Ariel Adams On BBC World Service Program "The Why Factor" To Talk Watches
I thought you might enjoy a recent spot I did on a great BBC World Service radio program called The Why Factor hosted by Mike Williams to help answer the question, "why are watches enduring status symbols?" It was an honor to be on the show, as I'm a longtime listener/watcher/reader of the BBC. Listen to "The Why Factor: Why Are Watches Enduring Status Symbols" on the BBC here.

A Week On The Wrist: The Baume & Mercier Clifton 10057 Complete Calendar
Baume & Mercier's new Clifton collection brings together vintage styling and affordable pricing in watches that when you see them, you want to wear them. It can be hard to find well-executed, complicated watches at prices that don't make most guys' eyes water, so we decided to take the Clifton 10057 Complete Calendar, which comes in under $5,000, for a spin. Introduction To The Calendar Watch There are a lot of brands today focused on shaving time into ever-finer slivers with record-breaking chronographs and new balance technology, but long before that was even a possibility, people were building calendars into their timepieces. In fact, as you might expect, measuring these longer intervals of time predates any sort of hours/minutes clock by millennia (literally). 2 OF 30 Breguet Carriage Clock Calendar I won't go into the history of counting the seasons or tracking the harvest here (that's a story for another time), but we can

Introducing The Vacheron Harmony Chronograph, Featuring A New Manually-Wound, In-House Mono-Pusher Caliber (Live Pics, Pricing)
Vacheron is in the running for top announcement of the show with its incredible Harmony ultra thin, self-winding mono-pusher rattrapante chronograph, but the Harmony line doesn't begin and end in the mid six-figure range. No – there is an entire line of Harmony watches, and perhaps the most appealing to pure horology fiends will be this: the new Harmony Mono-Pusher Chronograph featuring the caliber 3300, the product of seven year's of development. 2 OF 7 Taking inspiration from a historical Vacheron Doctor's chronograph from 1928, this piece is certainly vintage inspired with its cushion shaped case, mono-pusher activation, and pulsation dial. But don't be confused for one moment – this is pure cutting-edge craftsmanship that just happens to revere its roots with a traditional architecture. 3 OF 7 The Caliber 3300 features some thoughtful traits that tells us once again that Vacheron is here to play, including a 65-hour power rese

Travel Watch
HelloI have been a proud Rolex wearer since the 1980s and now, thanks to some excellent advice on TRF, I have a collection growing in the way that I want. Having started out with divers, I now find that (still having a couple of divers) I have most use for timepieces with a dual-time function. Obviously, my GMT II and Exp II are central to this. I am fascinated by the new Sky Dweller, but am happy to watch this from the peripheries for the time being. Having said that, I want to add a new travel watch.........one that I will wear and use........and my preference would be for a Patek (I increasingly love wearing my 5127). I have a few straight questions that I am sure you will be able to help me with:My absolute grail (along, I suspect, with many of you) is the 5131. I see the sums they sell for but am certain that they must, somehow and somewhere, be available new at RRP. Is this just a fantasy? I expect it is, unfortunately.Given the likely impossibility of the above, the 5130 is the

Panerai Pam00448 vs. Pam00449 (UPDATED)
I have just bought my PAM 449 from takuya aka thanh do. Should receive it next week. Will post photos soon.Anyway, after doing some research i realize...PAM 448Is a gorgeous looking watch. Hardly anyone would argue on that. Gorgeous ...highly sort after dial with an in house movement. SE to 750 pcs. However, many are worried about the future value as there are already many cali dial were made before this, especially the PAM 249 being the original. Thus, some might still prefer the PAM 249 if/when the price of PAM 448 goes up to the same as PAM 249. Only + points that lure collectors towards PAM 448 are, lower SE number. 750 pcs comparing to PAM 249's 1936 pcs. In house movement of course, and thicker case thus more beefy looks. Bottom line is, there are still PAM 249 in its way.PAM 449 Besides the looks (either you love it or hate it), it is the 1st prototype of an SLC dial with blue hands. The only reason stopping you from buying this is probably again, the dial/looks of the watch. Ot