VIDEO: Russell Crowe talks exclusively to us about the stories behind his watches, and why he’s selling them
Russell Crowe. A New Zealander who became an actor. The actor who became a star. The star who became a watch collector. Late last year, Russell Crowe announced that he was auctioning off some of his possessions, from movie props to art and, intriguingly for us, watches. In early February, Rusty tweeted again, giving us some more detail on the watches he was selling. This auction I’m having April 7th in SYDNEY will feature no less than 29 watches !! Representing over half my collection . 21 or so of the ones on sale are Chronographs. Never had a flash watch as a kid. Certainly made up for it as an adult haha — Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) February 2, 2018 The tweet included a blurry picture of a Panerai, and subsequent posts ran through some of the brands he was selling, and that the watches – in many cases – related to specific films or projects. Crowe also noted that the watches represented half his collection. It was clear that Crowe wasn’t just a man who owned a few nice watches, he was a collector. And given that the April 7 auction was happening in our own backyard, we knew…
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The story in a second: Behind the ultra-hyped trilogy models lays this cool, calm and not-in-any-way limited take on the Railmaster. Odd as it may seem today, but many of the enduring designs of mid-twentieth century watchmaking sprang from a very specific purpose: scientific exploration and the quest for accuracy. The Omega Railmaster, one of their original professional models, stands alongside other great names like the Milgauss, the Ingenieur and the Geophysic. And last year the Railmaster received a major upgrade. Not just in the near 1:1 limited edition re-creation but in this new interpretation: the Seamaster Railmaster. The case Not too little, not too large: 40mm is pretty much perfect for this style of watch, but that’s not all that stands out. The case is pretty much identical in form to the Aqua Terra, except for the finishing. While the AT is all about polished lines and reflected light, the Railmaster is muted and matt, thanks to its satin-brushed finish, something that totally fits with the model’s utilitarian origin story. The crown is conical and easy to use (always a plus in my book), and the lugs are that sweeping twisted style that is such a hallmark of Omega.…
When I told a Panerai-loving friend that after years of looking only at the Luminor I was starting to favour the Radiomir, he wasn’t at all surprised. “It’s called maturity,” he said. While that seems unlikely, there is definitely something more refined and self-assured in the smooth, uninterrupted lines of the Radiomir’s cushion case. Something perhaps more versatile and classic in its application, too; a man for, if not all, then more seasons? Whatever the case, the reasons for choosing the Radiomir as your next Panerai extend well beyond its considerable aesthetic charms. The Radiomir — as I discovered in the video that explores the contrasts in Panerai’s two main collections — tells the lion’s share of the brand’s interesting history, despite the younger, more muscled and glamorous younger brother getting the limelight. This review of the PAM 00514 Radiomir 1940 should help acquaint you with more of the details that make the watch special in its own right.
A. Lange & Söhne is a serious watchmaking brand. Everything they do is deliberate, and relentlessly on message. It would be easy to assume — based on this and the generally traditional nature of their timepieces — that the German brand is sober to the point of dullness, but the reality is exactly the opposite. Not only are their press presentations amongst the most consistently amusing (and informative) I’ve ever attended, but the watches themselves have fully fledged personalities that are anything but boring. Take the Saxonia Thin in Copper Blue. The Aventurine dial is fun, endlessly fascinating, and a perfect match for the minimal Saxonia model. Then there’s the Little Lange 1, a pint-sized model offered in three confident, but not over-the-top, colour schemes. And then there’s the Triple Split. Of all the A. Lange & Söhne 2018 releases it’s the one that, for me, most epitomises the values of the brand. Sublime watchmaking, made not to meet a clear and pressing need, but simply because they can. And made with such a sense of style and panache. Wunderbar.
Following on from 2014’s Terra Nova limited edition, Bremont have once again teamed up with polar explorer Ben Saunders to release the Bremont Endurance. Retracing Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated journey across the South Pole, Ben wore the Endurance as he attempted to make a record-breaking first ever solo and unassisted trek across Antarctica. After 52 days, and having crossed 1086km, Ben reached the South Pole; however, without enough food to continue, he was forced to halt progress and return home. Nonetheless, he still became the first person to complete solo ski expeditions to both the North and South Poles without support or assistance. Vital statistics Weight being a top priority, the case of the Endurance is constructed from lightweight titanium, with special attention given to protecting the movement from some of the most extreme conditions on Earth. Starting with a 43mm Supermarine case, there’s an automatic helium escape valve and patented anti-shock movement mount. Water resistance is kept to 500m while an exhibition display case back opens a window for the first time to the 42-hour BE-93-2AE Bremont modified ETA 2893 chronometer movement inside. And an orange North indicator on the GMT hand combines with orange compass markings on the…
Bremont have always been (rightfully) proud of their strong relationships with various military services, squadrons and organisations, be they active or off-duty. Nowhere is that lineage more evident than the U-2, originally designed for squadrons flying Lockheed U-2s, reconnaissance and spy planes that are, incidentally, among the few planes to be in active service for more than 50 years. So it’s only logical that the latest version, the U-2/51-JET, is a decidedly stealthy take on the model. Vital statistics While the U-2 was originally inspired by the eponymous spy plane, this iteration takes its cues from the Hawk TI Jets flown by the RAF’s 100 Squadron, and their trademark black livery – originally intended to suit their purpose as night bombers. But this isn’t as simple as a new variant of the U-2/DLC. To achieve a deeper black, Bremont have used a new anodising technique, resulting in a darker colour, especially on the knurled bezel. Black 43mm case aside, the luminous material is in Bremont’s vintage-toned ‘51’ shade, and the hands are blued steel. Red details complete the picture. The jet black strap and dark sapphire caseback complete the stealthy look. First thoughts The combination of the military-industrial appeal of…
Well, here we are. The ‘sky’s-the-limit’/‘mortgage-the-house’ level of watch. And if you’re going to drop that sort of coin on something that (you’d hope) tells the time, SIHH is the place to do it. There were some truly exceptional offerings at the top end of the table and – just quietly – we definitely picked the best six (Justin and Sandra were greedy and went with two each). Again, you’ll have to watch to see just what we went with, but I suspect it’s absolutely zero surprise that the A. Lange & Söhne Triple Split made the cut. Andrew chose it, summing it up nicely: “It’s just triple the amazing.” He’s not wrong. Thanks for watching our SIHH 2018 panel series, and tell us what you think in the YouTube comments.
Last year, I went hands-on with the sleek three-handed TAG Heuer Link, which saw itself revived into the men’s collection after letting the ladies Link have the first turn in 2016. While the makeover leaned more towards the elegant side of the Link’s sporting elegance roots, this year sees a sportier return to the collection, with the introduction of a tri-compax chronograph. Vital statistics Featuring a sunray dial of either black or blue, there’s an angled date window at 4:30, accompanied by a small seconds subdial at 3 o’clock, a chronograph minute counter at 9 o’clock, and an hour counter at 6 o’clock. With all three cross-hair-centre subdials finished in a light-reflecting snailed pattern. However, regardless of the extra information, surrounding the open dial is the same 41mm stainless-steel case that sits somewhere between round and cushion-shaped with a water resistance of 100 metres. Its two-part bezel, made up of four subtle corners that are contrasted by a satin-brushed circle on the inside, and soft curves that gently transition into the famously ergonomic (and silky smooth) S-shaped linked bracelet, foregoing the need for lugs. Only now, flanking either side of the guarded crown are two elongated pushers that control the Calibre…
I don’t know about you, but the only thing on my mind when I’m at a resort on vacation is how many trips to the breakfast buffet is considered too much (more than five apparently, if the appalled looks of fellow diners was anything to go by). However, for watchmaker and eponymous brand founder Franck Muller, holidays can be a time of more radical thinking, as it was a holiday in Mauritius that inspired the instantly recognisable (and undeniably fun) Crazy Hours complication. First released in 2003, the Crazy Hours collection introduced a dial layout where the traditional display of 12 hour numerals was jumbled up. So, the number 8 is now at 12 o’clock, 5 is at 9 o’clock, 3 at 11 o’clock, and so on. Meaning that instead of progressing clockwise in numerical order, the hour hand must jump to the next hour which is placed nearly directly opposite (at an approximately 120° arc). The craziness was brought to life by the addition of a jumping hour module on top of a 42-hour power reserve automatic movement. With this year marking the collection’s 15th anniversary, the manufacturer known as the “Master of Complications” is celebrating with the release…
The more distance and time I’ve had to reflect on SIHH 2018, the more I’m inclined to think that the calibre of the exhibiting collections was – overall – very high. The very top end of town was well represented but of more interest to me (and I suspect a lot of you reading this), the offerings at the less stratospheric price points were plentiful, interesting and attractive. Case in point – Montblanc. Montblanc’s hero collections were the greatly expanded and slightly re-imagined 1858 collection, and the classically styled Star Legacy, both full of the sort of value-packed, thoughtful watches that Montblanc have become synonymous with lately. But really, for me it was the 1858 that was the star of the line-up, what with their rugged charms and easy wrist appeal. Make sure to watch the video for a full overview, but to my mind, these three regular production 1858 watches are the ones to watch. Montblanc 1858 Geosphere With its twin, rotating hemispheres and ceramic compass bezel this twin-time watch was one of Montblanc’s real talking points. It’s offered in a regular production steel model or a limited bronze case, bund strap combo that’s Reinhold Messner levels of awesome. Montblanc…