FRIDAY WIND DOWN: Piaget goes PC, Norqain goes wild with NHL, and FC is living the highlife
Zach BlassAnother Friday, another Wind Down, another recap of some highlight releases you may have missed this week. Let’s get into them.
Piaget presents a perpetual calendar Polo
- Perpetual calendar complication makes its debut in modern Polo line
- Features dark iridescent green dial, interchangeable straps, and a slender 8.65mm thickness
- Priced approximately 4.5x more than the standard time/date model at US$58,500
Bottom line: the watch is certainly a striking entry into the Polo line. It remains to be seen, however, how well consumers will respond to its higher pricing.
Norqain unveils new limited edition Wild One in partnership with the NHLPA
- Limited edition of 300 watches – 256 available for purchase, 44 were given to NHLPA players at the All-Star Weekend.
- The shock-absorbing BIWI rubber bumper of each watch has been mixed with the material of an ice hockey puck
- Features scratched-ice dial, 70-hour NN20/1 calibre, and can be bought on white or black mesh rubber strap ($US5,590)
Bottom line: this is a sick daily wearer for hockey and horology fans, and still cool even if you do not devoutly follow the sport.
You can learn more about the Wild One collection here.
New Frederique Constant Highlife celebrates the 35th anniversary of the manufacture
- Two watches for 35th anniversary – one of which is a 35-piece limited edition in rose gold (unavailable in US market)
- Standard production model (available worldwide) utilises same chocolate dial, but is cased in stainless steel
- Interchangeable strap and bracelet bundle, 100m water-resistant world timer, priced at US$4,495
Bottom line: you would be hard-pressed to find a better value world timer, especially one within the interchangeable/integrated segment.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Zach
Watch meme of the week: No dice Jack
View this post on Instagram
I know, back to back Brodinkee. But, it is another banger from the go-to watch meme account. Those who do not collect watches, or even other collectables like action figures, will never understand why we must dedicate space to keep our precious boxes and papers. In the scheme of things, missing either will not completely destroy the value of your watch. That being said, a full set is a full set. And having them will maximise the value and integrity of your watch assets.
Wrist shot of the week: Bae watch
View this post on Instagram
Brynn recently shared an iconic photo of Pamela Anderson that is timely considering her Netflix documentary recently went live on the streaming giant. As she aptly points out, TAG dominated the ’90s with a plethora of designs that people still look fondly back on today. On Pamela’s wrist: the TAG Heuer Formula 1 which, as any About Effing Time viewer knows, George Bamford really loves.
Time+Tide Shop select of the week: Time+Tide Watches – NOW Magazine – The Watch Buying Guide – Issue 6
What time is it? Time to get a watch. That’s the reason we assemble Time+Tide’s NOW magazine, a watch-buying guide that curates the top watch releases of the last six months (207 of them to be precise). In addition, you’ll also get a killer assortment of features that delve into what makes some of the most interesting people in the watch world tick.
You can purchase issue 6 right here in the Time+Tide store. Price: A$19.95
Our favourite Time+Tide coverage of the week:
HBO’s The Last of Us illustrates the potent meaning watches can carry (as well as a great gift idea)
HBO’s latest hit series The Last of Us, based on the acclaimed video game series of the same name, is an absolutely gut-wrenching and thrilling tale involving killer-fungi and a world ravaged by a global pandemic. But, at its core is a horological narrative device that also gives watch lovers a great gift idea. Read the full story here.
VIDEO: The Bulova Sinatra Collection hits a variety of top notes
People who like watches have hobbies and passions that extend beyond horology. Maybe it’s cars or cigars or whiskey or even all the above. But one thing I have never met is a watch lover that doesn’t like music. Music is universal, and one of the biggest musical icons of all time is Frank Sinatra. So, perhaps, it comes as no surprise considering their origins in America and their Art Deco aesthetics, that there is a full lineup of Bulova Sinatra watches in a variety of classic formats. Check out the video above to learn more.
WHAT TWEAKS MY TOURB: Enough with the digital renders – brands need decent photography
One of the most common tips given to watch shoppers is to go and see their potential purchases in the metal before buying them. Of course, this is not always possible, and unless there is some solid live photography or video then watch buyers are often stuck with a digital render. Fergus thinks this needs to change, and you can find out why right here.
INTRODUCING: The Ball Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer comes in 6 lip-smacking flavours
It’s probably fair to say that the dive watch is as played out a genre as you can find in modern watchmaking, but there are those that prove you don’t need any crazy gimmicks to make something great in 2023. The new Ball Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer uses the power of perfect proportions and purposeful styling to create something thoroughly new while retaining some nostalgic tendencies. As if that wasn’t enough, they’ve also made it available in six different colour options. Head here for a full introduction.