Blogs at Waecce Watches

Patek Philippe Calatrava - When is less most definitely more.  . How do I own a piece of watch history without breaking the bank? With its iconic status and minimalist Bauhaus aesthetic the Patek Philippe Calatrava has changed little in appearance since first entering stage left in 1932. Created by David Penny it encapsulated a move towards a more minimalist style and understated  luxury, forged in the changed landscape and collective conscience of the Great Depression.  . At this time pocket watches were still very popular, and the wrist watch or “wristlet” watches, as they were then still widely referred...

The History Of The Dirty Dozen W.W.W Wristwatches by James Mulvale. . In the world of military watch collecting, there are plenty of pieces that get the hearts of collectors racing, and among the most desirable are a group of 12 watches collectively known as the Dirty Dozen. They’re named after the classic 1967 war film of the same name, directed by Robert Aldrich. What links these 12 watches together is that they were all procured by the War Office to a uniform set of requirements for use as general service watches by the British Army. For the record, I...

Meet The First Swiss Watch In Space - The Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute By James Mulvale . . When it comes to watches worn in space, everyone knows about the Omega Speedmaster and its illustrious history as the first watch worn on the Moon. Many of you might also be aware of the Bulova Lunar Pilot, and the story of how that unexpectedly ended up being worn on the moon. But I bet that few of you know that the first Swiss wristwatch worn in space was the Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute.  . The Story Of The Breitling Cosmonaute’s Creation . The...

The History Of The Seiko 6105-8110 "Captain Willard"  By James Mulvale. . . If you ask anyone to name the most iconic Seiko watch of all time, there’s a good chance they’ll say the 6105-8110, otherwise known as the "Captain Willard". It’s a watch that’s come to define the values that make Seiko’s dive watches so well regarded by watch enthusiasts today. Those values are durability, readability, and accuracy, all wrapped up in a design that’s distinctly Seiko’s own creation.  . The Specifications of the 6105-8110 . Despite its fame, the watch is Seiko’s second diver, following on from the...

The History of the Smiths W10 Field Watch By James Mulvale. . . When it comes to collecting watches issued to the British military, there are certainly many options to choose from. There’s the fabled dirty dozen, the Rolex Milsub, and more recently the various watches made by CWC to name but a few. However, one of the most iconic of all British military watches is the Smiths W10. What’s special about the Smiths W10 is that it was the last British-made mechanical watch issued to the British forces.  . Background On The Smiths Company However, before we talk about...