Carrera y Carrera is considered the finest jewelry house in Spain as well as one of the top jewelers in the world. Their jewelry is known for its unique, sculptural pieces and lively designs.

The jewelry maker has origins that trace all the way back to 1885 Spain when Saturio Esteban Carrera immigrated to Barrio de las Letras in Madrid, Spain. This is where he opened his first jewelry shop after his lapidary studies, or cutting, polishing and engraving gemstones.

Saturio’s son, Jose, learned the trade from his father, but moved to Paris to complete his studies. He eventually returned to Madrid and continued the family business. Though he didn’t have any of his own children, he passed on the practice to his nephews.

The jeweler’s first royal commission came in 1960 when Carrera was asked to make the wedding tiara for Fabiola de Mora y Aragon for her marriage to King Baudouin I of Belgium. This was one of the most prestigious pieces the jeweler has made.

The great grandson of Saturio, Manuel, opened his first workshop in the old center of Madrid in 1965. This would be where the distinctive style of Carrera y Carrera jewelry was established. Manuel had a clear and defined goal — to make the jeweler a global brand. By 1977, Manuel was taking his jewelry designs to Baselworld, a prestigious jewelry and watch show in Basel, Switzerland.

The company had created its distinctive style. Animal figures have always been a source of inspiration for jewelers, and such was also the case for Carrera. However, an unusual motif and Carrera staple developed in the “Las Manos” collection. A feminine, human hand had become a unique Carrera element.

Carrera y Carrera set its sights on the U.S. and began selling pieces in the Cellini boutique at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City. During this time, the brand grew internationally thanks to its distinct style and new branding.

At the same time, the brand developed a lift in reputation in its home country. Carrera y Carrera pieces became favorites of the Spanish royal family and aristocracy. Many could be found in possession of pieces from the jeweler. The brand also expanded in Russia, where its international presence has been the most successful.

Through the 2000s, the brand has only grown. With the introduction of iconic Carrera collections, including Circulos de Fuegos and Aqua, and another rebranding, the company was able to expand further overseas.

Photo Credit: carreraycarrera.com / fashiongonerogue.com

The oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer today, Audemars Piguet began developing and crafting watches equipped with complex mechanisms in 1875, and continues to be an independent family business in Le Brassus, Switzerland to this day. Here is a glimpse at 4 of our most coveted Audemars Piguet watches now available from our collection.

AUDEMARS PIGUET VINTAGE 18K YELLOW GOLD DIAMOND COCKTAIL WATCH

This absolutely fabulous women’s cocktail watch is at the top of our most wanted list of Audemars Piguet watches. It is simply a showstopper. A scalloped oval face is framed by a bezel of 30 brilliant cut diamonds laid into 18K gold. The manual watch features a vintage textured dial that is elegantly numeral-free, with a regal AP logo marking the 12 o’clock hour. The bracelet is crafted of richly woven, integrated gold.

AUDEMARS PIGUET VINTAGE LIBERTY COIN POCKET WATCH 22K GOLD

A truly exquisite find in our collection of Audemars Piguet watches, this 22K gold unisex pocket watch is an heirloom for all genders and generations. The unique case is crafted into a gold coin shape, embossed with the iconic Liberty Dime. The manual timepiece is gorgeously displayed within the hinged case, featuring an elegant dial with numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9, complemented with minimal hour marks in a contemporary design. This versatile pocket watch is a must have.

AUDEMARS PIGUET CLASSIC DAY-DATE MOONPHASE 18K YELLOW GOLD WATCH

Classic and versatile at the same time, this 18K unisex moonphase wristwatch is a current favorite in our collection of wearable Audemars Piguet watches. With an 18K gold case and bezel, the round cream dial offers a sophisticated display. Featuring gold sticks, Roman numeral dial markers and even an annual calendar, its striking nature is complete with a black leather alligator strap bracelet.

AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK CHRONOGRAPH ROSE GOLD MENS WATCH

This handsome and modern timepiece is a highly sought after men’s wristwatch. It’s sizeable and sporty with a rose gold geometric crown and linked bracelet. The black dial contrasts nicely to the pink gold hour-markers and royal oak hands with luminescent coating. Complete with automatic movement and glare-proof sapphire crystal.

With winter in full force, give one of these hot watches as a gift today. Check out more exquisite Audemars Piguet watches from our wide selection for both men and women.

There’s a fanbase for everything, and this does not exclude watches. Many are brand loyalists, but some watches are so popular, they have a fanbase of their own. With all the love comes nicknames and alternate, unofficial names for certain watches — especially Rolex watches. From Batman to Paul Newman, we’re here to explain the meaning behind the monickers.

Color Code:

Sometimes the Rolex watch nicknames are simply inspired by the colors featured on the dial and bezel. Unique colorings can make a piece truly distinct and a refreshing take on the typically subdued Rolex colorings.

Recently, the “Batman” has become a hot item. The fan-dubbed Batman is a GMT-Master II with a blue and black bezel. Some also call it Bruiser or Phantom. Another classic and coveted coloring is the “Pepsi.” This watch features a blue and red bezel on a GMT-Master. The first was introduced in 1954 and the most recent Pepsi bezel was released in limited quantity at a high price in 2014 as a GMT-Master II. Similar, but less popular than the Pepsi bezel, the Coke bezel is a black and red version of the GMT-Master and GMT-Master II.

The Submariner also gets its own playful colors. A coloring that’s gaining in popularity is called the “Hulk” by fans. The reasoning for this is obvious — the bezel and dial are both in a distinctly Rolex shade of green. The case is also a large, 40mm. In the past year, since the release of the model, it’s become a quick success for collectors and trendsetters alike.

Famous Fans:

Some watches are named by wearers for their appearance while other watches are named for the wearers themselves. Two classic examples are a Submariner model and an exotic Daytona.

There a bit of contention surrounding the idea of what a Steve McQueen watch is, or at least should be. An Explorer-II with a distinct orange hand is often called the Steve McQueen. However, many watch enthusiasts and Steve McQueen fans believe that a true “Steve McQueen” is the Submariner Ref. 5512, which McQueen wore often.

Though widely accepted, the Paul Newman watch is still met with its own debate. The watch at hand is a Daytona with and exotic, panda dial. The font and coloring is also distinct. When the watch was first released it was actually unsuccessful and less than desired by consumers. The debate comes from the origins and legitimacy of the “Paul Newman” name. The unproven story is that Paul Newman was photographed for the cover of an Italian magazine wearing the watch. Officially, the only thing that ties Newman to the watch is a single photograph of him posing for a photoshoot while wearing the piece. Nonetheless, the watch is a truly rare, vintage piece that is still highly desired my collectors around the globe.

World Leader:

Some see a timepiece as a mark of achievement. Either you are celebrating a major milestone in your life by purchasing a luxury timepiece or the signal is more subtle. A beautiful, quality timepiece with a luxurious reputation like Rolex can signify your standing and importance in society — as was the case with the Rolex Day-Date.

The President gets its name from the people to famously wear the watch, whom obviously were presidents. Dwight Eiesenhower was the first president to wear the Day-Date and then so did Lyndon Johnson. Not-so-coincidentally, Rolex ran an ad campaign at the same time as these presidential terms which positioned the Day-Date as “the presidents’ watch.”

Photo Credit: rolexforums.com / watchuseek.com / hqmilton.com / ablogtowatch.com / rolexblog.blogspot.com

The Bambi Awards is the oldest media award show in Germany, dating back to 1948. The Bambi Award is unique and recognizes German and international celebrities who influenced the German public. The awards are named after “Bambi, A Life in the Woods,” by Felix Salten. This year, Chopard was an official sponsor of the awards show and attendees dressed the part. Check out our four favorite looks from the Thursday night show.

Sylvie Meis

Dutch model Sylvie Meis stunned in her lilac gown and Chopard jewels. With a show-stopping and over-the-top gown, Sylvie kept her jewelry simple with a pair of Chopard drop earrings.

Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank followed the night’s trend with her lavishly embellished gown and simple jewels. The actress picked up the International Actress Award for the night.

Rita Ora

Rita Ora absolutely stole the show in her glamorous Marchesa ballgown. She was awarded the Best International Artist at the show while dazzling in delicate jewels — tree-shaped earrings and sparkly gemstone rings.

Heidi Klum

Heidi Klum opted for a less-textured gown accentuated with more dazzling jewelry. The model stunned while wearing a diamond-encrusted necklace and butterfly ring. She also wore an additional gemstone statement ring.

Photo Credit: tomandlorenzo.com / dailymail.co.uk / glamour.com

On Nov. 9, Christie’s Auction House hosted the Important Watches auction in Hong Kong. The heated auction ended with over $13.3 million in watch sales and for good reason. Their sale featured beautiful and rare timepieces with stories from 1810 Russia to the 1972 Pontifical Swiss Guard. Check out our top five favorites from the event.

5. Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar

This Patek Philippe is extremely rare and extremely valuable. This one was the priciest lot of the event and sold for $571,772. This piece was manufactured in 1950, sold in 1952, and had not reappeared on the market until this Christie’s auction. The piece was serviced regularly and is in pristine condition.

There are five models from the perpetual chronograph line, one of the enthusiast favorites from Patek Philippe. Reference 1518 is the first example of not only a Patek perpetual calendar, but of any perpetual calendar by any watchmaker. Only 281 were ever made, and this example is in the rarest gold color that can be found.

4. Piaget with Flying Tourbullion

This Piaget watch would almost pass as a jewelry piece if it weren’t for the tourbillon, which is also the thinnest tourbillon ever made. This piece is extremely rare and believed to be the first example of the Polo tourbillon offered at auction. The piece sold for $269,357.

The diamonds cannot go without mention and make this watch a truly extravagant and unique timepiece. The diamonds — all 671 of them — are very high quality. The white gold case is set with 462 brilliant-cut diamonds and 165 baguette-cut diamonds for a total of 25.42 carats. Finally, the clasp is set with 16 brilliant-cut and 14 baguette-cut diamonds.

3. Patek Philippe Nautilus from Rare Handcrafts Collection

This lavish watch is an outstanding example of craftsmanship from Patek Philippe. The piece is from the Rare Handcrafts Collection which demonstrates the decorative techniques of Patek Philippe. This dazzling piece is noteworthy in its unusualness from the conservative watchmaker. The piece sold for $437,580.

The piece is set with 1,648 pave diamonds for a total carat weight of 9.358ct, covering the bracelet, dial and case. The dial and bezel is enamelled in a beautiful dragon design. This watch is rare and remarkable in its unconventional design, especially for Patek Philippe.

2. Rolex Daytona with Panda Paul Newman Dial

This Rolex Daytona comes in a limited and very rare model which is called the “Paul Newman” by Rolex enthusiast. This Daytona model is only different in it’s dial with a slightly different font and other small difference. When the Paul Newman was first manufactured, it was in limited quantity. That particular version was not as desired, so purchase was halted. Then, the dial was made famous when Paul Newman wore it on the cover of an Italian magazine. The unofficial celebrity endorsement coupled with the rarity of the dial made this a highly-coveted Rolex. On top of that, this Rolex features a “panda” dial — the rarest of the Paul Newman Daytonas.

Rarity meets mystery in this particular Daytona. The back of the watch is engraved with an apparent Swiss cross in rope. The origins of this engraving remain a complete mystery. There are a small number of other Rolex watches from the same time that feature the same engraving, which is decidedly a Rolex engraving and a special order. Rumor would say that the watch was commissioned for the Pontifical Swiss Guard in Vatican City. However, this has been denied by the Swiss Guard and the truth is still unknown. The watch sold for $269,357.

1. Breguet Pocket Watch

This Breguet pocket watch was made for the Ottoman market with a very rare dial and an interesting history. Though the roots and official name of the watch point to Turkic markets, the piece was actually bought by Tsar Alexander I in 1810. In political context, the watch was actually a gift in the event of a peace treaty during the Russo-Turkish war, though it is unknown to which side the gift was intended — Sultan Mahmud II or his enemies. However, the Sultan did not wish for piece and the watch was returned to Breguet.

After the piece was returned, the piece was serviced, the dial changed and sold under a new name. It was then sold again in 1825 to the son of French Admiral Louis Thomas Villaret de Joyeuse. The pocket watch exchanged hands a few more times, but primarily remained in important collections. The piece sold for $269,357.

Photo Credit: www.christies.com

A watch complication is any function a watch does besides tell the time. Watchmakers pride themselves on their complications as the more complications a watch has, the more challenging it is to design and assemble; ultimately the number of complications is a testament to their ambition and skill as a craftsman. In 2015, Vacheron Constantin released a mechanical pocket watch that boasted a whopping 57 complications.

As you can imagine, there is an incredible range of watch complications: a 1,000-year calendar; a planetarium to read the planet’s relative positioning around the sun; the equation of time to read the true solar time (which is usually plus or minus 15 minutes of the “actual” time).

However, the majority of these are not helpful to or practical for the everyday watch-wearer; do you really need to know the moon phases? We break down the four most useful watch complications for day-to-day use.

1. An Alarm
Perhaps the most under-appreciated complication is the basic alarm. Granted most of us now defer to their iPhone as their alarm clock but having a wristwatch with an alarm is an elegant (or more friendly) reminder of, say, the parking meter that expires at 3PM. And, by setting an alarm that is not the same haunting tone as your morning wake-up call, you won’t get those panicked flashes that leave you wondering if your long work day was all just a dream…

2. The Date Display
Another beautifully simple watch complication: the date display. To quickly know the day’s number is remarkably handy in countless scenarios that usually flash through your mind as you’re commuting to work. Glancing down to know the number-date and calculating your rent is due on the 1st, payday is on the 15th, and your mother’s birthday is on the 30th is surprisingly helpful.

The most popular date display is referred to as a date window which is an aperture found by the three o’clock marker on the dial. Some brands like Rolex may have a magnifier over the number for greater legibility.

3. World Time
If you are traveling, are in a long-distance relationship, or your offices are headquartered overseas, a world timer or world timezone complication is incredibly useful. The rotating inner bezel with a 24-hour display sits inside an outer bezel that lists the major cities of each timezone. Your local time is read as usual while the inner bezel makes one complete revolution every 24-hours so you know the time in the London office with a quick glance of your wristwatch.

4. Power Reserve Indicator
The power reserve indicator of your watch is like the fuel gauge in your car: it tells you how much power is left. The power reserve indicator displays how many hours (or days for watches with a 10-day power reserve) remain until you need to wind your watch by measuring the tension of the watch’s mainspring. The mainspring is a coil of metal ribbon that slowly unwinds to power the watch.

Because your manual watch does not rely on a battery as an energy supply, it needs to be wound regularly in order to run properly. In an automatic watch, the movement is wound with your arm’s natural movement throughout the day. In a mechanical watch, the movement is wound by rotating the crown. For a step-by-step guide to winding your watch, check out our post How to Set Your Watch with more helpful expert tips.

To find the perfect gift for your loved one, it helps to think about who they are and what they love. What’s their personality? How do they spend their time at work and at home? To make things even easier, we’ve chosen the perfect gifts for five different personalities.

The Adventurer

If you’re gifting for the kind of person who loves all things action and adventure, then you’ll need to find the perfect piece to compliment their lifestyle. When shopping at a higher price point, you’ll want to make sure this piece is designed to last. In fine jewelry and watches this is exactly what you will get.

For the adventurous man you will want a classic sports watch to accompany your loved one on their journeys. There are tremendous options in this category from pilot watches to diving watches, there’s a pick for any hobby. Some of our favorites include the Rolex Submariner and the Omega Speedmaster.

For the adventurous woman, we would also recommend a sports watch. Our favorites include the Chanel J12 or Michele Sport Sail.

The Working Professional

If your loved one is all business, then they probably need a dress watch to match their professional attire. These watches are typically simple and refined in style. You’ll want to find a watch that is built to last a lifetime of meetings and trips.

For the businessman you will need to find an elegant dress watch. The dial should be relatively flat and not too large. The watch should fit under the sleeve of a shirt along with a suit jacket. A Cartier Tank is a safe choice. However, the ultimate men’s dress watch is the Patek Philippe Calatrava. For the businesswoman, we recommend something simple and elegant like a Cartier Ballon Bleu or a Rolex Datejust.

The Trendsetter

If you’re shopping for a person who’s constantly pushing the boundaries of their wardrobe, then they’re probably a trendsetter. It’s hard to shop for a person who loves fashions before they’ve hit the mainstream. But we have a few suggestions for you!

For the Fashion Week fashionista, you’ll want to hit on the hottest trends from the runway. This year we saw an abundance of oversized earrings and necklaces gracing the catwalk. Our favorite enormous earrings are massive Chanel earrings and we’re sure your loved one will enjoy them too!

For the fashionable fellow, you’ll need to find a trendy watch and that’s sometimes hard to come by. Often, as in the case of Rolex, the designs change very little through the years, making a fashion-forward fine watch somewhat hard to pinpoint. Many watch enthusiasts are choosey when it comes to their favorite brands. However, many new collectors and first-time buyers like the vintage-yet-modern look of the Panerai Luminor.

The Vintage Lover

For those who love a throwback, the options are nearly endless. There’s a beautiful and charming allure to an old, classic piece whether it’s jewelry or a watch. The worn and loved look appeals to many and if you’re shopping for one of those people, it may be hard to know where to start.

If your loved one is a jewelry lover, then find out their favorite designer. A beautiful piece by a favorite jeweler will hold a lot of sentimental and monetary value. If you can’t find out their favorite jeweler, then perhaps find a piece from their favorite era, whether it’s 1970 or 1870.

For vintage watch fans, if you can find out their favorite watchmaker and model, then you can find a perfect vintage piece. If you are struggling to find a favorite brand or style, then a birth year watch is always a safe bet. This is a watch that was made in the year that the wearer was born.

Watches depreciate and appreciate at wildly different rates and, unlike a car with a Blue Book value, it can be incredibly complicated to determine a listing price for your pre-owned watch. To help you pin down a sales price, here are the factors that will affect the price of your pre-owned watch.

General Condition

The details of a watch’s condition and appearance are crucial in pin-pointing its price range. Functioning watches with all its original parts are the ideal, whereas non-working timepieces and ones refurbished with new parts (like a replaced dial, crystal or bracelet) are less desirable to shoppers.

If a watch has a patina (a thin film that covers certain precious metals after being exposed to oxygen for prolonged periods of time), it can actually increase the value in certain cases, provided that it does not otherwise affect the condition of the watch.

To zero in your particular watch’s value, cross-reference it with listings for the same model in roughly the same condition. And when you do list your watch, it is essential to include any replacement parts and minor damage that falls outside the range of normal wear-and-tear.

The Dial

The most important feature in determining a watch’s price is the dial. The dial’s overall appearance including the printing, logo, and hands can wildly sway the cost of a pre-owned watch.

One dial of particular interest to collectors are “Tropical Dials.” Tropical Dials are watches whose black dials have, over time, changed to brown. These collector pieces typically garner a higher price tag as authentic and even-wear is a rare find. However, uneven wear on the dial (spotty or non-uniform brown coloring) is an indicator of water damage that can create rust, functionality issues, and effectively lower the price.

The Crystal

After the dial, the state of crystal is the second most important factor in determining a pre-owned watch’s price. The crystal is the mineral glass that protects the dial and watch hands.

While a scratched crystal is not necessarily a deal-breaker, it’s worth noting because it may be an indication there are less visible issues with the watch’s condition and the dial. One vintage watch buyer explains, “If there are marks [seemingly on the crystal] but those marks stay in the same spot on the dial no matter the angle [at which you view the watch], it could be a dial issue—not a crystal issue.”

Therefore, when pricing your watch, a scratch on the crystal is not a make-it-or-break-it factor, but a scratch on the dial is. Again, it is crucial to note this crystal or dial scratch in your product description.

Stamps and Engravings

Always note the year, model, and country of origin in your watch’s listing to increase its price. Knowing the serial number is crucial too but do not list it publicly as counterfeiters are known for copying the serial numbers and stamping them on phony watches to give their forgeries an air of authenticity.

Also it’s worth noting if the watch had a famous previous owner or an interesting history that adds it to its sentimental (and ticket) value. However, excluding those with a storied past, most watches with personal engravings are usually dismissed by collectors and this can negatively affect the price.

The Case

The condition of a pre-owned case is becoming increasingly important to collectors. The case is the metal that houses the watch’s components. A vintage watch with an unpolished, original case oftentimes yields are higher price as they continue to appreciate at a higher rate than their polished counterparts.

Precious Metals

Plated metal does not age well. Pre-owned watches that are gold-filled or metal plated are not going to fetch the same price as a vintage watch made of pure precious metal. Timepieces made of stainless steel, sterling silver, platinum, or 14K or 18K gold will garner the best prices.

Box & Papers

Regardless of whether or not you’re planning on selling your watch, always keep your watch’s original box and authentication papers. They’re smart to keep on hand for your own records, and including the box and papers gives your listing a serious edge in both credibility and pricing.

If you are interested in selling a pre-owned watch, our customer service team is here to help. Contact them here for more information on how to list with TrueFacet.