21.5.26

New releases – David Candaux DC6 Night Forest

 
 
Produced in a limited edition of eight pieces, the lightest watch in the independent watchmaker’s collection (45 grams on the wrist) features a 45 mm case in UD carbon and natural titanium with a smoky topaz green dial, and the retractable “Magic Crown” at 6 o’clock. UD stands for unidirectional, which means that the sheets of continuous fiber run through the entire thickness of the material. The in-house Caliber H74 features a flying tourbillon inclined at 30°, completing a revolution in 60 seconds, and a 55-hour power reserve. Price: CHF 248,000.

16.5.26

Vintage Rolex Library - Part 2: What is necessary to know (1982)

ENGLISH (il testo italiano è in fondo alla pagina)
This is instalment 2 of the mini-series dealing with publications I could not include in the Documents sections of Rolex 1961-2025 for lack of space. Instalment 1 was posted last month.
 


Dating back to 1982, this brochure in Italian is of particular interest because it is meant for the sales staff of Rolex agents rather than the public. As the title suggests, its 32 pages highlight “What is necessary to know” about a number of Rolex-related topics
 

The booklet opens with an introduction by Director General André Heiniger: “This brochure, dedicated to you, will give you an even better understanding of Rolex watches, and in particular the technical qualities that have made them so prestigious”
 

Several pages are devoted to the unique features of the Oyster case, its record-breaking performances, and the state-of-the-art technology that enables to achieve and test its waterproofness
 


The section about the Perpetual movement and accuracy explains the meaning of the Chronometer certification, underscored by the Red Seal that comes with each Rolex Superlative Chronometer
 

A few “tool” models are covered in detail, as their functions need some clarifications. The pages about the GMT-Master feature two examples of how to use it
 

The next pages point out that “Rolex watches also have their shop windows” and urge sales managers to ask for branded display stands

 

ITALIANO

Questa è la seconda parte della mini-serie dedicata alle pubblicazioni che non ho potuto inserire nelle sezioni Documenti di Rolex1961-2025 per mancanza di spazio. La prima puntata è stata pubblicata il mese scorso.
Questa brochure del 1982 questa brochure in Italiano ha un interesse particolare perché si dirige al personale di vendita degli agenti Rolex e non al pubblico. Come indica il titolo, le sue 32 pagine mettono in evidenza “Quello che è necessario sapere” su numerosi argomenti legati alla Casa
Il libretto si apre con un messaggio del Direttore Generale André Heiniger: “Questa brochure, che Le è dedicate, Le permetterà di conoscere ancora meglio gli orologi Rolex, e in particolare le qualità tecniche che li hanno resi prestigiosi”
Diverse pagine trattano le caratteristiche uniche della cassa Oyster, le sue imprese da record e la tecnologia all’avanguardia che permette di raggiungerne e testarne l’impermeabilità
La sezione sulla precisione e il movimento Perpetual spiega il significato della certificazione cronometrica, evidenziata dal Sigillo Rosso che accompagna ciascuno dei “Cronometri Superlativi” Rolex
Alcuni modelli professionali sono descritti in dettaglio poiché le loro funzioni richiedono dei chiarimenti. Le pagine sul GMT-Master contengono due esempi del suo uso.
Le pagine seguenti fanno notare che “Gli orologi Rolex hanno anche le loro vetrine” e incoraggiano i responsabili dei punti vendita a richiedere gli espositori ufficiali

11.5.26

New releases – Carl Suchy & Söhne Waltz N°1 Hoffmann


The dial is based on a geometric grid of concentric lines.The rotating Waltzing Disc at six o’clock completes the linear composition once every minute. The 41.5 mm stainless steel case houses the automatic Caliber CSS-A1, measuring 30 millimetres in diameter and 2.6 millimetres in height, realised in collaboration with Vaucher Fleurier Manufacture exclusively for the Viennese brand. Its skeletonised bridges are visible through the sapphire glass. Price: CHF 19,450 excl. VAT.

6.5.26

Watches at auction

Here are a few highlights of the upcoming auction held by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo on 9-10 May in Geneva.
 

The Audemars Piguet Ref. 5503 triple-calendar chronograph with moon-phase was produced between 1941 and 1943 in only five examples. The present watch features a two-tone case combining stainless steel with 14k pink gold for the bezel, crown, and pushers. Estimate:
CHF 400,000 800,000
 

Made in 1953, this Patek Philippe Ref. 2523 two-crown world time wristwatch is one of only two examples known to exist in 18k yellow gold with a polychrome cloisonné enamel dial depicting a map of South America. It has been nearly four decades since one has been seen at public auction. Estimate: CHF 5,000,000 – 10,000,000
 

This 18k yellow gold Rolex Ref. 6085
features a cloisonné enamel dial depicting a dragon – one of only five known examples of the motif across all Rolex references. The dial was created by the enameller Nelly Richard, working with the famed Geneva dialmaker Stern Frères. Estimate: CHF 500,000 1,000,000
 

Introduced at the Basel fair in 1950, the Rolex Ref. 6062 was the brand’s first automatic wristwatch to combine a triple calendar with moon-phase within a waterproof Oyster case. The present example is in stainless steel. Estimate: CHF 500,000 1,000,000
 

Nicknamed “Cioccolatone” by collectors, the Vacheron Constantin oversized square wristwatch hit the market in the early 1950s. This 18k pink gold
Ref. 4764 represents the model in its most prestigious configuration, featuring a triple calendar with moon-phase. Estimate: CHF 250,000 500,000
 

1.5.26

New releases – Maghnam Mohareb

 
The new generation Mohareb collection is available in two colorways – Argent Crimson and Deep Blue – and three aesthetic configurations: the Blades, Halo and Wings versions offer distinct visual identities around a shared central case in L904 stainless steel thanks to interchangeable modules that instantly transform the watch’s silhouette. The bi-retrograde display is driven by the MCR01-B module, based on the Swiss SW210 hand-wound movement and enhanced with a proprietary retrograde module developed by the brand’s founder Sohaib Maghnam. Price: CHF 7,200 VAT excl. 

26.4.26

Vintage ads - Gay Frères (1982)

ENGLISH (il testo italiano è sotto l'immagine)
‘The first stainless steel watchband in the world’. I suspect most readers will be able to recognize one of the bracelets shown in this ad by the renowned Geneva maker that Rolex would take over in 1998 …
Do you like vintage watch ads? Visit the page about Watch Ads, the one and only two-volume pictorial history of communication and design in 20th Century watchmaking. Do you wish to know more? Watch the video clip about the publication and download the preview of Volume 1. 
The vintage ads presented in this website are not featured in the Watch Ads books.
 
 
ITALIANO
"Il primo bracciale in acciaio per orologi da polso al mondo". Ho il sospetto che la maggior parte dei lettori saprà riconoscere uno dei bracciali ritratti in questo annuncio del celebre fabbricante ginevrino che Rolex assorbirà nel 1998 …  
Ti piacciono le pubblicità d'epoca? Visita la pagina su Watch Ads, l'unica storia illustrata in due volumi della comunicazione e del design nell'orologeria del Novecento. Vuoi saperne di più? Guarda il video sull'opera e scarica l'anteprima del Volume 1.
Gli annunci vintage presentati in questo sito non appaiono nei due volumi Watch Ads.
 
 

21.4.26

New releases - Dominique Renaud Pulse60

 
The name of the first model launched by the brand from Tolochenaz evokes 60 beats or oscillations per minute and an innovative approach to low frequency, aimed at reducing the shocks in the escapement. The large 20 mm balance wheel with high inertia, revealed through the opening on the dial side, features an amplitude greater than 360° and improves static rate stability. Prices : CHF 49,000 + taxes in Titanium and CHF 59,000 + taxes in pink gold and titanium.