Felix Scholz – Editor at Time+Tide

Felix Scholz

Editor

Felix Scholz

Felix has been writing about watches for over nine years, having written for Hodinkee and Revolution before becoming the editor of Time+Tide. Aside from the ingenuity of mechanical watches as complex and beautiful machines, Felix is most interested in watches as objects of culture and style. Felix believes there’s just as much merit in an exquisitely hand-finished tourbillon as there is in a beaten-up dive watch, or diamond-set fashion piece. He’s interested in what draws people to watches, and how people express their style through their wrists.

Posts by Felix:

21.07.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Why Seiko won't be producing a 50th anniversary chronograph

Fifty years ago, the automatic chronograph was born. Depending on which press release, it was the effort of either Zenith, Heuer (et al) or Seiko. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, and the former two brands have been busy celebrating in the traditional Swiss way (limited editions and, presumably, cheese). Seiko, though, has been quiet on the chronograph front, which is, at first glance, odd. Chris Hall, over at QP Magazine, clearly thought so, and put together this story on the matter. He goes into history, corporate politics, R&D and even — occasionally — watches. The real reason why…

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21.07.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: This is what the future of the secondary watch market looks like

The buying and selling of second-hand watches has traditionally been an unglamorous, possibly even seedy, affair. The traditional image of that side of the industry has been one of tight margins, hard sales talk and the ever-present threat of fakes. Well, in the last few years it's a part of the business that's been undergoing something of a quiet revolution. The space is now dominated by the internet, and by large corporate parties like Chrono24 and WatchBox. Richemont has even gotten into the game with their acquisition of Watchfinder. There's no doubt that this shift is rapidly changing the how…

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20.07.2019

Hublot's Sang Bleu II, as explained by the man who designed it

When it comes to creative collaborations, few brands have the level of panache or skill that Hublot does. They have a few on the burner at the moment: their Orlinski watches and the one we're looking at today – the Sang Bleu. To be a little more specific, we're looking at the Hublot Sang Bleu II in titanium. Now, you might be wondering who (or what) a Sang Bleu is — if your French is good, you'll have worked out that it means blue blood, which gives you a bit of a hint. Sang Bleu is a tattoo studio, with…

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20.07.2019

Speedy stories – 3 tales of Omega Speedmaster love

You might not have noticed but we've hit the Omega Speedmaster pretty hard this week. Though, in our defence, we think it's justified, what with the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing and all that. A few days ago, Felix asked the deep question of what actually makes a Speedmaster, and this morning we had a closer look at the new 50th anniversary piece. And tonight we're taking some guests to a celebratory shindig at one of Omega's Melbourne boutiques (spacesuit optional). To score one of the metaphorical golden tickets, we asked people (specifically subscribers to our newsletter) to tell…

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20.07.2019

One small step for the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary

On this day, 50 years ago Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon. An incredible achievement in the history of humanity. What's even more incredible is that this occurred less than seven years after President John F. Kennedy declared: "We choose to go to the Moon." Of course, along for the ride was a humble steel chronograph from Omega – the Speedmaster. In the 50 years since that decade, the Speedy has become (and remained) one of watchmaking's most enduring icons. And, inevitably, this is something that Omega wanted to celebrate — and celebrate in style. At the…

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19.07.2019

EVENT: Celebrating the slender wonders of Piaget in Melbourne

Piaget is a brand that exudes class, and has style to spare. This was something that Time+Tide and our guests got an up-close lesson in on Wednesday night, when the brand showcased their ultra-thin masterpieces for us. For watches that look so slight, the Piaget Altiplano packs a punch — I had the pleasure of wearing an Altiplano Chronograph for the night, and I've got to say that the stark, slender lines of this watch made a welcome change from more sporty chrono fare, and I wasn't the only person to think so, as I think it spent more time…

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18.07.2019

What is the Omega Speedmaster?

This week seems to be an appropriate one to ask what, as far as a product-focused watch news and review site goes, is a profoundly philosophical question: what is the Omega Speedmaster? Simple, non? Well, sort of. At the base level, the Speedmaster is Omega's long-running family of professionally oriented chronographs. But it's so much more than that. It is, in the truest sense of the word, an icon of both modern design and history. It's the Moonwatch, immortalised in the Smithsonian Museum, in film and pop culture. Viewed through this lens, the Speedmaster quickly becomes more than a professionally oriented…

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18.07.2019

Dive into the Longines Legend Diver Black

We're on record as being fans of the Longines Legend Diver Black — in fact, we like it so much we're selling it in our shop. The attraction is immediate: if you just look at these photos, obviously apparent. It's stealthy, sexy and very, very sharp. In case you need a quick primer: 42mm, 300m of water resistance, PVD case, rock-solid automatic, glassbox sapphire and a sexy dual-crown super compressor style layout. Hotness. But pictures and specs only tell half the story. Luckily, we've got video. So, if you want to see what the Legend Diver is like on the…

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17.07.2019

Felix's first nice watch – an Archimede Pilot that's still in the rotation 10 years on

So it's a little bit weird to be writing an intro blurb for my own 'Every Watch Tells a Story' video, but there you go. I'd also say that my own 'story', brief as it is, doesn't stack up to some of the others we've got in terms of drama. But it is my story, and — I think — a relatable one. It's the first one that I chose, and that I obsessed about online. It's the story of my humble Archimede Pilot, which was the first 'nice' watch I bought, more than 10 years ago. It's a watch…

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16.07.2019

Panerai's latest lean, green timekeeping machines – PAM00995, PAM00998, PAM00999 and PAM00997

Panerai's Radiomir is the diving brand's most dressy offering, lacking some of the heft — as well as the crown guard — of its Luminor and Submersible brethren. But it's still every inch (or should that be millimetre) a Panerai. That super-distinctive case, those hands and, of course, those numerals. This time around, we've been treated to a brace of new references: PAM00995, PAM00998, PAM00999 and PAM00997, running the gamut of 45mm three-hand to GMT models and a beefy 48mm ceramic model, with new dial treatments. And what a dial — glorious (not-so-glossy) matt green. Visually, the look is strong; the…

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16.07.2019

5 Instagram watch cliches that need to be cancelled, right now

Ah, Instagram. That platform that sucks, according to my phone's digital wellbeing section; well over an hour a day of my life into its colourful void. It's a social media platform that might as well be made for watches — highly visual, and the wristshot is perfectly framed in that square crop. I've made some great watch buddies through Instagram — the #watchfam is real. But it's not all peachy; it's also the worst platform out there for mental health, thanks to its impossibly filtered lifestyles and the intense FOMO-factor. That's a bigger fish than I'm capable of frying RN,…

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15.07.2019

5 Omega Speedmasters that made it the legend it is today, and their modern equivalent

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission that saw Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. And on his wrist was an Omega Speedmaster. This moment ensured that the humble, manually wound chronograph was vaulted into the hallowed halls of history. But the Speedmaster story is about more than just that moonwatch. Here are five defining references of the iconic Speedy. 1957 – Omega Speedmaster — ref. 2915 — the Broad Arrow If we have to start somewhere, it might as well be at the beginning. Production of the Speedmaster began in 1957, and was conceived as a dedicated…

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14.07.2019

3 of Australia's finest … watch brand ambassadors

In case you haven't watched our videos and heard our brutal mangling of Swiss brand names with broad Australian accents, you might not realise that Time+Tide is an Australian-based company. So it makes sense that we're a little proud of our homegrown heroes, and even those we've adopted (hello Rusty). So, in the spirit of mateship, say g'day to three crackin' Aussie watch ambassadors. The ambassador: Chris Hemsworth. Brand ambassadors don't come much bigger than the mighty god of thunder. The former soapie star has dominated screens since his breakout role in 2011's Thor. Since then he's gone from strength to…

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11.07.2019

INTRODUCING: The shiny, silver, TAG Heuer Monaco 1989-1999 Limited Edition

TAG Heuer's Monaco at 50 celebration rolls on — we've already seen editions one and two — and the third, formally known as the TAG Heuer Monaco 1989-1999 Limited Edition, has just been announced in New York City. The basis for this watch is the Calibre 11-powered Monaco (obvs), in its distinctive (and large wearing) 39mm case, with offside crown. And while previous versions have been decidedly colourful in green and red, this edition is more monochrome in flavour. The dial is realised in stunning silver. Or, to be more technical, a grey-grained rhodium-plated dial that's been given a sandblasted finish.…

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10.07.2019

The detail is in the dial for Louis Vuitton's Only Watch entry

The other week, Nick showed us some of the highlight pieces from the upcoming Only Watch auction. There was a bunch of spicy pieces destined for charity greatness, but one watch kept drawing my attention — the Louis Vuitton Spin Time. There are a few reasons why this watch stands out. Sure, there's diamonds (3.33 carats of them) — but that's par for the course in a watch playing at this level, and then there's the unique Spin Time display, which is quite cool, as Andrew discovered here. And, of course, being Louis Vuitton, this watch comes with a pretty…

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09.07.2019

HANDS-ON: The Dan Henry 1962 Racing Chronograph is perfectly pitched (and priced) nostalgia

Dan Henry is a pretty great little watch brand — the brainchild of a Brazilian watch collector who is dedicated to making affordable modern versions of classic designs. And while other brands go down this path of well-priced retro nostalgia, too often it comes across as inauthentic pastiche. But this isn't an accusation you can level at Dan Henry. There is so clearly a level of love, care and attention that goes into these watches that the intention is never really in question. And the brand new Dan Henry 1962 Racing Chronograph is a great example of this. As you might…

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08.07.2019

Original sin – the Bulgari Octo L'Originale in black and gold

Regular readers will register precisely zero surprise when I state that the entirety of Time+Tide are raging fans of Bulgari's distinctive Octo — but, if we're being completely real (and when are we not?), then it's the Octo Finissimo that attracts the lion's share of our ardour. But it's not the only arrow in that particular octagonal quiver. There's the chronograph, the Roma (kind of), and this guy here — the Bulgari Octo L'Originale. While the Octo L'Originale isn't a new model this year, this latest version has been given a look that is, as the kids say, fresh. The…

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05.07.2019

The history of the Zenith El Primero – 6 moments that defined one of the most important movements in watchmaking

It's hard to overstate the importance of the Zenith El Primero. The movement, an elegant, high-beat column-wheel chronograph, is impressive enough. It's even more impressive when you factor in that this miniature engineering feat was the first automatic chronograph to be presented as a working prototype — after seven long years of development. Just as important — or perhaps even more important — is the staying power of the El Primero. It's been in near continuous production, and is still one of the greatest automatic chronograph movements on the market today. Today, we're going to explore its evolution … 1969…

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04.07.2019

Dive deep with the Doxa Sub 1200T Professional

If you know the heritage dive brand Doxa, you know they're famous for three things: Dirk Pitt, distinctive cases, and orange dials that are bright enough to light up your life (and the lives of anyone within a 10-foot radius of you). Dirk Pitt is a fictional adventuring Doxa wearer, created in the mind of Clive Cussler, so we're not going to cover him too much here. The case and the dial, however, are very much in evidence on the Doxa Sub 1200T Professional. So, if those sound like two things you're into, read on. It's important to note that…

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04.07.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: It might be the biggest, but the Apple Watch hasn't crushed the Swiss

Fun fact: Last year the Apple Watch shipped 22.5 million units. In the same period, the Swiss watch industry exported 23.7 million watches. Scary stuff if you're a Swiss watch brand. Especially scary if your business is rooted in quartz watches — the market sector that's being most aggressively eroded by the Apple onslaught. This is hardly news though — the Apple Watch has been around for five years, and the Swiss have been busy coming up with their own alternatives, like the TAG Heuer Connected and the Montblanc Summit. For an excellent state of the union style overview of where…

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01.07.2019

The 3 faces of Jaeger-LeCoultre's new Master Ultra Thin Enamel collection

A few weeks ago we spent some quality time with a few friends and Jaeger-LeCoultre's latest Master Ultra Thin pieces, with eye-catching guilloché enamel dials. Well, before the watches were locked away for the evening in their display cases, we took the opportunity to get up close and personal with these beauties. Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon Enamel When Sandra first looked at the white gold JLC Master Ultra Thin Moon back at SIHH, she commented that its big trick was to transform a discreetly elegant design into a breathtaking showstopper. A few months on and that statement is, if…

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01.07.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Christie's return champion yachtsman's stolen Rolex

OK, so on the surface this story is nice and simple. Philip McColl, a sailor who had his engraved Rolex Submariner (a commemoration of his 1988 World Championship win) stolen in 1998 returned to him by Christie's auction house. Good news story, right? Well, the actual story is a little more complex. Turns out that Christie's contacted Mr McColl way back in 2016, asking if he wanted to buy his watch back. Click here for more on that. Mr McColl, presumably miffed that an auction house was trying to sell him his own stolen watch, went ahead and sued Christie's. Fast…

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29.06.2019

HANDS-ON: The Franck Muller Gravity Skeleton

Architectural is a word that gets thrown around a lot in watch writing, and when you look at a watch like this Franck Muller Gravity Skeleton you can see why. The clear, expansive view provided allows the wearer to look down at a tiny, and industrious city, busily whirring away. And if we continue the architecture metaphor, this watch is a far cry from your day-to-day office block — this is more along the lines of monumental, futuristic architecture. Full of sweeping bridges and curves. It's a watch with nowhere to hide — the wheels and gears, along with the…

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28.06.2019

HANDS-ON: Jaeger-LeCoultre's Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Zodiaque

When you look at Jaeger-LeCoultre's core offerings from their Reverso and Master Collection lines it's easy to see why the brand has something of a reputation for straight, sober watchmaking. But don't forget that Jaeger-LeCoultre is also capable of absolute top-shelf high-complication, high-jewellery pieces like this (frankly astonishing) Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Zodiaque. So what are we looking at here? Well, first of all, you're looking at a 42mm white gold case, not that you can see too much of it under all those baguette-cut diamonds gracing the bezel, lugs and even the crown. Under normal circumstances these diamonds would…

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28.06.2019

VIDEO: The 2019 Montblanc 1858 releases go back to nature

When Montblanc's 1858 collection burst onto the scene back in 2015 it heralded a bold new direction for the brand, adding a no-nonsense, outdoorsy sensibility to what had, until that point, been a fairly buttoned-up collection of watches. Since that initial drop, the 1858 has gone from strength to strength, and their 2019 slate of releases was particularly cohesive, and attractive. For me, the core collection can be summed up in three, thematically linked watches, all limited editions, that have taken the brand back to nature, with their earthy bronze cases and lush, dark green dials. There's the 1858 Automatic…

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27.06.2019

Mixing business with pleasure in the form of the Longines Record in steel and gold

Just the other day, Sandra was opining about the changing face of two-tone, and today this fine example of modern bi-colour watches hits the proverbial desk. The Record collection is Longines' line of dressy daily wearers that offer a great entry point into some pretty serious mechanical watchmaking. And that's because every single watch in the Record collection is certified by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, Switzerland's chronometer testing institute. What this means is that when you slip on your Record, you know it's keeping an average daily rate of between -4 and +6 seconds. On top of that, it's…

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27.06.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Your watch is dirtier than your toilet

Oh ye of sensitive stomachs, look away now. In a story published in the Daily Mail (yeah, we know it's dodge — but the headline was just too irresistible), your precious watch is home to a host of germs, bacteria and other assorted disgustingness. In research (and I suspect it wasn't peer reviewed), it was found that on average a watch was three times dirtier than a toilet seat (which I guess is some sort of industry index for uncleanliness), with watches on bracelet coming up the cleanest, and dedicated sports watches like Fitbits coming up the dirtiest, at an…

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25.06.2019

INTRODUCING: An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph to celebrate The Hour Glass' 40th anniversary

It's a truism to say that the watch industry loves an anniversary, and while mostly it's the watch brands doing the celebrating, this time it is a retailer celebrating the big 4-0. Boy, are they celebrating in style. The Hour Glass is one of the major retail figures in the Asia-Pacific region, with more than 40 boutiques (including three in Australia). The first of these boutiques opened in Singapore back in 1979. The brand is celebrating their 40th anniversary by releasing a series of special limited edition watches with some of their long-term partners like Urwerk, Franck Muller, Nomos, Longines and…

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25.06.2019

LIST: 7 watches to check out at Melbourne Watch Week

For the second year running, Breguet, Blancpain, Jaquet Droz and Glashütte Original — The Swatch Group's top-tier brands — are showcasing their latest and greatest at Melbourne retailer Monards Crown boutique. Melbourne Watch Week, as it's called, is running from June 20 to 30 (slightly longer than a week, but who's counting). It's a great opportunity to get up close and (somewhat) personal with these pretty special pieces. Yesterday I was filming some watches and I took the chance to have a look around at these standout pieces, and these are my seven picks. Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Barakuda Blancpain's Fifty…

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24.06.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: This is what Kanye's go-to art guy thinks of Breguet

Breguet — as we discovered last week — is a pretty classic brand. Heck, they've even got a line called the Classique. So when we saw a story on what Wes Lang — controversial American contemporary artist and collaborative creative to the stars — thought of the buttoned-up brand, you can bet we hit the link. And we're glad we did, because Lang's take on the ultra pure Breguet Classique 7147 is pretty on point. He nails its timelessness. But the payoff is huge. The 7147's dial has a depth of colour that is nearly indescribable — it almost looks…

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22.06.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: The rise of patina

One of the longest and most sustained watch 'trends' in recent times is that of vintage and retro styled pieces. In fact, you could argue that it's now a bona fide category in its own right. And underlying this entire movement is the concept of patina. Sure, retro design plays a part, but the real charm is in those faded paints and the kind of look that only comes from a long life well lived … Patina is even more important in the secondary market — particularly the high-end auction space, where 'good' versus 'bad' patina on the right watch…

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21.06.2019

Thin end of the wedge – the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic

The first watch I saw at Baselworld 2019 was the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic. I saw it at a preview dinner before the fair proper, and honestly, it kind of ruined me for other watches at the fair. The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic is just so impressive. Not only is it the world's thinnest automatic chronograph (ever, no fancy caveats needed), measuring 6.9mm for the full watch, and 3.3mm for the BVL 318 movement alone. But (and more importantly for me) it looks and feels good on the wrist and is exceptionally user-friendly. For me there…

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21.06.2019

EVENT: An evening with Jaeger-LeCoultre's Master Ultra Thin 2019 releases

Wednesday night saw Time+Tide invite Jaeger-LeCoultre into our office, along with some of our most die-hard fans (you have to be a little die-hard to make it out on such a cold evening), for an evening of watch-related entertainment. There is no doubt that the guests of honour were a brace of brand new Master Ultra Thin watches, with stunning enamel guilloché dials in white gold cases. These were the watches first on show at SIHH 2019, and it was great to see them closer to home. And while our readers were keen to debate the merits of tourbillon versus…

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21.06.2019

Omega now rules the deep seas with the Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional

Big news overnight from the house of Omega – they can now claim the lofty (well, the opposite actually) title of deepest diving watch ever. Just how deep are we talking here? How about 10,928 metres? That's the depth Victor Vescovo took his submersible, Limiting Factor into the Mariana Trench. And on that sub, was the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional. The next question you might well be asking is — what was the previous record holder? Well, that honour was held by Captain Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard, who took their Trieste down to 10,916 metres, with a custom…

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20.06.2019

EVENT: Breguet's 2019 collection lands in Melbourne

Tuesday night in Melbourne was quite chilly, and rainy to boot. But that didn't stop our watch-loving readers from assembling at Fitzroy's Cutler & Co for something truly special. And that something was a selection of Breguet's latest and greatest watches, unveiled in Australia for the first time. And for all that Breguet is known for their distinctive Classique and Tradition lines, those families were barely represented (though the new blue-dialled Classique was present, and indeed a favourite). No, instead the heroes of the night were the new additions to the sporty Marine line, and the feminine Reine de Naples.…

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19.06.2019

The stealthy, sexy, surprising Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ceramic

Bulgari's Octo Finissimo family has been shattering records left, right and centre since its introduction in 2014. But the watch that really captured the hearts and minds of fans and critics alike was the Octo Finissimo Automatic — initially offered in sandblasted titanium, and shortly after in distinctive steel and gold versions. Well, this year it's back, but in a brand new form. Meet the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ceramic. And when we say Ceramic, we mean ALL ceramic. The case, the bracelet, even the buckle. All of it is gorgeous, matt black ceramic. In some ways it's an unexpected twist on…

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18.06.2019

Why Hublot's pitch at cricket is a smart play

The watch industry is nothing if not traditional — and this habitualness extends into the realm of brand partnerships. Formula 1, tennis, car brands, yachting, the Olympics and other top-tier aspirational sporting and cultural events. These are the happy hunting grounds for Swiss marketing executives hoping to leverage a new audience for their finely wrought, ticking products. Cricket, though. That's not an avenue traditionally known for its high-profile timekeeping tie-ins. Which is why Hublot, who have been official partners of the ICC Cricket World Cup since 2015, might, just quietly, have a hit on its hands. And the reason is…

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18.06.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: 1969 – the year that changed watchmaking forever

In the history of the 20th century, few years are as loaded with cultural weight as the year 1969. It's defined in our collective memory as the year of Woodstock and the Moon Landing, but it's also a year of great significance for watches. Chris Hall has done the heavy lifting here for QP Magazine, in this excellent long read that sums up just why 1969 mattered, watch-wise. Of course there's the complex and multi-pronged development of the automatic chronograph — long regarded as one of watchmaking's holy grails. And then there's the aforementioned moon landing, in which Omega's famous Speedmaster had…

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16.06.2019

This old Blancpain Air Command commands an impressive price at auction

One of the surprise highlights from the recent Swatch-stravaganza that was Time to Move was Blancpain's Air Command – a really neat reissue of an historic pilot's chronograph. It's fair to say that prior to this release, knowledge of the Air Command was limited to hardcore Blancpain fans and seasoned professionals. Well, the timing couldn't have been better for the Phillips & Blackbird Sports auction, held in Hong Kong recently. As Lot 814 was an exceptionally rare original version. This 1960s chronograph was in impressive condition — with an evenly aged dial and a very crisp looking 42mm steel case.…

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15.06.2019

HANDS-ON: Full metal jacket – the Casio G-Shock GMW-B5000V

Casio's G-Shock has a reputation — and a well-deserved one, I might add — for being one of the toughest watches ever made. Way back in 1983, Kikuo Ibe, the man behind the watch, decreed that the watch needed to meet some pretty tough criteria: a 10-year battery life, water resistance of 10 bar, and the ability to survive a 10-metre fall onto a hard surface. In the decades since, the combination of extreme functionality and even more extreme durability has made the G-Shock the go-to choice for people who need a watch that can *really* take a beating. And, of…

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15.06.2019

INTRODUCING: The TAG Heuer Monaco 1979 – 1989 Limited Edition – a tribute to Le Mans

As we found out at the Monaco Grand Prix, TAG Heuer is celebrating the 50th birthday of the genuinely iconic Monaco with five limited editions, one for each decade of its life. The second instalment has just been announced in Le Mans, a tribute to the 1971 film of the same name, a film responsible for some enduring (and genuinely iconic) images of the Monaco on the wrist of the one and only Steve McQueen. The colourway for the first edition was muted: earthy brown and dark green. This Monaco 1979 – 1989 is a polar opposite, in rich, vibrant…

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14.06.2019

Nims is not your average ambassador – the record-breaking speed climber who wears a Bremont dive watch at the top of the world

Brand ambassadors are an indelible part of the watch landscape. Fundamentally, an ambassador is someone — typically with a profile — who has a relationship with a watch brand, and endorses them. That's the broad brush stroke picture, but the reality is much more diverse. An ambassador could be a Hollywood A-lister who wore a watch for the billboard photoshoot and a contractually mandated number of public appearances, never to be seen again. Or it could be something much more targeted, where the relationship is less about getting the watch in front of the largest number of eyeballs but rather the…

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14.06.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Can't stomach a smart watch? How about a smart strap

Smart watches are here to stay. But that doesn't mean we have to be OK with it in a mechanical watch-fancying world. But it's hard to deny that self-quantification and easy, breezy notifications on the wrist address certain functionality that the Submariner and its ilk struggle with. Never fear, Sony has a solution. The Wena strap, which can fit a conventional 18mm, 20mm or 22mm watch, is water resistant to 50 metres, and offers some tracking, notification and NFC functionality. All that is good. More importantly, it doesn't look too much like a smart strap. This is very good. Read…

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13.06.2019

RECOMMENDED READI – uh – LISTENING: Halios, Autodromo and Baltic over on the Worn & Wound podcast

It's 2019. So podcasts and niche indie brands are where. it's. at. Which is why today's recommendation is the perfect package — offering both in spades. The Worn & Wound podcast is one of the best in the space, and it only gets better when they assemble the veritable avengers of "micro" brands, the guys behind Halios, Autodromo and Baltic. These guys drop some serious insights into the small indie scene, and what it's like to run a small brand. Great insights, well recommended. These three brands offer some amazing value and are killing it on the design front. Forty-five…

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11.06.2019

Doubling down on the rainbow – the Franck Muller Double Mystery

Franck Muller's tagline is "the master of complications", and this watch delivers on that promise in dazzling style. This fully set Franck Muller Double Mystery from their Round collection (which goes to show that there's more to the brand than Curvex cases) is a great example of working smart. The movement on show is the Double Mystery — the mystery being that there are no traditional hands at play here, rather two triangles nestled amongst the brilliance of the fully set dial. Of course it doesn't take long to work out that these markers sit in two rotating discs, creating an…

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11.06.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Cashing in on the luxury watch bonanza

If you pay attention to the more business-to-business end of watchland you might have noticed that UK-based mega-retailer Watches of Switzerland (not to be confused with our local Aussie retailers of the same name) recently listed on the London Stock Exchange. They noticed it over at Axios, where this interesting piece on the business of telling time comes from. Lots of it will be anecdotally familiar to people in the trenches of watch collecting, but it's interesting to see it picked up by capital N News. Our key takeouts? Yup, Ecommerce is still the next big thing, but we're not…

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05.06.2019

Hublot's latest cricket collab – the Aerofusion Chronograph Cricket World Cup 2019 edition hits it for six

The 2019 Cricket World Cup is underway in the UK, and official timekeepers Hublot are there, busily timing every single match. The brand has been busy in other ways, too – coming up with a tremendously on point limited edition to celebrate. It's their second World Cup watch (you might remember the first from 2015), and we've got to say they really nailed it with the Aerofusion Chronograph Cricket World Cup 2019. This watch strikes just the right level of balance for a sporting tie-in piece. There's lots of cricket details at play, but you're never beaten over the head…

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04.06.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: How Patek Philippe became the most desirable watch brand in the world

So, this article is worth it for the image alone. Aside from the fact that Indy would never wear a 5711, it's pretty perfect. The Patek Philippe hype is real. But beyond the sassy visuals, it's a decent overview of the brand, its key models and how its watches are made, even if the why-they're-in-for repair story isn't forthcoming: I wanted to know funny stories of how watches get broken. Perhaps an oligarch got into a fight with his supermodel girlfriend and she hurled his prize Patek at a wall one morning. Maybe a rapper fell backwards off a yacht…

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01.06.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: The long and winding history of the NATO strap

These days, "NATO strap" is a catch-all term for any sort of nylon or fabric watch strap. In reality, it's a little more complex. The use of the term NATO is something of a misappropriation that arose because the 'original' fabric strap (20mm, nylon, chrome-plated hardware, in admiralty grey) could be requested using a form relating to its NATO stock number. Hence, the catch-all NATO term was born. Ken Kessler goes into great detail on all this backstory, as well as the more recent chapters in the NATO strap narrative, in this Revolution piece. And as a NATO strap (of…

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01.06.2019

The Farer Lander GMT Automatic proves travel doesn't have to be so serious

Editor's note: Who doesn't love a good micro brand (we certainly do)? In many ways the little guys have so much more freedom than the big brands, when it comes to design, production (and all the rest). Case in point is the Farer Lander GMT, which we reviewed last year … Having previously reviewed the Farer Aqua Compressor Hecla, I thought it was time to explore some more of the British microbrand's offerings. Enter the Farer Lander GMT Automatic, one of three pieces within Farer's GMT Automatic range. As I unboxed the Lander, the first thing that grabbed my attention…

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31.05.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: The mythical Tornek Rayville TR-900

In 2017, Blancpain released one of the coolest dive watches of the year, the Tribute to Fifty Fathoms MIL-SPEC, which stood out because of its distinctive spherical moisture indicator on the dial. It's a watch that owed its existence to a particularly storied watch with a military backstory. The story is set in a post-WWII era, where the conception of war was changing rapidly and dramatically. It was a time of new technologies and new methodologies. Watches were part of this — and dive watches were particularly important. The legendary James Dowling takes a deep dive (excuse the pun) into…

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30.05.2019

HANDS-ON: The Seiko Prospex 'Street Series' Solar Diver SNE533P

Seiko's distinctive shrouded diver (commonly called the 'Tuna Can') is a real cult model, due in equal parts to its indestructibility and its distinctive design. It's a watch that stands out from across the street, or in five metres of murky water — depending on how you like to use your dive watches. Having said that, this solar-powered iteration — one part of a trio — is aimed more at a topside clientele, as the 'Street Series' sobriquet suggests. The series is offered in three colours — navy blue (which we've got here), an olive-y green and grey. The colour…

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28.05.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Sea Time: Watches Inspired by Sailing, Yachting and Diving

So, typically in these 'recommended reading' posts we link to a good watch-related read that's — you know — on the internet. Today we're doing it a little different, with this link to an actual, honest-to-goodness book. It's called (you guessed it) Sea Time: Watches Inspired by Sailing, Yachting and Diving and it's 240 hardcover-bound pages of images and insight on the underwater world. The foreword is by none other than Clive Cussler and covers off the obvious aquatic options from Rolex, Omega and Blancpain, through to fan favourites Doxa, Tudor, IWC et al. Even MB&F gets a look in (our…

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28.05.2019

INTRODUCING: The pure craziness of Panerai's latest Luminor Tourbillon GMT 47mm Lo Scienziato PAM00768

Panerai's top-tier timepieces go by the name of Lo Scienziato — avant-garde evolutions of the brand's classic case shapes that really let the watches' technical side shine. Of course, the technology is present in the movement: a skeletonised, three-dimensional offering that fills the 48mm case; the P.2005/T calibre boasts a central time and GMT, 24-hour indicator at three and an unusual 30-second tourbillon at the 10 o'clock position. This tourbillon is also on a rotating axis perpendicular to the balance wheel. Just to add a little extra drama. All this weighs a thrifty 23 grams. And while the open-worked movement,…

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27.05.2019

HANDS-ON: Dressy but not delicate, the Blancpain Villeret Extra Flat 6605

Increasingly, I'm finding myself drawn to watches that are understated, unassuming expressions of classical perfection. Which goes a long way to explaining why I was so into the Blancpain Villeret Extra Flat. This is an exquisitely simple watch. Two hands, no date and a manually wound movement. A pure expression of classical watchmaking if ever I saw one. It's also very classic in its proportions – the steel (also offered in gold) case is 40mm across by a svelte 7.4mm thin — truly deserving of that extra flat name. But just because it's pared back the essentials, that doesn't mean…

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27.05.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: How much do you know about Sellita movements?

Ever since the Swatch Group clamped down on the availability of the once ubiquitous ETA movements, the name Sellita has become ever more more prominent in the world of third-party movement supply. But we're willing to bet you don't know much about the Sellita itself, beside the fact that their movements are in an awful lot of watches. Which is where this excellent behind-the-scenes look at Sellita from QP fills in the gaps. For example, did you know Sellita was the third-largest Swiss movement manufacture, (just after the Swatch Group and before Rolex), and that they've been around since 1950?…

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26.05.2019

INTRODUCING: The Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed Arktis 10th Anniversary

Linde Werdelin is one of those brands that knows what it does, and does it well. And what they do is complex cases with numerous cutouts. It's a strong look, and one that the brand has sensibly stayed loyal to over the years. Their latest limited edition SpidoSpeed Arktis continues the theme. The 44mm case is complex, the outer part being made from three pieces, in an aggressively modern cushion shape, with a satin finish. The dial is also somewhat openworked — finished in two tones: silver and Linde Werdelin's signature blue. The hour and minute tracks form part of…

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25.05.2019

INTRODUCING: The TAG Heuer Monaco 1969-1979 Limited Edition

The watch industry likes to throw the word 'icon' around, often with very little basis in fact. However, when talking about the TAG Heuer Monaco, that moniker is well and truly earned. The disruptive, innovative square chronograph — one of the first automatic chronos on the market — turned 50 this year. I was expecting to see some big new releases at Baselworld, but TAG Heuer held their fire, focusing instead on the revamped Autavia line. So, no big Monaco news at Baselworld. And, in retrospect, it made sense. For where better to celebrate this significant anniversary than the watch's…

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23.05.2019

HANDS-ON: The Tudor Black Bay Bronze with slate grey dial for 2019

If there was ever a case study for the difference a dial (and bezel) can make, the 2019 edition of the Tudor Black Bay Bronze with its slate grey dial is that watch. The new colour is subtle, and executed in a sophisticated manner, making for a dramatic improvement on the now discontinued khaki/brown version. Before we get to the cool grey makeover, a recap. The Black Bay Bronze (or BBB to its friends) is — you guessed it — a bronze-cased version of Tudor's flagship Black Bay. Specifically an alloy of bronze that's high in aluminium, meaning you won't get…

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23.05.2019

HANDS-ON: Swimming with sharks – the Seiko Prospex SRPD21K Save the Ocean

Last year, Seiko announced their Save the Ocean initiative – a partnership between famed underwater explorer and conservationist Fabien Cousteau and Seiko Prospex. This program is aimed at raising awareness (and funds) for marine conservation. It was also a partnership that saw some very cool 'Save the Ocean' editions of classic Seiko divers. Well, it's 2019 now, and time for another edition of this feel-good diver. And while the blue colour theme is the same, the details are a little different. Meet the Save the Ocean Great White Shark edition 'turtle' diver, AKA the Seiko SRPD21K. Fundamentally, this is the…

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22.05.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Rush, racing and remembering Niki Lauda

The inimitable Niki Lauda died yesterday, and Formula 1 lost one of its most enduring icons. And I don't know about you, but my own little tribute to this man will take the form of finishing off Formula 1: Drive to Survive (and marvelling at the on and off-track intensity of the sport), and re-watching Rush, the 2013 Ron Howard biopic detailing the professional rivalry between Niki Lauda and James Hunt. Rush is an excellent film, and in addition to being exquisitely played by Daniel Brühl, Niki Lauda served as a technical advisor. Read more about the film, and particularly…

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22.05.2019

HANDS-ON: A winning package at a winning price – the Mido Multifort Patrimony

Mido is one of those strange beasts in modern watchmaking – a largely under-the-radar brand that's also owned by one of the largest corporations in the business (the Swatch Group). Already this is a good place to start, as the former factor means you can get some unexpected and unusual design choices, paired with the benefits (production quality, parts, etc) that come with being part of the Swatch Group. The Mido Multifort Patrimony is a great example of this. A sweet retro-looking watch at a seriously impressive price. First of all, the Mido Multifort Patrimony comes in three flavours: steel…

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22.05.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Is Aurel Bacs the Willy Wonka of watches?

The above question greeted me when I opened my email this morning — it was such a perfect allegory (heck, watches, chocolate and Bacs are amongst the most Swiss things ever) that I had to open it. Eventually, I scrolled through the mailing list, and came to the article, an extensive GQ profile of Phillips' majordomo of watches, and one of the bolder figures in the world of watches. It's a long, rollicking narrative that covers off the greatest hits (Newman's Newman features a fair bit), and a well-researched one too. Here's a taste: "More than any other individual, Bacs…

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21.05.2019

INTRODUCING: The Omega De Ville Trésor 40mm in Sedna gold with grey enamel dial

When the time came to see Omega's 2019 collection I was pretty sure I knew what I was going to see, and what I was going to like. Speedmasters (obvs) and Seamasters mostly. And to be fair, I was not disappointed. But I was surprised. I was surprised by some very nice new additions to Omega's thin, manually wound Trésor family. Specifically this Sedna gold number with a grey enamel dial. I had seen this watch's red-dialled sister earlier this year, and while it was nice, it was also a fairly flashy, esoteric piece. This watch, while similar from a…

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21.05.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: 5 watchmaking manufactures you need to know

'Manufacture' is one of those watchmaking buzzwords you hear fairly frequently. Basically, it's a fancy word for factory, but in the slow-moving and hallowed halls of horology it's so much more. Think airy, well-lit rooms with highly skilled watchmakers investing countless hours on minute details most will never see. A far cry from the typical image of the noisy, grimy factory floor. Over at Mr Porter's Journal, the excellent Alex Doak runs through five of the greatest, and longest-running Swiss Manufactures, from Audemars Piguet thorough to Girard-Perregaux. Worth a read.

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21.05.2019

A fistful of tourbillons and a fancy fish – 3 high-end standouts from Time to Move

Time to Move, which took place last week in Switzerland, is the higher end Swatch Group brands' alternative to Baselworld. And because they're the prestige brands, it's only fitting to expect some prestigious watches. We were not disappointed. Here are three watches that are less about telling the time and more about showing the world just how much fun can be had with time. Harry Winston Histoire de Tourbillon 10 Sure, American jewellery house Harry Winston is better known for astonishingly large, clear diamonds arranged in exquisite pieces, but they've got pretty solid form when it comes to timepieces too. Time…

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21.05.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: The ultimate guide to the vintage Heuer Monaco

The Monaco Grand Prix kicks off on May 26, and amidst the high octane and hairpin turns, it's widely expected that we're going to get some sort of announcement from TAG Heuer that's celebrating the 50th anniversary of what's arguably TAG Heuer's most famous watch, the Monaco. And while we can't be sure about details like the dial and other specifics, we can be pretty sure that it will be a chronograph, and certain that the case will be square. And while we've certainly looked at some of the greatest modern Monacos, our work doesn't have a patch on…

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19.05.2019

INTRODUCING: The Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Chronograph

The Grande Seconde is perhaps Jaquet Droz's most recognisable design, with an outsize second hand and characteristic figure 8 layout that you can spot from across a room. It's also a versatile design that's been called into service for a range of complications. But never a chronograph. Until this week's release of the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Chronograph. This release isn't just a single watch, but rather a fully formed collection. There's a nice limited version, and a brace of steel-cased models, with asymmetrical dials. The dial options on offer are blue, taupe grey and sand-blasted silver. The blue will…

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19.05.2019

INTRODUCING: The Glashütte Original SeaQ

Think Glashütte Original and the chances are good that 'diver' isn't a category that immediately springs to mind. The German brand is known for many things – from 3/4 plates to Panorama dates – but undersea adventure isn't really one of them. That's not to say that the brand doesn't have form in the area. Fifty years ago the brand did indeed make a specialist underwater watch, for both military and civilian markets, and now they've decided to take the plunge again, with a brace of SeaQ watches. There's a limited edition piece, and a version that comes in a…

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19.05.2019

INTRODUCING: The Blancpain Air Command

When we were shown the new Blancpain products at Time to Move, we expected to see Fifty Fathoms and Villeret. We did not expect a pilot's chronograph. But, oh boy, was the Blancpain Air Command a pleasant surprise. On its face, this 500-piece limited edition is a very handsome heritage-styled number, with a 42.5mm steel case, topped with glass box sapphire and a distinctly Fifty Fathoms-esque rotating bezel, with that lozenge-shaped pip at 12. The handset is particularly elegant, with matchstick-shaped hands in white, filled with an ivory-toned, vintage-look lume. The heritage feel is picked up on the dial, which…

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18.05.2019

INTRODUCING: The Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Flat Skeleton 5395

Last year, Breguet introduced a stunningly simple, surprisingly asymmetrical addition to the Classique family, the Tourbillon Extra-Flat. This year, at Time to Move, they've premiered the next chapter. It's still a Classique Tourbillon, but it's been dramatically skeletonised. Meet the Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Flat Skeleton 5395. First things first – the fundamentals: 41mm across by a truly slender 7.7mm thick, offered in platinum or rose gold cases. The dial is sapphire, to show off the movement. The hands are (obviously) Breguet. On paper, the 3mm thin movement, designated 581SQ (for squelette, or skeleton), is the same as the existing 581.…

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18.05.2019

INTRODUCING: The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph

The Seamaster Planet Ocean, with its bright orange details, is a favourite in the modern Omega lineup, a compelling combination of brightness and brown. And now we've been treated to a brand new version. First of all, this watch is large: 45.5mm across, and tall on the wrist. It's also heavy thanks to the steel case. If you really want to double down on the weight, there's a steel bracelet option, which sees the entire package weigh a hefty 260 grams. If that sounds a little too intense, there are options on a NATO strap — Omega is offering two…

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18.05.2019

INTRODUCING: The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 'Nageurs de Combat'

Like it or not, the origin story of Blancpain's famous diver is inseparable from that of naval warfare. The development of the original watch was driven by two men, Captain Robert Maloubier and Lieutenant Claude Riffaud, who were in charge of a newly formed French unit, the Combat Swimmers — or Nageurs de Combat. They came up with a list of ideal characteristics for the perfect underwater wristwatch, one suited to their very specific needs. And, in 1953, Blancpain managed to meet these requirements, which came to define the needs of modern dive watches. To celebrate this legacy, Blancpain has…

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17.05.2019

INTRODUCING: The Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Limited Edition in steel (with a bit of gold)

Earlier in the year, Omega celebrated 50 years of Man stepping off our terrestrial sphere with the release of a very faithful reissue of the 1969 commemorative gold Speedmaster (even though the alloy itself is very new). But everyone kind of figured that wouldn't be the only celebratory Speedy to step out of the brand's Bienne factory. And everyone was right. Meet the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Limited Edition in a steel case. Now, though the 42mm case is traditional steel, the bezel is Moonshine gold, Omega's new, more muted take on traditional yellow gold. But the special…

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17.05.2019

My pick of the 6 best new Omega watches for 2019, fresh from Time to Move

Omega, as you would expect from the Swatch Group powerhouse, had a panoply of new watches on display at Time to Move. We were treated to a total of 67 new watches (often minor variations in case/dial/etc, but still), and two special vintage pieces thrown in for good measure. Suffice to say there's a lot to get through, and that will happen over the course of the year. But here's my hot take on the best Omega watches for 2019: Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Ceramic Titanium We were expecting updates to last year's hero, the Seamaster Diver 300M, and we…

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12.05.2019

INSIGHT: The horologist's guide to the galaxy

For generations, the business of buying and selling watches has remained remarkably stable. But all that's changed in the digital age. This is your guide to watch buying in the 21st century, which originally appeared in our buying guide NOW, which you can download here. You can't buy the above watch. It was made in a limited edition of 100, and sold out in a matter of hours. It was made for, and sold by, a TAG Heuer news and review site. Ten years ago this online-only watch would have been unthinkable, in another 10 it might be the norm. So…

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11.05.2019

LIST: 14 of the best women's watches, just in time for Mother's Day

Editor's note: Sunday in Australia is Mother's Day, so we thought it was the perfect time to share these 14 excellent women's watches from NOW, our buying guide — which you can download here. SEIKO PRESAGE "COCKTAIL TIME" The Seiko Cocktail Time is a cult classic amongst the Seiko enthusiasts. First launched in 2010, it was designed with the help of master mixologist, Shinobu Ishigaki. So when Seiko expanded the Presage line to outside of the shores of Japan and introduced a handful of newly styled Cocktail Times in 2017, the crowd went wild. In 2018 they've added yet another…

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10.05.2019

HANDS-ON: The Bremont Jaguar D-Type

It's been a minute or two since we've been treated to an automotive limited edition from the English chaps at Bremont. And can I just say, it's been worth the wait. Today we've been treated to the latest chapter in their partnership with Jaguar (the first Bremont X Jag watch appeared in 2014), and this time around we've got a winsome chronograph that's a wrist-borne celebration of the mighty D-Type. The Jaguar D-Type first rolled out of their Coventry factory in 1955. Jaguar planned to make 100 of these distinctive 6-cylinder racers, but only got around to constructing 75. Until…

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09.05.2019

HANDS-ON: The Golden Turtle – Seiko's Prospex SRPC44

Seiko's core Prospex diver, known as the 'Turtle', is a rock-solid watch that's a well-deserved fan favourite. And it's easy to see why. It's a compelling mix of classic, conservative dive watch style and idiosyncratic design that's downright charming. It's also quite a versatile platform, as numerous colour combinations, and dials demonstrate. If the blacked-out Ninja Turtle and blue-textured dials of the Save the Ocean editions weren't enough to convince you, I present the Seiko Prospex SRPC44, colloquially known as the Golden Turtle. Before we get to what it's like to wear this (very) gold watch on the wrist, let's…

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08.05.2019

NEWS: Jaeger-LeCoultre now offers an 8-year warranty, the longest of all major brands

Even though the fine watch business might seem like a perpetual, slow-moving beast, it is one of constant, consistent progress. And as the mechanical movements improve and add things like silicon into the mix, it becomes obvious that they're built to last longer than ever. The other side of that coin is a longer warranty period — it makes sense that if you're offering a more reliable watch, you should stand behind it for longer. Clearly this is something that Jaeger-LeCoultre agree with, as they're now offering an impressive eight-year warranty on all watches (and clocks). More than that, the brand…

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07.05.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Tom Ford's 14 commandments of watch wearing in 2019

So Tom Ford has started making watches. That's not particularly surprising in this world of multi-category luxury labels. What's a little more (or perhaps less, given Mr Ford's frank personality) surprising is that Tom Ford, the man, has some pretty cut-and-dried rules for how to wear a watch in 2019. The full list is well worth a read (as long as it's served with a healthy grain of salt), and good for a laugh and even a blush (see #14). But at its core, the advice is solid, if conservative. For example, when it comes to pairing jewellery with your…

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06.05.2019

INTRODUCING: The IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition "Laureus Sport for Good"

The substantial and subtly blue IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition "Laureus Sport for Good" is the 13th (unlucky for some, but clearly not IWC) edition watch celebrating the Schaffhausen-based brand's partnership with the Laureus Sport for Good, which leverages the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage. It's a cause as worthy as the watch is good-looking. The Aquatimer Chronograph is a large, sporty timepiece. It's 45mm of pure grunt — aggressive case architecture and lots of clever tech: the internal bezel that you operate by turning the external one, the flyback chronograph movement and a case that's been…

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05.05.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Farer's growth begs the question – when does a microbrand stop being micro?

Broadly speaking, microbrand is a term used to describe smaller watch brands — typically with few staff, outsourced production and a direct-to-consumer business model. The other thing to note is that there is a lot of them, typically waxing and waning in terms of favour. But sometimes these brands gain a critical momentum that starts to stretch the category 'micro'. Farer is one such brand. I've always had a soft spot for the UK-based brand. Initially, their bright and colourful designs drew my magpie eye, and then when we reviewed a GMT and a diver, the quality won me over. And…

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04.05.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Because of course Louis Vuitton's Virgil Abloh wears a custom, blacked-out Patek Nautilus

In case you've been living under a particularly unfashionable rock for the last few years, you'll know the name Virgil Abloh. Since March 2018 he's served as Louis Vuitton's creative director, while still doing his duty as CEO of the Milan-based fashion house Off-White, and being long-term buddies with Kanye West. He also wears a Patek Nautilus, but not a 'regular' one. While he certainly didn't start the trend for high-end streetwear, he's an important player in the space, and fond of riffing on (and perhaps even appropriating) design signifiers of other well-known brands. In this context, his choice of watch…

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04.05.2019

Is the Seiko Samurai 'Save The Ocean' SRPC93K the best blue dial under a grand?

Editor's note: We're big fans of the new Samurai, it's one of Seiko's all-time classic dive watches. We're also fans of beautiful blue dials. Which is why the Seiko Samurai 'Save The Ocean' SRPC93K is a watch we can really get behind. Read on for our in-depth review … The story in a second: Same great watch, brand new dial. The centrepiece of Seiko's 2018 Prospex collection is, without doubt, the brand new and very blue 'Save The Ocean' series, offered in Turtle, Samurai and solar variants. It follows on from the recent Black Series and Blue Lagoon. But while last…

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01.05.2019

Nomos flex their muscles with their new Club and Tangente Sport models

Since their inception in 1990, Nomos Glashütte have had a remarkably clear visual and stylistic aesthetic. Clean and refined. Utilitarian, leaning towards the dressy. Unmistakably German. Or, to use the shorthand — Bauhaus. In the earlier years of Nomos, this distinctive styling was paired with some solid watchmaking, and a very strong value proposition. All this combined to earn Nomos a cult following. But Nomos wasn't content to rest on these laurels, instead embarking on a quiet, and quite deliberate quest to expand their product offering and, in industry parlance, expand their key verticals. So a few years ago we…

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30.04.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Menswear legend Sid Mashburn explains his watch collection

Sid Mashburn is a veteran menswear designer with an eponymous label. He also has quite nice taste in watches. Mr Mashburn, his clothes and his watches are all on show in this video from US-based retailer Crown & Caliber. I've found that there's usually a degree of overlap in the Venn diagram of clothes guys and watch guys, and this video certainly supports that thesis. Clearly, Sid comes from the sartorial side of the fence and looks at watches primarily through that lens, which is always interesting. What I loved most, though, was just how well worn his mid '80s Rolex…

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30.04.2019

HANDS-ON: The Chopard L.U.C XPS Twist Qualité Fleurier brings style, substance and sustainability to the table

Chopard is one of the great secrets of the watchworld. The brand, which is better known for its feminine jewellery collections, produces some truly phenomenal watches, of a style and quality that rivals the best in the business. Take, for example, the Chopard L.U.C XPS Twist Qualité Fleurier (QF). It's a gorgeous dress watch with a much feted movement, a quirky (but not too quirky) design, and some serious integrity in the production process, thanks to Chopard's ongoing commitment to Fairmined. Let's start with design. The watch is very nicely sized at 40mm across by 7.7mm tall, with small seconds,…

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28.04.2019

Two faces, both awesome. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface in pink gold

Editor's note: The Reverso is, hands down, one of the all-time classic watch designs. And now, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface in pink gold is double the fun with twice the dials … Believe it or not, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is one of the original sports watches. The oft-quoted origin story about this iconic rectangle is that it was the dusty polo fields of colonial India that gave birth to the reversible watch, which could be easily flipped to protect the delicate dial during the rough and tumble of the chukka. That was way back in 1931, and in the subsequent…

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28.04.2019

INTRODUCING: Rado's hit Captain Cook Automatic now comes in champagne

We had a hint of it a little while ago when Justin previewed the larger Captain Cook models, but now it's official. The fan favourite Rado Captain Cook Automatic in 37mm is now offered in a limited edition champagne (or to give its official, but less romantic, name — brown sunbrushed) dial. Dial aside, the details are unchanged: polished steel case, ceramic bezel insert in black, boxed sapphire crystal and automatic movement with 80 hours of juice. But this time around, there is a quite cool new addition, in the form of a handy leather travel case that includes space…

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27.04.2019

LIST: Military style and substance – 5 of the best field watches available right now

Field watches are a bit of a paradox — at once a very broad, yet quite niche category. Essentially these are watches originally made for military use — on battlefields. But having said that, there's also many other tropes of military-inspired watches, like pilot and dive watches. The easiest way to think about it is, while those watches are made for a quite specific purpose, field watches are generalists. They have to be tough enough to handle some pretty rough conditions, and do their job of telling the time quickly and reliably. If we're honest, a lot of the time…

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26.04.2019

HANDS-ON: The IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic Spitfire hits the mark

The Mark XI was the first watch that really got me 'into' watches, and it has endured over the decades as an icon of good, utilitarian design. Its influence has been very visible in IWC's Pilot's family over the years, but this watch, the IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic Spitfire, might be the closest we've seen IWC come in a long time to hitting that mark in a regular production model (sorry about the pun, I couldn't help it). There are three main reasons why this watch is so great: the dial, the case and the movement. All these elements…

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25.04.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: This is what the future of Baselworld looks like

One of the top three questions on the lips of watch lovers these days is about the lifespan of Baselworld. Well, hold onto your hats because Hodinkee, in the form of the indomitable Joe Thompson, has put together a pretty clear roadmap as to what the future of the fair looks like. And I've got to say, I'm partially convinced. Yes, I was sceptical coming out of Basel 2019, which was sedate (to put it politely), but apparently that was partially planned, as the big revelations and transformations are coming from 2020 onwards. TL;DR version: more experiential, more new audiences…

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24.04.2019

NEWS: Gold Rolex Daytona gifted by F1 legend Ayrton Senna to be auctioned in Geneva

Geneva watch auction season is rolling around again, and one of the stars of the show is this watch, a 1989 Rolex Daytona in gold. It's being auctioned by Phillips, at their Geneva Watch Auction: Nine, on May 11 and 12. From the dial side, it seems to be a stock standard reference 16528; in good condition, sure, but nothing super special. Turn it over and it all begins to make sense. "A Angelo da Ayrton 1978 [From Angelo to Ayrton]" This watch was a gift from Ayrton Senna, one of Formula 1's most gifted racers, a man who died…

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21.04.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: The Tissot 1973 Chronograph is funk-tastic

Man, Tissot has a great back catalogue. That's a fact that's easy to forget sometimes, especially as the Swatch Group brand is a big player in a more modern, sporty space. But they've certainly got some great heritage pieces (like the OG Visodate) in their lineup, and this on point '70s wonder, the Tissot Heritage 1973 Chronograph, inspired by a chronograph from (you guessed it) 1973. I mean, just look at those orange details, that rally strap, the wide-bezelled cushion case. This is '70s funk on point. Love it. Head over to Gear Patrol for the specs.

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21.04.2019

VIDEO: Blue steel – a closer look at the TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph

One of the big hero releases from Baselworld 2019 was the brand new TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph. Firstly (and perhaps most importantly), it's a good-looking watch — it looks very much at home on the wrist of Mr Patrick Dempsey, for example. It's a neat, stylish three-hander that TAG Heuer are billing as a modern adventurer's watch, leaning on the Autavia's golden age of motorsports heritage. The dials are on trend — the smoky blue looks good in contrast to the glossy ceramic bezel and the earthy brown leather strap. But it's more than just a pretty face — there…

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19.04.2019

HANDS-ON: Is this the most accessible true worldtimer on the market right now? The Christopher Ward C1 Grand Malvern Worldtimer

Worldtimers — which allow you to, at a glance, quickly determine the time anywhere across the globe — aren't the most common complications. And typically, this level of mechanical wizardry comes at a cost. Typically. This handsome fella, the C1 Grand Malvern Worldtimer from UK-based outfit Christopher Ward, bucks the trend. Before we delve into the details, it's worth a quick recap of the major types of travel watches. A GMT or dual time watch is simple enough — displaying a second time zone in either 24 or 12 hour time respectively (if the latter, you typically get a day/night indicator…

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19.04.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Timex's new watches are Made in America … sort of

Even though they might not be as premium a name as their Swiss counterparts, Timex is a legendary company with a long history and one of the greatest ad lines of all time. Who hasn't heard, "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking"? In recent years, Timex has been proactive in exploring that legacy, in a series of limited production pieces. The latest step in this journey is the Timex American Documents #001 collection, which is cool, if a little wordy. The schtick here is the Made in America designation. Timex has used local suppliers for all of the…

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18.04.2019

VIDEO: Get your engines running with the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 Aston Martin special edition

Cars and TAG Heuer is a match made not just in heaven but also in heritage, no doubt something that the marketing departments of other watch brands envy deeply. If you're in any doubt, have a look at this history of timekeeping in F1. But, back to the matter at hand — the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 Aston Martin special edition. This watch was created (in part) to celebrate the partnership between the prestigious car marque and the Swiss house. And I've got to say, it's a pretty attractive proposition. The honeycomb dial (inspired by the DBS Superleggera, natch)…

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18.04.2019

INTRODUCING: Casio's MTG-B1000RB is somewhere way over the rainbow

This watch is not for the faint of heart. Not only does the Casio MTG-B1000RB possess the legendary qualities of toughness for which G-Shock is famous, it's also got one heckuva strong look. The look is achieved via vivid treatment of the metal bezel portion of the watch; it's a rainbow-hued ion-plating treatment and, boy, is it a sight to behold. But before I wax lyrical about the glory of rainbow bezels, how about some backstory. The MT-G family was introduced by Casio way back in 1999, which means (and the maths wizards are already three steps ahead here) that…

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17.04.2019

VIDEO: Which TAG Heuer Carrera is right for you?

If you head on over to the TAG Heuer website and click on the Carrera collection, you will see a lot of watches (in Australia there are more than 200 individual models on offer). To say you're spoiled for choice is an understatement. If you delve a little deeper, you'll quickly discover that while these TAG Heuer Carreras all have the same family name, there's some serious diversity going on in the looks department. From large modern sports pieces to more slender time-only options, the Carrera really is a broad church. So, in an effort to help you out, we've…

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17.04.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: This unique Vacheron Constantin Don Pancho is coming up for auction. The big question is, how much will it go for?

Vacheron Constantin is famous for its ability to create custom or one-off watches for clients (to learn more about their Les Cabinotiers department, click here). And given the brand's exceptionally long history, it should come as no surprise that Vacheron Constantin has been making custom pieces for a long time indeed. Phillips is auctioning off one such piece at their Geneva auction, a piece unique from the 1930s known as "Don Pancho". This watch was the first to feature the combination of minute repeater, calendar and retrograde date, and is, by happy coincidence, undeniably stylish. It's an interesting auction lot.…

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16.04.2019

HANDS-ON: The Zenith Defy El Primero 21 – not your average chronograph

The Defy is playing an increasingly important role in Zenith's lineup — offering a modern alternative to the Pilot's line that has dominated the discussion for so long. And there's a lot to like about it — modern style with a hint of retro flavour. And while the Defy spans the spectrum from accessible to ultra high-end, the watch we're looking at today — the Zenith Defy El Primero 21 — sits neatly in the middle, adding a quintessentially Zenith complication to the sporty 44mm package. That complication is, of course, the chronograph — and not just any chrono, but…

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16.04.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: 6 watch podcasts you should be listening to right now

Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll probably have realised that podcasts are hot AF RN. And amidst the true crime and soft, NPR-esque tones of highbrow interviewers sits a growing niche of horology-themed pods. Robin Swithinbank (a modern gentleman if ever there was one) asks a selection of the industry's heavyweights what watch-related audio goodness they fill their ears with on the daily commute. The answers are strong, and bear more than a passing resemblance to my own subscription list. Hodinkee is the obvious choice, but the excellent Blamo! gets some love (remember that time Andy chatted to…

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15.04.2019

INTRODUCING: The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms in titanium

In the underwater realm of dive watches, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is an undisputed master. Initially released in 1953, this prototypical dive watch was instrumental in reframing the rules of the game, and defining the modern dive watch. It's to be expected then that the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms has been an enduring feature of our horological landscape ever since, being realised in countless different versions over the years. And this is the latest. The big story here is the titanium case: 45mm across, and rated to 300m, but refreshingly lightweight. Into that mix we get the traditional black Fifty Fathoms…

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15.04.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Proof these 5 watches are tougher than you could ever be

Watch brands love to hang their proverbial hat on the strength and resilience of their timepieces, but oftentimes these claims are just that — claims. Sometimes, though, these slightly-too-tall tales are backed up with hard facts. That's the case with these five watches here, from Rolex's deepest of divers (and bonus James Cameron) to Casio's epically tough G-Shock and Bremont's high-flyer. All feats of derring-do and destruction are illustrated in eye-wincing detail. Head to Gear Patrol for the wrap-up … if you can handle it.

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13.04.2019

LIST: 4 Grand Seiko Snowflakes – one for every season

For many, Grand Seiko is synonymous with Snowflake, and for years there was only one Grand Seiko Snowflake to choose. Now, as the prestigious Japanese brand becomes better known in the world, that landscape is changing, with more of those delicate, gorgeous dials making their way across the world. And, in the manner of Vivaldi's most famous work, we're breaking it down, four seasons-style. Grand Seiko Snowflake SBGA259 Spring is brought to us courtesy of the SBGA259, which doesn't deviate too much from the original, but adds a few blossoming buds of colour in the form of gold-tone hands and…

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12.04.2019

VIDEO: 4 new watches that herald Grand Seiko's dressy revolution

One of the strongest themes in Grand Seiko's Basel 2019 showing was the pivot to dressy, slightly thinner pieces. We saw two new movements (both mechanical and Spring Drive) cased in a range of (typically gorgeous) new models. And while Grand Seiko's design hallmarks are there — namely in the exceptional dials and the quality of finish — there were a few elements that set a significant new tone for the brand, particularly the thinner, more ergonomic case profiles, and manually wound movements. It's a strong start, and it's also just that — a start. We're going to see lots more…

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11.04.2019

INTRODUCING: A song of ice and fire, Hublot's Big Bang MP-11 now in carbon and sapphire

Hublot is, in many ways, a brand given to extremes. Or, at least, not doing things by halves. Their latest twin takes on the powerful MP-11 is a clear case (if you'll pardon the pun) in point. If you're not au fait with the MP-11, it's a fairly impressive piece of tech that is an evolution of 2013's LaFerrari. The key feature of this 45mm watch is the power reserve of 14 days, an astonishing figure that's achieved through a rack of seven series-coupled barrels that dominate the lower portion of the watch. Winding this beast is achieved either through…

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11.04.2019

INTRODUCING: The Longines HydroConquest, now in black ceramic

Last year, Longines' core modern dive watch, the HydroConquest, received a significant stylistic upgrade, with a sleeker design and a ceramic bezel. This year, we see Longines give their flagship diver the full ceramic treatment. On seeing these pictures for the first time, my impression was — who knew the HydroConquest was such a bad beast? The fully black ceramic (Zirconium Oxide, for the materials science nerds playing at home) is stealthy and (perhaps unsurprisingly, given the monochrome colourway) stark. The movement is the L888, a modified ETA with a solid 64 hours of power reserve. For me, with the combination…

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10.04.2019

INTRODUCING: The new Breguet Classique 5177 will have you singing the blues

If there was the platonic ideal of a dress watch, I'm willing to bet that it would look a lot like Breguet's Classique: simple, elegant, restrained. But for all that, it's a watch full of subtle nuance and fine details — details that separate it from the rest of the pack. The white gold case, fluted around the middle, is perfectly circular, something accentuated by that rounded, polished bezel, and the abrupt angularity of the welded, rounded lugs. Inside this 38mm case lies the Cal. 777Q, an automatic equipped — as are all Breguet's pieces — with silicon technology where it…

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08.04.2019

LIST: Quick! Change! 5 of the best hot-swappable straps on the market right now

It took Apple, and their eponymous watch, to really hammer home the point that the traditional fine watch industry was stuck in the past. No, not with regards to the watch itself — I'm still plenty fine with gears and wheels — no, the real revelation was that it doesn't have to be so hard to change a strap. As someone who's sworn at more flying spring bars than I'd care to admit, that first, buttery-smooth Apple was a revelation. And clearly not just for me. In the following years, the number of tool-free strap-changing methods has increased significantly, heralding a…

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08.04.2019

NEWS: RedBar New Zealand teams up with Magrette to raise money for Christchurch shooting victims

A few weeks ago, New Zealand, Australia and indeed the world were shocked by the horrific violence perpetrated against the Muslim community in Christchurch. In the aftermath of this event, what stood out was the overwhelming response, on all fronts, from political leaders, through to local and international communities. It can be seen in the watch community too, as the New Zealand chapter of RedBar has teamed up with Dion, from Kiwi watch company Magrette, to raffle off two watches, with all funds being donated to the Victim Support's Christchurch Shooting Victims' Fund. The watches being raffled off are a…

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07.04.2019

Is this the best Swiss watch you can get for less than a grand?

Editor's note: Many (many) times we're asked to recommend a 'good' watch at the roughly $1000 price point. The Tissot Visodate, one of the brand's staple heritage pieces, is always high on the list. It's not a new release, but that doesn't mean it isn't an incredible piece of kit. Here at Time+Tide we spend a goodly amount of time talking about the latest watch releases. Well, this isn't one of those times. Instead, today we're talking about a stone-cold classic that's as good today as when it was first released – the Tissot Visodate. The Visodate is an historical…

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07.04.2019

LIST: 3 things you need to know about the Seiko Prospex LX collection, according to the man who designed them

Seiko's Baselworld press conference is one of my few must-not-miss appointments, if only for a much-needed dose of humour. But for me, the real star of this year's affair was Ken Okuyama. Mr Okuyama is an industrial designer with an eponymous studio, who made his name in the world of prestige cars, with a folio including such epic vehicles as the original Honda NSX, the Enzo Ferrari and the Ferrari California. And while much of his career has been spent with some of the great European marques, he's recently turned his eyes homeward, working on raising the profile and prestige…

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07.04.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Going to a watch meet-up? Leave the Sub at home

Maybe I'm getting old and grumpy (I am), or maybe it's a genuine shift driven by the increasing visibility and Instagramability of this hobby/lifestyle choice/money pit we call watch collecting, but I'm noticing an increasing homogeneity in what people are collecting. Steel sports this, royal that, unobtainable the other. Where are the weird, interesting and (most importantly) individual watches? Well, clearly I'm not alone in this, as my Aussie mate Roman has written a piece on just this topic for Scottish Watches (gosh, it's like a low-key racist joke here — all we need is a bar to walk into).…

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06.04.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Are watches the new bitcoin?

Well, that's the somewhat provocative title of this piece by Alex Williams, which cites numerous high-profile celebrities wearing high-ticket price vintage pieces as the driver for this ever-rising tide. For people reading T+T regularly, it's the tale of ever-increasing premiums on seemingly innocuous sports watches. But, to give credence to the bitcoin hook in the title, there's a healthy dose of qualified scepticism about the skyrocketing investment potential, and the risks that come with the rewards. The most interesting part for me was the coda of models to watch, which included the usual suspects with a few interesting outliers. Are we ready for…

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05.04.2019

WATCHSPOTTING: IWC's Big Pilot never looked so small – The Rock rocks a Bronze Spitfire in Las Vegas

Yesterday, Dwayne Johnson touched down in Las Vegas to showcase his new buddy action flick Hobbs & Shaw at CinemaCon, an industry event. But while I'm sure there were explosions aplenty, what really grabbed our attention was something else entirely. What The Rock was wearing. That Ferragamo knit with a palm print is in-credible. Also, the dude is wearing the brand new IWC Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Spitfire — which is, let's be clear, a 46.2mm watch that certainly earns the 'Big' moniker — like it's a dainty 36mm. Nuts. This particular Big Pilot was released at SIHH earlier this…

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04.04.2019

INTRODUCING: Steely splendour – the Panerai Luminor Marina PAM00977 and PAM00978

Bracelets aren't something you see strapped to Panerai watches too often, which is, I think, a bit of a shame, as that half-moon design is quite distinctive and stylish. But that's something that's set to change with two new, silver and steel additions to Panerai's Luminor Marina family, the PAM00977 and PAM00978. Offered in two case sizes — 977 is the 42mm, and 978 is 44mm — the overall form of the Luminor Marina is well established by now, but aside from the bracelets, there's a few things worth pointing out. Most obviously, the dial. I don't know about you,…

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04.04.2019

VIDEO: A closer look at the Seiko Prospex LX SNR029J

One of the bigger surprises of Basel was Seiko's announcement of their high-end Prospex LX collection — big, chunky sports watches that feature a level of fit and finish we've seldom seen on a Seiko-labelled watch. And while the initial collection was a drop of six models, the one that we were most interested in, and — I suspect — the most crowd-pleasing number is the SNR029J1, a straight-up-and-down diver — inspired, to no small degree, by the classic Marinemaster 300. If the look is a 2019 update on a tried-and-tested model, the same can be said for the build.…

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03.04.2019

VIDEO: This is what a heritage reissue should look like – the Seiko SLA033

Few things excite Seiko fans as much as a solid historical reissue (or re-creation in Seiko's parlance), and this year's limited edition, the SLA033, is about as exciting as they come. First of all, it's based on a diver. Indeed, for many of the Seiko cognoscenti, it's based on the diver, the 6105, a watch that — thanks to its reliability and corresponding popularity with American servicemen involved in the Vietnam War — contributed to growing the popularity of the Japanese brand in America. But what really ensured this humble diver's place in the history books was its (period-correct) placement on…

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02.04.2019

VIDEO: Felix's 3 over-the-top picks from Baselworld 2019

If you've been reading or watching Time+Tide for more than five minutes, you might have noticed that I've got something of a soft spot for watches that are both sublime and ridiculous. And honestly, Baselworld is the best place to see these rare, beautiful birds all in one place. Before they fly the coop into the boutiques, bank vaults and wrists of the international connoisseur cognoscenti. Now, before we get into the timepieces themselves, a quick caveat. When I say "over the top" I mean that in the best possible way. In many ways, this sort of horology represents the…

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02.04.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: That time Batman and Kryptonite collided

Editor's note: Batman has been on my mind a bit recently, what with his bracelet upgrade. Which brought back this photographic comparison from a few years ago. Cue dramatic theme music … Earlier this year, we witnessed a chance encounter between two giants of both the superhuman and horological pantheons. The showdown took place at dusk, on the shores of Lake Geneva, at Franck Muller's Watchland. The combatants? None other than the Batman, in the form of Rolex's GMT-Master II BLNR, versus Superman, in the shape of the Franck Muller Vanguard Carbon Krypton. The Rolex will be a known quantity to…

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01.04.2019

VIDEO: Our top 3 watches of Basel 2019 from $35,000 and up – featuring Patek, De Bethune and Hublot

I don't know about you, but when the price point of a timepiece starts to creep beyond the realms of the everyday, things like price points start to get a little abstract. And, let's be real here — for most people (though perhaps not most people reading this), watches with a sticker price north of $35,000 are definitely not an everyday proposition. But Baselworld is something of a fantasy land, so we thought it only right and proper to indulge in some hypothetical high-end watch speculation. Patek Philippe Nautilus 5726/1A In the land of high-end steel sports watches, the Nautilus…

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01.04.2019

INTRODUCING: Bremont's Supermarine 500 now offered on innovative inflatable strap

In a watch that was — surprisingly — not shown to media at the brand's recent townhouse events, Bremont has added to their 'tested beyond endurance' tagline with a new strap option for their Supermarine family. Details around the strap are scarce, but the press release describes how, in the event of a marine mishap, a simple pull of a ripcord causes the rubber strap to inflate, like a life cuff, improving your buoyancy, and the chances of the watch surviving the mishap unharmed. No official word on who Bremont worked with in the development of this technology, but given…

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01.04.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: That time Cameron felt sorry about his wrist stalking …

Editor's note: One of the things watch people like to bond over is the sighting of something uncommon, stylish or downright cool. But sometimes our laser-like wrist focus goes too far, as Cameron is about to explain … To all the strangers on the streets, in the cafes, and just generally going about your own business … I have no shame in admitting that I am a wrist stalker. If you're a regular reader, then chances are you're one, too. We all do it. Some of us are just better than others and can pick a watch from across the…

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30.03.2019

VIDEO: Ceramic, tattoos and a sneaky Patek – Felix's Basel 2019 picks from $10,000 – $35,000

Usually in this sort of video I try to honour the rules. Because you never know, maybe you actually are in the market for a brand new watch somewhere between 10 and 35K. Odd, but not impossible. And if that's the case, I don't want to harsh your vibe by sneaking something in that's out of the parameters. But you know what? That's what I did here. The Patek is, asides from being pure unobtanium to mere mortals, well about 35K AUD. But it's so pretty, I just had to bend the rules. Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic As soon as…

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30.03.2019

LIST: Beautiful, new, and now in blue – 3 core Vacheron Constantin watches get a dial makeover

Traditionally, the blues are associated with sadness or hard times in life. However, that's definitely not the case over at Vacheron Constantin, as these new blue-dialled additions add a bright new take on some of the brand's core pieces. But, these three blues are not the same, each is different in shade or finish, and has been created specifically to complement the character of the collection in which it sits. Here are our three picks … The Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix Complete Calendar in petrol blue As far as collections go, the Fiftysix is Vacheron Constantin's newest – loaded with mid-century…

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28.03.2019

VIDEO: Colour, controversy and a streamlined case – Felix's top Basel 2019 watches under $10,000

Baselworld 2019 was a fairly subdued affair, but that didn't stop me from ferreting out three (very very different) pieces that reminded me what my love of watches was all about. Tudor Black Bay P01 Yup, I know. All y'all were very much not into this piece. And you know what, on paper (or Instagram, as the case might be), I was with you. But on the wrist it's a very different picture, and I'd suggest holding judgement until you see this Tudor IRL. And to be honest, it's more interesting than another suite of 'regular' BB dial variations. Zenith Defy…

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27.03.2019

HANDS-ON: White heat – the Zenith Defy Classic in white ceramic

I'm not sure if Lou Reed would have liked this watch (I hope he would have), but I know I certainly do. The modern sports line that is the Defy is an increasing priority for Zenith – a key, future-facing pillar for the brand that is both distinctive and incredibly versatile. This new version, all 41mm of blinding white ceramic, proves this point. Do me a favour, take a minute and check out another version of this self same design. Now, look at the watch below. It's a marked difference. With the matt ceramic case, open-worked dial (replete with that signature…

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26.03.2019

LIST: 3 of the best Bulgari watches from Basel 2019

Over at Bulgari, the reign of the Octo Finissimo continues to flourish. At Baselworld 2019 the ultra-thin heavyweight collection gained two strong new members. And over on the women's side, there's a new golden serpent to adore. The hero of Bulgari's set piece is the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT, a very smart addition (in both the style and engineering sense). It's a completely new movement, and full of nice engineering details. It also boasts a lot of user-focused details, like that GMT. It's a really useful combination of complications wrapped up in a wafer-thin package. The yin to the Chronograph's…

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25.03.2019

VIDEO: Up close and personal with 3 very complicated Vacheron Constantin watches

A little while ago, I had a very good day at work. That's because my job involved spending some quality time with three exceptional Vacheron Constantin watches, which just happened to be in Melbourne. The first was the Patrimony Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin — a very classic (and slender) execution. Then there was the gorgeous Traditionnelle Tourbillon, with a dial dominated by a mesmerising tourbillon that I could easily get lost in. And finally, the Traditionnelle Grandes Complication Equation of Time – a watch that really shows just what sort of artistic engineering marvels Vacheron Constantin is capable of. Vacheron Constantin Patrimony…

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24.03.2019

LIST: 6 Seikos you need to know from Basel 2019

You can get a pretty good sense of the overarching themes of Baselworld by listening to the chatter in the halls, press centre and even the sausage cart outside. And, along with smaller crowd sizes and uncertain futures, one of the main conversational themes was the size of brand collections. In press conferences, words like 'focused' and 'consolidated' abounded. In short, brands weren't releasing many watches. One exception was Seiko. The Japanese powerhouse has so many lines (though to be fair these are becoming increasingly codified and coherent) and plenty to choose from, so much so that I had a…

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23.03.2019

HANDS-ON: The Seiko Diver's Re-creation Limited Edition SLA033

Seiko's archive is full of exceptional and much-loved dive watches. One of the brightest lights in this pantheon is the 6105, a real workhorse of the 1970s, and a distinctive one at that — thanks to its large, cushiony case and a crown at four. And while the visuals of the watch certainly didn't hurt, it's the combination of good (for the time) water resistance of 150m, Seiko's reliable build quality and a non-prohibitive price that made this watch such a hit — especially with American soldiers in Vietnam. It's in this context that the watch received its most famous…

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23.03.2019

VIDEO: TAG Heuer joins the bronze brigade with the Autavia

Bronze — that gold-toned alloy that only gets better with age — has continued its domination of the watch world, and the latest brand to be converted is TAG Heuer, who this week released two bronze versions of their brand new three-handed Autavia. Structurally, it's the same as the steel Autavias — 42mm across, powered by a Calibre 5 movement running the impressive new Isograph spring, and worn with straps that utilise a smart new quick-change system. But on the aesthetic front, the warm metal, shiny ceramic bezel, smoky green dial, and aged ivory luminous material create a compelling synergy that's exemplary…

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23.03.2019

VIDEO: This is what Tudor's 3 top 2019 releases look like on the wrist

It's testament to the power and ongoing evolution of Tudor's blue-chip Black Bay family that our top three picks from Baselworld 2019 are all Black Bays, and also — from a distance at least — look very different indeed. Without a doubt, the most discussed and most genuinely novel watch of the bunch (and perhaps of the whole fair) is the Black Bay P01. While the dial bears a lot of the hallmarks of the Black Bay, the case is Something. Else. Entirely. Long, with a blocky crown guard at four, and a steel bi-directional 12-hour bezel that's held in place…

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22.03.2019

VIDEO: The 3 new Rolex releases that had everyone talking at Baselworld 2019

In the weeks and days leading up to Basel, the tension, speculation and near-hysteria around Rolex's impending releases is palpable, and this year was no different. And while the popular predictions in the lead-up to Baselworld 2019 were the usual mix of near misses and safe guesses, that didn't stop the Rolex watches — especially the sports watches — from being the most talked-about pieces of the fair. The Yacht-Master on Oysterflex has, since its debut in 2015, been one of the most distinctively modern models, with its matt cerachrom bezel and understated bracelet. This year saw two significant changes…

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22.03.2019

VIDEO: TAG Heuer's latest releases from Baselworld 2019

TAG Heuer's Basel 2019 collection had a particularly clear focus, and that focus was Autavia. It's a watch inspired by TAG Heuer's enviable heritage — Autavia is a combination of automotive and aviation, and dates back to when Heuer was making cockpit timers in the 1930s. This latest version is a clear nod to the past, without being a fully blown reissue. It's got details to boot too, like Arabic numerals made from solid blocks of luminous material, a series in subtle rich colours that, thanks to their texture and airbrushed finish, are eye-catching and interesting. The insides are also notable,…

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21.03.2019

HANDS-ON: The Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGY003 – thinner, dressier

Grand Seiko has just announced its latest releases at Basel 2019 and, boy, does the Spring Drive — that unique trifecta of electronic, kinetic and magnetic energy — feature strongly. But not just the Spring Drives you know and love, with that arching power reserve at eight. No, in honour of the movement's 20th anniversary, there are new manually wound versions, including this super-slender, refined and dressy option. Shown here in steel, it's known as SBGY003 This is a Grand Seiko like you've never seen before. First, the case is so well-sized — 38.5mm across by 10.2mm thick is elegant, restrained…

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21.03.2019

VIDEO: Our pick of the best Grand Seiko watches of 2019, fresh from Baselworld

There's a unifying theme to Grand Seiko's 2019 collection – and no, it's not the exquisite dials or case work, though those are all very much in evidence. No, this year it's all about the mighty Spring Drive, a movement (which we've explained here) that is unique to Grand Seiko, and appropriately enough, 20 years old. There's a new take on the most complicated Spring Drive of all, the 9R96, with a GMT and Chronograph. This year we see it like never before — in a watch that's a suitably plus-sized tribute to Japan's most famous monster, Godzilla. The SBGC231G…

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21.03.2019

VIDEO: Seiko has just announced the Prospex LX collection – these are the watches and what you need to know about them

Prospex is Seiko-speak for "Professional Specification", a family of professionally oriented tool-watches that was born in 1968 and built to last. And, Seiko being Seiko, that build quality is legendary. As such, these watches have attracted a cult following, in both the actual and desk-diving fraternities. Now, at their press conference at Baselworld 2019, Seiko just upped the stakes once more, with the Prospex LX. A series of (for now) six watches that are gloriously over-specced, premium Prospex watches. There are three watches in plain steel, and three blacked-out variants. Prospex LX — built around the timeless pillars of sea, land…

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21.03.2019

LIST: A quick look at the hottest Tudor watches of Basel 2019

Tudor's Baselworld 2019 collection is always a hotly anticipated affair, and this year the Shield offered some stylish new takes on existing models, and a distinctive diver no one saw coming. Tudor Black Bay P01 One of the more interesting, unexpected and downright surprising releases of Baselworld 2019 has to be the Tudor Black Bay P01. To paraphrase that guy from Star Trek: it's a Black Bay, Jim — but not as we know it. Based on a prototype watch developed in the late 1960s with the US Navy in mind, this Black Bay is pure tool watch. The party trick here…

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21.03.2019

HANDS-ON: Thin just got complicated with the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph

It's no secret that the Octo Finissimo has been a watch that's kick-started the heart of Bulgari's recent string of critical hits. And now the collection has — in addition to the core time-only model, minute repeaters and tourbillons — a chronograph. And not just any chronograph, the world's thinnest. This watch took Bulgari almost three years to develop (which, in watch terms, is rather quick), and the movement is a slim 3.3mm, shredding a fair bit of width off the previous thinnest – a 4.65mm manually wound movement from Piaget. This movement isn't just thin — it's got a peripheral winding rotor…

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20.03.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: The Rado DiaMaster Thinline Ceramos – where metal meets ceramic

Editor's note: The thing I love about Rado is that even when they deliver a seemingly demure, classic round watch, they add a twist. In this case made from the futuristic hybrid alloy Ceramos. It's definitely a watch to check out in the metal – ummm, Ceramos – to really appreciate. When it comes to materials, it's hard to beat Rado. The brand is a master of innovative materials. They pioneered ultra-hard metals and ceramics, and continue to push the realms of the possible. The latest is Ceramos, an alloy of ceramic and metal that offers the best of both…

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18.03.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: Another look at the 50-year-old Monaco, just in time for Baselworld

Editor's note: The mighty Calibre 11-powered Monaco turned 50 just a few weeks ago, and what better time, with Baselworld 2019 only hours away, to have a look at one of the defining chronographs of our time. Now, this version here is, no doubt, a stone cold classic. But I've got to wonder, what has TAG Heuer cooked up to celebrate the big 5-0? Here's hoping we find out soon. The story in a second: 2015 saw TAG Heuer release the bold Heuer 01, the smart Carrera Connected and a faithful re-edition of one of the most iconic watches ever…

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17.03.2019

NEWS: Peak ridiculousness achieved with the unholy fusion of iPhone and tourbillon

So, this exists. Look, I write about high-end mechanical watches on the daily, so I've got a pretty high threshold for the superfluous things in life, but this is just ridiculous. A company called Caviar (of course they're called Caviar) has revolutionised the world of both watchmaking and iPhones by releasing (and I quote): "the first iPhone with a Tourbillon". Now, when I first read the press release I thought it was an iPhone case with tourbillon, which, I mean, isn't the worst. Tourbillons are cool and if you want to spend more money than is sensible on a case…

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17.03.2019

HANDS-ON: A deep-diving Greek, the Ianos Avyssos

In these days of globalised production and democratised design it seems like there are more micro watch brands than ever before and, really, most of them are pretty forgettable, all riffing from the same songbook/factory catalogue. So when something a little left of centre shows up, I tend to pay attention. The Ianos Avyssos is one such watch. On the surface it's a dive watch, rated to 300 metres, with the bezel, lume and other bits and bobs you associate with the genre. But pretty quickly you work out that it's the other elements that separate this watch from the…

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16.03.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: That time the T+T team picked the one watch they'd wear for the rest of their lives

Editor's note: For some reason, the days before Baselworld always fire up my acquisitive tendencies, however hypothetical. And when it comes to hypotheticals, for watch fans they don't come much greater than this. One watch. For ever. That's the question I asked the team last year, and this is what they said … Let me be clear from the outset, this is a ridiculous challenge. It's clearly hypothetical and I'm pretty sure none of us has any plans to sell our collections and follow through with this. But having said that, it's a perennial watch party favourite, and can be…

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15.03.2019

HANDS-ON: Creux Automatiq evolve their offering with the Diamondback CA-08

Last year I had the pleasure of reviewing the Ghost Explorer, a contemporarily styled sports watch from Australian-based Creux Automatiq. It was a surprisingly sophisticated and solid piece of kit, so when I saw posts of their forthcoming line, the Diamondback, I was keen to get my hands on one. Fast forward to me opening a DHL package, and unboxing the Diamondback CA-08, and I immediately noticed a few significant differences on this watch from its predecessor – most notably a smaller case size, solid dial and a brand new bracelet. It's two changes that go a long way to…

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13.03.2019

INTRODUCING: The harder, faster, stronger Hublot Big Bang Ferrari in Magic Gold

The ongoing creative collaboration between Hublot and Ferrari is now in its seventh year, and it doesn't look like it's running out of gas any time soon, if the latest offering is any indication. We're talking about the Big Bang Ferrari Magic Gold. The defining feature of this edition of 250 watches is the sporty chassis in Magic Gold. This 45mm case was reworked last year by Hublot and Ferrari's design team to create a sleeker look, with those case-hugging chrono pushers and cowl-like crown placement. And while the refreshed case is pretty noteworthy, it's the Magic Gold that still…

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08.03.2019

LIST: 4 outrageously cool Australian military Bremonts I spotted at their Melbourne boutique opening

Walking into Bremont's brand new Melbourne boutique, it doesn't take long to work out the brand's military and aviation connection. If the spartan style of the watches didn't give the game away, the pictures of planes on the walls, the hanging model biplane, and the actual, very battered looking ejection seat sitting front-and-centre kind of give it away. Not that all those fine details were too easy to spot last night, as the space was packed with people who either loved the brand or were keen to find out more. And amongst the brand's most die-hard fans are the people…

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08.03.2019

VIDEO: Ulysse Nardin's 2019 releases prove they're ready for anything

On the off chance that you're not, Ulysse Nardin is a brand you should be paying attention to. There's a real energy around the Le Locle-based manufacture – all the burners are firing. And while one of the brand's most discussed 2019 releases – the exquisitely painted sexy mermaid pieces of the Classico Manara series — is *too rude* for T+T, there's still plenty of other, less X-rated horology to discuss. Like the new Freak X, a technically toned down take on their iconic rebel that still delivers high impact with less of a hit to the hip pocket. And then…

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06.03.2019

HANDS-ON: The Christopher Ward C65 Trident Automatic

Over the years I've had a few run-ins with UK-based brand Christopher Ward, having reviewed some of their older world time and jump hour watches. I've never tried one of their more mainline pieces on for size though, but when I saw the press renders for the C65 Trident Automatic I figured it was about time I changed that. The C65 Trident is an attractive piece, a neo-vintage diver that offers a strong blend of today's practicality and yesterday's charm. Clocking in at a decent 41mm across, and 11.5mm high, this stylish steel chap is offered in either blue or…

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05.03.2019

VIDEO: The hottest Moser watch releases of 2019

Visiting the team at H. Moser & Cie. is always one of the highlights of SIHH. You never quite know what you're going to get. Well, that's not quite true. You know you're going to be in for some surprises. And seeing Moser at SIHH 2019 did not disappoint. We knew about the Nature Watch, and that statement piece (literally, it was all about the statement of the watch industry's environmental obligations) did not disappoint in real life (again, literally). Another high-level statement that impressed in real life was the exceptionally minimal Swiss Alp Concept Black — I just shudder…

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27.02.2019

VIDEO: New Traditions – taking a look at the Rado Tradition 1965

There's few things I like more in watchland than being surprised. Sadly, it doesn't happen too often. But when it does, it's always memorable. And being in Rado's booth at Basel last year was one of those moments. I had seen the large Tradition 1965 on display and dismissed it without a thought. Who needs a plus-sized rectangular watch, I thought to myself. Turns out, me. When I put this watch on I was blown away at how comfortable it was (it wears very well for the shape, and the titanium case keeps the weight down), and the shape of…

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27.02.2019

INTRODUCING: The Bremont MBIII 10th Anniversary limited edition

Bremont is a brand built, to no small degree, around meaningful collaborations — particularly those in the aerospace sector. And of these relationships there's one that holds pride of place and speaks to the heart of the British brand – Martin-Baker. Martin-Baker has, since 1946, been one of the most important suppliers of ejection seats and escape systems. Their seats are used on more than 80 aircraft types and have saved 7595 lives. This year marks a decade of partnership with Bremont. The watch collection that is the fruit of this partnership is the Martin-Baker line, a decidedly modern take…

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26.02.2019

HANDS-ON: The sustainable Submersible, Panerai's Submersible Mike Horn Edition, PAM00984

There were a lot of very interesting watches released at SIHH. Oftentimes, this interest was centred around complication — and rightly so, it's really the watch industry's traditional bailiwick. But for me, one of the most interesting collections overall was Panerai. Panerai, while certainly accomplished at the higher end of the spectrum, tends not to play the complication game, which is entirely in keeping with the brand's rough and tumble history. Instead, they went down a different (and perhaps more significant in the long run) route. Panerai's SIHH 2019 releases were exclusively Submersible models, several of which tie into Panerai's…

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25.02.2019

LIST: 3 well-dressed men straight up wrist flexing at the 2019 Oscars

There's an argument to be made for a subtle sartorial flex (and it's an argument that Barack Obama definitely won with his Rag & Bone "44" bomber jacket btw). Class, elegance, all that jazz. But there's an equally strong statement to be made for putting your best foot forward, and expressing yourself. Something these three fellas are very familiar with. Bradley Cooper and his IWC Big Pilot Big Bradley Cooper has been filling out the role of a 21st century interpretation of a classic Hollywood leading man, wearing a pin-sharp Tom Ford tux, and bringing his mum along to the…

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25.02.2019

VIDEO: Game, set, match…point. A closer look at Rado's HyperChrome Match Point

Sports tie-in watches play a — if you'll pardon the pun — dangerous game. On the one hand there's a lot of gloss (and potential sales) to be earned from the association with an event that's under the spotlight. The downside, though, is you might end up with a watch that looks more like a souvenir than a fine piece of precision engineering. This Rado HyperChrome Match Point walks this line just fine. To most casual — and even closer — viewers, it's a regular Rado chronograph, complete with the high-tech ceramic case and bracelet so synonomous with Rado, as well…

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21.02.2019

VIDEO: Rado's off-centre DiaMaster proves that life isn't always balanced

If you're looking for a watch that's a little left-of-centre style-wise, look no further. Rado's idiosyncratic DiaMaster takes many of the conventions of fine watchmaking and turns them, if not on their heads, at least a little bit sideways. And the resulting watch is, it must be said, quite charming. Of course, there are still some familiar Rado hallmarks on display, like the high-tech ceramic case. There's also an ever-reliable automatic movement that isn't content to be relegated to the caseback, instead taking centre stage on the dial side — to great effect. The case is hefty, at 43mm, and…

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21.02.2019

INTRODUCING: Glashütte Original gets spicy with two new pumpkin-hued Sixties models

Hold onto your hats because Glashütte Original has just dropped another dose of exceptional colour, in the form of the 2019 edition of the Sixties and Sixties Panorama Date. In case you don't recall last year's version, it was a pretty exceptional green (here's a closer look) and a very popular choice. It was also one of the greatest examples of green being a breakthrough trend for 2018. Now, we don't think that this fiery orange will have broad cross-sectional appeal, but if you're a fan of the colour, the chances are good that you will love this pair of…

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20.02.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: Another look at the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ203

Editor's note: Basel is just around the corner, which means that I'm spending more time than is strictly healthy speculating on what configurations of complications we might be seeing from our favourite brands … like Grand Seiko. But you know what? It would be a hard task indeed to improve on the long tall drink of water that is this Grand Seiko GMT. If you were looking for a go-anywhere-do-anything type watch (and honestly, aren't we all?), then a stylistically versatile steel GMT on a bracelet would tick a lot of the boxes. And as far as versatile steel GMTs go,…

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20.02.2019

INTRODUCING: The Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special Silver

Zenith is rather proud of the fact — and understandably so — that they hold the trademark for the "Pilot" name on watches, so it makes sense for them to proudly emblazon the name on the dials of their aviation-inspired pieces. This latest limited edition is extra special (also mentioned on the dial), because of its uncommon construction. The design of this Pilot is — well — pure pilot, with its large, classically shaped 45mm case, even bigger onion crown, stylised Arabic numerals and cathedral hands, replete with a suitably rugged calfskin strap (with an extra, somewhat mysterious, layer of leather…

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19.02.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: Golden years – when to rock the heavy metal

Editor's note: The other week I caught up with a mate who had recently come to the inevitable realisation that he needed a yellow gold Day-Date on his wrist. He struggled with the stigma of gold for ages (yellow gold AND a Rolex to boot), before finally reconciling that it was, by all metrics, awesome. And that got me thinking back to this instructional guide from Andy Green … You know who you are, and you know why you're here — and it's totally fine. You've found yourself at the inevitable crossroad that all collectors come to. You're finally in the position…

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19.02.2019

HANDS-ON: The Breguet Marine Chronograph ref. 5527

If I'm being honest, this is one of the less "Breguet" watches Breguet has released in recent years. It's an unconventional mix of traditional features, in a much more contemporary package. All the key design features are there: the fluted case, the hands and the elaborately guillochéd dial, but this watch is a world away from their Classique collection, while still being undeniably Breguet. It also — and this is a key point — doesn't look too much like anything else in the crowded field of high-end sports chronographs. And make no mistake, this is a high-end sports chronograph. One…

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16.02.2019

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…

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15.02.2019

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…

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13.02.2019

HANDS-ON: The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin – now on a fully gold bracelet

When it comes to Vacheron Constantin's SIHH releases, there's no doubt the pieces that were the talk of the town (and rightfully so) were the epic Twin Beat and the slightly less epic but epically attractive Overseas Tourbillon. And I get it, they're both great watches. The Twin Beat is a triumph of clever engineering and the Overseas Tourbillon is downright gorgeous. But the heart wants what the heart wants. And the Vacheron Constantin my heart wanted wasn't really a new watch at all. But, instead, an existing piece on a new bracelet. And, boy, what a difference a bracelet…

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12.02.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: Only the toughest – 6 awesomely over-designed watches

Editor's note: First of all, let me state that Cam nailed this list. He's pulled a bunch of bangers out of left field, and they're all very much fit for purpose. They're also surprisingly colourful and, it must be said, far tougher than you really need. There are watches that are tough, and then there are watches so tough that they're guaranteed to survive in even the most extreme environments, even if you wouldn't. We're talking over-engineering to the point where no man has been before. Watches that can take on the most dangerous of adventures, that push far beyond…

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12.02.2019

INTRODUCING: Love is in the air – Blancpain's Villeret Women Quantième Phases de Lune

If the increasingly frantic targeted ads in my Instagram feed for fancy underwear and/or chocolate are anything to go by, Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Well, if you're reading this and have left your extravagant-show-of-affection-giftstravaganza run a little late, don't worry. We — or rather Blancpain — have your back. Say hello to the Blancpain Villeret Valentine Women Quantième Phases de Lune, a delightful limited edition made with Valentine's Day in mind. Of course, there's the expected mix of mother-of-pearl dial and liberal sprinkling of sparkly stones in the 33mm red gold case, but what really elevates this…

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11.02.2019

HANDS-ON: Glashütte Original go all out with their contemporary Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar

As far as complications go, perpetual calendars are typically classically styled, verging on the stuffy, depending on how well they're done. Not that there's anything fundamentally wrong with this – after all, fine watchmaking thrives on tradition. But I can understand the desire to shake things up a little, and throw down some contemporary styles, which is exactly what Glashütte Original have done with this limited edition take on their Senator Excellence PC. Fundamentally, this watch is the same as the 'regular' model, a nicely sized 42mm model, with a big panorama date at four (hence the name), moon at…

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11.02.2019

VIDEO: 3 standout Submersibles from Panerai's SIHH 2019 collection

If you had any doubts about Panerai's position as kings of the deep, their SIHH 2019 release catalogue would have dispelled them. Panerai's hero watch is, of course, the Submersible. It's one of the brand's most interesting designs, as it honours their historically important case shape (cushiony, with a fairly famous crown guard), while adding a very handy bezel and some more contemporary lines. This year sees Panerai tweak a few more details, playing more with smaller sizes and interesting case materials. Here are our top picks. Panerai Submersible Carbotech 42mm – PAM00960 Carbotech is, without a doubt, a cool…

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10.02.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: Spending a year with the Rolex Submariner 116610LV – AKA 'The Hulk'

Editor's note: In the second part of our year-long reviews, Andy tells us what it's like to Hulk out for a year. Sun's getting real low … Swiping the debit card on this purchase wasn't an easy decision. Being someone constantly surrounded by watches, I was more than aware of the endless list of great options within this price bracket. Now, don't get me wrong, there were some very big temptations along the way, but a Rolex was something I'd been working towards for a little while, and just over a year ago, the time was right. Wearability has always…

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10.02.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: Spending a year with the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 'Grey Phantom'

Editor's note: Typically, the watches we review are in our possession for a few days or, maybe if we're lucky, a few weeks. Sometimes the relationship lasts a little longer than that. Today we're going to revisit two reviews that were a year in the making. Kicking off with my TAG Heuer … For those who know me and my taste in watches a little bit, the fact that I own a TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 typically comes as a bit of a surprise, as there's a perception that I like the simpler, smaller things in watch life. For…

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09.02.2019

VIDEO: 5 outstanding Montblanc watches from SIHH 2019

Since Davide Cerrato took the gig as Montblanc's top watch guy, the brand's timepiece offerings have been steadily ramping up, becoming more focused and more appealing. To my mind, Montblanc's SIHH 2019 saw the brand in high gear, on the inside track and with the intensity of a winner. Two hero collections and a range of watches to appeal to a wide range of tastes. Here are our five picks. Montblanc 1858 Geosphere LE Last year's complicated two timer was already a good-looking beast of a watch, and this year the Geosphere's gone green, making it even more Hulk-like. Montblanc…

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08.02.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: Tissot's Heritage Petite Seconde oozes old school cool

Editor's note: It should be noted, right up front, that the 'petite' in this watch's name refers to the subsidiary seconds dial, not the overall scale of the piece, which is reasonable and substantial all at once. So, with that caveat out of the way, onto the review … In these days of the never-ending vintage revival, it seems that every brand has to have a heritage collection, regardless of whether they have any actual heritage. That's not a problem Tissot has to deal with, as the brand dates way back to 1853, a depth of history that's reflected in the strength…

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08.02.2019

HANDS-ON: Moser's calm and idyllic Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept Blue Lagoon

Move over Brooke Shields, the Blue Lagoon has a new star – Moser's Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept Blue Lagoon. And, as with all of Moser's concept line of watches, there's almost nothing to get in the way of the typically excellent fumé dial. The Blue Lagoon takes its name from the dial colour which, like all of Moser's watches, is rather difficult to fully capture on film. It's iridescent, vivid and compelling. It's also a very greenish blue, which sits in the middle of Moser's mild-to-wild spectrum of dial colours. And that, at least to my mind, is just the…

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07.02.2019

VIDEO: 5 of the hottest new Cartier watches from SIHH 2019

Over the last few years, Cartier's watch releases have been consistently impressive, alternating between savvily commercial and outrageously stunning. This year we saw that strong trend continue. Cartier Santos de Cartier Chronograph The big news was the addition of a chronograph to last year's wildly popular new Santos. In addition to complication, this model adds some not insignificant bulk. Cartier Tonneau Deceptively simple and unerringly elegant, this quartz-powered Tonneau is a real looker, and as someone with a fairly large wrist, I was surprised how good it looked on me. Cartier Tonneau Dual Time Skeleton This watch is a classic…

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06.02.2019

LIST: 4 awesome everyday watches from SIHH 2019 that you can actually afford

As far as international watch fairs go, SIHH is great. If highly complex, mind-blowing timepieces are your jam, it's the one for you. After all, it's the Haute Horlogerie fair. But things get a touch trickier if you (like I suspect many of our readers) are into simpler fare, more suitable for daily duty. Never fear though, for amidst the tourbillons and astronomical complications there's some incredible value to be had. Like these four watches … Montblanc Heritage Automatic Montblanc's revamped Heritage collection was one of the real winners from SIHH, a collection oozing in stylish nostalgia and charm. No…

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05.02.2019

INTRODUCING: Grand Seiko has just announced four new slim manual-wind models in the Elegance Collection and, yes, the dials are off the charts

Grand Seiko has, in the lead-up to Baselworld, just announced a brand new movement for the Elegance Collection, four new manually wound, slender watches (three of them limited editions) that look very promising indeed. First things first, this collection is powered by a new manually wound caliber, the 9S63, the brand's first in eight years. The basics of this hand-wound movement are that it's got a reserve of 72 hours, and accurate to within +5/-3 seconds a day. More importantly, this movement opens up new design possibilities for Grand Seiko, with its current layout of balanced small seconds at nine…

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05.02.2019

HANDS-ON: Crashing to earth – Piaget's Altiplano with meteorite dial

Adding variety in the world of ultra-thin watchmaking is tricky. Because in this space, additional complications typically equals extra thickness — and that defeats the aim of the exercise. So instead of working on altering the mechanics, you change the aesthetics, which is just what Piaget has done here with these new additions to the Altiplano family. Before we take a closer look at those spectacular dials, a quick recap on this particular Altiplano. At 40mm across, and with a very simple, traditional round case, this watch is dressy by design. The incredible thinness of 6.5mm makes it almost unimaginable…

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04.02.2019

VIDEO: 5 stunning Jaeger-LeCoultre watches from SIHH 2019

The talk of the Jaeger-LeCoultre booth at SIHH was the incredible (and incredibly well-sized) Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel, but that rare bird was in hot demand, so we didn't manage any quality one-on-one time with it. But that's OK really, as there were numerous other exquisitely finished offerings on hand, from the Reverso and Master families. Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon Enamel This watch and the two other Master Thins take several design cues from the grand daddy Gyrotourbillon, but in a package that's in the realm of mortals. The dials are a rich and complex blue guilloché,…

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03.02.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: To beater, or not to beater – what exactly makes a beater watch, that is the question

Editor's note: It's one of the watch world's perennial favourite questions – what makes a beater? After all, those vintage steel Rolex models were designed to be worn, and worn hard. But then again, they're very expensive. Justin delves into the issue … What can and can't be dubbed a 'Beater Watch' remains a contentious issue among many. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to let your watch suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles and shelter your beloved watch from harm. The ponderings of Hamlet seemed oddly fitting one…

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03.02.2019

MY WEEK WITH: The Omega Speedmaster CK 2998

As far as famous watches go, the Speedmaster is way up there. And aside from its famous extraterrestrial exploits, it's also a real staple of the watch world, which is why a Speedy was a natural choice of wrist wear for my recent Swiss trip. The fact that this trip included spending some quality time with Omega only sealed the deal. The next question was: which Speedmaster? Well, in the end, my decision wasn't too hard, because even though you're spoiled for choice, I wanted a more classical iteration, and one with a mix of personality and versatility. So I…

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02.02.2019

VIDEO: 6 of the best new IWC watches from SIHH 2019

One of my highlights of SIHH every year is IWC – and not just because their booth is exceptional; this year it was dominated by an actual gleaming silver Spitfire. No, I like seeing IWC because the watches rarely disappoint, and this year was absolutely no exception. The Pilot's collection is one of the brand's iconic staples, and hugely popular in Australia (and, for that matter, around the world). And at SIHH it got some major new additions, mainly in the Spitfire and Top Gun sub families. Spitfire is the more retro of the two, and covered off the classics…

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01.02.2019

HANDS-ON: New balance – the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Tourbillon Nanograph

One of the most interesting — and important — new watch releases I saw while in Geneva recently wasn't shown at SIHH at all. Rather, it was presented by TAG Heuer. On the surface the watch is typically TAG Heuer, in look and indeed nomenclature — it's called the Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Tourbillon Nanograph, and has that large, modular case construction that we're so familiar with by now, along with carbon lugs and bezels that are straight-up cribbed from their recent Carbon capsule collection. The dial texture is a little different, with a hexagonal structure that looks cool and…

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31.01.2019

INTRODUCING: Bulgari bring back a legend with the Gérald Genta 50th Anniversary Watch

Few names loom larger in the collective consciousness of horological history than Gérald Genta. He's one of the few individual designers whose name — because of the strength of his work — stands as tall as the great houses for whom he worked. But later in his career, Genta launched his own eponymous brand which demonstrated a penchant for retrograde displays and Disney characters. Eventually, the Genta brand was acquired by Bulgari, who have continued to evolve some of the great designer's works under their own name, and to great effect. Which was why this watch, presented recently in Geneva,…

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31.01.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: The most overlooked element in watch design

Editor's note: Someone I know is in the process of looking for a new watch – a Breitling Aerospace to be specific. Now, on first glance, this weird old ana-digi watch might not have much going for it, but, really, for a watch so light, this watch packs a big punch. And you know why? Well, I don't want to give the game away, so read on … Case profile. There, I said it. It might not be as sexy as the movement or the dial, but in terms of real-world user-friendliness, it's the kingmaker or deal-breaker. The problem is,…

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30.01.2019

VIDEO: The most complicated watches of SIHH 2019 – our top picks

OK, here are the watches that put the HH into SIHH, the sort of timepieces that challenge and define exactly what it's possible to do with a watch on your wrist. These sort of movements take years and years of development, so it's unreasonable to expect a new one every year, but at this year's instalment of SIHH, the top end of town was very well represented, with some genuine innovation, and true ingenuity on show. Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar One of the real standouts of the show was Vacheron Constantin's innovative Twin Beat, which boasts twin…

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27.01.2019

VIDEO: Felix's 3 favourites from SIHH 2019, from $35K and above

If my other two lists (here and here, in case you forgot) had loose themes tying them together, this one is all over the shop, covering off the serious to playful spectrum very nicely indeed. So, let's start with the serious … A. Lange & Söhne's Zeitwerk Date It's larger and thinner, but the real news is the smartly executed date. You'd be forgiven for expecting a date aperture, in line with the time display, but no, Lange opted for an open-worked date disk that looks very nice indeed. Cartier Tonneau Dual Time Skeleton Cartier's skeleton watches are well known,…

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26.01.2019

INTRODUCING: The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M in ceramic and titanium, with no date

One of the most exciting watches of last year was the significantly revamped Omega Seamaster Diver 300M, a modern icon of the brand that managed to sneak into both Andrew's and my own 'best of 2018' lists (so it must be good). Well, the SMP just got a little bit better — Omega has announced a new version, in an oh-so-sexy looking black ceramic case, topped off with a titanium bezel with a matching black ceramic insert. This is a watch case that really works with ceramic: the complex shapes (like those lyre lugs) and mix of brushed and polished…

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25.01.2019

VIDEO: Felix's top 3 watches from SIHH 2019 – between $10k and $35k

My last list — a trio of well-priced SIHH offerings — could be neatly broken down into a loose theme of air, sea and land. But this trifecta, covering the much broader $10,000 – $35,000 price bracket, is much less easily pigeon-holed. But if I had to find commonalities I could well go with elegant shapes. The Piaget Polo S A case of a simple change making a big difference, I like this rich green take on the sporty Piaget Polo S so much more than I would have expected. It's an absolute cracker, and a real change in personality…

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23.01.2019

INSIGHT: Inside the award-winning world of Rexhep Rexhepi's Akrivia

The day after SIHH, I found myself walking around the cobbled streets of Geneva's old town. It's a very different Geneva to the vast, softly furnished halls of the Palexpo, or even the squat monoliths of the famed manufactures, with their clean rooms and airlocks. No, this street was winding, cobbled and, even though the day was sunny, cold. It was a street filled with art galleries and antique stores and, as I was to discover, one of the most exciting watchmakers in the business right now. In many ways, watchmaking is all about light. It's something that's incredibly important…

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23.01.2019

INTRODUCING: A vision in red – the brand new Omega De Ville Trésor 125th Anniversary Special Edition

It's well known that Omega loves an anniversary, but the one that I'm currently celebrating with them in Bienne is quite significant. This year marks 125 years since the Calibre Omega — a 19-ligne movement that was so significant that, a few years after its debut in 1894, the company changed its name to the Omega Watch Company in 1903, and the rest, as they say, is history. But what made the Calibre so significant that it earned the declarative moniker of Omega — the last letter of the Greek alphabet — and the 'ultimate' achievement in watchmaking? Well, this…

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22.01.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Patek Philippe may soon be up for sale

Gossip is one of the staples of SIHH and, as far as gossip goes, it doesn't get much juicier than this. Bloomberg are reporting that Patek Philippe — one of the last great independently held watchmakers — may be considering a sale. Based on a note by analysts Berenberg, there's industry talk of a sale, which would be expected to cost seven to nine billion euros. Now, write this off as pure speculation, but as the Bloomberg article suggests, there may be some basis to the rumour. The next question: who could buy it? Swatch or Richemont perhaps, but also don't write…

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20.01.2019

LIST: Felix's top 3 picks under $10k from SIHH 2019

Look, I'm going to be honest with you. Believe it or not, SIHH doesn't have a whole lot on offer in the sub $10,000 category. It's a sweet spot for one or two of the brands, and a handful of others have one or two watches that fit the bill. But even given the fact that there are not too many watches to choose from, I found this a hard trio to settle on. But in the end I settled on three stunners. The IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic Spitfire I mean, just look at this thing. Pure, purpose-built perfection. Aside…

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20.01.2019

VIDEO: Panerai's Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech, the PAM00979

In recent years, Panerai has made some lateral moves, with watches like the more land-based Due. But for SIHH 2019, one of the original dive watch brands was underwater in full force. Their collection was chock-full of Submersibles (which is now a distinct line of its own). Panerai's Marina Militare watches pay tribute to the brand's naval roots, and that famous dial text was back this year, and on a watch that looks, frankly, incredible. The big 47mm Carbotech dial is paired with a carbon dial and even a newly designed handset. There's a lot to like here, but see…

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17.01.2019

INTRODUCING: The Breitling Navitimer 1 Airline Editions

Breitling has just announced three retro takes on their iconic pilot's watch — the mighty Navitimer — that evoke the golden age of jet travel. The Airline Editions capsule collection consists of tributes to three of the great airlines, Pan Am, Swissair and TWA. Each airline is the subject of nostalgic homage, in the form of a colourful, and undeniably cool, version of the Navitimer 1 B01. The context behind this capsule collection is quite interesting, as these are limited production, limited run watches, rather than a limited edition per se. The purpose behind this approach is to highlight specific…

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17.01.2019

HANDS-ON: The Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic Cadran Bleu

Baume & Mercier's foray into the world of in-house movements resulted in one of the biggest value propositions of 2018, the Clifton Baumatic. Well, this year the simple steel watch with an impressive five-day power reserve was the subject of a stylish makeover, in the form of a blue dial. But not just any blue. The cadran bleu, as it's called, is a deep, dark graduated blue that veers strongly into black territory at its outer limits. It's not as bold or flashy as some other graduated blue dials, but it's also a lot more mysterious as black. Dial change…

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16.01.2019

VIDEO: Felix's top 10 watches of 2018

Yes, I know it's mid Jan, and the traditional time for a summary top ten listicle is late December. But you know what I've always said? Better late than never. So, here we are, knee-deep in the best watches of SIHH and Andrew and I are engaging in some 2018 reflection. But really, though, these watches are so good that they manage to transcend the amorphous concept of short-lived "novelty" and deserve to be celebrated beyond their initial marketing period. At least that's how I'm justifying it to myself. So, from Chanel to Omega, sit back and enjoy the ride…

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15.01.2019

INTRODUCING: Panerai's new America's Cup partnership and the stealthy Submersible Luna Rossa

2019 is shaping up to be the year of the Submersible for Panerai, with the brand hitting hard with a collection full of their most modern takes on the dive watch. And one of the coolest is the Submersible Luna Rossa, a very cool carbon fibre number made to honour their brand new partnership with the 36th America's Cup challenger of record, team Luna Rossa, and their AC75. The first watch in this partnership is a 47mm large Carbotech case, and the material takes on a completely different, much more stealthy characteristic here than on the previous Carbotech model, thanks…

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13.01.2019

LIST: 7 things I'm looking forward to seeing at SIHH 2019

It's one sleep to SIHH, and the watch releases are coming thick and fast, with many of the exhibiting brands giving us a peek at some of their highlight releases. And while some pieces have raised a little more than eyebrows (hello AP!), I've got a feeling that for many brands, the best is yet to come. So here is my lightning fast list of what I'm eagerly anticipating (and hoping to see) at SIHH 2019. Audemars Piguet Yep. Code 11.59 is, for better or worse, the talk of SIHH even before the doors are open. And while it's an…

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13.01.2019

INTRODUCING: The Ulysse Nardin Freak X, more accessible, but still freaky

Over the last few years, Ulysse Nardin has been greatly expanding its Freak family (a smart move say I), and the latest member is the Freak X, which joins the Freak Out and Freak Vision. Now, before we break down this watch, a quick word about X, which is serving as something of a thematic moniker for the brand this year. It's a good theme, evoking everything from mystery to gravity to (depending on how many Xs you use) eroticism. All things Ulysse Nardin is quite adept to translating into watch form. Though I can't help but wonder if UN…

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12.01.2019

LIST: Looking back at Rado's heritage highlights

Rado isn't a brand that you typically think of when you think about 'heritage'. On the one hand this makes perfect sense, as the brand is best known for their decidedly modern materials and avant-garde designs. But on the other, Rado has been around for a while (since 1917), and has a host of great old styles to draw on. And, in recent years, Rado has been more active in doing just that, and we've picked our favourites. Naturally, the Captain Cook looms large, in both its faithful — near facsimile grade — models, as well as the larger, more…

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11.01.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: 10 things you need to know about Japan's grandest watch brand, Grand Seiko

Editor's note: My love (indeed the collective T+T love) for Grand Seiko is very real. There's no denying the quality, care and craftsmanship that goes into these watches that (still) manage to be one of the better kept secrets of fine watches. There's also no denying that the world of GS can be a little, um, esoteric. So if you need a little explainer, or even a refresher, this one's for you. I'm sure everyone reading this has, at some point, felt that feeling of utter bewilderment of being in a conversation about watches. The level of technical jargon, slang…

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11.01.2019

HANDS-ON: Peak performance with the very smart Montblanc Summit 2

I'm flying off to Geneva tomorrow, for the watchstravaganza that is SIHH. And on my wrist, as I step onto the plane, will be Montblanc's latest generation smartwatch, the Summit 2. Now, Swiss brands have been trying their luck at smartwatches for some time now, with the two biggest players in the space being Montblanc and TAG Heuer. And while the first generation of these Silicon Valley X Swiss connected devices demonstrated the steep learning curves and technical limitations of the genre, we've come a long way in a few short years. I tried the original Summit, and I've got…

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10.01.2019

EDITOR'S PICK: Bremont's high-flying diver, the Supermarine Type S301

Editor's note: It might be hard to believe, but Bremont's signature Townhouse event is just around the corner, and this realisation got us thinking about one of the coolest Bremont releases of last year, the new, and very fresh looking Supermarine Type S301. I wonder if we'll see any interesting extensions to the line this year … Bremont is a brand fuelled by avgas and the spirit of Icarus. The fledgling British brand has their roots in the sky, as it were. But that doesn't mean that they've neglected other spheres of influence, including motorsports and, as we can see…

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09.01.2019

HANDS-ON: Glimmering through the darkness – Moser's Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept in red gold

There is absolutely zero doubt that Moser know their way around a fine dial. Their fumé is hypnotic perfection at its best. Last year the brand upped the ante with their conceptual perpetual with impossibly black Vantablack dial. Well, if this well of blackness (which is a wonder on the wrist) leaves you as cold as the black hole it evokes, there's another, brighter option out there. The Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept in red gold, with a more familiar, blue fumé dial. This piece, limited to 50 pieces (and only one in Australia — Melbourne, to be exact), offers, in…

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09.01.2019

NEWS: Chanel steps up their in-house watchmaking capacity with investment in new factory

I've been saying for a while now that Chanel are a force to watch when it comes to serious watchmaking. Their recent high-end movements are impressive, to say the least. They're already investors in Romain Gauthier, and — more recently — F.P. Journe. The latest step in Chanel's increasing in-house journey is their acquisition of a 20 per cent stake in Kenissi Manufacture. If you're not familiar with Kenissi, that's OK, as they're a fairly new player, currently based in Geneva but moving to a Le Locle facility in 2021. Where things get interesting is the fact that Kenissi is,…

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08.01.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: How to perfect product placement on the red carpet

The dust (and hangovers) have settled on the 76th Golden Globes, and on some corners of the internet it seems that the pre-show press pack hustle is a bigger event than the awards themselves. And, given the intense competition from brands in this Instagram age to have that red carpet moment, it's easy to see why. And while tuxedos and dresses receive the lion's share of the attention, the wrists are fiercely fought over as well, with Richemont stable brands, such as IWC, Cartier, Montblanc and Jaeger-LeCoultre, particularly well represented. Rami Malek, who won for his turn as Queen frontman…

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08.01.2019

VIDEO: Tissot's Chrono XL Classic

Here at Time+Tide we make no bones about our love of Tissot's heritage offerings, but the truth of it is that those old-style pieces make up a small percentage of the brand's line-up. Chronographs, in particular big sporty chronographs like this Chrono XL Classic, dominate the brand, at least here in Australia. And it's easy to see why: this 45mm watch offers plenty of plus-size punch, but enough traditional styling to keep things civil. It's quartz, which means you get a cool little 1/10th of a second register, for all your ultra-specific timing needs. The Chrono XL Classic is also…

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07.01.2019

VIDEO: What becomes of the open hearted – the Rado True Open Heart

Really, at the heart of the appeal of a mechanical watch is the ticking, whirring escapement that sets the pace. That and the assemblage of wheel and bridges that powers and supports it. So it's apt then that this Rado cuts to the core quickly: the True Open Heart lives up to its name, exposing its metal innards enough to satisfy the curiosity of the wearer, while still living up to Rado's strong, and distinct sense of design, with its slick plasma toned ceramic, and a black dial that maintains legibility despite its pared-back nature. Rado True Open Heart Australian…

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05.01.2019

VIDEO: From ceramic to the Captain, 5 of 2018's best Rado releases

Rado had a great year of releases in 2018, with a diverse mix of watches that played to their traditional high-tech material strengths, as well as to some of their traditional designs. And while ceramic naturally played an important part, it was used in some surprising ways — like when it was mixed with bronze to create a very cool HyperChrome, and mixed with other metals to create the new alloy Ceramos. And then there were the brand's tributes to their historic Captain Cook models, two similar but different takes on a great old internal bezel diver. And while the…

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01.01.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: Wired's tech take on the smartwatch

For a site ostensibly about fine mechanical watches we spend a decent amount of time talking and thinking about watches of the smart variety. But we come at the genre (which is, thanks to Apple, the biggest category of watch in the game at the moment) from a fairly particular (dare I say biased) perspective, whereas Wired, one of the most venerable and respected tech news sites in the world, comes at it, it's fair to say, from another point of view entirely. Which is why the fact that their fundamental experiences with smartwatches so closely mirror my own, right…

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30.12.2018

INSIGHT: David Beckham's Tudors prove that old, messed up watches are the best

A little while ago, Tudor shared two short videos with their premier ambassador, Mr David Beckham, that looked at two of his Tudor watches. And I've got to say, as far as showing what a brand is all about, they're pretty hard to beat. The first video looks at the first Tudor watch Beckham owned and wore, a 1969 Snowflake Sub, which Beckham describes as an "old, messed up watch". And while I wouldn't go quite so far as to say it's messed up, it has certainly lived a life, with a beautifully faded ghost bezel and some real age…

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29.12.2018

LIST: Felix Scholz's 5 favourite stories of 2018

For this year's instalment of the T+T version of "these are a few of my favourite things", I'm going to substitute noodles, poodles, and brown paper packages tied up with string for videos. So, without any further Julie Andrews' references, here are five of my favourite videos. Russell Crowe talks exclusively to us about the stories behind his watches, and why he's selling them Unsurprisingly, our video with the Kiwi who became an actor, who became a star, who collected watches (AKA Russell Crowe) was popular. In fact, it's our most popular video to date, with a cool half a…

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24.12.2018

VIDEO: Tudor's 1926 is a classic charmer

One of the more intriguing releases from Tudor this year — and one that didn't get quite the attention it otherwise would have, thanks to the show-stealing GMT — was the classically styled 1926. Taking its name from the year the Tudor name was registered, it also owes some design cues to this golden era of style. Take, for example, the finely textured waffle dial, with the blued Arabic numerals interspersed with arrow-head markers. Lovely, but also wearable, and entirely wearable nearly 100 years later. The case is well-sized, the movement rock solid, and the solidly made bracelet adds a…

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23.12.2018

HANDS-ON: A flash on the wrist – the carbon and gold TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 Carbon

TAG Heuer has never been afraid of trying new things, and the new Carbon collection is proof. To date, it consists of three popular models that have been given a carbon makeover: the Monaco, the Aquaracer and the Carrera. Earlier this week, we showed you the stealthier Carbon Carrera, but today we're going to make a quick trip to shine town, with the carbon and rose gold model. Now, funnily enough, thanks to the liberal lashings of gold on the dial, crown and lugs, the carbon inclusions on this watch are quite understated, with only the bezel being made of…

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22.12.2018

LIST: 5 Cartier watches we'd love for Christmas

It's not many sleeps until Christmas, and the spirit of the season has well and truly taken over in the Time+Tide office, and – as so often happens – our idle speculation has turned to watches. Specifically, Cartier's watches. So, in the spirit of the season, we've done a quick whip-around as to what watch we might find ensconced in a red and gold box under the tree. Assuming, of course, that we've been nice this year. Andy's choice – the Santos de Cartier in pink gold You have to wish big when it comes to Christmas, so why not…

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21.12.2018

VIDEO: The big-hearted Rado HyperChrome XL Open Heart

Many of Rado's case designs lean towards what we can, in air quotes, refer to as 'designer'. Sleek, modernist offerings that evoke a high-concept design language. The HyperChrome has some elements of these, in the lines of bracelet in particular, but the overall shape is one of their more traditional — a simple, sturdy round watch. However, if that's the shape, the details and execution here are something else. Firstly, ceramic, and lots of it. And then there's the open heart, offering a clear view into the inner, automatic workings of this bold watch. And finally, the brown ceramic number…

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20.12.2018

VIDEO: 8 Cartier watches that stand out

A little while ago I made my way down to Cartier's Collins Street boutique in Melbourne, spent a little time amidst the glittering plinths and picked out some watches that, for me at least, really epitomise what makes the Maison's watchmaking so great. Of course there are numerous shapes in attendance, from the circle of the Ballon Bleu through to the bold rectangles of the Tank. Really, though, the common thread through these eight watches is the overall strength of design, and the timelessness of it. All eight of these watches — regardless of shape, case metal and even complications — are…

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19.12.2018

HANDS-ON: The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Carbon

I've always had a bit of a soft spot for the Aquaracer. To my mind, it's something of an unsung hero in TAG Heuer's chronograph-heavy line-up. But the modern diver looks the business and, in a water-loving country like Australia, makes sense. It's also quite a youthful feeling watch, which makes a nice changeup from the current litany of heritage-inspired offerings. And while the Aquaracer has never been particularly colour-averse, it's somewhat ironic that this stealthy, blacked-out option is all about the colour. It's offered in three variants, with blue, rose gold or yellow detailing, and today we're having a…

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18.12.2018

VIDEO: An everyday all-star – the Tissot Chemin des Tourelles

A little while ago I posited that the Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 was the best-value diver of 2018, a bold claim I still back. Today, it's time to meet the Seastar's dressy cousin, the Chemin des Tourelles. This watch is powered by the same, quite impressive Powermatic 80 as the Seastar, but on the surface it's a completely different looking beast. A 42mm case, with a flashy blue starburst dial with an outer level of quite fancy Clous de Paris style finishing, which goes well with the applied numerals. This Tissot hits a lot of familiar, friendly notes, and…

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18.12.2018

VIDEO: Altered Carbon – TAG Heuer's Carrera Heuer 02 Carbon

The blacked-out Carbon capsule collection takes some sporty TAG Heuer staples and remixes them with carbon, in its various forms — there's the Bamford Monaco, the colour-popping Aquaracer, and this guy, the Carrera Heuer 02 Carbon. Now, the familiar case on this Carrera isn't all carbon; only the lugs and bezel are made from the lightweight, high-tech composite, more than enough to give the look (and the feel) of the material, while the central case elements are made from more conventional steel (albeit blacked-out). The other nifty thing about this watch is the Heuer 02 movement, which is a thoroughly…

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16.12.2018

VIDEO: Which Panerai Submersible is right for you?

At its heart, Panerai is about diving. The brand was born under the waves and continues to call the underwater world home. Which is why we found ourselves, several weeks ago, watching — slightly nervously — as a brace of Panerai Submersibles dipped into a giant tank full of rays, sharks and other (less threatening) fish at the Melbourne Aquarium. Thankfully, the watches were attached to the wrists of professional divers, who put them through their paces, leaving us in the position to debate the various merits of three stars in the Submersible line-up: the Submersible Carbotech, the Submersible in 42mm…

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15.12.2018

HANDS-ON: The Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Power Reserve 5 Days Sapphire Rainbow

There are a lot of things I love about Hublot, and I've got to say, this watch manages to cram pretty much all of them (barring ceramic) into one awesome, 45mm package. It's the Big Bang Tourbillon Power Reserve 5 Days Sapphire Rainbow, and it does pretty much what it says on the tin. Let's start with the case. Hublot has been playing with (and seriously democratising) ultra-hard, ultra-slick and ultra-cool synthetic sapphire cases since 2016, and it's become something of a staple in their higher-end limited editions. For all its transparency, this 45mm wide and 14.25mm thick case has stacks…

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14.12.2018

HANDS-ON: The Panerai Submersible BMG-Tech – PAM00692

At first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking that this is a 47mm Submersible much like any other. On second, or perhaps third glance, the truth becomes more apparent. This is a Panerai unlike any other, and that difference is thanks to the case, the BMG in BMG-Tech. BMG is short for Bulk Metallic Glass, and it's what the case is made out of. When I learned this, it took a while to get my head around it. Glass is in the name, but this case is far from fragile. BMG is a glass-like alloy of zirconium, copper, aluminium,…

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13.12.2018

VIDEO: It's not ceramic, it's not metal, it's the Rado DiaMaster Thinline Ceramos

When it comes to materials, it's hard to beat Rado. The brand is a master of innovative materials. They pioneered ultra hard metals and ceramics, and continue to push the realms of the possible. The latest is Ceramos, an alloy of ceramic and metal that offers the best of both worlds — the lightness and scratch-resistance of ceramic, paired with the finish and lustre of metal. Here they've chosen to deploy Ceramos on the relatively conservative DiaMaster Thinline, a classic two-hander with a date. So, if you like your tradition with a healthy dose of technical, check out the Rado…

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13.12.2018

VIDEO: Small but powerful, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Titanium Chronograph 42mm

Hublot has built its brand on the twin pillars of big and bold — I mean, they don't call it a Big Bang for nothing. This year the brand changed tack with the announcement of a scaled-down Big Bang, clocking in at a much more wrist-friendly 42mm. Just quietly, I think this is an awesome development: 42mm means that the watch will comfortably fit more wrists than ever before, while still offering maximalist impact. And it's just the beginning, with fairly core models being offered in this smaller diameter, but I suspect that will change soon … So, if you've…

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12.12.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: The Raymond Weil Maestro Moon Phase

Editor's note: The ever-changing beauty of the moon meets the constant charms of Raymond Weil's musically inspired Maestro. The results are powerful. Call me a romantic, but the moon phase complication is amongst my favourites. Paradoxically, it's also amongst the least functional — tracking the waxing and waning of our most significant satellite isn't something that's high on my list of life priorities. And when the topic does come up, I can, you know, look at the sky. But, really, that's not the point of a moon phase. It's a complication of wonder, one that speaks — on a scale…

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11.12.2018

HANDS-ON: The Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 Carbotech 3 Days Automatic – PAM00616

At first glance, Panerai's watches share a reassuring familiarity — large cases, large crown guards and a dial design that puts legibility front and centre. A close look at the catalogue will show that the brand born from its Italian diving heritage has quite a lot of diversity on offer, particularly when it comes to case materials. From bronze to ceramic and (most recently) Bulk Metallic Glass, Panerai has strong form when it comes to material innovation. And today we're having a closer look at one of the most interesting examples from recent times: Carbotech. Before we talk about the…

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11.12.2018

HANDS-ON: The Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Orlinski Titanium Alternative Pavé

To my mind, the watches coming out of Hublot's partnership with contemporary artist Richard Orlinski have been some of the brand's most striking. The bold, geometric look manages to be both in keeping with Hublot's design ethos, while looking on-trend. At the heart of this, Orlinski's appeal is the facets, which allows the typically blocky case of the Classic Fusion to play with light and shade in intriguing ways. This titanium-cased Alternative Pavé version of the Orlinski takes the faceted concept to the next level by adding 312 finely faceted diamonds into the mix. There are 156 diamonds, set in…

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10.12.2018

VIDEO: Timeless style in a 21st century body – the Rado DiaMaster Petite Seconde

Rado's DiaMaster Petite Seconde is a great contender for a go-to daily wearer, as it offers a pretty good taste of both worlds. The style is restrained without being boring — there are heritage touches there, like the leaf-shaped hands and small seconds, but it's also pleasingly up to date in terms of fine design details and current colour palettes. Where Rado really stands out, though, is with the strength of the case. And here I mean that literally, as the case is ceramic, and pretty much scratch-proof. The movement, as with most of Rado's modern movements, is solid, too,…

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08.12.2018

VIDEO: Never break the chain … Breguet's Tradition 7047 is a masterpiece of fine watchmaking

This watch is pure flex. And not just because it's a beast on the wrist, thanks largely to that hugely tall domed sapphire crystal. No, the reason the Breguet Tradition 7047 is such a power watch is the movement. Not only is there a whopping great tourbillon whirring away — taking up the top half of the dial — but there's one full-on fusee and chain mechanism going on at the bottom of the dial. This very old regulating method is very technical and very cool. For me it also takes the Tradition collection's ongoing juxtaposition of old school watchmaking know-how…

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07.12.2018

NEWS: Longines opens first Melbourne boutique on Collins Street, and these are our 5 picks that are in-store right now

The Australian watch retail landscape has been booming recently, with plenty of new boutique openings. The latest is Longines, which has just opened a 174-square metre store with a prime position in the heart of Collins Street, Melbourne's premier luxury shopping strip. And while the look and feel of a new boutique is always cool (and given that it's Longines, this one will be elegant too), really, when a new boutique opens, we're primarily interested in one thing: Watches. So here are our five picks … The Heritage 1945 Longines is justifiably famous for their heritage collection, and this cinnamon-strapped…

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07.12.2018

VIDEO: Seiko's latest Astron is big, blue and very cool

We've spent a bit of time this week going back and forth over the finer points of Seiko's latest Executive Sports Astrons, from the blingy SSE170J to the tennis-y SSE174J. Today, we're having a look at another member of the family, which is, I have to say, my pick of the bunch: the blue-detailed SSE167J. Not only am I a sucker for a blue dial, but, for me, that glossy, three-dimensional ceramic bezel is a winner. Having said that, the surprise hit for me was that small mother-of-pearl second time zone display. Mother-of-pearl (or MOP to its friends) is a…

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06.12.2018

WATCHSPOTTING: Ellen, Patek, Omega and Ryan Reynolds

At this point it's not news to state that Ellen DeGeneres is, in addition to being a talk show host par excellence, possessed of exceptional taste in watches. From vintage Daytonas to what appears to be most of Patek Philippe's complicated catalogue, Ellen has some truly outstanding taste (I mean, seriously, when will she appear on Hodinkee's Talking Watches?). And so when catching up on the latest clip, my eyes are always firmly on the wrists. And this time around, her chat with Ryan Reynolds certainly didn't disappoint. Not only was Mr Pool (conspicuously not wearing Piaget) wearing (and wearing…

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06.12.2018

VIDEO: The old world charm of Tissot's Heritage Petite Seconde

Watches — the best watches at least — do more than tell the time. They transcend their function to evoke an atmosphere or a mood. Tissot's latest heritage piece, the Petite Seconde, is a quite wonderful example of this. Sure, it's a 42mm steel piece with a classic manually winding movement, and a pretty classic dial. But it's actually a lot more than that. It's like a warm, shining pebble on the wrist, a watch full of gentle curves and pleasing details. Like the daily winding of the movement, or that dial, it's got a soft, almost satiny brushed finish…

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06.12.2018

VIDEO: Breguet's grand Tradition

The Tradition is a very special watch in Breguet's prestigious collection. The brand is renowned for their classic style and peerless heritage. The Tradition collection — which debuted in 2005 — epitomises these values while managing to look effortlessly modern. It's quite a feat. The traditional elements are easy to define — the engine-turned dial, the fluted case, the Breguet hands, that winding rotor. All details that speak directly to Breguet's past. What makes the watch feel so modern is a little harder to define. There's a few obvious tells, like the larger size and the use of silicon. And…

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05.12.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: How to wear two-tone (and not look like Gordon Gekko)

Editor's note: Ah, two-tone, for when one tone isn't enough. Steel and gold is a combination that certainly enjoys the vicissitudes of fashion, and it's clear that it's having something of a moment right now. But how to wear it, that's the tricky bit. Read on for our horological, sartorial stylings … Now, if you've watched my review of the Tudor S&G you'll know that I'm #team2tone all the way, but the thing is, I don't *really* know how to wear it. I mean, I think I'd be OK in more formal settings — just pair it with a suit…

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03.12.2018

HANDS-ON: Ready for anything – the Seiko Astron SSE170J1

Seiko's Astron (the new GPS one, not the groundbreaking quartz one) is a pretty incredible piece of kit. Ostensibly, it tells the time, day, date and a second time zone. But the trick is in the method. The Astron, thanks to GPS technology, keeps track of time by talking to satellites — a quite cool party trick. Given its go-anywhere accuracy and automatic time zone adjustment, it makes sense that the Astron is billed as an adventure watch for the travelling set. And never has that been more apparent than with this watch. Don't mind the 'Solar Executive Sports Series'…

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Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711-1R

01.12.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1R-001 in rose gold with chocolate dial

Editor's note: There's really no reason to be talking about this watch at the moment. It's not new, and it's certainly not easy to get. But it's also a rose gold Nautilus. So there's that. There was a lot of fuss about Patek Philippe's new watches this year, with the eyebrow-raising Calatrava Pilot and their much more on-brand split-seconds chronograph. If Patek made music rather than watches, the Pilot and the split-seconds would be their latest album's lead singles. Big, highly produced and attention-grabbing. Initially, they're the only songs getting played. After a little bit of time and reflection though, we…

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30.11.2018

VIDEO: The Longines Heritage Military

Watches inspired by military designs are a perennial favourite. Largely, that's down to the fact that these watches generally possess an overarching purpose. These watches have been designed, first and foremost, as functional objects. The Longines Heritage Military, for example, is a no-frills whistle that tells the time, and tells it quickly, clearly and simply. Of course, that purity of purpose typically flows down to a purity of design, and the Heritage Military — with its clear railroad minute track and simple Arabic numerals, its large, easy to manipulate crown and decorative-yet-functional hands — is exemplary. However, that's not to say that…

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30.11.2018

HANDS-ON: The Seiko Presage Urushi Byakudan-nuri Limited Edition SPB085

Over the last few years, Seiko has made a habit of releasing limited editions with exceptional enamel dials at very reasonable prices. First, there was the Moonlit Night, then the Shippo enamel, and now, the Urushi Byakudan-nuri. The vehicle for these delicate, incredible dials is the Presage collection. A classic round steel watch that marries dependability with dressability. But really, this 40.5mm case, and the 6R21 movement behind it are known quantities, and not what we're here for. Honestly, we're here for the dial. As is common with Seiko's watches, especially the special, limited ones, there's a story to this…

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29.11.2018

VIDEO: The Longines Skin Diver Watch

Longines heritage reissues are — much like the designs they're inspired by — the stuff of legend. And speaking of legends, you might notice that the dial design of the Skin Diver resembles that of the Legend, with distinctive hand sets and long hour and minute markers. That's because both watches trace their origin back to the Nautilus Skin Diver, Longines' first dive watch. But while the Legend has an internal bezel, the bezel here is very much your traditional bezel, and black to boot. This, combined with the creamy-toned printing and rich, almost pebbly dial texture (offered on either…

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27.11.2018

HANDS-ON: A butterfly flaps its wings … Bulgari Daniel Roth Papillon Heure Sautante

To talk about this watch, we need to talk about Daniel Roth. Daniel Roth is an immensely talented watchmaker, making his name at Audemars Piguet and honing his skills at Breguet until he left in 1987. After that exceptional grounding, Daniel Roth decided to found his own, eponymous brand, which launched in 1989. With a focus on high-end, complicated offerings, heavy on tourbillons, repeaters and chimes and, of course, that unique squared-off oval shape. And while the Daniel Roth brand — like so many small watchmakers — didn't make it in the long run, the name lives on. The brand —…

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26.11.2018

HANDS-ON: 150 years of greatness, the Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges 40mm

The Triple Bridges holds a special place in the history of Girard-Perregaux, as does the tourbillon. In 1867, a watch with three bridges and one tourbillon won a prize for chronometry at Neuchâtel Observatory, and the distinctive design became a de facto logo for the brand. The striking design of the triple arrow-headed bridges is undeniably pleasing, but its origins weren't aesthetic. Constant Girard conceived this design as a method of ensuring the tourbillon was as accurate as possible. From its initial appearance in 1867, the design evolved, and was patented (with the US Patent Office) in 1884. In 1889,…

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23.11.2018

HANDS-ON: The SBGE215G – the Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT in titanium

It's fair to say that much of Grand Seiko's catalogue leans towards the dressier end of the spectrum — but, of course, there are exceptions, and the SBGE215G is a perfect example. This sporty GMT is an evolution of the SBGE201G; it shares the same large 44mm case. But while the SBGE201G had a steel case, the 215G is cased in high-intensity titanium, and I can tell you that on a watch of this brawn, the lighter weight of titanium makes a real difference on the wrist. There's also been a change to some of the dial details: the hands…

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22.11.2018

NEWS: Step into Seiko's Melbourne boutique Presage Bar for a Cocktail Time

Seiko's Presage Cocktail Time is a family of watches that's been having something of an extended moment. These dressy watches are inspired by iconic cocktails and famous mixologists. While they've existed since 2010, things really kicked off when the model became part of the global Presage family in 2017. At the core of these watches are the vivid and varied dials, something that is a Seiko strong point. And, of course, with dial options come strap options. Which brings us to the Presage Cocktail bar kit — which is serving up delicious Cocktail Time straps (not drinks, sadly) in Seiko's…

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22.11.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: 4 everyday casual watches for under $10k

Editor's note: While people who collect/amass/hoard watches might find it hard to believe, most people have only one or two good watches, and those watches need to do a whole lot of things beyond tell the time. One of the most crucial things is they need to fit into your life, be able to handle ongoing, daily wear without skipping a beat, and look good while doing it. So, here you go. Are you under sartorial pressure in your nine to five? Feel the need to up your office attire? Well, we can't help you with suits and shoes, but…

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21.11.2018

INSIGHT: Omega's watchmaking in the modern age

In the constant cycle of new releases, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that watches are machines built to last for generations — with a little regular care and love. And while you and I might be there obsessing over the year's hottest release, or wondering what's coming next, Omega takes a longer view. Which is only to be expected, given that over their 170-odd years of history, watchmaking technology has changed quite a bit, and Omega has kept pace with this change, every step of the way. And while in the first half of last century they…

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20.11.2018

LIST: Cleared for launch – 4 space watches that aren't the classic Speedmaster

I've been a little spacey recently — and not just because Andrew has been reliving the glory of holding Gene Cernan's Speedmaster, and First Man is on our must-watch list. On top of that, I've recently re-watched the excellent Hidden Figures and cracked the spine on Andy Weir's The Martian, which probably means I'm part of the wider #marsorbust zeitgeist. After all, it's an exciting time to be interested in space, as it's a space that's becoming increasingly global and democratised. And of course, for Time+Tide, more space means more space watches — which is something we can get behind. So,…

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19.11.2018

HANDS-ON: Seriously fun, the gold and steel Omega Seamaster 300M Diver

I've got to say, for a watch born in the middle of the '90s, the Omega Seamaster 300M Diver is looking pretty glorious. Partially that's down to the fresh facelift and major internal upgrade, but it goes deeper than that. The SMP — as it's known — knows what it is, and revels in that identity. And nowhere is that dual nature of flashy meets functionality more evident than this steel and yellow gold beauty. The flashy elements are immediately apparent — it's hard to miss that striking black and gold bezel, the golden crown and (re-worked) helium escape valve.…

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19.11.2018

VIDEO: Bare bones — the Rado HyperChrome Skeleton Automatic Chronograph

For all that skeletonised watches are meant to be about reducing mass, the Rado HyperChrome Skeleton Automatic Chronograph is a watch with a lot of substance, and much of it ceramic. The case, middle, bezel and bracelet are all made from Rado's signature material, and have been treated with a range of processes — keeping it interesting on the wrist. Though having said that, the dial also does a fine job in the 'interesting' department. Sure, you get a peep into the inner workings of the automatic chronograph movement, along with a quite legible handset, but what I really like…

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18.11.2018

RECOMMENDED READING: Time to learn — the watch industry's next great challenge

The watch industry is — make no mistake — an industry, driven by bottom lines and production schedules. It's also a deeply traditional craft with a long and rich lineage. A lineage fine watch brands are exceptionally proud of. And business — by and large — is good. So why are an increasing number of leading watchmakers, brands, and watchmaking bodies worried about an impending crisis? In this article for The New York Times, Robin Swithinbank explores an unintended consequence of the growing popularity of mechanical watches — the death of skills, knowledge and appreciation of the fine art of…

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17.11.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: 10 actors wearing the hell out of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso

Editor's note: Few watches are as effortlessly elegant and stylish as the venerable Reverso, which is perhaps why they're a go-to choice for those who strut the silver screen. Don't believe us? Here are 10 proof points … I'm no prop master, but I know when I'd reach for a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso to dress a character's wrist. It would be when they had a scene in a suit. It would be at a point in their character trajectory when they were at peak confidence, when their outward style is tapping into the classic, the iconic, the timeless. And also when…

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16.11.2018

VIDEO: It's a kind of magic – Hublot's Big Bang Red Magic

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." I'm fairly sure Arthur C. Clarke didn't have Hublot — or even watches — in mind when he made the now famous futurist statement. But it's certainly something that rings true for Hublot's latest ceramic marvel. Because while most watch fans are familiar with the use of ceramic in horology these days, there's still an aura of power and mystique around this oh-so-red watch. We've seen polished ceramic before, and we've seen red ceramic before (though none-so-vivid as this), and we've certainly seen Big Bangs before. But the combination of all three…

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15.11.2018

INTRODUCING: The Oak & Oscar Humboldt

Here at Time+Tide we have a soft spot for smaller brands that are built on passion. Oak & Oscar definitely fits that bill. Chase Fancher (the man behind the brand) has made a series of retro-ish classics with loads of thoughtful details — the sort of details appreciated by true believers. These details are still very much apparent on Oak & Oscar's Humboldt, a solid 40mm steel three-hander that's built with adventure in mind — quite literally, in fact, as the watch is named after 18th century explorer and scientific traveller Alexander von Humboldt. The dial, offered in either charcoal…

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14.11.2018

HANDS-ON: The audacious Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Orlinski Blue Ceramic

When it was announced last year, I thought Hublot's Orlinski case was one of the freshest, coolest new shapes I'd seen in quite some time. And then they went and released it in blue ceramic and I quietly lost my mind. But before we dive into the blue, let's have a quick refresher on just what — or who — an Orlinski is. Richard Orlinski is a French contemporary artist, known for his bright, poppy, faceted sculptures. In this partnership, Orlinski has brought his geometric approach to Hublot. Fundamentally, the Orlinski Hublot is a classic fusion — a two register…

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12.11.2018

IN-DEPTH: The Hublot Big Bang Unico Red Magic

The story in a second: It's big. It's red. It's Hublot. Red is a colour with some pretty specific cultural meaning — danger, passion, excitement and love. And most of these emotions or associations are pretty applicable (danger, not so much) to Hublot's latest hot piece, the Big Bang Unico Red Magic, a statement piece par excellence that impresses on so many levels. The case Yeah. We've got to start with the case. There's just no avoiding it. This is an incredible watch case on many levels, including sheer brightness. This is a case that definitely lives up to the…

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12.11.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: Seiko's green, mean fighting machine – the SLA019J1

Editor's note: Over the weekend, the GPHG was held in Switzerland, and Seiko took home the gong for best sports watch for the SLA025, which got us thinking about another excellent diver from this year, the not so lean, but very green Marinemaster redux, the SLA019J1 … With another contemporary nod to Seiko's original hi-beat diver – the 1968 ref. 6159 – a familiar face has received a limited-edition update. Based on the venerable Seiko MM300 dive watch, this commemorative limited edition not only pays tribute to its vintage inspiration with a host of updates, but also to the lush…

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11.11.2018

HANDS-ON: Even sportier, the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Torpilleur in blue

It's fair to say that there's a fresh new breeze blowing in Ulysse Nardin's sails these days. There's a new energy, which has resulted in some great new designs, and refreshed takes on old classics. Case in point is the Torpilleur, a marine chronometer styled watch, which takes its name — appropriately enough — from agile torpedo boats. It's a watch we've looked at before, but the latest configuration is, if you'll pardon my colloquialism, freaking hot. The blue dial is rich and satiny thanks to the starburst finish, crisply painted with white Roman numerals. The dial layout is neat,…

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10.11.2018

LIST: The 16 winning watches of 2018, according to the GPHG

If you care about watches, Geneva is the place to be right now. The Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (better known to its friends as the GPHG) has recently wrapped, and a prestigious jury of who's who in watchland has determined what the best watches of the year are. Well, at least the best watches of the year that were submitted by their makers for consideration, which is a much smaller pool, notably free of crowns and calatravas — but that's another story. Anyway, the submitted watches were divided into 12 categories, including some obvious ones like men's and women's,…

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09.11.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra – is it the only watch you need?

Editor's note: For someone who loves watches, it's a horrible question to ask, and one that hopefully remains hypothetical. But the short answer is, yes, you could definitely get away with wearing one of Omega's lovely new Aqua Terras for the rest of your life. The follow up question is … which one? One of the secrets of the Omega Aqua Terra's success is its versatile charm. In its dark-dialled and gold incarnations it's super dressed-up, but put it on a leather or rubber strap and it becomes a much more casual proposition. This is a watch that could pull…

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08.11.2018

HANDS-ON: Seiko's Save The Ocean — Tuna style — with the Prospex SNE518P

A little while ago Seiko lifted the lid on a tasty trio of dive watches with a marine conservation theme: a turtle, a samurai and a solar chronograph. All united by a gorgeous, graduated blue dial, inspired by both the blue of the sea and its mightiest inhabitant, the blue whale; these summer-suitable divers sure have plenty of presence on the wrist. But not as much presence as the newest member of the Save The Ocean clan — the appropriately nicknamed Tuna can variant, the SNE518P. Now, in case you're not all over your Seiko dive nomenclature, the 'tuna' family…

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07.11.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: Bulgari shows their dangerous side with the Octo Ultranero

Editor's note: The Octo is so hot right now, which is kind of odd considering that the design is decades old, and has been in Bulgari's stable since 2010. And while much of the glory has (deservedly) been laid at the slender feet of the Octo Finissimo, the 'regular' Octo is no slouch in the looks department either. Just take this inky black and blood red stunner as an example … Bulgari has unveiled some of their latest collection in advance of Baselworld, and we were lucky enough to get our hands on a few key pieces. One model that particularly…

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06.11.2018

HANDS-ON: Jaeger-LeCoultre's Polaris Date — a happy middle ground

There's a lot of options in Jaeger-LeCoultre's Polaris collection. But I think this one might be my favourite, the Polaris Date. It's a choice purists might find a little weird. After all, this is an uncomplicated watch, lacking either the classic alarm or the more impressive chronograph/world timer functionality. And while it's not particularly complicated, it's not entirely uncomplicated. I'm committing that most cardinal of watch nerd sins — opting for a watch with a date window. Really, though, I think the Polaris Date is the key piece in the Polaris collection. It's got a lot going for it. First…

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06.11.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: Bare metal – Tudor's Black Bay Steel

Editor's note: Colour is great, but sometimes all you need is the pure simplicity of unvarnished (but very nicely brushed) steel. Which is exactly what the pared-back Black Bay Steel offers. In spades. The story in a second: When the going gets tough, wear a Black Bay Steel. Did you know that this year the Black Bay family is five years old? Well, it is, and the fundamental design isn't showing any signs of flagging. Case in point is this watch, which represents the Black Bay stripped back to its essentials. The Tudor Heritage Black Bay Steel. The case There's…

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Jaeger-LeCoultre, watch, JLC

05.11.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: An exercise in subtlety – the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon

Editor's note: I really don't need a moon phase (heck, I really don't need a mechanical watch, but that's something else entirely), but I really want one. There's just something so pointlessly romantic about the whole proposition of knowing your wax from your wane that just gets me (in fact, that same sentiment applies to mechanical watches in general). And one of the most charming options in recent times is this beauty from JLC … 'Novelty' is one of the most abused words in the watch industry. Practically, it's used to describe the steady stream of new models and designs…

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05.11.2018

MY MONTH WITH: A beaten-up Omega Seamaster 300

A few months ago I ended up wearing the Omega Seamaster 300 for a month or so. Now, unusually for me, this wasn't a PR sample or anything, but an actual real watch, that I borrowed off a mate who wanted to try one of my watches on for size. Now, I'm typically hesitant to do this, as I would hate something to happen to the watch when it's in my care. "Don't worry," said my mate, "I'm not precious." Somewhat comforted by these words, I made my way to a local cafe to complete the hand-off. Several coffees and…

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04.11.2018

RECOMMENDED READING: 10 tools every watch guy needs

It would be a mistake to assume that a love of watches is just a love of watches. What might seem like a casual interest or hobby, can, when left unchecked, become a fully blown lifestyle — resulting in everything from apparel (hands up who has a watch brand hat or five in the cupboard), through to drawers full of straps and other, more esoteric, paraphernalia. It's this last bit that our friends over at Fratello address in this excellent, and dangerously informative list, which is perfectly timed for the holiday period. Excuse me while I head over to eBay…

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03.11.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: Sick of waiting for that Patek? Here are 5 watches you could get instead

Editor's note: 'Wait list' might well be the phrase of the year for watch fans. Demand, especially on steel sports watches, has seemingly never been higher, with mere mortal consumers faced with two options. A healthy wait, or a hefty premium. I originally wrote this piece around a year ago, and some of my (then) more readily available alternatives are now in high demand. Not as high as the Nautilus though … You don't need to sell us on Patek's 5711/1A. It's the Nautilus. In fact, you might go so far as to say it's the steel sports watch. The…

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02.11.2018

VIDEO: An ideal daily diver, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe in black ceramic

Blancpain's Bathyscaphe is one of those rare, chameleonic watch designs. A watch that, broadly speaking, owes great fidelity to its primogenitor, but a watch that doesn't look dated. It's a neutral watch — something that gives the Bathyscaphe broad appeal and great versatility. In steel, it's a classic, traditional dive watch, but here, in black ceramic, it's something much more modern in style. And the execution of the ceramic really is gorgeous. Crisp lines, even brushed finishes, really lovely stuff — the material is finished like metal, but with ceramic's advantages of light weight and scratch resistance. No matter how you…

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31.10.2018

VIDEO: Looking back to the future with Rado's Tradition Captain Cook Mark III

The other day we showed you the very heritage-inspired Captain Cook Mark II from Rado. Well, now it's time for the other side of the coin, the modern take on an old classic. Meet the Rado Tradition Captain Cook Mark III. On paper, it's a titanium-cased diver with an internal bezel. On the wrist, it's so much more. The titanium case is large (46mm large), but not overwhelmingly so, thanks to a curvy, lugless case design. And while the Mark II is reflection city, this guy sucks up the light like nobody's business, thanks to the super-hard matt finish. The…

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31.10.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: Tudor's Black Bay Chrono – greater than the sum of its parts?

Editor's note: The thing I love most about Tudor is their capacity to surprise. They get me every single time. I mean, every time a new watch is announced I know it's probably going to be a Black Bay, but they still manage to defy expectations. And that's exactly what they did last year, with the announcement of the BB Chrono, which took the heritage diver to a whole new, complicated level. Is it too early to start thinking about Basel 2019? Over the years, Tudor has proved their mastery of a particular genre of historically revisionist bricolage — most obviously…

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30.10.2018

VIDEO: Diving into the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Ocean Commitment III

Earlier this year, Blancpain announced the third generation of their charitable champion — the Blancpain Ocean Commitment III, a limited edition take on their iconic Fifty Fathoms. And while previous versions have distinguished themselves by being ceramic and Bathyscaphe, this time around we were treated to a regular (and regularly sized) Fifty Fathoms, in that most democratic of case materials — steel. There is a common link to previous BOCs, though, in the rich and rewarding blue dial, emblazoned with an Ocean Commitment logo at the six o'clock position. It's a really great watch, which looks good on the wrist,…

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29.10.2018

VIDEO: Seiko's Australia-only limited edition, and how to get your hands on one (for a good cause)

There are few things we like more than a limited edition Seiko, and one of those things is a limited edition Seiko that has been made specifically for the Australian market. Which is lucky, because that's exactly what the Seiko Prospex SNE520P is — an 800-piece series made just for the land down under. And really, the choice of watch makes perfect sense — after all, a solar-powered diver is just the sort of watch you want for a country renowned for its high ratio of both sun and surf. On top of that, there's the green and gold colour…

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29.10.2018

VIDEO: The Rado Heritage Captain Cook Tradition Mark II – when 37mm packs a big punch

Last year, Rado had a breakthrough, heritage-inspired hit with their Captain Cook, a slightly quirky 37mm diver. This year they've doubled down on the Captain, with the Mark II, a curvy, funky '60s-inspired diver. The heritage look is really strong, from the super-polished cushion case, through to the super high crystal and the era-appropriate dial details, like the broad hour markers and internal bezel. Though I think what I like most about this Rado is, funnily enough, the bracelet. So often the bracelet is an afterthought, tacked on at the end. But Rado have clearly thought this one through. It's…

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27.10.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: Looking back at the best heritage releases of 2017

Editor's note: Heritage is no longer a thing of the past — it's here to stay. Retro-inspired watches are no longer just a little something extra tacked onto a product category, they're an increasingly important, mainstream part of the product offering. It's also a design trope that's become increasingly diverse, incorporating near 1:1 reissues, all the way down to thoroughly modern offerings with a vintage twist. Last year, we rounded up 10 of the best watches that looked to the past. And now, as we're thinking about this year's crop of reissues, we thought it was a good time to…

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26.10.2018

VIDEO: A classical beauty – IWC's Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days Edition "150 Years"

When you've been around for 150 years you can afford to take the long view when it comes to the vagaries of fashion and trends, and start to take some perspective. Perhaps this is why IWC's celebratory anniversary collection is jam-packed full of classics, like this Portugieser. A round gold watch in the classic style, with a beautifully simple dial design — Arabic numerals and leaf hands look the business, especially on the rich white lacquer dial that is a hallmark of the "150 years" limited editions. The only thing that bucks convention is the size — at 43mm, the…

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26.10.2018

HANDS-ON: Grand Seiko's dressy GMT – the SBGM235

Most of Grand Seiko's mechanical watches are built around one base — the 9S calibre, which turns 20 years old this year. The brand has celebrated with a series of limited editions, and this, the SBGM235, is the latest. Coming from the brand's elegance collection, the SBGM235 follows the same fundamental form as the cream-dialled SBGM221, with a 39.5mm round steel case, and the 24 scale nested neatly inside the typically faceted and polished Grand Seiko hour markers. And while the fundamental design of the watch may be familiar, it's the details that stand out. On the back, the 9S66…

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25.10.2018

HANDS-ON: Big-hearted – the IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase

Few things are as tactile and pleasing as manually winding a watch, and I've got to say the levels of satisfaction achieved in watching the power reserve indicator on this plus-sized IWC Portofino are pretty intense. On one level it's because there's a lot of winding to be had, thanks to the eight days of power, but partially I think the joy is simply because this large 45mm red gold watch just feels great — heavy, substantial and downright powerful. At its heart, the Portofino is a dressy watch. Simple, refined, with a curvaceous case inspired by the pocket watches…

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24.10.2018

HANDS-ON: Quartz, but not as you know it – the Grand Seiko SBGN007 GMT

Quartz isn't something that comes across my desk too often, so you know when it does that it's something special — and this Grand Seiko is definitely something special. There's a handful of truly exceptional, iconic quartz movements out there, and the 9F is amongst the finest. And now, with the addition of a GMT, the 9F just got that much cooler. So before we get to the watch, let's talk about what makes the movement so special. This year, the 9F turns 25, and it is — in the best way possible — completely over the top. It's super accurate (regular…

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23.10.2018

IN-DEPTH: Perfectly suited to summer – the IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph

The story in a second: The sportiest member of the Portugieser family is busy living its best life. IWC's Portugieser family is, large diameter aside, a fairly dressy affair. Classic style, leaf hands, all that jazz. It's the classic business watch. Except, of course, for the Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph, a watch that is business casual at best. The Yacht Club Chronograph is a timepiece in tune with its fun side, the sort of watch that can transition seamlessly from business to party. And looks great doing it. The dial Slate grey, which is the formal name of this dial,…

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Rolex-GMT-Master-II-Rolesor-Root-beer

21.10.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: Looking back on the greatest Rolex releases of the year

Editor's note: Well, it's October, so it's fair to say that the year is — like the mainspring of a watch left on the bedside table for most of the weekend — slowly winding down. And for watch-loving folks, this means three things: One, we can start reviewing the year that was. Two, watches released this year are *theoretically* now available, though that's not exactly the case with Rolex these days. And three, we can start hoping and dreaming about 2019. So, what better time to share our favourite Rolex releases. What a time to be alive! Cola was the hot topic…

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20.10.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: The Oris Divers Sixty-Five – still one of the best value offerings for the price

Editor's note: The Divers Sixty-Five from Oris might be a few years old now, but that in no way, shape or form makes it any less of an excellent watch. In fact, as far as bang-for-buck entry-level Swiss automatics go, it's still hard to beat the retro style and solid quality of this everyday diver. Story in a second No risk of second-album syndrome here – this slightly larger take on the Divers Sixty-Five is a worthy, if slightly more mainstream, follow-up to the original release. There must be something good in the water at Hölstein, because Oris has been…

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19.10.2018

LIST: The watches we bought because someone told us to

Humans are, by and large, social creatures. We thrive in communities, and derive strength, support and inspiration from others. At least, that's the view if you're an optimist. If you're a glass half empty kinda person, feel free to replace the word community with mob. Either way, these broad general principles apply to watches. The true lone wolf is rare, and most of us look to others for our wrist-based inspiration and validation. And it's true of us, too. Come with us, as the T+T team share the tales of watches they bought because other people told them to. Cam's…

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18.10.2018

HANDS-ON: Fancy a date? How about the Nomos Tangente neomatik 41 Update

Surely there is no more contentious complication in the world of watchmaking than a seemingly humble date display? It's hard to believe that something so useful, and seemingly ubiquitous, can be so divisive. One way to end the date/no date feud is to include it, but with a twist. And a twist is certainly what the Tangente neomatik 41 Update offers. The date is shown in the radial fashion, at the outermost extremity of the dial — already alleviating the issue of a dial-disfiguring date window, and working with the Nomos' signature pared back vibe. And the Tangente, with its…

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17.10.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: The 6 most overused words in the watch industry

Editor's note: I first wrote this story back in April 2017. And, in those more innocent days, I hoped I'd become a better person and not abuse those old favourites of the watch world. But you know what? Today I hang my head in shame. In the 18 months since this first published, I've written about innovation and icons a-plenty. I can be better. I will try to be better. This I pledge. A large part of my job is sifting through press releases. After a while they all start reading the same, thanks to the seemingly limited vocabulary of…

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17.10.2018

NEWS: Breitling is the latest member of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, and why it matters

If you're not familiar with the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (AKA the FHH), it's one of the industry's peak bodies, founded in 2005 to promote fine watchmaking in Switzerland and across the world. It's an organisation with 43 partner brands, the most recent being Breitling. This development should come as no massive surprise if you've been following the recent developments around Breitling, spearheaded by Georges Kern, who stepped away from Richemont to take Breitling's top job. Mr Kern has worked his trademark magic on the blue-chip brand, seriously shaking up the Saint-Imier-based manufacture, including a streamlined product offering. And…

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16.10.2018

INTRODUCING: Smaller, but still smart – the Montblanc Summit 2

One thing you can be sure of with smart/connected watches is the regular (if not annual) upgrade. It's true for all the big players in the space, and the luxury sector is no different. And today Montblanc announced their latest — the Summit 2. The topline summary is: smaller, faster and more versatile. And there's also a new, chronograph-esque form factor. The watch is down to a very wearable 42mm, a welcome downsizing from the 46mm case size of the first generation offering. It's offered in a range of case materials — steel, titanium, black DLC, and a stealthy take on…

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15.10.2018

HANDS-ON: The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph – sporty, steel and oh-so stylish

It's hard to overstate the significance of the Polaris collection for Jaeger-LeCoultre. In a world dominated by the round steel sports watch, JLC's line-up has leaned heavily towards the dressy and rectangular. The Polaris, a fully evolved collection, changed that landscape overnight, and did it in style. One of the strongest offerings is the chronograph. It's a watch that does a lot of things right, many of which should be immediately apparent. First of all, there's the size — 42mm is just about right for this sort of sporty classic style, and at 11.9mm high it's not as top heavy…

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15.10.2018

RECOMMENDED READING: Jean-Claude Biver looks back at TAG Heuer … and to the future

Jean-Claude Biver is one of the watch industry's enduring forces — a charismatic leader who looms, larger than life, over much of the modern history of the Swiss watch industry. So, as you can imagine, it was big — and surprising — news when it was announced a few weeks ago that Mr Biver would be stepping back from his day-to-day responsibilities as President of the LVMH Watch Division (and TAG Heuer CEO) in favour of a new role: Chairman of LVMH Watchmaking Division. What exactly this somewhat ambiguous new title means is the big question. And luckily it's a…

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12.10.2018

VIDEO: Smaller, thinner – the Seiko Astron GPS Solar 5X

Most of the watches we talk about here at Time+Tide are mechanical — if there's a battery involved, the watch has to be pretty special to get our attention. Well, Seiko's Astron meets (and exceeds) the 'pretty special' criteria. The original Astron watch was released in 2012 (well, if you want to get technical, the original Astron was Seiko's first quartz watch from 1969), and is significant as it was the world's first GPS Solar watch, a particularly useful pairing of technology, which means that the watch can 'talk' to satellites, ensuring perpetual accuracy, and the solar cells on the…

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12.10.2018

VIDEO: The disruptor – a closer look at TAG Heuer's Carrera Heuer 02 Tourbillon in black ceramic

Owning a tourbillon is a dream for many watch-loving folks. The little, eternally whirling cages, designed to counteract the effects of gravity on a timepiece's isochronism, aren't particularly practical, though they hold within them a charm that in many ways sums up the appeal of mechanical watches. But for many, the dream of strapping the pinnacle of watchmaking's craft onto your wrist would always be just that — as, traditionally, tourbillons have come with a very high price tag. And while no one is suggesting that $20,000 is pocket change, when TAG Heuer introduced a Swiss, automatic tourbillon at this…

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11.10.2018

VIDEO: Rado's HyperChrome Ultra Light lives up to the name

For me, the HyperChrome Ultra Light is one of the coolest, cleanest watches in Rado's collection. Yes, Rado's heritage collection is earning some serious cred, and their design-y limited editions really showcase their high-tech capabilities. But for me it's all about the HyperChrome Ultra Light. It's a regular, round, daily wear watch (and a well-sized one at 43mm) — but with a twist. The watch weighs hardly anything — 56 grams — thanks to the high-tech ceramic and titanium case construction. It also looks good, with a clean, sunburst dial in a chameleonic black-brown colour, and minimal printed details. The…

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10.10.2018

VIDEO: The viper strikes! TAG Heuer's Carrera Calibre 02 Tourbillon Tête de Vipère

As far as cool watch names go, this watch has one of the coolest: I mean, the head of the viper — it doesn't get much more rock than that. And while the story behind the name is less viper lounge and more viper observatory, the watch itself easily lives up to its rock star name. It's big, it's blue, it's made of ceramic and has a freaking tourbillon in it. What more could you want? Not much. Even the strap, alligator backed with rubber, is cool. And while the watch is hardly an object lesson in subtlety, I was…

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08.10.2018

HANDS-ON: A Panerai for the suit and tie – the Luminor Due PAM00943

It would be easy to dismiss the Luminor Due — Panerai's latest fully fledged line — as a collection oriented towards women. After all, it's the collection that houses 38 and 42mm watches. But the fact that I am on record as being more than a little partial to the 42mm model aside, there are the larger members of the Due family, PAMs 943 and 944 respectively. Both are 45mm steel cases, which sees them aimed firmly at the fellas. If the larger size wasn't enough of a giveaway, the more subdued colour palette should cinch it. Gone are the…

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06.10.2018

LIST: 5 of the greatest watch moments on Antiques Roadshow

I have a not-so-secret love in my heart for Antiques Roadshow — specifically the UK version, but the US version is pretty good, too. If you're not familiar with the concept, it's a show where random members of the public show up and have their junk/priceless artefacts evaluated by a range of hilariously eccentric antiques experts. And while a great part of the joy for me is finding out that creepy dolls can be crazy expensive, really it's all about that moment they reveal the price and the owner of said crazy dolls (or carpet once owned by someone famous) either…

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03.10.2018

EVENT: Montblanc opens new-look boutique, their 7th in Australia

Last week, Montblanc officially opened their seventh Australian boutique, at Chadstone in Melbourne – Australia's largest high-end shopping precinct. And I must say that Montblanc looked right at home, nestled amidst some of the largest luxury and fashion names in the world. The brand has a strong presence in Australia, with six other dedicated retail spaces dotted across the country, but none of them looks quite like this — as this boutique has been made in line with their new Neo2 design concept, designed by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance. It's intended to be more relaxed, a nice change from the sometimes intimidating…

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01.10.2018

HANDS-ON: The impossible blackness of Moser's Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept

Few colours have the symbolic weight of black. It's meaningful in pretty much every culture. It's associated — naturally enough — with darkness, mourning and solemnity, and with endings and beginnings. It's also a colour of power and authority. All these associations and emotions are tied up in Moser's latest conceptual piece, the Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept Vantablack. Before we get to the greater meaning of this watch, let's talk about the purely physical: steel case, 42mm wide, in the characteristically scalloped Endeavour case. A broad exhibition caseback shows off the HMC 801, manually wound, equipped with Moser's interchangeable escapement…

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01.10.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: 5 sports luxury watches that deliver on both fronts

Editor's note: The watch industry is, in general, pretty big on segmentation. According to them, we should be wearing something different for every different activity in our lives. But that way madness lies. I'm a fan of watches that fit a range of purposes, and ranges don't come much wider than sports AND luxury. So, in that spirit, here are five of the best … Sports luxury is one of those ephemeral subgenres in watchland that hides a multitude of sins. It's easy for a watch maker to label any oversized solid-gold diver as sports luxe, but the reality is…

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29.09.2018

LIST: The stories we tell – 5 dinner party watch anecdotes

Watches. Turns out they're not (just) for telling the time. As horology's true believers (that is, you lot) will no doubt be aware, watches are more than mere objects. They're a hobby, a community, and – depending on how far gone you are – a way of life. But this interest doesn't come without its risks. Once it becomes known that you're *into* watches, people will start asking you questions, sometimes in public settings. Picture the scene: You're at a nice dinner party with some friends and vague acquaintances – I'm essentially imagining Cluedo (Clue, for our American friends). Your…

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26.09.2018

INSIGHT: Summer is in sight, so it's time for the perfect summer watch – like this two-tone Omega Seamaster 300M Diver

While our friends in the Northern Hemisphere are busy layering up and generally bracing themselves (à la Ned Stark) for winter, here in Australia the story is a little different. I've been living dangerously for the last few weeks, leaving my umbrella at home, and on a few days I've also risked leaving the jacket at home. Spring is most definitely here, and that means that summer, with its long, light evenings and blistering sun, is just around the corner. But I'm presuming you didn't come here for your latest Bureau of Meteorology updates – you're here for watches. And,…

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26.09.2018

VIDEO: What makes a travel watch? Exploring Rome with the Longines Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting

A few weeks ago I travelled to Rome to check out the Longines Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting, a GMT not like any other. And in between the first-look video, horse racing and spectacular rooftop launches, we thought we'd do some sightseeing around Rome and put the V.H.P. GMT through its paces as a travel watch. Now, of all the 'genres' of watches, the travel watch is one of the most subjective. There's no handy ISO standard to hold it against, nor is there a clearly established design tradition. There's only subjective taste. With that little caveat out of the…

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24.09.2018

IN-DEPTH: The Omega Seamaster Professional 300M – 25 years on and still going strong

Story in a second: The much-loved diver just got a serious makeover. Omega's Seamaster Professional 300M is a true legend of the watch world, a watch that will be eternally associated with Bond – specifically Pierce Brosnan, the Bond who brought the franchise out of the wilderness, and once again into the spotlight. Like I said – legendary. And, as everyone knows, you don't mess with legends. So I can only imagine that the pressure must have been high in the Omega product department in the lead up to the 25th anniversary makeover of the line, released earlier this year. And,…

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23.09.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: The truth about bezel screws

Editor's note: After the seemingly despised date window, one of the hottest of hot-button topics in the world of watches is bezel screws. If you say "I really hate it when the bezel screws on a watch aren't lined up" out loud, it sounds a little ridiculous, but when you really, really care about something, the details all make the difference. But should those screws be aligned? And are they even screws? Read on … "Such a shame they don't take the time to align their screws. I wouldn't buy one purely because of this." Every time we post a…

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22.09.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: Size doesn't matter – why 36 should be the new 42

Editors note: I wrote this story back in 2015, and I'm pleased to say that the passage of time has somewhat vindicated my opinion. Some brands, like Tudor, Oris and IWC, have been releasing new 36mm watches with unisex appeal, so the size seems to be catching on. And while the 47mm big boys of the industry are still there, they're not as omnipresent as they were a decade ago. Is the swing back to smaller sizes a return to sanity, or just another trend? If you ever have the opportunity to try on a watch made before the '50s,…

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Tudor Black Bay GMT slider Swiss Watch Luxury

21.09.2018

VIDEO: The Tudor Heritage Black Bay GMT is a contender for the hottest watch of 2018

Since their dramatic reboot in 2012, Tudor has continually upped the game. From the original Black Bay, to the development of in-house movements, new case materials, and complications like the chronograph, every year brings a new surprise. Based on this track record, I'm always excited to see what Tudor will do next with the Black Bay, not least because of the element of brinkmanship at play. Well, this year Tudor outdid themselves once again with the Heritage Black Bay GMT. It's a hot watch. Not just because of its obvious good looks — I mean, just look at that bezel…

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21.09.2018

INTRODUCING: Alpina's Startimer Pilot Heritage – a value-packed GMT with style to boot

If you think of a pilot's watch, there's a good chance you're thinking of a large round watch, with a black dial and bold Arabic numerals. Well, Alpina's latest, the Startimer Pilot Heritage, ticks none of these boxes, but that doesn't make it any less of a pilot's watch. The design of the Startimer Pilot Heritage owes less to the WWII era that's commonly the reference point for this sort of watch; instead, Alpina has looked to the '70s for inspiration, and clearly they found it, in an Alpina alarm watch called the Dispomatic. The 42mm tonneau is funky fresh,…

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20.09.2018

WATCHSPOTTING: Ever wondered what watch cinema's greatest spy wears …

Forget Bond, Bourne and Ethan Hunt, the greatest spy in the history of the silver screen is English, Johnny English. A secret agent of incomparable style, questionable grace and entirely accidental lethality, played to perfection by the thinking man's action star Rowan Atkinson. In October, English will return to the screen for the third time, in Johnny English Strikes Again, which sees English once again assume the role of England's last hope (and only available option), called out of retirement to tackle a cyberterrorist threat. Of course, English is decked out with all the spy essentials: the rocket-equipped car (Jag,…

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20.09.2018

IN-DEPTH: The Tissot Heritage Petite Seconde

The story in a second: Tissot's latest heritage release is another hit. In these days of the never-ending vintage revival, it seems that every brand has to have a heritage collection, regardless of whether they have any actual heritage. That's not a problem Tissot has to deal with, as the brand dates way back to 1853, a depth of history that's reflected in the strength of their current heritage lineup. The latest member is this handsome fella, the Tissot Heritage Petite Seconde, a hand-winding hero based on a 1943 design, which is entirely suited to the modern day. The dial…

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19.09.2018

HANDS-ON: Wonderfully restrained – Tudor's Black Bay 41 Blue

Now, it may shock you to learn that not everyone wants a watch bedecked with bezels, chronographs, and other functionality to complicate the equation. Some people are just after a nice watch that tells the time, simple as that. If that's something that resonates with you, the Tudor Black Bay 41 is a watch you should definitely look into. Introduced a few years ago as a 36mm case with a black dial, the collection has since grown to include 32 and 41mm versions, and most recently blue dial options. Today we're looking at the BB 41, with a blue dial.…

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19.09.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: So thin, so light – the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic

Editor's note: For some inexplicable reason we've been spending a lot of time thinking about Bulgari's critically acclaimed Octo Finissimo Automatic. It's a watch you really need to see in real life to truly appreciate. And while that's a statement that's true of all watches, the combination of incredible thinness, lightness and distinctive matt finish makes the act of picking it up and slipping it on the wrist even more critical. Now, if that's not feasible for you, we've come up with the next best thing — a video review. And in case you need more convincing, here's our long review.…

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18.09.2018

WATCHSPOTTING: 6 award-winning watch choices at the 70th Primetime Emmys

As far as journalism goes, writing about watches isn't really the sort of high-pressure, down-to-the-wire sort of experience that is common in more mainstream platforms. News rarely breaks in spectacular fashion, and reporting live is uncommon. One exception is seeing what the beautiful people wear on the red carpet. There's much scouring of images, trying to find wristwear unobstructed by cuffs. And then there's the next challenge — working out what those watches actually are. It's hardly the same as reporting on the latest internal machinations of our government, but it's a change of pace. So, today Dan and I hunkered down…

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17.09.2018

HANDS-ON: Pop a cork and celebrate – the Tudor Black Bay S&G now comes with a champagne dial

Last year's release of the Black Bay S&G was something of a slow burn. In the heat of the initial announcements, all eyes were on the impressive Black Bay Chrono. As time passed, people seemed to realise what a looker the steel and gold was — no doubt helped by the fact that it was prominently featured on the wrist of none other than David Beckham. Well, this year Tudor released another S&G, with a radiant, golden-hued dial, officially called 'champagne' by the brand. We might not have been as surprised by the bi-metal watch as we were last year, but…

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14.09.2018

VIDEO: Like Goldilocks, this Hublot Spirit of Big Bang King Gold Blue is just right

Since its introduction in 2014, Hublot's Spirit of Big Bang collection has quietly been gaining momentum. The tonneau-shaped case sacrifices none of the immediate impact that Hublot is famous for, but shapes it into a more wrist-hugging form. And while the line is — as you'd expect from Hublot — full of options, this smaller, 42mm Spirit of Big Bang King Gold Blue is a real standout. The case is stunning, with the blue details providing a perfect foil to the richness of the red gold, while the smaller size makes for a watch that you could legitimately wear in…

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13.09.2018

INTRODUCING: The Apple Watch Series 4, you might not think it's a watch, but it's definitely a powerful health and fitness tool

Few topics are as likely to induce eye-twitching spasms in horology's true believers than the the old chestnut, "Is the Apple Watch a watch?" Well, with the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 4, it seems like Apple might be answering that question in a pretty declarative way. Sure, it's got watch-like functions, but really — really — it's a health device. Early generations of the Apple Watch seemed to be a little vague in their purpose, almost like they were working out what this cool thing was for as they were going along. The future got a bit clearer…

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13.09.2018

HANDS-ON: Raymond Weil's latest Freelancer Chronograph looks the business

Raymond Weil's latest take on their sporty Freelancer Chronograph is – to be blunt – really good-looking. Fundamentally, it's the same as Freelancer chronos we've seen before: 42mm steel case, bulletproof RW500 movement, 12,6,9 subdial layout, day/date and screw-down crown and pushers. It's a solid piece of kit. What's new, though, is the colour way. Silver and blue, and plenty of texture to tempt the eye. The panda-esque dial is predominantly silver, with a bright starburst centre and circular grained outer sections, contrasting beautifully with the recessed subdials (including that characteristic frame and single screw around the running seconds at nine).…

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12.09.2018

HANDS-ON: Hublot's Classic Fusion Titanium Green proves they're the masters of colour

This week we're looking at Hublot watches that aren't the Big Bang. Yep, you read that right. For all that the brand is virtually synonymous with their iconic (or is that iconoclastic?) sports watch, it turns out Hublot isn't afraid to show their softer side on occasion. You know what else Hublot has never been afraid of? Colour. Both these characteristics are very much in evidence with this stylish Classic Fusion Chronograph in green. First of all, a quick primer on the Classic Fusion line — the collection, introduced in 2010, is intended as a slightly more subtle (dare we…

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10.09.2018

VIDEO: Not for the faint-hearted – Hublot's Spirit of Big Bang Sapphire Rainbow

If anyone was ever to charge me with a unreasonable love of extravagant, gem-set statement watches, the evidence would be easy to find, and damning (Your Honour, I would point to evidence here, here and here, the prosecutor might say). And if I were to continue using the courtroom metaphor, and was allowed to call a key witness in my defence, I'd be calling this watch. The case, a well-sized 42mm tonneau, is in sapphire, already an attention-seeker. Add to that the 54 baguette-cut stones (including sapphires, rubies, amethysts, topazes and tsavorites) in rainbow hues on the bezel and you've…

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10.09.2018

VIDEO: Smarter than your average GMT – the Longines Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting

If we're completely honest, it's hard to make quartz technology sexy. Which makes the achievement of Longines' V.H.P. technology even more remarkable. Not only do these quartz Conquests look the part, with clean, slightly sporty style and some very nice dials, the movement ticking away inside has a host of features dedicated to improving accuracy — which, at +5/-5 seconds a year, is pretty hard to beat, outside of an atomic clock. The latest member of the family has just been unveiled in Rome — the Longines Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting. As you might expect, it adds a second…

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Dirty Dozen Longines Greenlander

07.09.2018

VIDEO: "I use it as my daily beater" – Andre and his Longines Greenlander

To most people, The Dirty Dozen is the prototypical misfit movie, starring the late, great Lee Marvin. But to watch fans, it's something else entirely. In watchland, the Dirty Dozen refers to the 12 suppliers of watch, wrist, waterproof timepieces (the WWW engraving on the caseback) to the British Ministry of Defence during World War II. Some of those suppliers, such as Longines, IWC and Omega, are well-known names today, but others, like Timor, Vertex and Grana, are consigned to those particularly brutal pages of history. But, as with all things military, these watches have a cachet and a cult…

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06.09.2018

HANDS-ON: A classic in its purest form – the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 with white and black dials

One of the real hits from Rolex's 2015 collection was the Oyster Perpetual 39 (ref. 114300), a bare bones, simple steel timepiece that was still pure Rolex. Initially offered in a range of youthful, colourful dials, this year the Oyster Perpetual family expanded to include white and black dial variants, and they are, just quietly, awesome. While the case and bracelet are unchanged, it's worth revisiting them. Of course, the Oyster Perpetual is offered in a wide range of sizes, all the way up to this, the 39mm model, which really will suit a lot of wrists. But if you…

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05.09.2018

VIDEO: "I'm in a back street in Havana and a watchmaker says you should look at this…" – Adam and his Longines Cuervo Y Sobrinos

When someone's watch story starts in the backstreets of Havana, you know it's going to be good. In fact, it would be a good story, even if the watch itself didn't match up to the tale. Luckily for all involved, Adam's oversized mid-century Longines, double signed with famous retailer Cuervo y Sobrinos, stands up. On its own, the watch is big and attention-seeking, but it's really the fancy dial that steals the show. Even more so when we learn that the dial is made to resemble a poker chip from the (in)famous Hotel Plaza, which was owned and operated by…

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04.09.2018

INTRODUCING: 5 new Panerai Radiomir 1940s – the Mediterraneo Edition, inspired by the deep blue sea

Panerai has just dropped a quintet of new, boutique-only watches and they are straight fire. These watches, called the Mediterraneo Edition, are all in Radiomir 1940 cases, and include a 42mm steel automatic (PAM00933), a 45mm GMT and a 45mm GMT with power reserve (PAM00945 and PAM00946 respectively), a red gold 45mm automatic (PAM00934), and a large 47mm hand-winder (PAM00932). Now, aside from the cases, what unites all these watches are the dials. The dials on these watches are a gradient blue, produced using an exclusive manufacturing process. These sort of smoky, graduated dials are really on-trend right now, and…

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03.09.2018

HANDS-ON: The Longines Master Collection Annual Calendar – unassuming and awesome

There are few things I love more than a watch that surprises me. It's something that doesn't happen near enough for my liking, but it happened with this Longines. It was in the Longines booth at Baselworld, the first day of the fair. Trays and trays of watches had just been laid out in front of us and we were working out what to photograph and focus on. The new Legend Divers, obviously; cool new V.H.P. variants, a really sexy blue and gold Record. Then, the brand representative thrust something from the Master Collection into my hand. Steel, 40mm case,…

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02.09.2018

EDITOR'S PICK: Fit for purpose – this is what a NASA-issued Omega Speedmaster X-33 looks like

Editor's note: Omega's Speedmaster is famous for being worn in space, but it's not every day you meet one that has, well, actually been worn in space. Yet, that's exactly what happened when Andy Green noticed the beaten-up Speedy on an astronaut's wrist … A little while ago, I was in Sydney attending a conference for my day job. The opening speaker was Ron Garan Jr, a former NASA astronaut, who's travelled 71 million miles for work, spent 178 days in space, orbited Earth 2842 times and enjoyed a grand total of 27 hours and three minutes taking part in EVAs (extravehicular…

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Mido Commander Shade

01.09.2018

LIST: The budget list – 5 great new Swiss mechanical watches from brands you've heard of that cost less than $1500

A Swiss watch is a near-universally recognised symbol for quality, precision and tradition. And while that's all well and good, there's another thing that fine Swiss watches tend to be synonymous with — and that's high sticker prices. And broadly speaking that perception is true — I constantly find myself uttering phrases like "this $60,000 watch offers tremendous value", and Justin recently went into a little bit of detail as to why that's the case. But, let's be real here, that sort of watch is for the very few. But you know what? Just because the median price of a…

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01.09.2018

NEWS: David Beckham's new #BornToDare campaign epitomises the rugged masculinity of the Black Bay Bronze

In May last year, Tudor unveiled a brand new tagline – #BornToDare – and with it, a suitably daring ambassador, David Beckham. The choice of Beckham was a bold one on several fronts: he's a bona fide A-lister with massive international star power, propelling Tudor to the next level of mainstream visibility. But beyond that, Beckham is a pretty perfect fit for the brand, as is clearly evident in the newest chapter in the brand's #BornToDare campaign. Beckham, as captured by noted fashion photographer David Sims, is clad head-to-toe in natural, neutral tones and fabrics – a subdued colour palette…

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31.08.2018

VIDEO: This Seiko Turtle is set to Save The Ocean – the SRPC91K

For Seiko, the turtle power is real. Their recent reinterpretation of the classic dive watch has earned near-universal acclaim, thanks to the triple threat of strong design, stronger build quality and a value offering that's hard to beat. And while the core collection is outstanding, Seiko like to drop something a little bit extra special every so often. And that's exactly what this watch is: a special edition with a very special gradient blue dial that works towards supporting an even more special cause. I don't know about you, but I'd find it impossible not to smile while checking the…

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Longines-Record-Rose-Gold-4

30.08.2018

NEWS: Rose gold Longines Record nominated for the Petite Aiguille at the GPHG

Editor's note: The Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) is the industry's premier awards ceremony. One of the most exciting (and accessible) categories is the Petite Aiguille, which is open to watches with a retail price between 4000 – 10,000 CHF. The GPHG Jury has selected a shortlist of six watches, from a longlist of 21. The Longines Record in rose gold is one of the watches. It's an interesting choice: a very classical design, COSC-rated movement and a lovely gold case. And while it's up against some strong competition, it's great to see this Longines, which represents something of a…

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