How I managed to buy the MoonSwatch full set without paying one cent over the retail price
Ronald Chew (aka Horologym) is a watch collector based in Singapore. But he’s also one of the few people in the world who has managed to beat the queues and the flippers to assemble a complete set of the MoonSwatch. What makes this achievement even more impressive is that Ronald didn’t spend big on the … Continued
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Editor’s note: If you haven’t seen City on a Hill yet then start blocking out your evenings. Imagine The Wire transplanted to the mean streets of Boston and you start to get some idea of this wildly ambitious drama. While a gritty police investigation forms the narrative spine, swirling out from that is a lurid tale of crime, politics, justice and race in the 1990s. At the heart of it are two amazing performances. Kevin Bacon (yes, really) is an absolute joy as the diabolically sleazy FBI agent Jackie Rohr. He forms an unlikely partnership with Decourcey Ward, the clean-cut District Attorney played by Aldis Hodge. The latter’s star is very much on the rise at the moment, but his ascent isn’t limited to Hollywood. Aldis is also a serious watch guy – a self-taught horologist with plans to launch his own watch brand and a member of the GPHG 2019 jury. With City on a Hill Season 2 returning, we thought we’d take another look at Andrew’s in-depth interview with the man himself. Aldis Hodge and I are in an Uber, in Sydney. I am in the front seat. Aldis is in the back, with his sketch-book out, trying…
Watch enthusiasm is initially generated by the product – there’s no doubt that the art of watchmaking and the many resulting creations are the main draw that hooks people in. But what really sustains the hobby, and helps it grow, is the sense of community in watches. Within #watchfam there are many collecting groups dedicated to bringing like-minded watch lovers together, typically to share a few drinks and talk watches. Two watch lovers, however, wanted to take the idea of a watch collectors’ club a step further. Collective™ Horology was started by founders Gabe Reilly and Asher Rapkin to create a positive and intimate space for horological enthusiasts to come together and share their love for all things watchmaking. What separates Collective Horology from other clubs is their efforts focus on creating collaborative pieces for its members. I found this dynamic intriguing, so I (virtually) sat down with Gabe and Asher to better understand what drives the Collective and how you can join in on the fun. Time+Tide: What led you guys to creating Collective Horology? Gabe: One of the things we’ve seen since the days when Asher and I were lusting after Invictas on the Poor Man’s Watch Forum,…
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of the G-Shock CasiOoak and have become particularly intrigued by the modified versions. The CasiOak has quickly become the darling of everyone from first watch-wearing millennials to experienced collectors. Then it dropped. The Casioak Galaxy was a collaboration between IFL Watches and The Dial Artist (Kit Alexander) as part of a range of customised CasiOaks. The hyper-colourful Galaxy went viral like a Supreme mega-drop and became a huge hit on social media, selling out fast. Like a cheeky nod to the precious stones on a rainbow bezel Rolex, it hit the zeitgeist right between the eyes. Its rainbow-modded visage is a delectable piece of wristcandy, and a knock out from 10 feet away. But who is behind this massive hit? I was lucky enough to catch up with Kit (@thedialartist) and got the lowdown on how he got started in the modifying game where he’s carved out this bright niche. T+T: Let’s start with a bit of background. You’re known for your customisation and bespoke work on everything from Rolexes to G-Shocks with Speedmasters and Zeniths thrown in for good measure. What started it off? Kit: I had a Seiko turtle, I think…
Last week it happened again. I was standing in line at a coffee shop and, of the seven people queuing, I was the only one wearing a proper watch. There were four naked wrists, one Garmin and one Apple Watch constantly buzzing and flashing. Now if we have any chance of turning this sad situation around we desperately need an injection of youth into the watchmaking industry. Is Norifumi Seki the answer? Yes, that’s serious pressure laying the entire future of the watchmaking industry on just one man. But hear me out. How many independent Japanese watchmakers do you know? In addition to Hajime Asako and his Art Deco panache, you’d be hard pressed to find many, which is one of the reasons why this story is important, especially considering the enormous power of the Asian marketplace in horology. So who is Norifumi Seki? Hailing from Tokyo and still only 23, he attended the Hiko Mizuno Jewelry College and burst onto the international scene last year as the first Asian to win the esteemed F.P Journe Young Talent Competition. Seki’s delicate Model II is the precursor to the pocketwatch that won that competition and is a brilliant example of quirky…
Let me start by saying the headline is paraphrasing master watchmaker, and OBE, Roger Smith, and a contraction of two statements. The first is that Britain “had a great history [in watchmaking], and we squandered it.” The second is his statement that “for a couple of hundred years, we had world dominance.” Assuming that you forgive me, we can continue with this very interesting development. Which is the formation of the British Alliance of Watch and Clockmakers, which had already amassed 30 trade members at the time of this interview, late last year. What’s the backstory here? What has led to the formation of the Alliance? I’ve noticed over the last 10 to 12 years, there’s just been a steady increase in people who are entering into this sector and I’ve been thinking about this for many, many years and realising that things were going on and that perhaps we all needed to get together and start sharing our ideas and trying to build this fascinating industry. And I bumped into Mike France, about two years ago at a Salon QP Events, which is held in the Saatchi gallery in London. Really, we felt that there was something bubbling away…
Roni Madhvani is one of the biggest vintage watch aficionados on the planet. His Instagram page – @roni_m_29 – is the stuff of legend and showcases his treasure trove of some of the rarest and most eccentric timepieces from the likes of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Cartier. Conspicuously, however, it’s one of the few watch ’Gram pages that isn’t littered with steel sports watches. Madhvani’s collection is focused on precious metal and unique case shapes. Whether it’s a Cartier Crash, Audemars Piguet “Disco Volante” or a Gilbert Albert-designed Patek Philippe, his Instagram feed is a wonderland of the strangest and most left-field watches out there. Here, Madhvani offers his thoughts on the steel sports watch phenomenon and explains the benefits in branching out. Nick Kenyon: What are your thoughts on the current hype around stainless steel sports watches? Roni Madhvani: “Horses for courses” as they say! I respect anyone’s tastes, but my personal thoughts are that there is so much out there when it comes to watches and particularly vintage ones, and it’s sometimes good to look out beyond a bit. Others, I suspect, view steel sports watches as an opportunity to flip and be a nice earner. So…
For watch enthusiasts, it’s always a pleasure to get a closer look at our favourite watches – especially when the watch in question is the A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk. In his conversation with Mr. Macro himself, @horomariobro, Andrew gets a little more familiar with the Zeitwerk movement that essentially offers a digital watch in mechanical form. Within four masterful shots, @Horomariobro neatly lays out exactly what makes the digital display jump – and even digs into a hidden feature regarding the movement’s brake lever. AM: What are we looking at here? I assume it is A. Lange & Söhne. @Horomariobro: Yes! There are four quadrants to this video of my Zeitwerk. The Zeitwerk is a very iconic design that uses a digital display with a mechanical movement. The digital display numerals jump every single minute – and at every top of the hour, all the three digits jump together. In my shot I’m trying to show the mechanism in the movement, the remontoire, for the Zeitwerk is what makes the time jump. AM: Very cool! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time+Tide (@timetidewatches) @Horomariobro: The first picture on the upper left, that’s more of…
What’s the best way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hublot for the Australian arm of the brand? Through our national sport of cricket, of course. And that’s exactly what Hublot Australia have done, bringing together two Australian cricketing greats in Michael Clarke and Pat Cummins to mark the launch of the new Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection. The Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection is a trio of new references inspired by the first-ever Hublot made back in 1980. Founder Carlo Crocco was behind the design of this original Hublot, which inspired Jean-Claude Biver and Ricardo Guadalupe to later coin the phrase “the art of fusion”, due to the watch’s solid yellow gold case being paired with a black rubber strap. This was a first for the watch industry and the start of a trend that dozens of brands have followed. Michael Clarke, a former captain of the Australian Cricket Team, has been a Hublot ambassador since 2014, and believes this willingness to evolve and push boundaries has been critical to the brand’s success. “This year has been incredibly challenging for everyone around the world, but thinking on your feet has been more important than ever…
George Bamford, founder of Bamford Watch Department and living proof that disrupting a traditional industry can bear new fruit for all and open it up to a more engaged, more youthful audience. Now drumroll, please, for a very special announcement. George, please tell us the story behind the watch you’re wearing today I am currently wearing the brand new Time+Tide edition Bamford London Dual Time GMT. It has been amazing working with Time+Tide to design and create this watch. I love how Time+Tide have put some wonderful hidden Easter eggs into this watch and I cannot wait to see images of people finding them. Time+Tide connects their readers to watches all around the world and I love that we have used our Bamford London Dual Time GMT for this edition as it is inspired by travel with the automatic 24-hour GMT hand function with internal rotating bezel allowing users to view a separate time zone. Collaboration excites me because … It brings strengths from all sides and the focus and desire to create something unique. Before you sit down together, you never know what will be the end result as one word or suggestion can inspire a whole new chain…