My First Grail Watch: Jeff Kuo Of Xetum Watches
Welcome back to an original watches-dealer feature, "My First Grail Watch." In this series, we ask prominent people in the watch industry about the first timepiece that they lusted after. Today, we're speaking with Jeff Kuo, the founder of Xetum, known for their California-designed Swiss watches. In this interview, we reveal where his watch journey started�Cit's with a brand many of us likely kicked things off with as well!watches-dealer (ABTW): Who are you and what is your relationship to the watch industry?Jeff Kuo (JK): I am the founder of Xetum, which offers a collection of modern automatic watches, designed in California and made in Switzerland.ABTW: When did your fascination with watches start?JK: My grandparents gave me a Seiko sports chronograph when I was in high school. I was immediately drawn to the instrument-style design and how all the different hands, sub-dials and markings blended together.ABTW: A humble start. After that, what became your first grail watch?JK: A. Lange

GIVEAWAY: Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Chronograph Watch
November is an exciting month at watches-dealer because one of you will win a Maurice Lacroix Pontos S chronograph watch (watches-dealer hands-on here). A wonderfully modern mechanical sport watch, the Pontos S comes in a durable 43mm wide steel case and is water resistant to 200 meters. Our favorite feature is the elegantly designed internal rotating bezel that uses a crown integrated into the chronograph start/stop pusher.Maurice Lacroix?offers the Pontos S in a few versions, and up for giveaway is the orange trimmed model matched to a black and orange striped NATO-style strap. Maurice Lacroix also includes the lovely steel bracelet. So each Pontos S watch comes with both ways of wearing it. Inside the watch is a Maurice Lacroix caliber ML 112 (base Valjoux 7750) automatic chronograph movement. This beautiful watch is contemporary in style, but has all the appeal of a classic sport watch. Retail price for the watch is $4,400 and you can enter below for your chance to win one this mon

Why would someone do this?
The last 2 places I have been to try watches on the sales woman (both times) has wiped their thumb over the crystal (without gloves on) and made a perfectly clean watch have a massive smear across it?! Is it just me who notices this?

I was wrong about the 5170p...
When the 5170p was released, i loved everything about it except the baguette diamond markets, which i though totally destroyed the look of the watch. fast forward a year, after trying it on a few times and receiving a bit of enabling (thanks steve / nyc2la), i took the plunge. the diamonds are there, but very discreet, and it just seems to work together. here is my new favorite! trying some different strap options as well...

I'm definitely getting a 5522A, Wait a minute I'm not getting a 5522A?!?!?!?!
The hype surrounding this watch has been unlike anything I've ever seen in my 10 Years of collecting. I am curious what some members experiences have been in trying to procure this piece. My goal of this post is to vent some frustration and get recommendations for a new AD to start a relationship with.I have known what used to be My AD for 10 years. I was basically introduced to watches through them and bought brands such as Panerai, Rolex, Patek and also referred some friends and family throughout the years and helped the staff sell some pieces as well. I found out that the World Exhibition of Watches would be held in NYC when I was invited to a Patek Minute Repeater Event at HSWA that my AD's store mgr/minority owner kindly invited me to. While at lunch on a break during the event I was sitting next to the Patek sales rep (Jim is amazing!) and he mentioned there would be some special pieces being made for the US market only to celebrate the Exhibition. After the lunch, My AD