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Prepare to be shocked, bamboozled and charmed by the weirdest watches of 2020 Prepare to be shocked, bamboozled and charmed by the weirdest watches of 2020

Prepare to be shocked, bamboozled and charmed by the weirdest watches of 2020

Thor Svaboe

Every year, the Time+Tide team publishes NOW, our annual print extravaganza. As it says on the cover, essentially it’s a watch buying guide that rounds up the year’s most notable releases into a greatest hits compilation of about 200 watches. But in amongst the usual suspects from the likes of Rolex, Omega and co are some genuine horological oddities. Here are some of weirdest watches – the strangest, most delightful creations we have been lucky enough to come across. Ranging from a Swatch to a million-dollar watch with one of the longest names in the magazine, prepare to be wowed.

Hermes Arceau Pocket AAAAARGH!

The weirdest watches

Have you always hankered after a pocket watch with a cover decorated with a Tyrannosaurus Rex made from hand-cut leather fragments? If so, you’re in luck! Yes, this fearsome visage, in fact, conceals horological craftsmanship of the highest possible order. Inside the white gold case, the enamel dial beats to the rhythm of a minute repeater and a tourbillon movement. And rest assured that despite the T-Rex motif, this isn’t a watch with short hands. Price $490,000 AUD

Jacob & Co. Twin Turbo Furious La Montre Noire Bugatti

The weirdest watches

Some watches are made by their stories created by their looks, but this million dollar unique piece could not look any more appropriate for its background. Based on the legend of the long-lost “Voiture Noire”, and celebrating the release of Bugatti’s one-off tribute model, “The Black Watch” is an insane display of technical prowess, whilst capturing the mystery of the legendary car. Price: $1,000,000 USD

Christian Dior Grand Bal Plume

The weirdest watches

Horology meets Haute Couture in this limited edition stunner. Centred in the white mother-of pearl dial is a pink gold oscillating weight that evokes the swirl of a ball gown as it tilts. Beneath it, the modesty of the watch’s bottom half is preserved by a shock of bright feathers that serve as an elaborate petticoat. A generous scattering of diamonds (220, to be precise) adds extra sparkle to this heady display of luxe maximalism. Price: $47,500 AUD

Timex x Todd Snyder Pride Watch

The weirdest watches

Looking to add some fun to your wrist? Todd Snyder x Timex have got you covered with their “Pride Watch”, a revival of their ’70s “Colour Flicks” model to help raise money for both the Sylvia Rivera Law Project and Rainbow Railroad Foundation to support LBGTQI+ efforts. In place of a central seconds hand, a rotating disc of three colour filters works with the dial beneath to create a mesmerising and brightly hued effect. Price: $199 USD

SWATCH x BAPE Tokyo The weirdest watches

BAPE, the coveted and highly collectible Japanese streetwear brand, teams up with the masters of playful horology, Swatch. All three watches – black, grey and white – have multi-coloured camo print straps that crank up the visual interest. While the watches namecheck BAPE’s birth city, with “Tokyo” emblazoned on their loops, the bezels list a selection of global hotspots. Fun and fashion-forward, it’s an affordable statement piece for the wrist. Price $225 AUD

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