HODINKEE Radio: Episode 11: Spike Feresten (LIVE)
The Talking Watches alum and comedy legend talks about his dual love of cars and watches.
Industry News – Chanel Takes a 20% Minority Stake in F.P. Journe
Chanel, a high-fashion house known for its women’s haute-couture and ready-to-wear clothes, luxury goods, and fashion accessories, has been investing in the watchmaking industry – and for quite some years already. This surprising move, initiated in 1998 with Bell & Ross and in 2011 with Romain Gauthier, now goes one step further with the addition of F.P. Journe in the portfolio of brands supported by Chanel.
Value Proposition – The Mercer Lexington Chronograph Reviewed
It’s not hard to find a chronograph in any price range as just about every watch brand offers one (or many). I’m somewhat picky when it comes to chronographs and tend to like more unique pieces like the Longines Avigation BigEye or Junghans Meister Chronoscope Terrassenbau Limited Edition, and pass on the garden-variety. It’s no secret that there’s an exploding population of microbrands throughout Europe and North America that are undercutting established brands’ prices with Kickstarter campaigns and online-only storefronts. Watches like the Aqua Compressor Endeavour from Farer Universal and Ticonite from ORLO Watches prove that modern technology, a talent for design and mass-produced, high-quality movements have levelled the playing field to a large extent, especially in the sub-USD 2,000 market. Mercer Watch Co. is an excellent example of this and has a well-designed chronograph with a column-wheel movement, and an impressive price to match. Let’s take a closer look at their Lexington Chronograph.
HANDS-ON: Pop a cork and celebrate – the Tudor Black Bay S&G now comes with a champagne dial
Last year’s release of the Black Bay S&G was something of a slow burn. In the heat of the initial announcements, all eyes were on the impressive Black Bay Chrono. As time passed, people seemed to realise what a looker the steel and gold was — no doubt helped by the fact that it was prominently featured on the wrist of none other than David Beckham. Well, this year Tudor released another S&G, with a radiant, golden-hued dial, officially called ‘champagne’ by the brand. We might not have been as surprised by the bi-metal watch as we were last year, but we were still pretty stunned by its beauty. And even though, dial aside, it’s fundamentally the same watch as the previous S&G, we were surprised by just how strongly the champagne S&G was its own watch, going its own way, and doing its own thing. Before we get to the dial, let’s do a quick flyover of the vital statistics. The watch bears the typical 41mm Black Bay case, with a solid golden bezel (with aluminium insert) and a gold cap crown. It’s offered on an olive green fabric strap, distressed leather and this rivet-style bracelet with gold cap centre…
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ANNOUNCING: Our shop is the only place in Australia you can buy the limited Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Blue
What a way to start a Monday. We are so proud and privileged to announce that we have the full Australian allocation – just two watches of 200 ever produced – of a very special watch to offer in the Time+Tide shop. It is a Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic with blue nuances that we have taken to calling ‘Electric Blue’. The price is AUD$19,750. The purchase price of the watch also includes a year of watch insurance, which protects you at home and on the road, in Australia and abroad. As of this morning, after a pre-sale for subscribers over the weekend (if you’re not in our newsletter squad, sign up here to avoid missing out next time, which will be very soon) there is just one watch remaining. This watch is electric by name and electric by nature – taking what many are rushing to call a modern classic, the Octo Finissimo with titanium bracelet – to sky-blue heights care of hand-applied blue highlights to indices, hands, marque and oversized numerals at 12 and 6. We opted to represent this watch as a movie star, because in our circles that’s precisely what it is. “A home run,” says one journalist, “Stealth luxury,” says another. “A serious competitor…
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Sunday Rewind: A Look Inside The World’s Only Authorized Vintage Omega Dealer
London’s Somlo Antiques is a very special place indeed.
Buying Guide – 5 of the Most Iconic Luxury Sports Watches You Can Buy in 2018 (and one accessible alternative)
In the same vein as we already did with chronographs and dive watches, it’s time now to look at what probably is the current hottest watch category: the luxury sports watch. Born in the 1970s as a true disruptive concept, deliberately provocative back then – remember those ads claiming “a steel watch more expensive than gold” – and a category that today creates the buzz on the second-hand market… As those buying guides only take the best from the best, here are the 5 most iconic luxury sports watches you can buy in 2018 – or at least, dream to buy, as some are close to being unreachable.
EDITOR’S PICK: If you love watches, then you need to know these 5 Breguet inventions
Editor’s note: There are certain words and terms that get thrown around a lot here in watchland. We should know, we’re more than guilty of it. While some can be pretty self-explanatory, others require a more in-depth description. And although this list – which we first published a couple of years ago – doesn’t quite explain them all. It does tick a few off. And they all happen to be invented by Breguet. Every year at Baselworld I attend a technical presentation from Breguet. I’m ushered into a small room, introduced to Swiss gentlemen who work in the brand’s R&D and Technical departments. Pleasantries are exchanged, coffees offered and accepted. Then we sit down and it gets serious. I’m shown slideshows full of graphs and parabolas, discuss hertz and resonance, and marvel at deconstructed movements. Sixty minutes later, I walk out with my head hurting, my mind stretched, marvelling that this brand, with such a rich history of innovation, is still pushing the boundaries of horology. Today we take a closer look at some of Breguet’s (both the man and the brand’s) most important innovations. If you’re a watch lover, and we’re tipping that’s likely, these key breakthroughs underscore much of…
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WHO TO FOLLOW: @MracekProductions
Dale is an airline pilot, with a love for all things cars, watches and photography. He unwinds by going for a cruise in his 1971 Datsun 240z and spending time with his family. Hi Dale, what’s your daily watch and why? I don’t have a daily watch per se, though I have my eye on a particular piece right now, so that may change soon! I bought all my watches to wear, so I tend to rotate them as much as possible. When I’m working, I tend to gravitate towards a GMT, as all our flight planning, Dep/Arrival times, weather forecasting etc. is all referenced to Zulu (GMT) time. So, generally, I most likely throw on my Breitling Avenger II GMT or Citizen Nighthawk (great grab and go). I’m a Breitling tragic, and I love the aviation history behind the brand. The original Navitimer 01 is such a classic and beautiful piece, and I have lusted over one since I started flying! One day I would like to add a vintage Navi to the collection. What else is in your collection? Have you got a favourite? I’ve finally realised I’m not a dress watch guy, so a majority of my…
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Weekend Round-Up: Smart Octopuses, A Lego Super Car, And Over-The-Top Sushi
The week’s can’t-miss stories from around the web.