7000 Fake Rolexes Steamrolled in Philadelphia
U.S. Customs authorities oversaw the destruction of about 7000 counterfeit Rolex watches at a contractor’s site in Philadelphia. The fakes met their fate under a multi-ton double-drum steamroller, which ran over the watches about 10 times. Customs officials staged the destruction to highlight law enforcement’s role in protecting intellectual property rights. The watches were seized from Binh Cam Tran who is serving six years in federal prison after being convicted of trafficking in counterfeit goods, conspiracy, and nine counts of money laundering. Binh was also ordered to pay Rolex USA $2,273,166 in restitution.Authorities say Binh fabricated hundreds of thousands of fake Rolex watches in his home near Philadelphia. Officials seized about 24,000 counterfeit watches, and enough parts to create 1 million more.Photo: Steve Sapp – U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Volna Volnatomic Watches Are Radioactive Art
Vonlatomic is a special collection of watches for the Volna watch brand by talented watch design Yvan Arpa. I've discussed Mr. Artya at length because I respect his masculine, artistic approach to watch design. The careful designer spends a lot of time thinking about the best way to execute his wild ideas. His work feels very much like an extension of himself. Each watch being something he himself would proudly wear - truly art for the artist. Many people don't like Yvan's creations. It is easy to be mystified by the thought behind the pop-art style, or sometimes just plain weird watches. Though most passionate artists tend to attract a degree of controversy when it comes to the tastefulness or appeal of their work. For Yvan, timepieces are a palette - the medium through which he likes to create.Yvan's past laurels include designing the Titanic DNA and Moon Dust DNA collection watches for Romain Jerome, starting the Black Belt watch brand, and earlier, being one of the key designers at

Omega Speedmaster Professional: An Enthusiast's Review
Omega Speedmaster Professional: An Enthusiast's ReviewThe Omega Speedmaster Professional is one of the most written about wristwatches in horological history. I will not attempt to write another critical review as this has been done by many others who are much more knowledgeable. This review is about why, as a watch enthusiast, I love my Omega Speedmaster Professional. The Omega Speedmaster Professional is not a modern watch. The first version of this watch came out in 1957 and has changed only slightly in the years since. The manual wind, non-hacking movement is a pleasure to operate. The watch needs your attention everyday and the interaction is something I miss with my automatic watches. Even setting the time requires a special procedure. The time is set by pulling the crown out, setting the hour and minute hand and placing back-pressure on the crown which stops the seconds sub-dial. A chronograph is one of the more useful of mechanical watch complications; I enjoy timing my

Ladies Speedmaster vs Speedmaster reduced
Hello, I am in the market for a speedmaster and have narrowed it down to the reduced and the Ladies speedmaster. Both fit my small wrist well and I find both attractive. At the present time I am leaning toward the ladies speedmaster because I would like the watch to be new. Any suggestions or opinions? Thank you all in advance.

Hey, let's go get a Rolex today!
I made a deal with another collector on a Rolex a few days ago, and the email came from FedEx letting me know the package I asked to have held at their location was ready for my retrieval. Oh boy! Wanna come along on the errand with me?Over coffee I enjoyed the view of this beautiful morning in its cold, crisp starkness, and I reflected on the adventures of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, who relied on early Oyster Perpetual watches in conditions tougher than these when they climbed Mount Everest.[IMG]IMG_0291 by Tony Cariffe, on Flickr[/IMG]Since I wouldn't be traveling by dog sled to retrieve my package, I figured my Omega Aqua Terra was suitable equipment for the trip. I wonder if Sir Edmund or Tenzing liked Omega watches, too...IMG_0293 by Tony Cariffe, on FlickrAh, here we are!IMG_0294 by Tony Cariffe, on FlickrNow, seeing as it's Saturday, and since the weather is so nice, and I just happen to have my clubs in the trunk, I decided to get a little golf in before going ho