1. HANDS-ON WITH GRAND SEIKO & SEIKO AT BASELWORLD 2018
This is an important year for Grand Seiko as it is the 20th anniversary of its Caliber 9S movement. The Caliber 9S is widely used by Grand Seiko and can be found in many of its mechanical watches. To celebrate this milestone, Grand Seiko has put out not one, but a couple of new limited edition pieces. There are three that were designed by Nobuhiro Kosugi, the watch designer of the very first Caliber 9S Grand Seiko. There’s also another Hi-Beat GMT with a unique blue ceramic case and bracelet and finally, a new Grand Seiko featuring the very first Caliber 9S movement designed for ladies’ watches.
Source: TimeZone
2. AN AUDIENCE WITH: ONE OF MR. ANGELO BONATI’S LAST INTERVIEWS AS PANERAI CEO
Panerai is a divisive brand, we all know, but no matter what your thoughts are on the brand, there can be no denying that it has been a resounding commercial success. Acquired by Richemont in 1997, Panerai has, in a short span of just 21 years, become a full-fledged manufacture with one of the most passionate fan bases in all of watchmaking. Much of its success can be attributed to Angelo Bonati, who has been Panerai’s only CEO ever since Richemont’s acquisition. By the time you read this, Bonati would have officially retired, but here is one of the last interviews he gave as CEO of the brand.
Source: Revolution
3. INTRODUCING DAVID LOWINGER AND THE WATCH HE TAUGHT HIMSELF TO MAKE
An increasing number of watch lovers are taking to watchmaking themselves. The latest in a growing number of independent watchmakers is David Lowinger, who, believe it or not, is a real estate analyst by trade. David began making watches on his own four years ago and today makes about four watches a year. He does so by hand, without the use of a CNC machine, instead relying only on manual milling machines and lathes. More impressively, he makes about 45 components of the watch on his own and from scratch, including the crown, dial, hands, buckle, case, and the majority of the movement. Take a look at the Lowinger watch and how it is made by hitting the link below.
Source: Watches by SJX
4. FINISHING HAS BECOME AN OBSESSION FOR SOME, BUT I ASK, IS IT THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES?
In the realm of truly high-end horology, the amount of hand finishing, aside from complications, of course, is what contributes to a watch’s high price. And today, we have no shortage of master watchmakers who are capable of decorating and finishing a watch’s movement until it looks like a million bucks. Just look at pieces from the likes of Philippe Dufour and Kari Voutilainen. The sky is the limit and watch lovers are only restricted by the size of their bank accounts. Nevertheless, there are some important considerations to keep in mind when thinking about that next big purchase. This thread discusses some of those and it is well worth a read if you are thinking of splashing the cash on a big and important watch purchase.
Source: WatchProSite
5. BUYING GUIDE: 10 OF THE BEST DIVE WATCHES INTRODUCED AT BASELWORLD 2018
What is it about dive watches that cause watch lovers to go weak at the knees? Maybe it is because we know that they are engineered to exacting standards. No matter what the reasons are, Baselworld 2018 saw no shortage of new dive watches and here are 10 of the best that were introduced this year.
Source: Monochrome Watches