New Options for the Calibre de Cartier
Last year Cartier launched the Calibre de Cartier line powered by the brand’s in-house 1904-PS movement. The watch represented an important step for the brand. Despite the clearly sporty aesthetics, the Calibre de Cartier was available only on a strap. At SIHH 2011, a new and decidedly more sporting version debuted on a bracelet. Find pricing inside. The new models are available in stainless steel with black or silver dial, and in 18K rose gold and stainless steel with a silver dial. The bracelets feature wide polished center links and thinner brushed outer links with a deployant-style folding clasp. At 42mm x 10mm, the case dimensions have not changed. Water resistance is 30 meters.For more on this watch and the movement that powers it, click here.As we go to press, only approximate U.S. pricing is available: steel version $7000; steel and gold $10,950

Auction Watch: July 18th Deals To Be Had At The Fellows Auction
The following timepiece auction analysis post is by Chris Meisenzahl. He is a long-time watch enthusiast and daily Speedmaster Pro wearer. He blogs at The Pretense of Knowledge and can be followed on Twitter at twitterwatches-dealer/speedmaster.Fellows is a UK auction house, established in 1876. For this auction the estimate range is a fairly reasonable £200 - £50,000. Clearly not pocket change, but there are dozens of pieces in there for a person looking for a deal, or just filling out a themed collection.I see that the most expensive (that is, expected to bring the most money) item in the auction is a Rolex with a range of $61,600.00 - $77,000.00. It’s lot #486, a “platinum automatic Oyster Perpetual Day-Date bracelet watch circa 2006.�?But here’s the problem, the thing is covered with about 4.0ct’s worth of diamonds (see pic)! I’m sure all aBlogtoRead readers realize this isn’t a watch so much as a piece of jewelry. So we’ll move on.  😉If you’re a new collector or just

5164 and 5712 owners please give your thoughts
Okay, so I have another incoming in a different section. It's gonna be gooooood. But that won't be in mid December. In the mean time as I look to replacing my 5711 I'm considering a 5164 or a 5712. Those who know my previous dilemma about the 5712 may know what's coming in December hehe. But this choice is very hard indeed. Don't go telling me to keep the 5711 cause it's already gone after 3 weeks and no love (I would rather where my RO anniversary in I'm going for the clean blue dial, blue the RO's blue datewheel gets me)Anywho, any owners of either chime in. Thanks! I'm no where near making up my mind. For me, I love the 5712's asymmetry and the moon disc is sweet. But the 5164 has a more practical movement and I actually like the deployant and rubber strap on the 5164...at first I didn't but it's comfy. Anywho enough now your thoughts!!!

OEM Panerai Accordion Strap on a PAM 25
Hi fellowTRF'ers thinking of swapping out the original rubbered 'Panerai' straps that came with my PAM 25 to the OEM Panerai 'Accordion straps, like those you see on the 305 (different lug measurements I know). Reason being they fit better than the original straps and clasp it comes with (I have a 7.25 wrist) and the clasp is always at the last hole and doesn't sit centre in short, the strap is too short and the next incremental rubber strap Panerai offers is too long.But my question before I go ahead with the purchase is what say you with a PAM 25 on an accordion strap? Would that be legit or sacrilege?

In search of Daytona in Beijing
I'm going to Beijing in a couple weeks. While I have been on the list at my local AD for some time, I'm losing hope in ever getting my hands on one. Does anyone know the relative availability of hard to find Rolex models (specifically the Daytona white dial) in Beijing? I'm prepared to pay a bit above list if that makes any difference. I know it's a long shot, but I would really appreciate any recommendations and/or connections. Many thanks!