As 2019 is coming to an end, we’ve gathered the MONOCHROME redaction team and started to think about the watches that most impressed us this year. After a look at the best chronographs, the best dive watches, the best traveller’s watches and our favourite accessible watches, it is time to look at the stuff dreams are made […]
It’s that time of the year where we sift misty-eyed through the archives, getting nostalgic about the horological highlights from the past 12 months. From Instagram watch clichés to the “unholy shitstorm of hurt feelings” provoked by Audemars Piguet, this is my top five. Sandra Lane on why hype and high prices are killing it for watch collectors Decade-long waiting lists. Manufactured shortages. “Gentlemen dealers.” Steel sports watches being listed at 200 per cent of their RRP… The inimitable Sandra Lane takes aim at the money-chasing mania that is ruining things for genuine watch collectors. 5 Instagram watch cliches that need to be cancelled Are you guilty of these Instagram watch crimes? If so, you need to learn your lesson, change your ways and preferably delete your social-media accounts forever. Felix Scholz explains why. Seiko vs. Garmin – who will survive an ultramarathon? Are digital sports watches all they’re cracked up to be? Nick Kenyon put a Garmin Forerunner up against his trusty Seiko dive watch. Then he ran 100km to discover how they’d both measure up. How to react to the Code 11.59 The Audemars Piguet was one of the most widely panned watch releases of the year. Andrew…
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Everyone’s familiar with Antiques Roadshow, the TV program where members of the public have their dusty collectables examined and valued by experts. This often results in a pleasant surprise, as you can see from Time+Tide’s own coverage of some of the momentous watch discoveries on the show. But not all of the “reveals” are pleasant. A recurring disappointment involves furniture. For example, in 2018 an Irish silver table from 1740 was brought to appraisers in Belfast. It was beautifully designed and the grain of the wood was clear (video here, article here). The table looked brand new. The appraiser mentioned that many of these tables are typically much darker in appearance, in part because original owners used peat to heat their homes and the soot would become deposited on furniture over time. The appraiser knew the table had been restored, “taken right down to the wood”, in his description. The owner agreed. And because of that restoration, the table lost AUD$13,400 of value. The dark soot and years of “damage” does not detract, it is actually valued by collectors. It bestows uniqueness onto furniture, it makes the table unlike any others. The work done on the table by a furniture…
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Diving a Canadian shipwreck with the Tudor Pelagos.
In a couple of days from now, most of us will be celebrating Christmas. And this means enjoying family time and good food, which is the occasion for the MONOCHROME team to also take a well-deserved break, after an intense year – no worries, we have some articles ready for you next week. As it […]
Chronographs are, to this day, one of the most useful complications you can find on a wrist watch. They’re just so practical — whether you’re timing your next run, daily commute or next lap time around the Phillip Island Grand Prix track, a chronograph has got you covered. Thing is, though, because of its complexity, the exceedingly useful complication normally commands a higher price point than your standard three-hander. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and we’ve found three admirable chronograph-equipped wristwatches for under $1000 AUD: DAN HENRY ALARM CHRONO 1972 A specialist in “derivation mash-ups”, the Dan Henry brand takes what it believes to be the best bits of the past and cobbles them together in yet another attractive and cohesive package. The 1972 Alarm Chrono takes high-level design cues from all over the place, with a splash of Omega here, and a dollop of Porsche there. The result is an extremely wearable, weirdly timeless beater for not much money at all. Limited (as is the norm for Dan Henry watches) to 1,972 pieces. Ref No: 1972 / Case size: 41mm / Case material: PVD Steel / Movement: Miyota 0S80 / Price: USD$350 UNDONE SNOOPY STARLIGHT To mark the…
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This next round will be hosted by Montres Journe.
At Baselworld 2019, Doxa arrived with its hands full of novelties, which included totally opposing models. One was the outrageously expensive ($70K) and limited Sub 200 T.Graph Anniversary Edition, a solid gold chronograph. The second was a small and accessible dive watch, with a cool vintage-inspired design, the Sub 200 130th Anniversary – immediately sold […]
Meet HODINKEE’s Managing Editor and his Leica cameras.
We wondered what John Reardon would do next. Now we know.