Despite vintage Longines not being that sought after by many collectors today, most are well aware of the brands’ historic connection to aviation…
Read MoreLongines in Brief
in Longines
Thomas Tompion, 1639-1713 / Credit: Wikimedia
Thomas Tompion: The Father of English Clockmaking
Tompion was an English clock-, watch-, and scientific instrument-maker who created novel mechanisms that propelled the watch industry forward. He was born in Bedfordshire, England, where he was baptized in 1639. The son of a blacksmith, Tompion established his business near Fleet Street in 1671. This is where he traded for the rest of his life under the name…
Read MoreLORD MARVEL AND KING SEIKO HISTORY
in Seiko
Today, Seiko has many brands like Credor, Grand Seiko, and Orient, but there are two important Seiko sub-brands in the vintage watch world that were once very prominent and are now defunct: King Seiko and Lord Marvel.
Read MoreTHE GERMAN CHRONOMETER OBSERVATORY YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF
Sternwarte Glashütte, the Glashütte Observatory, and its connection to the Wempe family, the German retailers.
Read MoreA MASTER HEIST, THE MISSING BREGUET IN JERUSALEM
in Breguet
The famous Breguet no. 160, otherwise known as the ‘Marie-Antoinette’, was stolen from the L.A. Mayer Institute of Islamic Art in 1983.
Read MoreVACHERON’S CHRONOMÈTRE ROYALE
The Vacheron Constantin Chronomètre Royale was originally introduced as the ‘Chronomètre Royale Vacheron Constantin Genève and trademarked May 28th, 1907…
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John F. Kennedy’s Patek Philippe desk clock / Credit: John F. Kennedy Library
JOHN F. KENNEDY'S PATEK PHILIPPE DESK CLOCK
After a legendary speech in Berlin, mere months before his assassination, President John F. Kennedy receives a Patek Philippe desk clock from the Mayor of Berlin as a gift for…
Read MoreTHE GOLDEN AGE OF SWISS FINE WATCHES: ROLEX 6556 TRU-BEAT
in Rolex
In 1954, the Rolex Tru-Beat ref. 6556 (chronometer) and 6558 (non-chronometer certified) were introduced…
Read MoreWHAT IS THE MYSTERY OF THE PERSIAN MILSUBS?
in Rolex
MilSubs, or military-designated Rolex Submariners, are already extremely rare timepieces, often sold for well over $100,000…
Read MoreTHE UNIQUE HISTORY OF A. LANGE & SÖHNE
A. Lange & Söhne is a brand that has been overlooked when it comes to high-end luxury wacthes, but that has seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years.
Read MoreBREGUET AND THE REVOLUTION
Abraham-Louis Breguet is widely lauded, not only as a watchmaker but also as the namesake of the brand, Breguet…
Read MoreTHE IMPORTANCE OF THE PATEK PHILIPPE 1518
The Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph was somewhat of a radical concept when it was first released, something that had only been produced before in small quantities…
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Favre-Leuba Bathy 50 / Credit: ShucktheOyster
FAVRE-LEUBA AND WATCH COMPANIES IN INDIA
There is a lot that people say about vintage watches coming from India, the term ‘Mumbai Special’ comes to mind. However…
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Interior of James Pequegnat's store in Stratford, Ontario, circa 1910
HIGHLIGHTS IN CANADIAN WATCHMAKING: THE ARTHUR PEQUEGNAT CLOCK COMPANY
Even less than Russian and British watchmaking, Canadian watchmaking gets talked about extremely little…
Read MoreTHE HIGH SEAS TALE OF MARINE CHRONOMETERS
Navigation was tough in the 18th century, with mistakes easily leading to fatal accidents. So, when John Harrison came out with his first marine chronometers, it was revolutionary…
Read MoreCOVENTRY, THE ANCIENT WATCHMAKING HUB
Cities are often known for something in particular, recognized as a culinary capital, a financial center, or perhaps a student city. Coventry, the British city…
Read MoreA BRIEF HISTORY OF WATCHES AND AUCTIONS
Watch auctions, and auctions in general, can often become a contentious subject. Incentives and conflicts of interest. Originality and quality…
Read MoreA MID-CENTURY WATCH LAWSUIT
Recalling the past dispute between LVMH and Tiffany & Co., we wanted to take a look at a previous case between Bréguet-Bréting and Taubert Fréres S.A…
Read MoreTHE THREE LEVELS OF LUXURY WATCH BRANDS
Today we explore three different categories of luxury watches, from independent watchmakers to the large conglomerates that control the industry.
Read MoreTOP 5 VINTAGE BENRUS WATCHES
in Benrus
Benrus has had a very diverse past, making both rugged military watches and stylish dress watches. These are some of our favourites from the American watch brand.
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