Antiquorum’s May Sale Includes Patek 1436, 5016
On May 9 and 10 Antiquorum will auction over 300 watches and clocks at the Grand Hotel Kempinski in Geneva. The highlight of the sale is a Patek Philippe Ref. 1436, stainless steel split-seconds chronograph, pictured below. This piece is one of four known examples of which three survived, and one of only two first generation watches known to exist. This timepiece was produced in 1945 and sold on May 11, 1949. It is the first time ever that this watch will be offered at auction. The pre-sale estimate is SFr. 600,000 to 800,000. Also to be offered is a Patek Philippe Tiffany split-seconds wristwatch produced in 1928 and sold on September 23, 1938. This 18K yellow gold wristwatch features a single-button split-seconds chronograph, vertical 30-minute register, constant seconds, and mobile lugs. The pre-sale estimate is SFr. 800,000 to 1,200,000.Another significant timepiece included in this sale is a Patek Philippe Ref. 5016 P with a unique dial. This watch was originally sold on November

Top 10 Watch Blog Articles Of 2014
2014 is just about over, and it has been a rather eventful year for the watch industry and watches-dealer. From an editorial standpoint, we've seen a lot more watch lovers than ever before turn to the Internet to share their love of watches via social media like Instagram, and they have relied on time-honored blogs like watches-dealer as a primary venue for learning about new watches and discussing those timepieces which they are passionate about. 2014 was also the real year the smartwatch became part of the watch industry's conversation, and many watch people previously not interested in "wearable devices" suddenly encountered the proposition that sometime in the future they may be faced with a very real choice of how to integrate smartwatches into their lives and reconcile them with their love of mechanical watches. 2014 experienced a major refocus by Swiss watch brands back to the United States and Western European markets, with the immediate result being a surge in interest for big

Orient CDH00001B Explorer Review
It's sort of a general rule of thumb that mechanical complications increase the price of a watch. If you look at a brand's catalog, their chronographs, GMTs, perpetual calendars, etc�� (should they have them in the first place) cost more than simpler 3-hand models, and understandably so. As the name implies, complications increase the complexity of the movement, which, generally speaking, increases the amount of parts, labor and skill required to make the movement and thusly increases the cost. So, when you're perusing the internet or a local shop and you come across an automatic GMT with a power reserve and decentralized date by a reputable brand, you're likely looking at something that costs at least $1,000, more likely much more. Well, Orient once again defies pricing logic with their CDH00001B �C Explorer, which costs $650 MSRP, or $455 with an Orient 30% discount code (try fall2012).So, what is the Orient Explorer? Well, on paper it's basically everything you'd want in a traveler's

Some thoughts on perpetual calendars
Recently I previewed a very beautiful Ref 3448 in white gold from 1975. A true grail watch that hides a lot of complexity beneath a very clean and simple dial and case. It was quite magical on the wrist.But it got me thinking again about Ref. 5320. Ref. 3448 has no leap year indicator but is in a 38.5 mm case. Ref. 3445 is different to Ref. 3448 as it has a leap year indicator but therefore makes the dial offcentered.The 5320 has a leap year indicator and on top of that has a day/night indicator (which although rather useless, gives the dial nice symmetry). I think in the larger case of the Ref. 5320, the leap year and day/night look good and balanced. The watch is interesting as it combines a sporty look with luminescent markers and hands, but at the same time is a very classical complication with clear vintage lineage. I look forward to seeing some incomings here in the future.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Buying OEM honey croc strap + deployant from AD
I'm considering making my first foray into the Panerai world, and have found a 40mm piece I'm interested in. It comes on the bracelet, though, and I definitely want a strap.Around how much should I expect to pay for an OEM honey croc strap and polished deployant?Basically this, but OEM instead of aftermarket.I'd go pre-owned but it seems really hard to find these 40mm straps and clasps on the second hand market.