LIST: Andrew McUtchen’s 4 favourite stories of 2018

Andrew McUtchen

This is among my favourite days of the year. When, from the relative peace and quiet of the gap between Christmas and New Year, there’s a chance to look back at another 12 months of Time+Tide. 2018 was our biggest year yet, in every sense — traffic, travel, trips to the post office to mail out magazines, as well as more trolls and gladiators than ever before; it all escalated quickly. It was awesome. These are my favourite four stories of the year.

Russell Crowe tells us all the watch stories

I didn’t know what ‘AMSR’ was until this video. I was telling people about the odd, extremely enjoyable feeling that Russell Crowe’s voice caused me. Shivers. Goosebumps. “That’s AMSR,” someone said, before expanding. “Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.” So, in addition to the content itself — a detailed breakdown of the how, who, where and why of many of Rusty’s watches — there’s also the sheer listening pleasure of his delivery. This story, too, was another high-water mark for us. Where did the big guy, and his auction house, go to reach Australia’s watch buyers and collectors? Where else but Felix Scholz and T+T; a job well done by the Ed.

14 watches spotted on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

WATCHSPOTTING: 14 of the best watches spotted in ‘Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee’

Dan was the list master this year (I also loved this one about Mark Wahlberg’s inimitable style) and as an avid consumer of this show (he binge-watched it in record time) he was well placed to compile an exhaustive best-of that took in watches from Casio to Breitling, to Breitling, to Breitling and one that is close to our hearts — the reissue is on the cover of NOW Magazine Issue 1, after all — the Siffert Autavia.

Holding the last watch to walk on the moon in my hand

I grinned like an idiot. I lost my words. I blushed. I held the last watch that walked on the moon in my hand. I mean, what would you do?

The impact of sky-high Rolex prices on its old rival, Omega

OPINION: Sky-high Rolex prices are the best thing to happen to vintage and modern Omega since Bond

This was a perfect example of the Time+Tide team at its most agile and responsive. We brainstormed the concept that there was a kick-on effect of unattainable Rolex pieces and prices and, combined with some compelling auction results, Cam had a story up with a solid logical argument in no time at all.