What It's Like To Make A Watch
Sitting on the watchmaker's bench, two things became apparent; that finger condoms (cots) choke the blood out of my fingers and looking through a loupe with just one eye gives you no depth perception when you need it most. For several days I took instruction from a master watchmaker while I and an watches-dealer reader were guests of Frederique Constant in Geneva putting together our first watch movement. It was a thrilling experience, and one that few people will ever receive, even if they pay for it. Unless they go to a watch making school that is.Technical Director and watchmaker Pim Koeslag is Dutch, and so is Peter Stas, who is the founder of Frederique Constant (with his wife Aletta). The manufacture which also houses sister brand Alpina is nestled (quite literally in the middle) of several famous manufactures in Geneva including Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Rolex, and Patek Philippe. Pim started working with Peter when Frederique Constant was getting serious about making in-hous

J. Crew Military Watch By Timex Watch Review On AskMen.com
This was honestly not the easiest watch to review. You think it would be simple, but you basically have a limited edition Timex that you are talking about - made for J. Crew of all places (watch style incarnate right?). Regardless of these surface level facts, is a lot more to this watch than meets the eye. You first need to understand a bit about it, and what went in to it. Timex was called upon by J. Crew to design a classic looking military watch that could fall smack-dab in the center of an Americana photo-mosaic. Like stylish jeans, the watch was meant to look pre-vintaged. Like your Vietnam veteran relative worn it during the last two months of their tour of duty, brought it home, put it in a tin box, and then handed it to you after all this time - in good condition by aged. The J. Crew Timex Military vintage style watch does have a value in today's America, especially because it is a product of today's America.Read my limited edition J. Crew Military watch by Timex review on Ask

Getting an old LE pre-owned piece checked out
I'll looking at getting a hard to find, decade old LE RO. I'm told by an established, non-AD, seller of pre-owned watches that they have one that's in excellent condition -- but in this world, I need more reassurance than that. There's a 10-day return policy on the watch. Is there a way to have the watch fully inspected by AP for authenticity and internal condition in a 10-day window? I'd imagine there's no chance at getting it to-and-from Clearwater from NY in a 10-day window. Do you know if they do this at the AP boutique here in NY?

Speedy lume shots
Anyone have speedmaster pro lume shots? Have searched but not found; currently am considering a speedy saphire sandwich as an economical chronograph but lume is a major deal breaker for me it it's not super bright / readable.

There is wine and cheese.. but I prefer this pairing
PVD + Titanium base pairing is just as good as it gets for me. Layer on the gold cashmere and green canvas straps in the backdrop, I think we have arrived..Have a great weekend to all here!