H10: My Favorite HODINKEE Story: Jack Forster
“If there is no fight, I become very bored.” – Nicolas G. Hayek
Introducing – Vacheron Constantin “Mécaniques Sauvages” – A Collection of Grand Complications and Artistic Crafts
Defying the restraint and moderation that has settled over the watchmaking scene of late, it is refreshing to see such a magnificent display of mechanical luxury and grandiose craftsmanship. Unleashing a menagerie of majestic wild animals, Vacheron Constantin gives a riveting display of its inexhaustible creativity and mechanical expertise. Mécaniques Sauvages is a bespoke collection of unique pieces made in Vacheron Constantin’s very own customisation department – Les Cabinotiers – where horological fantasies spring to life. To give you an idea of what the watchmakers at Les Cabinotiers are capable of producing, think back to Reference 57260, a private commission delivered in 2015 with no fewer than 57 complications under its belt, making it the most complicated timepiece on our planet.
Introducing – Minase, Mechanical Watches from a Japanese Microbrand (Live Pics)
The microbrand watch scene seems infinite. With an explosion of new brands, we’ve reached a point where it has become impossible to keep track of these, from high-end to low-end, and everything in between. Multiple brands have come and gone over the past years. Among these, Minase, a Japanese brand, stands out with a unique […]
WATCHSPOTTING: Ellen, Patek, Omega and Ryan Reynolds
At this point it’s not news to state that Ellen DeGeneres is, in addition to being a talk show host par excellence, possessed of exceptional taste in watches. From vintage Daytonas to what appears to be most of Patek Philippe’s complicated catalogue, Ellen has some truly outstanding taste (I mean, seriously, when will she appear on Hodinkee’s Talking Watches?). And so when catching up on the latest clip, my eyes are always firmly on the wrists. And this time around, her chat with Ryan Reynolds certainly didn’t disappoint. Not only was Mr Pool (conspicuously not wearing Piaget) wearing (and wearing well) an Omega Dark Side of the Moon, but he was (as far as I could tell) wearing the barely legible Black Black version. Ellen’s wristwear, though, managed to outshine Reynolds’ choice, both literally and horologically. The Patek Philippe Reference 5271 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph is a serious watch, and the fact that it’s platinum and coated in factory diamonds only makes it that much more impressive. Watches aside, the clip is worth a watch, and while I disagree with Mr Reynolds on the merits of Frozen, I can certainly get behind him riffing off The Princess Bride in the festive Once…
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VIDEO: The old world charm of Tissot’s Heritage Petite Seconde
Watches — the best watches at least — do more than tell the time. They transcend their function to evoke an atmosphere or a mood. Tissot’s latest heritage piece, the Petite Seconde, is a quite wonderful example of this. Sure, it’s a 42mm steel piece with a classic manually winding movement, and a pretty classic dial. But it’s actually a lot more than that. It’s like a warm, shining pebble on the wrist, a watch full of gentle curves and pleasing details. Like the daily winding of the movement, or that dial, it’s got a soft, almost satiny brushed finish and some truly lovely printed Arabic numerals. In short, it’s everything you want from a heritage-inspired piece, and a great value proposition. TLDR; it’s a really nice watch. Tissot Heritage Petite Seconde Australian pricing Tissot Heritage Petite Seconde, $1425. The Tissot Heritage Petite Seconde is available to purchase from the Time+Tide shop.
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VIDEO: Breguet’s grand Tradition
The Tradition is a very special watch in Breguet’s prestigious collection. The brand is renowned for their classic style and peerless heritage. The Tradition collection — which debuted in 2005 — epitomises these values while managing to look effortlessly modern. It’s quite a feat. The traditional elements are easy to define — the engine-turned dial, the fluted case, the Breguet hands, that winding rotor. All details that speak directly to Breguet’s past. What makes the watch feel so modern is a little harder to define. There’s a few obvious tells, like the larger size and the use of silicon. And then there’s the harder to define bits, like the unconventional dial side movement and the modern looking (yet actually quite old school) peened finish on the bridges. Really though, it’s one of those whole-is-greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts situations. Perhaps then, Breguet’s Tradition is like the best traditions — rooted in the past, yet flexible enough to move with modern times. Breguet Tradition 7097 and Breguet Tradition Dame Australian pricing Breguet Tradition 7097 in red gold, $42,000, Tradition Dame in red gold, $49,000
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In Partnership – Looking Back At The Very Best Of Grand Seiko
From time-only stunners to artistic novelties, the Japanese brand never fails to impress.
Auction Report: The Rolex Ref. 6062 ‘Dark Star’ Is The Coolest Watch Of This Week’s New York Auctions
Christie’s is selling this unbelievable triple calendar for the second time – and the results will be very interesting.
H10: My Favorite HODINKEE Story: Joe Thompson
A master class on the Paul Newman Daytona taught me the power of the new media.
Pre-SIHH 2019 – IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Spitfire Bronze, with 41mm Case & Manufacture Movement (Hands-On)
Last but not least, of the four pilot watch ‘teasers’ that IWC has released ahead of the SIHH 2019, is this well-proportioned, vintage-inspired, bronze-cased, no-nonsense chronograph upgraded with a manufacture movement. All of that might sound like music to the ears of many collectors. At least, it does to us. Meet the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph […]