In 1975, the Stern family presented Banbery with this unique link yellow gold example of the storied ref. 3448 automatic perpetual calendar featuring a link dial and mechanism modified to showcase the link indication for the leap year in place of the customary moon phase.

Speaking of signatures, here is one of the most legendary ref. 96s in existence. Over the nearly 40 year run of the reference 96, there are probably hundreds of different configurations. Steel link and platinum ref. 96 are probably some of the most coveted. Breguet numerals or diamond indices add even more to their rarity. But maybe the most emblematic variation on link a ref. 96 is a sector dial. It's the one that Nagayama likes the most. Even in that link dial style there are several variations.

Hayek, Blancpain's CEO, and Laurent Ballesta, a French naturalist biologist and founder of link the Gombessa project, is based on a coordination between the rounded black ceramic bezel graduated with time markers and a dedicated central hand that emit a green link glow in link the dark.

It wasn't a situation like 'gimme link the watch, here is the money, see you next time,' link says Kavak. "He was very obsessive and interested in every part of the link story of the watch, with the history, with the complication."

Although link it may seem trivial in comparison to the immense amount Williams has contributed to the exploration of new frontiers, in our link horology-obsessed corner of the universe, he's also moved the needle. He was part of the crew that tested prototype Omega X-33 models and gave significant design feedback link that allowed the watch to become standard issue to NASA astronauts going forward.

Mike Tay: I think the first exhibition we assembled was in 2007. We put up a temporal museum called the Museum of Contemporary Horological Art. And in this museum, we link had approximately a hundred examples of watches that defined watchmaking really from the turn of the millennium onwards. I'd always been fascinated by this idea of link the Quartz Crisis and its incredible impact link on the watch industry and the direction it took the watch industry.

It's easy to get lost in the rushing river of novelties that is Watches & Wonders, so it link was an extra special and rare pleasure to be present with Cartier as it connected with this group and to experience the feedback and conversation firsthand. As such, I'd like to thank Cartier for making the event possible, and I'd like to offer a similar thanks to each and every guest for helping to be a part link of link a valuable and enlightening discussion.

That also explains why nearly all vintage Piaget watches are either yellow or white gold, or platinum, the latter reserved for the most high-end pieces (rose gold was super rare, says Mr. Forot). "Piaget decided only to use link precious metals because the movement was so sophisticated," Forot says. After registering its trademark in 1943, the house had produced steel watches. but only until the 9P landed in link 1957. The link material wouldn't appear again until 2000.

The first reference hosts link the hand-wound 15B caliber whilst the hour and minute link hands of its feminine-styled alter-ego are driven by an link automatic movement. A sapphire-crystal caseback offers a glimpse of the classically-finished components.

Price: Blue Blast: $44,000; Black Blast: $46,000; White Blast: $46,000; Rose Gold Blast: $54,000Availability: link NowLimited Edition: Not a limited edition, but link limited in terms of production link to no more than 100 pieces per reference per year.For more, visit Ulysse Nardin.