ANNOUNCING: Seiko release stunning blue enamel dial Seiko Presage SPB069 ‘Moonlit Night’ and we have 20 for sale, from midnight AEST tonight
Tonight at midnight we will launch our shop and with it there will be an extremely limited allocation of a watch we’re all pretty struck by: the Seiko Presage SPB069 ‘Moonlit Night’, with a stunning blue enamel dial. What? Shop? Did he say shop? There’s no Time+Tide shop! More about this development tomorrow; this post is dedicated to the watch. Because there is, surprisingly – as the Japanese brand has a habit of leaving the editorialising to the media – quite a bit of detail and colour to report. Other key details, it is 40.5mm wide, has a sapphire crystal and is powered by a 6R15 movement. It comes on a blue alligator strap. The name gives much away about its romantic, dare we even say, poetic roots. Seiko do not usually name their watches. This makes them very difficult to tell your friends about. Unless, of course, you have a beautiful mind, and can rattle off Seiko references. Which describes no one in the Time+Tide team. So, long before we saw any images, when we heard the ‘SPB069’ was going to be named the ‘Moonlit Night’ our interest was piqued. Seiko have gone from one extreme to the other with this evocative timepiece.…
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Silas Walton (@A_Collected_Man) is the founder of A Collected Man, an online platform based in London, selling rare watches around the world. Silas loves beautiful watches, well-made clothes, and the inside of a Cessna 152 at 10,000 feet. Hi Silas, what’s your daily watch and why? During the working week I wear a vintage Patek Philippe 3940G. I have relatively slim wrists, love Perpetual Calendars and am fascinated by anything powered by a Micro-Rotor movement, so it’s a natural fit. So, what else is in your collection? Have you got a favourite? I’ve sold a lot of my earlier pieces, but I love wearing the new Omega Speedmaster ’57 in my downtime, and I’ve recently taken delivery of a Laurent Ferrier Micro-Rotor. It’s definitely competing with the 3940G for wrist-time. What do you look for, in terms of criteria, when buying a watch? I’m very grounded when it comes to buying watches. I’ve learnt that I’ve often regretted previous, impulsive decisions, so, first, I make sure I really, genuinely want the watch. I ask myself if it truly fits my taste. My watch is the only important accessory that I wear on a daily basis. It has to fit me…
The story in a second: Maybe it didn’t get to the moon, but this Speedmaster still excites. Earlier this week, we ran a video review of the black-dialled Omega Speedmaster Racing Master Chronometer. Well, we liked it so much we thought we’d go into a little more detail, with the very different feeling grey-dialled version. The case It’s a Speedmaster, so no real surprises with the case. It looks and feels much like every other Speedmaster, except for its contemporary dimensions: it clocks in larger than your regular Speedy, at a not insubstantial 44.25mm wide, but it wears well, and sits comfortably on the wrist, thanks to a very reasonable sub-15mm height. The case is mostly brushed, with the exception of that sinuous polished line that stretches from lug-tip to lug-tip, adding an air of elegance to an otherwise utilitarian case. The dial Speaking of elegance, this dial variation is by far the dandiest. The black we showed you earlier is an undeniable classic, and there’s a white version, but this sunburst grey number is the real winner in my books. And not just because the grey is so mutable in the light. No, what really sets this dial apart…
Seiko dive watches are a perennial favourite. They’re tough-as, look the business, and have a history as long and proud as any. Whether it’s the coveted SLA017, or the classic Turtle, they’ve got a strong rep, and cult following. The Seiko faithful are going to be very happy with this latest limited edition – the SRPC49K, which we’ve taken the liberty of nicknaming ‘the night diver’ (I’m really hoping this catches on). We’re going to let these stunning pictures do most of the talking, but here are the details we have so far: The SRPC49K is a blacked-out variant of the Turtle, with a mix of matt and gloss finishes on the 45mm case, and a matching monochromatic bezel. The dial is classic Seiko diver, with the iconic Lumibrite plots, hands and that day/date display. There are the little details we’ve come to expect, like the Suwa ‘sword’ at 12, and the Prospex logo at six, but, really, it’s all about the colour. Orange is the order of the day, and not the sort of high-vis fluro orange you typically get on dive watches (having said that, the minute hand is pretty bright). No, the orange on display here is…
Today we chat to banker and self-described vintage watch hoarder Jack Wong, who’s not so anonymous online as @jackwongyf. From where we’re sitting, the Jack Wong lyf looks pretty good. Hi Jack, what’s your daily watch and why? To be honest, I don’t have a daily watch, I usually pick something to go with the day’s mood. So then, what is in your collection and have you got a favourite? I do not focus on one brand, or one particular era, as I believe every brand and period has their best. Having said that, I am particularly fond of Longines, Omega, Seiko, Rolex and pieces from the ’30s, ’40s and ’60s. As for my favourite, that’s a tough question. Aesthetically, I love all my sector dial watches. Mechanically, I am still in awe of my FPJ tourbillon. In regards to finishing and innovation, I’d go for my Grand Seiko Spring Drive. Rarity wise, my Longines (Mushroom Pusher) 13zn. You can probably tell by now, I don’t really have a favourite. Tell us about your most recent purchase, why is it special? I have to say it would be my Omega 26.5 CK859 two-tone Sector dial. It is special because, to…
A few weeks ago, I spent the Melbourne Cup long weekend with some extra company, specifically two references from the Bulgari Octo collection. Now, let me just say right off the bat, when it comes to the Bulgari timepieces, the Octo Finissimo collection has had pretty much all my attention since the Automatic dropped earlier this year at Baselworld. So when the opportunity arose to test drive a couple of ‘other’ Octos, I was keen to explore what else was on offer. I decided on two (very) different pieces, with both work and play in mind, which stood out to my particular tastes. For ‘work’, I opted for the Octo Roma in 18 karat rose gold. I love gold, so it wasn’t exactly a hard choice. For my ‘play’ option, I grabbed an Octo Ultranero, which you can read about later this week. My first impression was … a big ‘wow’ when I took the brown dial into the sunlight. ‘Brown’ doesn’t do justice to this charismatic, dynamic, ever-changing dial. Depending on lighting, the lacquered surface would change from a very dark brown to more of a chestnutty colour. And, in the brightest of sunlight, even a rich burgundy. It really…
This morning, as I sipped my morning coffee and perused YouTube, I noticed a video in my ‘suggested feed’, titled ‘I just bought a 3,000,000 watch’. Obviously, I was intrigued, and couldn’t resist clicking through. As I skimmed through the video, it was apparent that YouTube star Logan Paul, who posted the video, didn’t actually buy a $3 million dollar watch – he just tried it on (it was a very impressive Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, ref 6300 FWIW). He did, however, purchase his first Rolex, and a rather nice one at that. Now, quickly – for those of you wondering who Logan Paul is – pull your head out of the sand and ask anyone you know who’s under the age of 25. Pegged to be the first ‘social media billionaire’, he boasts over 13 million YouTube subscribers, 15.4 million Instagram followers, and 16 million Facebook ‘likes’. He’s a social media juggernaut, a 22-year-old college dropout who’s worked out how to capitalise multiple social media platforms, and is nailing it. So, what did he buy? Well, during a promotional trip to Dubai, Logan treated himself to a Rolex Day-Date II, in platinum with an ice blue dial, and Roman…
John, AKA @barnfindwatches, is a family man and a certifiable watchaholic. In his spare time, he runs the sales organisation for a small software company in Los Angeles, meaning he travels all around the US, meeting with customers and seeing places in the country that few would ever (voluntarily) go. How do you unwind? Although I like to play basketball or run with the dog (which I need to do far, far more), mostly I live and breathe watches in my free time. Nightly, I browse the internet researching watches, mostly scouring eBay and IG. It is a bit embarrassing to think about the hours I have spent throughout the years on the internet. In fact, eBay just thanked me for 20 years of customer loyalty (I originally joined AuctionWeb in ’97, which became eBay later that year)! I feel like I have earned my PhD in watches, having spent the last quarter of a century reading books from my library (I have hundreds of books, price guides, magazines, Japanese “mooks” and auction catalogues). I also (incompetently) tinker with watches as well. I find it relaxing to diagnose and do the most basic of repairs (changing dials, hands, crowns and…
A little while ago, we put together a list of luxury sports watches and it went – to use a technical term – bananas. There’s something about the combination of utility and exclusivity that really appeals to people. And as I look down at the Laureato on my wrist as I type this, I can honestly say, I get it. Sure, tool-like dive watches and sporty chronographs fill a place in our watch-loving hearts that crave functionality and purpose, but a watch like the Laureato offers something more. Purpose and practicality, with ample lashings of beauty. I mean, just look at how that Clous de Paris dial, or those bracelet links, blaze in the light. This watch looks good in pictures, but it comes alive on the wrist. Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm Australian Pricing Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm, in steel on bracelet, $16,080
A few hours ago, watchmaking’s night of nights – the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève – wrapped up (though we suspect the afterparties may still be in full swing), and 15 prizes, along with a special jury prize, were awarded by the jury. The GPHG awards are often hotly debated, but do, nonetheless, provide an interesting barometer of where the watch industry is at. This year’s winners are an interesting mix of bigger brands and niche players, haute horology and a more mass approach. I also think it’s great to see a focus on commercially minded innovation, which is perhaps indicative of where the industry’s mind is at right now. But that’s enough from me. Here are the winners. MEN’S WATCH PRIZE Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic This hotly tipped favourite is a worthy winner. Read our review here. “AIGUILLE D’OR” GRAND PRIX Chopard L.U.C. Full Strike Chopard has quietly been making excellent watches for years. It just paid off, big time. LADIES’ WATCH PRIZE Chanel Première Camélia Skeleton Chanel’s second manufacture movement is an attractive blend of brand motif and engineering prowess. LADIES’ HIGH-MECH WATCH PRIZE Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Papillon Automate Whimsical. Ingenious. Beautiful. When it comes…