Seiko’s Prospex LX Line Diver emerges from GPHG as a winner
Seiko’s fit for purpose range of Prospex LX Line Diver’s watches has beaten some tough competition from the likes of Longines, Ressence and De Bethune to take home the award for best Diver’s watch at GPHG 2019. This is an important win for the Japanese manufacturer for two reasons: firstly, the winning Seiko is a Prospex, not a Grand Seiko, and secondly — and perhaps more significantly — the victory shows that the Seiko watches that sit below the aforementioned GS marque are being taken far more seriously, despite the hefty price tag that they now command. Mind you, even with the not inconsequential retail price, you are getting a lot of watch for the money. Take, for example, the Seiko Prospex LX Line SNR029J1. It costs $8500 AUD, but you’re getting a professional-grade diver’s watch that’s water resistant to 300 metres. It’s a big case — measuring in at a bulky 44.8mm and 15.7mm thick — but because both the case and the conforming bracelet is hewn from titanium with a super-hard coating, it sits on the wrist with an overriding sense of lightness and tactility. Also, let’s not forget that all of Seiko’s Prospex LX Line Divers are fitted with…
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Editor’s note: When it comes to making timepieces with an affiliation to the full-throttle world of motorsport, few watchmakers have more success than TAG Heuer. Take this TAG Heuer Autavia Jo Siffert Collector’s Edition for instance. Here is a wristwatch that faithfully pays homage to the original Heuer Autavia 1163T or, as it’s more commonly known, the ‘Siffert’ Autavia. The Heuer Autavia 1163T earned its nickname because, perhaps rather obviously, it was worn by the late Swiss Formula 1 driver Joseph “Jo” Siffert. It was a brilliant timepiece, and this modern interpretation is just as good, and late last year we were lucky enough to have a play with it. Before we talk about the watch, some backstory. Calibre 11 has been one of the leading TAG Heuer resources since 2009, and the driving force behind the site is David Chalmers. A quick search of my email archive tells me that I’ve known David since 2011, and I’ve always been impressed not only by his knowledge of all things Heuer but his willingness to share it. If you’re a particularly astute reader you might recognise his name from T+T, as he writes the occasional piece for us, which is only fair, given that he’s…
What is it about leading actors and their affinity for Rolex’s range of stainless steel sports watches? It almost seems like it’s a rite of passage – become a famous thespian and then immediately adorn one’s wrist with a steel 6263. Whether it’s Steve McQueen, Paul Newman (obviously), Daniel Craig … the list just goes on and on. And then there’s Hollywood’s current “hard man”, Jason Statham. Statham loves a vintage steel Rolex, as evidenced by the countless paparazzi photos that have caught the British actor sporting quite a few different iterations of old-school professional models. Perhaps most notably, Statham has, for quite some time, worn an awesome example of the Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655 “Steve McQueen”, which is an easy one to spot thanks to its iconic bright orange 24-hour hand. What’s more, whether it’s clairvoyance or just good taste, Statham has owned this famed timepiece for quite some time before the prices skyrocketed. In addition, Statham has posted several photos of himself on his Instagram wearing a couple of particularly nice variants of the ultimate “hype beast” vintage Rolex, the Paul Newman Daytona, more specifically the aforementioned ref. 6263. The Brit is also rather keen on rocking…