Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix. Only 1750 Out There.

The Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Limited Edition ref. 26290 is a serious collector's grail. This Forged Carbon beauty is definitely one that will make a statement anywhere you wear it. Dressed up or dressed down, those who know will recognize it immediately.

Audemars Piguet has always been in the forefront when it comes to using materials that are rarely used by other watchmaking companies. Audemars Piguet started using these type of materials long before any other watchmaking company would do so back in the 1980's with the introduction of Tantalum and Rose Gold watches. Today, Audemars Piguet makes a statement with Forged Carbon and Ceramic.

The Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix embodies the powerful ties between watchmaking and automobiles. The same passion for design and the same incessant quest for mechanical performance. The sub-dials evoke dashboard instruments, the crown a gear, and the bezel a ventilated brake disc. Issued in limited edition series featuring meticulously executed details & cutting-edge materials. Whether viewed from the front, the side, or through the sapphire crystal back, all angles provide the same clear-cut impression of dynamic, aggressive, taut and complex shapes that are undeniably reminiscent of gleaming automobile bodywork.

This watch is so light that sometimes one can forget it is on the wrist. The attention to detail and craftsmanship is just at another level. This watch shows very clearly why Audemars Piguet is considered one of the three companies that conform the 'Holy Trinity of Watchmaking'. It is also well known by collectors and watch enthusiasts that forged carbon cases never look the same. All Forged Carbon pieces have their own unique character and finish, typical of handmade goods. The Grand Prix Limited Edition is available in Rose Gold and Forged Carbon in limited quantities of 650 and 1750 respectively.

This watch comes with a case made out of forged carbon fibers and a bezel made of forged carbon and black ceramic with eight titanium hex-head screws fastening the bezel to the case as well as the case back. The Grand Prix houses an Audemars Piguet Caliber 3126/3840, composed of 365 parts and a power reserve of 60 hours.

The strap on the Grand Prix is one of the most unique looking Audemars Piguet straps out there. Black calfskin and red alcantara, hand-sewn with red alcantara inserts and edges. Comfortable and beautiful at the same time. This strap exudes class.

The crown is made of blackened titanium with the AP logo in red, the chronograph pushers are made of titanium and black ceramic and comes with a sapphire crystal display case back. The plots that connect the case to the strap are made of titanium just like the tang buckle on the strap. The dial evokes different parts of auto super machines. The bronze flange is reminiscent of the magnesium alloy wheels on a race car. Running seconds at 12 o 'clock, 30-minute register at 9 o'clock and 12-hour register at 12 o'clock.

All in all, this is a wonderful reference suited for every day wear and one that will make a statement wherever you go.

Sticker Price $45,000 USD. For more info click here.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Audemars Piguet and tagged Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Post 2013 2013.

Experience: Partagas No.4 Serie D. Two Divers Over Cigars.

Two watchlifestylers decided to meet up for drinks and cigars in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The location, the exclusive Grand Velas resort in Riviera Maya. One of the collectors, a longtime fellow Montecristo cigar aficionado, the other one, a Cohiba and Partagas lover. Talking about watches while enjoying an 'Habano' is very common in our watch collecting lifestyle, coming to terms on which of the two watches —or cigars— is better is definitely a challenging thing.

Having the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver and the two-tone Rolex Submariner Date side-by-side helped us understand how these two watches are magnificent with their own individual pros and cons. Watch collecting and watch talk is not about proving who is wearing a better watch. It is about enjoying life and making friends —sometimes even overseas— with people that enjoy our lifestyle.

Watch collecting, just like smoking a fine cigar or sipping a glass of your favorite port, is really about the enjoyment you get out of that particular timepiece sitting on your wrist and the memories you build while wearing it.

Partagas No.4 is a strong, rich cigar with leather and cocoa notes. Intense, yet smooth at the same time. Strong in smell but soft to the palate.

I once heard that the best wine in the world is not necessarily a Petrus or a Château Lafite Rothschild, but the one that you enjoy the most.

Same goes to watches, don't you think?

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Food Wine & Cigars and tagged Partagas Partagas No. 4 Audemars Piguet Diver Royal Oak Offshore Rolex Subm Rolex Submariner 2013.

Experience: A Full Week at The Peninsula Beijing. It Doesn't Get Any Better.

Traveling to China is one of the most fascinating experiences anyone can have. Staying at The Peninsula in Beijing is bringing the experience to another level.

The Peninsula Beijing is located in the heart of the city within walking distance from Wangfujing, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. A few blocks down the street you can shop at the exclusive Jinbao Place mall.

Just like at any other Peninsula hotel, VIP transportation is no problem as they have a very nice assortment of vehicles to choose from, including several Rolls Royce Phantoms, BMW 7 Series and Audi A6. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by their iconic white-suited porters. Spending eight nights at this majestic hotel made us feel like we were home and not homesick at all. The linens, the amenities, our room and every detail inside the hotel has been carefully taken care of.

Inside the hotel there's an atrium with several stories of very high-end shopping including Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Piaget, Tom Ford, Brioni, Burberry and Armani amongst others.

There are three fantastic food options inside the hotel. Huang Ting a traditional Chinese cuisine place meant to replicate the look of a 'hutong', Jing an international cuisine restaurant/buffet and the Lobby Lounge where high-tea is served.

After a few days of sightseeing and walking around the city and the Great Wall, we decided to check their spa and receive some well deserved pampering. The spa facilities are impeccably designed with serenity, peace and harmony in mind.

For more info on this hotel click here.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Travel and tagged Audemars Piguet 25721 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore The Peninsula Beijing.

Insider: Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 16600. A Discontinued Classic.

By far one of the most iconic Rolex references in conjunction with the Submariner. The Sea-Dweller originally launched in 1967 was developed as a sturdier and deeper rated Submariner for the french industrial deep-sea diving company COMEX S.A.

Back in 1967 the reference number for the Sea-Dweller was ref. 1665 and it had a depth rating of 610m/2,000ft. The Sea-Dweller also incorporated a helium release escape valve for gas decompression chambers. This model also lacks of a cyclops —date loupe— providing a cleaner and more simple look in comparison with its sibling the Submariner Date.

The Sea-Dweller Submariner 2000 watches also known as Double-Red Sea-Dwellers are highly collectible and very coveted by vintage Rolex collectors around the world. The DRSD as it is commonly known in the watch collecting world, had 2 red text lines on the watch dial which led to an unofficial "Double Red" designation under watch collectors for these watches.

Picture courtesy of www.doubleredseadweller.com

The Sea-Dweller Submariner 2000 models were displaced by the Sea-Dweller 4000 model ref. 16600 rated to a depth of 4,000ft/1,220m. The last Comex Sea-Dweller 4000 Rolex reference number is 16600 and this watch was issued to Comex divers since 1992. Today, the ref. 16600 is now discontinued after the launch in 2008 of the DeepSea Sea-Dweller ref. 116660 with a depth rating of 12,800ft/3,900m.

This wonderful diver's watch is very solid with a glossy raised white gold surround minute markers, a decompression times uni-directional rotating bezel, date aperture, triple-lock screwdown crown, oyster bracelet with divers extension and a flip-lock clasp. The case and bezel setup construction is definitely thicker than that on the Rolex Submariner and the HRV —Helium Release Valve— is located at the 9 o'clock position. This reference has no lug holes as of the early 2000s and is fitted with a solid-link oyster bracelet.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Rolex and tagged Rolex Sea-Dweller Rolex Sea-Dweller Sea-Dweller 16600 Rolex 16600 2013.

Experience: Inside a Paul Newman Daytona ref. 6239. Beating Heart.

The beating of the manual winding Valjoux caliber 72 a.k.a. Rolex Cal. 722. Enjoy.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Rolex and tagged Daytona Rolex Daytona Paul Newman Rolex 6239 Cosmograph 2013.

Watch Shopping Guide: Las Vegas. Watchlifestylers Paradise.

The city of Las Vegas, offers one of the most amazing watch shopping experiences in the U.S. and the world. In less than 2.5 miles of the Las Vegas Strip and located within the casinos and their shoppes, you will be able to find more than 25 dedicated brand watch boutiques and authorized dealers. Heading North on the strip, our first stop is at Aria and Crystals at City Center. Located inside the Aria hotel and casino is Radiance offering a wide variety of brands including Richard Mille, Bell & Ross, Corum and Cuervo y Sobrinos amongst others.

Next door at Crystals shopping center, you'll find Tourbillon—large selection of Blancpain, Omega, Breguet, Jacquet Droz and Glashütte and dedicated boutiques for Cartier, Bulgari, De Grisogono, Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels and TAG Heuer. Tourbillon is in the process of building a larger store in the same location, scheduled to open late 2013.

Next stop heading North is the Bellagio. Besides the wonderful water fountain show every hour and the delicious Bellinis served at the casino, watch shopping can also be a great experience. Omega has a beautiful boutique here and at Tesorini you will find a very large selection of Rolex and Patek Philippe watches, amongst others.

If you keep heading North on the strip, you'll come across Caesar's Palace and the Forum shops at Caesar's. Inside the Forum shops you'll find Tourneau, Roman Times —large authorized dealer for IWC, Piaget and Hublot—, Vicci —one of the largest selections of Audemars Piguet—, the Panerai and Breitling boutiques and a couple of Rolex smaller boutiques.

Almost across from Caesars, on the opposite side of the strip, you'll find the Venetian and the shoppes at The Palazzo where several authorized dealers and a few brand boutiques are located. At the Venetian you will find Horologio and Venetzia Jewelers and at the shoppes at the Palazzo you will find the boutiques for IWC, Bulgari, Blancpain, Harry Winston and Vacheron Constantin. Additionally, you will run into Bellusso specializing in vintage and pre-owned pieces as well as another Venetzia Jewelers at Palazzo with the largest selection of Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille watches in Las Vegas.

Our last stop is at the esplanade of the Wynn Casino, where Rolex will be opening its flagship Rolex Experience Boutique for North America at the end of May. At the Wynn, you will find a very refined selection of boutiques and authorized dealers. A brand new IWC boutique was opened back in November of 2012. You will also find Chopard, Piaget, Jaeger LeCoultre and Cartier boutiques in this area. The well-known Rolex boutique that was located at the esplanade, is where the new Rolex Experience will open. Temporarily, there's a small Rolex boutique by Tableau restaurant on the other end where the Wynn suites are located. Wynn & Company Watches offers a wide selection of Patek Philippe, Panerai and Vacheron Constantin timepieces amongst others. This store no longer carries Audemars Piguet watches.

Without a doubt Vegas is a watch shopping oasis with some of the best brands and a really wide selection. After shopping around and if you still have time while you finish your round at the Wynn, we recommend you stop by Sinatra or Red 8 for a great meal.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Watch Shopping and tagged Las Vegas Watches IWC Vicci Radiance at Aria Bellagio Venetian Forum Shops Audemars Piguet Top Watch Shopping 2013.

Insider: Chanel J12 ref. H0970. An Iconic Women's Watch.

The Chanel J12 has turned into an iconic watch when it comes to female watch collectors. Originally intended to be a unisex watch, this reference was launched several years ago and immediately became a hot watch among women. Today, it's still one of the favorite watches for women looking to make a fashion statement. Crafted in white high-tech ceramic that is highly scratch-resistant, this piece comes in three different sizes. The 33mm is fitted with a quartz movement and the 38mm and 42mm that come with a self-winding automatic movement.

The J12 is a watch well suited for every occasion, whether you are just relaxing at the beach, scuba diving or getting ready for a night-gala, this watch goes well with all types of outfits due to its simple look yet refined character.

With a 42-hour power reserve, date aperture, unidirectional rotating bezel, screw-down crown, waterproof to a depth of 200m/600ft and a steel triple-folding buckle, the Chanel J12 is definitely a watch that can be enjoyed anywhere. In all is a very comfortable watch, not very heavy and with a superb finish.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Other Brands and tagged Chanel J12 Chanel H0970 J12 Automatic Chanel Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite Porte-Documents Posts 2013.

Encounter: Jaguar MKII at The Ritz Paris

The Hôtel Ritz is a grand palatial hotel in the heart of Paris, located in the 1st arrondissement of the city. It overlooks the octagonal border of the Place Vendôme at number 15. The hotel is ranked highly among the most prestigious and luxurious hotels in the world. Outside the hotel we ran into a beautiful Jaguar MK II from the 1960s getting ready for the Tour Optic Auto 2012 race that Audemars Piguet sponsors.

The Tour Optic Auto 2ooo 2012 race was held from April 16th thru the 21st and is Organized by Peter Auto for the the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile (FFSA) with licenses from ASA Tour Auto. For an entry fee of €8,300 entrants get five days of competition driving all the way from Paris to a southern destination in France. The rally race is open to 200 cars which (or the model of which) have participated between 1951 and 1973 in the Tour Optic Auto race. This year's race —22nd Tour Auto Optic 2ooo— will take place from April 22nd thru the 27th. For the first time, the finish line will be in the southwestern city of La Rochelle.

The 22nd Tour Auto Optic 2ooo guest stars, besides the official partner BMW, will be Porsche and Aston Martin. The Porsche prototypes as a tribute to Ferdinand Alexander Porsche who passed away last year, just two weeks before the start of the rally: Porsches 550 and of course the long lineage -904 (his creation), 906, 907, 910 - which raced in Tour de France Automobile. The 'Tour' will also celebrate the hundredth anniversary of Aston Martin and will honour the four models which raced at the time.

As you can see in the pictures, the car was still showing the old decals from the 'Carrera Panamericana' in which the owner had participated before. The car was supposed to get the Tour Optic decals for the race that weekend.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Jaguar MKII Audemars Piguet Tour Optic 2000.

Watch Shopping Guide: Beijing. More Upscale than What You Would've Imagined.

One of the most amazing cities for watch shopping in the world without a doubt is Beijing. The number of dedicated boutiques in the Wangfujing area dwarfs those around other metropolises including Las Vegas, London or New York City. A wide availability of brands is found throughout the city but specially on Wangfujing street, right between the APM Mall and the Grand Hyatt. Additionally, there is a second beautiful Piaget boutique located inside The Peninsula Hotel atrium and a Richard Mille at The Legendale Hotel next to Jinbao Place mall.

During our trip to Beijing we visited the boutiques for Rolex, Tudor, Tag Heuer, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Hublot, Omega, Glashütte, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Chanel, Ulysse Nardin and Jaeger LeCoultre.

The boutiques for Rolex and Tudor were fully integrated into one big boutique with inventory for both brands throughout the whole sales floor. A few blocks up, another Rolex standalone boutique is located.

The only boutique with signage in Chinese.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Watch Shopping and tagged Beijing Watches Wangfujing IWC Glashütte Audemars Piguet Peninsula Beijing Tudor Rolex Jaeger LeCoultre Top Watch Shopping 2013.

Watch Goodies: Patek Philippe Limoges Limited Edition Bonbonniere

Not very long ago, we came across this beautiful limited edition Patek Philippe box made out of Limoges porcelain from the 2000 collection. The box features a Patek Philippe pocket watch from 1928 that is currently situated at the Patek Philippe Museum collection. The pocket watch is made out of 18 carat yellow gold and is finely decorated with roses and other motifs.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Patek Philippe, Watch Goodies and tagged Patek Philippe Bonbonniere Limoges Patek 2013.

Insider: GMT Master ref. 1675. Over a Cup of Espresso.

Yesterday I decided to have a cup of espresso with a close watchlifestyler and friend of mine and talk about his GMT with black bezel insert. As most of us know, the GMT Master ref. 1675 was traditionally sold with two options of bezel inserts. The now called pepsi—blue and red— and the black one. While the black insert is less coveted among most savvy vintage Rolex watch collectors, we believe that a vintage GMT sporting one of this black bezel inserts is not only less common and rarely seen in the wild but also makes the watch look more sophisticated and easier to wear with any outfit or any occasion.

This beautiful specimen is a mid 70's watch with a great creamy patina, silver date wheel with open nines and sixes, original oyster bracelet and a sharp solid black bezel insert. After 35 years of life, this watch is still very accurate and losing only 2 seconds a day. The dial is what experts consider to be a MK IV tritium dial correct for the time period with no visible blemishes or unstable lume. The tritium does not glow any more and the hands are in perfect condition with no corrosion or pitting. This watch has only seen two different owners in over 35 years that have kept it in great condition, regardless of being a daily wearer.

After close review of the watch, we can say that the black bezel insert is definitely more visually appealing to me than the classic coveted pepsi insert. When it comes to the GMT Master with black insert, we have seen that most collectors would prefer a faded black bezel—usually referred to as ghost insert— over one that is scratch-free or free of fading or discoloration. We actually prefer the solid jet black look of this one.

Now, are you a pepsi, black or ghost insert type of watchlifestyler?

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Rolex and tagged Rolex GMT Master 1675 Rolex GMT Master Vintage 2013.

Upcoming: 2013 Calendar IWJG Shows

The International Watch and Jewelry Guild shows for the remainder of the year are as follows:

NEW YORK, Apr 22-23, 2013 - Marriott NY Brooklyn Bridge

LAS VEGAS, May 27-28, 2013 - Tropicana Las Vegas

CHICAGO, Jun 24-25, 2013 - Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare

NEW YORK, Jul 29-30, 2013 - Marriott NY Brooklyn Bridge

LOS ANGELES, Aug 19-20, 2013 - Hilton Los Angeles

LAS VEGAS, Sep 16-17, 2013 - Tropicana Las Vegas

MIAMI, Oct 14-15, 2013 - Hilton Miami Downtown

NEW YORK, Nov 18-19, 2013 - Marriot NY Brooklyn Bridge

For more information on the IWJG click here.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Events and tagged IWJG Events.

Experience: Leon Jimenes Imperial Clásico Toro. One Fine Dominican.

Nothing can be better than smoking a good cigar and sipping a glass of Laphroaig 18 Years after a great dinner with friends. While I am not necessarily a big fan of Dominican cigars and I prefer Habanos due to my Cuban heritage, the Leon Jimenes Imperiales Clásico Toro is handcrafted with love and care at one of the premier cigar factories in the world—and the Dominican Republic's oldest.

Guillermo Leon Herbert's family has been cultivating tobacco for six generations. His grandfather, Don Eduardo Leon Jimenes, was the founder of La Aurora Cigars, situated on the outskirts of Santiago. This beauty is chocked full of Cuban-seed Dominican and Nicaraguan long-fillers, bound with a Dominican long leaf and wrapped with an oily, toothy Connecticut Shade wrapper. You can expect a tobacco core with notes of cream, nuts, leather, small hints of coffee, and a soft bready finish.

The Cibao Valley and the nearby city of Santiago are the center of cigar production in the Dominican Republic. Three main varieties are grown here: the mild and native Olor Dominicano; the intense Piloto Cubano, brought from the Vuelta Abajo of Cuba; and San Vicente, a milder and more acidic Piloto hybrid.

As a side note, my father was born in Las Vueltas, Cuba —home to some of the best Cuban tobacco leaves— therefore, I have all the the right in the world to be picky about my cigars. Now, after smoking this smooth but rich cigar I can confidently say that Jimenes Imperial will not disappoint you.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Food Wine & Cigars and tagged Leon Jimenes Imperial GMT Master 1675 Rolex 2013.

Upcoming: IWJG Las Vegas March 18th & 19th

The International Watch and Jewelry Guild will be having their show in Las Vegas next March 18th and 19th at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino.

Being a member of the International Watch & Jewelry Guild grants you access to:

Exclusive Trade Shows: 12-14 huge shows every year for members only, held in New York City, Las Vegas, Orlando, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, & Miami Beach in first-class hotels.
AA/IWJG Discount Program Access: IWJG Members will receive a 5% discount off the lowest applicable published air fare. Your travel window is: 3 Days before meeting, 3 Days after meeting.
Worldwide Network: 5,900 dealers and collectors from 57 countries. Meet many of the world's largest dealers at our shows. See the world's largest collection of fine watches, jewelry, and other fine collectables.
Online Pricelists: The world's most complete after-market price guide for vintage, classic, and modern watches. Over 2500 listings, updated monthly.
Eight Newsletters per Year: Including show reports, news, and complete pricelist updates.
Tables, Security Cases, Lockboxes: Attend our trade shows fully equipped.* Heavy police security is provided at all shows.

For more info click here.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Events.

Face to Face: Kent Mikolite. 30 Years as a Watchmaker.

It's another cold day here in Chicago. This time we are visiting Kent Mikolite from Fine Swiss Watch Repair —the only Certified Master Watchmaker in Chicago— in the heart of the Jeweler's Row inside the historical Pittsfield Building that once happened to be the tallest building in Chicago. Built by heirs of Marshall Field and named after the town where Marshall had his first job in Massachusetts it was later gifted to the Field Museum of Natural History in honor of the museum's 50th anniversary. The museum sold the property in 1960.

Once we head inside the building, we can admire the fine brass art deco and gothic details in the lobby, the elevators and the fascinating five-story atrium. It almost feels like going back in time for an instant. We head up to the seventh floor where our friend has his workshop.

As we sit down, we notice the vintage piece on his wrist, nothing pricey but definitely a good looking watch from the 60s, a LeJour Chronograph. As we start our interview, Kent decided to switch watches. This time he puts on his beloved Rolex Datejust with gray tapestry dial ref. 16220, fitted with a jubilee bracelet.

How many watches have you worked on in your career?

A: I am now 51 years old and have been doing this for 30 years so I think probably somewhere around 70,000 or so.

What is your favorite watch or watch brand, besides your daily beater?

A: I personally love all watches but particularly vintage pieces. I am fascinated with restorations and I don't have a daily beater. Recently, I've found myself switching watches throughout the day or on a daily basis. In my opinion, all watches have their own virtues and all are beautiful. I have worked on so many different watches in my career that now I just can't have one favorite brand. My favorite brands are A. Lange & Söhne, Vacheron Constantin, Fortis, Girard Perregaux, Glashütte, Omega, Oris and Patek.

If you could have only one watch, what would that be?

A: It would be a Girard Perregaux WW.TC Perpetual Calendar ref. 90280.

What is the most rare timepiece that you have ever serviced?

A: It was a Rolex Triple Calendar with moonphase in 18k yellow gold. The ref. 8171. The gentleman that brought it in mentioned he was one of the few owners of such piece.

What was the first expensive watch that you purchased ?

A: I purchased a Rolex Datejust ref. 16220 back in February 12, 1996. After that I purchased a Zenith Chronograph that I regret selling.

What do you think of the current state of the watch service industry?

A: The internet has had a very positive impact on the watch servicing industry. Regardless of the fact that Rolex and other manufacturers had become more strict about who can have a parts account and who cannot, parts are more readily available now that we have the internet. You can easily find suppliers of parts online. There are times when selling a watch in parts is worth more than selling it complete. In reality the internet has helped watchmakers get more business. Unfortunately, our trade is declining in terms of the number of watchmakers that are really qualified.

We know you are a Rolex Certified Watchmaker. How did you received that certification?

I had to spend two weeks at Rolex USA in New York and go through several tests in order for them to test my ability as a watchmaker and to confirm that I have the competency to work across all their watches. After satisfactory completion of the two-week test program I then received the certificate. It was back in the late 80s or early 90s.

After we finished our interview, Kent shared with us some of his favorite inexpensive watches in his collection. A beautiful Vulcain Cricket alarm, two mint Bulova Accutrons Spaceview, an Accutron Asymmetrical, an Ernest Borel Cocktail watch with its moving 'moire' pattern, two Omega Seamasters from the 1950s and a Longines Ultra-Chron. Right before taking off, we asked him to do a quick check on an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15300 on his Vibrograf, just to reconfirm that it only gains one second per day with a beat error of 0.2 milliseconds.

Quite accurate, don't you think?

For more info on Ken click here.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and tagged Swiss Watch Repair Kent Mikolite Certified Master Watchmaker Chicago Rolex Certified Watchmaker.

Insider: Porsche Cayman S. The Watchlifestyler Choice.

A Royal Oak Jumbo 5402SA inside the Cayman S.

Without a doubt, the Cayman S is one of the Porsches with the best driveability and handling on the road. Fitted with a 3.6 Liter engine, 6-cylinder and 295 hp @ 6250 rpm is definitely a joy to drive. The Cayman S has quickly turned into one of our favorite Porsches. What the Cayman S lacks in power it overdelivers it in cornering.

With its mid-engine, the Cayman S grips to the tarmac like a bear claw grips to a tree bark. The interior of the Cayman S is very simple, yet a clear resemblance of the older Porsches from the 70's and 80's with very clean dashboards and straight forward easy to read instrument panels.

The engine is loud and finely tuned like on any other Porsche. Sometimes you find yourself turning the radio off just to enjoy the symphony from the exhaust and the exhilarating adrenaline rush that you get every time you step on the gas. The Cayman S is and will continue to be the Porsche with the best stability and handling.

The overall driving experience has no substitute. For more info on the Porsche Cayman S click here.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Automobiles and tagged Porsche Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Royal Oak 5402SA Cayman S Porsche Cayman.

Insider: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver ref. 15703. A Real Diver's Watch.

This time, we will be talking about the 'hottest' watch of 2012 and hard to find piece as every time authorized dealers get one is sells immediately . The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver. This watch ref. 15703ST is fitted with the same in-house caliber 3120 as the ref. 15300. Some Audemars Piguet enthusiasts refer to this movement as "one of the greatest automatic movements ever made". In our humble opinion, it is indeed one of the greatest and also very accurate. Power reserve up to 60 hours.

The case diameter is 42mm like on most Royal Oak Offshores, however, the ref. 15703 has a slightly flatter bezel that makes it appear much larger than 42mm. Actually the dial is 1mm wider than on other Royal Oak Offshores such as the ref. 25721. The thickness of the case is massive at 13.8mm, yet very comfortable. The usual matte finish and polished bevels/chamfers are just perfection! The movement is encased in a anti-magnetic casing that needs to be unscrewed after removing the case back. The case back is almost twice as thick as the case back in other Royal Oak Offshores to guarantee that the watch can withstand the pressure at 300m deep. Total weight of the watch 169grs.

This watch is fitted with a beautiful rubber strap with a thick rubber grain very different to other Offshore straps (i.e. Rubberclad ones) and comes with a tang buckle in stainless steel. The buckle is very solid with matte finish on the front but polished at the very end of the edge between the back and the front. The back of the clasp and pin are sand blasted featuring AP and ACIER INOX engravings.

The dial in this watch is a "Méga Tapisserie" (big waffle pattern) in black with white gold applied hour-markers and hands with luminescent coating and a inner rotating flange with diving scale that is also luminous. AP gave a glossy effect to this dial to make it appear as if it was wet. Just unbelievable nice and quite hard to appreciate in pictures. This dial comes with the classic double-baton hour marker at 12 o'clock like on the 5402ST or the 15202ST.

The luminova is not the most powerful, but with enough brightness and several hours of night life. If you are a crazy 'luminova lover' you will be disappointed. When it comes to brightness of the super-luminova at night we can only think of IWC, Blancpain and Omega.

The calendar wheel is black with white fonts and the date aperture is square shaped instead of round as in most Offshores. The date aperture comes with a built-in loupe that appears to be glareproofed. If you notice on some of the pics, the date window appears to have a very slight blueish tint around the corners. The numbers on the calendar use the newer AP font with serifs opposed to the old school font in the 5402 and the 15202. The pictures make the font on the calendar wheel appear quite thick and solid white, but in real life they don't look that solid to us, especially the double-digit dates.

The watch is fitted with very sturdy over-sized Rubberclad—opposed to Therban as in most Offshore screw-down crowns. These crowns are used for setting the time and rotating the inner flange diving scale. In order to rotate the inner flange diving scale, you need to unscrew the crown at the 10 o'clock position and then rotate clockwise. The crown needs to be screwed back in before immersion in the water. The flange only rotates in one direction and the clicks are perfectly aligned with the minute markers on the dial. The main crown comes with a large AP engraving while the flange rotating crown comes with a circle around the perimeter.

The watch is fitted with a anti-reflective one-side coated sapphire crystal. The coating has only been applied to the interior of the crystal and not to the outside. The crystal is quite thick and sturdy. It sits into the bezel flatter than on other Royal Oak Offshores where you can see the edge of the crystal protuding even more.

After wearing the watch for one full day, all we can say is WOW! The watch wears very comfortably, it matches all types of outfits —dressed down or suited up— and the understated look of it is unparalleled.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Audemars Piguet and tagged Offshore Diver Royal Oak Offshore Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 15703 Audemars Piguet Diver Posts 2013.

Insider: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique. Rich in History.

Blancpain was started in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain. Mr Blancpain didn't know it at the time but he had just started the world's oldest watch brand. In 1932, the Blancpain family lost control of the company and it has changed management a few more times since then but the identity of the manufacture has been preserved.

The Fifty Fathoms is interesting as it was conceived as one of the earliest dive watches.

Throughout the 50s to the 70s, 20 different variants were built and the Fifty Fathoms was adopted by the Israeli, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, and most famously, American fighting forces. When the Americans were looking for a dive watch, there was a resolute "Buy American" policy for all units - so no watch with "Blancpain" on the dial were acceptable. So, an American company named Tornek-Rayville took the Fifty Fathoms and re-branded it. About 1,000 Tornek-Rayville Fifty Fathoms were produced, and most were destroyed by the Navy at the end of the commission, so the surviving examples are very collectible today. Worn by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, among others, the Fifty Fathoms became the standard reference among diving watches.

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms ref. 5015-1130-52 is a serious dive watch. It is as pure of a diving watch as can be found in current production among the old-line Swiss houses. Aside from the date display that's tucked between the 4 and 5 o'clock markers, every detail provided by the Fifty Fathoms is essential for diving. Without any superfluous sub-dials to obscure the dial, it's easy to read the total bottom time (by way of the uni-directional bezel that's adjusted to line up with the minutes hand just before descending) and the time of day with just a quick glance. The bezel of the Fifty Fathoms is particularly nice for diving; it's easy to grasp with gloves and is wider than most so that it's especially easy to read.

The Fifty Fathoms Automatique's case is 45mm in diameter and 15.5mm thick. Bulky, yet very comfortable. Fitted with Blancpain's calibre 1315 movement, this watch is water tight to a depth of 300m/1000ft and guaranteed to be a great companion on those night dives as the luminova on the bezel and dial are as bright as it gets.

The watch comes fitted with a bracelet or a sailcloth strap for the ultimate Blancpain Fifty Fathoms look.

For more info click here.

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Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Blancpain and tagged Blancpain Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Blancpain Calibre 1315.

Experience: Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 16600 in the Turks and Caicos. In its Element.

As we head to the tropical waters of the Caribbean, our next stop will be at the Turks and Caicos Islands just east of Cuba and north of the Dominican Republic. This hidden paradise is not only quiet and picturesque, but for those seeking adventure, it offers some of the best snorkeling and diving experiences in this area of the world. Additionally, the beach at Grace Bay in the island of Providenciales has been named one of the 'Best Beaches in the World'. During our trip we stayed at the Somerset on Grace Bay, a fantastic quiet hotel with condo/suite accommodations and a great stretch of beach and excellent food.

The Sea-Dweller is just a great beach watch companion. Not far from the Somerset we walked to the Coral Gardens Reef and then to Smith's Reef. Two of the best spots for snorkeling and off shore scuba diving. The Sea-Dweller performed as expected with its rugged case, comfortable bracelet and easy to read dial.

Watch shopping in the island of Providenciales is very limited and quite disappointing. We found a very small dealer with a limited selection of Breitling and Rolex watches. Nothing out of this world. After a couple of days relaxing at the Somerset, we decided to finally walk to Smith's Reef and the Coral Gardens Reef. Not far from there you'll find the Gansevoort Hotel. Snorkeling is definitely worth it as the reef starts just at around 20-30 feet from the beach. These two snorkeling/diving spots offer a wide variety of fish and marine life guaranteeing a great time.

For more info on the Somerset click here.

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Editor & Publisher and filed under Travel and tagged Turks and Caicos Sea-Dweller Sommerset Gansevoort.

Insider: Seamaster Planet Ocean ref. 2200.51 XL. A Beast of a Diver Watch.

The Seamaster Planet Ocean is a watch with a very long tradition and history. Omega presented the Marine—the world's first watch designed for divers in 1932. The first Seamaster was launched back in 1948, further confirming Omega's position among sailors and divers as the tough and reliable watch of choice. The Planet Ocean still maintains that essence.

The Planet Ocean comes in two different case sizes, the 42mm and the 45.5mm a.k.a XL. There are also two dial variants and two bezel insert configurations of this reference. The white numerals dial is only available with a black bezel insert and the orange numerals dial is available with orange or black bezel insert.

The Planet Ocean XL is a beast of a watch, weighing approximately 215 grams —close to half a pound. The case is massive and very well constructed with polished and brushed areas. The watch is fitted with a double-coated anti-reflective domed sapphire crystal, a screw down crown and a Helium release crown at 10 o'clock for decompression chambers. This watch is top heavy but still very comfortable.

The dial is a matte finish dial with raised indices with very powerful super luminova that after being fully charged will glow for a good 8-10 hours in the dark. Reading the time at night while you are in bed is quite easy and very functional. We woke up this morning at 5:45am and it was still glowing.

The bracelet is very comfortable and fitted with a diver's extension in case you need to wear the watch over a wet suit. The depth rating on this watch is 600m/2000ft. The movement inside the Planet Ocean ref. 2200 is the Co-Axial Calibre 2500. In the case of the watch reviewed we are looking at a 2500D, which is the second generation of this caliber. The biggest tell-tale is the different font in the calendar disc, especially on the ones, fours and twos.

After almost four months wearing this watch on an every day basis, we can attest that is probably one of the most accurate watches we've ever owned with a variance of +/-0.3 seconds/day. Additionally, the massive case and solid construction has made this watch one of our favorite daily beaters.