⌚This Watch Saved The Moon!

Watch News

The Snoopy MoonSwatch AKA ‘The Watch That Saved Swatch’

A few weeks ago, we wrote a story predicting that perhaps Swatch’s rumored Snoopy Speedmaster collaboration with Omega may be the model that brings the MoonSwatch brand back from the brink of disaster.

Now that it’s out, Mission To The Moonphase is clearly arguably the best-looking and most coherent timepiece in the MoonSwatch collection. If you’re the only person on this side of Alpha Centauri to have not seen the watch yet, let me break it down for you - it’s (off) white, has a moon phase function, and has a hidden, UV-illuminated message on the dial. To add to the ticker’s inherent quirkiness, Snoopy is taking a snooze in the moon phase window and a dappled moon illustration (Snoopy paw-print included) sits on the rear battery cap. It’s playful and young while still managing to do something none of the other models can - it feels like a timeless piece.

How ironic that it took the addition of a whimsy cartoon dog to add some gravitas to the MoonSwatch range. I also can’t help but notice that this all-white collaboration came out around the same time as Omega announced their first white-dial Speedmaster. I think they’re telling you to buy one of each and you should probably listen.

Sure, at $310 it’s a tad more expensive than most of the other models, but honestly… just spend the extra 40 dollars.

Read more

Jazz Legend Tony Bennett’s Watches Are Up For Auction!

If you’re too young to know about Jazz crooner Tony Bennett, he’s widely known for his legendary old-school cool.

Simply put, Tony’s the man. Although he died last year, his reputation as a gentleman of absolute class lives on through a vast personal collection of art, records, memorabilia, and most importantly, watches. Julien’s auction house is hosting an auction of some of these rare gems in April which includes some extraordinary timepieces. From Cartier to LeCoultre, Bennett’s collection consists of some very special gifts, such as a Cle De Cartier from Lady Gaga and a Pasha De Cartier from Frank Sinatra. If that’s not mind-blowing enough, he also owned an 18k Rolex Date Date that’s smothered in diamonds (but like, in a stylish way) and a 1995 TAG Heuer ‘Montreux Jazz Festival’ that I’m fairly sure you can’t find in a store, brick or digital.

You might not be a vintage watch fan but if you’re feeling inquisitive - if your sense of adventure is tingling - then this would be an amazing place to begin. If you know right now that you’re going to get a divorce as a result of buying more than one of these lots, I salute you.

Read more

Watch Fact

In the United States, over the past 60 years alone, the number of qualified watchmakers registered for business has plummeted from 60,000 to just 5,000! Are robots going to be repairing all of our timepieces soon?

3-Watch Collection

3 Watch Collection: Diamond Edition

Hey, big spender. Ever thought about throwing down some serious cash on the perfect trio of twinkling tickers? Well, here’s a list of diamond-encrusted timepieces that should help get the dough rolling.

Rolex Yachtmaster 37 (Sport watch) -  An endless amount of Rolexes have undergone the diamond treatment, from elegant bezel work, to rapper’s-delight bust-downs. This Yachtmaster, however, represents an undeniably stylish and understated iteration of the fabled diamond Rolex. With a pave set dial and an otherwise standard Everose gold case, there’s a very cool interplay between luxury and casual going on here. You’d pay about $50,000 for one of these, which feels steep but someone’s clearly buying them.

Cartier Tortue (Dress watch) - In case you missed the memo, Cartier is back and better than ever. This should come as no surprise, given the rise in popularity of unconventional case shapes and smaller watches over recent years. The Tortue is still an unsung hero of Cartier’s lineup and this bejewelled example is about as flashy as they come. It’s even got a diamond on the crown, a space usually reserved exclusively for Cartier’s favored blue stone. $40,500 and it could be yours…

Patek Philippe Grand Complications 6104R Celestial (Everyday watch) - Have you ever looked up at the night sky and thought ‘I need to have this on my wrist’? Well, look no further - for the meagre sum of $800,000 (if you’re lucky), Patek Philippe will answer your call. With a total of 60 baguette-cut diamonds on the case and clasp, this gorgeous sky-charting, moon-phasing masterpiece sparkles like the stars that inspire its dial. The inside isn’t shabby either - Patek’s self-winding Caliber 240 LU CL C is a one-of-a-kind movement, for sure.

Total Collection Cost (USD): $890,500

Watch News Bites

Quick Bites

• It feels like Tudor just goes from strength to strength - the recent release of the Black Bay Chrono ‘Pink’ will have fans of novel hues over classic silhouettes losing their minds. Is it risqué? Definitely. Does it work? You bet your ass it does.

• With a moon phase complication worth a thousand words, as well as a circling, handless dial, Trilobe’s Les Matinaux L’Heure Exquise has met the market with a warranted degree of fanfare. It’s understated, classy, and fantastically unique.

• Czapek has finally figured out how to make their Antarctique Mount Erebus the watch it’s always wanted to be - cast out of gold. The Mount Erebus feels justified in its self-importance in rose and yellow gold options. This is a seriously serious watch…disguised as a casually serious watch.

• There’s something about the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve that sets it apart from any other Longines. It’s not a single, quantifiable characteristic but more a collection of nuances and an overall feel that make this neo-traditional watch so damn attractive. It might just be Longines’ watch of the year. Already.

Vintage Watches

Vintage Corner: Patek Philippe Gondola ref. 3571-1

A verified darling of the 1970s (officially the coolest decade ever), Patek Philippe’s Gondolo 3571-1 is a vintage watch that’ll make you want to dress up to go to the drive-through. Its square, 18k white gold case and hand-hammered, numberless dial perfectly capture the feel of the ‘70s. An integrated bracelet literally rounds this package off perfectly and Patek’s manual winding Cal. 175 guarantees a timely arrival to whatever room full of suckers you’re about to stunt on. Expect to spend about $10,000 for a well-kept model - you’d be a lucky dog to find one in good nick.

Pre-Owned Watch Deals

Watch Scout by Watch Bites

Watch Meme