1. The Nine Reviews You Loved Most in 2016 On Monochrome-Watches

Since it is the new year, the folks at Monochrome have decided to round up the nine most read reviews on their site. Unsurprisingly, there are a lot of great watches there, and it serves to remind us that 2016 was a pretty swell year for watches, despite the somewhat gloomy economic outlook. Oh, and no prizes for guessing which brand topped the list.

Source: Monochrome Watches

2. Speedy Tuesday – First Series Omega Speedmaster CK2998-1, An Absolute Grail Watch

While the market for new watches has been rather soft these days, the market for vintage watches is still relatively strong. As evidenced by the recent $11 million sale of the Patek Philippe 1518, watch collectors are still willing to pay top dollar for important and rare watches that are in good condition. And one watch that is fast gaining attention on a lot of watch collectors’ radars is the first series Omega Speedmaster CK2998-1. Find out what makes this particular reference so sought after.

Source: Fratellowatches

3. The 10 Most Notable Watches of 2016

Although 2016 was a challenging year for the watch industry, there were still some pretty stellar new releases. At the very high end, we have Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie, a no-holds-barred attempt at creating the world’s loudest and clearest minute repeater. And at the other end of the price spectrum we have the Seiko Presage Automatic Watch 60th Anniversary chronographs. Where else can you find a chronograph with an in-house column-wheel chronograph movement and an enamel dial for under $2,500? Find out what the other 8 watches are that made this list by hitting the link below.

Source: Watches by SJX

4. New Foundation, Backed by a Luxury Titan, Focuses on Craftsmanship

Though this news piece reports on a new foundation that has been co-founded by Johann Rupert, the chairman of luxury conglomerate Richemont, the interesting parts are where Johann Rupert shares his thoughts on luxury in the world today and societal perceptions. In this report, he says that “society today honors all the wrong people” and that “luxury needs to be more discreet.” Find out more about this new foundation that Mr. Rupert is starting and also his thoughts on luxury and the watch industry.

Source: The New York Times

5. The Prelude: The Girl With The Idea (The watch that changed the world)

In 2001, Ulysse Nardin launched a watch that was unlike any that the world has ever seen. It was made out of high-tech silicon and it had a design that was unlike anything else. Essentially, the entire movement orbited on itself, and even today, it is stunning to behold and has become one of Ulysse Nardin’s signatures. The genesis for this watch, however, has an unlikely source – a young woman who had just graduated from watchmaking school by the name of Carole Forestier-Kasapi. Despite her tender age, it was clear that she had a gift for watchmaking. And sure enough, Carole now heads Cartier’s Fine Watchmaking division. This is the story of how she dreamt up a very special movement that would revolutionize watchmaking.

Source: Revolution