Philippe Dufour is setting salerooms alight; WatchBox has invested in De Bethune; Chrono24 has secured LVMH-backed funding; Watchfinder is presenting all the James Bond watches in its Paris showroom; Richard Mille has launched a certified network for its pre-owned watches… for watch fans, the moving and shaking is on the pre-owned market.
Brands imagine their watches as objects of desire, intended to appeal to our emotions. When adding method to these emotions, they have two means at their disposal: the addition of complications and words that sell.
Sometimes history can give an entirely different colour to an event. Vacheron Constantin's presentation of its Patrimony perpetual calendar ultra-thin took on a completely new dimension following the sale at auction, just days earlier, of the Don Pancho, a remarkable calendar watch made by the Manufacture in the 1930s.
The Canadian cutie plays Deadpool, Marvel's wisecracking superhero - a guy in a burgundy leather costume and a mask that wouldn't look out of place on a Mexican wrestler. We asked the "merc with a mouth" about his favourite watches.
Patrick Dempsey is rated for his acting talent and as a racing driver at the head of his own team. As a TAG Heuer ambassador since 2014 and watch collector, he has worn the cream of the Swiss brand's timepieces. A diehard fan of James Dean, Steve McQueen and Paul Newman, he explains how watches and race cars have a lot in common.
Can you spot the ultimate opal, recognise a malachite, pick your turquoise of choice or know the best pedigree for a lapis-lazuli? Learn to decipher the quality of the gemstones used for watch dials.