Australian Watch Authority
HANDS-ON: The Nodus Avalon – it may be green but this Nodus is ripe for the picking
“Living the dream” is how I’d best describe the two co-founders of microbrand watch company Nodus. The pair may be relative new recruits to the micro-watchmaking game, but Cullen Chen and Wesley Kwok have turned their passion for watches into their dream business, releasing their debut model, the Nodus Trieste, in 2017, taking its inspiration from ’60s dive watches. Since then, the young up-and-coming microbrand has gone from strength to strength, building itself an enthusiastic cult following on the forums, and Instagram and the like, as well as releasing brand new models quicker than an elephant running downhill. With each new release continuing the same dive/tool watch trend that kickstarted the brand into existence, before culminating in what is their most impressive offering yet, the Nodus Avalon. To see what makes the Avalon so impressive, you only need to look at the specs and, for that matter, its price. Available in several dial colours and starting at $625 USD, its case is CNC-machined out of a solid block of 316L stainless steel, measuring a goodly 43.5mm across with a lug-to-lug of 48mm and a thickness that measures 12.9mm from its caseback to the top of its double-domed sapphire crystal. It’s…
LIST: 6 things I want (and hope) to see at Baselworld 2019
I don’t want to sound too hyperbolic, but Baselworld 2019 will be make or break. The once grand fair has been navigating turbulent waters for a while now, and last year’s mass exodus by Swatch Group brands ripped a hole in the hull that almost sunk it. This year’s fair will be smaller again, and whether or not the organising body has done enough to keep remaining exhibitors happy remains to be seen. It will also be an interesting year for watch releases. Brands are increasingly favouring a drip-feed of digital drops rather than the Baselworld grand reveal, and we’re also seeing a focus on safe, commercial releases. So, interesting times ahead. With that in mind, here are three things I’m expecting to see, and three things I’m hoping to see at Baselworld 2019, in a few short weeks. Expect to see: More Nanograph action from TAG Heuer Seeing the Nanograph Tourbillon in Geneva in January was one of my highlights. It’s a genuinely cool innovation, and an exciting alternative to silicon. I’m not sure if they’ll be ready (yet) to announce more models packing the tech, but I certainly hope so. Expect to see: More smaller sizes Diameters are…
INTRODUCING: Jaquet Droz’s Grande Seconde Skelet-One Ceramic
In the last few years, skeletonised watches have undergone a renaissance. Once overly designed and overwrought, at some point this distinctive genre segued from niche to very nice indeed. And Jaquet Droz’s Skelet-One is a great example of this new breed. Clean and simple, rather than ornate, is the name of the game for this less-is-more take on the classic Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde figure-eight dial layout. Last year we had a look at the Skelet-One in gold, and now they’ve added a dose of ceramic to the mix. And honestly, I think this is the way to go. What better way to accent the modern skeleton aesthetic and that sapphire subdial than with a modern black ceramic case? As far as tech specs go, this new Skelet-One Ceramic is 41.5mm across, which is a decent size, and it must be incredibly light on the wrist. The 2663 SQ movement is automatic, with a fully skeletonised white gold rotor ensuring your clear view isn’t obstructed. Also ensuring optimal viewing of the technical movement is the glass box sapphire sandwich. A blue sailcloth strap completes the contemporary feeling package. This is a cool, minty fresh move from Jaquet Droz, and we…
WHAT SEALED THE DEAL: On Champs’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin 15202
Those who know Champs know that he has a special affinity for Audemars Piguet. And like many others, that fondness for the Swiss manufacturer began with nothing more than a few pictures found online – like the proverbial pin-up posted on our bedroom walls. A few years later, an innocent trip to Baselworld led to an incredible visit to the AP factory and it wasn’t long before he returned to pick up his Royal Oak 15400 with boutique blue dial. Still the fire burned. And soon after he was back at the birthplace of the original luxury sports watch; only this time, it was to pick up this one, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin 15202. When did you first see/hear about it? I first heard about it back in 2012, when it was relaunched for the 40th anniversary of the Royal Oak. I had been daydreaming about it ever since, but sadly, I couldn’t afford it yet. Any story behind the purchase? When I went to Baselworld in March 2017, I had the privilege of meeting the CFO of AP and other AP associates. We got along so well that I’ve stayed in touch with them, and every time I have been to…
