No More "Luxury" Watches
I want "luxury" to die. Not actual luxury from an economic standpoint, but a lot of how we use the actual word "luxury." Allow me to set up this topic just a bit, and explore my ideas with you. I promise that in the long run my suggestions will benefit everyone, and this is free advice to an industry that I think needs it.I write about timepieces, lots of different timepieces including many that are high-end. "High-end" having the association that they are perhaps well-made, use expensive materials, are exclusive, and cost a lot. You know"luxury." What cheapens many of these brands is that they attach the term "luxury" to their image and products. Cheapening not only the word "luxury," but also the products themselves. Things aren't "luxury" because you insert that word into your slogan. Nothing is worse for luxury watches than the term "Luxury Swiss Watches" next to a brand name as a slogan. Real luxury is earned through attaining and meeting the various qualifications that define the

Maratac Mid Sized Pilot: Hands-On
Right around the time that Blake reviewed the Maratac Pilot, County Comm quietly released a second, smaller model. Dubbed the Maratac Mid Sized Pilot this 39mm version is the same in almost every way, it's just smaller. It has the same Miyota 8245 automatic movement with small seconds, the same domed sapphire crystal, the same dial design and the same cool-little onion crown tucked away at about 4 o'clock.?Ultimately, the qualities and aesthetic of the original Maratac Pilot have been successfully translated to the smaller sized body. In fact, since the Mid has a smaller diameter, but the same thickness, the overall stout build had an almost sportier and more aggressive look than the large sized.Case: Brushed stainless steelMovement: Miyota 8245 21 jewel automatic movementLuminous: Super Luminova C3Lens: Domed sapphire glassCase Back: Screw-downStrap: Maratac Brand Mil-series nylonWater Res.: 100 MDimensions: 39 mmThickness: 12.5 mmLug Width: 20 mmCrown: Screw down oversized onionWarra

BASELWORLD 2011 - New Model - Patek Philippe 5496 P
(Info and images - Patek Philippe SA)5496P-001Men's Grand Complications DescriptionPerpetual calendars with retrograde date displays are a Patek Philippe specialty. With its satinated silvery dial, the new Reference 5496 comes in a timelessly sleek platinum case inspired by the famous 1930s Calatrava Reference 96. It is powered by the mechanically elaborate self-winding caliber 324 S QR.Technical dataWatch: * Mechanical self-winding movement * Caliber 324 S QR * Retrograde perpetual calendar * Retrograde date hand * Day, month, leap year in apertures * Moon phases * Sweep seconds hand * Satinated silvery dial, gold applied hour markers * Strap: alligator with square scales, hand-stitched, shiny black * Fold-over clasp * Interchangeable full back and sapphire-crystal case back * Water resistant to 30 m * Platinum * Case diameter: 39.5 mmCaliber: * Perpetual calendar with retrograde date hand * Caliber 324 S QR * Day, month, leap year in

Continue waiting for 15202 or look for 15450 blue dial?
Hi all,Did anyone have recent luck with purchasing 15202 through an AD in the US? You can PM me if you want. I have been number 1 on my AD's waitlist since Jan 2017 but haven't received that watch as yet. My AD mentioned last year that he will continue to get at least 1 15202 in a year from the leftover allocation of the boutiques. He used to receive more 15202s before it became boutique exclusive. However, now he is not sure when and if he will get a 15202 this year.What should I do? Should I continue waiting for the 15202 or start looking for a 15450 blue dial? As background, I had a 15450 silver dial which I sold last year in order to upgrade to 15202. The 15450 wore slightly small on my 6.4~ flat wrist, more like a 38-39 mm size dress watch than a sports watch. I have tried the gold 15202 few times and it wears fine. In an ideal scenario, 15202 will be my first choice but now I am not sure if I can get it from my AD.I understand that 15450 blue dial is also boutique exclusive but i

Group Pictures and What's the next?
This was the first group picture of my collectionAfter 4 years trades and acquisitions, the group picture was taken again. As you can see I am a modern watch guy, collecting the watches from popular brands. I either buy used watches or good discounted new watches. I payed full price at the AD for the 5711 and 116520 though.To me, the collecting watches is not spending money, it is transforming the money to another format. The difference in the bank account is just one digit, for example x50,000 to x30,000, but the difference in your life and mind is totally different. I enjoy waring the watches everyday, touch them everyday, physical feel the quality they bring you. I can't feel such a happiness if I have one digit difference in the bank account. I really feel this way, how many of you have the same feeling?One more thing, what's your suggestion for my next target in this collection?(Similar post was post in the Rolex Forum, I apologize if you see duplicate. I'd like to learn the opini