Resistance is useless: Why I simply had to buy the Baltic Bicompax 002
You know how it is. You spend ages thinking about your next watch – planning, saving, researching, deciding, changing your mind, procrastinating … And then a new release wanders by, flashes its bright shiny dial and you pick it up with hardly a thought. That’s how the sector dial Baltic Bicompax 002 ended up on my wrist. Baltic first revealed its sector dial earlier this year with the limited-edition salmon dial three-hander and chronograph. An immediate hit, it was no surprise when they recently returned with silver, black and blue gilt variants (alongside the time-only HMS 002). It immediately ticked a few boxes for me. Here was a sector dial, manually wound chronograph (with a clear caseback option) in 38mm, from a brand I’d heard good things about. And – at €649 (inc. VAT) – it was priced to tempt. I had previously looked at higher-end sector dials such as Jaeger-LeCoultre’s briefly produced but increasingly sought-after Master Control line and the more recent, pristine Longines Heritage Classic. But while the latter was especially well-priced, I still hadn’t reached for the wallet. That combination of design and price was enough to make the silver dial Bicompax 002 an impulse buy for…
The post Resistance is useless: Why I simply had to buy the Baltic Bicompax 002 appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
This year was strange, to put it mildly. The pandemic was ever-present, lurking over our shoulder, keeping us locked in our homes and generally limiting our contact with the rest of the world. Fortunately, for those of us into watches, the new releases have continued to flow with manufacturers adapting their release strategies to meet the year’s peculiar demands. Here are my three favourite watches of 2020. Kurono “Mori” One-Year Anniversary Limited Edition In my opinion, Kurono watches have the best ratio of affordability to artistry. Lucky buyers get world-class dials and hands in a classic 37mm case profile that’s beautifully polished all around (besides its brushed caseback). The Mori One-Year Anniversary Limited Edition has a rich emerald green dial that I have yet to even begin to tire of and looks far more expensive than it really is. For under $2000 USD, Kurono manages to provide consumers with completely distinct and original designs from Hajime Asaoka – who, under his own name, creates bespoke watches priced at tens of thousands of dollars. With Kurono, he still manages to bring the same level of attention to detail, blending both bespoke and affordable elements to the watch. The Miyota movement within…
This week we go monochrome in the urban jungle, with the new Hublot Classic Fusion Concrete Jungle New York and an awesome pair of New Balance trainers just dropped on Hypebeast. The gritty edge of concrete is just as fresh as a splash of colour and Hublot’s avant-garde touch is very much present in the elegant form of their Classic Fusion line. This is as tough as it is impressive on a material level, as this is no mere dial or case finish, but actual concrete composite. With a mix of 65-75% fine cement, and epoxy resin, reinforced by fibre glass, how better to embody the Art of Fusion? And damn, does it look rugged in the guise of the automatic chronograph, powered by the HUB1143 manufacture movement and operated via the black ceramic pushers and crown. The dial is a calm and balanced design, with the two opposing registers countersunk, while the indices are simply indented into the silky concrete surface. The greenish grey of the fascinatingly organic micro-pitted smooth surface works perfectly with the black accents, and comes on the comfort of Hublot’s black fabric strap. Fifty pieces of this 45mm street-tough block of haute horlogerie will be…
It doesn’t matter whether you’re in Aussie summer or the Northern Hemisphere winter, whether locked down or suddenly released, we need colours in our lives more than ever this year. From bubblegum pink to baby blue, pastel-coloured watch dials never fail to turn heads and lift sagging spirits, and every man should be secure enough to rock a bright dial from time to time. Check out a few of our picks for the best pastel watches of 2020. Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 126000 “Candy Pink” This is one of the freshest dials on a Rolex since the legendary lacquered Stella dials of the ’70s. In a perfect candy-floss pink, this offers a fresh pop of summer, brought to life by the traditional craftsmanship only the Crown can bestow on a sports watch in a classic case. The 904L steel that Rolex uses for its cases and oyster bracelet has a softer, warmer feel than the usual 316L, so whichever size you choose, this could easily become your daily watch of choice (if you’re bold enough). We love the sublime comfort of the 36mm case – just be aware that your partner will inevitably try to steal it. Price: $7850 AUD…
If there is one main takeaway from our Micro Mondays series, it’s that you don’t have to spend top dollar to get a top-notch watch. William Wood, a watch manufacturer based in London, works to provide consumers with more approachable options for wrist-wear. They work within familiar frameworks, but with distinct designs and details. The William Wood Valiant Bronze is one such design, with plenty to explore as you delve deeper. The backstory William Wood was the name of brand founder Jonny Garrett’s late grandfather. For more than 25 years, William Wood served in the British Fire Service, winning commendations for his acts of bravery. He was stationed at Pilgrim Street for the Newcastle & Gateshead Fire Brigade, serving on the Blue Watch. Sadly, he passed away in 2009, but his legacy lives on through Jonny and William Wood. The British watch brand is known for the way in which they upcycle rescue service materials into beautiful luxury timepieces, while donating to international firefighting charities. They are working to convert an old British Fire Station into their HQ and Concept Store, where they will refurbish an old fire engine to drive the length and breadth of the UK, promoting the…
“After 40,” Abraham Lincoln once said, “every man gets the face he deserves.” We assume that Abe was talking here about watch faces and so, with that in mind, we turned our attention to the best timepiece you can buy to celebrate a 40th birthday for under $5000. Because 40 is a milestone worth celebrating. This is the decade of self-actualisation, where you stop caring what other people think about you so much. Sure, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows – your hangovers are tougher, your back hurts more. But you also start to know who you really are and your watch should reflect this inner substance that your 40th year bestows. Longines Legend Diver Bronze This is a diving watch with gravitas. The case is particularly appropriate for a 40th birthday occasion with bronze also being a metal that gets better and better with age. It’s also the perfect counterpoint for the forest green dial that darkens to almost black at the edges. The hand-sewn two-stitch strap in butter-soft calf leather adds to the prevailing sense of effortless stature. Price: $4475 Grand Seiko SBGP005 This dial is dangerously close to perfection. Texture-free, it exists in some wondrous hinterland between…
When it comes to watches, we too often think of the Swiss – with the German and Japanese manufacturers no longer trailing far behind. But watchmaking is truly a global enterprise. In Russia, many collectors will immediately think of Konstantin Chaykin’s maverick creations. But there is also a larger manufacturer, with a surprising amount of in-house know-how and original design. Raketa is a Russian watch brand with incredibly rich and, sadly, lesser-known heritage. They offer some stellar creations at more approachable price points. There is serious value at play here, as it is rare to find vertically manufactured pieces that are very affordable considering what they offer. Fortunately, the New York Times investigated the Raketa Manufacture, showcasing why watch wearers should pay attention to their timepieces. Raketa was born in 1945, but under the Russian name Pobeda, which translates to victory. The manufacturer was government-owned, producing watches in service of the Soviet Republic. It was not until 1961 that the name switched from Pobeda to Raketa, which translates to rocket. Why rocket, you ask? Because the brand wanted to commemorate the incredible achievement of Yuri Gagarin – the first cosmonaut to orbit the earth. Producing 5000 watches per year, Raketa…
The gift-giving season has arrived, with Christmas and other holidays just around the corner. Odds are if you’re reading this article (or any content on Time+Tide for that matter) that you, or someone you know, have a sweet spot for watch-related goodies. Fortunately, you don’t have to wait till the last minute or spend a great deal of time pondering what would make a great stocking stuffer this year, as we have assembled five great accessories that will definitely get the recipient’s heart ticking. Each of the below items are available now for purchase in the Time+Tide Marketplace, click on the price to access the item in the shop! Time+Tide Watches Orange Elegant Leather Watch Pouch Watch cases, boxes and pouches are essential for those who want to safely store or carry watches on the go. Sure, there is real estate on the wrist, but if you’re heading to a meet-up or vacation with, say, a dress and sports watch, you’ll want to make sure the watch you are not wearing is in a safe place. The Orange Elegant Leather Watch Pouch is a simple yet sophisticated solution to easy-watch carry. The orange leather is of very high quality, and…
Hublot is a brand that does not always get its horological due. The movements that the brand does not produce in-house are horological footnotes compared to the movements that they do. At their core, Hublot are a bold, brave and forward-thinking manufacturer, and an excellent example of this temerity is the Meca-10 movement. As its name suggests, the caliber provides a long-lasting 10 days of power reserve and offers a distinctly Hublot aesthetic in form and finish. It’s quite the marvel in the metal, and a feast for the eyes for even the most seasoned gearheads. This is why it is proudly displayed front, back and centre of the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Meca-10 Black Magic. Measuring 45mm in diameter and 14.5mm thick, the black ceramic case is horological sorcery on the wrist. A sizeable watch, with the industrial feel of the Empire’s Death Star, this is surprisingly one of the more tame designs from Hublot. While they are more than capable of injecting colour into their ceramic creations, here they have elected for stealth appeal through an almost entirely black aesthetic. The only deviations from black can be found in four aspects of the watch. The H-shaped screws,…
This year has held a lot of change for almost everyone who populates this planet. Some people have been able to take positives out of their respective lockdown experiences, free-time opportunities, or even just spending more time with those immediately around you. But ultimately I don’t believe anyone could say that it has been easy. For me, among other things, 2020 was the year I joined Time+Tide. This involved its challenges, as I’ve only been a watch enthusiast for about two years now, and I’ve had to learn fast. Being lent the occasional new watch to review was, of course, an exciting experience when I first earned some trust, but one of the year’s highlights has been meeting the characters behind this website that I’d first started to explore as YouTube recommended me more and more horological content. I may have embarrassed myself in my first editorial meeting over Zoom by forgetting to change my background beforehand (the description of the photo I’ll take to my grave), but I’m glad to say that I feel totally welcomed. In no particular order, here are five of my favourite Time+Tide articles from the year, which I think sum up the people I’m…