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LIST: The 11 best watch photos we took this year … according to the man who took them LIST: The 11 best watch photos we took this year … according to the man who took them

LIST: The 11 best watch photos we took this year … according to the man who took them

Felix Scholz

If you’re a regular reader of Time+Tide there’s a chance you’ve noticed my name, along with those of Andrew McUtchen, Andy Green, Sandra Lane, Cameron Wong and Melissa Pearce. After all, we’re the people writing the stories and voicing the videos that we publish. But beyond the byline there’s a small host of people who make the magic happen: videographers, editors and photographers. Jason Reekie is one such magician. He’s been our photographer for a few years now, and is responsible for making some of the nicest watches in the world look even nicer. Now, one thing that’s important to know about Jason is that he’s not what you’d call a ‘watch guy’. When we started working together he didn’t know his loupe from his lugs, but that’s OK, because luckily he’s a dab hand at lenses and lightboxes. And while we’ve been busy cobbling together ‘best of’ lists like it’s the end of the year, we thought it would be a good idea for Jason to show us his favourite pics of 2017, and tell us why. Over to you, Jason …

Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Skeleton Tourbillon


I really like the depth of this Franck Muller, the depth and shine of the materials made this really enjoyable — you can make it dark or light easily. And style-wise I’m into the steampunk vibe.

Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Jumping Hours Tourbillon

Just look at it. I love this caseback — all that detail. Macro photography with detail like this is fantastic. You can see the craftsman’s hand at work.

Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver

I like this one, because it’s always fun to bring props to a shoot, and this is my actual diving gear that I use in real life, which is nice. The watch itself was a pleasure to shoot; it’s got a bad-ass style, and the flat crystal and brushed surfaces made it an enjoyable experience.

Grand Seiko SBGA211 Snowflake

Just. This. Dial. I have gone back and looked at this dial a dozen or so times in my spare time, and every time it gets me. I’d love to know how they do it. It was really hard to get the textured matte white finish to show — there’s a fine line between too bright, too dull and showing the texture. Oh, and if I was ever going to shave off my beard I’d use these hands.

Omega Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer

I dig the Omegas. But the graphic nature of this shot is what does it for me — the strong contrast and symmetry. Plus I really like the watch itself. I could very easily see myself wearing this.

Omega Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer

Same watch, different dial. Why do I love it? Silver. Orange. Detail. Shine. I really like shooting shiny stuff, and I really like that there’s half-a-dozen different textures in this dial. The concentric grain of the subdial is always fun to shoot, from the black bezel to the sunburst silver dial and almost liquid look of the seconds hand.

Panerai Luminor 1950 PCYC 3 Days Chrono Flyback

I don’t really know why, but I just like it. It’s a really balanced shot with nice warm tones, propping that suits the watch perfectly. I did a good job lighting this one, it came across as very natural. And I love the way the hint of gold complements the warm tones. If I was going to go all art theory, I could talk about the juxtaposition of the old, roughly hewn rope and the finely crafted watch, but I won’t.

Rado Ceramica

It’s the lines of the shot. Soft curve of the highlight, the hint of shine in the darkness. Take away colour and you’ve just got light and dark. This shot is straight out of the camera, no B&W filters applied. Just a monochrome watch on a monochrome background. There’s got to be more than 50 shades of grey in this shot.

Rado HyperChrome 1616

Now, this one. What I love about this isn’t the photo so much, it’s the watch. It’s a nice photo though, with pleasing warm tones, but what really does it for me is the style of the watch. It’s the combination of the indices and hands and that vertical day-date. I always say, if you’re going to give me a date, you might as well give me a day too. I must admit that I’ve looked at this watch more than is professionally necessary.

Rolex Cellini Date

It’s sharp. Very sharp. I love all the lines in this — what do you call this texture (confers with Felix) — radial guilloché. It’s in textures like this that you really get to play as a photographer, manipulating the light.

Seiko Prospex SRPC49K

For a photographer there are few things more fun than going to a nice location and shooting something. It’s really fun. Working with available light is a challenge, and making the most out of the location stretches you in the best possible way. The colour of the lichen complementing the hands is a nice touch, and I like the drop off of focus. I was sitting on the rocks at Mount Martha at sunset, not a bad way to earn a living. Plus I really want this watch.