10 Things to Know About the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime
Last year marked Patek Philippe's 175th anniversary. What better way to celebrate than with a series of limited-edition timepieces? Why not include the most complicated wristwatch Patek Philippe has ever created? That's just what they did. Here are ten things you need to know about it. 1. This timepiece �C the Grandmaster Chime, Ref. 5175, represents a remarkable effort. More than 100,000 hours over eight years were devoted to development, production, and assembly. The movement alone required 60,000 hours to perfect.The Grandmaster Chime is the most complicated wristwatch Patek Philippe has ever created. 2. The Grandmaster Chime is the first double-face wristwatch presented by Patek Philippe that can be worn with either dial facing up. The case, elaborately engraved in 18k rose gold, measures 47.4 mm in diameter and 16.1 mm in height. The central portion of the case rotates on an axis running from 12 to 6 o'clock. A patented reversing mechanism locks the case firmly in the des

Virtual Ideas "Toxic" Linear Time Watch Concept
With linear time indicators that resemble syringes, the "Toxic" watch concept creation by Swiss Virtual Ideas is another neat idea by the watch design firm. Showing time on linear scales means that an indicator moves across a scale and then jumps back once it reaches the end. Look closely and you can see a telescopic arm that moves across the dial with a red strip for the indicator. It moves like a vial filling up or emptying at the arm extends and pushes in the indicator. It would have been cool for it too look like one side of the indicator was filling with a colored liquid. The telescopic arm would be difficult to manufacture but by no means impossible. I like how Virtual Ideas has pushed the envelope of watch engineering limits, but still within the range of possibility. Nevertheless, a watch like this would cost a lot. Recently, I discussed the Urwerk King Cobra watch with a similar liner time concept.The Toxic watch concept features a horizontally long rectangular case with soft

26400 vs 26401?
I tried searching for this topic, but couldn't find anything on it, so I apologize in advance if this has been covered previously. I'm new to the AP world and been perusing some of the models, and I noticed the 44mm rose gold model comes in 26400RO and 26401RO. Does any one know the difference between the two?Thanks!Eric

Difficult to wind my Patek 5119j
I am finding that the manual winding is a little tight. The same is true of my Omega Speedmaster. Is that just how it is? I bought the Patek in February, it is new to me, but I have had manual winds before and it feels tight even at first.I will say it keeps time fine.

How does the Rolex / Tudor relationship work today?
Does Tudor need buy-in from Rolex to create their watches? Is Rolex still the parent company, albeit with no real control?Looking at the new Tudor Pepsi GMT, it looks nearly identical to a 16710, without crown guards. Does Rolex need to approve?