1. The Watch & The War
Watches played an important role in the first and second world wars. They were used to coordinate attacks, time explosives, determine enemy location and distance, and more. This video tells the interesting story of Lt. Benedict Brucia, an American naval intelligence officer in World War II, and his 1938 Panerai Radiomir. But more than that, it also tells the story of how people form special relationships with watches, and how a watch can do more than just tell the time.
Source: BlackAuk at Vimeo
2. Special Weekend with Francesco Ferretti and Mustafa Sandal
As the story goes, Officine Panerai was sold to the Vendome Group (now known as Richemont) in 1996. Before that, the brand produced watches mainly for the Italian Navy during the war. Apparently, while the brand was sold to the Vendome Group, they did not take all of the inventory that was in the brand’s storage. So what happened then? Up stepped Francesco Ferretti, a watch collector who promptly bought up all the remaining inventory. And so this article takes us on a special trip to Ferretti’s boutique in Montecatini Terme, Italy, to take a look at the rare vintage Panerai watches that Ferretti acquired as a result of that sale.
Source: Horobox
3. Kari Voutilainen reviews the world’s finest hand-wound chrono movements
Kari Voutilainen, in case you don’t already know, is widely regarded as one of the world’s top watchmakers today. Brands like MB&F turn to Voutilainen when they need his help designing and finishing movements. So when Kari decides to offer his opinions on some of the world’s finest hand-wound chronograph movements, it’s definitely worth sitting up and paying attention.
Source: Salon QP
4. Face-off: Rolex vs. Grand Seiko
If you really know watches, then this comparison, between Rolex and Grand Seiko, shouldn’t seem so far-fetched. However, if you have yet to appreciate Grand Seiko, then this is fine educational reading material. The author is an amateur watchmaker, and in this article, he talks about two watches – a Rolex Datejust 1603 and a Grand Seiko 62GS. What’s most intriguing, I think, is his breakdown of the watches’ movements. Well worth a read if you are fascinated by movements.
Source: Adventures in Amateur Watch Fettling
5. Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012-67 Buyer’s Guide
Vintage Speedmasters are gaining popularity amongst collectors, and it is no secret that most collectors are gravitating towards models with the older caliber 321 movement. Although the current caliber 1861 is a fine movement, collectors prefer the caliber 321 mostly because it has a column wheel mechanism. The Reference 145.012-67 is the last Speedmaster to be fitted with the caliber 321 and is probably the easiest to acquire, if nothing else because it has the highest production number – estimated to be around 28,000. Now, if you are thinking of getting one, be sure to check out this guide.
Source: Fratellowatches