Category: Brands

Collector Guide Vacheron Constantin Dealer Deck From 1960s

Half curiosity, half collector’s resource, I bought these “dealer cards” on eBay in 2021. I thought they’d be both lovely and useful for others once digitized. These cards present the watches roughly life size, the cards uncannily similar in size and shape to an iPhone. Vacheron Constantin sent these to dealers so that they could… Read more »

Podcast Conversations E17 – Bulova’s 20th Century Mechanical Prowess (w Michael Benavente of Bulova and Colin de Tonnac of Semper & Adhuc)

Allen speaks with Michael Benavente of Bulova and Colin de Tonnac of Semper & Adhuc about the history of Bulova as a mechanical watchmaker. There’s a lot to learn here. For example, did you know that Bulova once employed more Swiss mechanical watchmakers than any other brand, including the Swiss ones? Michael provides historical perspective… Read more »

Hands-On Yema Navygraph Marine Nationale Automatic

The Skinny Marine Nationale Watches The Marine Nationale (MN) is the French Navy, which includes a diverse and international array of legendary SCUBA squads. Watches made for the MN divers are highly collectible, and a few of those watches have been reissued over the past decade. Tudor seems to steal the spotlight for vintage Marine… Read more »

Hands-On Haven Watch Co. Chilluminati 37.5mm Hand-Wound Chronograph

The Skinny 37.5mm x 13mm 50m water resistance Sellita SW510 M BH a hand-wound chronograph movement $1999 Midwestern Avant Gardism There aren’t many new independent watch brands that truly take advantage of their freedom to design creatively. Among those I include Brew Watches in New York, Ianos in Greece, Sō Labs in Chicago, and now… Read more »

Hands-On Oris ProPilot X Calibre 400

The Skinny 39mm Titanium case and bracelet 100m water resistance Oris in-house calbire 400 3900 CHF (~$4,170) A New Category for Oris With the ProPilot X Calibre 400, Oris has entered the crowded and competitive arena of the Swiss luxury sports watch. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas, and the Patek Philippe… Read more »

Collector Guide Why Are Vintage Vacheron Constantin Dress Watches Undervalued?

Vacheron Constantin Reference 4217

Why Are Vintage Vacheron Constantin Dress Watches Undervalued? Because Vacheron Constantin never had a smash hit dress watch. But why didn’t Vacheron Constantin have a hit, and why do so many collectors focus on hit watches? Fewer Hits Than The Grateful Dead Consider early wrist watch icons like the Cartier Tank or the Patek Philippe Calatrava,… Read more »

Hands-On Yema Kavinsky… C’est Très Choutte

The Skinny Dimensions: 35.5 x 42 x 10mm Material: 316L Stainless Steel (Black PVD an option) Water Resistance: 5 ATM / 50 m Strap: 316L Stainless Steel Bracelet Price: €195 The Magic of Glowing Red Digits I don’t wear digital watches. I don’t even own a digital watch. I think I did have a silver… Read more »

Hands-On Seiko Speedtimer SSC819P1 – A Disappointing Chronograph

The Skinny Reference: SSC819P1 Dimensions: 39 x 45.5 x 13.3mm Material: Stainless Steel Water Resistance: 100m Movement: V192 Strap: Steel Bracelet  Price: $675 USD Seiko, like many other watch brands recently, has been busy releasing fresh takes on their classic, historical designs. I was excited to hear in 2021 that the Speedtimer branding was returning… Read more »