INTRODUCING: The Melbourne born and bred John Roberts Wristwatches Archetype collection
It isn’t often that the brands we review are homegrown right here in Melbourne, but that’s exactly the case with John Roberts Wristwatches. Melbourne is a really, really long way from Switzerland (just ask Andrew about the long-haul flights to Baselworld over the years). But despite the tyranny of distance, the first John Roberts Wristwatches Archetype collection has several compelling features that are cause for serious consideration. In essence, the Archetype is a modern realisation of a mid-century dress watch. And if you’re looking for a place in horological history to plant a flag for your first watch, the unofficial but universally regarded golden age of watch design is a good place to do it. The Archetype is available with either a Swiss-made automatic or quartz movement, as well as three different dial colours of blue, white and charcoal, which offer a good range of options right from the word go. The particularly interesting thing about all six of the new Archetype references is that the closer you look, the more details you see that make you realise this is a collection that’s been meticulously thought through. While the Sellita SW200 powering the automatic references is relatively ubiquitous for a…
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More often then not, when we take a deep dive into a watch release, we explore creations billed for men. The idea of gendered watches is becoming more and more contested and, quite frankly, when it comes to spending your hard-earned money you should be able to wear whatever you want. The Bulgari Serpenti, however, is completely designed with a lady’s wrist in mind – although gentlemen feel free to explore if you think you have the fashion chops to pull it off. As the Roman Jeweller of Time, Bulgari has the ability to create watches that showcase how the externals of a watch can be just as complex as its internals. As a brand they experiment with distinct design formats and gem-setting that can only stem from their in-house expertise and know-how. This fusion of top-notch artisanal skillsets has resulted in the latest trio of updates to the Serpenti Spiga line of watches that were originally introduced in 2014. The Serpenti Spiga watch, as its name implies, takes the shape of a serpent or snake. It’s coiled design conforms to the wrist, like a snake trapping its prey – the difference here being you get to decide how tight.…
To update an icon, Omega have always understood that the path must be evolution rather than revolution. So what did they do on the first Speedy Tuesday of 2021? They showed the world what the next step was down the path of the Speedmaster Moonwatch. Eight new references were announced, including options in Sedna gold and Canopus gold, plus steel with hesalite or sapphire crystal over the dial, to welcome in the all new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer collection. Carefully walking the line between preserving the past and preparing for the future, Omega have updated only a few key areas of the Speedmaster, including a new movement across the entire range, an updated bracelet and a slightly more compact case. These changes retain the core of what makes the Speedy a watch that is as popular as it is historically important, while bringing it into the 21st century of space flight. Without a doubt, this is the most significant overhaul to the Omega Speedmaster in decades, and it is an exciting one. With an improved movement that is more robust, accurate and likely to have longer intervals between services, as well as a redesign of the case and bracelet…
Vintage-inspired watches have been selling like hotcakes for a few years now, and there’s no sign of their popularity slowing down. And to be honest, I can understand why. Design from the golden age of watchmaking in the middle of last century, blended with all of the perks of modern watchmaking – what’s not to like? It’s like getting in a time machine and not needing to worry that you’ll get stuck in the past without your smartphone. As it turns out, you can have your cake and eat it too. It’s that design ethos that we see in the latest collection from Farer in the Field Watch Collection, which offer the best of no-nonsense British tool watch design, with a robust Swiss-made caliber inside. There are three references to choose from, each with their own personalities thanks to their different coloured dials that all offer a slightly different presence on the wrist. The case The Farer Field Watch Collection features three different watches that share most of the same specifications on paper, apart from the colours on their dials. Measuring an almost universally perfect 38.5mm in diameter and sitting just 12.3mm tall, they are well sized to feel compact,…
Britain has a long history of horological greatness, having lead the way in innovation thanks to the likes of Thomas Tompion and John Harrison. Today, Farer is a brand that continues to fly the flag for passionate UK watchmakers. Established in 2015, Farer has released a number of heritage-inspired collections. Their philosophy is underpinned by seeking the best operators for the task at hand, using the contemporary watchmaking know-how of Switzerland and blending it with their own British watch design. This year they have announced a new collection in the Farer Field Watch Collection that fuses heritage inspiration with a modern vibrancy that is hard to ignore. With three new references sitting within this latest collection, there are options with green, blue and white dials. Apart from the dials, the rest of the specifications are consistent across the collection with stainless-steel cases that measure 38.5mm in diameter and sit a relatively compact 12.3mm off the wrist. With 200m of water resistance guaranteed, these watches will be able to handle all the surf sessions and spelunking trips you can throw at them. If you’re looking for something that can accompany you on your next camping trip, or just a slightly more…
Last July, the Melbourne Metropolitian Fire Brigade merged with the Victorian Country Fire Authority and formed the Fire Rescue Victoria. This, however, meant the retirement of the MFB organisation name after a long history for the brigade dating back to 1891. To celebrate that illustrious history, members of the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade decided that a commemorative watch would make the perfect memento and reached out to us here at Time+Tide to help make it happen. When we were initially approached to facilitate a custom watch, it was immediately clear that William Wood watches would be the perfect fit. The brand’s heritage and legacy is rooted in honouring the brave men and women who serve as firefighters, so who better to help the MFB do just that? So it happened that in late 2020, Time+Tide organised in conjunction with William Wood, a customised watch for members of the MFB. William Wood was the name of brand founder Jonny Garrett’s late grandfather. For more than 25 years, William Wood served in the British Fire Service, winning commendations for his acts of bravery. He was stationed at Pilgrim Street for the Newcastle & Gateshead Fire Brigade, serving on the Blue Watch. Sadly,…
Any watch enthusiast whose tastes gravitate towards dive or tool watches will be familiar with the Seiko Prospex collection. It’s the bulletproof, no-nonsense collection that Seiko produce with the professional outdoors person in mind, hence the name Prospex – contracted from Professional Specifications. The Prospex line is now bolstered with the all-new Seiko SPB207, SLA047 and SSC807 – three new references to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Japanese watchmaker. These are the first of what we anticipate will be another interesting collection of releases this year as Seiko mark 140 years since founder Kintaro Hattori established the company in 1881, at the precocious age of 21. This collection of three dive watches was specifically inspired by the island of Iriomote in Okinawa Prefecture, a popular diving spot surrounded by diverse flora. This lush, green environment is expressed in the green dials of all three watches, the verdant shade making them very easy to read. All three of the new references feature stark black bezels that nicely frame the green dials, and gold seconds hands that attract just the right amount of attention. Seiko SPB207 First up we have the Seiko SPB207, which follows the design of a contemporary re-interpretation…
Grand Seiko gets a lot of attention from collectors that’s well-deserved for the incredible artistry it delivers. If the Swiss were even capable of paralleling this Japanese craft and philosophy, the resulting products would likely be far more expensive. Grand Seiko continually brings high craftsmanship and value to the table, the brand name truly built on the merits of their products. While we typically see more steel and titanium watches from the brand, they are no stranger to precious metals. Zaratsu finishes on steel and titanium are absolutely exquisite in every way, but there is something about Zaratsu on precious metals that is downright phenomenal. The limited-edition Grand Seiko SBGW264 pairs an elegant Zaratsu-finished precious metal case, with a gorgeous green dial that needs to be experienced in the metal. The case The rose-gold case of the Grand Seiko SBGW264 is 39mm in diameter and 11.6mm thick making it the perfect size for a wide spectrum of wrists and slender enough to slide easily beneath a shirt cuff. The case is splash-resistant, so while you cannot swim with this precious watch you don’t have to feel like Indiana Jones swapping out the idol in Temple of Doom when washing your…