Audemars Piguet Royal Oak OFFSHORE Grand Prix NEU VERKLEBT

Kobold Launches Program to Train Sherpas as Watchmakers
Kobold has announced a program in which its U.S.-based watchmakers will train a group of Sherpas in the art of watchmaking. The former high-altitude mountain guides from Nepal¡¯s Himalaya region will begin learning how to assemble mechanical wristwatches in March. The one-year-long program also includes a basic course on managing a luxury business. After successfully completing the program at Kobold¡¯s Pittsburgh facilities, the Nepalese citizens will return to their native Mount Everest region to assemble Kobold watches destined for the company¡¯s Kathmandu retail store, which is expected to open in August of this year.Kobold expects to train two to three Nepalese citizens every year. ¡°By training relatively unskilled Nepalese workers how to make high-end watches, we provide them with a vastly increased level of competitiveness not only in their native country but around the world,¡± explains Michael Kobold, the company¡¯s 31-year-old founder. Nepal is one of the world¡¯s poorest countries,

Posted my definitive Rolex case and bracelet maintenance page
After reading about the various methods WIS' use to maintain their watch cases, bracelets, and cleaning rituals, I decided to compile a page that list many of these routines.I posted it over at minus4plus6/maintenance.htmI also used John Hollbrook's book to help me out with the images. His tips and tricks helped, but there is still room for improvement. Comments, suggestions, additions, and spell check's welcome.-Sheldon

Some help please!
Hey guys, Looking to buy a Rolex Submariner and not sure what model to buy. Price is a factor, pockets are shallow! :)Can anyone advise me about the 16800, circa 1989? Is this a desirable model or one to avoid? I'm open to both date and ND. Thanks, Paul

Back on the air....
Hi all.I know that some of you saw my post about going in for surgery and I want to thank you for all your kind thoughts. My surgery went very well and I came home today. I have a myriad of wounds and and look like I went a few rounds with Tyson. I am recovering well and even though we don't have the biopsies back yet, the procedure seems to be very successful. As predicted, It will be a few weeks before I can wear a watch again. I will follow up with you guys from time to time.Thanks again for all the good wishes.Robert

Royal Oak resiliency vs other sports watches?
So this is not something that is an immediate issue for me but I do curate a list of watches that I intend to buy and re-order them as my tastes change, while trying to keep a list that in the end will give me a little of everything.As my tastes have changed over the past few years I have gotten more and more into finishing and movements leading the likes of JLC, ALS and Patek onto my list.However I do want to have at least one very basic sports watch that I can be less concerned about bumping or scratching, something that I could wear in the rain or even swim with, without worry (things I would never attempt with a complicated or ultra thin dress watch). I know that the Royal Oak isn't a super dive watch like a Sea-Dweller or Submariner, but is it a watch that could fulfill what I am looking for? I particularly like the plain steel and blue 15300 and find it to be much more attractive than a Nautilus or Submariner but if its not really suited for the role I would have in mind, I would