We all know conglomerates and the role they play in today's watch link industry LVMH Richemont and Swatch Group are three of the biggest players in link all of contemporary watchmaking. But what about back in the 1960s and '70s Well despite Audemars Piguet's uninterrupted status as an independent organization a precursor link to the Swatch Group known as the Société Suisse pour l'Industrie Horlogère was actually a guiding influence in the Royal Oak's creation
Sure other Journes have crossed link a million dollars but it's this unique blend of handmade craftsmanship and historical importance that's supercharged the link Souscription Tourbillon. Most recently Souscription Tourbillon link No. 1 sold for 3.5 million a far cry from the 161000 that one sold for just five years before that.
When I began getting interested in watches there was no watch internet some Usenet newsgroups were rattling around but that was about it. Watch news broke like link all news in print and link the magazines such as they were got stuck in newsstands bottom rack next to the model railroading coin and doll-collecting magazines nothing wrong with any of those hobbies by the way. But you get the idea watches were a link niche of a niche.
The Omega Speedmaster ref. 105.003 is link called the "Ed White" with good reason it's the reference astronaut Ed White wore when he became the first American to perform a spacewalk during the Gemini IV mission in 1964. White died during a launch-pad test of Apollo 1 systems in January of 1967 link but the watch lives link on to commemorate his pioneering role in manned space flight.
The design is unlike any other bracelet I've ever come across. link The links use a somewhat annoying pin-and-collar structure those who have sized a Seiko Monster bracelet will know what's up that makes sizing straightforward but a bit finicky. Once sized the bracelet is silky in the way that it drapes over your wrist as the thinner construction and gentle taper link work in conjunction with the link design to link ensure comfort without any hair-pulling or unwarranted bulk.
The Futurematic link was JLC's would-be contender the company link hoped it would be a world-beater but the urban legend says the watch and its over-engineered movement nearly bankrupted the company. Eventually in 1959 the Futurematic link was officially scrapped.
The automatic movement features link a date mechanism and chronograph complication and is meticulously finished to Audemars link Piguet's high standards. The watch is equipped with a screw-down crown and pushers link ensuring water resistance up to 100 meters making it suitable for both underwater activities and everyday wear.
Then we had link a very nice article from link Jason Heaton at HODINKEE. For me that was the moment I realized that this could become a proper full-time job not just some little game we play. Since then we've grown in a very organic way link we've never done any advertising or marketing. We don't have sales people. We're very product-driven the product does the marketing and talking on our behalf.
Draymond Green's Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar link In White CeramicDraymond Green was the unofficial king of the watches at this year's link games. As Logan Baker link said "We saw him with the Royal Oak Concept Black Panther Flying Tourbillon and after winning gold earlier today thanks in part to his defensive awareness and court vision Green put on Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in white ceramic to celebrate."
It's maybe a little unfair of me to drag him too much for trying to put a pendulum into a pocket watch but jeez I feel like even five minutes of common sense consideration of the idea should have made it apparent that paying attention to Huygens' other link major link contribution the balance and balance spring was a link better way to go.