Watch Dandy

It was all a bit mad, really. Trying to film an hour-long video that recaps 30-ish new watches, with research consisting of poring over various screens to take in the details of each watch ahead of the shoot. Then wrangling assets, and ringing in friends on Zoom (thank you Sandra, Nick and Christoph!), and achieving a bucket list goal of throwing to Chris Farley. In that frenzy of activity, choosing highlights from the fair was harder than ever. But, who am I kidding, making lists in the midst of a fair – even a virtual one – is never easy. However, first impressions do count for something, and these are the early watches that I would pick out of all seen so far to handle in the metal at the first chance I get. Where the first video was long, this one is not – less than the average pop song, so get ready for a quick blast. To watch the full feature length video, go right ahead.

The post Andrew’s 5 early favourites from Watches & Wonders 2020, inc. Jaeger-LeCoultre, Vacheron Constantin and a watch named for us! appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

Like an addict itching for a fix, I recently listened to a football podcast where one of the hosts dropped a surprising confession. He admitted that, despite Covid-19 having stopped all games being played for six weeks, he wasn’t actually missing live football. Instead he’d taken the opportunity to re-watch old World Cups, enjoy classic matches from the past and pore over documentaries on some of the greatest players ever to grace the pitch. This experience, he insisted, had served to rekindle his love for the sport. In fact, he was now enjoying his football far more than when he was mainlining new goals on a weekly basis. Well, of course you are, his co-host replied. It’s like having to choose between listening to this week’s Top 40 singles or selecting tracks from a back catalogue of the greatest songs of all time. Frankly, there’s only ever going to be one winner. In essence, what he was saying was that just because something is brand new doesn’t make it automatically superior. This wisdom doesn’t just extend to re-familiarising yourself with the outlaw genius of Diego Maradona, either. It applies to watches, too. Imagine, for a second, that you won the…

The post Why Rolex, Patek and others’ decision to postpone new releases might be the move that makes you fall in love with watches all over again appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

When Richemont acquired Minerva to pair with Montblanc to fast-track legitimacy for their watchmaking division, some scoffed at the audacity. Taking a respected, historical watchmaker and giving their patents to a pen brand seemed like horological heresy at the time; however, Montblanc’s commitment to continuing Minerva’s legacy only grows more apparent with each subsequent year of new releases. Burgeoning respect from all, even the naysayers, is happening. For 2020’s online edition of Watches & Wonders, Montblanc have updated their collections to include 10 novel designs, ranging from subtle dial changes to bombastic antique re-imaginings. Heritage Collection While Montblanc’s 21st century merger with Minerva has given them access to a plethora of unique complications and designs, the Heritage Collection honours the more restrained timepieces from the ’40s and ’50s, evoking the post-war boom of prosperity and optimism. Two chronographs make up the three new models. The Heritage Monopusher Chronograph isn’t just salmon-dialled, its dial is subtly sectioned into rings of sunburst brushing and grainy stippling. Black rhodium coats the indices and hands, granting a soft contrast that doesn’t jut out too much. As with each of the new Heritage models, the bent lugs and curved spring bars help reduce the 42mm…

The post 10 watches from Montblanc’s 2020 collection that suggest they are reaching the top of the mountain appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.