Franz Rivoira, Author at The Truth About Watches

Panerai Movement Scandal?

Franz Rivoira — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 15:45:53 +0000

“The new P.9200 caliber used in Panerai’s recently introduced chronograph family is a basic ETA 2892-A2 with Dubois Dépraz chronograph module,” pereszcope.com reports, kicking off the Panerai movement scandal. The problem? By giving the movement an “in house” Panerai designation, the Swiss-not-Italian watchmaker stands accused of misrepresenting a garden variety movement – and charging through the nose for it. […]

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Robert Hooke Invented the Straight Spring

Franz Rivoira — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 17:13:52 +0000

If we could have a subtitle for this story, it would be “when a lousy personality becomes your biggest liability.” But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start with this: what is a hairspring (a.k.a., balance spring) and why was its invention by Robert Hooke one of the most important innovations in all of horology? […]

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F.P.Journe Replacing Audemars Piguet?

Franz Rivoira — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 13:17:39 +0000

In his article Patek Philippe Rules – Here’s Why, our man Franz introduced readers to Swiss watchmaking’s Holy Trinity: Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet. With its 136th Royal Oak variant, the uninspiring, much maligned Code 11.59 and the Black Panther Marvel Watch, AP’s place in the Trinity is no longer secure. Franz reckons […]

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Patek 5711 R.I.P. Who’ll Take the Crown?

Franz Rivoira — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 13:00:16 +0000

The race for The King of Steel has begun! Even before the Patek 5711’s spectacular exit from the scene, there was a long string of luxury steel watch pretenders vying for the crown. Patek’s decision has triggered a veritable Match Royale, with a range of upmarket steel contenders competing to wrap themselves around wealthy wrists […]

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Patek Nautilus 5711 – Customer Betrayal?

Franz Rivoira — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 18:00:34 +0000

To keep my finger on the pulse of the watch industry, I frequent forums and Facebook, where enthusiasts rant and rave about companies and models. When Patek announced they were killing their golden goose, the Holy Grail of watchmaking, the steel Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711, they unleashed a widespread feeling of offense. That was especially […]

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Which Watch to Dress for Success?

Franz Rivoira — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 13:00:06 +0000

A man’s watch is usually his only form of jewelry. When a man wears a watch – any watch – he’s sending a message. His watch tells the world something about his taste, lifestyle, philosophy and income. Many people are oblivious to the message (at least consciously). Some pay close attention (e.g., readers of this […]

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Italian Watches – Horology’s New Frontier

Franz Rivoira — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 13:00:16 +0000

Despite Italy’s centuries-old tradition of precision engineering, Italian watches have received little attention. The “Paese del Sole” has always been overshadowed by the fame of its northern neighbors, the Swiss. But even as the Swiss supremacy in watchmaking begins to fade, the Italians are ascendant . . . Just so you know, Italians created the […]

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