Watch Collecting with <SLV>: "Becoming a Collector"

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Alex Honnold, Rolex, & the True Meaning of an Explorer

Last week, professional climber Alex Honnold free solo climbed Taipei 101, a 1,667-foot-tall tower in Taipei, Taiwan. The feat was streamed live to millions around the globe and was quite the spectacle. Honnold is best known for his (even more impressive) June 2017 free solo ascent of El Capitan...

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Bubu: The Final Passage of a Swiss Combat Diver’s Doxa

"I am a former Swiss combat diver and have found a (unfortunately broken) watch in my belongings. Is that something that interests you?" were the first two lines of an unusually short e-mail that I had received out of the blue in November 2024. No “hi, I found you through…”, just straight to the...

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Should You Collect Unit Watches?

Over the past several years, there has been a marked increase in unit watches produced for military, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies around the world. As issued analog watches have nearly disappeared and Digital Tool Watches now dominate operational use, unit watches have emerged as...

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What is a Dive Watch​

Feb 13, 2026


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Shooting 10,000 Rounds With A Tudor Pelagos FXD & GBRS Group​

Feb 21, 2026
In this video, we test the pervasive myth that shooting a firearm can damage a mechanical watch. We gave a brand new Tudor Pelagos FXD to our friends DJ and Cole ‪@GBRSGroup‬ for a grueling 10,000-round torture test. We had a watchmaker (‪@TruePatina‬) test the Tudor before and after the dust settled to see if the watch survived.


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Russell Crowe Shares His Incredible Watch Collection (Desert Sand Timepiece!) ️​

Feb 22, 2026 #RussellCrowe #WatchVlog #GiulianoMazzuoli
Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe surprises us all by diving into the world of watch vlogging! ️ Join him as he showcases his personal collection, featuring the unique timepieces from Italian microbrand Giuliano Mazzuoli. Discover the fascinating stories behind these watches, from their rally car-inspired dials to ingenious air pressure gauge designs and gear stick-shaped crowns.
In this captivating video, Russell Crowe offers an intimate look at his passion for horology, sharing insights into the craftsmanship and inspiration behind each piece. Whether you're a seasoned watch enthusiast or just curious about what makes a timepiece special, this is a must-watch!
What you'll discover:

• *Giuliano Mazzuoli's Masterpieces:* An in-depth look at the distinctive designs of this Italian microbrand.
• *Rally Car Inspiration:* Explore the dials that evoke the thrill and precision of motorsport.
• *Innovative Features:* Understand the unique air pressure gauge complications.
• *Unique Crown Designs:* Admire the creative gear stick-shaped crowns.
• *A Glimpse into a Star's Collection:* See the personal watches of a beloved Hollywood icon.

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Watch Industry SITREP - February 2026

These past few weeks have a lot to offer, from intriguing astronaut watch developments to Jeffrey Epstein’s surprising timepiece ties to the Dutch Queen and her Rolex in military service to our usual assortment of watch-related criminal goings on, this time involving both Tom Cruise and a...

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Rolex Opened a College—and It’s as Selective as Harvard

America has fewer than 2,000 professional watchmakers. Rolex’s new Dallas school aims to fix that—and the demand for admission says a lot about the state of work in 2026.

www.gq.com

 

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Iran Under Fire: The Watches of Operation Epic Fury

From Washington to Tel Aviv to Tehran, these are the timepieces worn by the leaders directing a historic escalation. On the morning of 28 February 2026, the United States initiated Operation Epic Fury, a sustained air campaign targeting Iranian-linked assets and infrastructure, conducted amid...

www.watchesofespionage.com

 

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How CIA Officers Use Watches To Recruit Spies, Make Friends, & Influence Others​

Mar 7, 2026
In this video, we discuss the roles played by timepieces in intelligence operations. While it may be surprising, expensive items like watches are regularly used as tools in an agent's recruitment cycle by CIA Case Officers, Russian SVR, and intelligence services around the globe. In the wilderness of mirrors, a watch is never just a watch.
*This video is not sponsored by or affiliated with any of the watch brands mentioned.


12:31

0:00 - Introduction
0:51 - Watches For Spies
2:05 - Twitter, Saudi Arabia, & Hublot
3:25 - FBI Agent Turned Russian Spy
4:23 - Bezel
5:23 - CIA, Rolex, & Russia
6:41 - How CIA Recruits Spies
9:09 - Watches As Operational Gifts
10:28 - Liaison Services
11:17 - Final Thoughts

Articles Mentioned In This Video:
- CIA Case Officer Reveals The Connection Between Watches and Espionage: https://www.watchesofespionage.com/bl...
- Bribes & Operational Gifts - The Role Of Timepieces In Clandestine Operations: https://www.watchesofespionage.com/bl...
- CIA Officers Receiving Expensive Gifts - Omega, Rolex, & Even Weapons: https://www.watchesofespionage.com/bl...

 

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Tactical Luxury? Patek Philippe’s Surprising Ties to the Military & Intelligence

The Use Your Tools ethos shared among those in our community might seem antithetical to the coverage of expensive luxury timepieces, but like most things, there’s more to the story. No matter how you got into watches or where your horological allegiances currently lie, it’s worth considering the...

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How the ‘Neo-Vintage’ Era Became the Hottest Thing in Watches

From ornate perpetual calendars to classic divers, watches from the 1980s and 1990s hit the sweet spot between value, reliability, and soul.

www.gq.com

 

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Interview with a Watchmaker

For this Dispatch, we sat down with Greg Petronzi of True Patina to learn more about his life and work, as well as to explore some of the most common questions y’all might have for a watchmaker.

www.watchesofespionage.com

 

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A Navy SEAL's Watch Collecting Journey - Tudor, Omega, Seiko, & MORE​

Mar 21, 2026
To learn more about watches and espionage, check out the W.O.E. Dispatch: https://www.watchesofespionage.com/bl...
In this video, we sit down with our friend Dave Hall, a retired Navy SEAL and lifelong watch collector. In addition to an insane story about how he acquired his SEAL-issued Tudor Submariner, Dave discusses his experience using an Omega Seamaster, a Seiko 6309, a Citizen Aqualand, and countless Digital Tool Watches while serving in the SEAL Teams.


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Articles Mentioned In This Video:

- Dave Hall - The Pragmatic Journey of a SEAL Through Watch Collecting: https://www.watchesofespionage.com/bl...
- The Watches Worn By SpecOps At An Invite-Only Dive Event: https://www.watchesofespionage.com/bl...

 

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This is The Heaviest SOLID Gold Watch I’ve Ever Held!​

Mar 25, 2026 #silver #gold #preciousmetals


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My G-Shock GBD200 & The GW-BX5600 Are A FAIL, So I'm Choosing This!​

Mar 25, 2026 #gshock #casio #watchcollector
Towards the end of 2025, the GW-BX5600 was released in Japan and the United Kingdom, selling out incredibly fast, as G-Shock fans had been eagerly awaiting this first resin square design with an MIP display. Fast forward to the present day, and in 2026, in the United States, we are still waiting with bated breath for this incredibly hyped up release to land on domestic shores. So, I thought I would revisit my GDB200, which was one of the first G-Shocks with an MIP display, from several years ago, to understand why I never bonded with it, and have gone back to the trusty Mudman G1000. In doing so, I discovered some fundamental flaws of the MIP displays that the new releases we've been eagerly awaiting seemingly haven't addressed. Join me today for a video review of the G-Shock GBD200 including its positives, negatives, an analysis of its design, historical significance, and my preferred alternatives that I recommend getting before it's too late! What do you think about G-Shock GBD200? Please share
in the comments!


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Inside the Counterfeit Watch Trade - Hunting “Superclones” in Dubai

 

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The Farmstead Way

The 2 Watches I Actually Wear | Work vs Town (Real Use)​

Mar 30, 2026 #EDC #GShock #EverydayCarry
I don’t collect watches—I use them.
In this video, I break down the two watches I actually wear every day: one for work and one for everything else. From hard farm use to going into town, each one has its place.
I talk through the pros and cons of both, when I wear each, and my overall philosophy on watches—keeping things practical, simple, and built for real life.
If you’re into gear that actually gets used, this is for you.


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The Watches of Fighter Pilots & Military Aviators

Pilots in general, whether military or civilian, have one of the strongest watch cultures of any profession, with many opting for mechanical GMTs and chronographs from brands like Rolex, Omega, Breitling, and Seiko. For aviation professionals, the Use Your Tools ethos is alive and well, and...

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Beneath The Surface: Recovering WWII Heroes In Palau

At W.O.E., watches are the vector through which we approach history and current events, and more often than not, watches bring us to stories and experiences we might not have otherwise encountered. When our friend, US Navy Diver, EDC gear nerd, and talented photographer, Brock Stevens, said he...

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