A WEEK ON THE WRIST: The Hublot Big Bang Integral King Gold is a watch that demands attention

Hublot Big Bang Integral King GoldEditor’s note: Andrew walked through the door of the Time+Tide office one afternoon in February and looked down at his wrist. “It’s a watch that can wear you if you’re not careful,” he said, gaze still fixed on the Hublot Big Bang Integral King Gold that he was wearing. A strong statement from a man who has spent the last decade or so with an untold number of watches. So why does it have such an impact?  After spending a week with the Hublot Big Bang Integral King Gold, Andrew explains what this new design offers in gold.  T+T: When did you first see it and what was your first impression? Andrew McUtchen: I first saw it at Dubai Watch Week and was immediately captivated by the reflections on the bracelet and the way that the bracelet locked up with that recognisable case in a way that, to me, reinvented the Big Bang as a design proposition. Why is the Integral such a significant design change for the Big Bang collection? The reason the bracelet is such a big deal is because the Big Bang has been built on a of the “art of fusion” ever since its launch. This…

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4 years ago

Video – Reviewing The New Fortis Flieger Collection, The “Flieger Reimagined”

“There is no function without design and there is no design without function…” This is how Fortis, a brand best-known for crafting rugged, functional pilot’s watches, set the tone when introducing its new, fully reimagined Flieger collection last year. Since 1987, the Fortis Flieger collection has been a reference for pilot watches. Instrumental, no-nonsense watches with durability […]

4 years ago

INTRODUCING: The new Seiko Prospex 1959 Alpinist Modern Re-Interpretation

Neo-vintage? Vintage-inspired?  Take your pick with this new interpretation of the Alpinist. Personally, I love it, I’m still happily surfing on the vintage wave – somewhat more like a tsunami at times, and haven’t had my fill of nostalgia yet. Seiko gave us what we wanted in 2020, but there’s no stopping them in this 140th anniversary year. After releasing a fresh new take on the Alpinist last autumn, here is a brand new vision for the series in the Seiko Prospex 1959 Modern Re-Interpretation, a strong trio of references that reimagine what many cite as Seiko’s first sports watch that was build to meet the robust demands of mountain climbers. My personal challenge is simply to keep up with the releases, as the production might of Seiko is apparently impervious to mere pandemics. We were genuinely delighted last week when we saw the launch of a pure vintage Alpinist vision on a bund strap, and now we have a complementary trio with a slightly more modern touch, while not losing their retro panache. Do a quick take on the images and you’ll spot what are still strong vintage cues, albeit in a clean-cut case that’s more pronounced in its…

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4 years ago

HANDS-ON: The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time is a seriously luxurious travel watch

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual TimeThe Vacheron Constantin Overseas collection represents sports watch pedigree through and through and the Dual Time is no exception. While the collection features everything from simple three-handed time-only watches all the way to tourbillons and perpetual calendars, arguably the most important complication for a sports watch is the GMT function. After all, what self-respecting professional athlete in the 21st century isn’t jet-setting around the world as they compete, skipping time zones like a stone over a pond. If that’s the lifestyle you’re living, then the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time is not only an interesting take on a contemporary watch by a very traditional watchmaker, but it also just makes sense. The case The 41mm stainless steel case features the angular design that you see across the entire Overseas collection, which draws clear historical inspiration from the first Vacheron Constantin sports watch from 1977, the ref. 222. The ref. 222 was released in 1977 in response to the moves by both Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet to produce steel sports watches with their Nautilus and Royal Oak collections respectively. While the two sports watches from the other two members of the Swiss Holy Trinity were designed by the legendary Gerald…

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4 years ago

VIDEO: The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time offers fine watchmaking for an active lifestyle

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual TimeIn 2021, every brand has a luxury stainless-steel sports watch. But when the concept was born in the 1970s, there was less than a handful of brands who made the leap into the brave new world that left precious metal in the past. One of those brands was Vacheron Constantin with the ref. 222 designed by the German watchmaker Jorg Hysek. In 1996, the design had new life breathed into it with the Overseas collection, which stood tall as a luxury sports watch that delivered fine watchmaking for an active lifestyle. Today, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas collection continues to evolve. The current third generation features arguably the most practical luxury steel sports watch yet in terms of functionality, in the form of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time with black dial. With a 41mm stainless steel case, this watch arrives with three strap choices. Immediately the focus is clear. It’s a watch that you can dress up or down as a collection cornerstone for any enthusiast looking to get maximum mileage out of their watches. From the bezel to the bracelet, there are references to the Maltese cross that forms the Vacheron Constantin emblem with the level of finishing you…

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4 years ago

Hands-on – The Edox SkyDiver Neptunian Deep Dive Watch

When it comes down to choosing an accessible dive watch, there are plenty of options to consider. Understandably, it isn’t too difficult to create a watch with a 200m water-resistance and stylish look. When it comes to a true deep diver’s watch, capable of withstanding extreme pressures, and fully equipped for saturation diving, the story […]

4 years ago

INTRODUCING: The Seiko Presage Sharp Edged GMT Collection oozes robust elegance

Seiko Presage Sharp Edged GMTThe force is strong with Seiko and it’s clear they are not holding back this year with some fantastic new releases. The Sharp Edged Presage collection is known for its robust elegance, featuring eye-catching dials in highly scratch and water-resistant cases. Previously we all had a plethora of dials to admire in the time and date format. For those who want a little more complication, Seiko has now introduced the Seiko Presage Sharp Edged GMT collection. The stainless-steel cases of the Seiko Presage Sharp Edged GMT collection are all 42.2mm in diameter, 13.7mm thick and a manageable 49.2mm lug-to-lug across the wrist. The sharp and angular geometry of the case is reminiscent of a creation from Grand Seiko, but with a level of finishing more in line with Seiko’s price point. The lug hoods are nicely satin brushed, with the caseband and outer squared facet of the lugs mirror polished. The contrasting finishes result in a sporty yet elegant timepiece that plays well with light. The cases are 100 metres water-resistant, which means you can safely explore all environments with the watch. And considering it is a GMT, you can utilise the 24-hour hand and black 24-hour bezel to keep…

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4 years ago

Hands-on – The A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Outsize Date With Argenté Dial

Coinciding with the thirtieth anniversary of the revival of A. Lange & Söhne, a new argenté version of the Saxonia Outsize Date was released in December 2020 to sit alongside the existing black dial models of 2018. Identical in specifications to the 2018 Outsize Date, the novelty here was a new silvery-coloured dial. What might […]

4 years ago

The 5 most baller watches from our NOW buying guide including Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Hublot and Louis Vuitton

According to the Urban Dictionary, the definition of a baller is: “A person that makes shit happen. Without additional context, ‘baller’ typically is assumed to imply demonstrated ability in generating prodigious amounts of cash money, and/or a proficiency with creating frequent and mind-blowing sexual opportunities (note the non-gender specific reference, implying that ballers can be men or women, gay or straight — it is a matter of perspective).” If this be you, finding your wrist-match in our NOW magazine is a joyful experience, as even the smallest picture of any of these sparkly wrist-jewels will induce a Cheshire Cat grin. I’ll even start by cheekily suggesting a “womens” watch as an introduction as gender specifications are dying out, and frankly I want this particular AP for myself. Here are five killers from Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Hublot and Louis Vuitton Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Frosted Gold Flying Tourbillon Truth be told, if the glittering delight of the frosted gold and the nine-word designation of this tour de force from Audemars Piguet didn’t captivate you, we’ll book you an appointment with a psychiatrist. With its stippled gold surface and multi-tiered sunburst blue dial, this women’s Royal Oak Concept was nothing…

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4 years ago

VIDEO: The Rolex Explorer II Ref. 216570 is the unsung hero in the Professional series

Rolex Explorer II Ref. 216570Each of the models in the Rolex Professional series is a tool watch made for a man on a mission. While the Submariner and Sea-Dweller are diving watches, the Rolex Explorer II was originally built in 1971 for speleologists or cave explorers who required a sturdy, functional and highly legible watch while working in almost total darkness.  Fortunately, it’s proven to be sufficiently versatile for other pursuits.  The Rolex Explorer II Ref. 216570 is the model’s most recent incarnation and, if you know Rolex by their divers, you’ll be surprised by its no-nonsense toughness, instrument-like dial, and crisp black and white hand set. My favourite detail? That would have to be the big orange GMT arrow. The 42mm case is true to its size and, while the black dial version might slim it down a tad, the polar white dial here is intensely legible and perfectly balanced. There’s something alluring about the perfect whiteness of the dial surface which, with its chunky indices framed in black, works so well with the black Mercedes hands. It might all have been a bit too perfect and monochrome had it not been for the zingy EXPLORER II wording and GMT hand that are…

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4 years ago