ADVENT CALENDAR 2016: December 21 – The Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 All Black
Forget for a moment that the Chairman of Hublot, and the man-behind-the-brand Jean-Claude Biver would look frighteningly Santa-like in a red jumpsuit, sans the paunch. Disregard also that he’s the only other man on earth with the kind of energy required to visit every single household in the world in one night, and just focus on the fact that the Big Bang Meca-10 All Black is basically living, ticking, time-telling Mecano, in a very adult form. Those old enough may recall getting it as a child – and building a train, or a bridge. This far more baller variant requires no assembly. Just a wrist, which, with this on it, is about to get a major renovation. Who should you buy this for: The adult that doesn’t want to grow up, but likes all the good things that come with it. What’s the damage: Under $30k
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Ah, the tourbillon! You should be so lucky to find one under your tree come Sunday morning. Dogma dictates that this little whirlwind is the holy grail of horology, created by only the most prestigious, exclusive and generally snooty brands in existence. Well, much like a little bit like Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the Wittenberg chapel door, Jean-Claude Biver’s refreshed TAG Heuer has released the Heuer-02T, a much more accessible take on the complication which goes a long way to democratising this once rarefied peak of high horology. And while this watch might not have quite the same impact on the world as the Protestant Reformation, it’s certainly shaking things up in up in Switzerland. Who should you buy this for: The TAG superfan in your life. Or someone who likes a good tourbillon. What’s the damage: A shade more than $20k might sound like a lot, but this is a freakin’ tourbillon, people. TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-02T Tourbillon Australian pricing TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-02T Tourbillon, $20,450
Since 1951, nearly every watch leaving Rolex’s Geneva facility has been a certified Chronometer, and from 1957 onwards, Rolex has been using the term ‘Superlative’ on their dials to describe that their watches don’t just meet Chronometer standards, but exceed them. Design purists might bemoan the resulting text-heavy dials that declare an Oyster to be ‘Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified’, but Rolex’s nigh-unimpeachable reputation for quality and accuracy has a lot invested in these words. In fact, in late 2015, the brand quietly updated their Superlative Chronometer Standards to make them even more stringent. Design purists might bemoan the resulting text-heavy dials that declare an Oyster to be ‘Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified’, but Rolex’s nigh-unimpeachable reputation for quality and accuracy has a lot invested in these words. If you were lucky enough to get your hands on a steel Daytona or a recent Datejust 41, Rolex guarantee your watch is accurate to -2/+2 seconds per day, after casing. Compare that to the -4/+6 per day for the uncased movement that COSC requires, or the 0/+5 Omega’s Master Certification. Rolex’s continued commitment to testing and accuracy doesn’t just show they recognise the importance of reliability, but that they deem it vital to be more accurate than the competition.…
When Cartier announced the release of the Hypnose collection, there was only one person we wanted to work with to spread the news: style influencer Melanie Liu, better known by her online persona @thetiafox. Because here it is, point blank: her world is a better place than this one. It’s magical, minimal and, we’re prepared to wager, the most pristine Instagram feed in existence. The ultra-clean, fresh aesthetic is said to be inspired by the Arctic fox, and, true to her name, the Tia Fox hunts the world over for the best in life to style, shoot and capture. Shakespeare said all the world’s a stage, and that may be true, but this perfectly curated backdrop is the stage we wanted to see the Hypnose on. Our idea for this collaboration is a little different. The Tia Fox will introduce the watch in three posts on her feed. On Wednesday, we will take the baton and screen a video introducing the person behind the rapidly growing brand. Finally, on Friday, Melanie will write a guest review talking about her experience of being a watch reviewer for a weekend. Follow us, starting from tonight at @thetiafox 
If your idea of Christmas is one where festive = indulgence, the new Yacht-Master 40 in Rolesor with its delicious chocolate dial should make it to the top of your list. The good news is that this is one decadent treat you won’t need to give up in January. Who should you buy this for: The posh sailor in your life – sweet-tooth optional. What’s the damage: Almost $18k Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Everose Rolesor (ref. 116621) Australian pricing The Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Everose Rolesor, reference 116621, $17,800
If you want to get technical (and at T+T we always do), camouflage is a combination of patterns, colours and materials that serves to conceal an object and help it blend in with its surroundings. In nature, think leopards and tigers. In more man-made contexts, camouflage is the domain of the military, where it’s often given the boring-yet-descriptive name of ‘disruptive pattern material’ – the amorphous blobs and swirling shapes of modern camo serving to obscure the shape of the soldier or vehicle against its environment. If we only used this set of criteria, the Franck Muller Vanguard Chronograph Camouflage would not pass MOD muster. Even though the dial does a good job imitating forest, desert and urban camouflage patterns, there’s still no mistaking that curvex shape of the watch. Luckily then, this Vanguard isn’t military issue – rather it uses camouflage in its far more fun and fashionable context – that of style. And of course, on high streets and catwalks across the world, fashion’s appropriation of this covert print isn’t intended to make the wearer blend in with the crowd, but to help them stand out. And on this front the Vanguard excels. Even if the watch didn’t sport those not-so-stealthy dials,…
“Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree…uhhhh, what are you doing on this Grand Seiko dial??” Seiko must have been in the Xmas spirit when the dial of this Grand Seiko was in development. Of course, the story goes that it’s actually a fir tree, which is celebrated in the Onbashira Festival that’s held in Suwa, near where the watch is produced. This racy Grand Seiko has very little chance of going unnoticed on the wrist. Not only does it feature a sporty new case shape, Seiko has also made it using a modular technique. Look out Hublot / TAG Heuer! The outer case elements are glossy black ceramic, and the inner case is lightweight and tough titanium. Who should you buy this for: The person in your life that told you Grand Seiko was “too boring and conservative” for them. Just watch their face when they open the box. Bang! What’s the damage: Under $17k The Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph SBGC017 Australian pricing The Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph SBGC017, $16,500
Blancpain are definitely on Santa’s nice list this year, for their serious efforts in ocean preservation. And by bringing a variant of an instant, but limited classic, into general production they’ll no doubt work their way back from naughty to nice in their fans’ eyes too. Last year they, and we, spent a lot of time talking about, and looking at hi-res pictures of, the Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph. There was something about the combination of gunmetal grey ceramic case and blue sunburst dial that just had us hooked. Who should you buy this for: Anyone with an ocean connection and a high-end watch addiction. What’s the damage: A touch over $16k The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe in grey plasma ceramic The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe in grey plasma ceramic, $16,050