Poo-tina: UK farmer unearths lost Rolex Air-King eaten by his cow 50 years ago
Zach BlassIt’s ironic how damaged goods can be the most valuable in spaces like watch collecting. Patina, the term watch enthusiasts use to describe the natural aging of a watch’s components, is in reality just a fancy term for damage. However, aging can create aesthetics that collectors drool over – for example, the patination of tritium or radium to that perfect cookie or pumpkin hue.
Such a look has become so coveted that watch brands birthed the heritage revival trend, often incorporating what fans call “fauxtina” to try and produce a modern watch with maximised vintage vibes. Collectors have even gone so far as to try and forcefully patinate their modern watches which would not otherwise do so naturally. For example, we have seen some bleach their bezels to try and create the ghost bezel look or rub mayonnaise on bronze watches to accelerate oxidation.
View this post on Instagram
Now, we love when stories pop up in which barnacle-bezeled divers are dug up from the depths of the ocean and moments where lost watches are unearthed. A long-awaited reunion between an owner and their watch is always cool to see. This week, news broke that a Rolex lost 50 years ago was recovered after presumably journeying through the bowels of a cow. Shall we call it moo-tina, or poo-tina?
British farmer James Steele, aged 95, lost his cherished Rolex Air-King after the strap broke while feeding his cows in the 1970s. Fifty years and a new Rolex Air-King later, metal detectorist Liam found the watch in the mud while hunting for coins on Steele’s farmland.
View this post on Instagram
A vet said to James it’s likely a cow could have consumed the watch in a mouthful of grass. Even so, it appears to look in surprisingly semi-decent condition – especially when you consider all the sh*t it’s been through, spending that amount of time lost in a field of manure. It appears the dial has built up rust, but it has not completely succumbed to the level of damage you would expect for a watch submerged in feces for decades – perhaps a testament to the quality of a Rolex’s build. However, the crown appears to have been separated from the case, so it is probably an absolute sh*tshow inside the watch. Apologies for all the toilet humour puns, I concede it’s a bit sh*tty of me. Just wipe these tasteless jokes from your mind, and flush them away.
James was over the moon to be reunited with the watch he initially bought in 1950 for £100, just after his 21st birthday, worth around £4,500 today. However, he stated he’s not going to bother getting it fixed but instead will keep it as a memory of days gone by.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Zach and the Time+Tide Team
Watch meme of the week: conquering watch brand pronunciation
View this post on Instagram
As someone who has been chastised in the comment section for my pronunciation of brand names, when I do nail it, I feel like I could conquer the world. And, yes, I know I am cheating with this meme shared last month – but in my defence, I just saw it this week!
Wristshot of the week: rest in peace Donald Sutherland
View this post on Instagram
The unfortunate news was shared today that actor Donald Sutherland (M*A*S*H, Hunger Games) has passed away at the age of 88. In horological remembrance, master watch spotter and wrist-Sherlock Nick Gould has shared a photo of Donald wearing a yellow gold Rolex GMT-Master with a swagger only legends like him command.
Time+Tide Shop pick of the week: Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Mecaquartz Salmon
With a few playful exceptions, the modern incarnation of Nivada Grenchen is utterly dedicated to the past. Whether or not a reissue is 100% accurate isn’t necessarily important, as long as the same spirit has been captured in a way that cuts no corners and promises up-to-date quality. The new Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Mecaquartz is a great example of that, blending up references from new and old watches to form an amazing vintage-style watch. Plus, it’s now available for pre-order from the Time+Tide Shop.
Discover the Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Mecaquartz Salmon in the Time+Tide Shop, either online or in our Melbourne Discovery Studio. Price: A$890, US$470
Our favourite Time+Tide coverage of the week
Australia’s love of TAG Heuer gets recognised with a limited edition Carrera Tourbillon (live pics)
Australia has long had a love affair with TAG Heuer. Though roughly ranking as the 15th biggest global market for watches, when it comes to TAG Heuer international sales, we shoot up the table to 4th – and for many years, TAG Heuer’s Sydney boutique was the brand’s #1 boutique in the world. It’s a brand that deeply resonates with Aussies and ranks as one of the most successful luxury brands Down Under. In honour of the completed refurbishment of the Sydney boutique, a new tasty TAG tourbillon has surfaced exclusively for the Australian market. Jamie has the scoop here.
Seiko revisits the summer of ’69 with the King Seiko KS1969
As if closely following the evolution of the original King Seiko sub-brand, Seiko restarted it all with the brawny 44KS case and is now following up with the softly contoured lines and wide, polished surfaces of the 45KS. The reason why? To launch the new King Seiko KS1969 collection, comprising four new references paying homage to one of the best King Seiko models of the past. Learn more in our video above, or read our written review.
The Vulcain Skindiver Nautique is simple and shtick-free
With summer basically here in the Northern Hemisphere, what better time than now to go hands-on with the latest Vulcain Skindiver Nautique watches that were launched alongside the Watches and Wonders festivities in April?