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INTRODUCING: The Delbana Rotonda gets perked up with a range of new colours

18.12.22

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INTRODUCING: The Delbana Rotonda gets perked up with a range of new colours

We’ve paid a lot of attention to the re-emerging Delma recently, a Swiss brand with nearly a century of unbroken history that not enough people…

Workhorse makeover: “Off the shelf” calibres can be pretty too – ETA/Peseux 7001 Edition

Lists

18.12.22

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Workhorse makeover: “Off the shelf” calibres can be pretty too – ETA/Peseux 7001 Edition

One thing watch enthusiasts often do is dismiss “off the shelf” calibres. The allure and buzz of “in-house” movements has cast a dismissing shadow over…

How to be a better customer – from a guy who just randomly picked up a new Rolex DJ

Watch Culture

17.12.22

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How to be a better customer – from a guy who just randomly picked up a new Rolex DJ

Allow me start off with a recent watch acquisition story. Last month, I was travelling for work and ended up with a few hours to kill…

Cheap Bastard: The Stauer 1930 Dashtronic is a digital automatic watch you can have for just US$179

Opinion

17.12.22

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Cheap Bastard: The Stauer 1930 Dashtronic is a digital automatic watch you can have for just US$179

Editor’s note: Whether David is a bastard is still up for debate, but the fact he is cheap is irrefutable. Kidding aside, David loves solid watches…

How the Meistersinger Singularis Enamel Edition finally won me over

Introducing

17.12.22

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How the Meistersinger Singularis Enamel Edition finally won me over

Although I am a self-confessed lover of weird things, I could never really put my finger on why I hadn’t fallen for Meistersinger. I’ve always…

Vintage video game watches offer real wrist game

Pop Culture

17.12.22

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Vintage video game watches offer real wrist game

Members of Generation X can truly say they were there for some seismic cultural shifts. Although some relics should definitely remain encased in the nostalgic…

Introducing

16.12.22

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NSFW! Holiday Hentai from a historic Swiss brand? Merry Christmas, I guess

Erotic watches have long been a controversial topic. Some praise the individuality, artistry and taboo nature of these pieces, impressed by the intricately painted scenes…

Friday Wind Down

16.12.22

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FRIDAY WIND DOWN: Race over to Chadstone for an adrenaline-filled IWC experience

If you have ever binge-watched Drive to Survive, played the Gran Turismo video games, or, more plainly, are a Formula 1 super-fan, then you will probably want to race…

Hands On

16.12.22

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HANDS-ON: The BA111OD Chapter 4.1 T.V.D. is the latest watch from a young brand with big ideas

The wristwatch hobby is often full of lore and ritual, with prescribed traditions and a general consensus that old age legitimises worth. BA111OD are an…

Start your (virtual) engines… The IWC Esports Challenge at Battersea Power Station

News

16.12.22

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Start your (virtual) engines… The IWC Esports Challenge at Battersea Power Station

The first time I set foot in a luxury watch boutique was for a sim racing competition in 2019, driving a GT3 car around the…

Four watches you should buy instead of Portnoy’s Brick Watch – US$2.4K or less

Lists

15.12.22

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Four watches you should buy instead of Portnoy’s Brick Watch – US$2.4K or less

Dave Portnoy launched Brick Watch Company, but we think there are better watches to buy for US$2,400 or less.

Introducing

15.12.22

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INTRODUCING: The Minase Horizon and 5 Windows Midsize

There has been no shortage of love for Minase in recent times, and for good reason. The Japanese brand is consistently producing watches that challenge…

In Tulsa King, Stallone upholds the unlikely tradition of mobster watches

Pop Culture

15.12.22

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In Tulsa King, Stallone upholds the unlikely tradition of mobster watches

In Tulsa King, Sylvester Stallone's character wears a watch that's entirely consistent with his mafia lifestyle.

Moser enter the metaverse with new Endeavour Centre Seconds Genesis

Introducing

14.12.22

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Moser enter the metaverse with new Endeavour Centre Seconds Genesis

You know the world is addicted to digital media when the most prominent smartphone manufacturer, Apple, now adds a “screen time” tool to help users…

Introducing

14.12.22

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INTRODUCING: The Zenith Defy Extreme Double Tourbillon is high-tech AF

Even though it’s one of the most involved complications in the industry, developments in expertise and technology have enabled many brands to experiment with the…

That time we sought to fight the hype with six alternatives to the Submariner

Lists

14.12.22

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That time we sought to fight the hype with six alternatives to the Submariner

Editor’s note: Season 2 of About Effing Time premiered last week, and the three amigos kicked things off by tackling alternatives to popular watches –…

Raheem Sterling lost £300,000 of watches in a robbery. How should he replace them?

Pop Culture

13.12.22

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Raheem Sterling lost £300,000 of watches in a robbery. How should he replace them?

Poor Raheem Sterling has endured a rough time of late. There was the familiar heartache of England being knocked out of the World Cup with…

We let an AI review three of the most iconic watches. Here are the results

Pop Culture

13.12.22

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We let an AI review three of the most iconic watches. Here are the results

“It seems probable that once the machine thinking method had started, it would not take long to outstrip our feeble powers… They would be able…

Hands On

12.12.22

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HANDS-ON: The rose-gold Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT is sleek, sculptural and downright sexy

We all know the Bulgari Octo Finissimo series as some of the most in-demand timepieces on the market today. You’ll find them peeking out of…

Micro Mondays

12.12.22

9577

MICRO MONDAYS: The RZE Ascentus GMT delivers serious bang-for-buck in a titanium case

RZE cemented themselves in my mind as one of the best value microbrands when they released their Valour 38 field watch for under US$300, and…

Video surfaces proving Tudor BB58 is compatible with Ranger T-Fit bracelet

News

12.12.22

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Video surfaces proving Tudor BB58 is compatible with Ranger T-Fit bracelet

As someone who once owned the original Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight and BB58 Navy Blue, I can say they were both constant wears within my…

News

11.12.22

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Barstool Sports “presidente” Dave Portnoy offends watch lovers with his new watch brand – then doubles down

Within basketball slang, the term “bricked” is used when someone badly misses a shot. A bricked phone, computer, or gaming console refers to when a…

Watchspotting among the fans at the Qatar World Cup

Pop Culture

11.12.22

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Watchspotting among the fans at the Qatar World Cup

Writer’s note: This article was completed mere hours after Croatia’s incredible penalty shootout win against Brazil. During that match, the percentage of grey hair on…

Lists

11.12.22

9858

The top 3 Alpina releases of 2022

This has been a long year for those of us who write about watches. More than any year I can think of, it has provided…

Confession of a terrible watch collector: Mistakes, I’ve made a few…

Opinion

11.12.22

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Confession of a terrible watch collector: Mistakes, I’ve made a few…

I am a terrible watch collector. I’ve been collecting watches terribly for about 10 years now with no end in sight. It admittedly consumes much…

Risky business: Are we ready for more microbrands going upmarket?

Opinion

10.12.22

8688

Risky business: Are we ready for more microbrands going upmarket?

One of my favourite watch brands, Farer, recently added a new chronograph to their line-up. Called the Chrono-Classic, it follows a long line of chronographs…

Phillips adds a sector touch to their limited-edition Bulgari Octo Finissimo

Introducing

10.12.22

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Phillips adds a sector touch to their limited-edition Bulgari Octo Finissimo

The Bulgari Octo Finissimo is known first and foremost for its baroque-sculptural case design. But another defining feature across the Finissimo Automatic line is the…

Hands On

10.12.22

9163

HANDS-ON: The Chopard Alpine Eagle 41mm we are all pining for

There’s definitely not a shortage of stainless-steel sports watches in the marketplace. It’s a truly saturated category due to the high demand, so if you’re…

Introducing

10.12.22

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INTRODUCING: A striking engraved masterclass from the Parmigiani Fleurier La Rosa Celeste

Parmigiani Fleurier is experiencing a mammoth resurgence under the watchful eye of Guido Terreni – we had a taste of this with their incredible releases…

Gold rush: Three discontinued gold watches you can have for a bargain

Lists

09.12.22

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Gold rush: Three discontinued gold watches you can have for a bargain

Solid gold watches can be wildly expensive, and this is partly why the consumer base largely focuses on stainless-steel references. But those who are willing…

Friday Wind Down

09.12.22

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FRIDAY WIND DOWN: At the World Cup with Hublot, final ChaosMaster Save Us Koala Edition available for purchase

By the pool at Villa Hublot, a palatial mansion on the Persian Gulf coast, the French World Cup winner Marcel Desailly is sitting at the…

Introducing

09.12.22

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INTRODUCING: The Vacheron Constantin Égérie Moon Phase stuns with its diamond-studded designs

This trio of novelties from the Vacheron Constantin Égérie Moon Phase collection encompasses the brand’s incredible attention to detail and gem-setting savoir-faire. The first is…

The Franck Muller Vanguard Skeleton Colour Dreams is a joyful riot of mad-cap fun

Video

09.12.22

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The Franck Muller Vanguard Skeleton Colour Dreams is a joyful riot of mad-cap fun

Ever wondered what happens when you take the colour wheel and throw it at a watch with extreme craftsmanship and precision? Well, we recently found…

Three monster Kickstarter success stories that exploded into life

Lists

08.12.22

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Three monster Kickstarter success stories that exploded into life

In the realm of microbrand watches, Kickstarter has long been a preferred platform for launching new models, and even entirely new brands. It can be…

Hands On

08.12.22

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HANDS-ON: The Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer Purple embodies the best of the brand

Newton’s third law: every action has an equal and opposite reaction. When a brand, in any industry, gets super popular, it can become fashionable to…

Go modern vintage with the Nivada Grenchen Super Antarctic 3/6/9

Introducing

08.12.22

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Go modern vintage with the Nivada Grenchen Super Antarctic 3/6/9

There is a strong allure to the simple time-only watch. Without all the complications to distract us, these watches instead rely heavily on their design.…

Making the case: The importance of watch packaging

Opinion

07.12.22

6433

Making the case: The importance of watch packaging

Editor’s note: Making the case is a new column in which the author delivers a heartfelt argument on a watch-related theme. A tick-tock trial if you will. Today…

Hands On

07.12.22

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HANDS-ON: The Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph offers retro vibes with grab-and-go convenience

Seiko has a long history in chronographs, including their first manually wound model from 1964, and the iconic 6139 – the first automatic chrono to…

These watches couldn’t evoke the spirit of a ’70s bachelor pad any louder (unless their dials were made from shagpile carpet)

Lists

07.12.22

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These watches couldn’t evoke the spirit of a ’70s bachelor pad any louder (unless their dials were made from shagpile carpet)

Much has been written about the untimely death of the bachelor pad, a form of residence described by The Telegraph as “a rite of passage…

Introducing

06.12.22

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INTRODUCING: Zenith closes out Extreme E’s sophomore season with new purple Defy Extreme E “Energy X Prix” Edition

The future is electric. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the world of motorsport. As we begin to leave fossil fuels in the…

Gwendoline Christie never felt more beautiful on Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ set wearing Cartier Tank Louis

Pop Culture

06.12.22

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Gwendoline Christie never felt more beautiful on Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ set wearing Cartier Tank Louis

Netflix’s Addams Family spin-off Wednesday has taken the world by spooky storm, with Jenna Ortega’s self-choreographed dance scene going certified viral. But, while much attention has…

Micro Mondays

05.12.22

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MICRO MONDAYS: The Funder Måne delivers a modular moonphase collection in a single watch

What is great about the independent watch market is that there is more room to do things differently. By offering more value for less money or…

The weird rise of ‘swear clocks’ – the world’s most potty-mouthed ways of telling the time

Pop Culture

04.12.22

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The weird rise of ‘swear clocks’ – the world’s most potty-mouthed ways of telling the time

Editor’s note: Due to the nature of the subject matter, the following story contains lots of swear words and wilfully offensive language. If you’re offended…

That time we asked an independent watchmaker why the Grand Seiko 9SA5 caliber is so remarkable

Watch Education

04.12.22

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That time we asked an independent watchmaker why the Grand Seiko 9SA5 caliber is so remarkable

Editor’s Note: While it has been a few years since the debut of the calibre, to this day the Grand Seiko calibre 9SA5, and its performance…

Hands On

04.12.22

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HANDS-ON: The Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Chronograph is a salmon-dialled beauty

While Vacheron Constantin’s contribution to the watch world has mostly been focused on the Overseas and the newly re-introduced 222, the Geneva-based maker has quietly…

Time+Tide Weekend Watch Crossword

04.12.22

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Time+Tide Weekend Watch Crossword: #28 “British Innovations in Watchmaking”

When you think of watchmaking today, you likely immediately think of Swiss watchmaking. But, to give credit where it is rightfully due, British watchmakers are…

The AP Starwheel is not new, but is the new take better than the OG?

Introducing

03.12.22

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The AP Starwheel is not new, but is the new take better than the OG?

When modern watch lovers think of the wandering hours complication, most would immediately think of Urwerk that has largely focused on the complication since the…

Hands On

03.12.22

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HANDS-ON: Baume & Mercier take us to the moon with the Riviera Phases de Lune

The Baume and Mercier Riviera is fast becoming one of my favourite integrated sports watches. In a sea of watches that have recently jumped on…

CHEAP BASTARD: The Timex Marlin Automatic 40mm affordably scratches the green itch

Watch Reviews

03.12.22

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CHEAP BASTARD: The Timex Marlin Automatic 40mm affordably scratches the green itch

EDITOR’S NOTE: Whether David is a bastard is still up for debate, but the fact he is cheap is irrefutable. Kidding aside, David loves solid watches…

Hands On

03.12.22

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HANDS-ON: The Grand Seiko SBGY023 GS9 Club USA Limited Edition is yet another GS we wish was standard production

I know many of us jest at the frequency with which Grand Seiko releases limited editions. To be fair, plenty of other brands are guilty…

Louis Vuitton announces their Watch Prize for Independent Creatives

Events

02.12.22

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Louis Vuitton announces their Watch Prize for Independent Creatives

In an initiative to foster the future growth of innovation in the watchmaking industry, Louis Vuitton has announced the inaugural Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for…

Friday Wind Down

02.12.22

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FRIDAY WIND DOWN: We launch our 4th limited edition, plus a new season of About Effing Time!

This week, we’ve had a lot of excitement at our end. We just launched our fourth limited-edition collaboration watch, the Nivada Grenchen x seconde/seconde/ x…

Rolex launch certified pre-owned program, but we are left with more questions than answers

News

02.12.22

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Rolex launch certified pre-owned program, but we are left with more questions than answers

The pre-owned market for watches has become bigger and bigger each year – so much so that resale giants like eBay have doubled down and…

Introducing

02.12.22

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INTRODUCING: The Norqain Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm Bronze – Black Dial

The watch community may be more familiar with their Adventure, Independent, and Wild One collections, but a top-seller for the Norqain brand is their Freedom…

Introducing

01.12.22

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INTRODUCING: The Titoni Heritage Bicompax Chronograph evokes café racer style

Titoni have evolved many times as a brand, although they’ve always kept up with wristwatch fashion admirably in their century of operation. In fact, it’s…

Agenhor, and the many movements of the Genevan complication masters (Part 1)

Lists

01.12.22

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Agenhor, and the many movements of the Genevan complication masters (Part 1)

There are not many movement manufacturers nor watch brands that can lay claim to a staggering 9 GPHG awards, though Agenhor is one of them.…

Enter the ChaosMasters! 3 watches we made for the end of the world with Nivada Grenchen & seconde/seconde/

News

30.11.22

12095

Enter the ChaosMasters! 3 watches we made for the end of the world with Nivada Grenchen & seconde/seconde/

Picture this. But before you do, take a deep breath. Clear your mind of anything else. It’s night. There are sheets of rain falling. The…

The 10 best clocks, if you’ve run out of space in your watch box

Lists

30.11.22

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The 10 best clocks, if you’ve run out of space in your watch box

If you’re anything like me, you’ll constantly be searching for a new, bigger watch box, along with new watches, of course. My drawers, desks and…

Video

30.11.22

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VIDEO: The new precious and polished Bulgari Octo Finissimo watches in rose and yellow gold

This year, the sandblasted rose gold Bulgari Octo Finissimo took its final curtain call within the collection, but at Geneva Watch Days in late August its…

Introducing

29.11.22

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INTRODUCING: The Baltic Tricompax Panda and Reverse Panda deliver retro-fuelled chronograph action

As soon as Baltic unveiled their Tricompax collaboration with Peter Auto, we all held our breath for the standard model to drop and give the…

Why do you keep hearing about Kurono watches?

Watch Education

29.11.22

10388

Why do you keep hearing about Kurono watches?

Editor’s Note: Recently the Kurono Chronograph 1 Mk.2 went up for sale, and has since sold out. More seasoned watch enthusiasts are likely familiar with the cult-followed micro-independent brand, but,…