Cartier Ballon Bleu Large

My First Grail Watch: Maximilian B¨¹sser Of MB&F
Welcome back to an original watches-dealer feature, "My First Grail Watch." In this series, we ask prominent people in the watch industry about the first timepiece that they lusted after. Today, we're speaking with Maximilian B¨¹sser who, of course, owns MB&F, which stands for "Maximilian B¨¹sser & Friends." Read on to learn how he got hooked on watches, and about the accident that led to him acquiring that first grail.watches-dealer (ABTW): Who are you, and what is your relationship to the watch industry?Maximilian B¨¹sser: Maximilian B¨¹sser, the founder, owner, and creative director of MB&F.ABTW: When did your fascination with watches start?Maximilian B¨¹sser: When I was 18. In 1985, my parents wanted to give me a watch as a gift. Their budget was 700 Swiss Francs (approximately $800 USD), and an enormous amount of money for them and for me, so I started researching what was available at that price. At some point, I was sitting in university next to a guy who is wearing a wat

Smiths Everest (Timefactors PRS-25) Review
In order to talk about the Smiths Everest watch, one must introduce three brands, two people and one very significant historical event. The Everest, unlike most homage watches, is an homage in name and form, but to two different brands¡­as well as to their historical intersection at the highest peak on Earth. You see, in 1953 when Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay made their historical climb to the summit of Everest, they had with them two watches: a Smiths and more famously, a Rolex.At this point in time, Smiths is clearly the more obscure brand. One of the only English watch brands of the 20th century, Smiths designed and manufactured timepieces, including movements, in the UK from around 1945 to some point in the 70's. Since the brand dissolved it is no surprise that Rolex has been able to capitalize on this event, making the fact that a Smith's was on the journey somewhat obscure to the general public.These days, the Smiths name has seen a bit of a resurrection, as it is

Cost of a SS bracelet
I have a PAM 048 which becomes a PAM 050 (I think) with a SS bracelet. Does anyone know how much a Panerai SS bracelet would cost (I'm prepared for a high number).TIA

7 most important books on watches -- your opinion?
While waiting at the eye doctor w/ my son, I glanced through an automotive magazine and saw an article titled something like the following. "Here's a list of the seven books that anyone interested in cars should own." I didn't read the piece (because I'm not that invested).But it got me thinking Which books would be on your list, and why? Not talking about those great books that serve our own particular interests, mind you. For example, given my focus on wristwatches related to James Bond, I've come to like Breitling: The History of a Great Brand of Watches 1884 to Present, by Benno Richter. And I think Vintage Rolex Sports Models: A Complete Visual Reference & Unauthorized History, by Martin Skeet & Nick Urul is the best in class for 007 and early Rolex models. But that's too limited for this question, too specific to my tastes.One of the 7 most important books that I'd recommend for anyone interested in wristwatches is Watch: History of the Modern Wrist Watch Design 1950 - 19

Sotc...
Since I don't have a camera currently, I thought I'd do a State of the Collecting post. Here're some current thoughts I have about watches in 2008:1. Lume is over-rated for an urbanite.2. I like small, elegant, light. 3. Dive watches are more jewelry than tool, mostly.4. I still don't understand mechanical watches.5. More often than not, the clasp/tang buckle tells us more than we care to know about a watch (e.g. price point, age, genre)6. There is no perfect watch, only the next one.7. Staring at someone's watch can be discomforting for the owner, esp. if it's someone you've just met.8. Sometimes, ugly watches take on a beauty all of their own.9. The difference between a $500 and a $5000 watch is never a question of being "worth it" but "like it enough".And lastly,10. Watching is a hobby that should bring smiles, not grief to our lives. Life is crazy enough as it is.I'd be interested to hear your thoughts about the hobby for 2008.