Pre-SIHH: 3 New Cartier Men’s Watches
The previews of new luxury watches debuting at the SIHH watch salon in Geneva this January continue to roll in. Our “Watch Insider” Alexander Linz has already shown you one of the new Cartier watches for men premiering at SIHH, the Cartier Calibre de Cartier Diver. Now we reveal three more new men’s Cartier watches.  1.Rotonde de Cartier AstrocalendaireThe Astrocalendaire is one of Cartier's headliner pieces for SIHH 2014. It features a flying tourbillon surrounded by a unique perpetual calendar. The calendar is presented in three concentric circular displays, with the date on the outermost ring, the month in the center, and the day of the week on the inside. A flying tourbillon lies at the center of these displays. Each ring is part of a bridge, and each is on a different level. The rings are stationary, and the day, date and month are indicated by blue PVD rectangles that move around the rings. All displays are set with the crown, except the date, which is co

Andre Checa Designs Most Hideous Watch Case This Year
This is the ugliest watch case I think I have personally ever seen. What is so ironic is that the watch movement and dial itself are just fine, and totally mismatched with the watch case. This timepiece gets a "Fraggle Rock's Finest Award" for most cartoon rock formation style watch ever. What was Andre Checa thinking when he designed this watch? He was likely watching episodes of old Jim Henson Muppet television shows or movies. I get the watch, I just don't like it. This is another "home run" design from the radical French artist.You might remember the first quizzical creation of his that I discussed here (that he made as a piece unique for Romain Jerome).The watch movement is made by the very well-respected Christophe Claret - a maker of highly complex and beautiful watch movement. This timepiece (that I am not sure if it has a name) has a beautifully skeletonized movement, that has a tourbillon, and just the time as functions (Claret rarely makes movements this "simple"). In additi

Found: A Patek Philippe Split-Seconds Chronograph Signed By Tiffany & Co. In Completely Original
Every watch guy's dream is to go up into his grandparents' attic, open up a dust covered shoe box, and discover an unmolested horological masterpiece. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. And that is exactly what happened here with what could easily be described as a mega watch - a Patek Philippe Reference 1436 Split-Seconds Chronograph Retailed By Tiffany & Co. in NYC dating to 1960. And, what makes this particular piece so special is that it is literally untouched and unmodified in any way. It comes with the original crystal, strap, and buckle, and the thing hadn't even been serviced!Made in 1960 and sold by Tiffany's NYC in 1961, it doesn't get much cooler than a vintage Patek split-seconds chronograph. There is something so masculine about the split complication, and to see it on such a refined piece like a 1960s Patek is just a wonderful juxtaposition. The estimate on this piece is $200,000-$300,000, which to us, considering the condition, se

44 Ti with Navy Blue Rubber Strap
Would it work out well?Does anyone have them to try?I'm thinking my Ti needs some contrast, but not a black strap.Cheers.

VERSUS: Submariner 1680 v. 16610
Had a random thought today to periodically start posting a VERSUS picture to compare two watches (and only those two watches) and discuss pros/cons by outlining the differences and getting folks' ideas/thoughts/opinions here. We got folks here who are experts that have been collecting and studying these things for decades to those who are just starting to venture into the crazy world of Rolex (and everyone in between). So I think it would be fun and educational!So to kick it off, I have for everyone today the iconic Submariner in the 'with date' variety. Reference 16610 v. 1680.Some obvious things:Glossy dial v. matteLuminova v. tritiumNon-maxi markers v. maxiWhich do you prefer and why?