Forget the Rolex Daytona on Antiques Roadshow, here are three watches to stash in your safe now
If you’re reading this, then chances are you’ve already seen the amazing video on America’s Antiques Roadshow of a US Air Force veteran and his mint Rolex Daytona Ref.6263. If not, stop reading this and watch the below video right now: I think we can all agree … this is a pretty staggering video. And it also got everyone at Time+Tide HQ talking about whether there were any watches that you could buy today and stash in your safe for the next 40 years that would net a similarly lucrative result. It ended up being a vigorous discussion (argument) among the team, with myriad mainstream and more quirky watchmakers and models being bandied about. While it’s impossible to know for sure the watches that’ll turn out to be popular in the future, we agreed on a trio that might have a better chance than others. In no particular order, here are three punts whose valuations might pay off your mortgage in 40 years’ time. Nick Kenyon – Citizen Caliber 0100 “The Most Accurate Wristwatch Ever Made” is a boast that all watch brands would love to claim, but it was Citizen who left jaws on floors in 2019 with the release…
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Editor’s note: Hot on the heels of her imperious victory at the Adelaide Open, 2020’s Young Australian of the Year, Ash Barty, is continuing to carve her name into the annals of tennis legend, trouncing all of her competitors so far at the Australian Open with a spellbinding blend of grace and dogged determination. Barty is nothing short of a national treasure and an exemplar for how all athletes should go about their business, especially her fellow Aussie tennis players. Swiss watchmaker Rado recognises Barty’s greatness, and has been a long-term supporter of the tennis ace. The marque even created a limited edition watch in Barty’s honour to celebrate her meteoric rise to the rank of World No. 1. That watch is the Rado HyperChrome Ashleigh Barty Limited Edition, and in a very noble act of generosity, Rado has donated one of these limited edition timepieces, of which only 123 will ever exist, to Time+Tide’s “Watch & Act!” World Watch Auction in aid of the Australian wildfire crisis, and you can bid on that watch by clicking this link. The latest young star to join the ranks of Rado is the Australian tennis player Ash Barty, who despite being only…
If Zenith’s showing at LVMH’s Dubai Watch Week is anything to go by, 2020 could well be the year of the eccentric collaboration for the Swiss watchmaker. Not only were members of the press treated to the unveiling of the handsome, if slightly odd, Zenith DEFY El Primero 21 Land Rover Edition, but they were also shown this — Zenith DEFY El Primero 21 Carl Cox Edition. My oh my, is this an interesting “remix” of the regular DEFY 21 … I’m not even really sure where to begin. For a start, the 44mm case, as well as the bezel, crown, chronograph pushers, end links and even the head of the deployant clasp, are all hewn from carbon fibre, which has been given a matt finish. And if the aesthetic of all this matt baked plastic wasn’t inimitable enough, the bezel, and even the stitching on the black rubber and bright red Cordura strap, are treated with Super-LumiNova. This is, in my opinion, an incredibly outlandish novelty, and one presumably done to ensure that Mr Cox can flex on his audience in even the darkest of dens of iniquity. The dial is also rather … unique, as the running seconds sub-dial,…
Watches on bracelets are great for a multitude of reasons. They are both durable and comfortable, relatively easy to adjust and aren’t ruined if you go swimming with them … all pointing to it being hard to go wrong if you get a watch with a bracelet. Besides, it’s always better to buy your watch with a bracelet if you can, because leather straps are much of a muchness, but the variation in a bracelet that might suit your watch is endless. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the best watches on bracelets from 2019. AUTODROMO GROUP B CORSICA BLUE Colour can make or break a watch. With the Autodromo Group B Corsica Blue, the vibrant, summery dial design definitely makes this package a winner. Autodromo has been quietly improving their offering since launching. An integrated strap, a striking, sporty design, and automatic movement are all steps forward. The Group B also shows some material advancement. It is made of lightweight titanium, while the bracelet (which can be subbed out for a strap) is made of stainless steel. Ref No: Group B – Corsica Blue. Case size: 39mm. Case material: Titanium (strap in steel).…
The Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Manufacture Fratello Exclusive is produced in a limited run of 29 pieces, and are all individually numbered on the caseback. The 42mm 3 parts-case holds a convex sapphire crystal and clear caseback revealing the inner workings of the FC-712 caliber. The two counters of the moonphase and date are respectively located at three and nine o’clock. The elegant curved dial merges seamlessly with the case and features printed Roman numeral indexes and hand-polished hands. Finally, the blue crocodile leather strap completes the look. The Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Manufacture Fratello Exclusive is powered by the in-house developed calibre FC-712 automatic movement with 38 hours of power reserve. Based on the iconic FC-700 movement series from Frederique Constant, it has been redesigned in order to split the moonphase and date into two counters. Both functions are adjustable via the crown. Through the transparent caseback, the movement shows off the famous perlage and circular Côtes de Genève decorations present on all Frederique Constant in-house calibers. What we like about it Andrew – Fratello waited many, many years to make a move with an exclusive edition of their own. And the patience, the fastidious attention to detail and…
With its striking appearance, the ‘Full Black’ Alpina 4 Manufacture Flyback Chronograph demonstrates an aggressive and distinctive personality. The model features an intense black PVD-coated case made out of stainless steel. The black dial with beige luminous pearl black applied indexes, matching the luminous beige hands, provides a stealthy, slightly vintage look. Note the ergonomically shaped chronograph push-pieces, screw-down winding and setting crown, and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. It can withstand a water pressure of up to 10 atmospheres, equivalent to a diving depth of 100 metres. The ‘Full Black’ manufacture movement is powered by the AL-760 movement, comprising 233 components with a 38-hour power reserve. This watch is generously donated by the good folk at Monochrome Watches. What we like about it Andrew – One of only a few complicated models in the mix, this Alpina Manufacture Flyback Chrono in sexy ‘Full Black’ packs a lot of punch under the hood. All 233 components that make it up! It was generously donated by our very good friends at Monochrome Watches, one of our favourite sites out there. Nick – The aggressive full black exterior of this watch doesn’t give away the impressive complexity of the movement that lies beneath the…
The 2020 running of the Australian Open is well and truly into full … well, swing. And with the best tennis players in the world descending on Melbourne, we thought we’d take a look at watchmakers that have affiliations with the pro athletes because, after all, one of my favourite parts of the AO is seeing what the players have attached to their wrist. Roger Federer – Rolex Easily one of the most well-recognised partnerships between a sportsperson and a watchmaker, Roger Federer and Rolex are a match made in heaven. Federer is unquestionably the consummate professional of the tennis world — he’s never drawn into drama or off-court antics. Simply put, he’s just the best tennis player of all time. Federer has been seen wearing countless models from the “Big Crown”, and we can only imagine what his watch collection must be like. Ash Barty – Rado 2020’s Young Australian of the Year, Ash Barty, is doing what she does best at this year’s Australian Open – trouncing all of her competitors on the tennis court with grace and aplomb. I’m a huge fan of Ms Barty; she is a true national treasure and an exemplar for how all athletes…
“Forecasting future events is often like searching for a black cat in an unlit room, that may not even be there,” wrote Steve Davidson in The Crystal Ball. The art of predictions, in other words, tends to be an absolute mug’s game. When you’re trying to make forecasts about Rolex – a company that shrouds its plans with MI5 levels of secrecy – it’s even more of a challenge. But these lousy odds haven’t stopped YouTuber Jenni Elle from peering into her crystal ball to predict Rolex’s new releases for Baselworld 2020. What’s more, she’s created an impressive concept video that “reviews” the three “most wished for” new Rolex models. Thanks to some whiz-bang special effects, Jenni’s video introduces an all-gold “Hulk” Submariner, a “Coke” GMT-Master II and a Steel “Smurf” Submariner. Yes, these are fantasy watches, but the production values are slick enough to make them larger than life. Here we review Jenni’s bold predictions and rate the likelihood of them making it out of fantasyland onto a wrist near you. Stainless Steel ‘Smurf’ Submariner Date The Oystersteel Submariner Date is currently only available in the classic black bezel/black dial iteration or the green bezel/green dial “Hulk” combo. If…
Released at Baselworld 2019, this SUB 200 130th Anniversary Limited Edition diver’s watch was profoundly popular, and the run of 130 pieces sold out almost before it was released. Time+Tide’s own stock of this model, 30 pieces, was sold in just under two hours. We are offering our own archive piece for sale here, brand new in support of the ‘Watch & Act!’ auction — and to put our own money, a second time, where our mouth is. It has a case of 316L stainless steel and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. Special touches on the Limited Edition include an engraved caseback with ‘130’ motif, an orange second hand, and orange ‘130 Years’ text on the dial. Also note the distinctive curvature of the domed crystal, which faithfully re-creates the domed plexiglass used on the 1967 model. It is well sized for both presence and practical daily wear at 42mm. Waterproof to a depth of 200 metres (20 ATM), the model features a unidirectional rotating bezel. All the elements providing dive-relevant information, including the bezel, have a Super‑LumiNova® luminescent coating. The bracelet is also 316L stainless steel and features a folding clasp with the DOXA fish symbol.…
This classic three-handed model from Frederique Constant, with gloss black dial, is a dress watch par excellence. It is presented here with high-polished baton indices, razor-sharp sword hands and an elegant crocodile strap. It is generously donated by Sydney’s Wamada Jewellery, Watchfest and the Sydney Chinese Community. The Classics Index Automatic is a symphony of sleek, clean lines, and an elegant black dial that coheres raw classicism and modern-day design. The Classics Index Automatic is powered by the FC-303 automatic caliber with 26 jewels, and runs at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, with a 38-hour power reserve. The polished two-part case measures 40mm in diameter, which is right in most wearer’s ‘Goldilocks’ zone. Convex sapphire crystals protect the dial, and the watch is water resistant to 50 metres. Finally, the indexes and numerals for every model are carefully polished and delicately hand-applied. What we like about it Andrew – An absolutely pitch-perfect dress watch with surprisingly handmade touches, including hand-applied indices and numerals on the dial, this is Classics by name and by nature. If your collection is bereft of a black dial dressed-up option, this one is calling you. Nick – This time-only number from Frederique Constant gives…