Concept to Reality: The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie
At last year's SIHH, Audemars Piguet introduced a concept minute repeater �C the RD#1 Acoustic Research �C as part of a series showcasing new technology and materials developed by?the brand's R&D department. The prototype was the result of eight years of research and represented a breakthrough in the acoustic quality and volume of chiming technology. This year the concept has become a reality. The Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie is now performance-ready and commercially available.The Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie is now commercially available. While some minute repeaters need to be held to the ear in order to listen to?the melody, the Supersonnerie chime can be heard loud and clear from the bleachers. Audemars Piguet is not exaggerating when it says?the chime?is 10 times louder than a typical chiming watch. The main innovation lies in the case construction. The chiming mechanism applies the principles of stringed instruments. Gongs are attached to a purpose-built copper-allo

A Clearer Calendar: Girard-Perregaux’s New Traveller with Large Date, Moon Phases and GMT
Girard-Perregaux launched its Traveller collection �� a revamp of its travel-themed ww.tc line �� in 2013. Several variations on those first models have arrived on the scene since that debut, including an all-black titanium DLC version. The latest, debuting this fall, is the first Traveller with a translucent dial that offers a glimpse at the inner workings of the watch’s patented big date mechanism.The metallic gray dial of the Girard-Perregaux Traveller Large Date, Moon Phases & GMT is made of sapphire. The watch’s wearer can peer through its smoky surface to see the watch’s sophisticated date complication, located prominently at 12 o’clock, at work. What sets this one apart from other big date indicators is the pair of superimposed disks, one of which is a mere .10 mm thick and has elements made of transparent folanorm, arranged so as to ensure a seamless display, with no visible separation between the two date disks.Another standout feature is the moon-pha

Seiko Prospex Spring Drive Tuna SBDB008 Watch
Seiko SBDB008The Prospex line of professional divers from Seiko has long been a rich source of fine watches and superb engineering, sadly less known than they deserve due to Japan-only sales. This one is worth questing for though, it's the new-for-2013 SBDB008, in the Prospex Marinemaster collection. Spring Drive (cal 5R65), DLC titanium shroud, titanium nitride (the gold colored bits) highlights, date window tucked in at 4:30, and a new handset. From the sheen, it looks like the bezel insert is ceramic, which would be a nice touch. I like this one, though it's tall at 16.2mm thick. Width not known, but we know that those are 22mm lugs so probably 44mm plus. 72 hour power reserve, and that movement is rated at +-15s/month.It's on page 41 of the Japanese-language Seiko 2013 catalog (PDF). From that, list price is 399,000JPY, or about $3,900USD as of today. Limited edition of only 300 pieces, on the bright side AZ Fine Time has announced they'll be getting these for US sale.A hat tip to

Newbie to AP- need advice!
I'm mostly a Rolex (5 currently) and Panerai (2 currently) guy, but I stumbled across some pics of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15202ST Jumbo on this site and I can't get it out of my head. I love the look of this watch. So beautiful, so classy yet sporty/rugged looking. The octagonal design, the bolts, the unique looking bracelet. I love it all. Especially the stainless steel with blue dial. The slim profile (so why is it called jumbo?) looks very comfortable as well. Anyway, I get online to find a dealer- I must run down and try this thing on. I want to see the fit and the feel. I can't wait. Alas, I come to find out there are NO dealers in Arizona! I think I may have to wait until I travel to Dallas later this month to see one. That said, are there any questions I need to ask when purchasing (especially a pre-owned one)? Any red flags? Any known problems or issues with this model? Any and all advice is appreciated. Obviously I would feel comfortable buying at the boutique but if th

New acquisition.....
Just arrived this morning... I will post more pics later.....