Swiss Watch Exports Decline Again, Reaching 2006 Level
The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry has released Swiss watch export figures for September, 2009, and the downward trend continues. The value of Swiss watch exports fell by 26.1% to 1.1 billion francs. Overall exports are down 25.9% for the first 3 quarters of 2009. Swiss watch exports have now retreated to their 2006 level. Watches manufactured from precious metals suffered the steepest declines in value terms in September, while the downturn was less severe for bimetallic timepieces. The number of timepieces exported suffered particularly badly, falling by nearly a million units in one month. Steel and the category of other materials had a markedly negative effect on results. Since the beginning of the year, exports have registered a shortfall of 5.1 million watches.For wristwatches costing less than 200 francs (export price), the number of pieces exported fell by half in September, generating a deficit of 890,000 units. The 200-500 franc segment performed much better, register

Hands-On: With The Patek Philippe 5140R And 5140P, Classic Perpetuals Both With New Dial Options For
While the two big releases for Patek Philippe at Basel World this year both happened to be in stainless steel (the new Nautilus Chrono Travel Time 5990 / Annual Calendar Chrono 5960A), it's worth noting that one of its more understated and elegant, but important, timepieces received two updates. The reference 5140 is Patek's round, traditional perpetual calendar, and this year we saw two brand new dials.It is the follow up to the iconic 3940, which is considered to be one of the most important pieces of Patek's modern history – many consider it, along with the 3970, the first serially produced truly complicated timepiece. Its 20-year reign came to an end in 2006 when Patek showed the 5140, which would use the same ultra-thin, self-winding, micro-rotor-powered caliber 240Q. Since then, the 5140 has been shown in white gold, yellow gold, rose gold with brown dial, and platinum with a blue dial. 2 OF 4 The platinum case with a galvanized black dial features

White is Beautiful
I think this photo deserves it's own thread. Shot under a fluorescent table lamp, with just my Galaxy Note2 camera phone, it brings out the best in the silver white dial IMHO.Just spending a moment to enjoy my RO, while waiting for my next incoming grail.

AP Royal Oak book
I've seen these in a couple pics posted on the forum. Looks like a hardback with a black cover. Where are they available? Are people buying them or are they getting them as gifts??I WANT ONE!

Return to Panerai?
I had a 312 for awhile and it lost its wrist time after getting into Rolex. I sold it and purchased a DSSD with the funds. I've been casually visiting this sub forum the last few weeks and starting to get that itch again. Over the weekend I was out shopping with my wife and visited a watchmaker/used dealer I've used in the past that was in the area. I tried on a preowned 233 w/ dot dial and a 270. I really really dig the look of the domed crystal. Now I see why so many covet the 233. Anyways the owner said if I was serious we can work something out on the 233. The last month or so I've been obsessing over an AP RO and thought about getting one for my 40th bday. Getting the 233 would derail that a bit, but looking at preowned or even BNIB from trusted sellers, it looks like AP RO can be had when ready (except the blue dialed non-jumbo ones).Well don't want this to be a PAM vs AP thread, as they are apples vs oranges. Looking at watch recon, 233 dot dial aren't as common, but