RECOMMENDED READING: Could your PlayStation 5 controller screw up your watch by emitting magnetic fields?
Magnets are useful for many things. They’ve helped decorate the outside of countless fridges, inspired the name of a seminal New York rap group (the Ultramagnetic MCs), and given Wile E Coyote various half-baked ideas in his doomed attempt to catch Road Runner. But magnets are less benign when it comes to your mechanical watch. Proximity to even small magnets can sabotage the balance spring and make your watch run fast, slow or even stop altogether. That’s why a new story on psu.com is potentially daunting. It highlights a thread on Reddit that clams the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller can magnetise your mechanical watch. “According to (Reddit) user Saguchi, the DualSense is able to emit strong magnetic fields ‘not only at the speaker level (which is to be expected) but also at the grips themselves’,” psu.com report. Saguchi purports the issues are likely down to the controller’s Inertial Measurement Unit (no, me neither), and that the ones tested out by the user are on par with “fully-fledged laptop speakers and can, I think, lead to magnetism”. Other posters on the thread concur that “the DualSense is more magnetic than the DualShock 4”. PSU has so far been unable to verify…
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The 18th birthday is a milestone event. It symbolises becoming an adult and growing up, so why not mark it with a special gift? When I was young, what I wanted was A Good Watch, a concept that has changed drastically for the kids. Because, let’s face it, the COVID-stricken 17-year-old of 2021 is not focused on much more than wishing they could go clubbing, obsessing over TikTok and staying up until 4am playing Fortnite with mates. The watches they spot might be the latest G-Shock drop on Hypebeast to go with that Supreme hoodie, or they might not even wear a timepiece (shock, horror!) at all. So this is our chance to plant the seed of horology. But remember, the watch has to be “cool”, even if that word might be totally obsolete for the kid. Casio G-Shock GWFA1000BRT-1A Bloody hell! If all talk hereafter of chronometry, Zaratsu and 300-metre depth ratings fall on the deaf ears of a hoodie-wearing teen, here is your choice … well, their choice. This absolutely mad and marvellous barrage of colours will match their ever-flashing gamer keyboard in the form of this G-Shock Frogman series GWFA1000BRT-1A, part of the hip-hop sounding MASTER of…
Ceramic was once a fairly rare material for watch cases with many manufacturers yet to tame the robust case medium. Now there are a plethora of options to choose from, all in varying colours, sizes, styles, and price points to choose from. Brands like Rolex and Omega use ceramic bezels on their divers (among other watches as well) in order to provide better resistance to the scratching and deterioration than is found on their metallic counterparts: aluminum or steel. So if this is the way to increase the longevity of a bezel, why not increase the durability of an entire case by rendering it entirely in ceramic? Now manufacturers are doing just that. Sure, under extraordinary circumstances, it is possible to chip ceramic, but odds are you will never be moving fast enough or in a sufficiently dangerous manner to make that happen. Without further ado, here are six great ceramic watches to consider. Longines HydroConquest Black Ceramic How about this beautiful diver from Longines – the HydroConquest Black Ceramic. At 43mm in diameter it is not necessarily for the small of wrist. But for those complaining a 40mm Submariner is too tiny (how?) you can save almost a third…
OK, honesty time: I’m a self-confessed dial obsessive. Don’t get me wrong, the hypnotic ballet of a tourbillon still tugs my heartstrings so much it hurts. But have that poking out of a masterful dial and I’m ready to sell my BMW. The dial is the face, the first impression and, for me, the absolute numero uno. A beautiful movement or a delicate brushed white-gold bracelet, somehow they don’t do anything for me without an equally stunning dial. So here goes. These are my favourite shots of watches Time+Tide published in 2020 and they include one of my own with a few tips. Dial-centric, moi? Yes, guilty as charged … Japanese hypnotism: Grand Seiko SBGH267 Admittedly, this dial might not originate in 2020, but the story does, so technically I’m in the clear, plus you’ll forgive me anyway with that dial. One of my all-time favourite beauties from the Japanese dial wizards at Grand Seiko, it draws you in like a deep ocean whirlpool. Like all Grand Seiko dials it looks radiant even from a distance, but get closer and be prepared for a massive involuntary jaw drop. Yes, those are the GS initials and the Japanese Suwa symbols (Suwa…
H. Moser & Cie. is a watch brand and manufacturer known for having fun and exploring a wide spectrum of colours and materials to fabricate their creations. But now they are taking a moment to get serious through a gorgeous green duo of timepieces. The new H. Moser & Cie. Cure ALS Pioneer Collection is a partnership between Moser and Duke University. As brand CEO Edouard Meylan explains, “Time is a precious, yet finite resource; we are thrilled to present these today to help find a cure for ALS.” The watches were designed in collaboration with Loy Stewart – a US businessman who owned Detyens Shipyards, one of the largest commercial shipyards in the world. He was diagnosed with ALS (a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function) in the early 2000s, after which he set out to find a cure. According to Moser, “An inspiring entrepreneur and avid watch collector, Loy was ecstatic to work with his close friend, George Wendt, and H. Moser to design a watch to raise funds for a disease that robs too many of their mobility, speaking ability and eventually life.” Unfortunately, Loy is no longer with us today. Wendt explains,…
Last year, James Robinson covered the wristwear of two of the biggest superstars in the game both known for their killer timepieces – Drake and Jay-Z. Not only do we uncover their favourite references, we also pit them against each other in what we call a Celebrity Death Match. Curious to know the winner? Then read on below! There’s going to be four rounds in this horological heavyweight showdown, spread across four different categories – dress watch to die for, modded and murdered out mayhem, weekend warrior, and deathblow, the ultimate flex piece. Whose watches will come out on top in this instalment of Celebrity Death Match? There’s only one way to find out. Dress watch to die for: Jay-Z – Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra-Thin Tribute to 1931 Pink Gold Ref. 2782521 Image: dayandnightmagazine.com A more classic dress watch we struggle to think of. Jay-Z’s JLC is a straight-up killer choice for the myriad red carpets the hip hop mogul would find himself on. In fact, the Reverso, although not initially designed as a dress watch, today may well be one of the archetypal models of the genre. This Reverso, in particular, the uber-rare Ultra-Thin Tribute to 1931 Pink Gold…
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…
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…
When it comes to a significant anniversary, a diamond ring is always a welcome gift that’ll make her positively swoon with gratitude for a day or two. But why not invest in a matching set of watches? “His and hers” might conjure up slightly naff images, but the reality can actually prove to be a genuine win-win. Not only will you ensure your partner has something nice for their wrist that reminds you both of that special day, it’s also a cunning way to justify a new addition to your collection that you can enjoy with each new wristroll. Here are some options to consider. Longines HydroConquest On a premium-economy budget, you can’t get more of a classic diver than the strong lines of the Longines HydroConquest series. With a broad-shouldered case design and a 41mm case for him, you can’t go wrong with that gorgeous dark navy sunray dial. While channelling some well-known design cues from sports watch icons, it still has very much its own identity. The classic Longines design protocol has long swoopy lugs in the recipe, so the 41mm might be the best medium-sized choice, with a beautiful ergonomic curve they make the HydroConquest sit beautifully…
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) –…