Get to the boutique! The Seiko SNJ025 Solar 'Arnie'
The argument could quite easily be made that most watch manufacturers in attendance at this year’s Baselworld watch fair tended to err on the side of caution when it came to releasing new timepieces. However, Seiko certainly bucked this trend, unveiling quite a few new and exciting timepieces, and surprising the collective horological community with this, the new Seiko SNJ025 Solar ‘Arnie’. A faithful re-creation of a cult classic, the Seiko H558-5000, the new SNJ025 Solar does a great job of paying homage to the original timepiece that earned its colloquialism as a result of being worn by the one and only former “Governator” of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in several of his biggest hits, most notably Predator. The SNJ025 isn’t, however, resting on its laurels, and the 2019 release comes equipped with a host of practical features to be expected from the Japanese manufacturer. For a start, the Arnie benefits from a fully automatic calendar accurate to the year 2100, alarm and power saving function, and an LED backlight. In addition, as a dedicated dive watch, the SNJ025 is capable of 200m (660ft) of water resistance and utilises a screw-down crown, screw-down case back and unidirectional rotating bezel. The rugged…
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Amidst the morass of vintage reissues that almost all brands seem to have tried their hand at recently, Longines has been successfully combing their archives for the best examples that translate to current tastes, and have done so with good success in recent years. Even in the context of their well-executed reissues of military, chronograph and diving watches of their past, their latest dip into the history books has to be one of their best, as well as one of the nicest looking watches of 2019. I would like to introduce you to the Longines Heritage Classic with a “Sector Dial”. The design is based on a watch that Longines is reported to have produced in 1934, an example of which is housed in the Longines Museum in Switzerland. What is most exciting about this watch for the watch-collecting community, however, is it shows that a large brand like Longines is listening to the suggestions of enthusiast groups, not just producing watches that will appeal to the mass market. The reason the Longines Heritage Classic “Sector Dial” hits the nail on the head so successfully is because it expresses the answer to pretty much all the frustrated (putting it politely)…
Maybe I’m going colourblind or maybe it’s becoming more prevalent – either way, I’m spotting more and more panda dials out there on wrists. Actually, who am I trying to kid — it’s definitely a trend, a flow-on from the overwhelming vintage onslaught that has dominated watch design over the last decade or so. In case you’re not au fait with the nomenclature, a panda dial refers to a white dial with black sub-dials resembling, you know, a panda. With that in mind, here are eight of the best … The Rolex Daytona ref. 116500LN Yeah, we had to include this. The latest gen-Daytona is still one of the hottest properties in watches, even though it was released in 2016. And while we’re fully aware this model is stretching the panda definition thanks to its black rim only sub-dials, thanks to Rolex’s huge panda legacy we can’t not include it. The Omega Speedmaster CK 2998 Omega has made a few impressive panda takes on the Speedmaster over the years, and the CK 2998 is no exception — with its high-contrast design, petite case size and subtle red pops, it’s hard not to fall in love with it. Seiko Automatic Chronograph 50th…
We knew it was coming. To paraphrase former PM Paul Keating, this is the upgrade we had to have. The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph. But before we dive into (sorry, can’t help it) what makes this watch special, a quick update for those not up to date with the news from Biel. Last year, at what would be their last Baselworld, Omega announced a major upgrade to the (genuinely) iconic Seamaster Diver 300M, AKA the James Bond watch, with an evolved, refined case, a new dial and a host of other crowd-pleasing bells and whistles. For me this watch was one of 2018’s standouts, and we knew it was just the beginning. We were right. Earlier this year, much ink was shed extolling the virtues of Omega’s Apollo 11 anniversary pieces, and rightfully so. Alongside these limited edition Speedmasters we were treated to a chrono of a different flavour – the mighty, and muchly anticipated Omega Seasmaster Diver 300M Chronograph. And the best part is that at Time to Move, where this watch was announced, we weren’t drip-fed a single model but rather a full range, from precious metals to steel, with bi-metal in between. So, we were spoiled…
Fifty years ago, Seiko released one of the first ever automatic chronograph movements in a watershed moment in watchmaking. To mark the occasion, Seiko has released the Seiko Automatic Chronograph 50th Anniversary SRQ029J, a watch that smartly dances the line between heritage and modern. We got a chance to take a closer look at the new anniversary piece, with all the details in the video below. If you love sporty chronographs that have a historically significant place in the history of watchmaking then this could be the piece for you. It’s well-sized at 41mm in diameter, features a movement with a vertical clutch and column wheel, and looks fantastic with the high contrast panda dial. Seiko Automatic Chronograph 50th Anniversary SRQ029J The SRQ029J has an RRP of $5950 AUD. Made in partnership with Seiko. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.
There are few things that high-end watch brands love more than a certification of quality. Some, like COSC, are industry-wide standards, while others (much like the movement) are strictly an in-house affair. The Patek Philippe Seal is one such certification. The new Patek Philippe Seal dramatically transcends the original hallmark’s notion of quality and perfection. First of all, it applies to the completely assembled mechanical watch as delivered to its owner; moreover it covers both functional and aesthetic aspects. This article, from The Hour Glass, gives a solid overview of the Seal, and how it differs from the Geneva Seal (a broader certification that Patek was a big fan of). If you want a better idea of the rigours that these watches go through, this is worth a read. 
Every year in watchland we’re treated to a fresh crop of heritage reissues — modern interpretations of designs of yore. It’s a market category that’s grown from a niche inclusion intended to appease the hardcore collectors to a major pillar in many brand catalogues. And while the year is not over yet, we’re pretty confident calling the below 10 the best heritage reissues from 2019. Heads-up, expect a lot of automatic chronographs in this list … Blancpain Air Command Yep, we did not see this one coming. Dive watches, yes (more on that below), but a pitch-perfect take on an old, obscure pilot’s chronograph? Yes, please. Longines Heritage Classic A surprise late entrant to the list, the Heritage Classic from Longines only officially dropped the other day. But with its 38mm steel case and sector dial it has everyone in the office exclaiming — not bad, good size. Zenith El Primero A384 Revival It’s been a big year for Zenith, as their famous El Primero movement celebrates the big 5-0. And because of this, the brand has been dropping heritage bangers with disturbing regularity. And while we didn’t see this at Baselworld, the chunky case of this A384 has us…
Travel watches are typically seen as a rough-and-ready affair, a style dominated by hardy steel pieces that often seem to speak a language of adventure rather than luxury. But honestly, while this reflects a romanticised notion of travel, the reality, especially at the pointy end, is a much more civilised affair. If civilised travel is more your speed, you might be interested in this beautiful Blancpain, which brings dual time utility to Villeret’s dressy style. The 40mm red gold case is well-sized, and the double stepped design is sophisticated, as — it must be said — is the movement tech inside. The 5A50 movement looks good, and offers a very solid 100 hours of power reserve and a silicon balance. The Blancpain Villeret GMT Date makes a compelling argument for travelling in style. Blancpain Villeret GMT Date price Blancpain Villeret GMT Date, red gold on leather, $26,300 AUD Made in partnership with Blancpain. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.
There’s a lot of discussion out there when it comes to the most recognisable watch design of all time. For many, that design is a Rolex (though personally I think the classic Swatch would give it a solid run for its money). The debate really starts to heat up when you ask the question of what model. Many would argue that the mighty Submariner claims the prize, while I’m of the school of thought that argues the humbler, more utilitarian Datejust deserves the gong. The Datejust has been around for a long time — it debuted in 1945. What’s amazing, though, is how little the design has changed over the decades — a point that goes a long way to ensuring the design’s longevity. The passage of time has allowed the watch to become enshrined in the language of good design. It’s functional and clean but clearly, and distinctly, Rolex. This model carries so many of those Datejust hallmarks: the fluted bezel, the Oyster bracelet, the Cyclops — not to mention the Oyster case itself. All these things are so quintessentially Rolex. As is the fact that this version is in Rolesor — steel and Everose gold in this case.…
Editor’s note: Baume & Mercier’s flagship dress watch, the Clifton Baumatic, got a deep blue makeover earlier this year, which, combined with the classic styling and impressive movement, makes for a compelling daily dress offering … Baume & Mercier’s foray into the world of in-house movements resulted in one of the biggest value propositions of 2018, the Clifton Baumatic. Well, this year the simple steel watch with an impressive five-day power reserve was the subject of a stylish makeover, in the form of a blue dial. But not just any blue. The cadran bleu, as it’s called, is a deep, dark graduated blue that veers strongly into black territory at its outer limits. It’s not as bold or flashy as some other graduated blue dials, but it’s also a lot more mysterious as black. Dial change aside, everything else is business as usual. The case is 40mm, and the watch comes either on leather (my pick) or a five-link bracelet. The movement is also offered in COSC or non-COSC variants. The COSC option features a sector-style crosshair on the dial. Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic Cadran Bleu pricing Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic Cadran Bleu, from 2400 euro, including tax.