Watch Collecting: A Perspective From One Who Tried, And Failed

Watch collecting is an interesting pursuit, and can mean very different things to different people.  There is no “right answer”–only what works for that individual.  Some people enjoy a rotation of 3-10 watches, happily going to the safety deposit bank or the safe to pull stuff off the winder.  Others keep a few timepieces on hand they wear regularly, and leave the others–sometimes many others–wrapped up in plastic for posterity or investment purposes (I’m thinking of the Patek crowd here, particularly)  Then there are the fanatics for vintage Rolex or Panerai limited editions, who enjoy the hyper-minutiae and sharing a latest rare acquisition with their equally obsessed buddies at get-togethers where festivity levels are just slightly less than that of a Roman bacchanalia.   Continue Reading… »

Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 Watch To Auction At Bonhams

It’s always interesting to follow the appearance of exceptional vintage Patek Philippe watches at the various auction houses.  One of the latest is from Bonhams, which has announced the upcoming (June 10th) sale of a yellow gold Patek Philippe chronograph with perpetual calendar and moon phases.  This model, the Ref. 2499, is interesting because despite its comparatively long production run of more than 35 years,  only 349 pieces are known to exist.   Continue Reading… »

A Plethora Of Watchmaking Seals: Geneva Seal, Patek Philippe Seal, Fleurier Seal, And More

With authenticity and substance becoming ever more important in the messages that watch companies seek to convey to their customers, exclusive seals promising performance, finishing standards, and more are multiplying rapidly.  From Bedat & Co with their AOSC certificate covering the Swiss origin of parts and assembly, to Patek Philippe, which created waves at Baselworld 2009 with their announcement that the Poincon de Geneve (Geneva Seal) is being ditched for a new, and more demanding in-house Patek Philippe Seal, its clear that brands want to differentiate themselves from their competition more than ever. Continue Reading… »

‘Tis the Season to Get Married! Part IV: A Gift for the Groom!

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Patek Philippe 5960R Annual Calendar Chronograph: A Star Of Patek Philippe’s 2009 Rose Gold Revolution

For Patek Philippe in 2009, rose gold was clearly the dominant theme.  From the stunningly lovely Ref. 5101R 10-Day Tourbillon watch to the sporty Aquanaut, the warm hue of this precious metal brought a new look of distinction to models across the collection spectrum.  Quite possibly my favorite Patek Philippe timepiece within this “rose gold revolution” is the wonderful 5960R Annual Calendar Chronograph. Continue Reading… »

Patek Philippe Watches To Bear Patek Philippe Seal, A Demanding Standard Beyond The Geneva Seal

Patek Philippe, arguably the most famous Swiss watch manufacturer to advertise adherence to the prestigious “Geneva Seal” in creating its mechanical calibers, has gone a step beyond.  From 2009 going forward, the historic Geneva house will begin to stamp its movements with a new symbol of exclusivity–the Patek Philippe Seal. Continue Reading… »

Antiquorum March Auction Stars Historic Watches Owned By JFK, Gandhi, Joseph Bonanno, And Patek Philippe Collector Henry Graves Jr.

For those fascinated by the human stories that inevitably accompany watches, Antiquorum’s March 2009 sale is sure to be an event of interest.  Among the many items on the block include a Zenith pocket watch owned by Mahatma Gandhi, a 14K gold Nastrix wristwatch that was a favorite of John F. Kennedy, and a gold Patek Philippe Ref. 1516 watch that mobster Lucky Luciano gifted in 1957 to Joseph Bonanno, Sr. of the infamous Bonanno crime family.

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Patek Philippe Ref. 5013 Watch: Equally Coveted In Turbulent Times

Among the many exquisite references within the Patek Philippe Grand Complications collection, the Ref. 5013 watch is certainly one of the most beautiful.  With its tonneau-shaped case, it calls to mind the glorious Art Deco era, a time which saw many historic Patek Philippe timepieces–including a beautiful minute repeating wristwatch the Geneva manufacture produced for famous collector Henry Graves, Jr.   Continue Reading… »

Patek Philippe–As With Rolex, Vintage Watches Are In A Category Of Their Own

I’ve heard it said by more than one watch collector, “once you go vintage, you never go back”.  In the case of Patek Philippe watches, I would be inclined to agree without hesitation.  As it is with older Rolex Oyster models, there is a charm a warmth and grace to long bygone Patek references that cannot be exceeded by their modern replacements–as fine, and technically advanced as many of these watches are.  Besides, where did the idea for the modern version originate?  

Take for instance the Continue Reading… »

Patek Philippe Ref. 5140 Perpetual Calendar Watch: A Worthy Successor To The Ref. 3940

Among the cognoscenti, it is virtual gospel that Patek Philippe’s greatest strengths are classical dress watches and watchmaking complications.  An ideal representation of both of these talents is summed up in the lovely and perfectly balanced Patek Philippe Ref. 5140 Perpetual Calendar–the 1.20-mm larger successor of the famous Ref. 3940, which was produced from 1985 through 2006 and is among the most beloved classics in the haute horlogerie repertoire, as well as a quintessential Patek Philippe timepiece.

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