?I am sorry to disappoint the superlative loving masses but there is no one best watch and I regret to inform you that I don't have a standout favorite timepiece or watch brand. It is worth noting that what prompted me to assemble the collection of thoughts in this article is the experience of several years of people innocently repeatedly asking me these questions. The inquisitive remarks themselves are no doubt natural but few people seem to be satisfied with my response. When it comes down to it, I cannot in good faith claim a single best or list of best watch brands, nor will I put myself in a position to choose "just one watch I could own if I had a choice." Here is why, and this gets philosophical at first...The topic of what one does for a living is a natural query in social conversation and few people respond with the answer of "I write about watches" (or whatever description I feel to offer at the moment of what I feel is a less than straightfo

Hermes Le Temps Suspendu Watch: Why Do You Suspend Time?
As Hermes fends off attacks from LVMH to retain its independence they also continue to push forward with their prowess as watch makers. For 2011 their horological focal point is the Arceau Le Temps Suspend" watch. That literally means "time suspended," and that is exactly what it does.The watch has been in development for a few years now. Mainly because they couldn't get it to work until they enlisted Mr. Fix-It Jean-Marc Wiederrecht. For me Jean-Marc will always primarily be one of the MB&F "Friends." The time suspended complication isn't that complicated to understand. The watch normally has the time with a retrograde date display. Press the pusher on the left side of the case and the hands jump to a rigid rabbit eared position.and just stop moving. Inside the watch, the movement still keeps track of the time, but you can't see it on the dial. Press the pusher again and the time returns to normal. Child's play.Wiederrecht assured me that the system was reliable and durable. Meani

Inside The Manufacture: A HODINKEE Reader Recounts His Visit To Piaget: Say Hello To Our Contest Win
My wife and I would like to thank Piaget and HODINKEE for our trip to Switzerland to visit Piaget, and to see its manufacture in La Cote aux Fees, and its headquarters in Geneva.Here are a few of my thoughts:Proud of being Piaget and taking pride in one's work: When I was listening to Yves Bornard (who's been with the company for 40+ years!) talk about the history of Piaget I could see his glowing pride. When the watchmakers showed us what they are working on, I too could see their pride in being Piaget, and how proud they are with their work. Yves takes out an employee log book from the 1940s. It is old, and its pages are yellow, and falling apart. How many companies can show visitors something like that today?Bao and Yves in discussionWhat it means to be true manufacture. One of the things that stuck with me, and help me get a clearer picture of what it means to be a manufacture was Yves explaining the importance of having the movements assembled up in the Jura Mountains where it is

Sunday with the Italians
Featuring F 458 Italia and MV Agusta F3. Have a blessed sunday guys.

Rare Pam90?
Quick question. Guy wants to trade me a Rare Pam90 (his words) for a Rolex GMT TT. Have no idea what his Pam90 is worth. Didn't see any info on non-rolex listings. Anyone tell me what value range his watch could be???ThanksSteve