HANDS-ON: Aggressively monochrome – the blacked-out Bulgari Octo Ultranero
With its intensely angular octagonal case, it’s easy to see why Bulgari’s Octo collection is a cult favourite. And the latest versions take the model down a darker path. We looked at the crimson-accented version earlier this year, and today we go even darker with the full-black Octo Ultranero. The case is the same as always – 41 mm steel treated with a black DLC, and rated to 100m. But while its red-and-black companion plays with contrast, this version offers nothing but black. The matt black hands and indices all but disappear into the equally black dial, and leave the case to be the dark and brooding hero. In fact, unless the light is hitting the inky lacquered dial at just the right angle, you’re going to have trouble seeing those sleek, skeletonised, dauphine-style hands against it. But legibility isn’t the main concern here. This watch manages to be both bold and understated, a difficult trick to pull off. The attention is on the Octo’s iconic Gerald Genta designed case. With razor-sharp lines and multiple facets, it’s a somewhat sinister play of light and shadow, reminiscent of a stealth fighter. Each of the many brushed black sides contrast or highlight…
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Editor’s Note: Until relatively recently Seiko’s watchmaking – in particular their Grand Seiko and Credor lines – was something of an insiders’ secret, with their quality of finish and precision of workmanship not as widely recognised (or marketed) as those of the Swiss marques. That’s all begun to change, and looks set to change even more now that Grand Seiko is a fully independent brand. Last year I took a trip to discover more about the secrets of Seiko. This is what I found… I’ve always liked Seiko. One of the first watches I ever bought was a Black Monster, followed by an ever-rotating roster of rock-solid SKX divers as well as the odd vintage piece including an original Turtle, a 6139 ‘Pogue’ chronograph (sadly missed) and not one but two 4006-6031 Bell-Matics (neither of which are currently running, but that’s a different story). So when Seiko Australia invited me to tour the company’s Japanese production facilities (wearing an Astron), I jumped at the chance. It’s fair to say I had some pretty solid preconceptions about what I’d experience. I was super-pumped to see the Micro Artists Studio, and Morioka, where Grand Seiko is assembled. Turns out I was not prepared, at…
When I first saw the new gold Daytonas at Basel, I didn’t quite know what to make of them. After the phenomenal success of last year’s new steel and Cerachrom Daytona, further extension of the line seemed inevitable, and precious metals the logical step. But I did not expect – and was somewhat confused by – the choice to pair these yellow, white and Everose gold Daytonas with an Oysterflex bracelet. Add to this the fact that I was feeling some pretty intense feelings about the new Sea-Dweller and Sky-Dweller, and it’s fair to say that I didn’t give these new models the attention they deserved. Well, that changed last week when I got to spend time with some new pieces here at home, and while the shine hadn’t worn off the two ’Dwellers, I found myself coming back, again and again, to the yellow gold Daytona. It’s a decidedly modern take on the powerhouse chronograph, with its high-contrast black and gold colour scheme and blend of materials including ceramic, gold and rubber. While the upgrade to Cerachrom is significant, that’s something we’re all pretty familiar with now; instead it’s the Oysterflex that radically changes what this watch is, and…
When they’re done right, limited edition watches are great. They offer some exclusivity, membership to a special club, and that feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself. When they’re done badly, limited editions are merely a poorly thought-out logo whacked on a dial. Thankfully this UNICEF limited edition is very much in the former camp. Montblanc has taken one of their coolest models, the Orbis Terrarum, made some super-subtle design tweaks and wrapped it all into a very worthy cause. Who wouldn’t like it? Montblanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum LATIN UNICEF Australian pricing and availability Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum LATIN UNICEF, limited to 500 pieces, $8,400
Money can’t buy experiences are so-called for a reason. They’re more about connections than cash. But Longines is offering three people an impossibly rare watch along with the chance to be treated (and to travel) like royalty when they receive it at an event somewhere in the world from none other than Kate Winslet, whose foundation to help autistic children will receive all of the proceeds. Not a portion, the entire amount. The three winners will even get to take a friend or partner. In addition to this trip, the winner +1 will also be gifted another international trip to an event of their choosing. Let’s be real. This is a feel-good story of Titanic proportions that the two of you will dine out on for the rest of your life. So let’s get to it. Here’s what you need to know: Five 18k gold Flagship Heritage Limited edition watches have been designed and created in collaboration with Kate Winslet. One is owned by Kate, one has been set aside for the Longines museum and three are being auctioned online right now with all proceeds going to Kate’s Golden Hat Foundation. The bidding starts at $25k. Considering that business class flights alone…
Australia’s property market is brutal right now, with some eye-watering prices and fierce competition. Even if you’re in a position to buy, getting some actual skin in the game is hard, thanks to the shark pool known as the Saturday morning auction schedule. So, if you’ve lucked out one time too many, you might be tempted to throw in the towel, eat your weight in avocado toast and spend the deposit on a nice watch instead. Here are five contenders (all currently available in Australia, just FYI). Patek Philippe 5270G If we had to peg this gorgeous blue-dialled perpetual calendar chronograph from Patek to a suburb, it’d definitely be Sydney’s Vaucluse. $213,750 MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual MB&F’s super complicated version of the Legacy Machine is edgy, chic and super exclusive, just like Fitzroy. $232,600 Greubel Forsey Signature 1 If you’re in the market for a Greubel Forsey – widely regarded as one of the finest ateliers working today – you’ve already got quite the portfolio under your belt. Perhaps it’s an alternative to your city penthouse? $267,000 Girard-Perregaux Constant Escapement L.M. If you appreciate modern lines and cutting edge techniques, be it in architecture or watches, then this GP should…
With a great tagline comes great responsibility, and last night Tudor lived up to theirs by daring to launch their 2017 collection in the midst of Australia’s most controversial art festival, Dark Mofo, in Hobart. Talk about being #borntodare – this was a night with far fewer boundaries than usual for a luxury watch event. The guests tumbled from a fine dining experience at Franklin restaurant down a rabbit hole of scenes and settings that were, in as few words as possible, a David Lynch movie come to life. Whole buildings were converted into experiential art spaces that might include nude yoga, a blasting punk gig by Pussy Riot, a ‘real’ tennis exhibition match in an indoor court built in the mid-19th century, and a rave where people were encouraged to lie on a floor and have pebbles poured over them. 1. There was no real agenda or schedule Can you imagine? A Swiss watch event with no meticulous itinerary? Crazy. Town. This was not a tightly choreographed whistlestop tour of weirdness – guests were encouraged to disappear and do things by themselves. It was not a breath of fresh air as much as a gale force wind that left everyone…
The concept of GTGs, or G2Gs, or get togethers in plain english, is a staple of the Instagram handled, Facebook-inhabiting individuals known collectively as ‘the watch fam’. For all that the growth of watch collecting and connoisseurship has been driven by digital platforms, there’s nothing quite like meeting like-minded people in person, calling them by their Instagram name and fondling the watch on their wrist. Typically GTGs are semi-regular affairs, based around fora, Facebook groups or, more recently, organisations like RedBar (started by this guy). Well, the GTG that took place in The Hour Glass’ freshly opened Sydney boutique will go down in the annals of watchnerd lore. I’m confident saying that never before has such a significant collection of independent watches been shown in Australia, courtesy of Group Managing Director Michael Tay’s personal collection. George Daniels. Roger Smith. Philippe Dufour. F.P. Journe. Richard Mille. Vianney Halter – and that’s not even half of it. Tay brought the heat in a big way. And while the rest of the attendees were queuing for an up close and personal inspection of some of watchmaking’s holiest of grails, I borrowed five minutes of Michael’s time to find out about his plans for Australia,…
Over the years we’ve noticed that a love of finely wrought watches often results in a halo effect on the ecosystem of small objects and accessories in your daily life. You start noticing that the other components of your daily carry that have served you well for years – wallets, keychains and the like – are starting to look a little tatty. And of course there are as many options for these everyday essentials as there are watches (ie. countless), and finding the right pen/cufflink/business card holder can be a daunting task. When in doubt, it’s hard to go wrong with Montblanc. Sure, they’re best known as the name in writing instruments, and if you’re here you’re probably well aware of their fine watchmaking chops, but their catalogue is full of things to help remind you that the world isn’t just a digital place. We’ve picked out four items from their latest UNICEF collection that not only look the part, but also remind us that these days literacy isn’t just a digital concept. Meisterstück Selection UNICEF Passport Holder The classic heart of Montblanc is the Meisterstück collection – elegant, timeless and hard to fault. This UNICEF edition passport holder doesn’t…