TimeCapsules: Parmigiani Releases New Bugatti Vitesse Watch

Parmigiani Fleurier unveils its newest Bugatti Vitesse titanium watch. The Bugatti Vitesse recaptures the outstanding concept of the Bugatti Super Sport, with the dial setting wheel at a 90° angle to the movement spindle, but in this new execution the watch identifies more closely with the car in terms of materials, colors and design. The …

Panerai Sails into Port with the Classic Yachts Challenge

The North American circuit of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge concluded this weekend  in Newport, RI. While I was not in Newport with the brand,, I did have the privilege of joining Panerai at the Classic Yachts Challenge kick off  race of the North American circuit in Marblehead, MA, just a few weeks ago. It …

Time Capsules: Commentary – Labor Day – Made-in-America Watches

Baltimore-born Roland Murphy started RGM in Mount Joy, PA, where he builds American-made watches including chronographs and tourbillons that range in price from $6,500 for the new Aircraft 801, to tens of thousands for the American-made Tourbillon. Shown here is the Professional Limited Edition Diver.By the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, Labor …

Weekend Sojourn: American Muscle and Classic Cars

Perfect thing to do on a Labor Day weekend — walk a fantastic car show filled with  good old American made classics and muscle cars!! In all — 1800 cars — but just not enough time!  From the great Chevy Nova SS to Chevelles, vets, BelAirs, Impalas and more — Chevy always gets my top rankings. …

Off the Cuff: Vacheron Constantin Malte Tourbillon Regulator

This exquisite Vacheron Constantin complicated watch – the Malte Tourbillon Regulator  houses a hand-wound mechanical movement (caliber 1790R) that offers a tourbillon escapement (an escapement that compensates for errors in timekeeping due to the effects of gravity), and the indication of the hours and minutes on a regulator style (off-center) dial. This is an exquisitely …

Time Capsules: Commentary – Million-Dollar Watches Sold

Signed Breguet et Fils, No. 2667, sold in August 1814 to Mr Garcias of London for 5,000 francs, this rare 18-karat gold precision watch contains two movements within the area of a single plate, both with going barrels, fully jewelled, straight line calibrated lever escapements with divided lift and straight pallets. Estimated to sell for …

Off the Cuff: Cartier Tourbillon Kingfisher Takes Flight

This is one stupendous timepiece. There are no other words to describe it. Meticulously crafted, painstakingly built, and artfully finished, this Cartier Tourbillon watch is a masterpiece inside and out.  On the inside, the watch houses the Geneva-seal certified 9458 MC Caliber with flying tourbillon created in house by Cartier in its Manufacture in La …

Off the Cuff: Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Watches

The perpetual calendar timepieces, as well as annual calendars, are a specialty of watchmaking legend Patek Philippe. This stunning masterpiece, Ref, 5496P,  is a mechanical self-winding watch housing the caliber 324S QR  with retrograde perpetual calendar. It is meticulously built in alluring platinum to offer retrograde date hand in an elegant arch around the dial. …

Weekend Sojourne: Sheep an Art Lover Can't Resist

  These wind- and rain-swept sheep were caught in the mind of artist Deborah O’Rourke when she traveled through Ireland one of her many trips there. This Pennsylvania-based artist captures them magnificently in this pastel painting. It is one I would love to own, but I am fortunate enough to already own several pieces of her work.  …

Time Capsules: Commentary – IWC Pilot’s Watch in The Bourne Legacy

Just recently, Universal Pictures released the next film in the “Bourne” series of espionage thrillers, “The Bourne Legacy,” starring Jeremy Renner as the leading man, Aaron Cross. Now, if you are just a normal film lover- you went (or plan to go) to the movie and enjoy it. I, too, have such a desire, however …