HANDS-ON: The Grand Seiko 140th Anniversary Limited Edition SLGH007 with “Annual Growth Tree Rings” dial in platinum
The Grand Seiko brand and the Seiko Corporation have a lot to celebrate this year. Across Seiko brands, the collections have seen growth all around the globe with more and more people gaining respect and admiration for the Japanese manufacturer, even in the most inclement of market conditions. Last evening, at the global Seiko summit, we learned that the standout performers in 2020 were Grand Seiko and Prospex. A major recent milestone is the 140th anniversary of Seiko, a celebration of the brand’s origins and all of the knowledge and artistry that has been developed and nurtured since. Seiko was a vertical manufacturer before it was cool, amassing a mastery of watch fabrication in practically every facet of timepiece development. We previously saw the introduction of the SBGW260 in rose gold to commemorate the 140th anniversary, but today the SLGH007 joins in on the festivities in honor of the milestone – with its platinum 9 series case, 9SA5 hi-beat dual impulse movement, and gorgeous new “Annual Growth Rings” (also known as “Tree Rings”) dial. The case The 9 Series case is the latest rendition of Grand Seiko’s grammar of design, first embodied by the iconic 44GS from 1967. The platinum…
The post HANDS-ON: The Grand Seiko 140th Anniversary Limited Edition SLGH007 with “Annual Growth Tree Rings” dial in platinum appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
The 140th Anniversary celebrations for Seiko are continuing, hot on the heels of the news that – and this is remarkable – both brands actually experienced growth in key markets in 2020. This was revealed last night in a global summit, along with several new models, including this one. A key reason for the upward trajectory is the fact their products are genuinely unique and distinct in nature. Another aspect that sets Grand Seiko apart from other manufacturers is their proprietary Spring Drive technology that leverages a predominantly mechanical movement with a regulated quartz escapement. The new stainless steel and yellow gold Grand Seiko SBC240 140th Anniversary Limited Edition chronograph uses this Spring Drive tech in a vertical clutch column wheel chronograph GMT caliber and newly developed 12 sided polygonal bezel. The case The Grand Seiko SBC240 140th Anniversary Limited Edition marks the first time the brand has featured a combination of 18k yellow gold and black ceramics. The majority of the case and watch is fashioned in stainless steel, but the 43.8mm x 16.1mm case introduces hints of gold in the framing of the polygonal bezel and the crown and pushers on the 100 meter water-resistant case. In terms of…
Omega is famous for being the official timekeeper of the Olympics and many other sporting events around the world. Their latest release, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M America’s Cup Chronograph, is a fitting tribute to the 36th America’s Cup. To celebrate this intense sailing event, Omega decided to do more than dress up an existing reference in new colours. Instead, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M America’s Cup Chronograph introduces a slew of new upgrades we can only hope make their way onto more models in the catalogue – including new rubber chronograph pushers, chronograph-lock system, and, notably, a quick-release strap system. The 44mm stainless-steel case isn’t the most slim or compact – assuming it shares the same thickness and lug-to-lug measurements of previously released models (17.5mm thick and 52.5mm lug-to-lug). But the action-packed nature of sailing demands a large and highly legible watch – especially when every second counts in a race. While clearly a utility-driven sports watch, this chronograph has a majority satin finish with polished bevels that introduce a hint of elegance to the design. The bezel is made of dial-matching blue ceramic with white enamel inlays for its timing scale. The 300 metre water-resistant case has a…
High-fashion, low rent refers to the playful relationship between the rarified objects in life with the more mass-produced and accessible. G-Shock often delivers great examples of this interplay, whether it’s Tom Sachs’ Casio G-Shock, featured in A Man & His Watch, that he customised with a Hermès-esque Cape Cod double-loop strap, or even the full metal gold-tone G-Shock. These are products that you anticipate to be a dime a dozen but that have, in fact, been executed in a way that nudges them into a far more exclusive bracket. Another great example of high-fashion, low-rent is the Casio G-Shock GA2100-1A (AKA the CasiOak). Thanks to its slimline case profile and octagonal bezel, it presented the watch community with a way to engage with the design of an iconic timepiece – Gerald Genta’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak – a watch that would likely remain forever out of most watch buyers’ reach. So what did we start to see shortly after the CasiOak’s release? Modification kits that anyone could use at home to make their new Casio look a little more refined and Vallée de Joux. Now, modification in the watch world isn’t a new thing. In fact, there is an entire industry…
Let’s not beat around the bush, I can see it too. The Gerald Genta influence is strong here, but in a somewhat butcher presence than other arboreally named references and porthole-alike wristwear. So before you start throwing punches, yes, certain design cues are notable in The Ark from Jacob Veil. But maybe those cues have become popular for a reason so we shouldn’t be too sensitive. Is it a homage? I’d say no, in the same way as the Bell&Ross BR05, once decried and dissected, is now a big success for the very same reasons. The Ark from Jacob Veil certainly has a strong presence, and yes, the main reason for that is the flat-topped, non-octagonal bezel – it’s actually 12-sided (my Latin fails me here) – but it’s delivered in a way that’s weapon-like and tough. Juriaan Rolink, the founder of the brand is refreshingly honest about the Genta inspiration that brings us this more muscular interpretation of Gerald’s immortal designs. Notably, however, there are a few key twists and they include a starting price of $474 USD, which is a knockout price for an automatic with an integrated bracelet. This integrated bracelet pitches this watch straight into the…
When you’re looking for an exciting piece to liven up your collection, you’re most likely to find that point of difference in a watch’s dial tones and textures. But the G-Shock Transparent Series takes a very different approach by allowing the case and strap to do all the talking. Much like a clear, sapphire-cased watch, G-Shock’s latest collection leverages transparent cases and straps in their designs. All of the watches in the series utilise semi-transparent resin cases and straps. The only visible elements that peep through are the case back, the strap buckle and the encasing that holds the module. Each watch’s functionality depends on the module used, but a consistent element across all of these watches are back-lit dials, 200 metres of water resistance and, as always, highly robust case builds that are durable and super-tough. The Transparent White series comprises of the GA2100SKE-7A, DW5600SKE-7, GA700SKE-7A (from left to right). Each of the watches have different sizes and slightly varying functionality. The two most popular models within this trio will probably be the DW56000 and the GA2100, the latter of which is commonly known as the “Casioak”, a watch that’s already surprisingly hard to purchase with stock quickly…
The H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Centre Seconds Swiss Mad Red ticks all my own personal boxes in a big way. The fact that I am a dial man who loves a coloured face and has a marked preference for three-hand watches makes it seem perfect on paper. Fortunately, it’s even better in the metal. First impressions Let’s face it: three hands are the bare necessities that provide all that we genuinely need. I know I keep harping on about a simple mechanical watch being zen-inducing, but I genuinely feel it holding a delightful piece like this in my hand. It’s no secret that H.Moser & Cie are masters of abyss-like fume dials. But still, they manage to surprise me with small but incremental twists as they push their cheeky brand of modernity. The moment you put this watch on, what strikes you is a soft feeling of comfort with the rally-style vented rubber strap fitting the thick-lugged tool case. The size of 42.8mm is larger than I would usually expect to enjoy, but the design dynamics of the Pioneer case imbues it with a smooth comfort that’s visually invigorated by the magic of that candy dial. The case and…
Before we dig into the Rolex Submariner 114060, I want to set the record straight on Submariner nomenclature. There is no such thing as the “Submariner No-Date” in the Rolex catalogue. The Rolex Submariner does not have a date window or cyclops magnification, that complication is reserved for the Submariner Date. This rampant mis-naming of the Submariner stems from the fact the date model is the more recognised and sought after of the two – at least by the masses. Some collectors, myself included, prefer the original Submariner design for its clean, symmetrical and dateless dial. It displays all the analogue information a diver requires – I don’t think you really need to know the date when diving into the ocean. If you’re planning on staying under the surface that long, you have other more pressing issues to worry about. The case The 904L stainless steel case is 40mm in diameter, 48mm lug to lug across the wrist (without including the fixed end links of the bracelet), and 12.5mm thick. The case is predominantly satin finished on its front, with the case sides mirror polished. The Rolex Submariner 114060 has a larger presence than its predecessors, but in my opinion…