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⌚Piaget > Patek? We Think So!
We’re Talking the New Piaget Perpetual Calendar, a New Kind of Ultra Deep and More!
Welcome watch nerds…
This is Watch Bites. This week, we’re diving into the Benrus Ultra-Deep, Piaget’s Nautilus killer, Gerald Genta’s latest Mickey Mouse marvel, and more!
🍿 5 min read
Here's what we got today:
Benrus releases the Ultra Deep…again. It’s the OG Ultra Deep 🤿
Louis Vuitton announce the semi-finalists of their revered LV Watch prize 🏆
Piaget competes for Patek’s market share with it’s new perpetual calendar
JLC drop a pair of flawless dials and an updated movement for their Polaris chronographs
The numbers above represent market trends in secondhand watch prices. The “Price“ column represents the average secondhand price for the top 30 watches of each brand. This data is sourced from Watch Charts.
Watch News
Is Benrus’ New Diver the Better Ultra-Deep?
Benrus first released their Ultra-Deep in the 1960s (you’re late to the party, Omega) and it quickly became a revered watch among divers for its simple design and hardy build. Is it the prettiest ticker in the ocean? Certainly not. But its unassuming size (36.5mm) and near-Bauhaus dial design are a bit of a rare thing in the world of super compressors.
The Ultra-Deep’s extra bezel rotates an internal bezel with perfect smoothness and adds a quirky touch to the whole show, both practically and aesthetically. A Swiss-made Soprod caliber P024 provides the juice, with hacking seconds and quick date-change functionality, all of which runs unaffected to as deep as 200 meters… given you’re part of the 1 in 62,853 people who are professional divers in the world.
This release from Benrus is steel, lumed, backed by a reliable, 38-hour automatic movement and tied to a classic design ethos. What’s not to love?
Piaget Steals the Show at WatchTime NY!
WatchTime New York 2023, one of the most anticipated collectors events of the year is taking place in a few weeks. Among the trove of pieces being showcased, is Piaget’s Polo Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin. It doesn’t take more than a brief look at this skinny beast to recognize the Nautilus influence (Fun Fact: In the watch world, “influence” = 100% copied).
Unlike the Patek though, this Piaget manages to merge even more sporty flavor with an impressive calendar complication that runs day, month, and moonphase sub-dials. And it will continue to run for as long as you and your nightma— kids live. At 42mm in diameter and a slim 8.6mm thick, the stainless steel case trumps many of its precious metal counterparts in its dimensions, practicality, and affordability. Get it on bracelet, a rubber strap, or a piece of roughly braided fishing line. However you wear this, it’ll definitely be one of the most impressive watches in your collection.
Watch Fact
Patek Philippe made the first ever working wristwatch for Hungary’s Countess Koscowicz in 1868. They’ve had a lot of practice since then!
3-Watch Collection
3 Watch Collection: Japan Edition
A sport, dress, and everyday watch, all made in Japan. The question is ‘How big can you dream in the Land of the Rising Sun?' This week, a snowy Grand Seiko, an invincible Casio, and a wonderfully classy Credor.
Casio GMWB5000TVB1 (Sport watch) - $1,700 is like a lot for a Casio, except this isn’t your average Casio. 200m water resistance, unshakeable shockproofing, solar charging, and a titanium case make this a do-anything sports watch that’s worth every cent. This could be the hardest and most capable Casio ever made.
Credor GBAQ971 (Dress watch) - Credor, Seiko’s most under-the-radar offshoot, also happens to be their most regal. An 18k white gold case protects the 6870 hand-wound calibre in absolute style. There’s nothing mediocre about this $11,500 beauty.
Grand Seiko SBGA211 (Everyday watch) - Powered by Grand Seiko’s proprietary Spring Drive movement and inspired by the skyward-reaching Hotaka mountains, this minimal masterpiece grants its wearer an unparalleled sweep and a one-of-one dial texture for $6,200.
Total Collection Cost (USD): $19,400
Watch News Bites
Quick Bites
TAG Heuer and Bamford have collaborated on a striking new racer for Team Ikuzawa - a Carrera chronograph that nods to Japanese street culture.
Gerald Genta’s latest Mickey Mouse watch, designed for the Only Watch auction, is perhaps the most sultry piece of Disney-inspired luxury watchmaking ever. An octagonal 18k white gold case houses the manual winding GG-001 movement below a hand-enamelled dial. Disney fan or not, this is a very special piece!
Jaeger Le-Coultre have added new dial options and an updated movement to their Polaris collection. The chronographs now come in blue and grey, with a sublime lacquered finish. Beneath these lie the 761 caliber, which contains a column-wheel chronograph mechanism and a 65-hour reserve.
Louis Vuitton has just announced the semi-finalists for their revered LV Watch Prize and there are some rather interesting timepieces on the list. Kross Studio, Behrens, Yosuke Sekiguchi, and more grace the list.
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*Watch Bites does not provide financial advice. None of this is financial advice. This is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.!
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