G��rald Genta Has Died at Age 80
G��rald Genta, designer of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Patek Philippe Nautilus, IWC Ingenieur, Omega Constellation, Cartier Pasha, Bulgari Bulgari, and other icons of the modern era has passed away at age 80. Genta was born to Italian immigrant parents in Geneva in 1931. He launched his career as an independent watch designer in 1961, and in 1968 he designed the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse. As Lucien Trueb wrote for WatchTime in December, 2006, “A crowning moment came when Audemars Piguet commissioned him to design a sporty stainless steel wristwatch. Genta met for preliminary negotiations with Paul-Louis Audemars… and his son Jaques-Louis…. The elder Monsieur Audemars died before he could see Genta’s design for the Royal Oak, famously drawn in one overnight session in 1970. Genta presented the sketch to Jaques-Louis who was initially aghast: a sporty watch in a steel case was something entirely new for Audemars Piguet.” Though the design was unprecede

First Look: Five Unexpected Vintage Lots From The Upcoming Watches Of Knightsbridge Auction
It's always exciting to flip thought the pages of a fresh auction catalog. So we were thrilled to discover the lots from this week's Watches of Knightsbridge auction. There are showstoppers of course, such as a big crown Submariner and an early Speedmaster CK2998. But we think we found a couple of sleepers as well. So we picked five and went to try them on. Chronographs are well represented, with an understated but handsome Omega DeVille and a colorful Tudor Monte Carlo, while an early diver from Longines and a rare Rolex Datejust also make our list. Omega DeVille Chronograph Reference 145.017, With Slate Grey Dial 1 OF 13 It's not a Speedmaster, and that's okay. This vintage De Ville was introduced in 1968, with the lever-and-cam caliber 860. This De Ville has a rare slate-grey dial, which is perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of the watch. This two-register chronograph's dial changes appearance according to the light, turning metallic blue, grey, or even

trade 15202 for 15450YG?
i think these two could absolutely live harmoniously together in the collection, but not wise on the wallet. the SS version of the 15450 never appealed to me, but in YG (especially with that blue dial) it is a stunner. tried it on at the boutique and wanted to walk out with it!is it heresy to suggest trading in the perennial classic (as well as increasingly valued) jumbo for the 15450YG (which conversely would decrease in value over time)?it's a beauty...

New member to the AP club
I have finally done it and purchased my first AP

Re-Incoming!!
In 1988 my parents gave me a Rolex OP Date 15053 for graduating from University. I wore it daily for years until it needed service and a new dial because I was struggling to see the gold hands against the champagne dial. I had the dial changed to black at that service. I never really liked the watch after the dial change. In fact I regretted making the change. A month or so ago, I decided I would have it serviced, a new bracelet and the dial changed again. I didn't go back to champagne as my eyes aren't improving as I age. I decided to have it changed to blue. I just got it back from Rolex Canada and I'm thrilled. The service took 5 weeks and the amount was exactly as quoted. More importantly, this watch looks the best it's ever looked. This watch is awesome!!