My First Grail Watch: Peter Speake-Marin
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're talking with Peter Speake-Marin, who started off as a restorer of antique watches, and today is the founder of his own watch brand. ?You'll definitely want to read on about his grail watch. ?Not only does it feature a minute repeater, split-second chronograph?and a tourbillon, it came into being in 1913 at the behest of none other than J.P. Morgan.watches-dealer (ABTW): Who are you, and what is your relationship to the watch industry?Peter Speake-Marin (PSM): My name is Peter Speake-Marin, I am an English watchmaker, working in Switzerland, I began my career as watchmaker 28 years ago. Today I am on the life long journey of developing my own watches and brand.ABTW: When did your fascination with watches start?PSM: During my period in London's Piccadilly when I developed a restoration work

The Breguet Classique Chronom��trie 7727 Takes The Top Prize At The 2014 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve (Plus Full List Of Winners)
Coming to you live from the grand theater in Geneva, watchmaking's top prize, the “AIGUILLE D’OR” has been presented to Breguet's Classique Chronométrie 7727. This simple appearing watch is anything but, and actually represents years of development, six new patents, and innovation in not only high-frequency calibers, but also magnetism and materials, all in a thin elegant case with welded lugs and an engine-turned dial that is true Breguet at its very core. Here we'll explain what makes this Breguet watch so special, and give you the list of each category winner at this year's Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve. "AIGUILLE D'OR" �C Breguet Classique Chronometrie 7727 2 OF 17 The Breguet Classique Chronométrie has so much going for it, and in such an understated package. First, Breguet's master watchmaker patented the concept of magnetic pivots on November 9, 2010. The magnetic pivots of this watch not only remove

Trade SMP for Speedy Pro?
My first luxury watch was the SMP black dial James Bond. I've since bought a Rolex sub and don't see the point of owning two dive watches. The Omega still has sentimental value, being my first real watch. It also looks better (IMO) and feels more substantial than the sub. Nonetheless, I'm considering trading it out for a speedy pro. I don't particularly like the looks of the moonwatch. I honestly don't think it will get much wrist time. However, it has history, just like the submariner, so I think it would be a good trade for my slowly growing collection. I'm just wondering what you guys think? Stick with my first love? Or go with the collectible?

Cracked dial
I recently purchased a pre-owned PAM 051 from a well-established pre-owned dealer. The dealer offers its own 1-year warranty, and also has its own in-house watchmaker. I have had the watch less than two weeks, and have only worn it three times since receiving it. The third time I wore it, I noticed an imperfection on the dial that only shows up when the light hits it a certain way. In many lighting situations, it is fairly unnoticeable, which is why I did not see it right away. However, it is also the kind of blemish that, once you know it's there, you see it every time you look at the watch. Under a loupe, I can see the imperfection is actually a hairline crack in the dial, resulting in a slight upward buckling of the dial surface in that area. The crack starts at a lume dot, and runs straight through several minute hash marks. My loupe has a measuring square, and I have measured the crack to be approximately 4mm in length. The dial itself is only 34mm in diameter (the case

PAM 392 new shoes
Just got a new strap from Bas & Lokes. It's the Kenzo strap. It's not quite as shiny as it is on their site and will likely crease alot over time. It's also a bit thicker than the OEM gator strap. Liked it enough to order two other straps from them.