This website began as a compilation of in-depth information on specifics references and models that we returned to over and over (and over) again. Yes, we could have bookmarked them in Firefox, but instead we decided to create a web page to share with others.
If there are articles in particular you think we should add (the “best of the best”), please drop us a note.
Chronographs
Project 99 — The Race to Develop the World’s First Automatic Chronograph, OnTheDash
A. Lange & Söhne
Langepedia
Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak
Direct from Audemars Piguet (!), the AP Chronicles, this online catalogue raisonné is the result of “years of research by the Audemars Piguet Heritage team and aims to become the reference source on the history of the Royal Oak collection from 1972 to the present day. Dealing with historical as well as technical and human aspects, it intends to document the exhaustive range of the Royal Oak models equipped with mechanical calibres. It is published in chronological instalments [sic], as research progresses. The first part has been accessible since 2022, the year of the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary, and covers the first 10 years of its history.”
Perpetual Calendar
The Complete History of the Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar, Revolution
In-Depth: The Early Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, Hodinkee
Reference Talk — Audemars Piguet Quantieme Perpetual Automatique, Watch Brothers London
Breguet
Type 20
Breguet Type 20 Civilian, Generation 1 , 2 and 3, the spring bar
Origins and details about the Breguet Type XX, ranging from the Type 20 military chronographs, to the 1990s re-edition, Don Indiano
Gallet
Gallet Professional Wrist Chronographs, Gallet World
Heuer
OnTheDash, OnTheDash
Vintage Heuer Carrera, Mika
Vintage Heuer, Calibre11
50 Years of Heuer, Calibre11
Chronographs
A Collector’s History: Heuer Chronographs, International Watch
Heuer Carrera Chronographs, OM
Carrera
Heuer Carrera Chronographs:A Brief Overview: Then, Now and the Future, ChronoMaddox
Carrera Reference Table, OnTheDash
Carrera 2447 D Guide, OnTheDash
1964 Heuer Carrera Catalog, ChronoMaddox
Seafarer
The Definitive History of the Abercrombie & Fitch Seafarer Chronograph, OnTheDash
Operating Instructions for A&F Lunar Time Watches, OnTheDash
The Elusive and Rare Abercrombie Seafarer, Bob’s Watches
IWC (International Watch Company)
The IWC Ingenieur, frizzelweb
Longines
A Detailed Look At Early Longines Chronographs, Including The Legendary 13ZN, Hodinkee
Omega
Seamaster-De Ville-Speedmasters
Seamaster-De Ville-Speedmasters, with links to Omega Watches, Watchuseek
Speedmasters
History of the Omega Speedmaster, ChronoMaddox
Speedy Tuesday – Omega Speedmaster Buyer’s Guide Part 1 and Speedy Tuesday – Omega Speedmaster Buyer’s Guide Part 2, Fratello Watches
Reference Point – Understanding the Omega Speedmaster, Hodinkee
Omega Speedmaster History Part 1 – the early pre-moons and Omega Speedmaster History Part 2 – the 1970s editions, Monochrome
Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe ref. 3417 Amagnetic Guide, mstanga
The Patek Philippe Seal, Monochrome
Complete Guide to Patek Philippe Vintage Chronographs, Revolution
A Collector’s Guide: The Patek Philippe 3970, A Collected Man
Rolex
9 Basic Things You Should Always Look At Before Buying A Vintage Rolex, Hodinkee
The Vintage Rolex Buyer’s Guide, Rolex Passion Report. While this article is specific to Rolex, most of the tips can be applied to researching any manufacture of vintage watch.
Explorers
1016
Public Service Announcement: High Quality Fake Dials, VRF
5512
Gilt-Gloss 5512
Rolex Collector’s Notebook: Neat Fonts
5513
5513 Matte Dial
GMT
GTM Master 1675
Tru-Beat (6556)
Lessons in Wristory: The Rolex Tru-Beat (Ref. 6556), Wound for Life
Submariner (1680)
Big 1680 Red Submariner post, VRF
Overview all 6 x RedSub versions, VRF
Bracelets, bracelets, bracelets
The Fascinating (And Totally Geeky) Story Of The Rolex Oyster Bracelet [Hodinkee]
Rolex C&I Bracelets, USA Made Oyster and Jubilee Bracelets, Rolex Vintage Forum
Tudor
Tudor Ranger, Rescapement
Submariner Snowflake
“Snowflake” Submariners (unfortunately small images for some of the model descriptions)
Tudor Submariner Snowflake, with examples of fakes
Vintage Tudor Submariners: 94110 Snowflake and 94010 Lollipop, Fratello Watches
Submariner Model 7016 & 7021
Tudor and the French Navy – A Quarter of a Century of Collaboration… (Marine Nationale = MN), Bulang and Sons
Snowflake: Tudor Submariner Icon
MilSub
The Tudor MilSub: Part II and The Tudor MilSub: Part II, Revolution
Zenith
El Primeros
Preliminary Notes on Collecting the Early El Primeros: General Remarks (Part 1 of 2), Watchuseek
Preliminary Notes on Collecting the Early El Primeros: Specific Models (Part 2 of 2), Watchuseek
An overview of vintage Zenith El Primero’s : all the stainless steel models (1969-1975), Watchuseek
Ladder bracelets for Defy to A386, Watchuseek
Sorting out Gay Freres endpieces for Zenith, Watchuseek
A384
Zenith A384 variants from black to caramel, Omega Forums
A386
Overview Of The Zenith A386 Case, Omega Forums
Of A386 Casebacks And Forgeries, Omega Forums
Zenith A386 (text alignment on dial), Omega Forums
Forged Zenith A 386 Caseback debate – Summary, Watchuseek
More on A 386 serial numbers, dials, casebacks and forgeries, Watchuseek