INTRODUCING: The Grand Seiko SBGX343 is like a kick-ass Milgauss / Explorer hybrid with a killer quartz movement
Is this the perfect everyday tool watch from the Zaratsu wizards? I am seriously baffled by the Grand Seiko SBGX343. This seems to be nothing less than a dynamic amalgamation of our favourite design traits from Grand Seiko and a prominent Swiss crowned supplier of largely unavailable cyclopsed divers’ watches. Our Japanese friends have managed to pull this feat off without a hint of homage, while exuding a wholesome daily watch-vibe with contemporary wrist presence. To top it off it is powered by the quartz perfection of their 9F61 calibre. The case is recognisable from the sporty SBGV243, characterised by its purist tool image and yellow popping details and stitches on the fabric strap. This, however, is pure monochrome, and could be touted as Grand Seiko’s answer to the Explorer and Milgauss in one, but within a much sharper, tough-as-hell angular case. I can stare at that case side/lug transition for hours – a beautifully horizontal brush on the case side that ends in a hallelujah-inspiring drilled lug end, a lug that has an impossibly perfect crease where it swoops down, creating an incredible dynamic where it meets the polished bevel of the top of the case. A narrow band…
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This year, Piaget achieved an unfathomable feat in watchmaking – a production timepiece only 2mm thick! Not surprisingly, given the scale of this achievement, the composition of the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept is extremely complex. Its super-thin mechanism and harmony between case and movement will astound even the most jaded collectors and it will likely be a long time before anyone can top this new world record in watchmaking. To better understand this incredible watch that was awarded the “Aiguille d’Or” grand prize at the GPHG a few months back, we turn to none other than Mr. Watchfinder himself who walks us through how the thinnest watch ever made came into existence. As you walk through the evolution of the line, you begin to realise that this was by no means a sprint for Piaget but rather an incremental marathon that culminated in an extraordinary result. As the brand neared the 60th Anniversary of the Altiplano lineup, they knew they wanted to do something very special to pay tribute to the collection and the ultra-thin movements Piaget had made its name upon. Beginning with the 9P and 12P movements, Piaget historically produced some of the thinnest movements and watches…
What were Thor’s 3 favourite watches of 2020? On a length-to-difficulty ratio, this piece ranks right up there in the difficulty stakes. Seriously, how am I supposed to sum up my three favourites of the whole year? In this bastard 12 months of lockdowns and cancelled holidays, there has been a deluge of delights from Switzerland, Japan and Germany. Suffice to say, once again this will be pure fantasy in terms of budget, but what the hell. We are allowed to dream, so dream on watch lovers! My vivid dreams are filled with grail pieces from Greubel Forsey, H. Moser & Cie. and an understated Longines, how about yours? Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1 With the name Greubel Forsey I just have to add two words: Hand and Made. The End. Sorry, that was too easy, but honestly, there is a reason this has popped up on my list of favourites this year, and in my best dials of 2020 piece here. Not that I ever doubt their genius, but here Greubel Forsey has managed to create pure horological poetry through craftsmanship and methodology of the 18th and 19th century, resulting in what is a deeply thought-provoking project, involving 6000…
Hi Editor’s note: We may have only published this story a few short months ago, but since then the Seiko modding scene has only accelerated – the train has left the station and it’s full steam ahead! Even the most cursory of searches on Instagram now reveals some simply stunning new modded SKXs and 5s (thank you #seikomods). Actually, the talent is so good right now, we thought we’d share a few more of them with you. Polka-dot dreaming Easily our favourite of the new class of modded Seiko pieces, this polka dot delight has us dreaming of the perfect summer watch. And the dial is hand-painted, which is a great touch. Watch modification, or “modding”, is a remarkably popular subset of the watch collecting community, where enthusiasts will tinker with their watches to build totally customised pieces to wear. Without a doubt the most popular brand in the modding space is Seiko, where the combination of affordability and relatively widespread access to quality parts makes for the perfect storm of self-expression. There are even some members of the modding community who have turned their skills into micro-manufacturers, offering their services to fellow collectors for a fee, to build the…
