LIST: Fergus Nash’s 5 favourite articles of 2020
Fergus NashThis year has held a lot of change for almost everyone who populates this planet. Some people have been able to take positives out of their respective lockdown experiences, free-time opportunities, or even just spending more time with those immediately around you. But ultimately I don’t believe anyone could say that it has been easy. For me, among other things, 2020 was the year I joined Time+Tide. This involved its challenges, as I’ve only been a watch enthusiast for about two years now, and I’ve had to learn fast.
Being lent the occasional new watch to review was, of course, an exciting experience when I first earned some trust, but one of the year’s highlights has been meeting the characters behind this website that I’d first started to explore as YouTube recommended me more and more horological content. I may have embarrassed myself in my first editorial meeting over Zoom by forgetting to change my background beforehand (the description of the photo I’ll take to my grave), but I’m glad to say that I feel totally welcomed. In no particular order, here are five of my favourite Time+Tide articles from the year, which I think sum up the people I’m lucky enough to work with.
MY YEAR WITH: The Casio G-Shock Full Metal GMW-B5000GD-9. Did the gold eventually get old? – Nick Kenyon
If one Time+Tide author has been the most detrimental to my bank balance it’s Nick Kenyon. His positive attitude to quartz watches originally tempted me into buying my first Swatch, and then quartz Seiko, which also led to me going fully digital when I later bought a Full Metal G-Shock. I was having doubts after ordering the bulky brick of a watch, but this article was published as it was in transit to me and it put my mind at complete ease. Nick’s constant ability to show his love for a watch is a big relief from reading spec-sheet press releases, and I completely respect his confidence to wear something this gaudy but cool.
“I spat out my drink” – Zach’s honest reactions to 3 GPHG 2020 winners that make no sense – Zach Blass
In all honesty, I’ve always hated award shows. From the Grammys to the Oscars, it may just be my frustration that my favourites never win, but I find them unbearable to watch and feel exasperated whenever something is recommended to me because it won an award. Zach’s casual wit is unleashed here in such a gratifying way, finding the balance between ragging on the panel’s choices while suggesting some well backed-up alternatives. It’s very rare that I feel catharsis on this level when reading an article about watches.
The ‘Ragnarok’ by Tidemann Watches might be the first-ever haute horology release with its own heavy metal theme song… – Thor Svaboe
If you couldn’t guess from his deific name, Thor is Scandinavian. He doesn’t shy away from his heritage either, frequently dropping that information into any article he can relate it to, but that’s all part of Thor’s charm. This article hit a spot for me, as I used to be a little obsessed with Nordic mythology after bingeing the entire first season of Vikings in a single day back in 2013. I also happened to be going through a phase of listening to Scandinavian metal, beginning with Sabaton, to Hammerfall, to Helloween, and of course, Swedish Hitz Goes Metal. My own nerdiness aside, Thor’s description of the gorgeous Ragnarok by Tidemann is a thrill to read, and its heavy metal entrance is just as exciting.
Is it a bad idea to wear a better watch than your boss? – Luke Benedictus
Being relatively new to the watch-wearing hobby, there’s so much disconnect between what some lifelong enthusiasts experience in their circles. I love reading Luke’s lifestyle articles because it comes from such a different mindset than I have, which is largely still something along the lines of “no matter how much I love watches, I don’t expect anyone else to care about them”. Most of my weeks, I’m a sound engineer making TV shows. In this office, watches are never a consideration, and if anyone even vaguely mentions a watch then I’m beyond shocked. Even though I can’t relate to the ‘problems’ posed in this article, it’s still so fun to read, which goes to show how much of a grasp Luke has as a writer.
The week the watch world changed – Andrew McUtchen
One of the strangest parts of being a watch reviewer is how detached it can feel from the world at large. At times it can feel overly materialistic, selfish, and ultimately ignorant. The coronavirus pandemic has eclipsed a lot of other events in 2020, and on occasion has been used to wash away other talking points that may not be as easily digested on major news networks. As much as Time+Tide likes to say we do things differently from other publications, it wasn’t until I read this article by T+T founder Andrew McUtchen that I knew that was true. Andrew is a great writer and totally charismatic, but using his platform to share a message of equality in an honest and non-bandwagon way is something that unfortunately takes bravery. As the year comes to a close I want to share this article once again, and remind people that significant change is yet to be made. Black lives matter.