EDITOR’S PICK: Another look at the 50-year-old Monaco, just in time for Baselworld
Editor’s note: The mighty Calibre 11-powered Monaco turned 50 just a few weeks ago, and what better time, with Baselworld 2019 only hours away, to have a look at one of the defining chronographs of our time. Now, this version here is, no doubt, a stone cold classic. But I’ve got to wonder, what has TAG Heuer cooked up to celebrate the big 5-0? Here’s hoping we find out soon. The story in a second: 2015 saw TAG Heuer release the bold Heuer 01, the smart Carrera Connected and a faithful re-edition of one of the most iconic watches ever made – the Monaco. Heuer made a lot of cool watches, but none more so than the Heuer Monaco. Instantly recognisable, thanks to the large square case, and powered by the legendary Calibre 11 automatic chronograph movement, there’s no doubting the Monaco’s cred. But the frosting on the ice-cool cake is Steve McQueen. The King of Cool was a hot property in the ’60s and ’70s, and the prominent placement of the Heuer Monaco on McQueen’s wrist in the 1971 film Le Mans saw the watch enter the pantheon of totemic objects that have come to symbolise the icon for…
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Editor’s note: For some reason, the days before Baselworld always fire up my acquisitive tendencies, however hypothetical. And when it comes to hypotheticals, for watch fans they don’t come much greater than this. One watch. For ever. That’s the question I asked the team last year, and this is what they said … Let me be clear from the outset, this is a ridiculous challenge. It’s clearly hypothetical and I’m pretty sure none of us has any plans to sell our collections and follow through with this. But having said that, it’s a perennial watch party favourite, and can be pretty fun. It’s also a useful challenge for distilling just what it is you like about watches – it’s like mindfulness for watch nerds. Dan’s pick – A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Striking Time My one watch is also my Grail watch. The A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Striking Time. It’s robust enough for everyday wear yet horologically significant to make a statement. I would choose the white gold with black dial version as my preference. I may be forced to have this as my ‘only watch’ regardless – as I’d have to sell or trade everything I own (along with…
Seriously, what better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing than with a traditional gift of gold. And a very special type of 18k gold at that, but a little more on that later. Omega has just dropped its most anticipated release of the year, the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Limited Edition. And I’ve got to say, while I knew something special was coming, my jaw dropped when I saw the news. First, a quick history lesson. On the 20th of July 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the surface of the moon. Leaving their defining footprints in not just the lunar dust but also in the history books. As I’m sure most of you are already aware, during this momentous achievement, Buzz Aldrin was wearing the Omega Speedmaster on his wrist – a reference ST105.012 for those of you playing at home. Marking an incredible moment in time, particularly for the Swiss watch brand with the legacy of the Omega Moonwatch taking flight. However, this brand new limited edition sees its inspiration taken from another equally as cool reference. Omega have re-created one of the most widely…
Even though many look to Rolex as a steadfast, unchanging bastion of the watch world, there are some definite outliers in the field. Bejewelled GMT-Masters, leopard Daytonas (which have now given way to unobtainium rainbow Daytona). These models are so uncommon and special that they do not really skew the public’s view of Rolex as a manufacturer of all-business timepieces. The Rolex Milgauss aims to offer a moment of madness to everyday watch wearers. For years it has been known as the scientist’s watch due to its inherent ability to withstand strong magnetic forces. This is beneficial to absolutely everyone working at CERN and pretty much no one else, but hey, when was the last time you took your Submariner to 300m below the sea? I’m not going to delve into too many technical details but the internal build is as impressive as any other professional watch from this company. The 3131 movement is a familiar workhorse replete with the trademark Parachrom blu hairspring and that strong magnetic shield which lends the Milgauss its purpose in life. So it is another over-engineered tool watch and status symbol? Don’t be so quick to jump to that conclusion as the Milgauss blazes its own trail…
The brief was to write a range of things you’re looking forward to seeing at Baselworld. And yes, I’m looking forward to the new Milgauss as much as anyone, and, like Felix, I want to see some hot hot heat in the 5-10k price point, as well as — like Sandra wished — a regular production Zenith Defy Lab (sweet lord, we really need something new to talk about from a movement POV). But, really, this year’s Basel is going to be like catching up with a mate who’s been through a catastrophic divorce that’s cleaned him out to the tune of 50 mill. Man, am I excited. And it’s all about one thing. The floor plan, baby. Expect to see: A whole new ballgame (and floor plan) Me and old mate Felix have been to Basel a good few times now. And if you played a twisted game of Pin the Tail on the Patek booth, then spin three times and pin one on the first floor of the Omega booth, where we like to convene before our product presentation, we’d be okay. And lastly, for laughs, spin us counterclockwise and meet me for a Louis Roederer in the Jaquet Droz…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, at least for watch heads. Watch fair season is upon us, and with the year’s releases already coming thick and fast, it’s time to look into my sapphire crystal ball and make a few predictions as to what I’d like — and what I hope — to see at Baselworld 2019. Expect to see: New variations of the Tudor Black Bay Experience tells me that we’ll see the rose and shield brand add to its thriving Black Bay stable this year. Not exactly a wild and crazy prediction, but I’m expecting at least a few new variations of the BB dial. Tudor have already dropped a teaser on Instagram, suggesting a change to triangular hour markers from the familiar rectangles that mark the Black Bay’s quarter hours – just as they did with their Submariners in the 1980s. And I wouldn’t be the least surprised to see new colourways for the BB58 or, for that matter, new dial colours all around. Expect to see: Greater coverage of the smaller brands and independents Baselworld was once the biggest and baddest watch fair in the world; however, the past couple of years have seen its…
When the idea was first hatched that we would work with IWC on auctioning a rare-in-this-condition Porsche Design by IWC Ocean 2000 ref 3504 for charity, a name quickly emerged as someone to consult with on the process. Carson Chan is not only the Head of Mission of Greater China for the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH), but he’s also an out and proud superfan of this collaboration between Porsche Design and IWC that was, as we explained in the last story, a victim of its outrageous success. Whenever we would speak about this particular watch, well before this opportunity arose, his excitement and energy level rose alarmingly. It’s only natural that now, barely 12 hours from the end of the auction of the Porsche Design by IWC Ocean 2000 ref 3504, that we unleash the geek beast in Carson, and give you a couple more — I would say fairly salient — reasons to take it off the market for a still-reasonable price. The bidding is currently at $9000AUD ($6400USD, a pinch really). The auction ends at midday tomorrow AEST. Once again, we wish all bidders luck. 1. What makes the Porsche Design by IWC Ocean 2000 ref 3504 a collectible…
Alongside its regular production models, Bremont has long been creating bespoke versions of its watches for personnel in the world’s militaries, customising dials and casebacks with the logos and insignias of their units. These custom-made designs were always limited, however, and only ever made available to those in uniform, while the rest of us civvies could only look on and admire. Well, those days of gazing at a distance are over, and Bremont has just announced an official partnership with the British Ministry of Defence (MoD), sanctioning Bremont as the only luxury watch producer allowed to use the symbols, signs and Heraldic Badges of all three of the Ministry’s services – that is the British Army, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force. In celebration of this momentous occasion, Bremont are also releasing an entirely new range. Dubbed the Bremont Armed Forces Collection, these military models will be available to everyone. No uniform required. Introducing three entirely new designs, with each one drawing its inspiration from the ‘Dirty Dozen’ watches commissioned by the British Army during WW2. The first of the trio is the Bremont Broadsword, and its design is the most reminiscent of the famous, now highly sought-after,…
Bremont is a brand built, to no small degree, around meaningful collaborations — particularly those in the aerospace sector. And of these relationships there’s one that holds pride of place and speaks to the heart of the British brand – Martin-Baker. Martin-Baker has, since 1946, been one of the most important suppliers of ejection seats and escape systems. Their seats are used on more than 80 aircraft types and have saved 7595 lives. This year marks a decade of partnership with Bremont. The watch collection that is the fruit of this partnership is the Martin-Baker line, a decidedly modern take on the aviation watch, and one that’s proven a hit for the brand. Though getting your hands on an MBI is not so easy, as to be eligible you need to have actually seen the business end of a Martin-Baker seat in action. Thankfully for the civvies reading this, this commemorative MBIII is a little more accessible, limited to 310 pieces worldwide. The MBIII/10th is a GMT, with the second timezone hand tipped with a red triangle, a Martin-Baker icon that also appears on the internal GMT bezel and the dial itself (the dial version also features some cool DANGER…
There’s an argument to be made for a subtle sartorial flex (and it’s an argument that Barack Obama definitely won with his Rag & Bone “44” bomber jacket btw). Class, elegance, all that jazz. But there’s an equally strong statement to be made for putting your best foot forward, and expressing yourself. Something these three fellas are very familiar with. Bradley Cooper and his IWC Big Pilot Big Bradley Cooper has been filling out the role of a 21st century interpretation of a classic Hollywood leading man, wearing a pin-sharp Tom Ford tux, and bringing his mum along to the big night. But just because he’s playing it straight in the wrist department, don’t be fooled. The unique IWC Big Pilot Le Petit Prince in red gold adds a distinctive gravitas of its own. Bonus points for the fact that Cooper’s IWC is being auctioned off for charity after the big night. Ryan Seacrest and his Rolex Daytona Ryan Seacrest, he of the ever-flashing teeth and wrist, once again flexed hard at the Academy Awards, wearing his default Daytona. But this time around he left his steel 6263 at home, opting for the power of gold. Perfectly paired with that brocade…