Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

Hyetis REDLINE Smartwatch Debuts RDL-001 Swiss Mechanical + Electronic Movement
We finally have more details about the upcoming Swiss smartwatches by Hyetis. Things in the smartwatch universe are happening much more rapidly, now that companies feel as though the clock has begun on the release of the Apple Watch (even though we don't yet know the precise date in 2015 when Apple will ship them). Less than a month after the debut of the Apple Watch, companies from all over the world have begun to announce new products - many of them seeking to fill the gap under the expected price points of the Apple Watch. However, also to consider, are the Swiss, who typically aim at a more high-end price point, with luxury offerings. A major question we've been contemplating is how the smartwatch market will effect them. So that brings us back to the Hyetis Crossbow, perhaps the first serious Swiss smartwatch, that we initially covered back in Mid 2013. As it turns out, Hyetis will first present, not the promised Crossbow (that will come later), but a smartwatch known as the Hyeti

Ralph Lauren Sporting Watch With Elm Burl Wood Dial
I recently learned that this watch does not yet have an official name. It will sometime next year. This is a new version of the Ralph Lauren Sporting watch. It has an elm burl wood dial and face that is meant to evoke the interior of one of Ralph Lauren's cars from his personal collection - a 1938 Bugatti (that is as sexy as a top model). The watch will contain an IWC made manually wound movement. Lovely, and just over $13,000.Read my full article on this new for 2011 Ralph Lauren Sporting watch at Haute Living here.

Generally this gets posted....
.on the Longines Forum, but it's appropriate for here. I was doing a little surfing on eBay and ran across the usual schlock. Some examples can be learning tools though, so here they are.Here's a textbook frankenwatch & redial. It has a good movement, but it was never installed in a Flagship by Longines that I know of:1956 LONGINES FLAGSHIP BLACK DIAL LARGE 37.MM CAL12.68Z - eBay (item 260631669041 end time Jul-13-10 20:37:08 PDT)These military watches did have 12.68's - but this is a bad redial:LONGINES WATCH MILITARY STYLE LUMINOUS NUMBERS 1940 - eBay (item 280527834221 end time Jul-13-10 22:05:51 PDT)Here's a completely bogus military watch. This is a 50's case (reference #2305 "hidden crown" - I have the gold version 2343) for a dress watch:VINTAGE MEN 1956 LONGINES AUTO MILITARY 24hr DIAL WATCH - eBay (item 260632093333 end time Jul-14-10 15:45:41 PDT)Here's my 19AS reference 2343 for comparison (lug shape, etc):This seller didn't know the 22A was replaced in the early 50's

A couple of new Alpha chronos
Recently arrived Alpha Daytona and Newman. These are from Alpha USA, which come with view casebacks. Great watches, look great, running great. These use the Seagull Tianjin ST-19 movement modified with an additional 24 hour subdial at 6 o'clock to mimic a classic Tricompax look. I removed both bracelets. The bracelets Alpha uses on the Daytona/Newman models are pretty crappy. The chrono bracelets have good solid links with screws like the Alpha Sub bracelet, but cheap tinny single locking clasps and really cheap and flimsy looking hollow end links. The "semi-solid" end links and double locking clasp on the Alpha Sub bracelets are much better.I replaced the Newman's bracelet with that from an Alpha Sub. It was a tight fit, but once in place I think the look goes well with the case.

Who services inexpensive automatics these days?
I was wondering who exactly services automatic watches these daysthe ones most of us can afford (say in the $500-$750 range). Rolex and the other "big boys" I know of and have heard of their costs. Are these "servicemen" who service average priced watches few and far between or can they be found in most large cities? What would be a good and fair amount a serviceman would charge for a routine cleaning (the 5 year check up so to speak). It seems the only watch servicemen out there just replace your battery and try to sell you a new watch or some other item in their story. How does one know the guy behind the counter actually knows what he is doing with an automatic?Thanks.