1. BREAKING: MAJOR ROLEX AD ACCUSED OF RACKETEERING AND SELLING DIRECTLY TO GRAY MARKET

This is a biggie. A former employee at a Rolex authorized dealer is accusing said dealer of “terminating her employment in retaliation for whistleblowing and refusing to engage in flagrant illegal activity and engaging in racketeering.” In plain terms, the plaintiff is accusing the dealer of selling Rolex watches to the gray market and not to ordinary customers. The plaintiff further alleges that this practice extends to other watch and jewelry brands, including Patek Philippe. If true, this confirms what many of us have been suspecting for some time and goes some way in explaining why it’s so hard to find certain watches in retail.

Source: Atelier De Griff

2. THE COLLECTORS’ GUIDE TO A. LANGE & SÖHNE DOUBLE SPLIT AND TRIPLE SPLIT

A case can be made for A. Lange & Söhne being the world’s premier manufacturer of chronographs. It has the Datograph, which is not only a modern icon of horology but also a landmark piece in the history of chronographs. And in 2004, it gave us the world’s first double split chronograph watch. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, the brand followed that up in 2018 with the Triple Split ― again, a world’s first. These watches are horological milestones and are coveted by serious collectors. Find out what makes these watches so important and how to collect them.

Source: Langepedia

3. IS LEICA THE ROLEX OF CAMERAS?

You might not be into photography or cameras but you will, no doubt, have heard of Leica. For better or worse, Leica has risen to the top of the photography world, much like Rolex in watch world. You don’t need to be into watches or have a watch collection to recognize the brand Rolex. The two brands have a lot in common, like their impeccable quality and the community that stands behind them. Many photography enthusiasts swear by Leica even when they might not be the best or easiest cameras to use, much like how fans of Rolex love their watches even if they may not be the most accurate. To understand why Leica enjoys the reputation it has and what makes it so attractive to enthusiasts, hit the link below.

Source: A Collected Man

4. COLLECTORS DIALOGUE: GEORGE CRAMER

If you are into Cartier, then you have probably heard of George Cramer. Regarded as one of the world’s foremost experts on the brand, Cramer’s fascination with Cartier dates back decades. In this profile, we learn how Cramer got into the brand and what his first Cartier was. That aside, also read about George’s thoughts on the history and importance of Cartier’s now-defunct Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) watches, the decision to end the Fine Watch Making Collection, and the future direction of the brand.

Source: Time Curated

5. IS THE SINN U50 THE BEST DIVER FOR YOUR BUCK?

The era of oversized watches is over. Now, everyone wants more sensibly sized pieces. And that’s exactly what Sinn gave us last year when it unveiled the new U50. Essentially, it’s the smaller and more wearable sibling of the iconic U1. Sinn has thoughtfully shrunk the case down from 44mm to 41mm. The 3mm reduction has had a profound impact on the way the watch looks and wears. Crucially, even with the downsizing, the U50 retains the hardiness that the U1 was known for. Like the U1, the U50 is made from German submarine steel and water resistance is still a very robust 500 meters. If you are looking for a tough-as-nails diver that is versatile enough for everyday wear, the U50 is a great candidate.

Source: Revolution