Design Your Own Royal Oak With Audemars Piguet And Wristcheck

Fifty years ago, Gérald Genta designed the iconic Royal Oak for Audemars Piguet. Now Audemars Piguet and Wristcheck are giving you a chance to put your own stamp on this classic – they have launched a design contest where each winner, where their design is feasible, can have his or her creation made into an actual watch.

When I first heard about this contest, I really didn’t believe it. Austen Chu of the watch platform Wristcheck tried to tell me about his plans earlier this year at the Hotel des Horlogers designed by Bjarke Ingels in Le Brassus. Despite my lack of confidence, I encouraged him, but ultimately filed it in the “cool ideas that will never come to fruition” drawer of my brain, along with bottomless martinis and painless Bottega Veneta boots. I’m still waiting on those last two. But the Royal Oak design competition is happening.

The “Your Take on Royal Oak” contest, launched today, is open to anyone who wants to submit a design. There are no restrictions on colors, materials, or complications. Everything, however, must be done within the iconic octagonal frame. This is still a Royal Oak competition – no coloring outside the lines of the Genta, please. Chu and replica Audemars Piguet‘s CEO François-Henry Bennahmias will select the three winning designs.

“In today’s world, we can see that talent, passion, engagement, and commitment from everywhere are welcome,” Bennahmias told me.” And we know that a new generation is very passionate about these types of things. What better way to get people involved, young and old, than with Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, which has the potential to give us the ideas of the century.”

The contest came about through a Zoom conversation Chu and Bennahmias recorded for the Wristcheck YouTube channel in February of this year.” We could actually launch a worldwide contest or survey to see what information people would like to see on their watches,” Bennahmias said at the time. He went on to say.” Let’s do this; let’s do this right now. You’re going to be absolutely bombarded. Good luck, Austin.”

The move feels very Benamias: bold, liberal, and entirely in keeping with the spirit of the Associated Press. It’s also characteristic of the 25-year-old Chu, who is in tune with the watch collecting community and understands what drives the new and young collector community.” This is an incredible initiative for the community,” Chu said on YouTube.” The future of luxury lies in transparency and experience. Everyone wants to feel involved in the process.

The idea is to democratize watchmaking and allow for a creative agency in a space that is usually hidden within the impenetrable confines of the Swiss mountains.

In my opinion, Royal Oak – especially compared to some of its competitors – remains forever young, because AP recognizes the need to move forward. Upon its release half a century ago, the Royal Oak set the standard for rebellion in best replica watches design – it was a “lifestyle” watch designed during a turbulent period of anti-luxury and anti-establishment. By fostering relationships with athletes and musicians, Benamias preserved this spirit and created a crossroads between serious watchmaking culture and youth culture long before it was commonplace in the watch industry.

Chu understands very well the spirit of the horological zeitgeist and Audemars Piguet’s leadership role in it.” If watch nerds (like me) want the hobby to be embraced by the masses,” Chu says.” What they need to accept is that aesthetics takes precedence. Everything else comes second.”

The contest is open to everyone. Entrants can submit their entries by downloading the template available on the contest website. The contest runs from Oct. 6 to Nov. 6. You may submit as many entries as you like by the deadline. The three winners will be announced on November 15 and will be flown to Le Brassus, Switzerland, to enjoy the full Audemars Piguet experience. Audemars Piguet will decide whether to produce these designs as a unique piece or collection, depending on their feasibility.

Tips for Investing in a luxury Pre-Owned Rolex

If you want to buy a Rolex watch as an investment but don’t want to wait for an age for a new one at the dealer, you might consider buying a pre-owned one. Do you want to get the best deal on a pre-owned Rolex? Keep reading this used Rolex buying guide for top tips on investing in a Rolex that isn’t simply “buy low, sell high.” Because of this, these tips are also helpful for buying watches other than Rolexes.
The first thing you need to do before buying a pre-owned Rolex is to research who you will be buying the watch from. If you are looking for a specific model that is not widely available, you may not have that many options. A specialist dealer like Watches of Wales is more likely to be familiar with the endless variations of watches Rolex has produced over the years and is more likely to find one for you.

Some Rolex replica watches have been modified with aftermarket parts. These are often used to make up color combinations that Rolex never offered, such as the red dial and red bezel on the Submariner 16610. If you are unsure, you must seek expert advice on these watches. It is possible that these parts are not of high quality or that the watch they are based on is fake. Also, if you do purchase one of these modified watches, Rolex will not service it.
With vintage watches, condition and original parts are fundamental. A vintage Rolex watch that is sent back to the factory for service may end up with replacement parts, such as the dial, which is an important factor in the watch’s value. In this case, it may be beneficial to find a specialist who can repair that particular model, even if they are not brand-certified, just as you might be with a classic, exotic car.

It would be best if you always worked with a brand-approved service because you will only have original parts for your the best replica watches in the world. Some people have their Rolex repaired or serviced at unauthorized service centers, which can lead to the use of cheaper non-Rolex parts.
Another thing you must do when you buy a pre-owned Rolex is to get an estimate. This will ensure that you do not have any surprises when you buy a Rolex. The information you get in the appraisal, including the serial number, retail replacement value, etc., is also important when you are insuring your Rolex.
When looking for a dealer, you can ask them to provide a free appraisal to ensure that you don’t spend too much money on a used Rolex. You should know that Rolex does not offer appraisals; any appraisal service is purely provided by the dealer and is not a guarantee by Rolex of the authenticity of the watch.

Former Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos’ Patek Philippe watch

The Rolex 12 is the collective name of President Ferdinand E. Marcos’ 12 closest and most powerful advisors during the period of martial law in the Philippines from 1972 to 1981. In the latter years of his second elected term, Marcos conspired with various leaders of the military and Philippine police. The aim was for Marcos to gain full authoritarian control of the country during the declaration of martial law in 1972. Marcos empowered the military leadership during martial law and took over the jobs of elected officials and court judges.

The name Rolex 12 comes from a widely circulated story and some sources that each of the associates received a Rolex watch from Marcos himself, although this remains unconfirmed. Some believe that these gifts were actually Omega replica swiss watches, but despite this confusion, the Rolex 12 name stuck and is still used to refer to these 12 Marcos associates, some of whom fled with Marcos when he and his family left the Philippines in 1986, while others like Enrile and Ramos played a role in the coup against Marcos.

We believe the watch was a gift from his beloved Imelda. on his 58th birthday on September 11, 1975. The watch was later given to one of the 12 Rolex men who fled to the United States and was sold to a pawn store or jewelry buyer.
In 2009, an American citizen came to Tourneau in New York City with the watch, valued at $11,000. He kept the watch and sent it to Patek Philippe for a movement overhaul in 2013. He contacted me, knowing that I was a watch blogger and enjoyed owning this precious watch, and we built up discussions about selling the watch over a 7-year period from 2013 to 2018. Due to tax and logistical considerations, we did find an opportunity for me to purchase the watch directly from his wife for a certain amount at a law firm in the middle of the busy city of Makati. I was very surprised.
This Patek Philippe is made entirely of 18 carat white gold with a smooth and fine mesh strap. A stunning rising sun anthracite dial. Length is an uncut 7.75 inches. Hand-wound movement. ref 3528-3. with Patek archival documentation. This watch was produced by Patek Philippe in 1971.

A watch that was made 51 years ago, but is not at all outdated in shape or size for a formal replica designer watches. Of course, its value is not just the watch itself, but the commemorative value of the most powerful man in the Philippines in the 80s. And, most importantly, it is a Patek Philippe.
We would like to sell it at a public auction and hope to donate no less than a certain large portion of 50% to a Philippine charity after all administration fees and auction commissions are deducted. I believe this is one of the former president’s contributions to the Filipino people.