So check-out our eRelyx Grad Gift Guide for our hand-picked selections and a few favorites that are sure to please any grad in your life!

So this got us to thinking-  what’s the story with this watch that makes it so desirable (and so darn hard to find)?!?

Back in 1969, the Heuer Monaco debuted as the first chronograph watch to feature an automatic movement. Additionally the Monaco was the first SQUARE chronograph watch available on the market.

Beyond its technical innovations, the Heuer Monaco (another fun fact- the TAG Heuer brand we know today did not exist prior to the 1985 TAG Group’s acquisition of the Heuer brand), has a culturally rich past. It was originally conceived in honor of the 1969 Monaco Grand Prix (hence the name), and came to notable fame when actor Steve McQueen wore the watch in the 1971 film Le Mans (a cult favorite among racing fans). The watch has since become synonymous with McQueen and in 2003 Tag Heuer reintroduced the watch in response to McQueen’s popularity.

If you are looking to purchase one of the original Heuer Monaco Chronographs, it is important to keep in mind that the original Monaco was discontinued in the mid-70s. Tag reissued the watch with a new design in 1998, and many of the “Steve McQueen” models you see out there are the reissued, modern version of the original Monaco.

With such a (comparatively) small window of production with the original Monaco watches, there is certainly a very limited pool of original vintage models out on the market today. So if you find one, or have one to sell, let us know! After writing this article, we’re itching for one of these legendary watches even more.

(photos c/o google image search: calibre11.com & watchanish)

9. John Travolta (aka our childhood crush, Danny Zuko) is a Breitling spokesperson.

8. The Breitling colors are black & yellow. The Boston Bruins colors are black & yellow. Gotta love that. #BostonPride

7. The Madison Avenue Flagship Breitling store. It’s just SO cool.

6. Justin Timberlake (our current crush- swoon) wore a Breitling Chronomat B01 while filming the 2011 comedy, Friends with Benefits, w/ actress Mila Kunis (also, swoon).

5. A partnership with elite car manufacturer, Bentley Motors. You know the saying- Two luxury brands are always better than one!

4. Outer. Friggin. Space. Need I say more? In 1961, astronaut Scott Carpenter wore his Breitling Navitimer while making “Space Race” history as the 2nd American to orbit the Earth.

3. In 2010 Breitling introduced their very first in-house movement, the Caliber B01. With so few luxury watch brands manufacturing their own movements, this can only add value to the Breitling brand.

2. Consistent ranking among “Top Watch” lists- see here, and here.

1. They make good-looking watches. Need proof? See below:

Want your own Breitling watch to love? Well, you’re in luck! We currently have 3 amazing Breitling SuperOcean Steelfish currently for sale on eRelyx!

PLUS, *this week ONLY, take an EXTRA $200 OFF their listed price!!!

Use the Checkout Code: ERX200BSS

*offer expires Friday April 26th at 11:59 pm ET

Click here to check out the video.

Source: CNN.

The sponsorship swap comes just in time for this weekend’s Masters’ Tournament at Georgia’s famed Augusta National, where McIlroy is the front-runner to contend with Tiger Woods for that coveted green jacket.

Click here to read the official press release from Omega announcing McIlroy as their latest ambassador.

And don’t forget about the PayPal fees!!!  You need to pay those as well.  On a $2500 watch, the PayPal fees are about $55.

Keep in mind that you need to do all the work – clean the watch, take the pictures, post the watch, answer customer questions, research the buyer to make sure that they’re legit, etc.  Might as well sell your watch through eRelyx!  Our fees are 12-15% AND we do almost all of the work for you!!  Click here to visit our SELL PAGE.

Luckily, for all of you out there who also count yourselves among the phonetically challenged, we have found a solution! Check out this neat little break-down of the most troublesome high-end jewelry/watch designer names, written up by the folks over at TheVivant.com. Commit these to memory and you’ll be speaking “fancy luxury brand expert” in no time!

Audemars Piguet: OH-duh-MAHR PEA-GAY
We’re in awe of the beautiful detailing and intricacy of the watches from this Swiss brand that boasts celebrity fans like Justin Timberlake and Usher.

Bulgari: BULL-ga-ree
There is nothing vulgar about the accessories from this Italian jewelry brand that was founded in 1884.

Hublot: OO-blow
This Swiss watch brand is behind the most expensive watch in the world, worth $5 million.

Jaeger LeCoultre: Yay-GER leh-KOOLT
Jagermeister is German, but this watch manufacturer is Swiss. Nonetheless, we’re practically a “Koolt” as we worship this luxury brand’s classic and elegant designs.

Patek Philippe: pah-TEK fil-EEP
Pronounce the second word the same way you would say the well known Chinese restaurant chain by the same name. Luckily there is nothing greasy about this designer’s watches.

Piaget: pee-ah-ZHAY
If you say Piaget too quickly it sounds like PJs. Seems proper considering the jewelry and watches from this designer are so fabulous they would dress up just about anything.

Tag Heuer: TAHG HOI-ur
We wonder how long it took the face of this brand’s campaign, Leonardo DiCaprio, to pronounce this name properly?

Ulysse Nardin: you-LEESE nahr-DAN
Here’s a shout out to all Greek mythology gurus or Brad Pitt fans—Ulysse was the Greek king that took over Troy. They were known for their many ships, which seems fitting as this watch brand stamps an anchor on all their watches.

Van Cleef & Arpels: Van Cleef and ahr-PELL
Cleef rhymes with leaf and this jewelry designer takes a lot of its inspiration from nature.

Vacheron Constantin: VASH-er-ahn kon-stan-TAN
Just as Constantine was a great Roman emperor, this brand is a longtime (since 1755) king of exceptional Swiss watches.

 

-c/o TheVivant.com

The watch features a titanium case with all black carbon coating on a black rubber strap, a Bentley motif around the bezel, and is a limited edition of just 1,000 pieces.

Want a piece of the Breitling & Bentley legacy for yourself? Check out these two great picks available NOW from eRelyx:

Read the full article about Breitling & Bentley’s 10th Anniversary Watch on WWD here.

As a child of the 90s, spent idolizing boy-bands like *NSYNC, you can imagine my enthusiasm over hearing JT would be coming to Fenway.  Then you factor Jay-Z into the equation? Well, that’s a whole different ballgame entirely.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love Jay-Z an unnatural amount… like, a “recite-the-lyrics-to-the-entire-Blueprint-3-album-in-my-sleep” amount. (Seriously. Ask the bartender at the karaoke place down the street. Actually, on second thought- don’t do that. But do take my word for it).

So, in honor of the ultimate duo of all time (in my humble opinion), and in hoping that the rumors around town are true- we bring you some fun watch trivia from the duo’s “Suit & Tie” music video.

As we learned on Hodinkee- Jay-Z appears to be wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Ultra Thin for most of his appearances in the video. It’s always nice to see a highly-esteemed brand like JLC getting some recognition in pop culture. It’s also fun for us to see the Jigga-man in a more traditional style of watch, as compared to the flashy Audemars Piguets and Hublots we typically see him wearing in his everyday life.

To learn more about the Jaeger Reverso and Jay-Z, click here or head on over to the Hodinkee blog.