Watch Dandy

“When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.” That line — from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, the classic western starring John Wayne and James Stewart — nails the way in which some tales become impossible to resist. Certain details might prove apocryphal. Slabs of the narrative turn out to be completely made up. But we choose to avert our eyes from these exaggerations because, well, they get in the way of a cracking yarn. What’s all this got to do with Rolex? The brand’s position as the most powerful watchmaker in the world is founded both on horological innovation and a reputation for extreme dependability. Such attributes are certainly not in doubt. Yet, over the years, Rolex has reached such storied heights that it’s developed its own folklore, to the point that I’ve even been asked the question: “What’s your favourite Rolex myth?” I don’t want to imply that the following tales are fabrications. Some indeed, like Everest, are 100 per cent fact. But all of them cast Rolex’s watches in such a heroic light that they’re the stuff of legend in the most literal sense. Myth 1: Rolex inspired The Great Escape During WWII, British army Corporal Clive…

The post Mythbusting four Rolex myths, from The Great Escape, to the English Channel to British Columbia appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

Editor’s note: We’re running this story again for three reasons. One, because Sandra Lane stories can’t be read too many times in general. Two, because we still feel the same. And three, because it actually feels a little dated. The negative sentiment that might have existed around Hublot is abating year on year. Partly because it’s getting nigh on impossible to argue the toss when it comes to the quality and the care evident in their timepieces. A macro lens can be unforgiving. But it has a habit of loving modern Hublot watches. We captured the phenomenon here. So, perhaps more as a bit of archival trivia than a current news piece, we hope you enjoy once again Sandra’s wonderful piece.   So, in some parts of the watchosphere, it’s fashionable to be a Hublot Hater. While I’m not a HH (professional detachment, there are other, better uses for my energy), I will admit to being in the “not loving it” camp for quite some time. It was the bigness, the brashness, the it-watchness of it all. Given the choice, I’ll take off-trend. It was the flashy image – the rappers, footballers and boxers. Which is ironic, really, since Hublot began with…

The post OPINION: Hublot haters are living in the past, the brand have been killing it for years. Time to find another target appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.