This Week in Watches
AP x Swatch Collab Confirmed, Cartier Crash Sets New World Record, and Watches Spotted At The Met Gala
Bonjour!
I’m back in Paris after a quick few days at Churchill Downs in Kentucky with Longines — and it’s a properly wet and gloomy one here today. Honestly, ideal conditions to do nothing but cozy up and write this week’s newsletter. And as promised, the Met Gala Watch Spotting Pt2 video you’ll find below!
So let’s get into it. This Week in Watches.
Headlines:
AP x Swatch Collab Confirmed
Cartier Crash Sells For World Record $2 Million
The GOAT of Cross Country Skiing Becomes RM’s Latest Brand Ambassador
eBay Now Checks If Your Watch Is Stolen
The Unexpected Collab That Has My Attention This Week
Timothée Chalamet Goes Courtside In Another Independent Heater
The Watch That Never Left My Wrist This Week
Met Gala Watch Spotting Video Pt2
I Attended the Kentucky Derby With Longines
AP x Swatch Collab Confirmed
It’s official — Audemars Piguet and Swatch are collaborating, and they’re calling it the “Royal Pop.” Rumored for the past week setting the internet abuzz, now confirmed: a possible hybrid pocket watch that doubles as a wristwatch, dropping May 16th.
Cartier Crash Sells For World Record $2 Million
Sotheby’s Hong Kong has set a new all-time world record for the most valuable Cartier watch sold at auction. A Cartier London Crash, thought to have been made in 1987, was sold to a Japanese collector for $1.99 million. Sotheby’s says the example was one of only three Crash watches made by its London operation that year.
The GOAT of Cross-Country Skiing Becomes RM’s Latest Brand Ambassador
Richard Mille has announced a partnership with 29-year-old Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, the Norwegian cross-country skier who has become the most successful Winter Olympian of all time, achieving a wildly impressive 11 Olympic gold medals – six of which came at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games alone.
eBay Now Checks If Your Watch Is Stolen
Leading online marketplace eBay has announced the integration of Enquirus – the world's largest registry for lost and stolen luxury watches, into its Authenticity Guarantee service, adding an additional layer of protection for buyers and sellers.
Release of the Week
Baltic x SpaceOne Seconde Majeure
While all eyes were on the upcoming AP x Swatch collab, the release of the Baltic x SpaceOne Seconde Majeure had all my attention and may even be having my money soon. It features a transparent jumping-hour display unlike anything either brand has released before and frankly unlike anything I’ve seen in this price range. Priced at €2,500 for the brushed finish dial or €3,500 for hand-applied Charbonné. Available for pre-order May 12th.
Watch Spot of the Week
Timothée Chalamet’s Petermann Bédat 1825
Spotted courtside in Philly this week in support of the Knicks quest for the NBA Finals, Chalamet not only continued his support for his home team but also independent watchmaking by rocking a piece by Petermann Bédat. The Ref. 1825 in 18k pink gold with a textured translucent green “grand feu” dial. Priced at CHF 75,000.
On My Wrist
Longines HydroConquest 39mm
Three days at Churchill Downs with Longines for the Kentucky Derby, and the watch on my wrist the entire time was the newly released HydroConquest 39mm — and honetsly I enjoyed every minute of wear. Ceramic bezel, 300m water resistance, updated dial with the numerals removed for a cleaner look, and a Milanese mesh bracelet that not only looks great but is genuinely one of the most comfortable bracelets I’ve put on in a while. Oh, and $2,400. Hard to argue with that.
Met Gala Watch Spotting Pt2
My Week at the Kentucky Derby With Longines
I traveled from Paris to Louisville, Kentucky (& back) this past week for three days at Churchill Downs with Longines — four flights, 20 hours in the air, and 8,476 miles. And yes, every single mile was worth it. From the track experience watching the Kentucky Oaks race to the VIP hospitality of The Mansion, it was a bucket list trip that delivered on every level. Full breakdown coming soon on Substack.
Have an amazing week ahead!
- Chad