Mechanical watches and fluids don’t mix! In fact, keeping fluids outside a watch case is a major issue for all mechanical watch brands. Six years ago, a small company named HYT did exactly the opposite and created a watch that indicates the time with fluids. But don’t expect water to swoosh around the watch case like […]
Since its introduction in 2014, Hublot’s Spirit of Big Bang collection has quietly been gaining momentum. The tonneau-shaped case sacrifices none of the immediate impact that Hublot is famous for, but shapes it into a more wrist-hugging form. And while the line is — as you’d expect from Hublot — full of options, this smaller, 42mm Spirit of Big Bang King Gold Blue is a real standout. The case is stunning, with the blue details providing a perfect foil to the richness of the red gold, while the smaller size makes for a watch that you could legitimately wear in more formal settings. It’s attention-seeking, but not in the same way as the Sapphire Rainbow, or one of their bright ceramic pieces, like the Red Magic. If you like the Hublot aesthetic, and are looking for a gold power watch that won’t overwhelm, this is a very solid option. Hublot Spirit of Big Bang King Gold Blue Australian pricing Hublot Spirit of Big Bang King Gold Blue, $52,700
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Men are natural pioneers and explorers pushing the limits to reach higher summits or plummet to greater depths. With the advent of the mechanical watch, explorers expressed the need for a piece of equipment to help them in their conquest of new frontiers. In 1962, Favre-Leuba created the Bivouac, a watch equipped with an altimeter and […]
If we’re completely honest, it’s hard to make quartz technology sexy. Which makes the achievement of Longines’ V.H.P. technology even more remarkable. Not only do these quartz Conquests look the part, with clean, slightly sporty style and some very nice dials, the movement ticking away inside has a host of features dedicated to improving accuracy — which, at +5/-5 seconds a year, is pretty hard to beat, outside of an atomic clock. The latest member of the family has just been unveiled in Rome — the Longines Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting. As you might expect, it adds a second time zone to the equation, but has a few tricks up its sleeve. First of all, you can use the crown to quickly switch which time zone is displayed on the ‘primary’ hours and minutes hands, meaning that if I was taking off from Melbourne, I’d show local Melbourne time on the main hands, and Rome time on the GMT hand. When I land, a quick press of the crown means that the main hands switch to Roman time, while Melbourne time is there on the GMT. But the handy tricks don’t stop there. The real star of the show…
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When someone’s watch story starts in the backstreets of Havana, you know it’s going to be good. In fact, it would be a good story, even if the watch itself didn’t match up to the tale. Luckily for all involved, Adam’s oversized mid-century Longines, double signed with famous retailer Cuervo y Sobrinos, stands up. On its own, the watch is big and attention-seeking, but it’s really the fancy dial that steals the show. Even more so when we learn that the dial is made to resemble a poker chip from the (in)famous Hotel Plaza, which was owned and operated by the Philadelphia Mob in the 1950s, up until 1959, when they were turfed out by Fidel Castro. We often talk about vintage watches having their own stories, and here the tale is twofold. There’s the story of how Adam acquired it, which is pretty great (backstreet sales trump eBay every time), and then there’s the unknown story, of who bought it and why. I don’t know about you, but I think I prefer the possibilities offered by speculation to the cold hard facts of history.
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For Seiko, the turtle power is real. Their recent reinterpretation of the classic dive watch has earned near-universal acclaim, thanks to the triple threat of strong design, stronger build quality and a value offering that’s hard to beat. And while the core collection is outstanding, Seiko like to drop something a little bit extra special every so often. And that’s exactly what this watch is: a special edition with a very special gradient blue dial that works towards supporting an even more special cause. I don’t know about you, but I’d find it impossible not to smile while checking the time on this diver — mostly because of how awesomely vivid the blue is (seriously, just look at that dial), but also because it helped, in its own tiny way, to improve our precious marine environment. Seiko Prospex SRPC91K ‘Save The Ocean’ Turtle Australian pricing Seiko Prospex SRPC91K ‘Save The Ocean’, $725
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Yesterday we took a close look at the history behind the modern icon that is the Overseas, today it’s time to understand everything behind the creation of the current, third-generation Vacheron Constantin Overseas. Launched in 2016, it was more an evolution than a revolution characterised by luxurious finishes, a simplified yet strong design, a sporty attitude, superbly decorated movements and several cool new features making the Overseas 3 the worthy heir of the 222. In this second instalment, we will talk with Christian Selmoni, the brand’s heritage and style director, about the Vacheron Constantin Overseas third-generation and what makes a desirable luxury sports watch.
Here at Time+Tide we spend a goodly amount of time talking about the latest watch releases. Well, this isn’t one of those times. Instead, today we’re talking about a stone-cold classic that’s as good today as when it was first released – the Tissot Visodate. The Visodate is an historical reissue of a mid-century watch that was novel for its inclusion of – wait for it – the mighty (and occasionally maligned) date window. While these days the date is de rigueur, it’s easy to forget that back in the day it was a big deal. The re-release honours the original not just in the snazzy name but also with a date display that’s deliberate in its style and placement. For me, though, the charm of the Visodate extends well beyond this complication. The case shape, the opaline dial finish, the arrowhead markers. All perfectly on point for a dressy vintage classic. And this version on a Milanese mesh strap only adds to the old-school charm. All this for under $1000 – it’s hard to go wrong. Tissot Heritage Visodate Automatic Australian pricing Tissot Heritage Visodate, steel on mesh, $900
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In 1977, Vacheron Constantin, the oldest watch manufacturer in continuous operation, celebrated its 222nd anniversary. For this reason, the brand decided to create a special watch, right in the middle of what was named “the quartz crisis”. Swiss brands needed to reinvent themselves, making necessary disruptive changes. This is when the Vacheron Constantin 222, a true luxury sports watch, was born – a watch that would later become an icon under the name Overseas. In our latest series of videos, we will talk with Christian Selmoni, the brand’s heritage and style director, about the Vacheron Constantin Overseas. Today, in the first part, we focus on the origins, which includes the 222 and the first generations of Overseas.
The model that’s emerging as the hero of Bulgari’s watch collection — which is undergoing a serious renaissance at the moment — is the Octo Finissimo Automatic, a simpler, more day-to-day offering than the tourbillons, minute repeaters and the like that also form part of the family. Until earlier this year the Finissimo Automatic was a lonely, single titanium offering. Well, that changed this year when Bulgari gave the award-winning model two handsome siblings, in gold and steel. Now, new metal variants of a popular model is hardly something to write home about, but the execution Bulgari has gone with is both unusual and exciting. Both models have a matt, sandblasted treatment, while this steel version also adds a rhodium coating to the mix, which gives the watch a bright, almost white look. This treatment, combined with the overall style and presence of the Octo Finissimo a presence that needs to be seen to be truly appreciated. Bulgari Octo Finissimo in steel Australian pricing Bulgari Octo Finissimo in steel, $18,350.
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