Tutima: Historic Pilot Watches From Glashütte Germany.

The Tutima Grand Classic Flieger UTC Chronograph with signature fluted bezel, cathedral hands, and red enamel reference marker for precise timing. This piece is from my personal collection and is part of the limited 80th anniversary collection which is now discontinued.

Since 1927 Tutima has been producing aviation timepieces. Unfortunately due to the Second World War, the Great Depression, and the quartz crisis of the 1970’s, (and several other contributing factors) Tutima has had a rough and complicated history but through all of it has managed to re-establish itself in Glashütte Germany.

The Tutima Manufacture in Glashütte Germany with a modern building completed in 2011.

Watchmakers steadily working at their benches inside the manufacture.

For over 91 years the family owned company of reliable tool watches has been the go-to choice worn by the German Air Force, German Ministry Of Defence, as well as AWACS, NATO Fighter pilots, and aviation enthusiasts. The goal has always been to create highly legible, functional timepieces meant to be used in the field and capable of withstanding shock, extreme g-force, and changes in pressure and temperature all while maintaining accurate timekeeping.

The original German Air Force issue nickel-plated brass cased Tutima Fliegerchronograph. (Circa 1939). Featuring the legendary Urofa Calibre 59 movement with the first German-made flyback chronograph function.

Some examples from the Tutima portfolio both retired as well as current production pieces. A common reoccurring theme of sturdy, highly legible, purpose built timepieces with design cues paying homage to their past while still maintaining a modern and relevant appeal.

For more information regarding Tutima timepieces including their current collection please visit the website below.

TUTIMA UHRENFABRIK GMBH NDL. GLASHÜTTE

Altenberger Str. 6

01768 Glashütte/Sachsen

Germany

TEL.

+49 35053 32020

FAX

+49 35053 320222

info@tutima.com

www.tutima.com

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Baselworld 2018: The Tudor Black Bay GMT.

The 41mm Tudor Black Bay GMT Model Reference # M79830RB-0002 on brown leather strap. Retail price: $3,870.00 USD.

This year at Baselworld Tudor released several watches that stole the show. Among them was my personal favourite the Black Bay GMT travel watch competitively priced at $3,870.00 USD on a leather strap. (Also available on a nato strap, or alternatively a stainless steel bracelet for $4,210 USD). Arguably this is one of the best value GMT travel watches priced under $5,000. Adding a true manufacture GMT timepiece to the successful Black Bay lineup just made this one of the most sought after watches of 2018.Photo Credit: James Stacey

Anticipate a wait list when this piece hits authorized retailers in the next couple months.

Here are some quick specs about the watch:

Case: 41mm Stainless steel.

Bezel: Bidirectional rotatable 48 clicks steel with 24hr aluminum disc painted matte burgundy and blue.

Crystal: Domed Sapphire.

Dial: Black matte finish.

Movement: Manufacture Calibre MT5652 (COSC) Self winding mechanical movement with bidirectional rotor.

Power Reserve: Approximately 70hrs.

Water Resistance: Screw down Crown case rated to 200m (660Ft).

Bracelet/ Strap Options: Stainless steel, NATO, or leather strap.

Availability: Late Spring 2018.

Suggested Retail Price: $3,870.00 USD on leather strap, or NATO. $4,210.00 on Stainless steel bracelet.

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Panerai Boutique Vancouver Grand Opening

Panerai is the latest luxury watch brand to make its way to Alberni Street and is the first stand alone boutique in Vancouver and second in Canada after the recently opened Toronto location in Yorkdale shopping centre.

Friendly and knowledgeable boutique staff showing timepieces to guests at the grand opening.
The iconic Panerai Luminor Marina dial clock makes for a great backdrop in the boutique.
From sporty to dressed up versions Panerai has something for everyone with an extensive selection of dials, and nearly limitless strap possibilities to customize your Panerai and make it your own.
Panerai North America President Giovanni Carestia touching on the history of Panerai and the unique Vancouver location.
Many pieces from the 2017 Panerai collection as well as special limited editions are available at the boutique. 

The Vancouver Panerai Boutique is located at 1008 Alberni Street, Vancouver BC. Hours of operation are 7 days a week 10am-6pm. For more information regarding Panerai timepieces please visit http://www.panerai.com/ 

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First Hublot Boutique In Vancouver Celebrates With A Grand Opening

Hublot just celebrated the official grand opening of their first flagship boutique in Vancouver, and fifteenth location in North America. Hublot is one of the latest luxury watch brands to make its way to the Alberni Street corridor also referred to as the “Vancouver Rodeo Drive”. 

To mark this occasion Hublot brand ambassador Lang Lang the famed chinese pianist was in attendance and did a sit-down press event on the second floor of the boutique.

Lang Lang the talented classical pianist. Photo credit: @braindrain232 
Guests attending the grand opening for the Vancouver Hublot boutique. Photo credit: @Lordnantucket
Ferrari Maserati of Vancouver was also in attendance to support their ongoing partnership with Hublot. The La Ferrari limited production high performance hybrid sports car seen parked out front of the Hublot boutique for their grand opening. Photo credit: @braindrain232

Mechanical watches and high performance sports cars have alot in common: Both require alot of fine tuning and hand assembly including this very limited production Hublot La Ferrari timepiece: 

The Hublot MP-05: A tribute to the La Ferrari this piece was conceived by Hublot engineers to mimic the look and feel of having an engine on your wrist. This mechanical marvel is limited to just 50 pieces worldwide, has 637 components and a 50 day power reserve. Retail price: $300k+ USD Photo credit: @braindrain232
Hublot Ferrari edition timepieces. Photo credit: @braindrain232
A selection of Hublot Big Bang collection watches. Mixing high tech materials like ceramic and gold, the Big Bang line epitomizes avant garde watchmaking design. Photo credit: @lordnantucket 


The flagship boutique has the largest selection of Hublot watches in Vancouver, as well as boutique exclusive pieces. They are located at 1080 Alberni Street, Vancouver. V6E 1A3.


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Breaking News: George Daniels Coveted “Space Travellers Pocket Watch” Sells for $4,325,936 USD At Sotheby’s In London.

The late Dr.George Daniels (August 19th, 1926 – October 21st, 2011). One of the few watchmakers in modern times that could create a timepiece almost entirely by hand without the use of modern machining technology. (Photo credit: BBC). 

October will mark six years since the passing of one of the greatest watchmakers of the 20th century. For anyone who has the slightest interest in watchmaking Dr. George Daniels literally wrote the book for aspiring horologists. As a legacy to his contributions to the world of watchmaking and specifically handmade or bespoke watchmaking this is the quintessential guide book for future generations who wish to follow in his footsteps.

A roadmap for watchmakers and watch enthusiasts alike. A wealth of information including diagrams, pictures, and a step-by-step tutorial for crafting handmade timepieces. (Photo credit: Amazon.com and Published by Sotheby’s London Circa 1981 with revised editions in 2009).

Over the course of his lifetime he created a total of 27 handmade timepieces. It should be noted that on average it could take in excess of 2500 hours to create a single timepiece. This included hand making screws, wheels, pinions, the dial, watch hands, watch case, and a number of other complex micro mechanical pieces for the watch. An example of an exceptional pocket watch known as “The Space Traveller” completely conceived and crafted by hand without the use of automation or modern machinery:

18k gold chronograph pocket watch with patented Daniels double wheel escapement, mean, solar, and sidereal time, age and phases of moon, equation of time indication. Circa 1982 (Photo credit: danielslondon.com/). This piece sold for $4,325,936.00 USD by Sotheby’s auction house in London at the time of publishing this article.
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RedBar Vancouver: The Evolution Of Watch Enthusiasts And Collectors In Canada.

RedBar Vancouver meets once a month on a given date and at a venue predetermined based on the number of individuals attending. In addition to the monthly meetups on a fairly regular basis brands as well as retail friends will reach out and host private events to showcase SIHH, Baselworld, and new watch novelties as they come available.

A full house again at one of our meetups. There is something magical about watches that brings people together. Photo credit: @p_larry
The #sexpile a term first used by RedBar New York COO Kathleen McGivney and frequently hashtagged on Instagram by watch enthusiasts. It is a quirky term used to describe a pile of watches thrown together in an organized chaos by watch enthusiasts and then photographed. Watch collecting tends to be a very niche hobby. Many of the collectors in our group tend to focus on collecting vintage watches which adds to the charm and nostalgia of this hobby. Photo credit: @agedpatina
Another common ritual among watch enthusiasts and RedBar members is the “wristshot” as a symbol of our unity and shared love of horology. Photo credit: @lordnantucket
An event hosted by Palladio Jewellers earlier this year had RedBar Vancouver in attendance to view H. Moser & Cie timepieces. Watch industry veteran Mike Margolis was present showing the collection and some special limited edition pieces from the brand as well. Photo credit: @Montrelalonde @watchcollector85
A recent event with Roldorf+Co. (A local authorized retailer for several unique independent watch brands and also providing watch repair services by certified watchmakers). RedBar Vancouver was in attendance to celebrate the launch of the first Bremont watches authorized retailer in Vancouver and Western Canada. Photo credit: @Mikepearson6 (Mike Pearson, Sales Director of Bremont in North America).
RedBar Vancouver members at the annual Omega watchmaking course taking turns disassembling and reassembling an Omega watch movement. Photo credit: @rakepr (Chris Hollinrake, President Hollinrake Communications).

RedBar Vancouver is on Instagram and Twitter @redbaryvr contact details for events and inquires can be sent to the official communication email: redbaryvr@gmail.com

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Paul Newman’s Rolex Cosmograph Daytona To Be Auctioned On October 26th, 2017 By Phillips Watches In New York.  

Earlier this year Paul Newman’s legendary Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference #6239 was found by Phillips Watches Auction House and will be up for auction next month on October 26th in New York with an estimated minimum bid exceeding $1 million USD (before buyers premium). Given the provenance of this watch and the cult following of early Daytona models I am certain that this piece will shatter all previous records paid for a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with my own guess being a final hammer price of around $10 million USD.  For vintage Rolex collectors this is the grail of all Rolexes of the Daytona variety.

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