Nick Kenyon, Author at Time and Tide Watches

Nick Kenyon

Posts by Nick:

Cartier Tank Must

19.04.2021

The best green dials of 2021, including IWC, Cartier, Grand Seiko and more – Part 2

Editor’s note: Green dials are everywhere we look in 2021. If you missed Part 1 of this list on the best green dials, make sure you check it before moving on to Part 2. Cartier Tank Must Inspired by the Must de Cartier collection from the 1980s, the new colourful Tank Must references include this stunning forest green watch, cased in stainless steel and powered by a quartz movement with eight years of battery life. Price: AUD$4150 Grand Seiko SBGD207 Masterpiece Collection Spring Drive 8 Day Jewellery Watch Seiko 140th Anniversary Limited Edition It’s relatively uncommon to see a gem-set…

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best green dials of 2021

18.04.2021

The best green dials of 2021, including Patek, Rolex, Moser and many more – Part 1

Green is the colour of 2021. At least when it comes to watches, there’s absolutely no doubt about it. It’s only the middle of April, yet we’ve already seen dozens of new watches with green dials from what feels like every large brand in the world. From Patek Philippe and Rolex to Seiko and Oris, there are multiple shades of green wherever we look. It raises two questions: why is this happening and what are the best green dials of 2021? The “why” is a straightforward question without a straightforward answer. Perhaps blue has enjoyed a monopoly on desirable dials…

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16.04.2021

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: Parties, panthers and patina

There was no time for rest after the epic week that was Watches & Wonders and new releases from the crème de la crème of the Swiss watch industry. The Australian half of the T+T team were in the air on the way to sunny Sydney, to host our first Time+Tide Club event for 2021. I hadn’t realised how much I missed events until I spent some quality time with a few local collectors over lunch recently, but it’s such a special thing to be able to share a drink with other enthusiasts and talk all things watches. We were…

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shooting the Grand Seiko SLGH005 White Birch

15.04.2021

A photographer explains why the Grand Seiko SLGH005 White Birch is so great to shoot

Earlier this year Grand Seiko announced a watch that was an instant hit within collectors’ circles. The new Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 9SA5 Series 9 “White Birch” SLGH005 had everything you might expect from a Grand Seiko. It had a well-proportioned 40mm steel case, contained the brand-new 9SA5 automatic hi-beat movement and also featured a dial to die for. Inspired by the white birch trees surrounding Studio Shizukuishi where the watch is made, it immediately reminded collectors of the famous Grand Seiko SBGA211 “Snowflake” thanks to the richly varied texture of both dials. Both the SLHG005 and the SBGA211 are…

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Louis Vuitton Tambour Street Diver

09.04.2021

HANDS-ON: The Louis Vuitton Tambour Street Diver spans the gulf from the sea to the streets

It was just shy of 20 years ago that Louis Vuitton released their first watch, but the strides that the brand has made in that time is impressive. The Geneva Seal isn’t something that is presented lightly in watchmaking, yet Louis Vuitton has managed to achieve that level for a number of references in their current collection. At their core today, however, Louis Vuitton is a name that brings to mind a lifestyle of everyday cool that we find in the new Louis Vuitton Tambour Street Diver collection. It’s a dive watch that spans the gulf between the sea and…

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09.04.2021

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: So, it turns out virtual watch fairs cause super-real exhaustion…

If you live in Melbourne like I do, you’ll agree that it’s one of the best damn places to live in the world. Unless it’s a week of new watch releases in a pandemic. The whole Time+Tide team has been living in multiple timezones this week thanks to Watches & Wonders, which has been as utterly exhausting as it has been stimulating. Luckily we’ve all got the power reserves of the original IWC Big Pilot (168 hours for those playing at home) and we’ve been working hard to bring you all of the action from the online watch fair. The…

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Cartier Tank Must

08.04.2021

HANDS-ON: The Cartier Tank Must presents a statement piece with a blast of colour

Too often in watchmaking the focus is only on the technical and the very expensive. Yes, it’s critical for the watch industry to continue to innovate, but complication for its own sake serves a very limited number of ends. Sometimes I wish there were more watches that just focused on being fun, lighthearted and affordable, to grow the world of watch enthusiasm and help remove the intimidating perception that a good watch must cost five figures. This year one brand has granted my wish with a new collection that doesn’t take itself too seriously, while still having some serious design…

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Bulgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar

07.04.2021

INTRODUCING: The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar breaks the brand’s 7th world record since 2014

“Can’t stop, won’t stop breaking world records,” might be the mantra of the Bulgari watchmaking department, because that’s exactly what they keep doing. Year after year since 2014, the Italian manufacturer has relentlessly achieved new benchmarks for thinness in horology, building their credibility as a force to be reckoned with faster than almost any brand in recent memory. If that wasn’t enough, the Octo Finissimo collection has also formed one of the few truly fresh interpretations of a sports watch with an integrated bracelet in recent years. This year Bulgari continue their run with the all new Bulgari Octo Finissimo…

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Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921

07.04.2021

INTRODUCING: The Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 collection turns 100

Most watch brands will never make their 100th birthday. In fact, very few companies from any industry are able to build successful businesses over several generations. Time is as unrelenting as it is unforgiving, so when something is able to stand the test of time, we can only applaud the strength of will behind it. This year, however, Vacheron Constantin are celebrating one such milestone in the American 1921 that celebrates its impressive centenary. To mark the occasion, three new references have been released in the new Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 collection, featuring a range of case sizes and…

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07.04.2021

INTRODUCING: Four new Patek Philippe Nautilus references including two with green dials

The watch world collectively held its breath when rumours started circulating about the possible demise of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711, arguably the hottest watch on the planet right now. Rumours turned to facts when Patek Philippe CEO Thierry Stern confirmed that the fabled luxury sports watch would indeed be discontinued, but it put no end to the speculation, which then focused around what would take its place in the catalogue. Today the fabled Genevan watchmaker revealed four new Patek Philippe Nautilus references, including two new branches on the 5711 family tree. Let’s take a look at all four to…

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Tank Louis Cartier collection

07.04.2021

INTRODUCING: The Tank Louis Cartier collection is a revival of Art Deco flamboyance

The word icon gets thrown around a lot in the watch industry. Every manufacturer wants one and you can understand why. But the Cartier Tank is without a doubt one of the fundamental pillars of watch design in the last century. While the Santos-Dumont collection has received a lot of attention from the brand in the last couple of years, 2021 is all about the Tank, with a range of new references that offer an entry into the world of Cartier. Of these new releases, perhaps none better reflect the spirit of the early Art Deco design movement of the…

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TAG Heuer Connected collection

03.04.2021

VIDEO: TAG Heuer doubles down on smartwatch tech with the 2021 TAG Heuer Connected collection

When people think back to the beginning of smartwatches, they invariably think of the first Apple Watch back in 2015, but what isn’t well known is that TAG Heuer released their first Connected watch in the very same year. Yep, TAG Heuer have had skin in the smartwatch game for almost as long as anyone, which isn’t what you’d necessarily expect from a brand producing watches in the typically conservative Swiss watch industry. Last year in 2020 we were presented with the third and most impressive generation of the luxury smartwatch yet, and for the 2021 TAG Heuer Connected collection,…

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Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic

02.04.2021

HANDS-ON: The Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic collection looks to the future, not the past

A watch doesn’t become a classic if designers keep radically altering the way that it looks. A classic design needs consistency and slow, gradual tweaks if it’s to make its mark in the history books. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was the Rado Captain Cook. But even a classic design can do with a bold intervention every now and then, just to see where the limits of its original intention can be pushed. When it was first relaunched in 2017, the Captain Cook was a head-turning watch in the halls of Baselworld as Rado took a brief…

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01.04.2021

VIDEO: The Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic collection delivers a skeletonised update

How do you update a classic? It’s a problem that many designers face, whether they work in the watch industry, automotives or product design. How do you retain the original idea behind a design and still bring it forward into the here and now? This is a question that the Rado Captain Cook designers must have faced, after reissuing a dive watch design from the 1960s and launching it in Baselworld in 2017. Understandably, this has been a very successful collection for the brand, with a number of different expressions released over the years. So how have they modernised the…

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TAG Heuer Connected collection

01.04.2021

HANDS-ON: The TAG Heuer Connected collection for 2021 will make you leaner, fitter and better at golf

It’s fair to say that most people have probably put on a couple of COVID kilos during the rolling lockdowns we’ve all gone through over the last 12 months. I know I have. But now that things are slowly returning to a semblance of normality and confidence is growing that our future plans won’t be derailed, it’s time to start getting back into shape. Unfortunately for watch collectors, there aren’t many of our beloved Swiss watchmakers who are able to help us with this daunting task. But there is one La Chaux-de-Fonds based manufacture who can actually offer some assistance…

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luxury watch NFT

01.04.2021

WTF is a “luxury watch NFT” and why is Jean-Claude Biver selling one of his watch?

You’ve probably heard of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) over the last month or so and for good reason. NFTs are exploding in popularity, seemingly out of nowhere. If you haven’t come across NFTs, or haven’t yet tried to wrap your head around the initially impenetrable world of cryptocurrency and blockchain as they collide with collectible markets, well, fair enough. But let me explain in simple terms what an NFT is and why it’s potentially so significant that Jean-Claude Biver is selling a luxury watch NFT. Very broadly speaking, an NFT is a piece of digital real-estate that is tracked on a…

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best Grand Seiko Instagram accounts

31.03.2021

5 of the best Grand Seiko Instagram accounts that you need in your feed

Not all watch brands have a community around them. In fact, most don’t, which is a huge challenge for those brands to build a loyal following who are relentlessly passionate about their product. As far as relentless passion goes, Grand Seiko is one of the most well-loved brands on the planet when it comes to the head-over-heels admiration its collectors share. As a result of this, Grand Seiko’s social-media community is particularly strong with many enthusiast-run accounts simply sharing their love of the Japanese watchmaker. We wanted to shine the spotlight on a few of these accounts, to share some…

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Bamford London GMT Popeye Limited Edition

29.03.2021

The Bamford London GMT Popeye Limited Edition is way better than spinach

It’s fair to say that most people hate spinach. Generally with good reason too. But if there was ever anyone to convince you that eating spinach was a good idea, it would be the one and only Popeye. He’s a character who loves his pipe nearly as much as he loves his leafy greens and, for the second time in recent years, is gracing the dial of a watch in the Bamford London GMT Popeye Limited Edition. The first time Popeye and Bamford collaborated was for the 90th anniversary of the American sailor’s earliest public appearance way back in 1929,…

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deepfake of Tom Cruise

27.03.2021

This deepfake of Tom Cruise has been seen 30M+ times. But why is he wearing such hot watches?

Deepfakes are a phenomenon only a few years old, but already have governments around the world very worried. In essence, a deepfake is a fake video generated by a type of artificial intelligence called deep learning, which then creates a realistic impression of someone. Just think Photoshop in the 21st century with a slight Twilight Zone edge. You might have seen Jon Snow apologise for the terrible final episode of Game of Thrones back in 2019 and thought only an idiot would believe what they saw, but deep fakes have only got better and better since then. Last month a…

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Friday wind down 26-3-21

26.03.2021

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: The rumours and regrets edition, as well as new Omega and a brand new Bremont building

The pandemic has forced the watch industry to evolve. Not just in the way that retail has had to adapt, but in the way that new watches are launched. A decade ago, every brand rotated in orbit around the gravitational mass of the various watch fairs such as Baselworld and SIHH, but today new watches are released every week. This was a change that was going to happen anyway, however, Coronavirus has turned a medium-term possibility into a present reality. In saying that, you can tell that the watch community still revolves in unison because of one phenomenon – rumours.…

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affordable watches on eBay

25.03.2021

8 affordable watches on eBay right now for under $5k, including Patek Philippe and Jacob & Co

Of late, eBay has been making serious strides into the pre-owned watch market and they certainly aren’t slowing down. They recently started a new Instagram account dedicated solely to watch content and just a few months ago announced their Authenticity Guarantee program to verify watches sold for $2000USD and over. This week eBay is offering another sweetener to consider their platform if you’re a watch buyer. They’re offering a $500USD discount on watches that cost more than $2500USD until March 28 (see T&C below). To make the most of this deal and a half, we’ve pulled together a list of…

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new Omega Seamaster 300 vs old

24.03.2021

6 key differences between the new Omega Seamaster 300 and the previous generation

When it comes to Omega dive watches, the Seamaster 300 is an enthusiast favourite. Yes, the Diver 300M collection is hugely popular, but for those who aren’t after a contemporary design and prefer the softer and more balanced designs of the Omega archives, then the Seamaster 300 is where you may well eventually find yourself. For 2021, the Bienne-based watchmaker has reinvigorated the collection with all new Omega Seamaster 300 references that remain faithful to the original design, but have a few key updates. With that in mind, we wanted to take a closer look at the new Omega Seamaster…

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Omega Seamaster Diver 300m Black Black

23.03.2021

INTRODUCING: The all black everything Omega Seamaster Diver 300m Black Black

The fan favourite Omega Seamaster Diver 300m is getting more than a facelift in 2021. That’s right, the watch best known for appearing on the wrist of 007 will now be available in full ceramic in the all-new Omega Seamaster Diver 300m Black Black. And that repetition in the name is for emphasis. This watch is very black indeed. The new design keeps the same 43.5mm case size as the other ceramic reference (ref. 210.92.44.20.01.001 on rubber) with 14.47mm thickness, but is slightly larger than the traditional Diver 300m that measures 42mm in diameter. In ceramic, it is a watch…

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22.03.2021

INTRODUCING: The Cartier Fine Watchmaking collection delivers three platinum tourbillons in skeletonised form

What’s better than one complicated Cartier? Three complicated Cartiers, especially when they arrive in a specially designed marquetery finished and lacquered wooden box. These three pieces that make up the new Cartier Fine Watchmaking Rotonde de Cartier Precious “Icons Set”, which share the two uniting themes of mystery and skeletonisation. But in a world where the brand is best known for their classic designs from the beginning of the 20th century, what does this trio of large platinum watches really offer? Is it a case of complication for its own sake, or do these pieces actually add something to the current…

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best affordable dive watches

21.03.2021

11 of the best affordable dive watches under $5k

Dive watches are probably the single most popular watch category and with good reason. They are robust, water resistant and, as dress codes become increasingly casual, can also be worn pretty much anywhere you aren’t expected to wear a bow-tie. The variations within dive watches over the decades are another reason that collectors find them so compelling. Some dive watches have important links to armed forces around the world, which can send enthusiasts into a frenzy of minutia obsession. Likewise the different ways that brands have creatively overcome the challenges of the deep, such as legibility or helium build-up, allow…

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19.03.2021

FRIDAY WIND DOWN – THE GREEN EDITION: St Pat’s Day, Audemars Piguet, Olive dials and Dublin contributor joins the team!

Sometimes when I sit down on a Friday afternoon with a beverage of some description (today, an ‘Almond Negroni’ my colleague Matt claims he invented) to write the Friday Wind Down, I need to pause for a moment to consider the theme of the week. Not this week. This week, everywhere I look, it’s green, green, green. Green like the fields in The Sound of Music, green like voting for Adam Bandt (Melb reference, apols) or green like the Guinness on St Patrick’s Day in a faux Irish pub. In watchmaking, green is proving a welcome respite from the dominance…

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best CasiOak mods

17.03.2021

11 photos that show the boundless creativity in the best CasiOak mods

A few weeks back, I wrote about my own Casio G-Shock GA2100-1A (AKA the CasiOak) that I had modified and received a lot of positive feedback about. Many people expressed interest in how different the watch looked after the modification. While I did note that the bracelet wasn’t particularly comfortable on the wrist, I agreed that the CasiOak was one of the coolest looking modified watches I’d ever held in my hands. But the versatility of the CasiOak extends far beyond a simple steel case and bracelet. The creative lengths that the watch community has gone to in creating weird…

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Jason Statham panerai

15.03.2021

Jason Statham shows that action heroes still wear Panerai

While Panerai was founded way back in 1860, its rise to prominence came on the back of a very specific type of celebrity: the action hero. It was thanks to the likes of Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger that brand awareness soared following wrist-bound cameos in films like Daylight, Eraser, Rambo IV and The Expendables franchise. In 2021, Panerai continue to be the brand worn by action heroes with Jason Statham confirmed as wearing two of their pieces while shooting the new spy film Five Eyes, which began filming in January this year. Directed by Guy Ritchie, famous for helming…

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Rolex has grown during the pandemic

14.03.2021

Watch brand league table: Rolex is now 25% of the entire Swiss watch industry, here are the other pandemic movers

Rolex is the biggest watch brand in the world (so long as you don’t count Apple). But while that information might not come as a surprise, Rolex has actually grown its market share in 2020 despite selling an estimated 140,000 fewer watches than the year before (due to factory closures as a result of the pandemic). This is according to a report by Morgan Stanley that stated Rolex has consolidated its lead at the top during the pandemic, increasing its market share to 24.9% in 2020, up from 22% in 2019. What is also remarkable is that Rolex SA, who…

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12.03.2021

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: The Rolex that changed its red and blue stripes, catch-ups on Clubhouse and IRL and the collectability of G-Shock

Let me start by saying that I’ve had quite the week. Summer doesn’t seem to want to end, the T+T Team are working really hard on a few very exciting projects that we’ll be able to announce soon, but that wasn’t all. We were lucky enough to attend the first watch event in real life for the first time in almost exactly a year and it was great to catch up with several Melbourne-based collectors, as well as see some pretty special watches up close and personal. Also, this week we took a close look at a watch that isn’t…

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Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi

11.03.2021

VIDEO: Does the Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126710 BLRO “Pepsi” really live up to the hype?

We all know that pretty much any stainless-steel Rolex sports watch is insanely popular right now. In fact, there’s an unrelenting groundswell of hype around these watches that is undeniable. But do they really deserve it? One of the most prominent watches in the Professional range is the Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126710 BLRO, which instantly commanded a long waiting list ever since it was first released back at Baselworld 2018. Sure, we know it’s a good watch, but is it actually worth the premium that it demands on the secondary market? With a 40mm stainless-steel case, red and blue…

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high-complication watches from Jaeger-LeCoultre

11.03.2021

EVENT: 5 rare high-complication watches from Jaeger-LeCoultre in a stunning vineyard setting

Jaeger-LeCoultre are known as the watchmaker’s watchmaker with good reason. Over their nearly 190-year history, the brand has produced movements used by most major Swiss watch brands with more than 1000 calibers developed over that time. And while 2021 is all about the Reverso as the brand celebrates the 90th anniversary of the famous design, we can’t forget the high-complication watches from Jaeger-LeCoultre released in recent years, from the almost microscopic caliber 101 to the dancing Master Gyrotourbillon. Jaeger-LeCoultre looked to celebrate some of these complicated curiosities with an event hosted at Jackalope Hotel on the Mornington Peninsula. This marked…

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TAG Heuer Connected watch

09.03.2021

Want to be fitter, healthier and better at golf? The new TAG Heuer Connected watch has your back

In 2020, TAG Heuer doubled down in their efforts to dominate the luxury smart watch market with the launch of the third generation of their Connected watch. In addition to their new range of base models, TAG Heuer also launched a special Golf Edition watch, as well as a host of new coloured watches and straps. This year, the TAG Heuer Connected watch continues its time in the spotlight, with the launch of a brand new Connected Golf Edition as well as an improved Wellness App. Let’s start with some context around just how far TAG Heuer have come in the smartwatch…

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expensive watches are worth it

08.03.2021

RECOMMENDED WATCHING: 3 reasons why watches are so horribly expensive

When one of your non-watch friends asks how much your watch cost, they’ll probably be shocked or straight up appalled that anyone could spend thousands, never mind tens of thousands of dollars on something that tells the time “just like your phone”. So how do you explain the reason why watches are so horribly expensive? More to the point, how do you justify a hobby that has the potential to be ruinously expensive? The team over at the Wall Street Journal just took a look at three big reasons why watches are so costly and the first two might be…

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Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time

07.03.2021

HANDS-ON: The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time is a seriously luxurious travel watch

The Vacheron Constantin Overseas collection represents sports watch pedigree through and through and the Dual Time is no exception. While the collection features everything from simple three-handed time-only watches all the way to tourbillons and perpetual calendars, arguably the most important complication for a sports watch is the GMT function. After all, what self-respecting professional athlete in the 21st century isn’t jet-setting around the world as they compete, skipping time zones like a stone over a pond. If that’s the lifestyle you’re living, then the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time is not only an interesting take on a contemporary watch…

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Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time

06.03.2021

VIDEO: The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time offers fine watchmaking for an active lifestyle

In 2021, every brand has a luxury stainless-steel sports watch. But when the concept was born in the 1970s, there was less than a handful of brands who made the leap into the brave new world that left precious metal in the past. One of those brands was Vacheron Constantin with the ref. 222 designed by the German watchmaker Jorg Hysek. In 1996, the design had new life breathed into it with the Overseas collection, which stood tall as a luxury sports watch that delivered fine watchmaking for an active lifestyle. Today, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas collection continues to evolve.…

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Friday wind down 5-3-21

05.03.2021

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: TAG Heuer celebrate the Carrera in Chadstone and there’s a reason we love Rolex forums

Yet another regrettable effect of COVID is that, over the last twelve months, it’s stopped most of the watch community from experiencing timepieces in the metal. Thankfully, that’s starting to change in Australia as, with the pandemic increasingly under control, watch events are starting to happen once again. One of the first public events is the TAG Heuer x Porsche pop-up in Chadstone, Melbourne this week. The pop-up will be there until March 14 and is celebrating the recently announced partnership between the two brands, which are united by their respective Carrera products. As well as a very nice Porsche…

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TAG Heuer x Porsche pop-up

04.03.2021

EVENT: If you’ve got a need for speed the TAG Heuer x Porsche pop-up is a watch-lover’s delight

At the start of last month, TAG Heuer announced a partnership with a pretty special brand: Porsche. Why you might ask? What’s the difference between this and any old automotive / watchmaking relationship? The difference lies in the closely linked histories of these two brands, both united by a passion for going fast and the talismanic word “Carrera”. To celebrate this relationship, a TAG Heuer x Porsche pop-up has just opened in Chadstone, Melbourne, which is showing a number of vintage Heuer Carrera references in an exposition of the shared history between TAG Heuer and Porsche. The linked history between…

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virtual watch event

04.03.2021

Bremont show how to nail a virtual watch event with the world’s greatest mountaineer

Despite a full 12 months passing since COVID began restricting the places we can go and the people we see, the watch world still hasn’t worked out how to run an interesting event online. Starved of the opportunity to present watches in the metal, the polite way to describe most virtual events is dull at best. Recently, however, Bremont took a step in the right direction by at least hosting an event with a fascinating guest. The guest in question? None other than the Gurkha and ex-member of the British Special Forces Nirmal Purja or as he likes to be…

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Bobby Shmurda Rolex Sky-Dweller

03.03.2021

Rapper Bobby Shmurda is released from jail and celebrates by getting a Rolex Sky-Dweller

Rapper Bobby Shmurda wasted no time after being released from a six-year prison stint to make sure that his wrist game was back on point. What did he first put on? An iced-out Rolex Sky-Dweller, of course. Bobby Shmurda, born Ackquille Jean Pollard, was jailed more than half a decade ago with several other members of the gang GS9 for weapons possession and conspiracy to commit murder. The sentence was handed down in 2014 just as Bobby’s hip-hop career took off with the smash hit Hot Ni**a, which peaked at No.6 in the Billboard Hottest 100 list. He was released…

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quartz Grand Seiko

28.02.2021

VIDEO: Why I bought a quartz Grand Seiko SBGN007 as my first “good watch”

Your first good watch is an important step in your watch collecting journey. It represents your first serious commitment to the hobby and probably the first time you spend an amount of money that most people would consider completely preposterous on a wristwatch. But because of that commitment, inevitably your first good watch will always be a memorable one in your collecting journey and represents the beginning of what is likely to be a headfirst dive into the weird and wonderful world of watch fanaticism. What was my first good watch? It was a choice that was off the beaten…

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Jack Harlow Rolex

25.02.2021

RECOMMENDED WATCHING: Rapper Jack Harlow can’t live without his Rolex Sky-Dweller (and we can see why)

Jack Harlow is only 22, but he’s already got the world at his feet and a Rolex Sky-Dweller he’s deeply in love with. Last year, the Kentucky rapper broke into popular consciousness when his track Whats Poppin hit number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 (at the time of writing it’s had more than 33o million downloads on Spotify), while his debut album Thats What They All Say hit No.5 on the same charts. So what do you do when you start making a bunch of money? You go and get yourself a Rolex of course. In an appearance on…

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Floyd Mayweather grandson rolex

24.02.2021

What is Floyd Mayweather’s grandson’s first watch? A gold Rolex, of course

Floyd Mayweather isn’t a man who wonders where his next meal is coming from. In fact, he’s one of the highest paid athletes of all time. With an undefeated boxing record of 50-0 and some of the biggest pay-per-view fight numbers of all time, he isn’t afraid to show off his wealth, especially when it comes to watches. But it turns out that he’s keen to continue the family tradition, too, after buying his five-week-old grandson his first watch. And what was it? A gold Rolex, of course. What do we mean when we say Floyd Mayweather likes to show…

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thieves use Instagram

23.02.2021

How did thieves use Instagram to steal €150,000 of watches and other luxury goods?

We all love Instagram, right? Especially for the watch community, the Facebook-owned social media app is an integral hub that connects horological enthusiasts around the world. But what if Instagram was making you a target for robbery? That was exactly what allegedly happened in Milan with a gang of four nicknamed the “acrobat thieves” who used Instagram stories to scope out celebrity apartments for things to steal, as well as monitoring the movements of their victims so as not to be caught in the act. The thieves targeted the likes of Italian TV presenter Diletta Leotta, Inter Milan footballer Achraf…

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Casio G-Shock mod

23.02.2021

COLLECTING STORIES: A G-Shock CasiOak modification that pushes the Genta levels up to 11

High-fashion, low rent refers to the playful relationship between the rarified objects in life with the more mass-produced and accessible. G-Shock often delivers great examples of this interplay, whether it’s Tom Sachs’ Casio G-Shock, featured in A Man & His Watch, that he customised with a Hermès-esque Cape Cod double-loop strap, or even the full metal gold-tone G-Shock. These are products that you anticipate to be a dime a dozen but that have, in fact, been executed in a way that nudges them into a far more exclusive bracket. Another great example of high-fashion, low-rent is the Casio G-Shock GA2100-1A (AKA…

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Swatch x MoMA

19.02.2021

The new Swatch x MoMA releases offer fresh proof that watches can be a work of art

When you think of art in watchmaking, your mind probably turns to the painstaking creation of a cloisonné enamel dial for a Patek Philippe World Time, or the engraving of an A.Lange & Söhne balance cock. But art in watchmaking suddenly got a whole lot more accessible thanks to the Swatch x MoMA collection that was announced this week. This is the second time that MoMA and Swatch have joined forces, the first being when the watchmaker and the gallery produced three watches in the year 2000. In the latest Swatch x MoMA collection, there are six new watches, each…

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Australian Open watches

19.02.2021

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: The Australian Open tennis watches, and spending some quality time with the Zenith Chronomaster Sport

Despite the five day lockdown, when we were heading into this time last week, life in Melbourne is generally very good. The Australian Open has been thundering along at full steam with some seriously good matches being played, summer is finally here with blue skies as far as the eye can see and life is slowly returning to normal. And while the international visitors are dominating much of the current headlines, it has been a great Australian Open for local players too. Dylan Alcott continued his unrelenting domination of wheelchair tennis with his seventh straight Australian Open title. Yep, you…

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Grand Seiko SBGR321

17.02.2021

HANDS-ON: Is the Grand Seiko SBGR321 just another stainless-steel watch with a blue dial?

The market for stainless-steel watches with blue dials is as hot as ever. And it makes sense for brands to produce watches that meet this demand. But how many more do we really need? The Grand Seiko SBGR321 was first announced towards the end of last year as a part of their 60th anniversary releases, and I finally had the opportunity to spend some time with it in the metal recently. It certainly ticks all the boxes that the market wants: a stainless-steel case and bracelet, a 40mm diameter and, of course, an attractive blue dial. But how much does…

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TAG Heuer Porsche

16.02.2021

VIDEO: The TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph is a collaboration that makes perfect sense

Collaboration has become the name of the game. Be it in music, fashion or watchmaking, we’ve never seen such a diverse meeting of minds from around the world. But many collaborations leave you scratching your head, especially when two brands that have nothing in common come together to make a product that doesn’t make sense. Those strange and uncomfortably mismatched products serve as a striking contrast to those times when a partnership is, like the cereal, just right. The announcement of the new partnership between TAG Heuer and Porsche feels spot-on, not because they are both successful luxury brands in…

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GB Talks podcast

16.02.2021

George Bamford launches GB Talks podcast to discuss the sleepers of the vintage watch world

George Bamford is about as passionate and enthusiastic a member of the watch community as you’ll ever find. His boisterous energy is infectious whether he’s discussing his Ferrari 275 GTB or the Bamford Watch Department x Time+Tide GMT1. And it’s this energy that is set to be the driving force behind his new podcast GB Talks, where George will interview watch experts as part of a deep dive into underappreciated watches of the past. In his first episode, George speaks with journalist, writer, editor, speaker and consultant, Robin Swithinbank on what he considers to be one of the best sleeper…

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Casio G-Shock GLX5600 Surf Life Saving Australia

15.02.2021

INTRODUCING: The Casio G-Shock GLX5600 Surf Life Saving Australia edition might just be the perfect beach watch

G-Shock are good at a lot, but there’s one thing they know how to do better than most. Collaborations. That’s right, the humble Casio G-Shock continues to be one of the top everyman’s watches thanks to the unrelenting number of creative collaborations that they produce. Their most recent collaboration might be one of their best yet, in the Casio G-Shock GLX5600 Surf Life Saving Australia edition. Over the last few years we’ve seen collaborations with the likes of Bamford, KITH, Dragon Ball Z, the Gorillaz and even a release inspired by Bruce Lee. But the reason we love the Surf…

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Moser Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade

13.02.2021

VIDEO: The Moser Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade is a brilliantly subversive response to the Apple Watch

Forever the provocateur of the Swiss watch industry, Moser is up to its old tricks again. Say hello to the Moser Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade, the last chapter in the Swiss Alp Watch saga that began way back in 2016. Half a decade ago it was a totally new release from the manufacturer with a curiously curved rectangular case and eye-catching wire-like lugs. It was a form of sophisticated protest against an emerging threat to the traditional watch business, namely the Apple Watch. Over the last five years the Swiss Alp Watch collection has found a number of different…

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12.02.2021

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: Patek Philippe President speaks on the retirement of the Nautilus 5711 and the Bamford x T+T GMT1 has been spotted in the wild

It’s been a busy week, both in the watch world and out. A few hours ago it was announced that Melbourne will be going back into lockdown (thankfully for only five days) and earlier in the week we heard more details from Patek Philippe President Thierry Stern about the discontinuation of the Nautilus ref. 5711. While the lockdown is only temporary, the news of one of the hottest watches on the planet being discontinued is significant because it is permanent. No more 5711, ever again. Sure, the Nautilus collection will live on, but it is an incredible step that the…

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Bamford London x Time+Tide GMT1

12.02.2021

SPOTTED: The Bamford London x Time+Tide GMT1 sighted prowling in the wild

Want to know one of the highlights of 2020 for me? The Bamford London x Time+Tide GMT1 of course. It was the first collaboration watch that Time+Tide has ever produced, and it was a thrill to be a part of the team that saw it come to life. But what’s been even more exciting than launching the watch – and seeing it sell out in less than a day – is seeing the GMT1 out in the wild, on the wrists of the Time+Tide community around the world. With that in mind, we wanted to take a look at a…

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john robert watches

12.02.2021

VIDEO: The John Robert Archetype is a dressy tool watch from Melbourne with an intriguing linen dial

If you’re looking for a go anywhere, do anything type of watch, but don’t want to spend a fortune, John Robert Wristwatches might be what you’re looking for. Based in Melbourne, but produced in Switzerland, they recently released their debut collection aptly names the Archetype. This collection was born out of a desire to have your cake and eat it too, by taking design inspiration from the middle of the last century and pairing it with some of the best in contemporary watchmaking techniques. The result? Well, you get a dressy tool watch, of course. The dressy tool watch that…

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cheapest Patek Philippe Nautilus

11.02.2021

Looking for the cheapest Patek Philippe Nautilus on the market? Head to the next auction of Phil Collins’ ex-wife

High-profile break-ups are generally only good news for the paparazzi and divorce lawyers. But auction houses can sometimes become the beneficiary of a celebrity split, too. Russell Crowe good-naturedly named the Sotheby’s Australia auction for some of his belongings “The Art of Divorce” back in 2018, and this year a split between Phil Collins and his ex-wife Orianne has seen a few pieces of horological interest hit the sales block, including one of the cheapest Patek Philippe Nautilus sales we’ve recently seen. In an auction run by Kodner last week, five watches were listed for sale in the Jewellery &…

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history of the TAG Heuer Carrera

10.02.2021

IN-DEPTH: The history of the TAG Heuer Carrera is inspired by a race with a serious body count

In 1963, two legends were born that would both go on to become icons within their respective fields: the Heuer Carrera and the Porsche 911. Finally, 58 years later, those two names have come together once again in the all new TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph. More than anything, this new partnership is a celebration. A celebration of the shared history of these two famous products that have built on their strong foundational design to maintain huge appeal for nearly six decades. But where did the Heuer Carrera begin its individual story? Let’s take a look through the history of…

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best big watches

10.02.2021

When size is the prize – 11 of the best big watches from dress pieces to divers

Sometimes you need to make a statement. You want to let the room know that you’ve arrived and need your watch to have your back. When it comes to making an impact, while you can resort to gregarious gem-setting or passionate pops of colour, the diameter of your watch is a much more direct way of getting eyes on your wrist. So if you’re in the market for a watch where size is the prize, here are nearly a dozen of the best big watches (we’re talking 42mm+) from the last 12 months that definitely won’t fly under the radar.…

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Casio G-Shock GA2100-1A 'CasiOak'

07.02.2021

HANDS-ON: The Casio G-Shock ‘CasiOak’ was the watch that everyone wanted in 2020. Here’s why…

Last year was a year of many firsts. It was the first time I worked from home for months in a row. It was the first time I wore a mask every time I left the house. And it was the first time that a regular production G-Shock collection started selling above it’s recommended retail price on the secondary market. I am, of course, talking about the Casio G-Shock GA2100-1A ‘CasiOak’ collection, that sent the watch community into a passionate frenzy. So why is this new collection from G-Shock so damn popular? It boils down to a couple of things…

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friday wind down 5-2-21

05.02.2021

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: Will Rolex release a gold Explorer-II in April?

Things are back in full swing at Time+Tide HQ this year, but the Coronavirus pandemic isn’t done with the watch industry yet. This week we got the announcement that Watches & Wonders (formerly SIHH) would go ahead this year, in a “phygital” format, which sounds like an unpleasant medical condition, but is actually a term fresh out of a marketing dictionary for a blend of “physical” and “digital” experience. That means Watches & Wonders in 2021 will take the form of a virtual show online for the 38 participating brands in the second week of April, before taking material form…

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best digital watches

04.02.2021

7 of the best digital watches of 2020, including A.Lange & Söhne, Gucci and Casio

Digital watches are generally overlooked by the tastemakers of the horological elite, but we don’t think that’s really fair. Not only do they provide an interesting way of communicating the time that is easier to read (just ask your child), but they’re also a little more unusual and cut through the sea of analogue watches that we are used to seeing everyday. Because while you obviously have a range of digital watches that tell the time via an LED screen, there are also some seriously cool mechanical digital watches. So with that in mind, we thought we’d take a look…

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Moser Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade

03.02.2021

HANDS-ON: If you hate smartwatches, you’ll love the Moser Swiss Alp Watch Final Upgrade

Forget Swiss neutrality, Moser are not a brand afraid to court controversy. This was made abundantly clear in January 2016, when they revealed a new watch in response to the launch of the Apple Watch from the previous year. The Moser Swiss Alp Watch was born as a satirical take on the watch industry’s mad rush to make connected watches. It borrowed distinct visual cues from Jony Ive’s Apple Watch with its round-edged rectangular case but housed one of Moser’s in-house mechanical movements rather than any touch-screen tech. Now the brand introduces the last chapter in this delightfully subversive exercise…

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Chamath Palihapitiya watches

02.02.2021

Three watches that show this billionaire GameStop investor has a formidable wrist game

Chamath Palihapitiya is a name you might not have heard of a week ago but, thanks to his very public support of the GameStop share trading controversy, it’s now significantly more recognisable. He began his career as an early senior executive at Facebook, before beginning his current venture as the billionaire founder of Social Capital, a venture capital firm established to “advance humanity by solving the world’s hardest problems”. If that wasn’t enough to be getting on with, Palihapitiya is also a part owner of the Golden State Warriors basketball team. But as his wrist game clearly demonstrates, the man…

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Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph 42mm

01.02.2021

IN-DEPTH: This Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch is as good as (Sedna) gold

It was way back in 1969 that the first-ever gold Omega Speedmaster rolled off the production line, made for one wrist in particular – that of Richard Nixon. The caseback was engraved to read: RICHARD M. NIXON – PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES – “to mark man’s conquest of space with time, through time, on time”, and was to be a marker of the success that NASA had enjoyed throughout the 1960s. Unsurprisingly, public officials can’t accept gold watches from private companies, and the watch has sat in the Omega Museum ever since, offering a pristine reference for all of…

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John Robert Wristwatches Archetype collection

01.02.2021

MICRO MONDAYS: New Australian brand John Robert Wristwatches introduces the “dressy tool watch”

Melbourne isn’t known as a hotbed of horological activity. Indeed, Patek Philippe was founded more than a decade earlier than Melbourne was even recognised as a city. But that hasn’t stopped Melbourne watchmaker John Robert Wristwatches announcing their Archetype collection this week that’s inspired by the dress watches of the 1950s and 60s only with a few modern tricks up its sleeve. As the city is twice as close to Antarctica as it is to Geneva, you might think it’d lack the technical chops you’re used to seeing from well-made Swiss or Japanese watches. But the John Robert Wristwatches Archetype…

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Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black

31.01.2021

INTRODUCING: Put the petal to the metal with the Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black

It’s late January, which means it’s LVMH Watch Week, an event where the watch departments of Bulgari, Hublot and Zenith unleash their new novelties for the year. For Hublot in 2021, we enjoyed a number of updates to existing collections, including a totally new colour of sapphire crystal in the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic, a ceramic expansion of the Big Bang Integral collection and the Big Bang MP-11 now in Magic Gold. But we were also treated to an exciting new reference that should quicken the pulse of fans of Takashi Murakami. The Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black…

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joe rogan watch gift

30.01.2021

Joe Rogan gave his podcast guest a watch and it’s way cooler than you’d expect…

Joe Rogan has one of the most popular voices in the world. His podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, gets close to 200 million monthly downloads and you can understand why. He’s had everyone who is anyone on the show, including a wide variety of celebrities, sports stars, scientists, politicians and more. Names like Mike Tyson, Elon Musk, Jocko Willink and even Edward Snowden have all shared the airwaves with Joe on his 1603-episode journey and he’s showing no signs of slowing down after signing a $100 million deal with Spotify last year. Recently on episode #1600 he interviewed AI researcher…

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John Robert Wristwatches Archetype

30.01.2021

INTRODUCING: The Melbourne born and bred John Robert Wristwatches Archetype collection

It isn’t often that the brands we review are homegrown right here in Melbourne, but that’s exactly the case with John Robert Wristwatches. Melbourne is a really, really long way from Switzerland (just ask Andrew about the long-haul flights to Baselworld over the years). But despite the tyranny of distance, the first John Robert Wristwatches Archetype collection has several compelling features that are cause for serious consideration. In essence, the Archetype is a modern realisation of a mid-century dress watch. And if you’re looking for a place in horological history to plant a flag for your first watch, the unofficial…

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29.01.2021

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: The FWD is back in 2021 and so are heaps of new watches

Happy New Year (better late than never)! We’re nearly at the end of January, so hopefully any ill-advised resolutions to buy fewer watches have already been abandoned. After all, there have already been a number of pretty exciting new releases to lead you astray thanks to LVMH Watch Week. But forgetting watches for just a few moments, I’d like to say from everyone here at Time+Tide: thank you and well done. Thank you for all of your support throughout 2020, reading the site, watching our videos and helping us sell out our first ever Time+Tide collaboration watch with Bamford Watch…

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Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer Collection

29.01.2021

VIDEO: The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer Collection is updated and ready for 21st century space flight

To update an icon, Omega have always understood that the path must be evolution rather than revolution. So what did they do on the first Speedy Tuesday of 2021? They showed the world what the next step was down the path of the Speedmaster Moonwatch. Eight new references were announced, including options in Sedna gold and Canopus gold, plus steel with hesalite or sapphire crystal over the dial, to welcome in the all new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer collection. Carefully walking the line between preserving the past and preparing for the future, Omega have updated only a few key…

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Farer Field Watch Collection

29.01.2021

HANDS-ON: The Farer Field Watch Collection lets you have your cake and eat it too (Mmmm…cake)

Vintage-inspired watches have been selling like hotcakes for a few years now, and there’s no sign of their popularity slowing down. And to be honest, I can understand why. Design from the golden age of watchmaking in the middle of last century, blended with all of the perks of modern watchmaking – what’s not to like? It’s like getting in a time machine and not needing to worry that you’ll get stuck in the past without your smartphone. As it turns out, you can have your cake and eat it too. It’s that design ethos that we see in the…

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Farer Field Watch Collection

28.01.2021

VIDEO: The Farer Field Watch Collection combines the best of British design with Swiss watchmaking

Britain has a long history of horological greatness, having lead the way in innovation thanks to the likes of Thomas Tompion and John Harrison. Today, Farer is a brand that continues to fly the flag for passionate UK watchmakers. Established in 2015, Farer has released a number of heritage-inspired collections. Their philosophy is underpinned by seeking the best operators for the task at hand, using the contemporary watchmaking know-how of Switzerland and blending it with their own British watch design. This year they have announced a new collection in the Farer Field Watch Collection that fuses heritage inspiration with a…

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Seiko SPB207, SLA047 and SSC807

27.01.2021

INTRODUCING: Inspired by a wilderness paradise come this trio of Seiko Prospex Diver 140th Anniversary Limited Editions

Any watch enthusiast whose tastes gravitate towards dive or tool watches will be familiar with the Seiko Prospex collection. It’s the bulletproof, no-nonsense collection that Seiko produce with the professional outdoors person in mind, hence the name Prospex – contracted from Professional Specifications. The Prospex line is now bolstered with the all-new Seiko SPB207, SLA047 and SSC807 – three new references to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Japanese watchmaker. These are the first of what we anticipate will be another interesting collection of releases this year as Seiko mark 140 years since founder Kintaro Hattori established the company in…

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watches Nick wore most in 2020

24.01.2021

The three watches Nick wore most in 2020: Grand Seiko, Seiko and Universal Geneve

In 2020, everything was different. The way we worked. The way we socialised. And even the way we wore watches. If you only ever got your dress watch out of the safe for a black tie event, it’s likely you didn’t touch it at all last year. I heard stories of people who used to wear a watch everyday in the office, who simply stopped wearing them when they started working from home. On the flip-side, I heard of people wearing three or four different watches a day, simply because they could just grab one from their case whenever they…

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Seiko SBP153

22.01.2021

How the “Willard” Seiko SBP153 became my favourite watch of 2020 after it survived a direct hit while paintballing…

Editor’s note: There’s a lot to be said for collecting vintage watches. In an industry built on anachronistic foundations, going straight to the source of these cultural and historical artefacts makes a great deal of sense. And that is even before you consider the pulse-quickening elements of minutiae that you can get lost in when it comes to hunting down the vintage reference that your heart desires. But there is one downside to vintage watches. They aren’t always as robust as they once were, and you’d hate to be the person who put a scratch on a watch that’d survived…

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Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection

21.01.2021

SPOTTED: 5 Instagram shots that show the Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection is even better in the wild

We’ve all been there. It’s inevitable as a watch collector. You see a new watch that’s been released and immediately fall in love with it. You can’t get it out of your head, until you finally give in, and track one down in the metal. But once you have it in your hands, you realise how much better the rendered images from the brand made the watch look and it doesn’t live up to your expectations on your wrist. With the Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection, however, the opposite is true. It looks just as good on the…

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King Seiko KSK SJE083

20.01.2021

HANDS-ON: The King Seiko KSK SJE083 is the reissue that any Seiko fan needs to check out

As a pinprick of light at the end of the tunnel that was 2020, a watch was released that sent murmurs of excitement through Seiko fans around the world. It was the King Seiko KSK SJE083, a reissue of one of the most important references for the brand, the King Seiko ref. 44-9990. This isn’t just any other reissue. This is a watch that celebrates a critical decade in the history of the Japanese watchmaker that deserves greater recognition – the 1960s. A brief history of King Seiko Let’s start with a little bit of history. Thanks to being so…

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King Seiko KSK SJE083

16.01.2021

VIDEO: King Seiko is back (baby) after almost 50 years and it was definitely worth the wait

Seiko didn’t exactly have a slow 2020, but they might just have saved one of the best for last. Or did they drop the ball in the final yard? In their final release of last year, we saw the all new King Seiko KSK SJE083, a reissue of a watch from 1965 that is highly collectible – the King Seiko ref. 44-9990. The 1960s is a decade of the Japanese watchmaker’s history that isn’t as widely known as it should be, and that is one of the things that makes this release compelling. Because while you almost certainly know the…

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mark cavendish richard mille

15.01.2021

Riding $20k+ bikes isn’t enough, these top cyclists wear Richard Mille on race day

Mark Cavendish is arguably the greatest cycling sprinter of the modern era. But despite having a little less speed in his legs than he once did, his change of teams to Deceuninck–Quick-Step has sparked much excitement among cycling fans. As both a cycling nerd and watch enthusiast, today I got even more excited when I saw his Instagram story during a training ride with new teammate Julian Alaphilippe. Why? Because they were both wearing their Richard Milles. Alaphilippe came to our attention late last year during the delayed edition of the 2020 Tour de France, when he was spotted cruising…

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vintage watches on eBay

14.01.2021

5 vintage finds you can pick up on eBay right now

If you’re a regular reader of Time+Tide, you’re likely to sit somewhere on the scale of watch addiction. From unrelenting curiosity to full-blown collecting mania, you should know that you aren’t alone in your unquenchable thirst for that next addition to the collection. And what better way to start the year than by getting a new watch? Especially a vintage one. Here, we are taking a look at several vintage pieces on eBay that are currently available and all offer different elements of watch-collecting intrigue. If you’ve never bought a vintage watch before, let alone a vintage watch online, it…

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hugh grant watch collection

14.01.2021

From Panerai to Piaget, Hugh Grant’s watches are a whole lot more alpha-male than you’d think

At the turn of the millennium, Hugh Grant was the man. In 1994, he won a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for his performance in Four Weddings and a Funeral and, in 1995, Empire magazine proclaimed him to be one of the “100 Sexiest Stars” in film history. Grant’s breakout role was in Four Weddings and a Funeral and he continued winning hearts with his very English brand of twinkle-eyed, floppy-haired, bumbling charm in Notting Hill (1999), Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) and Love Actually (2003). But for all his middle-class faux modesty, the watches that Grant wears on screen are…

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favourite watches of 2020

08.01.2021

Nick’s 3 favourite watches of 2020, including Cartier, Seiko and Hamilton

In spite of some not inconsiderable distractions, there were some pretty decent watches released in 2020. Quite a few of them actually. Omega relaunched their serially produced caliber 321, Bulgari executed the Octo Finissimo in steel, Grand Seiko launched an entirely new escapement in their SLGH002 and DOXA brought their most iconic design into the 21st century with a forged carbon case. But that wasn’t all. Moser joined the sports watch game with a “Matrix green” three-hander, Audemars Piguet launched a sensationally designed Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon for women and Rolex served up a colourful nod to the Stella dials…

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Roni Madhvani

07.01.2021

What super-collector Roni Madhvani thinks about the steel sports watch craze

Roni Madhvani is one of the biggest vintage watch aficionados on the planet. His Instagram page – @roni_m_29 – is the stuff of legend and showcases his treasure trove of some of the rarest and most eccentric timepieces from the likes of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Cartier. Conspicuously, however, it’s one of the few watch ’Gram pages that isn’t littered with steel sports watches. Madhvani’s collection is focused on precious metal and unique case shapes. Whether it’s a Cartier Crash, Audemars Piguet “Disco Volante” or a Gilbert Albert-designed Patek Philippe, his Instagram feed is a wonderland of the strangest…

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Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Chronograph 42mm

06.01.2021

VIDEO: One final loving glance at the now phased out (and much cheaper) Omega Speedmaster “Sapphire Sandwich”, which will only be in store while final stocks last

Editor’s note: Today, Omega did what they had been hinting at for months: they launched eight new Speedmaster references across four models, all with the new Master Chronometer Calibre 3861. The four references include regular versions with Hesalite and Sapphire and precious metal versions in Omega’s proprietary Canopus gold and Sedna gold, all with options on bracelets and leather or fabric straps. The most significant updates for all eight references are the new caliber housed within, and the brand new bracelet design. The new movement looks like an evolution rather than revolution. The power reserve is improved from 48 to…

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Casio G-Shock GA2100-1A 'CasiOak'

02.01.2021

VIDEO: Was the Casio G-Shock GA2100-1A ‘CasiOak’ the hottest watch of 2020?

Everyone will remember the toilet paper shortage of 2020, as panic buying took hold of people around the world, but watch collectors will remember another shortage. The apparent global scarcity of Casio G-Shock GA2100-1A ‘CasiOak’ models from retailers’ displays, with a frenzy of buying that led to the humble G-Shock selling way above its retail price on the secondary market. If you told me in 2019 that a standard production G-Shock was going to effectively have a wait list, I wouldn’t have believed you. But then again, I wouldn’t have believed much of what was going to happen in 2020.…

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most complicated Rolex

01.01.2021

RECOMMENDED WATCHING: The most complicated Rolex available today

The Rolex Sky-Dweller is an underrated watch. Hell, you can still sometimes find precious metal examples of this hefty-cased wristwatch in Rolex boutiques. Try doing that with a Daytona. But unlike many other Rolex pieces, the Sky-Dweller is a complicated companion despite its relatively simple design. In fact, while you might not immediately suspect it, this is the single most complicated Rolex according to its movement. Featuring the pretty remarkable Rolex in-house caliber 9001 (which holds more than a dozen patents in its design), the Sky-Dweller offers the time, date, second time zone, and month on its display, which also…

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Seiko 5 Sports SRPF19K Ryu

30.12.2020

VIDEO: The Street Fighter x Seiko Ryu edition hits you like a judo chop to the throat (in a good way)

If you’re a regular reader of Time+Tide, you’ll know we’re big fans of the Seiko 5 Sports x Street Fighter V Editions. We first took a look at the full collection, before zeroing in on the Blanka green machine and the Ken red rocket models, and now we’re going to take a closer look at the Ryu edition. It’s an interesting watch, not just because of its Street Fighter connection, but because it’s probably the most wearable/least bonkers watch in the entire collection. When you strap the Seiko 5 Sports SRPF19K Ryu to your wrist, you’re getting a more subtle…

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28.12.2020

VIDEO: This Seiko 5 Sports collab delivers knockout appeal with Street Fighter’s Ken

The Seiko 5 Sports x STREET FIGHTER V Editions were one of the feel-good highlights of 2020. Taking the tried-and-true template of the 5 Sports collection and combining it with one of the most successful fighting game series in history proved a winning combo – both for watch collectors and fans of the combat franchise. Seiko released six different references, each a nod to one of the main characters in the game: Blanka, Ryu, Chun-Li, Guile, Zangief and, of course, Ken. The Ken edition is a particular eye-catcher with a fully black case that contrasts well with the gold crown,…

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Seiko 5 Sports SRPF23K1 Blanka

26.12.2020

VIDEO: Street Fighter’s green machine inspires the bad-ass Seiko 5 Sports Blanka

Seiko has by no means had a quiet year, but there was one collection that demanded attention. The all new Seiko 5 Sports x Street Fighter V Editions turned heads for all the right reasons, taking inspiration from the legendary fighting game, and turning six of the main characters into watch designs. These fighters included Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Guile, Zangief and, last but certainly not least, the green machine himself, Blanka. Like the rest of the collection, the Blanka edition uses the typical Seiko 5 Sports template as a starting point, measuring 42.5mm in diameter, housing the automatic 4R36 movement…

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green Longines HydroConquest

22.12.2020

VIDEO: Unboxing the hyped khaki green HydroConquest, purchased online from Longines

Memory is a funny thing. Mainly because of what and how little we do actually remember. This is, in part, explained by the serial-position effect (please don’t click away from this page, this isn’t as boring as it sounds), which is the theory behind why we remember the start and end of events, but not much about what happens between the two. As 2020 has likely been a pretty tough time, you should try to improve what you remember of it by finishing it off with a bang. It might not be possible to have a huge party, but you…

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Timex Marlin Automatic California

20.12.2020

INTRODUCING: The Timex Marlin Automatic California brings a Cali dial to a new price point

Great design for a great price. That’s why the Timex Marlin is an understandable darling of the watch community, with clear historical connection to a collection that the brand produced in the 1960s. The Marlin journey was restarted in 2017 when they launched a manually wound silver dial version, with sword hands, an attractive sunburst brushed dial and charmingly elongated numerals at the cardinal points. In the years since, the same basic design has been re-expressed with a number of different dial and case colour variations, but in the closing moments of 2020 we get something totally new – the…

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best 18th birthday gift watches

20.12.2020

Seven of the best 18th birthday gift watches under $2K

Watches are emotional objects. We don’t need them. We want them. And we use them to mark important occasions. Birthdays, graduations, career milestones … you name it, they act as talismans of success and remind us of the moments that are special to us. Speaking to this theme, one of the questions we receive most at Time+Tide HQ goes something along the lines of this: “I want to buy a watch for my child’s 18th birthday, but I don’t know what to get. Can you guys point me in the right direction?” We wanted to tackle that question head on,…

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Favourite Watch Photos from 2020

18.12.2020

LIST: Nick Kenyon’s favourite watch photos from 2020

In 2019, this was without a doubt one of the pieces I most enjoyed putting together. Not just because I love looking at photos of watches, but because the difference between a good photo and a bad photo is a gulf that isn’t often talked about, and has some of the most impact on how a watch is understood. After all, in the words that I write I can describe the feeling of a watch on the wrist, or explain why it is a significant piece in the history of a brand, but a photo can offer insights that words…

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Seiko SPB181J and SSC795J

17.12.2020

INTRODUCING: Seiko bolster their legendary dive range with two PADI-certified winners

Seiko dive watches are the stuff of legend. They have inspired everything from the creation of entire Instagram accounts to the cult followings of references that appeared on the silver screen. They might not be the collective dials that launched a thousand ships, but they’re pretty damn close. This global ardour for the water-resistant wonders from Japan is well-merited and is the reason it’s always worth keeping an eye on new additions to the family. Which brings us nicely onto these two releases — the Seiko SPB181J and SSC795J. Both members of Seiko’s hard-wearing Prospex family, these two new special-editions…

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michael clarke hublot 40th anniversary

17.12.2020

Cricket legend Michael Clarke: Hublot is a game-changer “that is never scared to be different”

What’s the best way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hublot for the Australian arm of the brand? Through our national sport of cricket, of course. And that’s exactly what Hublot Australia have done, bringing together two Australian cricketing greats in Michael Clarke and Pat Cummins to mark the launch of the new Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection. The Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection is a trio of new references inspired by the first-ever Hublot made back in 1980. Founder Carlo Crocco was behind the design of this original Hublot, which inspired Jean-Claude Biver and Ricardo…

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Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and Bovet 19Thirty Dimier U.A.E Limited Edition

16.12.2020

INTRODUCING: Bovet’s high-impact collab with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is a wrist-bound serotonin hit

To celebrate their 70th birthday, luxury watch retailer Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons have released a limited-edition watch with Bovet. The distinctive black and yellow design of the resulting watch is certainly eye-catching. But what makes the Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and Bovet 19Thirty Dimier U.A.E Limited Edition such an intriguing proposition? Well, to understand the watch, let’s remind ourselves of exactly who we are dealing with. Founded half a decade after World War II, in 1950, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is one of the most important luxury retail networks in the Middle East, and indeed the world. Beginning humbly as…

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15.12.2020

Ever considered buying a watch on eBay? Here’s why it’s now 100% risk-free

When buying pre-owned watches online, there are two emotions that you feel after sending your money. The first is the heady excitement at the prospect of adding a new piece to your collection. The second is that queasy feeling in the pit of your stomach – a blend of terror and anxiety as you fear unboxing your watch only to discover what you’ve bought is a far cry from the real McCoy. We’ve all been there. We’ve all gone to grab our credit card and punch in the numbers, only for a quiet voice in the back of our head…

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Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Meca-10 Titanium

12.12.2020

VIDEO: The technical tour de force of the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Meca-10 Titanium

Hublot don’t do things by half. If they do something, they do it full throttle, and you can see that in the in-house movements they produce. You won’t find a simple three-handed caliber; no, instead you’ll find chronographs, tourbillons and some of the most impressive power reserves in the game. Of their in-house movements, this year the famed Meca-10 movement has been adapted to fit into the new home of the tonneau-shaped Spirit of Big Bang case. This has required a movement architecture redesign to fit like a glove into the curved case of the SOBB, and it’s hard to…

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11.12.2020

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: Here’s the reason we just released two watches with George Bamford instead of one

It’s not really a stretch to say that after a slow, weird, stymied kind of year we are off to the races. Last week we launched the third edition of NOW Magazine, which has kept us run off our feet this week sending out copies to enthusiastic watch lovers around the world. This week, we are launching our first ever watch. And not just one, two. We are delighted to introduce you to the Bamford London x Time+Tide GMT1 Limited Edition of 50 pieces and the Bamford London x Time+Tide GMT2 which will be produced only for 2021. The reason…

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Eugen Wegner One

11.12.2020

VIDEO: The Eugen Wegner One delivers a magnificent lacquer dial at a bafflingly good price

It isn’t an uncommon occurrence for old watch brands to be revived. But for a brand to be resuscitated by the great-great-grandson of the founder is a rarer event. With Eugen Wegner, that’s exactly what happened. The brand was founded way back in 1897 in Gdańsk, Poland, and became successful selling pocket watches and marine chronometers to satiate the demands of those working in the shipping and docking industries nearby. In 2017, the name Eugen Wegner returned to watch dials, thanks to the work of Jonas Bley (the great-great-grandson), who has since gone on to produce a number of heritage-inspired…

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hublot e-warranty system

09.12.2020

NEWS: Hublot has perfect 2020 vision in their new e-warranty system

Buying a pre-owned watch can be full of dangers. The watch might be fake, or not have all of the original parts, and it can be very hard to know all that — unless you have the original documentation of the watch. But even if these original papers have remained with the watch all these years, there is an increasing risk of fake papers that are forged to match the watch you’re interested in buying. The response to this problem by the LVMH watch brands has been to use blockchain records to ensure no counterfeiting happens. But Hublot has taken…

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King Seiko KSK SJE083

08.12.2020

INTRODUCING: The Return of the King with the revived King Seiko KSK SJE083

If you’re a regular reader of Time+Tide, you’re no doubt familiar with both Seiko and the delectably finished Grand Seiko, but you might never have heard of King Seiko. Seiko stopped producing King Seiko watches in the mid-1970s, and have never made them again … until now. The new King Seiko KSK SJE083 is set to hit stores in January 2021, and will be a hugely exciting moment for the legions of devoted Seiko enthusiasts itching to see the first watch to bear the King Seiko name in decades. Back in the 1960s, Seiko split their Suwa-based business entities to…

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08.12.2020

LIST: Nick Kenyon’s 6 favourite articles of 2020

I love this time of year. Not only because the weather is nicer and the Christmas break is on the horizon, but because it offers a chance to reflect on the year that has been, and think about the work that Time+Tide has done in 2020. In short, it’s been an extremely challenging year. Of course, hospitality, entertainment and travel have been some of the industries hardest hit by the Coronavirus pandemic, but the watch industry has suffered too. Rolling lockdowns have forced factories to close and storefronts to shut. Events to launch watches have been cancelled (such as Watches…

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creative Seiko mods

05.12.2020

7 crazy creative Seiko mods that don’t look like ahem Swiss steel sport watches

If you aren’t across Seiko modding, that’s fair enough. While popular in some circles of the watch community, it certainly isn’t a mainstream practice, despite the level of fervour of its disciples. Earlier in the year we took a look at a few pretty interesting mods that had been made, including with painted dials, ceramic bezels, skeletonised handsets and more. But there is a common theme in a lot of Seiko mods – they’ve been changed to look like certain stainless steel sports watches. While it’s a budget approach to avoiding a waitlist, we wanted to shine the spotlight on…

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05.12.2020

FRIDAY WIND DOWN (London Evening News Edition): Issue #3 of our mag is out, 2021 Club strap released, and our UK reveal draws closer…

Editor’s note: Everything at Time+Tide is filtered through the primary red and blue of the UK flag this week, as we properly break a bottle on the ship’s bow to herald our new London-based European Editor, Mr Mike Christensen. So it seems only fair that we shift the Friday Wind Down to Mike’s time zone for once. You will have noticed the ‘11 Days of Londoners’ series that aims to introduce Mike, and some prominent Londoners, to you via their wristwear. We’ve also timed the most epic week of 2020 with the London Evening Wind Down – with Issue #3…

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27.11.2020

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: Why collaboration is King, to the Moon and back, and the purity of the Portugieser

The human race has evolved to the point it has, not thanks to strength, or speed, or even intelligence. The human race is where it is because of our ability to collaborate and work together. Any chimpanzee would easily physically overpower a human, but they cannot collaborate with groups of more than 150, while humans can form nation states with millions of strangers and effectively work towards a common goal. In 2020, this need for collaboration has only become more evident as a requirement to succeed in anything, be it vaccine research and development or economic recovery packages. Collaboration is…

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27.11.2020

Our 5 picks from the (crazy) Longines Black Friday sale

This year, Longines is jumping on board the Black Friday sales and, boy, are there deals to be had. With watches from across their different collections up for grabs, if you’ve been in the market for one of the Saint-Imier brand’s watches for a while and haven’t pulled the trigger, today is the day to scratch that itch. Here are five of our favourites that are available in the Longines Black Friday sale. Longines Heritage Military COSD This watch is special because it was part of the first batch of Heritage models that Longines has since become so renowned for.…

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Omega Speedmaster ‘Silver Snoopy Award’ 50th Anniversary

27.11.2020

HANDS-ON: The Omega Speedmaster ‘Silver Snoopy Award’ 50th Anniversary will spark joy in even the coldest heart

The Omega Speedmaster is one of the most celebrated watches of the last half-century, in part because of the countless different versions the brand has released. But in a world where a limited-edition Speedmaster isn’t a new thing anymore, is the watch community still interested in another new release? This watch has put it beyond any doubt. Absolutely, yes, they are. People can’t get enough of the latest Snoopy Speedy, with waitlists stretching around the figurative block as people line up to strap one to their wrist. But what makes the latest Omega Speedmaster ‘Silver Snoopy Award’ 50th Anniversary so…

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IWC Portugieser 2020 Collection

27.11.2020

Complexity made simple with the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 Boutique Edition

Just as IWC overhauled their Pilot’s collection in 2019, this year is all about the Portugieser collection for the Schaffhausen-based brand. While there are more than a dozen new references within the 2020 lineup, there’s one particular piece that not only captures the new direction of the collection but also encapsulates what IWC does so well as a watchmaker. We’re talking, of course, about the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 Boutique Edition, a watch that is both thoughtfully designed and offers a nod to the game-changing work that Kurt Klaus did on perpetual calendar calibers at IWC in the 1980s.…

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Omega Speedmaster ‘Silver Snoopy Award’ 50th Anniversary

26.11.2020

VIDEO: The feel-good watch of the year? The uplifting power of the Omega Speedmaster ‘Silver Snoopy Award’

The new Omega Speedmaster ‘Silver Snoopy Award’ 50th Anniversary is many things, but limited in numbers it is not. That’s right, for the first time ever, the brand has released a non-limited edition Snoopy Speedy. For many collectors who missed out on the other two references – released in 2003 and 2015 – this is an exciting opportunity to own a part of the history that Omega and NASA share, a history that was first celebrated 50 years ago. But while the news of the normal production run is big, what the watch itself has to offer is also significant. The…

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IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 Boutique Edition

25.11.2020

HANDS-ON: The IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 Boutique Edition would make Kurt Klaus smile

The perpetual calendar is widely recognised as one of IWC’s greatest strengths. Back in the 1980s, legendary watchmaker Kurt Klaus was challenged to develop a new version of this highly intricate mechanism. He responded with an ingenious upgrade that essentially streamlined the complication by doing away with the correctors and enabling the calendar functions to be manipulated via the crown. The new IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42 Boutique Edition offers an even more refined expression of this idea to deliver a simple solution to a complicated problem. Just like Kurt Klaus would have wanted. The case As the name suggests,…

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Lewis Hamilton loses legal battle with Hamilton watches

20.11.2020

Hamilton Vs Hamilton: F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton loses legal battle with Hamilton watches

What’s in a name? Quite a lot if you’re the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time. But while Lewis Hamilton is used to zooming to victories on the track, he’s just skidded to a big loss in the law courts. The racing driver has just lost a three-year legal battle with the Hamilton watch brand over his attempt to void their trademark on the name “Hamilton” across Europe. The Daily Mail reports that Lewis Hamilton’s company 44IP claimed that the watch brand’s trademark had been filed in “bad faith”. This was despite Hamilton producing watches under that name since…

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Seiko Prospex SPB185 and SPB187

20.11.2020

INTRODUCING: More refined, wearable and affordable, the Seiko Prospex SPB185 and SPB187

Seiko’s year of living prolifically – while seemingly oblivious to a global crisis – continues afoot. After releasing dozens of watches already this year, to almost unanimous praise from fans and press alike, they have done it once again with the Seiko Prospex SPB185 and SPB187, two watches that look familiar for lots of reasons. Taking inspiration from the historically important Seiko Automatic Diver ref. 6159-7001 from 1968, which was the second dive watch design produced by the brand, this design was reproduced in near facsimile early this year with the Seiko SLA039J1, a watch that celebrated the 55th anniversary…

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Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon 41mm

18.11.2020

INTRODUCING: The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon 41mm is a bridge between the past and the future

If you’re a regular reader of Time+Tide, you’ll probably know that Audemars Piguet are well known for their skill in making tourbillons. This year alone, the Le Brassus-based brand has released a number of tourbillon watches, which we’ve covered here, here and here, but Audemars Piguet isn’t slowing down. Today the watchmaker announced the release of three new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon 41mm references in different metals, which is an important step by the brand for a couple of reasons. Firstly, while it was all the way back in 1999 that the brand incorporated a tourbillon into…

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Melbourne boutique

16.11.2020

3 watches you can get from the brand new Jaeger-LeCoultre Melbourne boutique right now

The lockdown in Melbourne has made us miss a lot of things. An avocado-heavy brunch with friends. A cocktail at Eau-de-Vie. And also the opening of the brand new Jaeger-LeCoultre Melbourne boutique. You heard me correctly, Jaeger-LeCoultre has a new home in Melbourne at the Paris end of Collins Street, right next to its Richemont stablemates, Vacheron Constantin and Cartier. This is the second part of an Australian expansion by the brand, with the first-ever boutique in the country opening in Sydney last year. At the time, Justin Devaux, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Country Manager of Australia and New Zealand, explained the…

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16.11.2020

Aussie brand Bausele is the official watchmaker of the Royal Australian Air Force Centenary watch, and it’s their best collection yet

Sydney-based watch brand Bausele has been confirmed to produce two watches with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to mark their centenary. The RAAF’s 100th anniversary will be marked by two special watches that contain parts of RAAF aircraft. The last time the RAAF actually commissioned a watch was in the 1940s, when they commissioned the likes of IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre, so this is something of a breakthrough in the short history of Bausele, which was only founded in 2011. The sense of occasion, and the connection it provides Bausele with a long and rich history, has spurred the brand…

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best Hublot watches of 2020

14.11.2020

Our picks of the best Hublot watches of 2020, including some Black Magic, beautiful bracelets and modish millennials

Over the last few years we’ve seen lots of brands turn to their archives as inspiration for new watches. Heritage is very, very popular. But what if you don’t have a century or more of archives to dig through in search of exciting designs? What if your brand was only founded in 1980? For Hublot, celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, that hasn’t been a problem. Perhaps thanks to having such a legendary innovator as Jean-Claude Biver at the helm for so many years has seen that philosophy ingrained into the very fibre of the brand. Innovation has been at…

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Friday Wind Down 13-11-20

13.11.2020

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: The GPHG winners were what?! 007 is confirmed to be a woman, and we look at some pretty Hublot pastels

It’s certainly time for a Friday afternoon beer, and for no more reason than the eyebrow-raising results that came out of the GPHG overnight. The GPHG is, of course, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève or, as is endlessly repeated, “the Oscars of watchmaking”. The ceremony was held yesterday, with a couple of awards that caused Zach to almost ruin his laptop by spitting his drink out when certain watches were announced as the winners. Not that they weren’t excellent watches in their own right, but were they the best in their category in 2020? We’ll leave that one up…

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Reuben Schoots Australian Independent Watchmaker

11.11.2020

WHO TO FOLLOW: @reubenschoots, an Australian independent watchmaker building a George Daniels Tourbillon pocket watch

Anyone who knows anything about watches knows that watchmaking is hard. And anyone who knows anything about watchmaking knows that the bar set by George Daniels is extremely high. But despite these daunting challenges, there is a young watchmaker in Canberra, Australia, who is making a complete tourbillon pocket watch according to the George Daniels method. His name is Reuben Schoots. If you’re a close reader of Time+Tide, you will have seen an interview with Reuben in the 2019 edition of NOW Magazine, and also read his recent article published on Time+Tide about the new Grand Seiko 9SA5 caliber. If…

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Swiss vs. Japanese handmade haute horology

10.11.2020

Phillips auction battle of Swiss vs. Japanese handmade haute horology – which is better value?

Last night saw the Phillips’ and Blackbird thematic auction Retrospective: 2000 – 2020 play out, with some truly incredible watches reaching truly incredible prices. Two that I wanted to focus on were a pair of watches that are at the same time very similar and very different. Both are handmade. Both are three-handed dress watches in precious metal. Both could be argued as examples of the finest watchmaking from their respective countries. However one is from Switzerland, and the other is from Japan. I am of course talking about the Philippe Dufour Simplicity 20th Anniversary No. 00/20 and the Seiko Credor…

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Friday Wind Down 6/11/20

06.11.2020

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: The five most inflated Rolex references may surprise you, and plenty more

If you read Time+Tide regularly, you’ll know that stainless steel Rolex watches are almost exclusively more expensive on the secondary market than they are at retail. This isn’t a new phenomenon, though it does seem to have taken on a new life with the advent of the “waiting list”, an ethereal allocation system that Rolex Authorised Dealers use to decide who is lucky enough to buy the watch they want. But what are the Rolex references that regularly trade most above their retail price? Zach took a closer look at the topic this week, to find out what the hottest…

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bargains at Phillips Geneva Watch Auction XII

05.11.2020

8 watches that might just be sub-$10k bargains at Phillips Geneva Watch Auction XII

Let’s face it, watch auctions can be a little bit intimidating. The big players in the watch game are centuries-old organisations, with Christie’s and Sotheby’s both pre-dating the First Fleet sailing into Botany Bay, and Phillips only eight years younger, being founded in 1796. All this history, the seven-figure headline lots and the sometimes confusing rules of the game can build to the impression that it is an inaccessible world of richly scented mahogany. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, there can be hidden gems at the (relatively) more affordable end of the scale. With that…

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Bausele Royal Australian Air Force Centenary Airfield and Aviator

02.11.2020

Bausele is the official watch provider of the Royal Australian Air Force Centenary with two historically inspired designs

There aren’t many watch brands that can proudly claim to be Australian, but Bausele is one of the select few. Founded by Christophe Hoppe in 2011, Bausele have just announced their partnership with the RAAF to produce two watches that will celebrate the Royal Australian Air Force Centenary in 2021. It is exciting news that an Australian-based brand has been chosen for such a significant collection of watches, and a testament to Bausele, as they were competing against a number of globally recognised brands. Christophe Hoppe and the design team at Bausele have created the Bausele Royal Australian Air Force Centenary…

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30.10.2020

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: Sydney shark attacks, steel sports watches and the Serica 4512

It’s fair to say that Andrew has been in the game a little while now. He’s spoken to more than his fair share of weird and wonderful people for Time+Tide, from Hollywood actors and directors, to watch ambassadors and even the man behind the Apple Watch. It takes someone pretty special to raise his heart rate these days. But when he got off a call with Paul de Gelder recently, he was fired up. Seriously fired up. And after hearing what Paul had to say this week, I can see why. Paul is a former navy clearance diver, turned TV…

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Longines Record Australian Limited Edition

29.10.2020

VIDEO: The Longines Record Australian Limited Edition is a triple threat of pearl dial, diamonds and on-trend oversized case

Despite being an important pillar of the brand today, the Longines Record Collection is sometimes overlooked by the collector community. In its most refined form, the Record Collection represents the clean classicism that is so beautifully embodied by the brand, and offers a breadth of watches tailored for everyday wear. This year Longines have continued to develop what the Record Collection can be, with the Longines Record Australian Limited Edition adding a luxurious twist to what is on offer. Offering the simple, yet elegantly designed profile of the 38.5mm steel case, the bezel is set with 52 internally flawless VVS diamonds…

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wear watches during COVID

27.10.2020

The three most common answers to why the hell you’d wear a watch in lockdown?

For many of you reading, COVID-19 is the virus that will. Not. Go. Away. At first, for most, it was a bit of a quirky change of pace. Fun, even. A blur of Netflix, homemade Negronis and novelties like bare-knuckle fighting for toilet paper. But as it’s ground on, the darkness has subsumed many of us; we now just want it to be behind us, amirite? In Australia, we’re getting there. After 139 days of Stage 4, the most strict lockdown in the world by most reports, Melbourne, our home city is coming out – at 11.59 tonight. Sydney has…

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Horology Forum 2020

25.10.2020

“The grey market is a creation of the brands, and they need to address it.” The virtual Horology Forum 2020, brought to you by Dubai Watch Week, kicks off with a bang

It feels like a lifetime ago that I was heading home from the DOXA Australia Launch Event to pack my bags for Dubai Watch Week 2019. Since then, the global pandemic put a stop to any in-person watch events (with the exception of the LVMH Watch Week and more recently at a socially distanced Geneva Watch Days), which included the demise of the longest-running watch event in the world – Baselworld. But the youth of Dubai Watch Week gives it an advantage against the traditional trade show. Flexibility. And this year the organisers of Dubai Watch Week are demonstrating their dynamism…

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Casio G-Shock Full Metal GMW-B5000GD-9 review

25.10.2020

MY YEAR WITH: The Casio G-Shock Full Metal GMW-B5000GD-9. Did the gold eventually get old?

Never, in my life, have I had more comments on my watch. From friends. From strangers. No one can help but notice my full metal gold-tone G-Shock (the Casio G-Shock Full Metal GMW-B5000GD-9). But if you’ve met me, or follow me on Instagram, you’ll likely know that I tend to lean towards simple, cleanly designed watches with two or three hands. I love watches that manufacturers like Cartier produce for this very reason, as well as anything else that strives for balance and proportion above all else. So why did I add one of the loudest and most gaudy timepieces…

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Bulgari Octo Finissimo satin polished steel

23.10.2020

VIDEO: Finally…! The Bulgari Octo Finissimo satin-polished steel with blue dial captured in glorious high definition here

The Bulgari Octo Finissimo has seen the update it was waiting for this year, with the announcement in January that it was going to be produced in steel. The months since that announcement have felt both very slow and very fast at the same time, and some may have missed that the Bulgari Octo Finissimo satin-polished steel is now available in both black and blue dial colours, giving fans of the brand the option of dialling up the dress or sport factor. Recently, Time+Tide was fortunate enough to spend some time with the blue dial reference at Geneva Watch Days,…

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WatchFest 2020

22.10.2020

If you missed out on the Sydney-based WatchFest 2020, prepare for SOMO (the Sadness Of Missing Out)

Against all odds. That was spirit of the conversation I had with Paxton Wong a couple of weeks ago, when we were discussing what he had planned for WatchFest 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t a reason to cancel the event this year, it was the reason it had to go ahead. Not just because Paxton wanted to keep his 2019 promise of “bigger and better” for 2020, but because the Australian watch industry has been terribly affected by local lockdowns, and WatchFest 2020 was the perfect opportunity to rally the community. WatchFest 2020 ran over four days last week and…

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21.10.2020

3 ways the Apple Watch Series 6 could help to protect you from COVID-19

This year has been unlike any other in recent memory. Almost unlike any in living memory. And while that has been for a multitude of complex reasons, much of the responsibility can be uncontroversially laid on the shoulders of the COVID-19 pandemic that has spread across borders. While this has been a global catastrophe, the response to the virus has been- at its best – inspiring, as governments and both public and private organisations have pooled resources, shared information and worked together to find ways to manage the Coronavirus. We don’t need to talk about humanity at its worst through…

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Bausele Vintage 2.0 Hybrid SmartWatch

18.10.2020

HANDS-ON: The Bausele Vintage 2.0 Hybrid SmartWatch blends past and present

For many around the world, one of the unexpected side effects of a global pandemic is spending a lot more time on the couch watching Netflix. And if that’s something you can relate to, then you have probably watched (or at least been recommended to watch) The Social Dilemma, a documentary about the addictive elements of social media and how each platform is structurally designed to retain your attention. How is this related to the Bausele Vintage 2.0 Hybrid SmartWatch? Hear me out. While The Social Dilemma was not a catalyst for immediately deleting my social media accounts (I’d miss…

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Bausele Vintage 2.0 Hybrid SmartWatch

16.10.2020

VIDEO: The best of both worlds with the Bausele Vintage 2.0 Hybrid SmartWatch

If you’re someone who spends more time looking at screens than you would like to, but don’t want to miss an important call, the Bausele Vintage 2.0 Hybrid SmartWatch is an interesting proposition. At first impression, or from across the room, you would think you were looking at a mechanical mid-century wristwatch. After all, the analogue hands don’t give much away about what lies beneath the dial. Under the dial is a Bluetooth-linked smartwatch, which offers almost everything you might want, including phone notifications, activity tracking, sleep monitoring and alarm, as well as multiple time zones with the press of a…

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TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph 160 Years Limited Edition "Dato 12"

15.10.2020

INTRODUCING: The TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph 160 Years Limited Edition “Dato 45”

TAG Heuer continue to celebrate their 160th anniversary this year with the release of their latest heritage-inspired limited edition. This is a formula that has offered both surprise and delight to collectors around the world in 2020. With the release of several new references (which we have covered here, here and here) that not only show the depth of the archives at TAG Heuer but the willingness to revisit important designs and bring them into the 21st century. Both models are limited to 1860 pieces and have a price of $5,950US and $8,600AUD – you can pre-order the watches here…

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Grand Seiko macro photography

14.10.2020

“They polish places nobody can see.” Why the Instagram king of macro videography loves Grand Seiko

In this instalment of our discussion with the King of the Close-Up, Mr @horomariobro (you can find the first part right here), we take a deep dive into a brand that has a well-established reputation for getting the details right – Grand Seiko. Specifically, we take an extremely close look at his own Grand Seiko SBGY003, a watch that was released in 2019 to mark the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Spring Drive movement. Here’s what he had to say. Andrew McUtchen: Your video of the Grand Seiko SBGY003 is pretty remarkable..! @Horomariobro: Yes, here I try to show a…

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Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection

13.10.2020

VIDEO: The Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection exemplifies what the brand does best (and did first)

Despite being one of the most well-known and regarded watchmakers in Switzerland, Hublot is a relatively young brand when compared to its 18th and 19th century peers. Hublot was founded in 1980, a mere four decades ago. In celebration of this milestone, the brand is marking its 40th birthday with the all-new Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection, which pays appropriate tribute to the first watch to ever have Hublot on a dial. The Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection comprises three limited edition references, with 100 available in yellow gold, 200 in titanium and another 200 in…

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Bulgari Octo Finissimo drawing

12.10.2020

VIDEO: A sketching class with one of the world’s greatest living watch designers, Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani of Bulgari

Most of us probably haven’t tried to draw anything since high school, and those high school drawings are unlikely to be works of art. Even to the encouraging eyes of our parents. But don’t worry, because it’s never too late to learn a new skill, especially when you’ve got the best teachers, and you’re learning about a subject you’re passionate about – a subject like watches. Earlier this year, Andrew McUtchen had the pleasure of speaking with Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, the head watch designer at Bulgari and the man behind the Bulgari Octo Finissimo, and Fabrizio was generous enough to…

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08.10.2020

HANDS-ON: The liquid ceramic of the Rado True Square collection is something only this brand can do

If it’s the rugged tool watch charm of the Captain Cook or the historically energised dimensions of the Golden Horse, Rado is probably best remembered in recent years for the watches inspired by the archives of the brand. But there’s a part of the Rado family that watch enthusiasts might be less familiar with, a part that leaves the vintage design cues at the door and instead celebrates space-age materials with a contemporary flair. The Rado True Square collection hails from this lineage within the family. Ceramic cases that appear to be borderline liquid in their appearance, integrated bracelets and…

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Rado True Square collection

07.10.2020

VIDEO: Thinking outside the box with the Rado True Square collection

Ceramic is a notoriously tricky material to work with in watchmaking, with only a handful of brands able to produce the material at scale. One of the few brands that can claim to have mastered it is Rado, who are well known for their brightly coloured and scratch-resistant timepieces. While Rado use the material throughout a number of their different lines, one of the collections that benefits significantly from the expertise is the Rado True Square collection, which features pebble-smooth ceramic cases and bracelets to match. Within the True Square range, there are two references that show the breadth of…

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Omega Speedmaster 'Silver Snoopy Award' 50th Anniversary

06.10.2020

An old dog has learned a new trick with the new NON-limited Omega Speedmaster ‘Silver Snoopy Award’ 50th Anniversary

It goes without saying that fans of Omega Speedmaster are some of the most ardently passionate people within the watch community and, indeed, the general population. As a watchmaker, Omega understand and foster this enthusiasm, and have this year acknowledged the legions of Speedy supporters with a very special new release. To commemorate one of the most important moments in Speedmaster history, the Biel-based brand has produced the all-new Omega Speedmaster ‘Silver Snoopy Award’ 50th Anniversary, and this old dog has a very new trick up its sleeve. Behind the sapphire caseback of the Omega Speedmaster ‘Silver Snoopy Award’ 50th…

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05.10.2020

VIDEO: See the Seiko Save The Ocean SRPE33K and SRPE39K dials for yourself (they’re insanely good for the price)

Seiko’s “Save The Ocean” program is an important one, helping raise much-needed funds for the conservation of the planet’s oceans. You can check out a couple of the places that benefit from Seiko’s work here and here, but today we’re looking at the watches that help raise money for these critical programs. This year, it’s all about the Seiko SRPE33K and SRPE39K, two references that offer what might be the most imaginative and spellbinding dial of the year at this exceedingly affordable price point. The Seiko SRPE39K is based on the classic Seiko turtle shape, the same as last year’s Seiko…

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Watchfest Sydney 2020

02.10.2020

WatchFest Australia 2020 is going ahead against all odds, because community matters more than ever

Last year, a national get-together for watch lovers was launched by a well known Sydney-based collector, Paxton Wong. He called it ‘WatchFest’. And, despite every possible obstacle, the show will go on again in COVID-stricken 2020. Because, well, community. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? There’s no doubt that both the international and Australian watch markets have been badly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism has almost totally evaporated, and foot-traffic through watch boutiques has significantly reduced due to population lockdowns and social distancing measures. And these impacts aren’t just felt by the larger luxury groups such as LVMH…

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Grand Seiko SBGE253

29.09.2020

Why the Grand Seiko SBGE253 could be a great one-watch collection

For many watch enthusiasts, a somewhat paradoxical feeling can begin to set in after collecting for a little while. The more watches you collect, buying and selling different pieces in the pursuit of the perfect collection, the more a quiet voice in the back of your head says, “What if you just have one watch that does it all?” But what could be the one watch that satisfies everything you might need from a daily wear? It’s an incredibly personal question, but for most, there are a couple of elements you would need. Of those, the new Grand Seiko SBGE253…

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27.09.2020

We have all 6 of the Seiko 5 Sports x STREET FIGHTER V Editions live on the wrist, and they’re a box of coloured watch candy

Game on! Seiko have teamed up with the Street Fighter franchise to release a collection that is going to light up fans, but is also worth a look from a sheer aesthetics point of view – as you’ll see in this video collection review, there’s some crazy experimentation and colourways going on here. As we reported here, the Seiko 5 Sports x STREET FIGHTER V Editions were recently released, and they are six seriously interesting watches, each based on a key character from the game. Today, we’re excited to follow up with them live on the wrist. Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Guile, Zangief…

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best Longines watches from 2020

24.09.2020

VIDEO: We take a look at 5 of the best Longines watches from 2020

If you can say one thing about the Longines releases from 2020, it is that they certainly aren’t boring. With interesting new references being released from across Longines’ various collections, as well as the launch of the brand new Longines Spirit collection, it has been a significant year for the Saint-Imier based brand. The Heritage collection continues on its run of faithfully reinterpreted watches from Longines’ deep archives and, for those with more contemporary tastes, the Record and HydroConquest collections have something appealing for the ballroom and beach respectively. So to recap what has been a pretty impressive year from…

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best Longines watches

22.09.2020

The 5 best Longines watches released in 2020 (in a very good year)

This year has been a big one for Longines — for a couple of reasons. They have continued down the purist pathway of vintage reissues through their Heritage collection, as well as continuing to build their other enthusiast-favourite families such as the Record and HydroConquest collections. But the biggest news from Longines in 2020 was the launch of the Spirit collection, an event that certainly doesn’t happen every year at the Saint-Imier based manufacture. For Longines, the Spirit collection represents the meeting of past and future for the first thorough and meaningful way, blending their important history as instrument suppliers to…

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Seiko Presage SRQ033J1 Porco Rosso Limited Edition

22.09.2020

VIDEO: Seiko is donating the proceeds of one Presage SRQ033J1 Porco Rosso Limited Edition which you can buy here

For fans of the prolific Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli, the name Porco Rosso will be familiar to you. He’s the ace biplane pilot who learned the art of flying in World War I, before being turned into a pig and then, turning his skills to fighting pirate crime. He has legions of fans around the world. What does this have to do with Seiko? Well, the Japanese watchmaker has teamed up with the Japanese animation studio to produce two (legitimately limited) limited edition watches, one of which is the Seiko Presage SRQ033J1 Porco Rosso Limited Edition, in only 600…

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Rado Captain Cook interchangeable straps

17.09.2020

HANDS-ON: The Rado Captain Cook now comes with three interchangeable straps and we hope this is the future

Every now and then you’ll come across something that makes you think, “Why doesn’t everyone do this?” This was what came to mind when I was considering the Rado Captain Cook with interchangeable straps, which offers a pretty practical solution to the limited versatility of a watch that only comes with one bracelet or strap. In this expression of the Rado Captain Cook, you are getting everything you would expect to in a piece from the collection, and a little more, so let’s take a closer look. After all, a different strap is almost as good as a new watch.…

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TAG Heuer Carrera Collection

16.09.2020

INTRODUCING: The TAG Heuer Carrera Collection

It’s been a great year for new watches, and one of the biggest contributors to this slew of attractive wristwatches is TAG Heuer, who continue their run of strong releases in 2020. The latest release from the La Chaux-de-Fonds watchmaker is the TAG Heuer Carrera Collection, adding another feather to the Carrera cap after the announcements earlier this year of the TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph collection. But in a year when the Carrera collection has been such a focal point for the brand, what does this latest release offer? The TAG Heuer Carrera Collection continues exploring the vision of…

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Rado Captain Cook interchangeable straps

15.09.2020

VIDEO: The Rado Captain Cook, now with interchangeable straps gives you three for the price of one

As most watch collectors will agree, there are few things better than getting a new watch in your collection. It’s the thrill of having a new watch on your wrist that you’ve been thinking about for weeks or months, and is the culmination of researching, considering and finally pulling the trigger on that special piece that you’ve wanted. But while that thrill might not be an everyday occurrence, the next best thing is a new strap or bracelet to wear your watch on. In that regard, the Rado Captain Cook interchangeable straps has both spots covered. With the new offering…

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TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph collection

10.09.2020

HANDS-ON: The olive green dial of this TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph is incredible

As you may have seen here and here, we have been taking a closer look at the latest chapter in the TAG Heuer Carrera collection that sees a total redesign of one of the brand’s most historically important families. But within this new collection, the TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph green dial catches the eye differently. Both the boldness of the dial colour and the restrained bezel execution see this watch stand out in a refreshing light, and make it a different proposition from the rest of the collection. In the new TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph green dial you’ll…

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IN-DEPTH: The TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph collection

08.09.2020

IN-DEPTH: The TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph collection offer size, sportiness and a sea of details

Editor’s note: The closer we have come to this new collection by TAG Heuer, the more details we have noticed and begun to appreciate. For example, the very unusual radially brushed finishing of the lush dials. See in the pics below. Yet more proof that big-box brands are still very aware of the power of nuance, detail and delight. In true style, TAG Heuer are celebrating a very big birthday this year. The brand is celebrating its 160th anniversary and, as you can see here, have been marking the occasion properly with a number of exciting new watches. One of the…

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07.09.2020

VIDEO: The TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph collection is for lovers of big, bold, sporty and steel sports watches

In a move that sees one of their most recognisable families undergoing a revitalisation, the new TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph collection is a serious statement by the brand. The Carrera DNA is clear for all to see, but the case and dial have been reinvigorated with some subtle changes that deliver a more contemporary and energetic collection under the historic name, a change that is as exciting as it is welcome. The TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph collection is made up of four new references, all of which are cased in 44mm of stainless steel. There is a range…

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Hublot fathers day gifts

03.09.2020

6 watches that show the best and the breadth of modern Hublot, all from the (open) Sydney Boutique

While it pains us as Victorians to write this, for we remain in the dark depths of our second lockdown, the Sydney Hublot boutique is open for business. And with Father’s Day just a few days away, it had us thinking we should loudly remind you of that fact, and then go virtually shopping for six of the best watches currently in stock. The challenge for this list was – like all the different dads out there – about showing diversity, which was in fact, not as difficult as it once was. The brand may have re-entered the world with…

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Rolex Submariner Ref. 124060 41mm no-date

02.09.2020

INTRODUCING: The Rolex Submariner Ref. 124060 41mm no-date and the one-inch-punch the world is talking about

The launch of any new Rolex model this year is a hugely exciting event, but the complete overhaul of the Submariner collection is a moment in time that will be looked back on as the beginning of a new chapter in the history of one of the most celebrated watches ever. Typically, when Rolex moves to update a specific model, they move gradually, perhaps introducing a reference in precious metal or two-tone, before adopting the update across the stainless steel references. But 2020 is no normal year, and after fears we would see no new models from the Big Crown…

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Grand Seiko SBGR321

02.09.2020

INTRODUCING: The Grand Seiko SBGR321 is among the best blue dial steel sports watches of 2020, and you can probably get one, which is nice

Grand Seiko continue to celebrate their 60th anniversary with another limited edition to commemorate the milestone. The latest anniversary model is the Grand Seiko SBGR321, which adds a fifth piece to the first four references that were released earlier this year. The initial four anniversary models included the hi-beat SBGH281, the ladies STGK015, the heritage quartz SBGP007 and the sports quartz SBGP015, which makes this latest limited edition automatic a nice addition to the family. All five of the anniversary limited editions feature striking and expertly finished rich blue dials, with red accents throughout. The latest Grand Seiko SBGR321 is…

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Ulysse Nardin Blast

28.08.2020

VIDEO: The Ulysse Nardin Blast is a pyrotechnic expression of haute horology

Ulysse Nardin has charged into the fray in 2020 with the release of the new Ulysse Nardin Blast, launched just before Geneva Watch Days. While the brand has an extensive archive of marine chronometers that have inspired a number of nautical-themed wristwatches, the design language of the Blast collection is unashamedly expressive in its ambition. The boldly styled 45mm case is a relatively slim 11mm thick, offering a statement piece that still wears comfortably on the wrist. As you might expect from the Le Locle watchmaker, the case construction is complex, and comprises a rose gold upper case, a black…

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Grand Seiko SBGP005

26.08.2020

VIDEO: The Grand Seiko SBGP005 offers classic looks and stone cold killer accuracy of +/- 10 seconds a year

As a distillation of what a Japanese firm does best, the Grand Seiko SBGP005 offers a compelling line of thought – if you’re looking for a great watch on the more affordable side of things, do you pursue the usual mechanical suspects or high-end quartz? With a case based on the iconic 44GS design, an enchantingly deep blue dial and one of the finer quartz movements on the planet, the Grand Seiko SBGP005 is a watch that makes a strong case for the luxury quartz timepiece. The highly polished steel case measures 40mm in diameter and only 11.1mm thick, which…

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Richard Mille Julian Alaphilippe cycling

20.08.2020

Tour de France cyclist spotted racing with a $168,000 Richard Mille on his wrist

Cycling is a sport known for its speed and the dramatic risks that cyclists will take to win races. Every time the Tour de France is raced, there is almost guaranteed to be a handful of big crashes involving dozens of riders, leaving bikes and equipment often damaged beyond repair. That’s why it was a shock to see one of France’s top professional cyclists racing with a AUD$168,000 RM 67-02 on his wrist. Julian Alaphilippe was competing at the Critérium du Dauphiné in France last week when the watch was spotted by SBS Cycling. In a close-up shot taken by…

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Longines spirit collection interview

19.08.2020

We asked the Longines VP of Marketing lots of questions about the new Spirit collection so you don’t have to

The Longines Spirit release is a totally new collection this year, something that is already very exciting in and of itself, but also because it’s an entirely new chapter for the brand. Longines, just like many of the finest watchmakers in the world, slowly improve their watches over time and rarely release entirely new collections, making the launch of the Spirit collection something that deserves attention just for its rarity. But beyond this new step from the brand, the Spirit collection is a totally different offering from Longines for a number of reasons. I spoke with Matthieu Baumgartner, the VP…

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Longines Spirit collection

18.08.2020

VIDEO: The Longines Spirit collection range review

When we first caught wind that Longines was going to be releasing a totally new collection in 2020, we were very excited. They are a brand with a number of strongly performing collections that could easily see them sitting on their haunches, simply tweaking the recipe of their success with different dial variations, but they didn’t. Longines took the far bolder path and, with the launch of their latest Spirit collection, offer fans of the brand a blend of rich aviation heritage and contemporary watchmaking expertise. In this regard, the Longines Spirit collection is a first, drawing inspiration from a…

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13.08.2020

7 of the best left-handed watches for long-suffering southpaws

Being a left-hander ain’t easy. While struggle might be overstating it slightly, there are constant daily reminders to the 10 per cent of the population who are southpaws that we are living in a right-handed world. Using a fountain pen is likely to result in an inky mess, and don’t get me started on scissors. Can openers require a flexibility warmup before use, and the number keys on the right side of a computer keyboard are pretty much useless to us. In recognition of the quotidian frustrations we deal with on a daily basis, today (Thursday the 13th for those…

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TAG Heuer Formula 1 Indy 500 Special Edition

12.08.2020

INTRODUCING: The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Indy 500 Special Edition is a circle of blacktop for your wrist

This year, TAG Heuer are celebrating more than a decade and a half of timing partnership with the celebrated NTT IndyCar Series, and are releasing a new special edition watch to mark the occasion. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Indy 500 Special Edition was designed in close collaboration with the IndyCar team, and has a number of design cues that pay specific tribute to the legendary motorsports event. For anyone that has a soft spot for this race, it’s going to be a constant wrist-worn reminder. For those unfamiliar with the Indianapolis 500 race, it does what it says on…

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Rado Captain Cook bronze

07.08.2020

HANDS-ON: The Rado Captain Cook Bronze is going to stay golden, care of its copper alloy

To even the most casual Time+Tide reader, the Rado Captain Cook is likely to be a known quantity. A strong, stainless steel, vintage-inspired design, backed up by a reliable modern movement in a range of sizes … all true, but that’s no longer the extent of it. For the first time, we can now add three Rado Captain Cook bronze references to the collection. Named after the British explorer who achieved the first recorded European contact with the east coast of Australia, the Rado Captain Cook was first produced from 1962 until 1968. This was a legitimate dive watch that…

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Rado Captain Cook bronze video review

05.08.2020

VIDEO: The Rado Captain Cook bronze collection review, with blue, green and brown dials

By now, you should be familiar with the Rado Captain Cook collection, inspired by a historical Rado reference from the golden age of dive watches. This year, the collection has launched three new references, announcing the Rado Captain Cook bronze for the first time ever. This warmly toned coloured metal complements the already vibrant array of colours that the Captain Cook collection is available in, including these new references produced in green, blue and brown. While Rado are only dipping their toe into bronze as a material, this first collection looks great, and adds a further dynamic element to a collection…

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Seiko SPB151J and Seiko SPB153J

04.08.2020

HANDS-ON: The Seiko SPB151J and Seiko SPB153J are modern Apocalypse Now reissues, and they’re ready for 2020

Last year, Seiko fans around the world had a collective skipping of heartbeats when the Japanese firm announced the release of the SLA033. This was no normal Seiko dive watch. As its full name suggests, the Seiko Diver’s Re-Creation Limited Edition SLA033, is a watch inspired by one of the most iconic Seiko dive watches of all time — the 6105. The 6105 was forever embroidered in the fabric of popular culture when it was worn by Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now. The model was favoured by real American G.Is in combat, which made the placement all that more authentic.…

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Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original

04.08.2020

INTRODUCING: The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original is a bulletproof diver with a brutal point of difference

Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water with your diver of choice, there’s yet another iteration to consider, and it lurks not only in the deep, but in our marketplace, where you can buy it as of today… Dive watches are perhaps the best served category of watches in the market in terms of sheer variety. But there always seems to be new contenders from known and unknown brands. One collection that is not new by any stretch, but a little more under the sonar than usual is the Engineer Hydrocarbon from the Ball Watch…

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Best Dan Henry watches

03.08.2020

MICRO MONDAYS: 5 of our favourite Dan Henry watches, including the “spectacular dial” of the new 1937

Editor’s note: We recently covered the launch of Dan Henry’s latest addition to his range, the Dan Henry 1937, a cleanly designed chronograph that looks back to some of the most iconic watches in the category. If we need any more proof that Dan’s watches are taken very seriously by all levels of enthusiasts, we need look no further than horological aficionado Mr Eric Wind’s personal Instagram account. He posted the gorgeous brushed silver dial version of the 1937 (see it below), with the caption, “Just a spectacular dial … Amazing to get a watch this beautiful for only $270.” So, the…

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Longines Record Australian Limited Edition

31.07.2020

HANDS-ON: The Longines Record Australian Limited Edition

The Longines Record Collection is an important pillar of the brand today, representing the clean classicism that is embodied by the brand. The Heritage Collection is popular with the vintage enthusiast, just as the Sport Collection is a favourite of the adventurous type, and the Record Collection is designed to be an everyday companion and has a correspondingly universal appeal. The openly spaced and cleanly designed dials, as well as the elegant case designs, make for a watch that can look good in any situation, be it casual or formal. This dynamic nature is seen in the new Longines Record…

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Seiko SBP153

31.07.2020

VIDEO: The Seiko SPB151J and Seiko SPB153J are contenders for the hottest divers of 2020

One of the most iconic Seiko dive watches of all time is the 6105, a watch that was worn on the wrist of Martin Sheen as he starred as Captain Willard in the blockbuster film Apocalypse Now. This year, Seiko have announced the release of the Seiko SPB151J and Seiko SPB153J, two new references based on the classic 6105. The Seiko SPB151J keeps a closer relationship to the original 6105, with the same matte black dial and wide black bezel that sits proudly above the rest of the case. On the dial of the Seiko SPB151J there are those classic…

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Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ceramic

28.07.2020

INTRODUCING: The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Sandblast-Polished Ceramic, as liquid black as Darth Vader’s helmet

Often, it is incremental and deliberate design progress — slow to the point that the casual observer might not even notice it — that creates the best products. Tiny changes, layered on one another year after year, are the key to creating an unmistakable visual identity that stands the test of time. It’s a blueprint that is as simple as it is challenging to achieve. For the custodians of a brand to maintain a steadfast faithfulness to a design that might have been born a generation or two before, requires belief as much as it does an understanding that good design…

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Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II

26.07.2020

INTRODUCING: The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II is American-style Pepsi, bigger, bolder

Editor’s note: The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II USA-only edition is available now in the Time+Tide marketplace, alongside the Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original, a vintage-styled diver with some similar muscle. The Ball Watch Company is a brand founded on the principles of practical and robust solutions to timekeeping problems. They were established in the United States in the late 1800s after a series of tragic accidents on the country’s quickly expanding railway networks. There was no standard time that trains ran to, meaning that a deviation of a local train station’s clock could result in a train leaving too early…

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TAG Heuer Aquaracer "Tortoise Shell"

24.07.2020

INTRODUCING: The TAG Heuer Aquaracer “Tortoise Shell” ain’t like your Granny’s glasses…

The summer watch is a category as important as pilot’s watch or doctor’s watch, but without the historically derived definition that comes from a serious professional context. A loose definition might include a watch that needs to be robust, waterproof and easy to read after five Aperol Spritzes, but it also needs to be fun and communicate a bit of personality. After all, the summer holidays (regardless of the hemisphere you live in) are a time when the workplace persona can be dropped, you can relax into the warmer weather and leave your more conservative timepieces in the safe for…

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most expensive quartz watches

21.07.2020

7 of the most expensive quartz watches you can buy in 2020

Quartz is the middle child of the watch industry. Born between the talented mechanical genius of the first-born and the innovative technology of the new smartwatch baby. But while it may have had less attention during critical developmental windows as a child – despite being wildly popular at birth – the quartz watch is hitting puberty in the same way Matthew Lewis (who played Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter) did, successfully finding its feet and getting some mojo of its own as a grown-up. So while quartz has typically been thought of as the cheap and cheerful sibling to the…

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20.07.2020

10 of the best digital watches you can buy in 2020, Part 2, including a cold Casio classic for 20 bucks

Digital watches remain an overlooked part of the watch world, forgotten by many who consider themselves to have ‘graduated’ to mechanical watches. But as we saw in Part 1 of this series where we looked at some of the best new releases in the last 12 months or so, there are a number of seriously cool and thoughtfully designed digital watches out there. So if you’re looking to mix things up in your collection that has previously focused on the mechanical side of horology, digital watches offer an injection of fun and variety into your collecting journey, without breaking the bank.…

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Longines Flagship Heritage black dial

18.07.2020

HANDS-ON: The new Longines Flagship Heritage proves that black and gold truly never gets old

While much of the Longines Heritage collection released this year has been brand new pieces, we have also been treated to an update to an existing model, the Longines Flagship Heritage black dial. The previous expression was released last year to rave reviews from the watch world and featured a charming cream-coloured dial, the warmth of which subtly complemented the gold-tone hands and hour markers. With the addition of this new black dial reference, Longines offer a slightly more understated watch that bears all of the same attractive vintage cues. The backstory Inspired by the Longines Flagship watches of the…

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17.07.2020

We can’t stop looking at the ‘gender neutral’ Hublot Big Bang Millennial Pink and we don’t know why

In a move to be expected of a brand like Hublot, the provocative wunderkind of the industry has just released a new limited edition in collaboration with Garage Italia and the grandson of the Rake of the Riviera himself, Lapo Elkann. The Big Bang Millennial Pink is based on the Unico 42mm chronograph and features what the brand is calling a gender-neutral soft pastel pink colourway that can be seen throughout the entire watch. The colour Righto, let’s call it. Pastel pink can only be considered ‘gender neutral’ if you factor in Don Johnson’s pastel-masculinising Miami Vice wardrobe. But somehow…

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Baselworld bought

16.07.2020

Baselworld gets a $110mUSD lifeline from James Murdoch, son of billionaire Aussie-born media tycoon Rupert Murdoch

Baselworld, as we know it, is dead. But has it been offered a resurrection lifeline by James Murdoch, the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch? The owner of Baselworld, MCH Group, has announced the investment of 104.5mCHF from the Murdoch-owned Lupa Systems for what is anticipated to be around one-third of the shares in MCH Group. This development does beg the question: why would James Murdoch invest in a failing show such as Baselworld? If you’re a regular reader of Time+Tide, you will have closely followed our coverage of the demise of the world’s biggest watch fair over recent months.…

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Longines Heritage collection

15.07.2020

VIDEO: The 2020 Longines Heritage Collection is pure class, from the tuxedo to the skies and the trenches

If you’re a regular reader of Time+Tide, it should come as no surprise that the Longines Heritage Collection has gone from strength to strength over the last few years. An early sign of the success that was to come was the Longines Heritage Diver 1967 in 2015 (a watch that was kindly donated to the Time+Tide Watch & Act! auction for the Australian bushfire crisis), and again with the Longines Heritage 1945 in 2017. But while you might expect that Longines had used all its dry powder over the last half-decade, they have released one of the best Heritage Collections yet…

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15.07.2020

Renaissance Man Aldis Hodge is appointed to America’s oldest watchmaking guild HSNY

One of the brightest and most dynamic minds in the world of watchmaking, Aldis Hodge, has been appointed as a Trustee of the Horological Society of New York today. His is a name that should be well known to Time+Tide readers, through his interview with Andrew McUtchen in the latest edition of NOW Magazine (of which you can read Part 1 and Part 2 right here), and as an award-winning Hollywood actor who has starred in films and TV shows such as City On A Hill, The Invisible Man, Brian Banks and Straight Outta Compton. In this exciting announcement, he…

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2020 Panerai collection

14.07.2020

VIDEO: Highlights of the 2020 Panerai collection, including the watch with a warranty that will probably out-live you

96. That’s how old I’ll be when the warranty on one of these watches runs out. This year is all about the Luminor in the 2020 Panerai collection, with a number of exciting new references that have been released so far. We focus on two highlights within the collection, the Panerai Luminor Marina PAM01117 and the Panerai Luminor Marina Fibratech PAM01663, both 44mm watches in the classic Luminor case shape and offering some impressive new features. First, the PAM01117, and straight out of the gate we have a 70-year warranty period to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the original Luminor.…

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Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition

12.07.2020

HANDS-ON: The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition is more grit than glamour

This year, Daniel Craig will star as James Bond for the final time in the upcoming No Time To Die film, a blockbuster that is sure to be action packed and offer a much needed reprieve from the dystopian movie that is our current reality. On his wrist for this film will be a watch that real-life Daniel Craig actually had a hand in designing, unlike any of the Bond watches that have come before it. It’s not just a PR line. Craig himself helped shape the watch we are taking a closer look at today, the Omega Seamaster Diver…

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TAG Heuer Connected colour

09.07.2020

INTRODUCING: This new TAG Heuer Connected with blue ceramic bezel is hands down the best looking smart watch on the market

Over the weekend, we unveiled a new watch by a different brand with a colourful dial. The crowd went properly crazy. In a dark year, colour has never been more wanted, or more welcome on the most visible parts of a watch. Being the dial, the bezel, the strap. The LVMH Watch Department is continuing its impressive run of new smartwatches in 2020 at pace, with the latest member of the Switzerland/Silicon Valley marriage, the TAG Heuer Connected, now being offered in a range of bright colours. A short history of smart watches in 2020 After the standard version of…

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Kanye wins the 2020 US election

09.07.2020

Kanye West is running for US President, here are 5 of his watches you might spot on the campaign trail

Earlier this week, Kanye West announced that he was going to run for President of the United States. That’s right, the 43-year-old rapper and streetwear designer married to Kim Kardashian says he will run in this year’s election that is set to play out in November. While it’s certainly a late announcement, and it isn’t even clear if he would be able to get his name on a ballot paper, this isn’t the first time Kanye has made his ambitions known in public. In August 2015, at the MTV Music Video Awards, he closed out a stream-of-consciousness speech with, “as…

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Seiko Save the Ocean

08.07.2020

EVERY WATCH TELLS A STORY: Khando’s Seiko SRPC91K is something borrowed and something blue

If you’ve ever dropped into the Time+Tide HQ in Melbourne to pick up a copy of NOW Magazine or try on a DOXA, chances are that you were greeted by the effervescently charming Khando. She has been a member of the team since the second half of last year, and previously worked in the fashion industry with a number of international brands. As a result, most mornings begin with Khando arriving at the office wearing a piece from the latest Acne or Balenciaga collection. But, disturbingly, without a nice wristwatch. To solve this troubling issue, and being the smart negotiator…

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Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition

06.07.2020

VIDEO: By the end of this in-depth video, you will know if you need the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition

Sure to be one of the highlights of 2020, the new James Bond film, No Time to Die, is coming. And just as we have with every new Bond film for the last 25 years, we get a brand new Bond watch. This year, we say hello to the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition, an interesting watch for a number of reasons beyond the fact that Daniel Craig is sporting it in his last outing as the world’s most famous spy. The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition is based on the regular production Seamaster Diver 300M, however it has…

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TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition

03.07.2020

HANDS-ON: The TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition can actually improve your golf game

If we’re honest with ourselves, luxury sports watches aren’t actually designed to be used during sport. Sure, they are more robust than your typical dress watch, but the most adventurous situation they are designed to find themselves in might be diving into glittering Capri waters from the deck of a sailboat, maybe suffering a small knock to the case as you haul yourself out of the warm sapphire waters. The TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition is different. It is a luxury sports watch that is designed to be used while playing sport. And not simply as a passenger during an…

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MING 17.06 Copper

02.07.2020

EVERY WATCH TELLS A STORY: John is blown away by the dial of his Ming 17.06 Copper

While still in its infancy compared to the historical juggernauts of the horological world, Ming is already turning heads for all the right reasons. One of the heads they have turned is none other than John, who took a chance on a brand he hadn’t known a whole lot about and purchased the Ming 17.06 Copper earlier this year. Despite typically focusing his collecting on the big-box brands that we all know and love, John was curious at what the fuss was all about, and if a smaller brand such as Ming could live up to the rather high expectations…

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Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT SBGE248

02.07.2020

The Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT SBGE248, a study in the magic pairing of gold and blue

Editor’s note: We all love blue watches. That much is clear, with the popularity of the blue dial stainless steel sports watch escalating almost beyond belief in 2019 and still in 2020. Both vintage and modern examples of blue watches from a few of the best watch manufacturers in the world command ever-increasing prices as appetites grow more ravenous and the size of the plate remains relatively unchanged. But as you might expect from the watch collecting community, the pulp of the matter lies in the details, and not all blue watches are created equal. Blue and white are a popular…

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All wound up: 3 great manual winding watches released in 2019

30.06.2020

LONG READ: The best Grand Seiko watches – and movements – of 2020 according to Daniel Yong, aka @mrgrandseiko

Editor’s note: Daniel Yong lives and breathes Grand Seiko. His Instagram handle is @MrGrandSeiko and he runs a blog called Mr Zaratsu in reference to the famed case-polishing method used by the brand. It’s safe to say he has immersed himself in the brand over years, building his scholarship of both vintage and modern references from Grand Seiko, which he shares with the enthusiastic online community. Unsurprisingly, Daniel is also an excellent source of information when it comes to the most noteworthy watches released in recent years, the references that have potential to become future classics, and what the legacy Grand…

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TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition

29.06.2020

VIDEO: A golf performance coach who trains the stars rates the new TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition

Golf is an addictive sport. One that blends the physical power of a Nadal forehand with the psychological rigour of playing a chess Grandmaster. And devotees of the game will do just about anything to get an edge. The immediate question is, will the TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition help them with that? Because, golf is a game that is as much about mental sharpness as it is about physical performance, with countless factors at play that can either have you putting for a course record or hacking at a bush with your driver looking for your ball. If you’re…

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Longines Heritage Classic Chronograph 1946

26.06.2020

VIDEO: The Longines Heritage Classic Chronograph 1946, for those that love vintage style in a modern size

The 1940s were a golden period for chronograph innovation at Longines, an era that included the now highly collectible 13ZN movement, as well as timelessly balanced and articulated designs. The depth of Longines’ archives from this period have yielded yet another handsome model that is faithful to the original, with sensitive updates to bring it into line with modern tastes. This new Longines Heritage Classic Chronograph 1946 is slightly larger, which will appeal to those turned off by smaller vintage-styled watches, at 40mm in diameter and 12mm tall. It also houses the contemporary L895.5 automatic movement that boasts 54 hours…

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Deep Blue watch

24.06.2020

EVERY WATCH TELLS A STORY: Serendipity struck Sap while wearing his custom Deep Blue watch

There is huge power in community, even if you don’t always realise it. And there’s nothing like a serendipitous meeting to remind you of the little threads of connection all around you that build that community. It was one such chance meeting that Sap experienced while wearing his Deep Blue watch that was custom-made for his watch group – the SEVEN10 Watch Brotherhood. Sap reminds us in this video the appeal of indie brands. “I have a Rolex Hulk, I have an Omega Moon to Mars… but I also have Autodromo and Deep Blue, one of the OGs of the…

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Revenge Spending

21.06.2020

What is ‘Revenge Spending’ and will it save the Swiss watch industry?

You’ve screwed up. Big time. Worse still, your partner has found out and they mad as all hell. To get their own back, said partner embarks on a demented spending spree on your joint credit card in order to punish you for your (latest) transgression. That’s what most people think “revenge spending” means. But they’re wrong and probably have a guilty conscience about something (BTW, your wife will find out in the end). In fact, revenge spending is actually the phenomenon of hyperactive consumer spending after some sort of barrier has been removed. The notion of revenge buying was first…

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18.06.2020

7 Seiko mods that show why it’s becoming a big thing – from Black Bay bezels, to Yacht-master do-overs, to painted dials

Watch modification, or “modding”, is a remarkably popular subset of the watch collecting community, where enthusiasts will tinker with their watches to build totally customised pieces to wear. Without a doubt the most popular brand in the modding space is Seiko, where the combination of affordability and relatively widespread access to quality parts makes for the perfect storm of self-expression. There are even some members of the modding community who have turned their skills into micro-manufacturers, offering their services to fellow collectors for a fee, to build the watch of their dreams. While most watches can be modified, the base…

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17.06.2020

EVERY WATCH TELLS A STORY: You will either be horrified or hot for Rob’s ghost bezel Tudor Submariner ref 7016

Ghosts are well known for haunting people. They leave people terrified. Too scared to leave their bedrooms at night. This ghost bezel Tudor Submariner ref 7016 is sure to keep you from sleeping, and the unshakeable feeling will be either intense horror, or intense attraction. There are unlikely to be fence sitters on this one. On Every Watch Tells A Story this week we hear from Rob, the man behind Geneva Blue who represents a number of independent watch (and accessory) brands right here in Australia, and his pretty remarkable 52-year-old Tudor Snowflake Sub. This special watch was born in…

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Mk II Watches

15.06.2020

MICRO MONDAYS: Meet Mk II Watches

For many in the watchmaking world, the word homage is as dirty as the word quartz. Despite this, I would hazard a guess that most who feel a strong negative association with those words wouldn’t have particularly clear or compelling arguments as to why, simply that they once read it was bad and now it is. While I’ve made a case for quartz here, here and here, one of the most compelling cases for the homage watch is Bill Yao, founder of the focus of this week’s Micro Mondays – Mk II watches. According to Mk II, they are dedicated to…

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Bremont Project Possible Limited Edition

14.06.2020

HANDS-ON: The Project Possible Limited Edition, Bremont’s first bronze watch, with a hell of a backstory

Last year, Nirmal “Nims” Purja made headlines when he scaled all 14 of the world’s 8000m mountain peaks, in just under seven months. He did so with a Bremont on his wrist. The watch in question was a blue and white Bremont S300, proving just how robust the brand’s watches are and how well they rise to the challenge of surviving some of the harshest conditions imaginable. To commemorate this remarkable achievement, and as one of the main sponsors of the journey, Bremont has produced the Bremont Project Possible Limited Edition, which features a number of subtle nods to the…

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12.06.2020

BATTLE ROYALE: The T+T Team list their favourite ever IWC Big Pilot references

The IWC Big Pilot collection is a pillar of the brand for a reason. The design is iconic and has remained unchanged for the best part of a century, the wrist presence is almost unparalleled, and the double-barrelled power reserve means you can take it off for a week without needing to reset the time. As a result of its significance within IWC, and its popularity on the wrists of collectors around the world, the Big Pilot has been expressed in countless different ways, from simple time-only references to perpetual calendars and tourbillons. With that in mind, I canvassed the…

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TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition

11.06.2020

INTRODUCING: The TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition, pre-loaded with 40,000 golf courses

It was only three months ago that the latest TAG Heuer Connected watch was launched, the third generation of the luxury Swiss smartwatch that first hit the market in 2015, the same year as the first generation of the Apple Watch. One (eventful) quarter later and we see the launch of the brand new TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition, a watch that offers the same generation-on-generation improvements as the latest TAG Heuer Connected, as well as being packed with golfing-specific features. If you aren’t across the updates found in the latest TAG Heuer Connected watch, you should check out this…

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Seiko SPB171

10.06.2020

INTRODUCING: The Seiko SPB171 Limited Edition Arita Porcelain Dial, a liquid white delight

First, we had the Limited Edition ‘Moonlit Night’, and now we have a brand new Limited Edition porcelain dial model inspired by Suigetsu, a Japanese tradition which celebrates the beauty of the moon reflected in water. If you needed another reason to be entranced by this stunning, liquid white porcelain dial, there it is – a poetic backstory. Seiko have pursued excellence in dial making for decades, with their skill in ceramics being widely regarded as unparalleled. Japan is a country that has been extremely well known for high-quality ceramic crockery and vases for hundreds of years, so it’s not surprising…

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Hublot Big Bang e

09.06.2020

INTRODUCING: The Hublot Big Bang e, a truly left-field smartwatch, including the only way you can (currently) buy it

Hot on the heels of the launch of the latest TAG Heuer Connected watch in March, their LVMH watch sibling has launched the new Hublot Big Bang e. And while it’s not surprising in itself — Hublot already play in this space — its execution has some genuinely eccentric touches. But first, the specs, because they’re far more palatable for average-sized wrists than the first smartwatch Hublot released. This new 42mm smartwatch, 7mm smaller than the original model, is available with either a ceramic or titanium sandwich-style case, and features the same overall design as the first-ever Big Bang way back…

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Serica watches

08.06.2020

MICRO MONDAYS: Serica watches, the revival of the affordable good watch

Serica was born only late last year when they were announced to the world as a brand that would offer a well-designed and robust timepiece at a fair price. They delivered in spades with their first watch, the Serica W.W.W. (standing for Wrist. Watch. Waterproof), inspired by the watches of the Second World War, where legibility and reliability were a priority that could not be compromised. The idea behind the brand was seeded when its founders — including the magazine magnate and Instagram influencer Matt Hranek (who spends his days jet-setting around the world with a Negroni in hand, living a…

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TAG Heuer coffee watch

07.06.2020

LONG READ: 12 life lessons with Black Badger, and a clapback to the “juvenile” response to his TAG Heuer coffee watch

If you haven’t heard of James Thompson, aka Black Badger, you’ve probably seen his brightly lit work online. He’s done collaborations with independent watchmakers such as MB&F, De Bethune, and Sarpaneva, and has more recently been working with the King of Customisation himself, George Bamford. While much of what Black Badger is known for is his impressive work with different luminous materials, lighting up jewellery and watches like you’ve never seen before, his work with the Bamford Watch Department has seen a slight departure from these illuminated beginnings, focusing instead on exotic materials. In his first collection with Bamford they…

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Grand Seiko First

06.06.2020

VIDEO: Two precious metal Grand Seiko First references to celebrate the 60th anniversary

Grand Seiko are marking the 60th anniversary of their first watch with a small collection of dress watches that are based on the first ever watches to be made with Grand Seiko on the dial. These classically styled time-only dress watches set the foundation for what Grand Seiko are becoming known for today; a knack for traditional watchmaking expressed in simple and coherent designs. We took a closer look at two of the three watches in this collection, the SBGW257 in platinum and the SBGW258 in yellow gold, which are two precious metal watches that offer different experiences of the…

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02.06.2020

HANDS-ON: The Seiko SPB161, an entirely new Presage dial design inspired by a clock from the ’70s

The Seiko Presage collection has long been a popular part of the brand’s lineup thanks to the well-tuned value proposition, and the amount of watch you get for your money. The Seiko SPB161 is another fine example. Featuring a crisp enamel dial and powered by the automatic Seiko caliber 6R27, you are once again gaining access to a complicated model with a hand-fired dial at a great price, especially when compared to enamel dial watches from practically all other brands. Beyond its functionality laid bare, the Seiko SPB161 offers a minimalist design with its two complications, the power reserve indicator…

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Oris Divers Sixty-Five

31.05.2020

A comprehensive list of the key Oris Divers Sixty-Five watches

The Oris Divers Sixty-Five is hugely popular, and rightly so. Any independent brand that makes a well-designed, vintage-inspired tool watch at an affordable price will quickly gain a loyal following, something Oris has done with aplomb since the collection was first released in 2015. What some don’t know, and a key ingredient in their popularity, is the sheer depth and breadth of different offerings within the Divers Sixty-Five collection. Currently there are more than 50 different references, varying in size, dial colour, bracelet and beyond to make sure there is something for everyone. So with that in mind, let’s take…

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Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ceramic

28.05.2020

Comparing and contrasting the two Bulgari Octo Finissimo ceramic models: Polished vs. Sandblasted, which is for you?

If variety is the spice of life, Bulgari are condiment connoisseurs when it comes to the Octo Finissimo collection. Available in titanium, ceramic, carbon, sandblasted gold and now stainless steel, the many faceted cases of the range offer a dizzying array of different finishes. These external variations are hardly superficial either, they make a profound difference to the overall look and feel of each watch. Of the 2020 releases, the show was stolen by the new satin-finished Octo Finissimo in steel, but an equally interesting new reference is the ceramic version, now with a polished case. This makes the ceramic…

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Longines Heritage Classic Chronograph 1946

27.05.2020

HANDS-ON: The Longines Heritage Classic Chronograph 1946, a modern-sized vintage charmer with heft

There is a lot to be said for a simple chronograph. Something clear, easy to read and a pleasure to look at. You don’t always want to strap a large, bulky watch to your wrist. One with more information on the dial than you will ever use, and with at least half the displays doing god knows what. Longines has spotted this gap in the chronograph game, and has capitalised on it with their latest addition to the Heritage collection, the Longines Heritage Classic Chronograph 1946. We first took a look at this watch a couple of months ago, but…

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Smith & Singer watch and jewellery auction

26.05.2020

A mid-60s Submariner with a sea story, a bargain Speedy, and a lit Reverso at the first virtual Smith & Singer auction

Smith & Singer (formerly Sotheby’s Australia) are hosting their first watch and jewellery auction of the year this week, featuring a smattering of interesting watches, with a few standout pieces. While the current circumstances mean a crowded room focused on a rostrum is impossible, the auction will be held virtually, with bidding allowed via telephone and online to enable the sale to go forward. While watches only make up a portion of the Jewels Department of Smith & Singer, there are always some interesting lots on offer, including a Heuer Autavia “Jo Siffert” and an Omega Speedmaster Apollo XI 1969…

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Grand Seiko SBGW258 SBGW257 SBGW259

26.05.2020

HANDS-ON: Grand Seiko First SBGW258 in yellow gold, SBGW257 in platinum and SBGW259 in proprietary titanium

As we should all know by now, 2020 is the 60th anniversary of the launch of Grand Seiko, and while they have released a number of watches linked to this special birthday, this collection of Grand Seiko “firsts” might be the most significant yet. Based on the first-ever Grand Seiko to be born in the Suwa Seikosha factory and powered by the famed 3180 caliber, this latest collection features three references in platinum (SBGW257), yellow gold (SBGW258) and the firm’s proprietary Brilliant Hard Titanium (SBGW259). The three different references in three different metals all offer a totally different experience of…

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Raketa Copernic

21.05.2020

EVERY WATCH TELLS A STORY: Why Nick’s Raketa Copernic is the ultimate quirky flex to impress collectors

“Is that what I think it is?” asked Aldis Hodge, Hollywood actor and horological designer, as I sat down for breakfast one morning at Dubai Watch Week 2019. “Yep,” I replied. “It’s an old Raketa Copernic; I picked it up last year.” “Nice, man. I’ve got one of those too,” he said. I had already been happy with the watch, mostly on account of the price I paid for it. But now, I smiled ear to ear. To have its coolness confirmed by a man who definitely knows a thing or two about watch design? That was something else. The…

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Billie Eilish custom leopard print Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

20.05.2020

Warning: Billie Eilish’s custom leopard print Audemars Piguet Royal Oak cannot be unseen…

Young Queen of Cool Billie Eilish is known for her avant-garde fashion sense, firmly cementing oversized hoodies, fluorescent hair and dad sneakers into vogue. The five-time Grammy winner and two-time Guinness World Record holder also has a fondness for jewellery — and lots of it. She’ll regularly be snapped with fingers stacked with rings, wrists loaded with bracelets and watches, and a neck almost hidden from sight with boldly themed necklaces. She confirmed her passion for lavishly created jewellery and watches in a recent photoshoot with Kenneth Cappello, where she was spotted wearing a highly unusual Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with…

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Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin with onyx dial

19.05.2020

The liquid depth of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin with onyx dial is worth travelling to Japan for

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is one of the most well-known watches in the world, but there are some references within the family that remain relatively undiscovered. While they are extremely rare, Royal Oaks with stone dials are as beautiful as you would imagine from the Le Brassus-based brand, with lapis lazuli and various other textured hard stones used in recent decades. Audemars Piguet have added to this legacy of exotic dials with the brand new Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin, available in platinum and rose gold with a black onyx dial and diamond indexes. The new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak…

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Horological Society of New York working watchmakers grant

18.05.2020

Horological Society of New York responds to Coronavirus pandemic with Working Watchmakers Grant

The watch industry has a remarkable way of pulling together when times are tough. We see it every other year with the Only Watch auction raising money for muscular dystrophy. Jack Nicklaus auctioned his Rolex Day-Date last year to raise money for unwell children, and John Goldberger did the same with his unique white gold ref. 6265 Daytona in 2018. In response to the Coronavirus Crisis that is sweeping the world, and hitting America particularly hard, our friends at the Horological Society of New York have put together the Working Watchmakers Grant. It is a fund to support watchmakers around…

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18.05.2020

8 deadly new Sinns from 2020, including dress watches (yes, really), refined pilots and divers

Sinn is a brand that is stealthily emerging from the shadows. The Frankfurt-based manufacturer favours slow incremental changes to their product line, making their watches better every year, but never reinventing the wheel as they go about it. This year, the new collection has looked to improve on a few older references, as well as introduce something a little bit different from the robust utilitarian watches we are used to seeing from Sinn. Made up of eight new watches across three different collections, it’s clear Sinn has chosen to focus their attention on quality over quantity in 2020, a decision…

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Baltic Aquascaphe Bronze

15.05.2020

INTRODUCING: The Baltic Aquascaphe Bronze

As far as micro brands go, Baltic is one of the most popular. We got our own taste of the hype around this brand during this year’s Time+Tide “Watch & Act” Auction, when the founder Etienne donated a prototype Aquascaphe to the cause. We knew it had been a successfully released debut dive watch from Baltic, but we never expected the prototype to hammer for more than six times the retail price of a regular production Aquascaphe, selling for USD $4100. Today, another member is being added to the tool watch family of the French brand, the Baltic Aquascaphe Bronze. …

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14.05.2020

Coronavirus projected to wipe out 60 ‘Swiss Made’ watch brands, while downturn surpasses Quartz Crisis and GFC

Coronavirus has surpassed all previous crisis’ in terms of its negative impact on the Swiss watchmaking industry, with a 25 per cent downturn anticipated for 2020, according to a report by Bank Vontobel. This is worse than the Quartz Crisis, which saw a 15 per cent decline, and the 22 per cent downturn in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis, notes this article in Watchpro. “In terms of volumes, we’re going to fall back to levels seen in 1945, with probably fewer than 16 million watches sold,” said Oliver Müller, the founder of watch industry consulting firm LuxeConsult, in…

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Date windows on dress watches

14.05.2020

NOT ON MY WATCH: Sorry, but date windows on dress watches are ugly and pointless (and Nietzsche agrees)

Editor’s note: For a tiny bit of context … NOT ON MY WATCH is about the things we don’t like on a watch. It’s pretty self-explanatory as a column, but the reason we’re indulging our gripes on Time+Tide is that this is a safe place to do so. In the wider world, explaining that asymmetrical sub-dials, or bund straps cause you great distress can sometimes come off as trivial or trite. Of all the issues in the world to complain about, you’re choosing cabochon crowns? Especially during a pandemic! But not here. We understand. And, regardless of what else is happening…

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new watches omega bulgari casio Jaquet Droz

10.05.2020

Watches you shouldn’t miss, from Omega, Bulgari, Casio and Jaquet Droz

This year might be one of the most unusual ever when it comes to new watches being released. While brands were already seeking different ways to share their new releases with the watch-loving community, the global pandemic that we are still watching unfold has put a stop to almost any plans that brands might have had for the year. That means watches are being released in slow drops at the moment, not able to capitalise on the big moments such as Watches & Wonders or Baselworld where the industry is all in one place (though we did our best to…

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Rolex DayDate

08.05.2020

Great ‘Grams: Five wacky Day-Dates that show why it’s the most interesting Rolex model

The Rolex Day-Date is the stuff of watch collecting lore. Not only has it been worn by some of the most powerful and well-known people to ever walk this earth (understandable, given it’s nickname: the President), but the sheer number of variations that it has been produced in over the years make it a goldmine of scholarship and investigation for the collection community. While it might be said the majority of changes Rolex make are glacially slow and (almost) unnoticeable in difference from year to year, the Rolex Day-Date tends to be an exception, as it went through explosive periods…

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Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Light

08.05.2020

INTRODUCING: The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Light, one of the most curious sapphire crystal-cased watches yet

The Girard-Perregaux Laureato was among the vanguard of the first luxury sports watches when it was released in 1975. But it hasn’t stayed in the past, with the constantly evolving new materials and technologies used by the brand in this collection bringing it convincingly into 2020 (with materials such as the electric-looking Carbon Glass, which we looked at here). As well as winning over certain members of the Time+Tide team, who have since professed their love for the model. In this enthusiastic approach to modernity and to new materials, we can announce the release of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Light,…

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TAG Heuer Connected Watch

05.05.2020

VIDEO: The TAG Heuer Connected Watch Generation 3, the first smart watch that feels – and looks – like a real watch

Editor’s note: Watchmaking is founded on incremental progress. The slow accumulation of applied knowledge that produces a better and better product with each passing year. That is exactly what TAG Heuer have achieved with their latest generation Connected Watch, offering the most optimised blend of Swiss luxury and Silicon Valley tech that we have seen in a smartwatch to date. Andrew spent some quality time with the TAG Heuer Connected Watch generation 3 before it was released to get a better understanding of what it is all about, and how it is better than the previous generations. Without further ado,…

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04.05.2020

HANDS-ON: The TAG Heuer Connected generation 3 is the Swiss and Silicon Valley doing what they do best, together

Certain expertise has always been found in specific parts of the world, creating hubs of creativity and technical innovation. So what would happen if you put the watchmaking nous of La Chaux-de-Fonds and the tech capability of Silicon Valley together into a watch? You get the TAG Heuer Connected watch, generation 3. The first generation of the Connected watch was released in 2015 (the same year as the first Apple Watch), followed quickly by the second in 2017. This year, we get more of a quantum leap than an incremental improvement. The generation 3 is two things: the most technically…

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custom Bremont Martin-Baker

03.05.2020

Bespoke, baby! You can now build your own custom Bremont Martin-Baker

Watch customisation is now a field you can get into at high and low price points, but it’s still fair to say that going bespoke with a quality watch fit for the Ministry of Defence for example, is generally reserved for the upper echelons of independent watchmaking. And up at a price point where you might be paying six figures for a watch before you can ask for a different dial colour — and only if you are seen as a very good client. Most watch brands flat-out refuse to do it, a practice that has given birth to the aftermarket…

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IWC Portugieser Automatic 40

02.05.2020

INTRODUCING: The IWC Portugieser Automatic 40, a new contender for the ultimate ‘one watch’

The story of the Portugieser begins with two businessmen from, you guessed it, Portugal. They went to IWC asking for a watch as accurate as a marine chronometer but could be worn on the wrist, something that hadn’t been done before by the brand. The only way the Schaffhausen-based manufacturer could meet the brief was to house a pocket watch movement in a wristwatch case, thus giving birth to the oversized Portugieser we know today. The original Portugieser watch was the ref. 325, a 41.5mm wristwatch with a subsidiary second dial, bold Arabic numerals to mark the hours, and powered…

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01.05.2020

INTRODUCING: The Cartier Santos-Dumont “La Demoiselle” Limited Edition in platinum, a feast of details

This year, Cartier are shining the spotlight on the pioneering age of aviation as a source of inspiration. And that brings to the fore the wristwatch that started it all, the Santos-Dumont. The model returned to prominence in 2019 with the quartz Cartier Santos-Dumont. While the Cartier family and Brazilian inventor Alberto Santos-Dumont are inexorably linked through his role in their development of the first-ever men’s wristwatch, it is exciting to see his work used as a motif in a series of limited editions this year. One of the most striking of these limited editions is the Cartier Santos-Dumont “La…

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Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar

30.04.2020

INTRODUCING: If you’re complicated and sporty, do we have two new 2020 Vacheron Constantin Overseas watches for you

The best thing about perpetual calendar watches is they are truly set-and-forget timepieces. So if you’re reading this a few decades from now and you’ve picked up a 2020 Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar as a birth-year watch, don’t worry, it won’t need to be adjusted till well into your retirement in 2100. Vacheron Constantin have released two new perpetual calendars in the Overseas collection this year, and while they have a lot of similarities, the impression they each leave you with couldn’t be more different. Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton First, let’s look at the Vacheron Constantin…

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Panerai Radiomir Mediterraneo

30.04.2020

INTRODUCING: Seaside serenity with the Panerai Radiomir Mediterraneo collection

The translucent blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea often conjure images of beach towels draped over deckchairs, shade umbrellas and Aperol Spritz, offering sunbakers relief from a cloudless sky, and small fishing boats rocking back and forth not far from shore. It is this idyllic scene that Panerai has embraced with their latest collection of limited edition Radiomir Mediterraneo pieces (reminiscent of their 2018 collection). The PAM01144 Radiomir 42mm Mediterraneo Edition and the PAM01078 Radiomir 45mm Mediterraneo Edition are both replete with rich blue fumé dials that seek to offer a moment of tranquility when you aren’t on the Amalfi…

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29.04.2020

HANDS-ON: The DOXA SUB 300 Carbon Aqua Lung US Divers limited edition, a bold statement already creating buzz

It was a Friday afternoon last November when I met Jan Edöcs, the CEO of Doxa S.A. He was here for the launch of the brand in Australia, and not only brought the full collection of watches from 2019, but he was also generous enough to share what they had in store for 2020, including early renders of the DOXA SUB 300 Carbon Aqua Lung US Divers, which as of now is available to pre-order here. ** Rumours are circulating that this watch is already sold out – for now, we can say that an Australian allocation remains for launch…

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28.04.2020

Great ‘Grams: No vintage to see here

Great ’Grams has had a couple of weeks off recently, but that’s only given me more time to search for the best of the best on Instagram. This edition will be slightly different in that there isn’t a vintage watch in sight. If you’ve read Great ’Grams before, you’ll know I have a penchant for older watches, but this week I wanted to focus on a few of my favourite more contemporary pieces, which, of course, have been photographed wonderfully. Let’s get into it. @jaegerlecoultre_aficionado Social distancing with the Reverso Tribute Small Seconds “burgundy”. It’s not fun, but the beauty…

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Vacheron Constantin 2020 collection

25.04.2020

7 highlights from the Vacheron Constantin 2020 collection

Vacheron Constantin are a member of the horological holy trinity for very good reason. When it comes to technical innovation and craftsmanship, they are close to peerless in their capacity to not only create some of the most complex and interesting movements ever, but execute the design in an extremely well-thought-out wristwatch. They won the “Innovation” prize only last year at the GPHG with the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar, and continue to leave jaws slack with some of their 2020 releases, with new offerings in the Overseas, Fiftysix and Traditionnelle families. And while all of these watches…

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Cartier 2020 collection

24.04.2020

Everything you need to know about the Cartier 2020 collection

Make no mistake, the Cartier 2020 collection is a cracker. Last year we were offered a smaller collection of watches that focused on the Santos and Tonneau shapes, but this year we get most of that and much, much more. The latest releases from Cartier are broken down into five distinct collections, but there’s also the welcome return of some of the earliest and most remarkable designs from the French luxury firm. The Santos-Dumont continues to shine as the backbone of the brand’s design philosophy with two revivals in the form of the Privé and Pasha de Cartier collections. The…

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Australian watchmaker Reuben Schoots

23.04.2020

INTERVIEW: Australian watchmaker Reuben Schoots is the first of his kind

The Rolex brand is older than the city of Canberra, a fact that shows not only Australia’s youth, but, by contrast, just how old watchmaking really is. It also surely makes Canberra one of the least likely places on earth to find someone in their mid-20s making a tourbillon pocket watch. Enter Reuben Schoots … Hidden away in his workshop, Schoots is working on a project that has likely never been attempted before in Australia. He is creating a pocket watch following the George Daniels method. That means entirely by hand. His prediction is that the watch will take around…

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Girard-Perregaux Absolute Rock

22.04.2020

INTRODUCING: The precious mineral Girard-Perregaux Absolute Rock

The more watches you see, the less likely it becomes that you see something you’ve never seen before. The Girard-Perregaux Absolute Rock, however, is absolutely unlike anything I’ve seen before. While the case shape and dial layout has been seen, in different references within the Laureato collection, the eye-catching element of this watch is the case material. The watch is constructed in a proprietary material known as Carbon Glass, a name that perfectly encapsulates the layered crystalline aesthetic on display. Carbon itself is not a new material in watchmaking, and has been used in countless watches. Carbon Glass, on the…

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Cartier Santos-Dumont XL

19.04.2020

INTRODUCING: The new Cartier Santos-Dumont XL gets a mechanical upgrade and adds just 0.2mm in thickness

At SIHH in 2019, Cartier released something very special, and oddly, it was powered by stock standard quartz. The Cartier Santos-Dumont was met with a standing ovation, not just because it was remarkably faithful to some of the earliest watch designs from Cartier, but it was also slim and relatively affordable thanks to that humble quartz movement. The real boldness of the piece was in its diminutive size and thinness. It was something of a redefined version of masculine style. And it was a bullseye. Perhaps the only thing it lacked, for the watch journalists who care deeply about such…

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2020 new watches nicks favourites

19.04.2020

Nick’s 5 favourite new watches from the first quarter of 2020, including Audemars Piguet, Bulgari and H. Moser & Cie

For anyone reading this in April 2020, you’ll agree that it’s a strange time to be alive. Somehow, we have already seen three months of 2020, a point that has felt both incredibly fast and agonisingly slow to pass. As the interconnected health and economic crises continue to unfold around the world, the news cycle is dominated by Coronavirus as its impact is felt everywhere. Including the watch industry, with perhaps the peak announcement this last week that yet more pivotal brands would desert Baselworld after a farcical fallout from the first COVID-related cancellation. While some brands have halted production,…

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Seiko SBWA001

19.04.2020

Hunting (and catching) the epic and rare Seiko SBWA001 from 1999, the first-ever Spring Drive watch

The turn of the century gave us Y2K hysteria, the first use of the Euro as currency and the Spring Drive movement. That’s right, in 1999 we saw one of the most remarkable innovations in watchmaking of the last half-century, with the release of the first-ever Spring Drive powered watch, the Seiko SBWA001. This is the story of a reader by the name of Zach’s pursuit of one of these fairly rare watches that marked a new beginning for the Japanese manufacturer. In June last year I was fortunate enough to attend the spectacular HSNY (Horological Society of New York)…

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Seiko 55th Anniversary dive watch collection

18.04.2020

VIDEO: All three limited edition watches from the new Seiko 55th Anniversary dive watch collection

This year, Seiko is celebrating 55 years since their first-ever dive watch, which was released in 1965. Since then, the dive watch has become a core part of Seiko’s offering, with innumerable watches released over the years, many of which have developed cult followings. To mark this occasion, Seiko have released a trio of limited edition watches, each paying tribute to an important dive watch from their archive. The three watches in question are based on references released in 1965, 1968 and 1975 respectively, and all still make up a significant part of their professional collection today. As I mentioned,…

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16.04.2020

Tasneem’s Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch connects him to more people on earth than he knew before

This week’s gone full Speedmaster. On Saturday, it was the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission, deemed to be a “successful failure”, because there was indeed a major malfunction, but all astronauts on the mission lived to talk about it. I was very fortunate to have heard this story told by one of the men who played a part, US astronaut Jim Lovell – at the NASA Space Centre in Houston. In short, when all the astronauts had to cram into the lunar module to make it back to earth after an oxygen tank exploded on board, the Speedy…

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14.04.2020

Nick’s lockdown YouTube playlist feat. Russell Crowe, a very special Rolex and eagles at altitude

Recently, Andrew put together his greatest hits from the Time+Tide Watches YouTube channel, chronicling some of the finest pieces of information and entertainment-rich video we have ever produced. It wouldn’t be fair to let him have all the fun, though, so I put together my own list, much of which I enjoyed for years before I joined the Time+Tide team. You can find my full playlist of my highlights right here (close to 3 hours of viewing), but I also wanted to include a couple of my real favourites below. Russell Crowe on the stories behind his watches, and why…

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Swatch Sistem51 Petite Seconde

12.04.2020

INTRODUCING: The Swatch Sistem51 receives an elegance upgrade with the Petite Seconde

The Swatch Sistem51 collection centres its value proposition around two things the rest of the Swiss watch industry finds very much at odds — technical innovation and affordability. With the new Swatch Sistem51 Petite Seconde, we get both of those things in a classically dressed-up package, with the centre seconds of previous models moved to a sub-dial at six. After gaining global recognition as the Swiss answer to the quartz era, Swatch were limited by their own success for a period, as they only produced quartz-powered watches that were incredibly varied in style and relatively disposable in nature. This changed at…

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Cartier Pasha

12.04.2020

What Sealed The Deal – Fergus’ Cartier Pasha, a weird, wonderful and waterproof oddity

Editor’s note: The Cartier Pasha is a watch surrounded by curiosity. Legend has it that it was commissioned in the 1930s by the Pasha of Marrakesh, who wanted a watch he could take into the water. The design then lay dormant for decades, before it was revived in 1985 by one of the most creative minds the watch industry has ever seen, Gérald Genta. It isn’t a watch you see very often, in part because Cartier no longer produce it, and also because the generously embowed case, Vendome-style lugs and chained crown guard are no longer in white-hot vogue. To…

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Elvis Presley's gold Universal Geneve

12.04.2020

This curiously affordable gold Universal Genève owned by Elvis Presley is up for sale (again)

You may have heard the news that Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson contracted coronavirus while filming the untitled Elvis Presley biopic in Australia; they are both reportedly recovering well, but Elvis fanatics will be champing at the bit for the production to ramp back up. It, like life as we know it, has been postponed. While the film is on hold, fans now have the chance to own one of The King’s personal timepieces – one that has had a torrid, and fairly low-rent ride through various auctions over the years, never achieving a fraction of the value of…

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Grand Seiko SLGA001

11.04.2020

VIDEO: The Grand Seiko SLGA001 is big and brawny, but make no mistake, it has brains too

There’s no doubt about it. The latest 47mm professional dive watch from Grand Seiko makes a dramatic first impression, but that shouldn’t overshadow just how remarkable the technical achievements are inside that large and in charge case. The Grand Seiko SLGA001 certainly isn’t for the faint of wrist, measuring in at 46.9mm in diameter and 16mm tall, but the technology powering it is impressive to the highest degree. The new Spring Drive movement is thinner than its predecessor, as well as being more shock resistant thanks to a single-piece central bridge. It boasts a full five days of power reserve…

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Seiko SPB149J

10.04.2020

VIDEO: The Seiko SPB149J is a 2020 reimagining of the brand’s first-ever dive watch

We’ve become accustomed to the sight of a vintage reissue in the watch world. Some are good, some are just plain opportunistic and unimaginative, and some miss the mark completely. And the reason many miss the mark is an awkward straddling of the fence between the past and the present. The question boils down to the level of historical accuracy that is being attempted, and whether or not the watch pulls it off. The Seiko SPB149J is a modern reissue of the 62MAS, which was Seiko’s first ever dive watch and it opts to proffer a modern interpretation of the…

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history of quartz watches

09.04.2020

Quartz, the killer – A history of quartz watches, Part 2

Editor’s note: This is part 2 of a long read from the second edition of NOW Magazine, which you can pick up here. If you missed Part 1, you can find it right here. The story so far is a space race between America, Switzerland and Japan as they sought to manufacture battery powered quartz watches at scale. On Christmas Day in 1969, Seiko beat both the Americans and the Swiss to the quartz punch when they released the gold-cased Astron. But while quartz was now on the scene, digital watches were en vogue, even gracing the wrist of James Bond when…

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history of quartz watches

08.04.2020

Quartz, the killer – A history of quartz watches, Part 1

The development of quartz technology essentially removed the need for the Swiss mechanical watchmaking industry. And yet, both the Swiss and quartz watches are still around. More than that, they’re sharing the bed. And getting more adventurous. Half a century ago, a watch was released that was powered by a battery, and cost the equivalent of a family car. The Seiko Astron spelled the dawn of a new age in watchmaking, one that was moving the industry out of the hands of the solitary craftsman and onto the factory floor. In any industry that has operated the same way for…

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Glashütte Original Sixties blue

04.04.2020

INTRODUCING: The glacial glory of the Glashütte Original Sixties blue Annual Edition for 2020

Bold colours and textures. That’s how you could quickly sum up the Sixties collection that has been the vintage-inspired darling of the Glashütte Original lineup ever since they hit the scene. This year, the German-based manufacture has turned the volume down, opting for a much cooler and more restrained expression of the collection with glacier blue dials for the first time ever. Available in both time-only and chronograph formats, this could be a compelling collection for those who love the vintage cues of the Sixties collection but prefer to keep what is on their wrist under the radar a little…

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Seiko SPB149J

02.04.2020

HANDS-ON: The Seiko SPB149J

Dive watches have come a very long way in 55 years. It was 1965 when Seiko first dipped their toe into the waters of serious dive watches when they released the Seiko automatic 6217 62MAS, water resistant to 150m. Featuring large luminous hands and hour markers, a rotating dive 60-minute bezel and a rubber strap, it already had all the ingredients of the modern-day dive watch. To pay tribute to this special watch, and the legacy of diving watches that it gave birth to, Seiko have released a collection of limited edition watches inspired by important historic references, three of…

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Mido Baroncelli Big Date Limited Edition

29.03.2020

INTRODUCING: The perfect date night, Mido Baroncelli Big Date Limited Edition

The unending pursuit by watch companies of the most commercially successful blue dial watch with integrated steel bracelet has left a lot of empty space for other expressions of a blue dial wristwatch. With their latest expression of the Big Date, Mido have grasped this empty space with both hands, producing a watch that has a deep blue dial, but is encased in a rose gold tone case, and strapped to the wrist with a matching midnight blue leather strap. It isn’t a watch that has already been done to death, and to add to the refreshing take, the aptly…

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G-Shock watches new 2020 review

29.03.2020

G-Shock are losing the plot, and we’re loving it

We are only three months into 2020, and G-Shock have already been going hard — really hard. That’s right, not only have they released dozens of new watches across a range of different collections since the beginning of 2020, but many of those are pretty remarkable in their own right, some tracking heart rate or surf beach conditions, with others paying tribute to Kung fu legend Bruce Lee or representing streetwear label KITH. There is genuinely something for everyone, so let’s take a look at five of the coolest 2020 G-Shock watches. G-Shock X KITH GM-6900 Life is good when…

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Omega De Ville Co-Axial Escapement Limited Edition

28.03.2020

Long read: Omega De Ville Co-Axial Escapement Limited Edition, a piece of watchmaking history

George Daniels is almost universally recognised as the greatest watchmaker of his lifetime, and even if you haven’t heard of him, you might have seen evidence of his work on the dial of millions of Omega watches around the world — the words CO-AXIAL. His most significant contribution to watchmaking was the development of his co-axial escapement, the first serious step forward in watchmaking in more than 200 years, and was first put to work in the Omega De Ville Co-Axial Escapement Limited Edition. That’s right, not much had changed in two centuries before Daniels began his work. His co-axial escapement…

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2020 Seiko

27.03.2020

Your questions about the 2020 Seiko and Grand Seiko collections are answered here

This week we were lucky enough to have a number of the latest releases from Seiko and Grand Seiko in the office, and we put the call out to Time+Tide readers to find out the questions they had about these new pieces. If you missed the Q&A on Instagram stories (you can still find them in the Seiko and Grand Seiko highlights on @timetidewatches), we’ve collated those questions and their answers right here. If you had any questions on the new collection that you didn’t get to ask, don’t hesitate to send us a direct message and we’ll do our…

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Kevin O'Leary watches

26.03.2020

7 of Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary’s watch collecting commandments

“It’s completely irrational. It’s a horrible affliction,” says Kevin O’Leary. “Once you’re infected, you have to deal with it. You have to live with the disease.” Just like that, the Shark Tank personality confirms he isn’t just another rich guy with a bunch of rich-guy watches. He is one of us. He has fallen, quickly, and with unstoppable momentum, down the horological rabbit hole we call home. While that metaphor — of watch collecting being akin to an infection, a disease — now takes on a different spin in these COVID-19 days, it is still the only one that works…

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Great 'Grams

21.03.2020

Great ‘Grams: The Fun Edition

This week in Great ‘Grams I wanted to focus on the more lighthearted side of the hobby, and probably the initial reason many of us became interested in horology — it’s fun. It’s fun to learn about a totally new version of a watch you thought you were familiar with, and it’s fun to ooh and aah at a gem-set masterpiece because for some reason even though you might never own it, there is a part of you that is glad it exists. It’s also a lot of fun to meet other passionate people through this hobby: the founders of brands…

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Franck Muller manufacture

20.03.2020

Welcome to Watchland, the story of the Franck Muller manufacture

From Watchland, the Genevan estate where Franck Muller is based, you are able to look out across the calm blue waters of Lake Geneva to the far bank, and in the distance gaze up at the white peak of Mont Blanc. In this postcard setting, Watchland is an open expanse of chalet-style buildings designed by the Swiss architect Edmond Fatio, punctuated with manicured gardens that remind of the calm grounds of Versailles. This year, Franck Muller announced that Watchland had been renovated extensively, with two new buildings constructed in the same style as the rest of the estate, which dates…

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Franck Muller Vanguard Classic

18.03.2020

INTRODUCING: The Franck Muller Vanguard Classic that can take you from boardroom to beach

Fans of Franck Muller will know there is something in the Vanguard collection for everyone. With more than 30 different references in the current lineup, including chronographs, tourbillons and skeletonised movements, the independent watchmaker has ensured that no matter where you want to take your watch, there is a generously curved creation for you. Despite the range of options, each reference evokes a specific lifestyle that each watch is suited to, be it for the international money mover, or the type who prefers to spend their time on the deck of a yacht. When it comes to the Franck Muller…

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best watches under $500

17.03.2020

13 of the best watches under $500 that get watch snobs’ approval

With all the uncertainty in the world right now, spending several months’ salary on a watch might seem like an idea that can wait a while. But for those in the watch community, the idea of not knowing where your next drink is coming from can be an uncomfortable feeling. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best watches you can currently buy that will scratch that new-watch itch, without meaning you have to go without toilet paper for the next few months. So without further ado, let’s get better acquainted with a few of…

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Rolex shuts down production

17.03.2020

BREAKING NEWS: Rolex shuts down production for 10 days, closing three factories

Rolex Chief Executive Jean-Frédéric Dufour has today informed Rolex staff that they will be shutting down three factories in response to the increasing threat of COVID-19, from 5pm today. First reported by WatchPro USA, the news of the shut down was shared to Rolex employees in a letter, indicating the shut-down is set to last 10 days. Factories will look to reopen on March 27, should the danger of Coronavirus been seen to have reduced during that period. In an environment where many Rolex models, specifically stainless steel Professional models, are very difficult to purchase at retail due to immense…

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Chanel J12 X-Ray

15.03.2020

INTRODUCING: The Chanel J12 X-Ray is the clarity you need in your life

Transparency is almost always a good thing, be it in political donations, corporate bonuses or who your local member of parliament is having lunch with. It is a concept that Chanel has adopted as a motif in their watchmaking department, seen in the Boy.Friend Skeleton, their remarkable Monsieur de Chanel Pocket Watch (an almost US$800,000 skeletonised pocket watch set with 7.12 carats of baguette diamonds and held in an 18k white gold and obsidian lion-themed stand), and now most recently with the Chanel J12 X-Ray. The J12 collection has been making significant strides into the horological landscape of late, winning the…

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independent watchmakers

14.03.2020

Great ‘Grams: The Independent Watchmakers Edition

This week on Great ’Grams, it’s all about independent watchmakers, and taking a look at the many different ways these patrons of watchmaking go about their work. One such independent watchmaker is Franck Muller, a man whose factory is known for producing sveltely curved and complicated watches but was once something of a traditionalist. The remarkable creativity and design ingenuity saw him make one of the most remarkable watches in the collection of one of the most remarkable musicians of this generation, none other than Jay-Z. Franck Muller was the man responsible for an unusual Rolex perpetual calendar that is…

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Apple Watch Series 5 review

14.03.2020

IN-DEPTH: The Apple Watch Series 5 review for people on the go

As I mentioned in my video review of the Apple Watch Series 5, this isn’t the sort of watch that Time+Tide typically reviews. But since 2017, when the Series 2 was launched, the Apple Watch has made headline after headline as it sold millions of units and increasingly worried Swiss watch executives. This shifted the Apple Watch away from being just another piece of consumer electronics to a well-designed object that deserves the same level of scrutiny as a mechanical watch, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the Apple Watch isn’t going anywhere, and while there are certainly positive impacts…

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Sinn 903 Chronograph

12.03.2020

What Sealed The Deal: Colin’s Sinn 903 Chronograph

Sometimes, a Time+Tide Watches reader will share a small piece of watchmaking history that makes us turn to each other and wonder how we hadn’t know about it before. This is exactly what happened when Colin strolled into the T+T HQ to look at a couple of DOXA watches, with a familiar looking watch on his wrist, with an unfamiliar name on its dial. He was wearing a Sinn 903 Chronograph, which looked a lot like a Breitling Navitimer from across the room but, as he explained, it was one of the unusual effects of the quartz era. In 1979…

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Grand Seiko SLGA001

10.03.2020

INTRODUCING: The Grand Seiko SLGA001 is their best dive watch yet

This year is a big one for Grand Seiko as it is the 60th anniversary of the brand, a number already made special with several limited editions. Over the last few days they have released several more, one of which is arguably their most impressive dive watch yet. Say hello to the Grand Seiko SLGA001, a titanium diving watch that is powered by a brand new Spring Drive movement, and is water resistant to 600m. Before we get to why the new movement is important, let’s focus on the case and dial. At 46.9mm x 16mm, the dimensions are initially…

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Franck Muller Master Banker

03.03.2020

INTRODUCING: The triple threat of the Franck Muller Master Banker in steel

Franck Muller is known as the Master of Complications, and for good reason. Almost none of the watches produced by the Genevan watchmaker are straightforward, with watches that run backward, hour hands that jump around the dial, and a host of other marvels of mechanical engineering that both surprise and delight. This flair for the complex is seen clearly in the Franck Muller Master Banker collection, a family of watches with a tonneau-shaped case that houses a movement capable of showing three time zones at once – perfect for the international finance professional tracking the global markets. The elegant curves…

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HSNY

02.03.2020

Weekend Watch Spotting – Very rare Rolex spotted in the HSNY Edition

This weekend we were lucky enough to be visited by the fantastic team from the Horological Society of New York, who were in Australia offering watchmaking classes to a few very passionate Melburnians. It was an evening that also celebrated the incredible generosity of the watch community at large, which was shown through the recent Time+Tide Watch & Act! Auction to raise money for those affected by the devastating bushfires over this summer. A number of watch manufacturers, media outlets and even private collectors offered pieces for auction, which were enthusiastically bid on by watch lovers from around the world…

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Baselworld bought

29.02.2020

No Baselworld this year, for the first time since World War 1

It was only a day ago that the watch world was reacting to the cancellation of Watches & Wonders Geneva (formerly SIHH), as a result of the increasing spread of the Coronavirus, and wondering if Baselworld would suffer the same fate in 2020. Overnight, the answer was given, as Baselworld announced that it would be “postponed” until January 2021 due to an official ban by the Swiss authorities on large-scale public events. This is not a surprising decision by Baselworld management, but still a significant one in the context of the challenges the fair has faced in recent years, as…

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28.02.2020

How to make money by starting a Minimalist watch brand

Editor’s note: The Minimalist watch brand is an unrelenting feature in the Sponsored section of your Instagram feed, and isn’t going away anytime soon. So if you were thinking of capitalising on some horological high-street chic without wasting any time in learning about the history of watchmaking, please enjoy this step-by-step guide to starting your own minimalist watch brand. It’s not as hard as you think. We all have friends who wear watches made by brands like Daniel Wellington and The Horse. We also all know that these watches are, essentially, identical. Yet somehow these simple quartz dress watch lookalikes seem…

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Cartier

28.02.2020

Great ‘Grams: The Cartier edition

As you might have picked up if you follow me on Instagram (@nick.kenyon), I have a soft spot for design-focused watches, generally on the smaller side of 40mm and especially those that are vintage. As a result, one of my favourite brands is Cartier, thanks to the strength and consistency that has been present in their designs for more than a hundred years. In that spirit, I wanted to share a few sensational posts I saw this week that were showing off the range of design and technical prowess on offer from Cartier. @misterenthusiast The grey works sooooo well 😍…

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Watches & Wonders

28.02.2020

Coronavirus cancels Watches & Wonders 2020, is Baselworld next?

Watches & Wonders Geneva (formerly SIHH) has been cancelled in an announcement by the FHH overnight, as a result of the growing concerns around the Coronavirus and its spread throughout the world. This comes off the back of both Citizen and Bulova announcing their withdrawal from Baselworld just days ago, and adds Watches & Wonders to the growing list of watch industry events that have been cancelled due to the virus. The most notable of these cancellations have been the Swatch Group retail and press event Time to Move, and the Grand Seiko Summit, which was to be held in…

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso engraved

25.02.2020

Why getting your Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso engraved is worth the wait

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is a paragon of the Art Deco dress watch style, delivering a clean and classic design that has remained the same for the best part of a hundred years. While most watches with a solid caseback offer ample space for an engraving, the Reverso offers more than most thanks to its beautifully designed ability to flip the watch dial over to face the wrist, exposing the caseback to the elements. As most will know, this ingenious technique for hiding the dial from the rest of the world was born on the polo fields of India, where players…

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Swiss watch exports Coronavirus

23.02.2020

BUSINESS NEWS: Swiss watch exports unaffected by Coronavirus outbreak yet, according to FHH

While the Coronavirus outbreak certainly offers a number of reasons for the watch industry at large to be concerned, its effects haven’t been severely felt yet. According to recent data from the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH), the first month of 2020 has seen strong watch sales, with a 9.4 per cent increase in Swiss watch exports compared to January 2019. This is specifically seen in watches priced over 500 CHF, with a reportedly negative trend for watches priced under 200 CHF, further confirming the aggressive drop in appetite for Swiss-made quartz watches (which have seen a 35 per…

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Tudor Black Bay ref. 79220N

23.02.2020

The revitalising energy of the Tudor Black Bay ref. 79220N

Editor’s note: The Tudor Black Bay symbolised a new chapter in the journey of the Rolex-owned watchmaker, with the decision to look back into their archives to build their future collections proving a very popular one. Inspired by the Tudor Submariners of the mid-1950s, the Tudor Black Bay ref. 79220N is a thoroughly modern interpretation of an iconic tool watch that walks the tightrope of historical design cues and contemporary wearability. Let’s take a closer look at one of the watches that put Tudor back on the map. The story in a second: We’ve been waiting three long years for…

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world timer

21.02.2020

Great ‘Grams: The world timer edition

The world timer complication on a wristwatch has been popular for decades, long before the commercialisation of the jet aircraft, thanks to its clean simplicity and obvious usefulness. The capacity for a watch to tell you the time anywhere in the world, without the need for a highly complicated dial layout or training in pure mathematics, was as profound as it was a sign of the times when it was first invented – in 1931, the world was already shrinking. The world timer complication has only become more relevant over the last nine decades, with more business happening across time…

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Fabien Cousteau

19.02.2020

IN CONVERSATION: With ocean explorer Fabien Cousteau

Google Maps has done a good job of ruining the job of the safari-suited explorer, taking crystal clear pictures of the entire surface of the rock we call home. Where there is hope for the Indiana Jones’ of the world is what lies beneath the surface, where under the white-capped waves of the world’s oceans only five per cent has been properly explored. It is this unknown factor, and the consequential opportunity for discovery, which gets ocean explorer, diver and conservationist Fabien Cousteau out of bed each morning. While it certainly isn’t a career path that high school counsellors are…

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Valentine's Day watch

14.02.2020

HOW TO: Buy a Valentine’s Day watch in 90 secs

Buying a watch for anyone other than yourself is a difficult thing to do, for exactly the same reasons it is so enjoyable to wear a watch at all – it is a deeply personal decision. This challenge is amplified when you’re faced with the 14th of February, and are standing at the counter of a boutique with three watches in front of you, unable to be sure of which is the best one. Luckily for you, we have arranged a 90-second refresher on what to consider when purchasing a Valentine’s Day watch for your significant other, which outlines the…

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14.02.2020

Great ‘Grams: Dial details and custom cases

This week on Great ‘Grams we get up close and personal with the number of the beast, a custom Eastern Arabic dial from an independent watchmaker, and a very rare Rolex thought to be sold by a retailer off the coast of Miami. The Bahamas-based retailer in question is John Bull, established in 1929 and a current-day Authorised Dealer of Rolex, who once sold some rather unusual sports watches. There is little information out there on these watches, but it seems that John Bull would modify the cases of a handful of Rolex watches with a bark finish and engrave…

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Great 'Grams

07.02.2020

Great ‘Grams: A tennis superstar, a unique Rolex

This week on Great ’Grams, we’ve got a tennis superstar, a fully custom wristwatch by George Daniels, and a southpaw Rolex Day-Date, and more. The tennis superstar in question is none other than Gaël Monfils, who this week posted about a new Instagram account he has started (@myson.watches) that will focus specifically on his watch collection. In his post announcing the account, he was wearing what appears to be a Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Regulator 5235G, a watch that is as unusual as it is under-appreciated, and certainly a piece that requires an immersion in the world of Patek Philippe…

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Rado Bethan Grey

06.02.2020

The dial on on this Rado is absolutely crazy …

Rado are well known for their collaborations with important designers from around the world. Famous names who have designed watches for Rado include English product designer Jasper Morrison, Taiwanese graphic designer Leslie Chan, and more recently the renowned Welsh furniture designer Bethan Gray. The Rado True Thinline Studs Limited Edition is a meeting of Rado’s expertise in high-tech ceramic as a case material, and Bethan’s interest in traditional craft, and how she can tell that story through design. I was fortunate enough to sit down with Bethan to discuss the drivers of her design process and what it was like designing…

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Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary

03.02.2020

INTRODUCING: The bold and blue Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary

Most brands enjoy celebrating anniversaries based around the centenary, but not Grand Seiko, and it actually makes sense. In watchmaking, the number 60 is significantly more important than 50, as it takes 60 seconds to make a minute, and 60 minutes to make an hour, as well as that in Japan the number 60 signifies the beginning of a new life cycle. As a result, the Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary is being celebrated with the release of a number of new limited editions. The brand has released four new references, and all are offered with stunning blue dials, the signature…

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Patek Philippe Solar Clock

01.02.2020

RECOMMENDED READING: The remarkable innovation of the Patek Philippe Solar Clock

While Patek Philippe are kept most popularly in the mind today through a handful of steel sports watches and the lyrics of chart-topping songs, the company has a history of remarkable innovation that is sometimes overlooked. In the middle of last century — 1950 to be precise — the Genevan firm released a solar-powered table clock, an invention that predated their first-ever automatic wristwatch movement by several years. It is surprising that Patek Philippe were actively investing in light-powered technology so long ago, as even today most watch companies choose not to work with solar power in favour of battery or mechanically…

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titanium Doxa

31.01.2020

Great ‘Grams: A titanium DOXA and a Compax close-up

Welcome back to Great ’Grams, where I pick my favourite Instagram posts of the last week and, my word, were there some great stories that hit the feed. One of the coolest I saw was from Jason Heaton, a watch writer and scuba diver, who was selling a very special DOXA to raise funds for an even more exciting project he is working on. The watch in question was a titanium DOXA that was made specifically for Fabien Cousteau’s Mission 31 expedition, where he and his team would spend 31 days in an underwater habitat to conduct marine research. Jason…

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31.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction – The Final Additions #2

Finally, we have the last additions to the “Watch & Act!” Auction. Lot 22: TAG Heuer – Unique Piece, Autavia Caliber 5 ‘Watch & Act!’ Edition First released in 2019, this collection represented the first time the name Autavia had been given to a time-only watch, which is originally a portmanteau of automobile and aviation and used for chronograph tool watches. This TAG Heuer Autavia Caliber 5 is offered in a warmly toned bronze case that complements the graduated moss green dial and strap, and is framed by the ceramic bezel. This model was chosen by TAG Heuer to “symbolise…

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31.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction – The Final Additions #1

Over the next two posts, we’ll be showing the final additions to the “Watch & Act!” Auction. Lot 19: Baltic Watches – Aquascaphe Prototype Based out of France, Baltic Watches have carved themselves a niche in producing watches inspired by the second half of the 20th century, with a range of genuinely attractive references that have proven themselves to be hugely popular with watch enthusiasts around the world. After the roaring success of the Bicompax chronograph release, they immediately began work on their vision of a diving watch, which resulted in this Baltic Watches Aquascaphe Prototype. While several elements of…

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31.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction Item – Lot 18: Montblanc Heritage with a sleek salmon dial

Montblanc’s Heritage Collection draws inspiration heavily from the watchmaker Minerva and the timepieces they produced in the ’40s and ’50s. And there’s a very good reason why – Montblanc owns the once great Minerva. As a result, we get great-looking watches like this – the Montblanc Heritage Automatic. Replete with its period correct and vogue salmon dial, this elegant three-hander offers a great amount of vintage flair and modern technicality. Housed inside the subtly rounded 40mm stainless steel case, which is just 11.65mm thick, you’ll find Montblanc’s Calibre MB 24.26. This trusty self-winding movement offers 38 hours of power reserve,…

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31.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction Item – Lot 17: A gorgeous green Middle Eastern Limited Edition Bell & Ross

This eye-catching special edition, launched at the Dubai Watch Week 2019, features a satin-finished steel case and lush starburst dial inspired by the green in the UAE flag – a colour chosen to inspire hope, growth and prosperity – and four Hindi Arabic numerals painted in Super-LumiNova. This is the first Bell & Ross model to ever feature Hindi Arabic numerals. This watch has been generously donated by Seddiqi Holdings. What we like about it It’s pretty well established in the watch world at the moment that green dials are just better. Case in point is this limited edition Bell…

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Rado HyperChrome Ashleigh Barty Limited Edition

31.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction Item – Lot 16: It’s a Rado Ashleigh Barty party and you’re invited

World women’s number one tennis player Ash Barty has collaborated with Rado to release a watch this year, bringing us the Rado HyperChrome Ashleigh Barty Limited Edition, a white-hot polished ceramic watch that matches perfectly with the uniform of Wimbledon, which was her first junior Grand Slam win – ahead of her career-defining Grand Slam win at the French Open in 2019. Taking advantage of Rado’s expertise in ceramics, both the case and bracelet of the watch have been produced in a polished white ceramic, with the case reinforced with stainless steel. The bracelet is finished with a deployant clasp…

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best watches on bracelets

28.01.2020

13 of the best watches on bracelets from 2019

Watches on bracelets are great for a multitude of reasons. They are both durable and comfortable, relatively easy to adjust and aren’t ruined if you go swimming with them … all pointing to it being hard to go wrong if you get a watch with a bracelet. Besides, it’s always better to buy your watch with a bracelet if you can, because leather straps are much of a muchness, but the variation in a bracelet that might suit your watch is endless. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the best watches on bracelets from…

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Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase

28.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction Item – Lot 15: A moon dance with Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Manufacture

The Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Manufacture Fratello Exclusive is produced in a limited run of 29 pieces, and are all individually numbered on the caseback. The 42mm 3 parts-case holds a convex sapphire crystal and clear caseback revealing the inner workings of the FC-712 caliber. The two counters of the moonphase and date are respectively located at three and nine o’clock. The elegant curved dial merges seamlessly with the case and features printed Roman numeral indexes and hand-polished hands. Finally, the blue crocodile leather strap completes the look. The Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Manufacture Fratello Exclusive is powered by the…

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Alpina Manufacture Flyback Chronograph

28.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction Item – Lot 14: The striking Alpina Manufacture Flyback Chronograph

With its striking appearance, the ‘Full Black’ Alpina 4 Manufacture Flyback Chronograph demonstrates an aggressive and distinctive personality. The model features an intense black PVD-coated case made out of stainless steel. The black dial with beige luminous pearl black applied indexes, matching the luminous beige hands, provides a stealthy, slightly vintage look. Note the ergonomically shaped chronograph push-pieces, screw-down winding and setting crown, and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. It can withstand a water pressure of up to 10 atmospheres, equivalent to a diving depth of 100 metres. The ‘Full Black’ manufacture movement is powered by the AL-760 movement, comprising 233 components…

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130 Years of Doxa

28.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction Item – Lot 13: DOXA – Celebrating 130 Years of DOXA

Released at Baselworld 2019, this SUB 200 130th Anniversary Limited Edition diver’s watch was profoundly popular, and the run of 130 pieces sold out almost before it was released. Time+Tide’s own stock of this model, 30 pieces, was sold in just under two hours. We are offering our own archive piece for sale here, brand new in support of the ‘Watch & Act!’ auction — and to put our own money, a second time, where our mouth is. It has a case of 316L stainless steel and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. Special touches on the Limited…

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Frederique Constant

28.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction Item – Lot 12: A crisp classic from Frederique Constant

This classic three-handed model from Frederique Constant, with gloss black dial, is a dress watch par excellence. It is presented here with high-polished baton indices, razor-sharp sword hands and an elegant crocodile strap. It is generously donated by Sydney’s Wamada Jewellery, Watchfest and the Sydney Chinese Community. The Classics Index Automatic is a symphony of sleek, clean lines, and an elegant black dial that coheres raw classicism and modern-day design. The Classics Index Automatic is powered by the FC-303 automatic caliber with 26 jewels, and runs at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, with a 38-hour power reserve. The…

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ceramic Bausele

28.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction Item – Lot 11: The ceramic Bausele pilot’s watch with a difference

The Bausele Pilot Automatic All Black features an unusual and eye-catching dial layout. The dial has been rotated, moving the 12 from where it normally sits to what is traditionally the two o’clock position. Built with the modern aviator in mind, it is a functional choice, allowing the time to be easily read without removing the hand from the controls. Taking a closer look at the dial, the hour markers are red numerals that have been applied onto carbon fibre discs. The hands and hour markers are lumed, making the watch easy to read. The altimeter-style date window is both…

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Seiko Prospex

28.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction Item – Lot 10: Dive into the world of Seiko Prospex

In the world of Seiko diving watches, the collection of watches known as Prospex is actually a contraction of ‘Professional Specifications’, a reference to the very high standards that the watches are manufactured to. As a result, all watches in the collection are remarkably robust, water resistant and built with ultimate functionality in mind. In the Seiko Prospex SPB101J1, we are offered a stainless steel sports watch that’s not only water resistant to 200 metres, but also has workhorse automatic movement and an impressive build quality for the price point. The black bezel and dial create a high contrast canvas…

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James Morrison

28.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction Item – Lot 9: An Oris from the jazz man James Morrison

This Oris jazz watch is an homage to the Australian jazz musician James Morrison. It features a gradient ‘dégradé’ blue dial and a caseback engraved with the Academy of Music logo, with contrasting Arabic numerals marking the hours. The golden seconds hand counterbalance is shaped like a trumpet hook, inspired by James’ favourite instrument. This watch – engraved #2 of 1234 – is the first numbered edition available for purchase, with #1 going to the museum as a matter of course. This watch is generously donated by Oris, with the enthusiastic support of the man himself, James Morrison. What we…

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Doxa SUB 200 T.Graph

27.01.2020

RECOMMENDED READING: The Modern DOXA with a vintage movement

Last year, fans were delighted with the release of the DOXA SUB 200 T.Graph, a steel cushion-cased chronograph with an iconic DOXA orange dial. Based on a historical reference from 1969, the SUB 200 T.Graph is part of the brand’s revitalisation over recent years, which included the release of the same chronograph, except in solid gold rather than steel. What is particularly interesting with the release of both the stainless steel and gold examples is that DOXA has chosen to furnish them with vintage manual-winding Valjoux 7734 movements. Preserved by the brand for decades, before being restored and updated to…

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Zenith Pilot Rescue ‘Australian Rescue’ Edition

27.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction Item – Lot 7: One of a kind with the Zenith Pilot Rescue ‘Australian Rescue’ Edition

This unique piece, with a custom Australian-themed caseback and unique dial, has been conceived and created from scratch by the brilliant minds driving Zenith’s groundbreaking new era. It combines the slate grey dial of the brand new ‘Rescue’ series of Pilots, with a bronze case to dramatic effect. The blood-red crossed axe motif on the dial is another reminder of both its uniqueness and its mission. It is engraved with the words ‘Australian Rescue Edition – Unique Piece’ on the caseback. This watch is generously donated by Zenith. This Piece Unique watch from Zenith is based on the Pilot Type…

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limited edition Nick Hacko

27.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction Item – Lot 6: A limited edition Nick Hacko born in Sydney

This watch comes with a moving personal story. The first of a run of 200 ‘Mark 1’ models that are keenly being awaited by their future owners, it was actually a present from Sydney watchmaker Nicholas Hacko to his wife: “It is a very special watch for her, and she is parting with it in both sadness and joy that the money will go to a good cause.” The watch is in mint condition with a new kangaroo strap fitted. The Mark 1 is assembled from the components of 11 part manufacturers who make components based on Hacko’s design drawings.…

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double signed Rolex

26.01.2020

RECOMMENDED READING: Why double-signed Rolex and Patek Philippe dials are so interesting

Double-signed dials are the perfect example of how the details of a watch are sometimes the most interesting, revealing not just where a watch might have been sold, but opening up a window into the past to expose key relationships and macroeconomic trends that affected how the business of selling watches was done. Double-signed dials that show both the name of the watch brand and the retailer who sold the watch have increased in recent popularity, with auction house Phillips curating a special sale “Double Signed” which sold both vintage and modern watches that featured double signatures (including important Zurich…

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great 'grams

24.01.2020

Great ‘Grams: MLK Day, Joshua Trees, and a very special AP

This week the US celebrated Martin Luther King Day, a reminder of Mr King’s work as a civil rights leader campaigning against segregation, and also a reminder that our efforts to build a more equal world mustn’t subside as we move forward. To mark the occasion, the watch collecting community was offered a post of a very important Patek Philippe pocket watch with an equally important engraving on the caseback. We were also treated to a new limited edition from Audemars Piguet, produced for one of their most successful markets, and a damn cool shot of a Bremont A-10 a…

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Longines Heritage

23.01.2020

“Watch & Act!” Auction Item – Lot 4: A classic from the Longines Heritage Collection

The Heritage Diver 1967 was released at the first Basel we attended as Time+Tide, so it holds special significance. It was also one of our favourite releases of the year, with its heft, heritage-correct styling and dashing colour scheme, it photographed beautifully and remains a solid submarine option in the truest sense. This watch is generously donated by Swatch Group Australia. Longines have got a lot of things right about this design, particularly on the dial. Sure, the original watch was a bi-compax chronograph with no date, but other than that, the handset is perfect (so ’60s), and the indices…

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Cartier Mystery Clock

22.01.2020

RECOMMENDED READING: Why Cartier clockmaking is a mystery

Louis Cartier has an important place in the history of the Cartier company, not only because he ran the first-ever Paris boutique but because he was responsible for one of the most enigmatic creations the brand released, the Cartier Mystery Clock. The origins of the Mystery Clock are found in 1912, when Louis Cartier began developing the playfully puzzling clocks with his watchmaker Maurice Coüet who, in turn, had studied the designs of the French magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin (who inspired Ehrich Weiss to adopt the stage name Houdini). The result was one of Cartier’s most enduring designs, inspiring a sense…

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History of Chopard L.U.C

21.01.2020

VIDEO: The History of Chopard L.U.C watchmaking

Chopard have been an important firm in the Swiss luxury landscape since they were founded in 1860, but they weren’t always the house of haute horology that they are today. It wasn’t until just over a quarter of a century ago, in 1993, when Karl-Friedrich Scheufele made the decision to refocus the brand’s energies into the art of watchmaking, and only thee years later marked an important year in the history of Chopard L.U.C as they launched their first in-house movement. Since then, the in-house component of Chopard’s watchmaking has gone from strength to strength, developing new movements at a…

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17.01.2020

Great ‘Grams: A beautiful Bulgari and more …

Welcome back to Great ’Grams, where we take a look at some of my favourite Instagram posts of the last week, by some of the most interesting people in the watch world. Last week we spanned the gulf of limited edition A. Lange & Söhne to the best in vintage Seiko and more, but this week I saw some genuinely excellent vintage Rolex and the delivery of the most accurate watch in the world. Let’s get to it. @petitesecondes This Friday is in need of some serious lume action 😎. The blue dial Tudor Pelagos in full flight, bubbling with…

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16.01.2020

RECOMMENDED READING: Is this man the King of Cartier?

Harry Fane is one of the world’s foremost experts in Cartier, not just watches but the entire gamut of objets d’art that have been produced by the brand for more than 150 years. He cites his specific interest in the brand as being the golden age of the luxury maison from a creative standpoint, regarded as falling between 1919 and 1939, when some of the most important designs from the brand were developed. One of the reasons for Mr Fane’s fascination? A part of it boils down to the ambition to make the quotidian more beautiful. “Cartier had a great…

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vintage Patek Philippe

14.01.2020

RECOMMENDED READING: An interview with one of the world’s foremost vintage Patek Philippe collectors

John Reardon is one of the world’s foremost experts on collectible vintage watches, having recently left his position as Christie’s International Head of Watches, and one of the areas he is most passionate about is vintage Patek Philippe. So what better way to express that passion and put his wealth of knowledge to good use than start his own dealership of vintage Patek Philippe? He launched Collectability to guide interested members of the watch world on their Patek Philippe collecting journey, buying and selling only the rarest and most interesting pieces produced by the Calatrava cross-bearing manufacturer, offering everything including…

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custom Patek Philippe Nautilus

13.01.2020

Drake shows us “Life is Good” with his custom Patek Philippe Nautilus designed by Louis Vuitton Artistic Director

Drake recently took to Instagram to let us know about his latest watch acquisition — a fully custom Patek Philippe Nautilus Annual Calendar Ref. 5726 that had been black DLC-coated and gem-set with dozens of emeralds. While Drake is well known for his love of the Genevan firm, this watch was special for a couple of reasons. Firstly, he posted the image of the watch only hours after fellow rapper Future released his latest track, Life is Good, which Drake features heavily on. In the song, Drake drops a hint about the timepiece he is about to show-off on Instagram, rapping,…

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Omega Speedmaster Limited Edition

13.01.2020

What Sealed The Deal – Joseph’s Omega Speedmaster Limited Edition

Editor’s note: The hunt for a new watch is, for many watch enthusiasts, a huge part of the collecting experience. It isn’t enough to simply buy a watch, but a watch must be searched for long and hard, with its eventual discovery making the acquisition all the more exciting. This is the story of Joseph and his hunt for an Omega Speedmaster Limited Edition. This is a tale of an Omega Speedmaster Limited Edition that was one of only 2998 pieces … seven months’ perfection, six years’ lust, three countries and two continents, and one hospital trip. The Omega Speedmaster…

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11.01.2020

RECOMMENDED READING: DIY watch waterproofing

The topic of watch water resistance is a tried and true watch forum favourite, showing just how motivated watch enthusiasts are to keep their wristwatches running underwater. If it’s expressed in bar, metres or feet, anyone who has spent a few months salary on a new watch is understandably interested in keeping their watch away from the limits of the reported water resistance, just in case disaster should strike. What most of those watch owners don’t know, however, is there is a method to ensure the water resistance of their watch from the comfort of their own home. That’s right,…

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2019 $20k Fantasy Watch Collection

10.01.2020

Nick’s 2019 $20K fantasy watch collection

Selecting the best watches of 2019 with an unlimited budget is one thing. But those of us who aren’t hip-hop stars or oil tycoons have to comply with the tiresome reality of financial constraints. Which leads us to the challenge of selecting a $20K Fantasy Watch Collection from 2019. Here’s my hit list that sneaks in five watches just under the limit, to a total of AUD $19,785. Longines Heritage Classic The Longines Heritage Classic was one of the best watches of 2019, hands down. It felt like Longines listened to all of the complaints about recent heritage reissues, and…

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Great ‘Grams

10.01.2020

Great ‘Grams: Sketching, Auction Hype and Seiko Mania

Great ‘Grams: Sketching, Auction Hype and Seiko Mania It’s the start of a new decade, and as we hit the Roaring ’20s, there’s no sign that anyone is spending any less time on Instagram — especially if they love watches. With that in mind, I thought I’d do my best to put all of the time I spend on the ’gram to good use, and wrap up my five favourite posts of the previous week, in what will aim to be across a range. After all, if you ever find yourself scrolling through the feed and bored, you aren’t following…

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Tissot Seastar 1000

09.01.2020

Two years after its release, this Tissot is still one of the best value propositions on the market

Editor’s note: When you’re looking to buy your next watch, you want to know you’re getting great value for the money you’re spending. This Tissot Seastar 1000 could still be one of the best value watches on the market after its release at Baselworld 2018, and there’s no sign of that changing. Let’s take a closer look at this beautiful example of “bang for buck”. This is such a great watch. Honestly. I can’t think of many (if any) Swiss-made watches that offer such a punchy package for this sort of price. Not only do you get the impressive Powermatic…

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Hublot boutique in Sydney

07.01.2020

The first ever Australian Hublot boutique in Sydney offers an exciting future

It’s been a very busy month in Sydney’s watch retail space with a number of brands opening their doors, and an exciting Swiss brand has entered the fray with the first ever standalone Australian Hublot boutique in Sydney. Located in the heart of Sydney on King Street, the new space embodies the brand’s motto of “The Art of Fusion”, blending marble and glass in the form of alchemy that only Hublot has mastered. Throughout the boutique, the walls are covered in mirrors and pop-art, expressing a playfulness of light and space that is also expressed in Hublot’s watches, especially through…

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Favourite Watches of 2019

03.01.2020

Nick’s 5 favourite watches of 2019

The more you look at different watches, the more critical you become, as you better understand what the watchmaker and designer were trying to achieve, and how successful they were at executing it in the final watch. This year, I got a lot of opportunities to handle hundreds of different watches, both new and vintage, and after thinking for a couple of weeks about the best of the new watches, these are my five favourites of 2019. Longines Heritage Classic It unfortunately isn’t often that brands nail the details of heritage-inspired wristwatches, but for me, Longines accomplished just that with…

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01.01.2020

Letter from the Deputy Editor: 2019 in review

As we float about in the liminal space between Christmas and the new year, it’s a great chance to reflect on the year that the watch world was in 2019. Andrew mentioned in his Letter from the Editor that 2019 could be defined by the hysterical focus on SSR (stainless steel Rolex), as well as similar watches from both Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet. As a result, this has certainly been a part of almost daily discussion in the Time+Tide office. It might be an eye-watering auction result, a watch listed for sale online at double retail, or a question…

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Favourite Watch Photos from 2019

30.12.2019

LIST: Time+Tide photographer Jason’s favourite watch photos from 2019

I asked Jason, Time+Tide’s resident photographer, if he could tell me his favourite watch photos from 2019 that he had captured, without quite realising the sheer scope of the work that he had done this year. I soon found out. “Hey Jason, how many photos have you taken this year?” “How many have I edited, or how many have been published?” “No, how many times have you pressed the button on your camera?” “Oh, that’s a big number. Tens of thousands, easy.” So out of the tens of thousands of shutter clicks that happened since we last lapped the sun…

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23.12.2019

The Horological Society of New York is coming to Melbourne, and you’re invited – Feb 29th and March 1st

The Horological Society of New York, the oldest watchmaking guild in America, formed 1866, is one of the world’s leading educators on all things watchmaking and horology. For the first time ever they are coming to Australia. We are proud to be the official media partner for the tour. We are joining with event partner, The Hour Glass, to make this maiden voyage a smashing success. Classes will run on February 29 and March 1. Buy tickets here. The esteemed guild will be offering classes in Melbourne on how your mechanical watch works — covering everything from how the escapement works…

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Apple Watch Series 5

20.12.2019

VIDEO: A week on the wrist with the Apple Watch Series 5

There have only ever been three smart watch reviews in the three thousand review history of Time+Tide. Which makes this review special. The reason we wanted to get our hands on one of the latest Apple Watch Series 5 models was the host of new features, including some new and luxurious materials, many of which approximate the luxury watch world we live in – full ceramic? Full titanium? Don’t mind if we do. After spending some time with it on the wrist (including running a marathon with it on), I found that there were some things to report (other than…

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20.12.2019

LIST: Nick Kenyon’s Favourite Watch Photos from 2019

Just like new parents have a large number of bad photos of their children on their phones, watch collectors have a large number of bad photos of watches on their phones. The number of photos is large because we love watches like new parents love their children, and the reason they are bad is because it is actually quite hard to take a good photo of a watch. The myriad of polished surfaces catch every reflection you don’t want, and the lighting is either too bright or too dark, leaving you with about a 5% success rate of Instagram-publishable pictures.…

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Nick Kenyon

17.12.2019

LIST: Nick Kenyon’s 5 favourite articles of 2019

As 2019 draws to a close and I get the opportunity to reflect on the year that was (as well as prepare for endless upcoming jokes on my 2020 vision), it’s impossible not to acknowledge that it has been a massive year for Time+Tide. The team has worked hard on a number of different projects, including Edition Two of NOW Magazine and the Time+Tide Club, all while delivering a very passionate family of watch lovers the news of the watch world every day. Naturally, there’s a feeling of huge thanks to the readers who give such positive (and sometimes passionately…

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the Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic white dial

16.12.2019

VIDEO: Why the white dial Clifton Baumatic is classic cool

Sometimes, it pays to be conservative. It isn’t advice that should be regularly advocated; however, when it comes to what you wear on your wrist, sometimes it is a must to have something that is at the same time classic and crisp. In the case of the Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic white dial, that is exactly what you get, with a watch that tells you everything you need to know with its three hands and date window, and is quietly confident in how well it avoids seeking attention. Its starched white dial is almost vividly clear with minimal text…

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16.12.2019

3 watches you can buy right now at the new Grand Seiko Sydney Boutique

It was only three short years ago when the first-ever Australian Seiko Boutique opened in Sydney, but the Japanese powerhouse has kept very busy, announcing the exciting news of the opening of the first-ever Australian Grand Seiko Boutique. This is a strong statement from the brand as they continue to drive the distinction of Grand Seiko being the premium offering compared to Seiko, which is reinforced by Melbourne luxury retailer Monards recently starting to carry Grand Seiko. While it is exciting news for fans of Grand Seiko to know there is a dedicated space for their favourite brand, it is…

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15.12.2019

RECOMMENDED READING: How watches became financial assets

The topic of watches and their worth has been the talk of 2019. With never-ending threads of comments on social media, expressing frustration at the current prices of some pieces, retailers attempting to negotiate the challenge of managing wait-lists, and the growth of The Flipper in the world of watch buyers, it seems that 2019 was the year that watches became financial assets. While most of this commentary is essentially regret-filled grumbles about passing on a Patrizzi dial Rolex Daytona for four figures half a decade ago, there are some examples of well-considered and articulately structured thought on the topic.…

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Louis Vuitton Tambour Damier Cobalt

15.12.2019

VIDEO: Distinctive design with the Louis Vuitton Tambour Damier Cobalt

One of the most appealing elements of a Louis Vuitton watch is just how unabashedly bold they are in their design, as well as their wrist presence. The new Louis Vuitton Tambour Damier Cobalt is an excellent example, with its amply portioned 46mm stainless steel case, vivid dial graphics and branded rubber strap. The dial is styled with the iconic Damier canvas pattern that offers a chess board of black and navy, which is then overlaid with striking slashes of red and white to form the brand’s V. There aren’t many companies producing watches in the world with such visual…

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TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02

14.12.2019

VIDEO: Is this the most important TAG Heuer Monaco?

It’s been a big year for the TAG Heuer Monaco as it celebrated 50 years of production from when it was first released in 1969. The brand has released a number of limited editions this year in celebration; however, they arguably saved the most important release till last with the new TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02. The reason it is so significant lies beneath the dial, with the newly added Caliber 02 offering the first ever Monaco with an in-house movement. The TAG Heuer Monaco Heuer 02 uses the same case dimensions as other references from the Monaco family at…

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Sydney boutique

12.12.2019

EVENT: Here’s why the first ever Jaeger-LeCoultre Sydney boutique is opening tomorrow

For the first time ever, Jaeger-LeCoultre is opening a stand-alone boutique in Australia, which aims to offer greater access for their Australian enthusiasts than ever before. The brand is also quietly confident that the Australian market has reached a level of maturity that a complex and nuanced brand such as Jaeger-LeCoultre can capitalise on the growing wave of interest in luxury watches. In comparison to nearby markets in Asia, Australia has often previously fallen behind in sales; however, more recently, there has been a resurgence that has not gone unnoticed in Switzerland. With the brand opening their new Jaeger-LeCoultre Sydney…

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10.12.2019

VIDEO: 5 reasons Chopard are horological heavy hitters

It’s been a big year for Chopard, thanks in part to the release of the Alpine Eagle, the first ever steel watch from the brand, and one of the most discussed watches of the year. As this new sports watch got the world talking about Chopard, we thought it was the perfect time to take a look at the other work that Chopard has done in watchmaking, and why they might be more serious watchmakers than you had realised. We sat down in their boutique in Sydney, a warm and welcoming space that feels more like a lounge than a…

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09.12.2019

When is faux-patina okay? Early thoughts on the new Omega Seamaster 007 Edition

Omega recently released the hotly anticipated Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition, in association with Bond’s newest upcoming adventure, No Time To Die. It isn’t the first watch Omega has produced in partnership with the legacy of Ian Fleming, not even the first one in 2019, but with its under the radar brushed titanium case, it’s certainly one of the best-looking watches the franchise has ever produced. But while the new Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition was met with a crowd of cheers, there were inevitably a few grumbles about the watch (yes, generally in the Instagram comments), mostly focused on…

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frosted gold audemars piguet

08.12.2019

Frosted gold is very, very underrated

Editor’s note: There are lots of ways that watchmakers like to decorate their micromechanical marvels, such as engraving, polishing, brushing or even Côtes de Genève inside the case. While all of these techniques are wonderfully effective when done well, one of the most visually impressive (and generally underrated) techniques to finish a watch is hammering to achieve a frosted look. Used predominantly in jewellery, Audemars Piguet have deployed the artisanal method on the cases of some of their Royal Oak references, plating up a visual feast that looks like it has just left the freezer. Frosted gold catches the light…

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Vertex MP45 chronograph

05.12.2019

What Sealed The Deal – James’ Vertex MP45 chronograph

Vertex is a brand with a wonderful history. Founded in 1916 by Claude Lyons, the brand produced watches for Allied troops in the Second World War, following the specifications of the British Ministry of Defence, alongside 11 other brands (a group of manufacturers now known by collectors as the Dirty Dozen). The brand continued to produce watches in the post-war years, until Vertex was forced to close its doors in February 1972, due to the quartz era which wreaked havoc on the watch industry. The brand remained the subject of history books until 43 years later, in 2015, when Don…

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Rado HyperChrome Ashleigh Barty Limited Edition

03.12.2019

INTRODUCING: The Rado HyperChrome Ashleigh Barty Limited Edition

The latest young star to join the ranks of Rado is the Australian tennis player Ash Barty, who despite being only 23 has already reached the position of women’s world No. 1. What is most exciting for us, and her fans around the world, is that she has collaborated with Rado to release a watch this year, bringing us the Rado HyperChrome Ashleigh Barty Limited Edition, a white-hot watch that matches perfectly with the uniform of Wimbledon, which was her first junior Grand Slam win. While we obviously love Ash Barty because she’s an Aussie, we also love that she…

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Pequignet Rue Royale

03.12.2019

What Sealed The Deal – David’s Pequignet Rue Royale

Getting engaged is an incredibly special moment in anyone’s life, as it spells the beginning of something that will endure to stand the test of time. What better way to celebrate than with a new watch, to match your fiancée’s new ring. This is the story of David and his Pequignet Rue Royale. When did you first see/hear about it? Nearly 10 years ago I read about a brand called Pequignet in one of France’s national papers. I could instantly tell their Rue Royale was a serious machine, with its classic good looks and multiple complications powered by an in-house…

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Rolex Cellini collection

01.12.2019

Italian influence in the Rolex Cellini collection

Editor’s note:Benvenuto Cellini was an Italian goldsmith and sculptor born in the last year of the 15th century, who would go on to become one of the most important precious metal workers of his time, finding employment with the royal families of Europe and the Vatican. It is this talented artisan who was the inspiration for the Rolex Cellini collection we know today, with clear links between the Mediterranean metalworker and the timeless designs seen throughout the family of watches. While the “W” word has persistently dominated almost all mention of Rolex in recent times, it is worthwhile to take the…

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Sotheby's Australia auction

01.12.2019

7 exceptional watches at the next Sotheby’s Australia auction

Last time I covered a Sotheby’s Australia auction, it was my first time atte