In the last couple of days I’ve been updating our IWC watch database – adding prices, refining descriptions, and adding new (and old) watches to our existing catalogue. 

With a total of 556 IWC watches currently in our database, we’re slowly getting there – yet there are many missing – most notably many limited editions and dealer / country specials. Do you own a Portugieser Rattrapante ‘Cortina’, a 5021 Pisa or another IWC that’s still missing? Please email me with pics & description and I’d love to add it.

But back to what we do have. I did a full list of IWC Laureus models before, but it’s now updated with the 2016 Portofino Moonphase. While I suspect both the title as well as the pic sorta gave it away, today I’ve compiled another cool list – all IWC Tribeca Film Festival watches.

IWC is an official ‘Festival-Time’ partner of the Tribeca Film Festival since 2013. It has since made it a habit to release a limited edition watch in honor of the festival each year. For the first three years, these limited editions were accompanied by a unique watch auctioned off to benefit the cinematic arts – note that it could very well be the case that the 2016 1/1 watch is yet to be released.

Click the links below for information -most of them including prices-, pictures and detailed info;

IWC Portuguese Automatic Tribeca Film Festival 2013 (Limited Edition)

IWC Portuguese Automatic Tribeca Film Festival 2013 (Unique Piece)

IWC Pilot’s Watch Spitfire Chronograph Tribeca Film Festival 2014 (Limited Edition)

IWC Pilot’s Watch Spitfire Chronograph Tribeca Film Festival 2014 (Unique Piece)

IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days Tribeca Film Festival 2015 (Limited Edition)

IWC Portofino Monopusher Tribeca Film Festival 2015 (Unique Piece)

IWC Portugieser Annual Calendar Tribeca Film Festival 2016 (Limited Edition)

IWC introduces its second collaboration with Boesch: the IWC Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph Boesch. The sumptuous mahogany body of the Boesch 620 Rimini served as the main inspiration.

IWC first collaborated with Busch in 2009, when it introduced the Aquatimer Chronograph Busch in celebration of the 80th birthday of the boat builder. Now the two Swiss companies have once again put their heads together, leading to the Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph Boesch IW390504.

The IWC Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph Boesch is a limited edition of 150 pieces. It is said to be inspired by the Boesch 620 Bimini, which explains the rich brown tone of the dial and the -real- mahogany inlaid in its case back. As all other IW3905 models, the case measures 43.5mm across, housing the self-winding caliber 89361 chronograph movement.

More info in our database!

A huge surprise to many, today word got out that the Citizen Group acquired Frederique Constant, including its sister brands Alpina and Ateliers de Monaco.

Frederique Constant was founded by the Dutch Aletta and Peter Stas in 1988. Launching its first collection in 1992, its main focus has always been classically styled luxury wristwatches at an accessible price. In 2004 the brand introduced its own in-house movement. Frederique Constant currently produces some 150.000 watches annually with a staff of 170 persons in six offices worldwide. It has approximately 3000 points of sale.

Citizen on the other hand goes back to 1918, when its forerunner Shokosha Watch Research Institute was established. In 1924 it completed its first pocket watch, while in 1931 the first wristwatch was introduced. It employs approximately 19.000 people. I am not aware of the number of watches sold annually; in Japanese yen, it amounts to almost 180 billon (1.4 billion EUR).

While continuing Frederique Constant as a family owned company has been a quiet wish according to Aletta and Peter Stas, their kids developed their own desires and ambitions – Piet-Jan in sustainable energy, Eline in the medical field. Impressed by the Citizen Group and its innovative spirit, in a letter to their partners Mrs. and Mr. Stas quote three big advantages they see in this new Japanese-Swiss partnership:

“High-tech collaboration in development of electronic, mechanical and hybrid calibers. We look forward to combîning Frederique ConstanVs high-end Manufacture capability with Citizen’s long history in revolutionary solar, radio and ultra-thin caliber innovations.”

“Citizen and Bulova have a tremendous distribution organization in the Americas. Frederique Constant and Alpina will greatly benefit from the sales and marketing power in the Citizen Group.”

“Accelerate growth with the support of a strong strategic watch industry partner. Frederique Constant secures its long-term continuity with the financial, HR, and strategic strengths of the Citizen Group.”

On the other hand, it has been a well-known fact that a number of Japanese watch comglomerates have been trying to expand their business to get a firmer grip on the luxury market. In the Citizen press release, Mr. Toshio Tokura, chief executive officer of Citizen Watch Co., Ltd, indicates that “With the acquisition of Frederique Constant, the Citizen Watch Group will be able to augment its portfolio of brands and occupy the space in the markets where some of our competitors operate and further expand the presence of the Citizen brand in the market.”

I’m looking forward to see what this move will bring. Of course, our Frederique Constant page is updated to reflect this new chapter in their short but interesting history.

Hot off the press and now uploaded to our ever expanding watch database: the MB&F Legacy Machine LM1 Alain Silberstein.

Max Büsser and Alain Silberstein introduced their first collaboration back in 2009 – the Horological Machine N°2.2 HM2.2 Black Box. Today the two horological creatives launch their second collaboration, this time taking on the LM1 – the brands first watch of its critically-acclaimed Legacy Machine collection.

While Alain Silberstein seems all but forgotten with the larger crowd, his name still brings a smile to the face of those who appreciated the fun yet distinguished and intellectual approach of his now defunct, eponymous watch brand.

Check out the three different versions in our database: the Legacy Machine N°1 LM1 Alain Silberstein in black titanium, in regular titanium and in red gold.

In a surprise move, Panerai just introduced a number of new and upgraded watches – including a completely new family (Luminor Due) and its second Carbotech watch.

The new Luminor Due collection mixes signature Luminor elements with the sleeker looks of the Radiomir 1940 collection, resulting in a watch that is slimmer than most -if not all- other Panerai’s with the crown guard. For now, Luminor Due holds for watches: PAM 674, 675, 676 and 677 – just click the references for more information and prices.

The latest Carbotech is the PAM 661. The 2015 version of Panerai’s Carbotech had the Luminor Submersible style case, which features an external rotating bezel. The new version has the classic Luminor 1950 case, yet it is still fitted with the Submersible style dial. Find out more details -including price- right here.

Discontinued are the 499, 312 and 359 – they’re newer versions are the 1499, 1312 and 1359. The movement is updated from P.9000 to P.9010, the case is slimmer and the seconds hand is done in a vibrant blue.

Last but not least, Panerai also introduces the PAM 672. Shamelessly similar to the earlier PAM 604, the watch now also features a (laser-) engraved movement.

To the surprise of many, it turned out that the revamped Overseas collection that was introduced at SIHH 2016 was not yet fully complete: enter the Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time!

The Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time adds another complication to the Overseas collection, courtesy of its caliber 2460 WT. It is available with either blue, silver or brown (predominantly) dial. The stainless steel case measures 43mm across and features a see-through case back.

More Overseas right here.

As indicated in my last post, I’ve recently begun adding Chopard to our watch database. And at the moment, we have 37 different Chopard movements and 128 watches live on our website; among them 49 from the ‘Classic Racing‘ collection, 78 ‘L.U.C.’, and a single, lonely ‘Imperiale‘. I’ll work on that ASAP – stay tuned for more!

I’ve again added two new brands to our website and they’re both officially endorsed by their respective manufacturers: Pheidippides Watches and Chopard.

Pheidippides Watches is a new micro brand based in Fijnaart, the Netherlands. Its first and -for now- only model is The Porthole, an automatic watch in bronze and stainless steel with a kind of futuristic maritime feel.

Chopard – well I guess this one needs no introduction.

I’ll be working on expanding our Chopard database in the next few weeks, just as I’ll be keeping an eye out for future releases by Pheidippides Watches.

A note for micro brand owners – we want your data! Please contact me to get an idea of what we’re looking for, and It’d be our pleasure to add your brand to our ever-growing database.

Cheers!

Aside from adding historic prices to our Patek Philippe watch database, I also managed to find a bit of time to add two brand new brands to WatchBase: Giuliano Mazzuoli and Pequignet. Both collections are still pretty limited for now, but I’ll work on that in the next couple of days. Stay tuned!

As indicated in my earlier updates, I’ve been keeping busy with updating existing entries with the latest pricing info, images and newer, more accurate descriptions. After the Speedmasters, I have gone through all our Planet Oceans and you might note that even discontinued models such as the awesome 2201.52.00 now feature larger images – a welcome change.

I have also decided to do away with the dedicated Olympic family and place the watches in the category of the watches that they’re based on. As such, one of my favorite collections -the Museum Collection- now has the ‘Olympic Official Timekeeper’ models right nexst to the original Museum Collection pieces that they’re based on. I’ve also put the stunning Seamaster 1948 here, as I feel that this is where it rightfully belongs. I’ve always thought that this watch did not quite need the London 2012 connection anyway…

On another note, I’ve also started to update our Patek collection with historic pricing. Many of what I feel are key / emblematic models also feature older prices. Take a look at the 5960P-001 and be surprised!