Rubber fetish: 5 of the best sports watches on rubber straps from monochrome to lemon fresh
While I deeply enjoyed writing the story about unlikely grail watches on rubber straps, let’s be honest. Most of them are far out of reach for most mortals even with a serious budget, given the watches’ limited supply. So here is a look at some more accessible examples that are tough, fresh and, most importantly, readily available on the comfort of rubber. From monochromatic diver’s watches to vintage candy-coloured options, take your pick of the best sports watches on rubber straps. Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Omega show there’s nothing dull about a white dial in this carefully honed evolution of the Seamaster Diver 300M. The rubber strap is supremely comfortable as you’d expect from the big O and hugs the wrist with pleasing tactility. It’s marked with a discreet twin-stripe relief pattern and delivered in black to underline the strong monochrome vibe. Twisted lugs with a broad sweep of polished bevel create dynamic shape-play in the distinctive case while the glossy ceramic bezel frames an icy cool dial. The skeletonised hand set, tough black in this case, together with the wave patterned dial may be divisive. But in this graphic context it brings life and added detail to what is…
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Let me just say from the outset that traditional investment strategies are generally a much safer bet than watches. Having said that, many watches have the potential to gain in value so that if and when the time come to part with the timepiece, you will get your money back (and possibly more). When it comes to Rolex, it is no secret that a stainless-steel Daytona, a GMT-Master II Batgirl or a Pepsi will all command serious premiums in the marketplace. But what about watches that you don’t have to pay a large premium for? In fact, what about Rolex watches you can actually buy that are still gaining value? That will enable you to get ahead of the curve and purchase before they hit high-peak premiums. Here are four such watches, available now (at least at the time of writing) at Bob’s Watches – you can click on the prices listed for each watch to go check them out! Rolex Explorer II ref. 16570 Polar Dial The Rolex Explorer II 16570 is a great watch for those who want the model but don’t love its latest and larger 42mm iteration. The 16570 is 40mm in diameter, more in line…
Platinum is the most noble metal for watches. It’s both precious and powerful, a tough and costly metal for brands to work with and for buyers to purchase. Yet being a white precious metal, there is a quiet irony to the aesthetic it provides. Platinum watches are usually the most expensive in any brand’s catalogue, yet they make for some of the best stealth-wealth options due to the fact they look like steel watches at first glance. It’s only when you feel their reassuring heft on the wrist that you truly know what you are dealing with. Here are five stunning platinum watches for all of us to admire and drool over. Patek Philippe 5270P-01 Chronograph, Perpetual Calendar Excluding the piece unique Grandmaster Chime in stainless steel, the Patek Philippe 5270P-01 Chronograph, Perpetual Calendar is the king of salmon dials. One of the most desirable complication watches the brand offers, the 5270P-01 harkens back to earlier eras of Patek Philippe design with a blend of more current taste accounted for by its modern case diameter of 41mm. Back in the day, you would have seen watches such as this closer to 36mm (aka the perfect size in my book) –…
In spite of some not inconsiderable distractions, there were some pretty decent watches released in 2020. Quite a few of them actually. Omega relaunched their serially produced caliber 321, Bulgari executed the Octo Finissimo in steel, Grand Seiko launched an entirely new escapement in their SLGH002 and DOXA brought their most iconic design into the 21st century with a forged carbon case. But that wasn’t all. Moser joined the sports watch game with a “Matrix green” three-hander, Audemars Piguet launched a sensationally designed Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon for women and Rolex served up a colourful nod to the Stella dials of the 1970s. Amid all of these exciting new horological treats, it isn’t easy selecting a trio of favourites, but I’ve done just that, and picked the three amigos that I’d be more than happy to bolster my collection with. In fact, I’ve added one of them already. Cartier Santos-Dumont “La Demoiselle” Limited Edition in platinum Cartier continued their development of the Santos-Dumont collection that they’d begun to revitalise in 2019 with a number of new quartz references. Last year’s references focused on mechanical movements instead, as well as an expansion of precious metal cases, and several very exciting new…
The term “grail watch” is used to refer to the ultimate collection piece. It might be a rare vintage treasure or a modern horological marvel depending on your personal taste. Effectively though it represents the Mount Everest of your watch-buying ambitions and is likely to be financially ruinous. Grail watches traditionally therefore conjure up images of serious heavyweight timepieces – a Patek Philippe grand complication perhaps or an early Rolex Submariner with a tropical dial. But what happens when the best manufacturers in the business launch their haute horlogerie on the utilitarian sportiness of a soft rubber strap? It’s a divisive move sure that’s likely to split watch lovers between horror and delight. Here, we’re firmly in the latter party. The reason? A rubber strap makes your grail infinitely more wearable and watches, however valuable, are ultimately made to be enjoyed on the wrist rather than gather dust in a safe. A rubber strap means being able to wear your grail during your favourite activities while also making it more accessible and unobtrusive in a year where bling feels increasingly inappropriate. We say that’s a proper win-win. Here are five of the most wildly desirable grail watches on rubber straps.…
I may sound mad to anyone not consumed with a boggle-eyed obsession for watches. But as many of you know, the watches that get away can hurt just as much to talk about as a failed relationship. In the dazed aftermath, processing your heartache often requires some long and painful soul-searching. How can you ever come to terms with the fact that you allowed yourself to lose her? Obviously, I’m talking about the watch here … Even if I don’t have any million-dollar tales of missing out on a scratched Explorer in a second-hand shop for $10, I feel equally sad and frustrated when those pitch-perfect limited-edition drops disappear within the minute it takes to put them in my online basket. While this happens more often than before in the current market, it doesn’t make the loss any easier to stomach. Bottom-line: missing out on any watch still stings. The Bamford Watch Department x G-Shock, missed by less than 5 minutes The classic G-Shock Square – the 5000-series in its ’80s resin splendour – is one of the few cheap digital watches respected in the world of serious watch enthusiasts and can often to be found in a watch case…
Who doesn’t love a good watch spot? You know you’re in the presence of a true watch geek if they feel the need to pause the film every time a timepiece makes a cameo. But at times, these discoveries can feel a bit predictable. Musicians are constantly found wearing AP Royal Oaks or Nautilus references, while Rolex always makes regular appearances. But every now and then, we spot a familiar brand end up on a rather surprising wrist – or in a surprising moment. Here are six of the most unexpected watch spots we have ever seen. Philippe Dufour’s Rolex GMT-Master II “Pepsi” With all the Rolex hate we see today, many of those who rage against the Crown proclaim the brand does not produce true horological marvels. Denouncers misguidedly cry “overrated” and “mass produced”, yet Rolex gets a heavyweight nod of approval each time watchmaking legend Philippe Dufour is spotted wearing his Rolex GMT-Master II “Pepsi” 126710BLRO. The watch seems to be the casual daily wearer for Dufour, AKA the king of watch decoration and finishing. Considering he designs all aspects of his watches, down to even the smallest components, respect is clearly due for Rolex’s creations if Dufour…
It is no secret Gael Monfils is an absolute superstar on the tennis court. He is known for his lively and exciting matches where his acrobatic and daredevil style really entertains fans of the sport. We recently covered his bonkers experiment with Greubel Forsey, where he was enlisted by the brand to wear their GMT Sport watch during practice and even smash a few serves full speed directly at the $500,000 timepiece and its front-facing sapphire crystal. A lesser-known fact about the top-ranking tennis player is that he is a fully-fledged horology addict and watch enthusiast who even has a dedicated Instagram profile to share his passion for the hobby. With his success in the ATP, and various brand sponsorships, Gael has a fair amount of dough to allocate towards his watch addiction. As a result, the watches he owns and shares are some serious high-level creations – think Patek Philippe, Blancpain, Breguet, Audemars Piguet … the list goes on and on. Here are my top three he has shared so far. MB&F LM Thunderdome View this post on Instagram A post shared by @myson.watches Adding this watch to your collection is the perfect wrist-statement to proclaim…
This year has sucked with the suction power of an industrial vacuum cleaner hoovering up a barrel full of straws. So we all hope that 2021 salvages this grim situation with new opportunities, experiences and an overall healthier world. Considering the chaos of the year, watch releases were actually pretty strong, yet there is always room for improvement. The watch industry and even its community of devoted fans have room to grow and this is (hopefully) the year to make it happen. We need more innovation, creativity and value in both product and perspective to spice things up. So 2021, please be better. And to help in this self-improvement challenge, here are five new year’s resolutions to apply within the world of watches. You are no longer a cool contrarian when making sarcastic Rolex jokes (guilty) Look, it definitely sucks we are not all able to get Rolex watches at retail. It seems unfathomable that the barrier to entry is not simply saving up the money to buy one and the frustration is very real as a result. We see it all the time on Instagram and Facebook – people are increasingly fed up with the brand and turning on…
Every year, the Time+Tide team publishes NOW, our annual print extravaganza. As it says on the cover, essentially it’s a watch buying guide that rounds up the year’s most notable releases into a greatest hits compilation of about 200 watches. But in amongst the usual suspects from the likes of Rolex, Omega and co are some genuine horological oddities. Here are some of weirdest watches – the strangest, most delightful creations we have been lucky enough to come across. Ranging from a Swatch to a million-dollar watch with one of the longest names in the magazine, prepare to be wowed. Hermes Arceau Pocket AAAAARGH! Have you always hankered after a pocket watch with a cover decorated with a Tyrannosaurus Rex made from hand-cut leather fragments? If so, you’re in luck! Yes, this fearsome visage, in fact, conceals horological craftsmanship of the highest possible order. Inside the white gold case, the enamel dial beats to the rhythm of a minute repeater and a tourbillon movement. And rest assured that despite the T-Rex motif, this isn’t a watch with short hands. Price $490,000 AUD Jacob & Co. Twin Turbo Furious La Montre Noire Bugatti Some watches are made by their stories created…