Vacheron Constantin from the Packard Collection Brings $1.8 Million at Christie’s
A Grand Complication pocket watch in 20-carat gold by Vacheron Constantin that belonged to famed collector James Ward Packard brought $1,800,000 at Christie's New York auction. Bidders from around the world displayed keen interest, driving the price to an absolute record for Vacheron Constantin in the U.S. market. Packard was one of the first U.S. collectors to work directly with the Geneva-based watch manufacturer to build up a collection of unique timepieces. The watch, in addition to displaying the hours, minutes and seconds beneath a rock crystal glass, features a personalized combination of complications including hour, minute, quarter and half-quarter repeating, grande and petite sonnerie, as well as a 30-minute chronograph register.The back of the piece features a “JWP” monogram on blue enamel, executed in Geneva following a sketch made by Packard himself. The dust cover bears the inscription “Fabrique pour James Ward Packard, Warren Ohio, 1918, par Vacheron &a

Luminox Launches New BlackOut Series for Fall
For Fall 2009, Luminox introduces the BlackOut series. Don’t worry – even though they are going dark, these Luminox watches will still be glowing in 25 years, thanks to their proprietary Luminox Light Technology (LLT), and these models will glow in a new color – blue. Though the watches are completely blacked out – the only thing that’s not black is the logo – Luminox says the watches will be easy to read because of the tone-on-tone look created by the matte black dials and polished black numbers. The first new model, pictured below, is the BlackOut SEAL which is part of the 3050 EVO Navy SEAL collection. The 44mm watch is water resistant to 200 meters and features a carbon-reinforced polymer case, screwed down caseback, protected crown, extra-hard mineral crystal, and is equipped with a polyurethane strap. It retails for $295.The other new model in the series is the BlackOut Stealth, part of the EVO F117 Nighthawk family of timepieces. The Stealth i

Vintage Conny crystal replacement 'problem'
I wish to replace the crystal on my CL168.016 conny and have purchased a genuine PZ5111 and Bregeut type crystal removal tool. How much pressure should I be using on the tool? It seems incredibly tight and am concerned about scratching the case! Should it actually be accessed via the back of the case after removing movement?Thanks in advance

5131
is the 5131 really that hard to obtain from a dealer? how long are the waitlists or is that AD dependent.

HELP! Best pre-owned Rolex shops in NYC
Hello, In a few weeks I am going to NYC and since the USD is at a very attractive price against Danish Kroner I am considering to buy a pre-owned Rolex Sub or GMT in New York. But here goes my question to all of you who lives or have any experience with watch-shopping in New York - where is the best place to buy pre-owned?