Maurice Lacroix "Datum"

Parmigiani Invests Nearly $20 Million in Vaucher Manufacturing Facility
Parmigiani has announced the opening of its nearly $20 million state-of-the-art Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier facility near its headquarters in Fleurier. The new facility provides about 75,000 square feet for Parmigiani’s movement production, finishing and assembly. Parmigiani manufactures all its components within its own facilities. The new Vaucher workshop also provides a wide range of components and services to many of the most recognized names in haute horlogerie. Founded in 1996 by Michel Parmigiani, master watchmaker, designer, and restoration expert, with the support of the Sandoz Family Foundation, Parmigiani Fleurier SA is a recognized leader in the production of top-tier components for luxury timepieces, and they are among the few Swiss watchmaking houses that insists on finishing each watch completely by hand.

So I finally tried on the Deep Sea at my AD...
I was bored while at the mall with my family last weekend and sheepishly stopped into my AD to see if they had a Deep Sea. They said they did, in the back, in the safe. I said, "No problem, I'll come back one day when it's just sitting gathering dust in the case". They said "WAIT"! They got the manager to unlock the safe even as I protested that I was merely looking and was simply curious as heck what this new watch looked like in person, on my wrist. They said no problem, to please wait, and then she finally got the watch out.Pic from the "Men's Watch Review"It looked demure and normal looking sitting there on the counter on their velvet tray. It didn't look shockingly big but merely beautiful. Then, I put it on my wrist my impression changed 100%. It was like having a very large chunk of metal built up around a watch sitting on my puny wrist. I was blown away how thick it was in person. It seemed like a caricature of a SD, bulbuous and huge and I just laughed. I re

Vintage Illinois Spotlight - Speedway
Ok GangI have been hunting and have lots of treats coming upin the next few weeks!Here is a nice Illinois called the "Speedway" (1929)Now there are 2 Illinois watches with the name "Speedway" in them.The one on the left is referred to as the "Speedway 178"The one on the Right"Speedway"The Speedway 178 here has a porcelain dial and we will do aSpotlight on it next week. (Adam78 has a wonderful example!)The Speedway (both variations) are housed in a case numbered "model 178"(Keystone)(FF) The Speedway has been described as one of the most distinctive and unique Illinois Watch Company designs..."It is one of the few Illinois wristwatches whose name origin can be determined. It was inspired by and named after the Indianapolis 500 Raceway. Its advertisement read "During the grueling grind of the Indianapolis race the Speedway, strapped to the wrist of the drivers, ticked off the seconds with uncanny accuracy."SidesCheck out the Beautiful Workmanship on the Movement:307/17JDimensions:36 x 3

case back you've never seen before
I found many wonderful case back photo from FIYTA, who engraved amazing photo or words on the back of wristwatches20121105_album_04.jpg20121105_album_07_v2.jpg20121105_album_02.jpg

Any 40mm Love Around Here?
I know the 40mm Pannys aren't loved by everyone, but this one suits my smaller wrist just fine.Overall a superb piece!Cheers,-Marc