EDITOR’S PICK: That time Cameron felt sorry about his wrist stalking …
Editor’s note: One of the things watch people like to bond over is the sighting of something uncommon, stylish or downright cool. But sometimes our laser-like wrist focus goes too far, as Cameron is about to explain … To all the strangers on the streets, in the cafes, and just generally going about your own business … I have no shame in admitting that I am a wrist stalker. If you’re a regular reader, then chances are you’re one, too. We all do it. Some of us are just better than others and can pick a watch from across the room with only the hint of a bezel or a clasp. I’m not one to normally blow my own trumpet, but call me Louis Armstrong, because that’s me. Others, though, tend to get themselves into trouble, going for a peek at the most inopportune times – you know who you are. As a self-confessed (or maybe it’s crowned?) “pro” wrist stalker, I feel compelled to first apologise on behalf of those less-skilled individuals (they really need to read our handy guide on watch spotting). And then to say that I’m sorry. I’m sorry to everyone I’ve ever made feel uncomfortable…
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I feel that I need to briefly explain when these videos happen, and what’s going on with us at these points in time. They are filmed on our last day at Basel. They are filmed without an autocue (I know, unbelievable!). They are filmed with zero access to any illegal substances. And they ALL contain traces of intense fatigue thanks to the jet lag, the severity of which only Australians in Europe who started working straight off a plane can understand. That said, we’ve come to consider this a magic cocktail. Because, when Marcus says go, we are more ourselves than ever. And in this case, my watch choices are raw and real. Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT There are two brilliant things about the Octo Finissimo Chronograph that should be lauded. One, not only did Bulgari achieve the thinnest chronograph in the world with this watch, they did so with an extra complication and, in my opinion, the most useful – a second time zone. And two, they did so while maintaining the almost impossibly svelte on-wrist feel of the time-only original. Zenith Defy Inventor Aside from all the stuff I say about Zenith impressing everyone by actually getting…
Given the vastly reduced number of brands in Hall 1 at Baselworld 2019 there were vastly fewer choices this year across all price points, but particularly in this one. The Swatch Group excel in sub $10K watches, and their absence was felt when it came time for Felix and I to retreat to our corners and start scratching out our personal favourites. However, after skulking off at somewhere in the process to explore Hall 1.1 and other places, I discovered three cracking options for not just under 10K, but under 5. I thought it was worth giving them their own video. They’re pretty great. Stay tuned for that list coming soon — for now, it’s the three that caught my eye and, boy, did my eye do some unpredictable wandering this year. Bronze, Breitling and big, bad black ceramic. It was an embarrassment of riches. Let’s go. TAG Heuer Autavia in bronze Unexpected doesn’t quite do this drop justice. It was almost unthinkable a year ago that TAG Heuer would wade into such of-the-moment territories as bronze, graduated dials and overall heritage hues. It’s not as if the brand never went there — the Monza and the Autavia were both massive successes — but they…
Usually in this sort of video I try to honour the rules. Because you never know, maybe you actually are in the market for a brand new watch somewhere between 10 and 35K. Odd, but not impossible. And if that’s the case, I don’t want to harsh your vibe by sneaking something in that’s out of the parameters. But you know what? That’s what I did here. The Patek is, asides from being pure unobtanium to mere mortals, well about 35K AUD. But it’s so pretty, I just had to bend the rules. Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic As soon as I saw this watch, I knew I was in love. As soon as I strapped it on (ceramic clasp and all), I was working out what organs I had in my body that weren’t strictly necessary. Possibly my favourite Octo Finissimo thus far. Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5168G I’ve already covered off the bit where I fiddled with the price, but, honestly, do you blame me? One wit in the PP press conference described this as a CEO weekend-wearer. My response: “No, it’s his other weekend-wearer, ’cause they’ve already got it in black.” True fact. Hublot Big Bang Unico Sang Bleu…
Traditionally, the blues are associated with sadness or hard times in life. However, that’s definitely not the case over at Vacheron Constantin, as these new blue-dialled additions add a bright new take on some of the brand’s core pieces. But, these three blues are not the same, each is different in shade or finish, and has been created specifically to complement the character of the collection in which it sits. Here are our three picks … The Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix Complete Calendar in petrol blue As far as collections go, the Fiftysix is Vacheron Constantin’s newest – loaded with mid-century charm and lots of sophisticated details, like a complex, multi-textured dial and a pleasingly idiosyncratic case. This year saw the addition of a striking new dial — a rich colour specific for the Fiftysix collection called petrol blue. On this Complete Calendar model, the new colour, along with the traditional layout of day and month apertures at the top, and moon at the bottom, makes for a compelling blend of timelessness and style. The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Blue Blue and gold is a combination that never gets old. However, it is new for Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas Perpetual…
Hublot has been growing the Spirit of Big Bang line slowly and steadily, and though the SoBB Yellow Sapphire was quite the cool addition, this new tourbillon is (in my humble opinion) easily the best new offering in the collection. The Hublot calibre HUB6020 was designed specifically for the tonneau-shaped case of the Spirit, and its architecturally inspired structure suits the casing quite well. Once again being the brand that loves messing with variations of case materials, not only is it offered in a black carbon version, but also this slick version that that rolls hints of a blue composite material into the mix. Limited to only 100 pieces in each material and carrying a price tag over six figures, the tourbillon lives in the upper register of the brand’s collection, and if you have a closer look at some of their other skeletonised offerings you’ll note some similarity. Specifically, the Classic Fusion Tourbillon Power Reserve 5 Days Orlinski shares much of its movement DNA. The design of most of its bridges, as well as the layout of its mainspring barrel, tourbillon, and power reserve indication are near identical; however, to make the design work effectively in the SoBB, Hublot’s…
Baselworld 2019 was a fairly subdued affair, but that didn’t stop me from ferreting out three (very very different) pieces that reminded me what my love of watches was all about. Tudor Black Bay P01 Yup, I know. All y’all were very much not into this piece. And you know what, on paper (or Instagram, as the case might be), I was with you. But on the wrist it’s a very different picture, and I’d suggest holding judgement until you see this Tudor IRL. And to be honest, it’s more interesting than another suite of ‘regular’ BB dial variations. Zenith Defy Classic 41 in white ceramic Sure, it *just* sneaks over the price point, but it’s so nice I just had to include it. Now, believe it or not, I’m not typically a full white ceramic kind of guy, but for this Zenith, with its matt case and intricate details, I’d make an exception. Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGK005G Grand Seiko marks the 20th anniversary of the special Spring Drive in style, with a brand new, manually wound version that features not only a banging dial, but also a slimmer, more streamlined case. 
I’m not sure if Lou Reed would have liked this watch (I hope he would have), but I know I certainly do. The modern sports line that is the Defy is an increasing priority for Zenith – a key, future-facing pillar for the brand that is both distinctive and incredibly versatile. This new version, all 41mm of blinding white ceramic, proves this point. Do me a favour, take a minute and check out another version of this self same design. Now, look at the watch below. It’s a marked difference. With the matt ceramic case, open-worked dial (replete with that signature star motif) and textured white rubber strap, there’s little argument that this is a watch intended to make a statement. Legibility, for example, is not the aim of the game. Having said that, in the few minutes I wore this piece (a few minutes more than I should have — I was a little smitten), I was quite taken at how wearable it was. Maybe not a daily suit-and-tie watch, but if you rock a more casual style, it’s certainly a viable regular rotation contender — especially if you were to swap the strap out for something a little more…
A little while ago, I had a very good day at work. That’s because my job involved spending some quality time with three exceptional Vacheron Constantin watches, which just happened to be in Melbourne. The first was the Patrimony Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin — a very classic (and slender) execution. Then there was the gorgeous Traditionnelle Tourbillon, with a dial dominated by a mesmerising tourbillon that I could easily get lost in. And finally, the Traditionnelle Grandes Complication Equation of Time – a watch that really shows just what sort of artistic engineering marvels Vacheron Constantin is capable of. Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Grandes Complication Equation of Time Vacheron Constantin Australian pricing and availability Patrimony Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin, $120,000 Traditionnelle Tourbillon, $194,000 Traditionnelle Grandes Complication Equation of Time, $645,000 Available at Monards.
Let’s face it, the fair has been a bit of a mixed bag. There’s been a range of good, bad, and downright ugly watches lurking in these halls. I never expect to walk in the door and love everything, but as with most years I’ve certainly found a few odds and ends that grabbed my attention. The surprising element to this is where some of the watches are from — in the case of the three watches below we’re talking about Patek. For years I’ve certainly had an appreciation for the brand, their technical prowess, their devout following and their ability to fuel a level of demand that borders on the astonishing. That said, at a personal level their watches seldom speak to me to a point of a desire to own, with the odd exception. However, I found this trio of watches from the brand’s Basel 2019 releases caught my attention far more than in previous years. Patek Philippe Ref. 5520P Alarm Travel Time The latest evolution of Patek’s pilot-inspired spin on the Calatrava is poised to be another hot-button topic among many, especially those more enamoured with the brand’s more traditional offerings. I, on the other hand, warmed up…