Bring a Loupe: An Early Look At The Christie's May 2016 Auction, Featuring Some Masterpieces From Breguet And Patek
As we at HODINKEE like to do, I am thrilled to give you an early look at some of the highlights from the May 2016 auction season – here with a focus on our friends at Christie's. We already know that cross-town rival Phillips has a special, stainless-steel chronographs sale planned for the weekend of May 14th in Geneva, but that doesn't mean Christie's isn't going down without a fight. In fact, based on what you'll see here, it's fair to say we are in for an absolutely incredible weekend of watch sales. Let's get down to it. The Earliest Patek Philippe 530 Oversized Chronograph In Steel, With A Sector Dial 1 OF 12 This 530 Steel is the earliest known example, dating back to 1938. Okay, we'll start with the most exciting watch to me. This thing is downright insanity, a true grail watch for me personally. What you're looking at is a reference 530 – the oversized Patek chronograph from the vintage era – consid

New (old) shoes for the FOIS
I usually like straps for the winter and realized that spring was approaching without having a strap on the FOIS. So I dug around in the strap drawer and came up with a new gold brown Hirsch Medici which is my old favorite for the Speedy Pro. The strap is intended for 20mm lugs but I know some have squeezed them into the 19mm lugs of the FOIS.So I gave it a try:Me likey! :-)What do you think?

Patek phillipe strap with bucherer
Hi guys, new to this forum, am completely newbie in regards to watches.I plan to buy this watch as a gift for my sibling graduation, for my budget, i am just planning on getting some entry series.So, i browsed some online shop and saw a watch that is to my liking, but i noticed that at the metallic stuff in the strap, there is Bucherer written there.I did google the bucherer and found out that they are a large reputable seller.However, is their strap as valuable as patek strap? Is their strap any good? Is it possible for an authenthic watch to have that in the metal? Lastly, will it cost me alot to replace it with something that write Patek on it?Sorry for the long and numerous questions, many appreciation and thanks in advance.

I can't help it part 2
I realize I must have something new on the 562 too.

Birthday Buy?
I'm turning 21 soon in approximately 10 days. Can not decide if I want to buy a YG day date or not. I love the watch and will definitely buy it on at a later date if not now. On a daily basis, i sport a Tag Heuer Aquaracer and a Rolex Submariner and occasionally my fathers AP Royal Oak 18k. All prices mentioned below are in CAD.I pretty much have 5 questions.- How much should I pay for a used daydate yg? My budget is under 15k for which i have seen many watches but should i buy one for less or should i buy one for 15k. - Should i pay more for box and papers or should i get one without? The guy i will be buying from is a trusted dealer and friend in Toronto. The price for the one with papers is 17500- The normal wrist size doesn't seem to fit me, so how much should i pay for an extra link? Inherently how much do they cost??-Bark or no bark? I seem to like to bark as well as the non bark, without any information on bark i would have to buy the non bark. Is there anything special about ba