In the early 1600’s, a man named Matteo Ricci traveled to the court of Chinese Emperor Wanli. Ricci had mastered the emperor’s native language, Mandarin, and brought him many gifts, including two lavish mechanical clocks that chimed on the hour. His intention was to convert
Every watch has a story. And in working with pre-owned watches, we at Crown & Caliber hear quite a few of them. What we hear about less often, though, is the story of the watch owner – and as we’ve recently discovered, they too have
Regardless of its position in the market today, the Longines of old was really something, and there's little dispute about the fact that the company has made some really great watches. It was one of the first to introduce a true pilot's watch in early decades
This story of ours was originally featured over on the Huckberry Journal. Legend has is it that Alberto Santos-Dumont–one of the first men to fly in a fixed-wing aircraft–was enjoying a drink with his friend and watchmaker Louis Cartier in 1906 when he first commented on
We previously covered the origins of the dive watch in Part One, but, despite its beginnings, when exactly did the dive watch truly enter into the public consciousness, not only as a tool watch for divers, but as a lasting fashion accessory? The post-war period
One of the great things about luxury watch brands is the reputation and tradition associated with each brand. When purchasing a watch, many find one of the most important factors to be the brand of the watch. The name that is engraved on the dial
The Hope Diamond is one of the most well-known and expensive diamonds in the world. At 45.52 carats, this deep-blue diamond is estimated to be worth around $350 million USD! One of the things that makes this diamond so well known is the alleged curse
Beginning today in York, UK at the Fairfax House, the Exhibition: Keeping Time officially begins. This exhibition celebrates the evolution and development of timekeeping in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, focusing specifically with clockmakers in the York and Yorkshire area. The exhibition will explore clocks
Infamous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, who both died on May 23, 1934 from police gunfire, are still making headlines 78 years after their death. Bonnie and Clyde and their gang, known as the “Barrow Gang”, are most famous for their 10+ bank robberies
In 1922, middle-aged bank teller Grace Fryer's teeth began to loosen and fall out for no apparent reason. Her jaw swelled up, and she soon took herself to the dentist. The dentist took an X-ray and found her jaw honeycombed with holes. Within a short
