Trump versus Biden: Forget politics, whose watch collection do you prefer?
We will have to wait to see who wins the election next week in the race for the presidency of the United States. In the meantime, we thought it would be a good time to check in and see what watches President Trump and former Vice President Biden have been wearing as of late. Politics is politics, watches are watches. The twain shall not necessarily meet in this contest. Two men, two different philosophies, and two different watch collections – politics aside, just which candidate has the better watch collection? Joe Biden Omega Seamaster 300M The most frequently spotted watch on Joe Biden’s wrist, whether during debates or campaign rallies, is his Omega Seamaster. Even when he served with President Barack Obama, he was continually seen during photo ops wearing the now discontinued ETA-based models popularised by the Pierce Brosnan Bond films of the ’90s. It makes sense that a true fan of the model would add the more recent and robust Seamaster 300M to his collection, in a black dial to complement his vintage white dial and blue dial models. The watch is a great daily wearer, and one that expresses his more pragmatic sensibilities. Seiko 7T32-6M90 Chronograph While…
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In a year devoid of international travel, the humble GMT complication has served little purpose other than keeping track of loved ones across the world. But when that little fourth hand forces your mind to think of another place and another time, that mental holiday can be just as rewarding. As such, 2020 has seen the release of some incredibly creative GMT watches, and here are some of the best GMTs of 2020 under $10,000 AUD. Mido Ocean Star GMT Mido’s new GMT diver just begs to be your next daily wear, with its clear, clean and capable looks being inarguably attractive. The inner 24-hour ring blends well alongside the traditional diving bezel, leaving all functions of the watch perfectly legible. Add the 200m water resistance, 80-hour power reserve with that famous Swatch Group movement, date display and sapphire crystal, and you’re left with a watch that can keep you on time in the office, as well as safe under the waves. At $1825 AUD, the Ocean Star GMT provides all you could possibly want. Zodiac Limited Edition Super Sea Wolf GMT Zodiac have been undergoing a slow but steady rebirth in the 21st century, bit by bit regaining its…
In this final instalment of the Rockstars Rocking Vintage trilogy, we see two famous musicians go the way of Wilsdorf. He founded both Tudor and Rolex, and here we have spotted two desirable tool watches from the Wilsdorf group on the wrists of two artists from different generations – once again proving that vintage staples are timeless and appreciated by everyone truly initiated in the hobby. Anthony Kiedis – Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655 in stainless steel Recently we showcased celebrities who wear blacked-out Milgauss watches from Rolex, and though Anthony Kiedis was on the list, he has also been spotted wearing other respectable watches – including this Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655 in stainless steel. The original Explorer II model, which introduced the big orange GMT hand, has been affectionately referred to as the “Steve McQueen” or “Freccione” (which means arrow in Italian) and is one of the most widely sought-after Explorer II watches on the market today – fetching respectable numbers at Phillips, Christie’s, and Sotheby’s Auctions. The 39mm watch is so classic and cool, even action star Jason Statham has been continually spotted wearing the reference. Bruce Springsteen – Tudor “Snowflake” Submariner ref. 9411/0 in stainless steel…
Stainless steel watches have definitely captured the hearts and wallets of collectors, with consumers joining waitlists for desired models and praying they can snag one “at-retail”. The VIP nature of the access, and the level of spend it takes to get in the good graces of dealers, has become so significant it is arguably less expensive to just cough up the premium on the grey market. Still, it can leave a bitter taste in your mouth knowing you’ve paid almost twice as much as the retail price of the watch. It’s just the principle really. But what if you could get your money’s worth without having to give into the infuriating, and enimgatic ecosystem of these hot watches? What if instead, precious metal options were on the table and you could actually save money? Here are three gold sports watches that are cheaper than their steel siblings. Patek Philippe Aquanaut (5167 versus 5066J) The Aquanaut is the most casual line of watches from Patek Philippe. A cousin of the Nautilus, this porthole cushion watch allows the wearer to have the haute mechanical aspects of the brand without the overt flashiness that can come with many haute horology pieces. Paul McCartney,…
Ever since the “panda” dial Paul Newman Rolex Daytona sold for the GDP of a small African nation, it’s become the preserve of mega-rich rockstars only. And thus, we have just two examples of rockstars wearing it, one from the new school – old mate, Ed Sheeran who is quite the enthusiast and journeyman Eric Clapton. Both on Bund strap, both frequently on stage, and both stellar examples. If there’s ever been inspiration needed to work on your songsmithing to fund your watch habit, surely this is it? Eric Clapton – Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona ref. 6239 white “panda” dial in stainless steel It’s only fitting that a man who needs no introduction wears a watch that needs no introduction as well. Eric Clapton, one of the greatest guitar players who ever lived – and known mentor and hero of John Mayer – presents as the ultimate badass wearing a Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona ref. 6239 routinely during his performances – and on the classic Bund strap Paul Newman made famous. Most of us would think this is the sort of watch you would never be able to forget was on your wrist, but Clapton is a total legend completely immersed…
Celebrity watch spotting is a pastime of watch enthusiasts — there is something more genuine about a watch in the wild on a famous wrist than a planted timepiece as part of a contractual ambassadorship. While many opt for flashy precious metal and gemstone-covered watches to convey a sense of status and success that ties to their celebrity, those in the know can tell which celebrities are truly one of us. Usually by displaying impeccable taste with Phillips-worthy vintage creations slapped on their wrists. This kicks off a three-part series of rockstars rocking vintage watches — spotted with some help from Nick Gould — that any mere mortal would kill to have in their collection. Adam Levine – Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 3800 in yellow gold While many opt for the coveted 5711/A in stainless steel, Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine proves he is above following trends by pairing his wrist with the classically sized 3800 in yellow gold. While very similar to its modern sibling, the JLC-based movement, smaller proportions, and older dial font have a timelessness that newer versions have seemed to have lost. As the saying goes, respect your elders – and Adam Levine clearly respects the earlier origins…
Editor’s note: If you missed the first part of this series, make sure you check out eleven of our favourite chronographs of 2020 under $10K right here. In this part we are looking at the other side of the coin – the best chronographs of 2020 that ring the till at $10K and over. Here we go. Audemars Piguet [Re]master01 Selfwinding Chronograph This was one of the 2020 high points for AP, engaging Andrew in our big feature here, and myself as soon as we saw the press photos. It sparked much discussion on the mighty internet; to me it is a delectable vision of the colourful past made future proof. If you are an ascetic minimalist, look away now, as the aesthetic mixes colour and materiality unlike any other reference in their catalogue, with the high-tech heart of the renowned movement from the CODE 11.59. The shape is delightfully round, with an unfeasibly smooth transition from pink gold bezel to case side, with oblong pushers and vintage-styled crown as proportionate as they are delightful. The functionality is as strong as the gold dial is vibrant, with blued hands and teardrop lugs completing a pure vintage composition of delightful contrasts…
There’s no doubt that 2020 has been a strong year for chronograph releases. From vintage reissues to thoroughly modern expressions of the wrist-worn stopwatch, the range of offerings has been diverse and exciting. Let’s take a look at 11 of the best chronographs of 2020 under $10K. TAG Heuer Carrera 160th Silver True to its pure ’60s inspiration, the TAG Heuer Carrera 160th Silver is sharp enough to straddle three categories, and still come up trumps. As a pitch-perfect vintage chronograph it retains the original inspiration, as viewed through a non-reflective Leica lens in perfect filtered daylight. The functionality and legibility is superb through one of the purest silver sunray dials out there, with razor-sharp print and clean-cut black hands. With its versatile 39mm size and slender case it sits as well with an Italian suit as a pure dress watch and, with its versatile clean-cut style, would make a perfect one-watch collection. Should you want more pizzazz and colours in the same case, read on. Price: $9350AU. Montblanc Heritage Monopusher Chronograph salmon dial Another great introduction to 1940s and ’50s vintage style is the delicious salmon-coloured dial of the Monopusher Chronograph introduced this year by Montblanc. While this is…
Like it or loathe it, ‘modding’ watches is here to stay. And it’s increasingly accessible to you at any price point. At the lower end, you have the thriving, escalating world of @seikomods. At the highest end, you can modify your Piaget Ultimate Concept any which way you like. And in celebrity-land, you have the longtime practice of ‘blacking out’ your Rolex – and, in the process, bringing Hollywood flair to standard Rolex references, in particular, it seems, the Milgauss. We have written about several businesses that offer this service – Artisans de Genève, Blaken, Titan, and Project X Designs, among others, are all known modifiers of Rolex watches – born from a desire to make a mass-produced watch a little more custom and unique (or at the very least uncommon). Here are five celebrities who have bet their Big Crown Milgauss on black. Thanks to Nick Gould – @niccoloy – for his help in spotting some of these. Jennifer Aniston Kicking things off, sitcom legend and Friends star Jennifer Aniston has been repeatedly spotted wearing her blacked-out Rolex Milgauss. The stainless steel case has been treated with either a DLC or PVD gloss black coating over its original satin…
Watch enthusiasts do not always share the Swiss philosophy of neutrality. Being enthusiastic about something inevitably leads to hot takes, strong and stubborn opinions and, in turn, some snobbery. On the wrong day, I am definitely guilty of it myself – we’re all human after all. The reality is this niche hobby becomes less welcoming when we, as enthusiasts, dismiss others, especially when it’s already intimidating enough due to the nature of luxury products and their prices. Here are eight signs you’re becoming a watch snob. You dismiss quartz as “not luxury” In watch collecting culture, quartz has gotten a bad name, thanks to the quartz crisis almost killing the mechanical watch industry. There is also the fact that many judge a movement based on how and where it is fabricated – with a new emphasis on “in-house” (a whole other discussion in itself). The fact is, many people assume the craft of watchmaking is limited to movement manufacture. This is simply not the case. External components are also created and finished by artisans with years of training in the craft. Take the Royal Oak from Audemars Piguet as an example. While the movements are stunning, a lot of the…