OPINION: Watches – just an insecure guy thing?
When I talk with other women about watch collecting, the most common reaction runs along the lines of, “Oh, that’s just a sad guy thing” or “I totally don’t get why my husband bought such an expensive one/has to own so many/is so geeky about them …” Or even, “Ha! Boys’ toys – you know what they’re a substitute for …” So yeah, a luxury watch is really just a much more portable version of a muscle car or a mid-life Harley-Davidson. Compensation. For something. Sure, it’s also “a reward for all those years of hard work”. But, in truth, that watch/car/bike is a grown-up security blanket. And, as Linus knows, it’s hard for a guy to live without one. OK, so I’m heading deep into cultural/gender stereotyping territory here. But there’s science and study to back it up – from the seriously academic (Cambridge Professor Simon Baron-Cohen) to the pop psychology of John Gray’s Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. (And let me say it now: I do know watch-guys to whom very little of the following applies. You know who you are.) So, how can watches be a cure for insecurity? Let’s break it down ……
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Ulysse Nardin recently introduced four new members of its freaky family. With titanium cases and unmistakable style, these watches are known collectively as the Freak Out, and today we’re taking a look at the Freak Out Blue. First, though, a quick primer on the Freak. Conceived by genius watchmaker Ludwig Oechslin, the Freak first came to life in 2001. It shocked not just because of its unconventional use of a flying carousel tourbillon to tell the time instead of hands, but also its groundbreaking use of silicon components. Fast forward to today and the Freak is, for all its familiarity, still capable of shocking. SIHH saw the entrance of the first automatic Freak, the Freak Vision, and now this quartet joins the fray. Powered by the manually wound UN-205, the observant among you might also have noticed that the Freak Out lacks a traditional crown — instead, the time is set using the newly redesigned bezel (which is unlocked by the lever marked with ‘Freak’ text). Winding is achieved via a similar bezel on the caseback (not that you’ll have to do it too often, thanks to the seven days of power reserve). The real pleasant surprise, though, is the…
Editors note: While I’m not sure that Barney Stinson (the chap from How I Met Your Mother, paraphrased above) would be familiar with the Longines Legend Diver, he definitely should be. Like him, the LLD possesses effortless good looks, easy charm, a youthful energy and slightly playful personality. Honestly, it’s a perfect match … Longines was making stellar heritage reissues well before it was cool. Case in point is the stylish ’60s-inspired Legend Diver, first released way back in 2007. And while it’s become de rigueur for most major brands to release one or two retro pieces a year, the Longines Legend Diver (LLD) pioneered the reissue genre, and still holds its own, thanks to a well-balanced trifecta of timeless good looks, clear vintage style and cracking value. First off, let’s tackle the style. The internal rotating bezel and twin crowns of the Legend draw their inspiration from a type of dive watch that was popular in the ’60s and ’70s called the Super Compressor. Most dive watches rely on thick cases, crystals and gaskets to create an impermeable wall to keep moisture out. The Super Compressor’s approach, however, was slightly different. Developed by case-maker E. Piquerez SA (EPSA), it relied on the…
They say your 50s are the new 30s. I’m not sure who ‘they’ are, and why exactly they say that. But just Google “celebrities in their 50s” and you’ll see that maybe they are on to something (Halle Berry and Tom Cruise, amirite?). Well, this year marks 55 years of the TAG Heuer Carrera, and the motorsport-inspired collection is looking good. Never before has it been more diverse or all-encompassing, featuring everything from sporty three-handers to GMTs, tourbillons, and, of course, chronographs. The Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 is TAG Heuer’s modern take on their original racing chronograph. And this version really lives up to the Swiss brand’s Techniques d’Avant Garde (TAG) label, taking things to the next level, with its blacked-out ceramic case. That’s right, this is no PVD coating. Instead, this Carrera Heuer 01’s modular 45mm case – including its tachymeter marked bezel, and sharp-edged lugs – is crafted in matt black ceramic, providing a stealthy edge to the bold collection that has already proven to be a favourite amongst the sporty offerings of the TAG Heuer catalogue. Ceramic also means that this Carrera is lightweight and virtually scratchproof. Pair that with a water resistance of 100 metres, and…