Concept to Reality: The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie
At last year's SIHH, Audemars Piguet introduced a concept minute repeater �C the RD#1 Acoustic Research �C as part of a series showcasing new technology and materials developed by?the brand's R&D department. The prototype was the result of eight years of research and represented a breakthrough in the acoustic quality and volume of chiming technology. This year the concept has become a reality. The Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie is now performance-ready and commercially available.The Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie is now commercially available. While some minute repeaters need to be held to the ear in order to listen to?the melody, the Supersonnerie chime can be heard loud and clear from the bleachers. Audemars Piguet is not exaggerating when it says?the chime?is 10 times louder than a typical chiming watch. The main innovation lies in the case construction. The chiming mechanism applies the principles of stringed instruments. Gongs are attached to a purpose-built copper-allo

In-Depth: The HODINKEE Guide To Buying Watches On eBay
(Last December, we published this article by Eric Wind  – now a part of the team at Christie's New York – on buying watches on eBay.  His observations are as relevant now as ever, and he gave us some of the best advice we'd seen on how to get your feet wet in vintage watches without taking a bath.  We publish it today, a year later, for your reading pleasure.  –Ed.)  It’s one of my most closely guarded secrets: how to buy a great vintage watch on eBay. It’s the secret sauce of my weekly What’s Selling Where columns and today I am unveiling the recipe for you. Did I just overhype this? Probably, but here it goes anyways.Wisdom for Buying a Vintage Watch on eBayThere is no question that eBay can be the best venue for finding fresh-to-market vintage pieces at good prices. I have gotten most of my best pick-ups on eBay and basically always am on the hunt for what is out there. Here is my advice for what to think about whe

The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Tourbillon Chronograph, With "Dragging" 45-Minute Chronogr
Vacheron Constantin's Harmony line drew praise after revealing the thinnest self-winding split-seconds mono-pusher chronograph a month ago. Then it drew more praise with its mono-pusher doctor's chronograph, which employed similar technical innovation on a more reserved scale. All together, this collection of new calibers took seven years of research and development, and you can bet that a decent chunk of that went to coupling the improved chronograph with an improved tourbillon.Vacheron's new Tourbillon Chronograph utilizes the same 42 mm cushion-shaped case as the other pieces of the Harmony collection. From a design perspective, it is difficult to successfully evoke a 1920's motif in a 21st-century watch, but the manufacture has done a good job in this respect. 1 OF 3 On the dial, Vacheron has captured a particular old-school legibility in a contemporary way. The silvered-opaline dial with thickly-painted blue Arabic numerals and a red minute-track prod

Help me decide....
I am wrestling with a decision and was hoping to get some opinions. Note:Love all three references and looking forward to becoming a PP owner.I have a small handful of new and vintage Rolex, PAM, Seiko, etc. Same trusted seller for both options so both are safe buys.So here goes:Option A) A un-used, 2014, complete set...5146g (cream) and was thinking of adding a un-used 5167 (on rubber) to that order. A nice dress/sport combo. Option B)Came up at the last minute: A excellent/mint, complete set, several year old...5960p (gray) at a very good price. For an additional $5K (plus or minus), I can have the 5960p instead of the 5146/5167 combo. Do I wade into the pool with a combo or jump in with both feet with 5960?! Borrowed pics for reference only (thank you)...these are NOT the actual watches under consideration.Thanks for playing!

Luminescent Stick Markers
Hi everyone. I'm new Rolex owner and new to the forum. I have read some interesting discussion already. I have a question.Just today, I bought a Datejust 36 from an AD. I dealt directly with the store owner. One of the things he told me that helped me make the decision to buy this watch was that it had luminescent markers. Mine are not luminescent and I very disappointed. Should I bring this to the attention of the owner? What recourse does he have for me other than telling me he made a mistake and is sorry. I would appreciate input from this group. I will call him tomorrow if that is what would help. I sure am disappointed in what a beautiful watch that has been a dream of mine for years.