The Enabler: How to justify buying another watch (#10. The end of the world is nigh)
The Doomsday Clock started ticking in 1947. This was the brainchild of an international group of researchers called the Chicago Atomic Scientists who’d participated in The Manhattan Project – an R&D program that resulted in the production of the first nuclear weapons. Essentially, the Doomsday Clock was designed to calculate precisely how close we are to global catastrophe. Mankind’s proximity to annihilation was simply expressed by the number of “minutes” to midnight. The people who determine the time on the clock aren’t just a bunch of wild-eyed loons. The board is made up of scientists and other boffins with deep knowledge of nuclear technology and climate science – many of them serve as consultants to governments and international agencies. Any change to the clock’s timing is only done after consultation with an illustrious board that currently includes 13 Nobel Laureates. When the Clock was launched in 1947, the time was set at seven minutes to midnight. This figure was calculated on the basis that the greatest danger to humanity came from nuclear weapons and the fact that the US and the Soviet Union were set on a collision course for a nuclear arms race. Over the past 73 years, the…
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Editor’s note: If you missed the first part of this story, you can find it here, and enjoy as Bruce tells the tale of his journey through the frigid trees of the Calgary countryside to a watch meetup with the RedBar crew. Here is the second part of his epic adventure. I quickly discovered a logistical challenge in that the pub tables were so long, it was difficult to mingle with people who weren’t in my immediate area. My photographer sidekick had already gotten up and was making the rounds and snapping pictures, so I proceeded to get into a conversation with the gentleman on my immediate right-hand side about Seiko and his love for dive watches. I got out my watch roll and showed him the new Seamaster among others. About half a beer later, I chatted with the person to my left and we were comparing his white dial Grand Seiko with my white dial Datejust and the finishing differences between the two. The person to his left also got in on the debate and, before I knew it, my Datejust was making its way to the far end of the long table. I looked to the right…
Editor’s note: After we were recently witness to Hublot’s latest novelties released in Dubai, it’s worth taking another look at one of the most innovative designs from the brand in recent years – the Hublot Classic Fusion Ferrari GT. Available in three case materials, the gentle curves were a new direction for Hublot, who are known for their bold and angled designs. But why the change of direction? Let’s look closer. A Hublot with soft, flowing lines. Now there’s a phrase I never thought I’d write. The Ferrari–Hublot collaboration has produced a stream of watches since 2011, each time with a different look and feel: from Big Bang variations to the outstanding MP-05 LaFerrari and, two years ago, the Techframe. But where the Techframe is all straight lines and strong angles, this new Classic Fusion piece is smooth and curvy – Gran Turismo with beautiful coach-building, rather than high-octane motorsport. In designing this watch, Ferrari’s Centro Stile has taken the automotive metaphor further, suspending the round case within the bezel. The resulting void between the two circles adds both visual and physical lightness, as well as creating extra surfaces where the light can play. Four exposed ‘H’ screws (rather than…
The GPHG-nominated DOXA SUB 200 has succeeded in capturing the watch world’s attention since its unveiling at Baselworld 2019, what with its vibrant dial options, 200 metres of water resistance, and fetching, vintage-inspired 42mm stainless steel case. There was just one niggling issue for some — the beads of rice bracelet was perhaps a tad cumbersome on the wrist, especially in the warmer months. What it really needed was a rubber strap. Black, yes, but also on vibrant colours to give it some pop. Check them all out in our marketplace, now. The intrepid product development team at DOXA obviously held the same sentiment, because the entire SUB 200 collection has just dropped for a second time with a brand new rubber strap, and it is good. Very good. Let me count the ways. From the moment you fasten the new rubber band to your wrist, it is obvious that this is an item that DOXA has poured A LOT of attention and, more importantly, money into. It does not feel cheap. The Milanese-style pattern, for example, is intricate and smaller than you’d expect, especially when compared to other watchmakers’ implementations of a Milanese rubber band (think Longines Legend Diver…