Innovation sensation: 3 of the most innovative watches of 2019
Watches are no longer the robust tools we use in everyday life. We tell the time with our phones, and watches instead have taken on a much more important role as communicating something about ourselves. In spite of this, some watch companies continue to invest heavily in a traditional form of watchmaking where innovation is front of mind as the industry develops. Here are some of those manufacturers, offering us a few of the most innovative watches of 2019. VACHERON CONSTANTIN TRADITIONNELLE TWIN BEAT PERPETUAL CALENDAR Vacheron Constantin released the Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar to great acclaim. It is technically remarkable, with its adjustable-frequency movement that can be tailored to individual lifestyles and demands. It is also aesthetically avant-garde, adding contemporary swagger to counterbalance classicism. Ref No: 3200T/000P-B578 . Case size: 42mm. Case material: Platinum. Movement: Calibre 3610 QP. Price: POA BULGARI OCTO ROMA GRANDE SONNERIE PERPETUAL CALENDAR Bulgari reaffirms its status as among the heaviest of hitters in the haute horlogerie arena with the deadset extraordinary Bulgari Octo Roma Grande Sonnerie Perpetual Calendar in Carbon CTP, a material chosen for its acoustic qualities. This 44mm machine contains 1180 components and a host of complications, including a minute repeater,…
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Last year was a solid year on the road to recovery for the industry, with several big names dropping interesting pieces that either expand or embellish existing collections. Over in Germany (Glashütte, specifically), many of the greatest watchmakers beyond the Swiss borders have been particularly busy. A strong year for the Germans was rounded off by the truly stunning news that A. Lange & Söhne was to release a stainless steel sports watch. Of course, the Odysseus model would feature on any rundown of the top German tickers of 2019, but where will it land in our top 5? 5. NOMOS Glashütte Club Sport neomatik The quirky in-house manufacture, which calls the former Glashütte train station building home, made some serious strides in 2019. The debut of the DUW 6101 date movement in 2018 expanded the size and scope of NOMOS Glashütte’s future ranges, and the emergence of a long-awaited bracelet almost gave rise to a new aesthetic dimension. The Club Sport is one of the first real beneficiaries of these developments. A beautifully clean dial with a black, white and gold colourway pops refreshingly with the red crown collet installed as a visual reminder to screw the crown down…
As I’m sure most of you are aware, “The Notorious” Conor McGregor made a triumphant return to the UFC octagon last weekend, knocking out his opponent, seasoned veteran Donald Cerrone, within 40 seconds of the very first round. It was a resounding statement from the Irishman (those shoulder charges!) and it will no doubt again spark his rise to the very highest echelon of the mixed martial arts arena. While some were surprised by the sheer dominance and efficacy of the victory, anyone who follows McGregor on Instagram will know that the 31-year-old had been steadfast in his preparation for this fight. And, whether you’re a rank novice or the quintessence of a horological enthusiast, if you’re into watches and you’ve visited McGregor’s Instagram page, you will have also noticed that the man loves his watches. In fact, his collection is so impressive and vast, that we thought we’d classify his assemblage of timepieces in different “weight classes” and then pit them against one another. So, without further ado, let the fights begin! Lightweight Title: Rolex Day-Date 40 Ref.228235 Vs. Rolex Yacht-Master II Ref.116688 Winner: Rolex Day-Date 40 Ref.228235 OK, yes, these two solid 18k gold watches are anything but…
The English Premier League (or EPL as some people insist on calling it these days) is known for its fast, physical style of play that rarely translates to international success for the three lions. But with many famous Socceroos having plied their trade in England’s top flight, the league has strong exposure Down Under. Under the bright lights, the managers of the best and brightest talents in England’s first division would be wise to don a reliable timepiece so they can track just how many extra seconds of stoppage time the ref is (or isn’t) giving their team. But some of the guys in charge of marshalling their teams to success have taken things a step further by investing in really top-quality wristwatches. Here, in reverse order, are our top picks from the 2019-2020 season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United – TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 Automatic Chronograph Limited Edition Red Devil Manchester United This particular TAG Heuer Carrera might have come in higher on this list had it not been blessed with such a mind-numbingly long name. Currently calling the wrist of everyone’s favourite baby-faced assassin home, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had better hope his watch takes care of…
This weekend, I wore my DOXA SUB 200 130th Anniversary and went out in search of what other like-minded individuals had decided to attach to their wrist, and this is what I found out in the wild: Kosta’s Grand Seiko 9F quartz GMT SBGN005 Kosta’s passion for timepieces is still very much in its infancy (only two years, to be precise), but in that time, his tastes and preferences for watches have evolved just about how you’d expect. It started off small, with a rather nice Hamilton, then came a Seiko Presage, and then a TAG Heuer. But it wasn’t long before Kosta well and truly sent it off the deep end and dived head-first down the rabbit hole of horology. And whether you scour the forums, browse YouTube or peruse the endless pages on Instagram, an inordinate amount of adoration is heaped on Grand Seiko … for good reason. Kosta immediately fell in love with the sporty characteristics and undeniable practicality of the Grand Seiko 9F quartz GMT SBGN005 — the sunburst blue dial, contrasting red GMT hand, 39mm stainless steel case and the finishing … well, we all know about the finishing. So, sacrifices were made, dollars were saved…
Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR As transatlantic commercial flying routes increased in the early 1950s, prominent US airline Pan Am requested that Rolex develop a watch for their crews that could accurately display multiple time zones at once. In response, Rolex launched the world’s first GMT watch – the GMT-Master in 1954. Pros: Accuracy of ± 2 seconds per day, it’s Rolex Con: No anti-reflective coating IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Heritage IW501004 The Flieger design has offered wearers precision readability since its World War II origin when companies such as A. Lange & Söhne, Stowa and IWC mass produced these tool watches for the Luftwaffe. Today’s IWC Big Pilot is one of the most recognisable modern Flieger representations and has gained favour with watch collectors around the world. Pros: 7-day power reserve, superb legibility Con: At more than 46mm it won’t suit all wrists Cartier Santos de Cartier WSSA0009 While Cartier is not usually a brand that people associate with aviation, they actually hold the distinction of producing the first ever pilot’s watch. In 1904, Brazilian pilot and aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont complained to his friend Louis Cartier that pocket watches were not practical for use in flight. Cartier responded with…
Tissot had a resolutely excellent end to the decade, releasing plenty of exciting new timepieces in 2019 that got the watch community talking. What’s more, the Swiss watchmaker made a conscious effort to cater to both people just getting into watches, as well as the dyed-in-the-wool veterans. We won’t cover every new timepiece Tissot unveiled in 2019, but these were the three most important: TISSOT CHRONO XL CLASSIC Extra-large is an apt description for this 45mm wide, 15mm thick stainless steel monster. The Tissot XL Classic emphasises size and presence rather than high-tech horology. Powered by a Swiss quartz chronograph movement, the sub-dial layout is typical of a battery-powered module (with all three sub-dials bunched in a triangle formation around the centre of the dial). Three classic colourways exist for this model. This grey sunray reference is a smart and versatile option. Ref No: T116.617.16.057.00 / Case size: 45mm / Case material: Steel / Movement: Quartz / Price: $475 TISSOT HERITAGE 1973 CHRONOGRAPH The Tissot Heritage 1973 Chronograph is a handsome vintage timepiece and one of the finest in the Tissot range in terms of its attention to detail. The ETA 7753 movement powering the show is respected by watchmakers…
As is the case with every other year in recent times, 2019 was a very, very good one for the inimitable Swiss watchmaker Jaquet Droz. Not only did we see the marque, which has been around since 1738, create their first ever Grande Seconde Chronograph, we also saw a great new addition to their Grande Seconde Skelet-One timepiece in a innovative material. Anyway, without wanting to give it all away, here are the three best Jaquet Droz watches of 2019: JAQUET DROZ GRANDE SECONDE CHRONOGRAPH Known as the master of automatons, Jaquet Droz lends its name to an elegant series of watches with an identifiable aesthetic. This is the first chronograph in the Grande Seconde collection and it is long overdue. This watch boasts an exquisitely balanced dial, which employs a variety of scales and fonts to surprising effect (note the mixture of Roman and Arabic numerals on the time dial). Controlled by a mono-pusher crown at 4 o’clock, this is a complicated piece with a simple heart. Ref No: J007830240 / Case size: 43mm / Case material: Steel / Movement: 26MR / Price: $26,000 JAQUET DROZ GRANDE SECONDE DUAL TIME BLACK ENAMEL If you like to travel with the…
Few complications you’ll find on a wristwatch can claim to have more real-world practicality than a wristwatch equipped with a GMT complication. The ability to track two different time zones simultaneously is invaluable for a great many people in a great many different professions. With all that in mind, we thought we’d share with you five of the best GMT watches you can buy right now: GRAND SEIKO SBGN009 Released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first quartz watch, the SBGN009’s luscious blue dial has the kind of repeating pattern in the background that very few brands can pull off without it looking chintzy. Cue Grand Seiko, whose reputation for remarkable dial designs is now well entrenched. The colour-matched seconds hand, GMT hand, logo, and chapter ring provide true chromatic harmony with the two shades of blue on show. Limited to 2,019 pieces. Ref No: SBGN009 / Case size: 40mm / Case material: Steel / Movement: 9F86 / Price: $4000 MONTA ATLAS When you make the decision to purchase a travel watch for your next adventure, one thing that can offer peace of mind is an affordable price point, just in case it is misplaced. Monta play safely within…