Watch Dandy

Google Maps has done a good job of ruining the job of the safari-suited explorer, taking crystal clear pictures of the entire surface of the rock we call home. Where there is hope for the Indiana Jones’ of the world is what lies beneath the surface, where under the white-capped waves of the world’s oceans only five per cent has been properly explored. It is this unknown factor, and the consequential opportunity for discovery, which gets ocean explorer, diver and conservationist Fabien Cousteau out of bed each morning. While it certainly isn’t a career path that high school counsellors are pushing you towards, Fabien has continued the good work of his family, which was most notably carried out by Fabien’s grandfather, the world-renowned French naval officer and explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Other than a life spent in the water, both Jacques-Yves and Fabien shared a love of diving watches, with Jacques-Yves known to wear DOXA, Blancpain and Rolex, and Fabien who is rarely seen without a Seiko on his wrist. I had the chance to sit down with Fabien and discuss this in a little more detail, where he explained his position as a global brand ambassador for Seiko Prospex. “I…

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The sheer breadth of microbrands currently occupying the horological hemisphere is nothing short of miraculous, and for us enthusiasts, it’s a very good time to be into watches. There have been numerous examples of microbrands knocking it out of the park over the last 12 months, and while we’d like to mention all of them, these three timepieces really stood out: MING 17.06 COPPER For a brand that has only been producing watches for two years, Ming have managed to create a remarkably consistent – and eminently recognisable – design language. This is clear in their new 17.06 Copper, an update to their original model, the 17.01. While the flared lugs express the panache of a brand making a name for themselves on the world stage, the gem hiding in plain sight on this watch is the dial. Its coppery warmth evokes the salmon tone used so commonly on the dials of mid-century Swiss watches. Ref No: 17.06C / Case size: 38mm / Case material: Steel / Movement: ETA 2824-2 / Price: CHF1250 CREUX AUTOMATIQ DIAMONDBACK Creux’s bid for more attention in the world of microbrands is likely to be achieved with the release of the Diamondback series. While the…

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Stetz & Co recently published an interview with one of the foremost vintage watch aficionados on the planet, Mr Roni Madhvani. Madhvani — or as he goes by on Instagram, @roni_m_29 — has a truly unbelievable collection of some of the rarest and most eccentric timepieces from the likes of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Cartier. His Instagram page is the stuff of legend and, rather surprisingly, it’s one of the few watch ‘gram pages that isn’t littered with steel sports watches. No, Madhvani’s assemblage of watches all have two things in common: precious metal and unique case shapes. Whether it’s a Cartier Crash, Audemars Piguet “Disco Volante” or a Gilbert Albert-designed Patek Philippe, his Instagram feed is a veritable cornucopia of the strangest and most left-field watches out there. And, rather interestingly, Madhvani admits that since his appearance on Hodinkee’s Talking Watches back in 2016, the main focus of his collecting has been mid-20th century Audemars Piguet, and the reason for this interest is mainly because of the “increasing unaffordability of vintage Patek”. It’s a great interview, and if you’ve got the time, it’s definitely worth a read. Hit this link for the full interview.

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