Review – Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar – The Accessible, Everyday QP

Earlier this year, Frederique Constant, the brand known for its accessible luxury focus, entered the crowded and hyperactive market of the sports watch with its Highlife collection. In addition to the classic time-and-date and Heart Beat models, a third and far more complex iteration was launched in the form of a perpetual calendar. In the rarefied […]

5 years ago

Review – Unusual and Full of Charm, the MeisterSinger Astroscope (Video)

MeisterSinger is a young German brand founded in 2001 which has built its reputation on a simple, original display: a single-hand indication of the time. The idea was to offer enthusiasts something different, something with a certain philosophy of life, where things are slowed down, the single-hand removing the constant reminder of the passage of […]

5 years ago

INTRODUCING: The Return of the King with the revived King Seiko KSK SJE083

King Seiko KSK SJE083If you’re a regular reader of Time+Tide, you’re no doubt familiar with both Seiko and the delectably finished Grand Seiko, but you might never have heard of King Seiko. Seiko stopped producing King Seiko watches in the mid-1970s, and have never made them again … until now. The new King Seiko KSK SJE083 is set to hit stores in January 2021, and will be a hugely exciting moment for the legions of devoted Seiko enthusiasts itching to see the first watch to bear the King Seiko name in decades. Back in the 1960s, Seiko split their Suwa-based business entities to promote competition within the organisation. This was designed to drive the two new factory locations to become more competitive against European watchmakers. High-end watches were to be produced by Grand Seiko in the Suwa Seikosha factory, while King Seiko pieces were to be made in the Daini Seikosha location. As a result, Grand Seiko was first produced in 1960 (with the brand celebrating its 60th anniversary this year), while the first King Seiko was launched a year later in 1961. In 1965, the latter released the King Seiko KSK (the original reference was 44-9990), the template for the all-new King…

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5 years ago

Back in the office? Cheer yourself up with the help of a new work watch

Back to work watchesEditor’s note: Here at Time+Tide, we not only want to cover all of the best watch releases in the articles we write but also offer some of those watches at the Time+Tide Marketplace. We work hard to make sure the pieces we are proud to offer in our Marketplace are not only quality watches that we would love to have in our own collections, but also horologically interesting and watches we believe would find happy homes in our readers’ collections. So with that out of the way, let’s take a look at five back-to-work watches that are currently available at the Time+Tide Marketplace and would look great on your wrist as we slowly make our way back to our offices after COVID. DOXA SUB 300T   Is the dress watch dead? Look at Oscar night: film stars in tuxedos on the red carpet with large steel sports watches popping out from under their cuff. What does this have to do with the tough DOXA SUB 300? Well, everything. It means that you can beat off those back-to-work blues with an iconic vintage diver from DOXA. You no longer need to relegate your favourite dazzling coloured tool watch to weekend wear.…

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5 years ago

INTRODUCING: The CODE41 DAY41 is batshit crazy (in the best possible way)

CODE41 DAY41The whole idea of a microbrand is to do things differently from major watchmakers. Whether that be better bang for buck, experimenting with unusual materials, or just creating wacky designs, any taste can be catered for as long as enough interest can be found through Kickstarter. Over the years, the taste of the mainstream has crept into the micro world too, flooding the market with vintage-style dive watches powered by entry-level Japanese movements. While there’s nothing wrong with that model — in fact, some are absolutely great — CODE41 return to the original ethos of being unafraid to experiment. The DAY41 is their latest example, and it begs to be stared at. The DAY41 began life as a concept for a women’s watch, though as it took shape, it revealed itself to prove that any watch can be gender-neutral as long as you enjoy how it looks. The availability to order it in 37mm or 40mm isn’t just designated to the gender binaries, as the personalisation to order whichever case finish and strap style you want allows you to make it as masculine or as feminine as you’re inclined, without worrying if it will fit your wrist properly. The only exceptions to…

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5 years ago

MICRO MONDAYS: The Eugen Wegner One is the watch to revive the family fortunes

Eugen Wegner OneIt isn’t easy for just anyone to become a watch manufacturer. It takes determination, know-how and a passion for watchmaking to claim that dwindling slice of the sales pie not consumed by the larger conglomerates. But fortunately there are those taking big strides, while putting their own spin on modern horology. Eugen Wegner is a brand recently revived by Jonas Bley – the great-great grandson of Eugen himself – who is looking to drive the watchmaker forward. Jonas has brought three new watches to the table: the Hevelius (39mm time-only), Phoenix (time and date), and our primary focus today, the Eugen Wegner One chronograph. The Eugen Wegner One is the most complicated of the trio, a heritage-inspired chronograph that evokes classic design in today’s marketplace. The backstory   In 1897, the brand established its first workshop in Gdańsk, Poland. Eugen Wegner, an award-winning young watchmaker from Germany, quickly gained a reputation for creating high-quality timepieces. With the help of his wife, his creations became highly sought-after throughout the region and demand for his work grew. A few decades later, Eugen Wegner’s first-born son entered the business in 1920 after spending some time in South America with fellow competitor Hans-Ulrich of…

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5 years ago

MICRO MONDAYS: The Zero West TT-58 gets revved up with Aston Martin’s panache

Zero West TT-58We recently covered up-and-coming British manufacturer Zero West, and their Spitfire S4-P9427 aviation watch. But pilot’s watches are not the only horological ace up their sleeve, they also encapsulate great moments in British history on land and sea. Across all three lines, one common theme they share are distinctive cases and aesthetics that can only be construed as Zero West. Founders Andrew Brabyn (designer) and Graham Collins (ex-black ops military engineer) truly work to make creations that stand out from the norm and rework heritage inspirations in fresh forms. Today, let’s dig in to one of their British automotive-inspired timepieces, the Zero West TT-58. The backstory The Zero West TT-58 was inspired by the sixth and final round of the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy held in West Sussex. Renowned as the world’s oldest continuous motor race, the event drew competitors from all over the globe. The drivers behind the Aston Martin cars, Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks, were dominant from the start and soon established a sizeable lead over their fellow racers. According to Zero West, “The race was frantic and saw some accidents and mechanical failures. Multiple pit stops ensued but the David Brown Aston Martins finished 1-2-3,…

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5 years ago

HANDS-ON: The Bremont Hawking in white gold is a brief history in time of its own

Bremont Hawking in white goldI got to wear this icon-inspired Bremont Hawking in white gold for a brief moment in time, which is particularly apt given its association with Stephen Hawking. Here’s my ten pennies’ worth on the watch. Truth be told, I am desperate for this watch not to disappoint because Hawking is a hero of mine I’d like nothing to ever taint. I went through similar emotions when Omega-loving Eddie Redmayne portrayed Hawking in the British physician’s very own Hollywood blockbuster. Fortunately, Redmayne came through with the goods and won an Oscar. It made me happy that someone of Hawking’s great scientific importance and intellect had been further eulogised and made culturally more relevant because of it.  So, no pressure, Bremont — as long as this watch wins some awards at next year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, we’ll be sweet.   Jokes aside, the thing about collaborations, partnerships, pairings – however you want to describe them – they need to feel authentic by possessing actual meaning and synergy. With a luxury market now rife with brands and personalities looking to make a quick buck or million, a successful one requires a solid backbone for any hype garnered to be able to subsequently…

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5 years ago

VIDEO: The remarkable bang for buck of the Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic Automatic COSC and Day Date Moon Phase

Baumatic Automatic COSC and Day Date Moon PhaseAs a brand, Baume & Mercier presents a lot of benefits to its consumers. They have established themselves as a luxury watch manufacturer that aims to present some of the best builds for the best dollar. It would be fair to say that what Longines represents to the Swatch Group is what Baume & Mercier means within the Richemont group. With the Clifton Baumatic Automatic COSC and Day Date Moon Phase, Baume & Mercier bring undeniable value to the consumer with watches that technically punch far above their price point. With upgrades such as silicon hairsprings, 120 hours of power reserve, and quick-release style straps and bracelets, it is really hard to find dealbreakers within the specifications of these offerings. The Automatic COSC is a reliable yet elegant daily wearer, perfect for the office, and the Day Date Moon Phase stretches the offering even further with highly desirable complications. The shaded lacquer dials create an attractive gradient that brings increased depth to the overall aesthetic of each watch, proving that more approachable priced watches do not have to compromise quality and can still compete in today’s marketplace for even the most picky enthusiasts and buyers. Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic…

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5 years ago

In-Depth – The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold

Today, we’ll review a special watch… Sure, it looks stunning, but there’s far more to this watch than its pretty face. The 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold represents many things. First of all, it’s always a pleasure to see an A. Lange & Söhne made of 18k Honeygold, the brand’s proprietary gold alloy, always reserved for special […]

5 years ago