Game, Set, Watch: Tennis aces and their timepieces
The 2020 running of the Australian Open is well and truly into full … well, swing. And with the best tennis players in the world descending on Melbourne, we thought we’d take a look at watchmakers that have affiliations with the pro athletes because, after all, one of my favourite parts of the AO is seeing what the players have attached to their wrist. Roger Federer – Rolex Easily one of the most well-recognised partnerships between a sportsperson and a watchmaker, Roger Federer and Rolex are a match made in heaven. Federer is unquestionably the consummate professional of the tennis world — he’s never drawn into drama or off-court antics. Simply put, he’s just the best tennis player of all time. Federer has been seen wearing countless models from the “Big Crown”, and we can only imagine what his watch collection must be like. Ash Barty – Rado 2020’s Young Australian of the Year, Ash Barty, is doing what she does best at this year’s Australian Open – trouncing all of her competitors on the tennis court with grace and aplomb. I’m a huge fan of Ms Barty; she is a true national treasure and an exemplar for how all athletes…
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“Forecasting future events is often like searching for a black cat in an unlit room, that may not even be there,” wrote Steve Davidson in The Crystal Ball. The art of predictions, in other words, tends to be an absolute mug’s game. When you’re trying to make forecasts about Rolex – a company that shrouds its plans with MI5 levels of secrecy – it’s even more of a challenge. But these lousy odds haven’t stopped YouTuber Jenni Elle from peering into her crystal ball to predict Rolex’s new releases for Baselworld 2020. What’s more, she’s created an impressive concept video that “reviews” the three “most wished for” new Rolex models. Thanks to some whiz-bang special effects, Jenni’s video introduces an all-gold “Hulk” Submariner, a “Coke” GMT-Master II and a Steel “Smurf” Submariner. Yes, these are fantasy watches, but the production values are slick enough to make them larger than life. Here we review Jenni’s bold predictions and rate the likelihood of them making it out of fantasyland onto a wrist near you. Stainless Steel ‘Smurf’ Submariner Date The Oystersteel Submariner Date is currently only available in the classic black bezel/black dial iteration or the green bezel/green dial “Hulk” combo. If…
Released at Baselworld 2019, this SUB 200 130th Anniversary Limited Edition diver’s watch was profoundly popular, and the run of 130 pieces sold out almost before it was released. Time+Tide’s own stock of this model, 30 pieces, was sold in just under two hours. We are offering our own archive piece for sale here, brand new in support of the ‘Watch & Act!’ auction — and to put our own money, a second time, where our mouth is. It has a case of 316L stainless steel and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. Special touches on the Limited Edition include an engraved caseback with ‘130’ motif, an orange second hand, and orange ‘130 Years’ text on the dial. Also note the distinctive curvature of the domed crystal, which faithfully re-creates the domed plexiglass used on the 1967 model. It is well sized for both presence and practical daily wear at 42mm. Waterproof to a depth of 200 metres (20 ATM), the model features a unidirectional rotating bezel. All the elements providing dive-relevant information, including the bezel, have a Super‑LumiNova® luminescent coating. The bracelet is also 316L stainless steel and features a folding clasp with the DOXA fish symbol.…
This classic three-handed model from Frederique Constant, with gloss black dial, is a dress watch par excellence. It is presented here with high-polished baton indices, razor-sharp sword hands and an elegant crocodile strap. It is generously donated by Sydney’s Wamada Jewellery, Watchfest and the Sydney Chinese Community. The Classics Index Automatic is a symphony of sleek, clean lines, and an elegant black dial that coheres raw classicism and modern-day design. The Classics Index Automatic is powered by the FC-303 automatic caliber with 26 jewels, and runs at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, with a 38-hour power reserve. The polished two-part case measures 40mm in diameter, which is right in most wearer’s ‘Goldilocks’ zone. Convex sapphire crystals protect the dial, and the watch is water resistant to 50 metres. Finally, the indexes and numerals for every model are carefully polished and delicately hand-applied. What we like about it Andrew – An absolutely pitch-perfect dress watch with surprisingly handmade touches, including hand-applied indices and numerals on the dial, this is Classics by name and by nature. If your collection is bereft of a black dial dressed-up option, this one is calling you. Nick – This time-only number from Frederique Constant gives…
The Bausele Pilot Automatic All Black features an unusual and eye-catching dial layout. The dial has been rotated, moving the 12 from where it normally sits to what is traditionally the two o’clock position. Built with the modern aviator in mind, it is a functional choice, allowing the time to be easily read without removing the hand from the controls. Taking a closer look at the dial, the hour markers are red numerals that have been applied onto carbon fibre discs. The hands and hour markers are lumed, making the watch easy to read. The altimeter-style date window is both useful, and adds a splash of white to an otherwise black dial. The standout feature of this watch is the 44mm matte black ceramic case, a remarkable inclusion for the money that houses the reliable SW200 Sellita automatic movement, visible through a clear caseback. On the wrist, the Bausele Pilot Automatic All Black is comfortable due to the lightweight ceramic and supple kangaroo leather strap. This watch is generously donated by the founder of Bausele, Christophe Hoppe. What we like about it Andrew – A ceramic case at this price point, with the added value of a story that will…
As is always the way on Australia Day weekends, I went to an endless succession of parties and barbecues. These shindigs are a great opportunity to go watch spotting and I was fortunate to stumble across a few exciting timepieces that had one thing in common — they were all vintage. So without further ado, here are my top three spots from the weekend: Ash’s Tudor Oyster Prince Ash only recently started getting into watches, but her appetite for vintage timepieces has grown rapidly in the last six months, and now you’ll find her on most weekends scouring markets, garage sales and op-shops for her next antiquated fix. This Australia Day, she chose to wear her early ’60s Tudor Oyster Prince. A gorgeous gold-capped number with a complementing champagne dial, Ash says that she was fortunate enough to pick this one up at Camberwell Market for a steal. It’s not an absolute minter but, as she explains, “It’s just for the weekends, and I like that it’s not perfect, because I can wear it out on days like today and not worry about clattering it on something like a door jam.” A very nice vintage piece indeed that gives off…
In the world of Seiko diving watches, the collection of watches known as Prospex is actually a contraction of ‘Professional Specifications’, a reference to the very high standards that the watches are manufactured to. As a result, all watches in the collection are remarkably robust, water resistant and built with ultimate functionality in mind. In the Seiko Prospex SPB101J1, we are offered a stainless steel sports watch that’s not only water resistant to 200 metres, but also has workhorse automatic movement and an impressive build quality for the price point. The black bezel and dial create a high contrast canvas against the bright white hands and hour markers, which are also filled with glowing Lumibrite for low-light environments. The Seiko Prospex SPB101J1 is fitted to a comfortable stainless steel bracelet, which integrates smoothly into the watch case, and features a three-fold clasp to firmly secure the watch to the wrist. What we like about it Andrew – What can you say about this modern classic that we haven’t already said many times over? A quintessential alpha dive watch, this Prospex will complement any collection, even one that has multiple dive watches in it. Nick – I’m personally a huge fan…
This Oris jazz watch is an homage to the Australian jazz musician James Morrison. It features a gradient ‘dégradé’ blue dial and a caseback engraved with the Academy of Music logo, with contrasting Arabic numerals marking the hours. The golden seconds hand counterbalance is shaped like a trumpet hook, inspired by James’ favourite instrument. This watch – engraved #2 of 1234 – is the first numbered edition available for purchase, with #1 going to the museum as a matter of course. This watch is generously donated by Oris, with the enthusiastic support of the man himself, James Morrison. What we like about it Andrew – The first numbered model of James Morrison’s Limited Edition (#2 of 1234) available to buy, this handsome watch does everything right as a restrained dress watch that is kind of blue. Will be great to hack with lots of strap combinations, too. Nick – A beautiful blue dial, punctuated by gold hour markers and hands, and a link to one of the greatest Australian musicians of all time — what more could you want? James – This would be a great-looking dress watch in its own right thanks to its 38mm case size and gorgeous…
