We followed the Omega Speedmaster World Cup so you didn’t have to…
Which is the best Omega Speedmaster of all time? Our friends at Fratello Watches decided there was only one way to settle this one properly – by launching the Speedmaster World Cup. Over a gruelling tournament that lasted almost two months(!), 32 eager Speedies duked it out to determine who would be the ultimate victor. As with any World Cup, there was agony, ecstasy and the odd contentious refereeing decision. But what emerged from Fratello was an admirably comprehensive analysis of this iconic watch in all its myriad forms. Here are the top five contestants. The Winner: the Calibre 321 Ed White Embodying the peak of Speedy-ness, this dynamic piece of remade history fully deserves to be on the top podium with a gold medal dangling around its slender angular lugs. The case itself is essentially the leaner version that you’ll recognise from the #FirstOmegaInSpace, but refashioned with a few subtle tweaks. That means it’s got the narrower 39.7mm diameter with a 48mm lug to lug range, making it comfortable and almost identical in feel to the normal Moonwatch, while sharpened to within an inch of its life. The flat link bracelet is supremely comfortable, while the remade 321 Calibre…
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The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 is a definite contender for “The Only Watch You’ll Ever Need” category. With its classic dark blue sunray dial, the intrinsic quality that resonates within any Rolex case is blatantly obvious in the Oyster Perpetual, even at this relatively accessible price point. Although whether the actual watch is accessible at your local AD may prove a different story … But if you can’t get your hands on one or fancy something a little bit different, what are your alternatives that deliver the same qualities – namely that special combo of formality with everyday wearability not to mention a beguiling blue dial? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered … Grand Seiko SBGR321 With the shapely legacy of the distinctive Grand Seiko case, the SBGR321 offers serious competition to the OP’s charms. A chunky 40mm case with the classic broad shoulders of the Grand Seiko automatics, it struts into the game with a flash of Zaratsu polishing. The striking blue dial is part of the 60th anniversary editions of Grand Seiko, so you might have to get to your nearest AD at a brisk pace. But it’ll certainly be well worth the hustle. As Nick put it…
Basketball is back and not in the bubble! But while the players battle it out on the court, as always, an equally fascinating sideshow will also unfold for watch enthusiasts. That’s because the NBA is not only home to some of sport’s biggest superstars, but also some superstar watch collections. Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, Cartier – you name it, they’ve got it. To celebrate the return of basketball, we wanted to highlight some of the watches we have seen the best in the game wear – whether courtside, heading to and from the locker room, during press conferences, or out and about on their days off. Kevin Love Kevin Love is a renowned watch collector with an affinity for classic and timeless pieces. While he is still working towards acquiring a Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona, he is hardly messing about in the meantime. Here, he’s seen heading to the locker room wearing his Rolex Day-Date in Everose gold on a President bracelet. With the chocolate dial bringing out the rich tones of the gold, it’s an unimpeachable choice, with a Day-Date offering that rare combo of elegance and prestige. The Rolex Day-Date 228235 in Everose Gold on…
Seiko has by no means had a quiet year, but there was one collection that demanded attention. The all new Seiko 5 Sports x Street Fighter V Editions turned heads for all the right reasons, taking inspiration from the legendary fighting game, and turning six of the main characters into watch designs. These fighters included Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Guile, Zangief and, last but certainly not least, the green machine himself, Blanka. Like the rest of the collection, the Blanka edition uses the typical Seiko 5 Sports template as a starting point, measuring 42.5mm in diameter, housing the automatic 4R36 movement and offering a solid 100m of water resistance. Where this edition stands out from the rest, however, is the bright green and orange lashings found across the watch that match Blanka’s larger-than-life character. The streaks of electricity running through the bezel (and the whirlpool dial) are a nod to Blanka’s special move, “Electric Thunder”, while the hour markers are inspired by his razor-sharp teeth. The edges of the strap and the minute track are both bright orange, in reference to his almost fluro hair. What a fighter, and what a watch to honour him! Seiko 5 Sports SRPF23K1 Blanka price…
Engraving a watch has zero functional value. It’s a highly personal move that’s made with the heart not the head – indeed many would argue that it’ll invariably harm a watch’s re-sale value. Unless, of course, you happen to be wildly famous. In such cases, a star-studded form of alchemy takes place with the engraving adding an extra layer of intimacy, effectively turning the watch into something akin to a horological autograph. These are some of the most famous examples that break all the standard rules of engraving and show yet again that if you’re rich and famous enough, you can do whatever the hell you like. Marlon Brando’s DIY customisation Marlon Brando wasn’t easy to work with on the set of Apocalypse Now. He showed up on location in the Philippines having ballooned to over 135kg so all his costumes had to be ditched (Francis Ford Coppola was expecting Brando to play a fighting-fit military man). Brando further annoyed the wardrobe department by insisting on wearing his Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675. When a member of the film crew gently suggested the watch did not fit with his role as Colonel Kurtz, Brando refused to remove it. “If they’re looking at…
Is this the perfect everyday tool watch from the Zaratsu wizards? I am seriously baffled by the Grand Seiko SBGX343. This seems to be nothing less than a dynamic amalgamation of our favourite design traits from Grand Seiko and a prominent Swiss crowned supplier of largely unavailable cyclopsed divers’ watches. Our Japanese friends have managed to pull this feat off without a hint of homage, while exuding a wholesome daily watch-vibe with contemporary wrist presence. To top it off it is powered by the quartz perfection of their 9F61 calibre. The case is recognisable from the sporty SBGV243, characterised by its purist tool image and yellow popping details and stitches on the fabric strap. This, however, is pure monochrome, and could be touted as Grand Seiko’s answer to the Explorer and Milgauss in one, but within a much sharper, tough-as-hell angular case. I can stare at that case side/lug transition for hours – a beautifully horizontal brush on the case side that ends in a hallelujah-inspiring drilled lug end, a lug that has an impossibly perfect crease where it swoops down, creating an incredible dynamic where it meets the polished bevel of the top of the case. A narrow band…
This year, Piaget achieved an unfathomable feat in watchmaking – a production timepiece only 2mm thick! Not surprisingly, given the scale of this achievement, the composition of the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept is extremely complex. Its super-thin mechanism and harmony between case and movement will astound even the most jaded collectors and it will likely be a long time before anyone can top this new world record in watchmaking. To better understand this incredible watch that was awarded the “Aiguille d’Or” grand prize at the GPHG a few months back, we turn to none other than Mr. Watchfinder himself who walks us through how the thinnest watch ever made came into existence. As you walk through the evolution of the line, you begin to realise that this was by no means a sprint for Piaget but rather an incremental marathon that culminated in an extraordinary result. As the brand neared the 60th Anniversary of the Altiplano lineup, they knew they wanted to do something very special to pay tribute to the collection and the ultra-thin movements Piaget had made its name upon. Beginning with the 9P and 12P movements, Piaget historically produced some of the thinnest movements and watches…
What were Thor’s 3 favourite watches of 2020? On a length-to-difficulty ratio, this piece ranks right up there in the difficulty stakes. Seriously, how am I supposed to sum up my three favourites of the whole year? In this bastard 12 months of lockdowns and cancelled holidays, there has been a deluge of delights from Switzerland, Japan and Germany. Suffice to say, once again this will be pure fantasy in terms of budget, but what the hell. We are allowed to dream, so dream on watch lovers! My vivid dreams are filled with grail pieces from Greubel Forsey, H. Moser & Cie. and an understated Longines, how about yours? Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1 With the name Greubel Forsey I just have to add two words: Hand and Made. The End. Sorry, that was too easy, but honestly, there is a reason this has popped up on my list of favourites this year, and in my best dials of 2020 piece here. Not that I ever doubt their genius, but here Greubel Forsey has managed to create pure horological poetry through craftsmanship and methodology of the 18th and 19th century, resulting in what is a deeply thought-provoking project, involving 6000…
Hi Editor’s note: We may have only published this story a few short months ago, but since then the Seiko modding scene has only accelerated – the train has left the station and it’s full steam ahead! Even the most cursory of searches on Instagram now reveals some simply stunning new modded SKXs and 5s (thank you #seikomods). Actually, the talent is so good right now, we thought we’d share a few more of them with you. Polka-dot dreaming Easily our favourite of the new class of modded Seiko pieces, this polka dot delight has us dreaming of the perfect summer watch. And the dial is hand-painted, which is a great touch. Watch modification, or “modding”, is a remarkably popular subset of the watch collecting community, where enthusiasts will tinker with their watches to build totally customised pieces to wear. Without a doubt the most popular brand in the modding space is Seiko, where the combination of affordability and relatively widespread access to quality parts makes for the perfect storm of self-expression. There are even some members of the modding community who have turned their skills into micro-manufacturers, offering their services to fellow collectors for a fee, to build the…