This month's #LAWatchGang GTG was all about the modern Rolex GMT-Master II.  In total we had four different GMTs: steel (ref. 116710LN), steel with black/blue bezel (ref. 116710BLNR), two tone (ref. 116713LN), and the 18K yellow gold with green dial (ref. 116718).  

July’s #LAWatchGang GTG was hosted by the Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique in Beverly Hills.  So besides enjoying our member’s watches and conversations, last month we added a few Jaeger-LeCoultre beauties to the mix… a few Tourbillons and even a Spherotourbillon!  Not a bad month!

This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver (15703ST.OO.A002CA.01) was reviewed on 10 different criteria.  The review is for this specific watch, other models may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.

I was finally able to make it to the RPM Exotic Car Gathering hosted by David Lee @davidlee_hingwalee and Hing Wa Lee Jewelers this past Saturday March 3.  This car gathering is being held every second and fourth Saturday of the month at the Hing Wa Lee Plaza located in the city of Walnut.  The event is open to the public and there is even complimentary breakfast and drinks courtesy of Hing Wa Lee Jewelers!  Exotic cars, watches, and free food... what else could I need?

Once your passion for watches takes over your common sense, you start telling yourself that no matter how expensive a watch is, that it is definitely worth it. 

If you have visited Las Vegas or have been planning a trip to Sin City, you know that no Vegas experience is complete without watching a Vegas show.  There are literally hundreds of shows to choose from, but the most famous production is probably Cirque du Soleil.

November's #LAWatchGang GTG was by far our largest and craziest GTG so far, with special guest Devon Works.  From a vintage Heuer Monaco to the ultra-futuristic Devon Tread 1, this GTG was simply WOW... overstimulated is an understatement.

This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph (ref. 26400SO.OO.A002CA.01) was reviewed on 10 different criteria.  The review is for this specific watch, other models may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.

Inspired by this week's "Watches and Wardrobe" #head2headcopycat challenge on Instagram, this post is all about taking a look at my past Instagram posts that feature watches and clothing.

Last Tuesday we had a very special ##LAWatchGang GTG with Hartmut Kraft (aka H).  For those unfamiliar with H, he is the President of DKSH (responsible for the distribution of Maurice Lacroix, Glycine, and several other brands in North America).  Before he became an executive in the watch industry, H was and is simply one of us... a true watch enthusiast.

On May 15, I attended the "LA Collector's Event" dinner hosted by Feldmar Watch Company and Maurice Lacroix and what a night!  Definitely one of the most fun and informative watch-related nights I've ever had.

As part of the exclusive content only available at Life of a WIS, I am very excited to share with everyone my very first interview post.  And what better person to kick this off than my favorite aftermarket strap supplier and good friend... Ron, Owner of BandRbands.com (@bandrbands).  BandRbands.com is your one stop for all aftermarket Bell & Ross straps and more!  Great quality, various sizes to accommodate all wrists, and extremely reasonable prices... no wonder they are my favorite place to buy aftermarket straps! 

When it comes to aftermarket straps, the choices are endless.  I have tried everything, from $15 eBay straps to $500 Atelier du Bracelet Parisien (ABP) straps.  If given a choice, I prefer to buy pre-made straps versus custom ordered ones due to their much lower price and immediate availability.  Often times the wait for the custom order straps are over 4 weeks!  Unfortunately, because of my thinner wrist size (<6.5"), most of the pre-made straps that I found online were just too long for me... until I found BandRbands.com (they are also on Instagram).

Never say never.  A few years ago when I first saw the Bell & Ross Airborne (now called Skull) I found the watch to be unique but unattractive... Why would anyone want to wear a watch with a huge skull on it?  Some people are surely crazy... Well, here is my newest watch, the limited edition Bell & Ross BR 01 Skull Bronze ;-).  Proof again that tastes do change with time, so never say never.

On April 11, two members of the #redbarcrew (@redbarcrew) were in town (@kmcgivney and @atommoore) so a GTG with the #LAWatchGang was a no-brainer!  And as if the night could get any better, Robert Kolcon (@robertkolcon) from Bell & Ross showed up with a few pieces from Bell & Ross from his personal collection.  Great timepieces + great company = great night!

As part of the exclusive content only available at Life of a WIS, I am very excited to share with everyone my very first interview post.  And what better person to kick this off than my favorite aftermarket strap supplier and good friend... Ron, Owner of BandRbands.com (@bandrbands).  BandRbands.com is your one stop for all aftermarket Bell & Ross straps and more!  Great quality, various sizes to accommodate all wrists, and extremely reasonable prices... no wonder they are my favorite place to buy aftermarket straps! 

Here is your chance to win a brand new original Bell & Ross "B-Rocket" cap!  To participate in the giveaway, complete one of the following (or both to double your chances of winning).  You must be from Continental United States to be eligible for the giveaway.

When it comes to aftermarket straps, the choices are endless.  I have tried everything, from $15 eBay straps to $500 Atelier du Bracelet Parisien (ABP) straps.  If given a choice, I prefer to buy pre-made straps versus custom ordered ones due to their much lower price and immediate availability.  Often times the wait for the custom order straps are over 4 weeks!  Unfortunately, because of my thinner wrist size (<6.5"), most of the pre-made straps that I found online were just too long for me... until I found BandRbands.com (they are also on Instagram).

 On July 1, Bell & Ross hosted an exclusive event for the #lawatchgang, the unveiling of their B-Rocket.  This was a special event for me as I worked together with Robert Kolcon (Western Regional Sales Manager at Bell & Ross) to make this night a reality.  Special thanks to Robert, Stacie Orloff (President Bell & Ross Americas), Bell & Ross, and Feldmar Watch Company for the lovely event.  

Last Tuesday we had a very special ##LAWatchGang GTG with Hartmut Kraft (aka H).  For those unfamiliar with H, he is the President of DKSH (responsible for the distribution of Maurice Lacroix, Glycine, and several other brands in North America).  Before he became an executive in the watch industry, H was and is simply one of us... a true watch enthusiast.

Last Tuesday we had a very special ##LAWatchGang GTG with Hartmut Kraft (aka H).  For those unfamiliar with H, he is the President of DKSH (responsible for the distribution of Maurice Lacroix, Glycine, and several other brands in North America).  Before he became an executive in the watch industry, H was and is simply one of us... a true watch enthusiast.

On June 18, Feldmar Watch Company and Breitling hosted an exclusive event to unveil some of their new 2015 models.  Honestly, I am not a big fan of Breitling... but not because I do not think that they are a reputable watch manufacturer, I simply have not connected with any of their models at that level.  There are a few collections that I find attractive, like the SuperOcean and Navitimer, but I seem to always end up looking elsewhere...

This past Friday a few members of the #LAWatchGang and I had the pleasure to meet Jessica Casser from Breva Genevè (also on Instagram) and we all got to play with a few of their timepieces.  Prior to meeting Jessica, I had seen several photos online about the various Breva Genevè models and their unique features... needless to say, I was very excited to see these in person!

 On October 2, Feldmar Watch Company hosted a special event with Bremont.  I had the pleasure to meet Nick English (co-founder of the brand) and Mike Pearson (Director of North America) during the event.  Having always been a fan of the brand, I was extremely excited to finally see them in person.  

The first arrival for 2016 was completely unexpected and a bit of an impulse buy.  I was perusing several watch forums and websites (like I usually do) when I found this beauty on sale for a price that I could not resist... and being the sucker that I am for great deals I pulled the trigger.  And I am glad that I did :-).

My wife's "Wife of a WIS" blog is now LIVE!  You can check out her blog by clicking on "Wife of a WIS" at the very top or by clicking on the button below.

Thank you all for the support.

These four watches are the perfect inspiration for my first personal post.  Some watches come and go throughout the years, but these four watches will forever stay in my collection as they hold a special place in my heart.  These watches were all gifts from my wife (@wifeofawis), in chronological order (left being the oldest). 

Life of a WIS is expanding the "Reviews" section to now include reviews of aftermarket straps.  The first straps to go through my tough scrutiny were these perlon straps (blue and red) from whatchs.com (@whatchs).  These straps were reviewed on 5 different criteria.  The review is for these specific straps, other straps may perform differently.  If you would like to submit your product for a review, please contact me.

This Devon Tread 1 (Version C) was reviewed on 10 different criteria.  The review is for this specific watch, other models may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.

November's #LAWatchGang GTG was by far our largest and craziest GTG so far, with special guest Devon Works.  From a vintage Heuer Monaco to the ultra-futuristic Devon Tread 1, this GTG was simply WOW... overstimulated is an understatement.

Last November, Linde Werdelin and Jewells at Galpin hosted an exclusive event for #LAWatchGang at the Galpin Aston Martin dealership in Van Nuys.  Many Linde Werdelin models were on display and attendees were able to get a close look at them without the pressure of a salesperson.  Overall, an amazing night full of fantastic watches, beautiful cars, and great company.

On June 18, Feldmar Watch Company and Breitling hosted an exclusive event to unveil some of their new 2015 models.  Honestly, I am not a big fan of Breitling... but not because I do not think that they are a reputable watch manufacturer, I simply have not connected with any of their models at that level.  There are a few collections that I find attractive, like the SuperOcean and Navitimer, but I seem to always end up looking elsewhere...

The exclusive Life of a WIS interview series continues with my third guest: Scott Meller, Vice President of Feldmar Watch Company.  I met Scott for the first time during a special Maurice Lacroix event that was held at their beautiful retail store.  Feldmar Watch Company was renovated in 2013 for their 100th Anniversary and WOW... the new store is simply fantastic.  With over 10,000 square feet of showroom space, there are plenty of watches to enjoy.  They are an authorized dealer for all the brands in their showroom, which includes: Omega, Breguet, Blancpain, Arnold & Son, Bovet, Bremont, Jaquet Droz and many many more.

Last Tuesday we had a very special ##LAWatchGang GTG with Hartmut Kraft (aka H).  For those unfamiliar with H, he is the President of DKSH (responsible for the distribution of Maurice Lacroix, Glycine, and several other brands in North America).  Before he became an executive in the watch industry, H was and is simply one of us... a true watch enthusiast.

 On October 2, Feldmar Watch Company hosted a special event with Bremont.  I had the pleasure to meet Nick English (co-founder of the brand) and Mike Pearson (Director of North America) during the event.  Having always been a fan of the brand, I was extremely excited to finally see them in person.  

 On July 1, Bell & Ross hosted an exclusive event for the #lawatchgang, the unveiling of their B-Rocket.  This was a special event for me as I worked together with Robert Kolcon (Western Regional Sales Manager at Bell & Ross) to make this night a reality.  Special thanks to Robert, Stacie Orloff (President Bell & Ross Americas), Bell & Ross, and Feldmar Watch Company for the lovely event.  

On May 15, I attended the "LA Collector's Event" dinner hosted by Feldmar Watch Company and Maurice Lacroix and what a night!  Definitely one of the most fun and informative watch-related nights I've ever had.

The exclusive Life of a WIS interview series continues with my second guest: Fiona Krüger, Founder of Fiona Krüger Timepieces.  I met her for the first time in September this year while she was on her business trip visiting Los Angeles.

This past Sunday I had the pleasure to meet with Fiona Krüger and her husband to talk watches and learn more about her brand, Fiona Krüger Timepieces (also on Instagram).  Fiona is currently on a business trip, stopping by Los Angeles and Mexico to meet up with customers, watch aficionados, and different retailers.

Last Tuesday we had a very special ##LAWatchGang GTG with Hartmut Kraft (aka H).  For those unfamiliar with H, he is the President of DKSH (responsible for the distribution of Maurice Lacroix, Glycine, and several other brands in North America).  Before he became an executive in the watch industry, H was and is simply one of us... a true watch enthusiast.

This Girard-Perregaux Chrono Hawk (ref. 49970-11-131-HDBA) was reviewed on 10 different criteria.  The review is for this specific watch, other models may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.

This Graham Chronofighter Superlight Carbon (2CCBK.B15A) was reviewed on 10 different criteria.  The review is for this specific watch, other models may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.

Every year, WatchBuys hosts a Road Show in Pasadena so that watch enthusiasts can learn more about the various brands they offer and for a chance to see the timepieces in the flesh.  Last month, WatchBuys held a special Road Show event just for the #lawatchgang.  The brands included: Sinn, Hanhart, D. Dornbluth & Sohn, Nomos Glashutte, Jochen Benzinger, Bruno Sohnle Glashutte, Thomas Ninchritz, Junghans, Stefan Kudoke, and a few other German brands.

I am very excited for our very first comparison review!  The straps will be compared against each other under the same categories of a regular strap review.  For each category, a winner will be selected (or it could be a tie) and an overall winner will be chosen at the end of the review.  Since both of these straps were previously reviewed in detail (Rubber B Rubber Strap with Tang Buckle for Rolex GMT-Master II and Everest Rubber Strap with Tang Buckle for Rolex GMT-Master II), this comparison review will only focus on the differences between the two straps and not on the details of each individual strap.  Note that for this battle, the straps are the tang buckle versions and sold as fitting the Rolex GMT-Master II.

This Rubber B strap was reviewed on 5 different criteria.  The review is for this specific strap, other straps may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.  If you would like to submit your product for a review, please contact me.

This Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Mysterious Seconds (ref. MP6558-SS001-095-1) was reviewed on 10 different criteria.  The review is for this specific watch, other models may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.

This Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity (ref. MP6118-SS001-110) was reviewed on 10 different criteria.  The review is for this specific watch, other models may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.

This is Part II of the #LAWatchGang special evening with Hartmut Kraft.  For the first half of the evening, please see Part I.

Last Tuesday we had a very special ##LAWatchGang GTG with Hartmut Kraft (aka H).  For those unfamiliar with H, he is the President of DKSH (responsible for the distribution of Maurice Lacroix, Glycine, and several other brands in North America).  Before he became an executive in the watch industry, H was and is simply one of us... a true watch enthusiast.

This Maurice Lacroix Chronographe Retro (ref. PT6288-SS001-130) was reviewed on 10 different criteria.  The review is for this specific watch, other models may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.

I was one of the fortunate few that had the opportunity to attend a very special all expenses paid GTG hosted by Maurice Lacroix for watch passionate people like myself.  The event was held in Las Vegas on May 31.

On May 15, I attended the "LA Collector's Event" dinner hosted by Feldmar Watch Company and Maurice Lacroix and what a night!  Definitely one of the most fun and informative watch-related nights I've ever had.

I am very excited for our very first comparison review!  The straps will be compared against each other under the same categories of a regular strap review.  For each category, a winner will be selected (or it could be a tie) and an overall winner will be chosen at the end of the review.  Since both of these straps were previously reviewed in detail (Rubber B Rubber Strap with Tang Buckle for Rolex GMT-Master II and Everest Rubber Strap with Tang Buckle for Rolex GMT-Master II), this comparison review will only focus on the differences between the two straps and not on the details of each individual strap.  Note that for this battle, the straps are the tang buckle versions and sold as fitting the Rolex GMT-Master II.

This Rubber B strap was reviewed on 5 different criteria.  The review is for this specific strap, other straps may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.  If you would like to submit your product for a review, please contact me.

The exclusive Life of a WIS interview series continues with my next guest: Chase Fancher, Founder of Oak & Oscar.  I met Chase for the first time during his visit to Los Angeles last year.  Though I had seen many photos of the Burnham (his very first model) on Instagram, I had actually never seen one in person.  After playing and dissecting the watch, it is evident that no detail was left to chance.  Every detail on the Burnham has been meticulously designed by Chase.

Chase, founder of Oak & Oscar, was in town on July 26 and invited the #LAWatchGang to check out his very first model, the Burnham.  For those unfamiliar with the brand, Oak & Oscar is a relatively new American brand (Chicago based) that in a very short time has made a big impression in the watch community with the Burnham model… and rightfully so.  The watch is unique and attractive.  

When I first saw images of this watch it was love at first sight. The vintage style bracelet, the limited edition details, the subtle grey dial, and the two tone color scheme were all too much to resist. To my fortune, I was one of the lucky ones out of 6,969 people that would be receiving this beautiful watch. The number of pieces for this “limited edition” Apollo 11 50th Anniversary is arguably laughable, but it is probably also why I was able to secure one so I am not going to complain.

My newest arrival, and most likely my last arrival for the year (*tears*), is the Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon (DSOM).  This is also my first Omega.  I have always been a fan of most Omega designs and often wondered why my collection was Omega-less… The numerous variations from the Seamaster (Planet Ocean) and Speedmaster (Moonwatch) collections have always caught my eye, but surprisingly I never pulled the trigger on any. 

Last month's #LAWatchGang GTG was fun as always!  Several new faces for me and plenty of watches that I had not seen before.  Add delicious tacos to the mix and all I can say is that I certainly enjoyed every minute of it.  Some of the brands in attendance that night include Rolex, Ressence, Tudor, Omega, Hamilton, Glashutte Original, Panerai, Girard-Perregaux, Breguet, Audemars Piguet, and Heuer.

The #LAWatchGang is growing rapidly!  Just a year ago we were only a handful of watch geeks and now we are averaging 15 people per meet.  Not bad if you ask me.  Last month's meet offered a great variety as usual... plenty of vintage pieces and a few modern ones.

This month's #LAWatchGang GTG was probably the biggest to date.  With over 15 people in attendance, the watches to drool over certainly did not disappoint! 

For many years I have wanted a black Panerai in my collection, but somehow every time a new Panerai joined the family it was always in stainless steel. In my defense, the options with a black ceramic case are limited (as much as I love the look of PVD, I am too scared of scratches to own one). I admired the Radiomir PAM 292 for many years, but never took the plunge. Then I drooled over the PAM 317 but could not get over the high price point… but after 12 years of watch collecting, I finally added a black ceramic PAM to my collection – the PAM 1441.

O-M-G!!! This new arrival is one of my grails!!! When the first Panerai Bronzo was released in 2011, it was love at first sight. The love eventually turned into frustration as it was impossible to purchase one unless you knew someone or were a VIP customer. The years passed, new versions were released, but the Bronzo remained a myth… unobtainable at retail. What made things more infuriating was seeing many Brozos in the secondary market with a $10K premium or seeing one owner with multiple versions of the Bronzo (in many cases with all versions)... and there I was still dreaming about owning one someday.

After over one year of not purchasing a watch (new personal record), I am very excited about this latest new arrival.  Not only is it from the brand that started it all for me, it is also a Limited Edition piece of only 500 pieces... and we all know how impossible it is to get Limited Edition pieces from Panerai!  This PAM 911, also known as the "Last One for Paneristi", was designed by Mr. Angelo Bonati himself.  Though unlikely that this will be the last one for Paneristi ever, it will be the last one under Mr. Angelo Bonati's reign.  Jean-Marc Pontroué, Roger Dubuis CEO, is scheduled to become the next Officine Panerai CEO in April 2018.  I have always been a fan and a harsh critic of Panerai (see my The Fall of a Giant? article), so it will be interesting to see what happens to the brand under the new direction of Jean-Marc.

This Horus strap was reviewed on 5 different criteria.  The review is for this specific strap, other straps may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.  If you would like to submit your product for a review, please contact me.

Earlier this month I had the honor to attend the very exclusive Officine Panerai Dive Into Time VIP event in Beverly Hills.  I had the pleasure to talk and dine with Giovanni Carestia (President of Panerai North America), Alessandro Ficarelli (Product Development Director), and several others from the Panerai team.  And as if that was not awesome enough, we also had the chance to view and play with some newly released Panerai models.  Needless to say, it was one heck of a night and one worth sharing with the rest of the watch community.   

My latest arrival is from the brand that started this entire watch craze for me, Officine Panerai.  But before we get into more details, I would like to thank my awesome wife (Instagram @wifeofawis) for this incredibly thoughtful gift.  For many years, I have wanted to add a white dial Panerai to my collection and this new PAM 563 is just perfect.

This past Saturday I attended the RPM Exotic Car Gathering at the Hing Wa Lee Plaza in Walnut for the third time... easily the best one I have attended so far (sans a Bugatti)!  The parking lot was completely packed!  So packed that they actually had to turn away several Ferraris and Lambos since there was no more space.  As always, there was complimentary Dim Sum breakfast and plenty of watches to enjoy inside the Hing Wa Lee watch store.

Any function on your watch other than to display time is considered a complication.  It could be as simple as a date function or as complicated as a sonnerie. 

This past Saturday we went to The Santa Ana Zoo's "Boo at the Zoo" trick-or-treat event.  It was @babyofawis' first time trick-or-treating so we figured that this event was perfect for her... get to see a few animals, walk around in a safe environment, and hopefully go home with a bag of goodies.

Panerai, the brand that made me a WIS.  Yes it is true.  In case you have not read the About section on my website yet, my passion for watches started in the summer of 2007 after I purchased my first Panerai, a PAM 164.

July’s #LAWatchGang GTG was hosted by the Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique in Beverly Hills.  So besides enjoying our member’s watches and conversations, last month we added a few Jaeger-LeCoultre beauties to the mix… a few Tourbillons and even a Spherotourbillon!  Not a bad month!

Any function on your watch other than to display time is considered a complication.  It could be as simple as a date function or as complicated as a sonnerie. 

For October's #LAWatchGang GTG, @toysofawis surprised the OGs with a customized polo shirt!  Thank you again!  As usual, a lot of familiar faces, but we also had two newcomers with interesting watches.  The selection at October's GTG was quite varied.  Remember, if you are a watch aficionado and would like to attend our monthly #LAWatchGang GTG, please feel free to contact me.

This month's #LAWatchGang GTG was probably the biggest to date.  With over 15 people in attendance, the watches to drool over certainly did not disappoint! 

Most will agree that the Zenith Chronomaster Sport is a beautiful watch that checks all the boxes. In many ways, it was Zenith’s response to the incredibly successful and impossible to get steel Rolex Ceramic Daytona. From the Oyster bracelet look-a-like, to the folding clasp, to the black ceramic bezel… the similarities are clear, but so are the differences. We will discuss why each is better than the other later and answer the big question, which of the two reigns supreme?

11 and a half years ago, I made one of my worst watch related decisions in life when I went with the Cartier Santos 100 DLC for my wedding watch. My wife and I both got the exact same watch as matching “wedding watches”. Back then I was considering the 116613LB as well but for some stupid reason I decided to go with the Cartier. To my defense, the popularity of black watches back then was on the rise. In retrospect, I failed immensely at picking a timeless watch that one could wear for decades to come and still be considered a classic timepiece. Shortly after our wedding, I kept thinking that I had screwed up by not getting the 116613LB, which we both liked (we both liked the Cartier too). After overthinking this issue for over 10 years, I can safely say that Rolex is THE wedding watch brand to get to anyone out there looking for suggestions, as unoriginal as that may sound. Most Rolex watches have truly classic designs that will stand the test of time.

It took me 5 years of yearning and a hands-on review to finally say that I am a proud owner of a Rolex GMT-Master II BLNR.  Not sure why I waited so long to actually add one to my collection, but I am glad that I finally did. 

April's #LAWatchGang GTG was huge!  With over 25 members showing up, the number of watches was insane!  Two members brought with them a large part of their collection so we had more watches than we had people!  As it should be!  Brands represented during this GTG included: Rolex, Tudor, IWC, Audemars Piguet, Bell & Ross, Omega, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Nomos Glashutte, Vacheron Constantin, Longines, Panerai, Sinn, Chronoswiss, and many more!  Please keep in mind that I try to take photos of watches that have not yet been featured in my previous GTG reports.  

This past Saturday I attended the RPM Exotic Car Gathering at the Hing Wa Lee Plaza for the second time.  Like last time, there was complimentary Dim Sum for breakfast, sick cars, and beautiful timepieces. 

Last month's #LAWatchGang GTG was fun as always!  Several new faces for me and plenty of watches that I had not seen before.  Add delicious tacos to the mix and all I can say is that I certainly enjoyed every minute of it.  Some of the brands in attendance that night include Rolex, Ressence, Tudor, Omega, Hamilton, Glashutte Original, Panerai, Girard-Perregaux, Breguet, Audemars Piguet, and Heuer.

This Rolex Explorer II (ref. 216570) was reviewed on 10 different criteria.  The review is for this specific watch, other models may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.  Please also check out my review on the 116710BLNR. 

Once your passion for watches takes over your common sense, you start telling yourself that no matter how expensive a watch is, that it is definitely worth it. 

The #LAWatchGang is growing rapidly!  Just a year ago we were only a handful of watch geeks and now we are averaging 15 people per meet.  Not bad if you ask me.  Last month's meet offered a great variety as usual... plenty of vintage pieces and a few modern ones.

Ever since @wifeofawis and I got our Disney Annual Passports, we have been spoiling our daughter @babyofawis with too many trips to Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure.  Before she was born, @wifeofawis was already a Disney fan... but now with our daughter, trips to Disneyland have a completely new meaning.   Thrill rides have been replaced with kiddie rides and the focus is now on making sure that our daughter is having fun.  Totally different from before, but just as awesome if not more awesome.  Seeing her face light up with happiness is priceless.

Life of a WIS is once again expanding the "Reviews" section to now include reviews of watch related accessories.  The first accessory to go through my tough scrutiny is this North Atlantic anchor bracelet from WatchBandit.com (@watchbandits).  This bracelet was reviewed on 5 different criteria.  The review is for this specific bracelet, other bracelets may perform differently.  If you would like to submit your product for a review, please contact me.

Life of a WIS is expanding the "Reviews" section to now include reviews of aftermarket straps.  The first straps to go through my tough scrutiny were these perlon straps (blue and red) from whatchs.com (@whatchs).  These straps were reviewed on 5 different criteria.  The review is for these specific straps, other straps may perform differently.  If you would like to submit your product for a review, please contact me.

Inspired by this week's "Watches and Wardrobe" #head2headcopycat challenge on Instagram, this post is all about taking a look at my past Instagram posts that feature watches and clothing.

This Rolex GMT-Master II (ref. 116710BLNR) was reviewed on 10 different criteria.  The review is for this specific watch, other models may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.  Having owned a 116710LN from 2009 to 2014, this Rolex was no stranger to me.

Last Saturday, @wifeofawis and I decided to host a small get-together dinner at our place to celebrate @toysofawis' (my cousin) and another friend's birthday.  A few weeks before my wife's aunt had taught us how to make home-cooked prime rib roast so we figured it was the perfect time to give it a try!

These four watches are the perfect inspiration for my first personal post.  Some watches come and go throughout the years, but these four watches will forever stay in my collection as they hold a special place in my heart.  These watches were all gifts from my wife (@wifeofawis), in chronological order (left being the oldest). 

This month's #LAWatchGang GTG was probably the biggest to date.  With over 15 people in attendance, the watches to drool over certainly did not disappoint! 

This month's #LAWatchGang GTG was all about the modern Rolex GMT-Master II.  In total we had four different GMTs: steel (ref. 116710LN), steel with black/blue bezel (ref. 116710BLNR), two tone (ref. 116713LN), and the 18K yellow gold with green dial (ref. 116718).  

I am very excited for our very first comparison review!  The straps will be compared against each other under the same categories of a regular strap review.  For each category, a winner will be selected (or it could be a tie) and an overall winner will be chosen at the end of the review.  Since both of these straps were previously reviewed in detail (Rubber B Rubber Strap with Tang Buckle for Rolex GMT-Master II and Everest Rubber Strap with Tang Buckle for Rolex GMT-Master II), this comparison review will only focus on the differences between the two straps and not on the details of each individual strap.  Note that for this battle, the straps are the tang buckle versions and sold as fitting the Rolex GMT-Master II.

This Rubber B strap was reviewed on 5 different criteria.  The review is for this specific strap, other straps may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.  If you would like to submit your product for a review, please contact me.

For October's #LAWatchGang GTG, @toysofawis surprised the OGs with a customized polo shirt!  Thank you again!  As usual, a lot of familiar faces, but we also had two newcomers with interesting watches.  The selection at October's GTG was quite varied.  Remember, if you are a watch aficionado and would like to attend our monthly #LAWatchGang GTG, please feel free to contact me.

My newest watch and the last watch for 2014 is the SevenFriday P1 Limited Edition Philippines Boutique (limited to 150 pieces) that was gifted to me by @wifeofawis on my birthday last December (you can also read about my review on the P1-1 model). 

This SevenFriday P1-1 was reviewed on 10 different criteria.  The review is for this specific watch, other models may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences. 

On September 2, I attended the SevenFriday LA Flash Party with a few members of the #LAWatchGang.  Had the chance to meet Anish Bhatt (@watchanish), Daniel Niederer (the creator of SevenFriday), and Armen Eskijian (from Beverly Hills Watch Company).

Every year, WatchBuys hosts a Road Show in Pasadena so that watch enthusiasts can learn more about the various brands they offer and for a chance to see the timepieces in the flesh.  Last month, WatchBuys held a special Road Show event just for the #lawatchgang.  The brands included: Sinn, Hanhart, D. Dornbluth & Sohn, Nomos Glashutte, Jochen Benzinger, Bruno Sohnle Glashutte, Thomas Ninchritz, Junghans, Stefan Kudoke, and a few other German brands.

This Swatch Sistem51 (ref. SUTS401) was reviewed on 10 different criteria.  The review is for this specific watch, other models may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.

On May 15, I attended the "LA Collector's Event" dinner hosted by Feldmar Watch Company and Maurice Lacroix and what a night!  Definitely one of the most fun and informative watch-related nights I've ever had.

This Snyper Two Yellow was reviewed on 10 different criteria.  The review is for this specific watch, other models may perform differently.  Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.

Last November, Linde Werdelin and Jewells at Galpin hosted an exclusive event for #LAWatchGang at the Galpin Aston Martin dealership in Van Nuys.  Many Linde Werdelin models were on display and attendees were able to get a close look at them without the pressure of a salesperson.  Overall, an amazing night full of fantastic watches, beautiful cars, and great company.

November's #LAWatchGang GTG was by far our largest and craziest GTG so far, with special guest Devon Works.  From a vintage Heuer Monaco to the ultra-futuristic Devon Tread 1, this GTG was simply WOW... overstimulated is an understatement.

These four watches are the perfect inspiration for my first personal post.  Some watches come and go throughout the years, but these four watches will forever stay in my collection as they hold a special place in my heart.  These watches were all gifts from my wife (@wifeofawis), in chronological order (left being the oldest). 

April's #LAWatchGang GTG was huge!  With over 25 members showing up, the number of watches was insane!  Two members brought with them a large part of their collection so we had more watches than we had people!  As it should be!  Brands represented during this GTG included: Rolex, Tudor, IWC, Audemars Piguet, Bell & Ross, Omega, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Nomos Glashutte, Vacheron Constantin, Longines, Panerai, Sinn, Chronoswiss, and many more!  Please keep in mind that I try to take photos of watches that have not yet been featured in my previous GTG reports.  

 For this month's #LAWatchGang GTG we had special guest Cameron Weiss from Weiss Watch Company join us.  Friends, Weiss watches, more watches, tacos, drinks... another great GTG! 

The exclusive Life of a WIS interview series continues with my next guest: Lee Scott, Founder of Vulcan Watch Straps. Stay tuned for a strap review of the Azure Blue strap and find out how Vulcan Watch Straps compares to Rubber B and Everest Bands!

Life of a WIS is once again expanding the "Reviews" section to now include reviews of watch related accessories.  The first accessory to go through my tough scrutiny is this North Atlantic anchor bracelet from WatchBandit.com (@watchbandits).  This bracelet was reviewed on 5 different criteria.  The review is for this specific bracelet, other bracelets may perform differently.  If you would like to submit your product for a review, please contact me.

Every year, WatchBuys hosts a Road Show in Pasadena so that watch enthusiasts can learn more about the various brands they offer and for a chance to see the timepieces in the flesh.  Last month, WatchBuys held a special Road Show event just for the #lawatchgang.  The brands included: Sinn, Hanhart, D. Dornbluth & Sohn, Nomos Glashutte, Jochen Benzinger, Bruno Sohnle Glashutte, Thomas Ninchritz, Junghans, Stefan Kudoke, and a few other German brands.

Life of a WIS is expanding the "Reviews" section to now include reviews of aftermarket straps.  The first straps to go through my tough scrutiny were these perlon straps (blue and red) from whatchs.com (@whatchs).  These straps were reviewed on 5 different criteria.  The review is for these specific straps, other straps may perform differently.  If you would like to submit your product for a review, please contact me.

 For this month's #LAWatchGang GTG we had special guest Cameron Weiss from Weiss Watch Company join us.  Friends, Weiss watches, more watches, tacos, drinks... another great GTG!