HANDS-ON: The virile vitality of the Hublot Big Bang Millennial Pink
Conversations around gender politics are mostly avoided within the watch world, for a multitude of reasons. Arguments tend to get in the way of the mutual appreciation for the hobby, just like any contentious topic, but there is a glaring problem with how most companies go about their watch marketing. Opinions aside, that absolutely anyone can wear whatever they want is a fact. Hublot have made moves towards letting the watches speak for themselves with the limited edition Hublot Big Bang Millennial Pink — a watch that rides the fine line between masculinity and femininity in an attempt to be truly gender-neutral. Without the colour, the model is based on Hublot’s other UNICO 2 42mm chronograph models, but the colour is what completely defines the watch. The name ‘Millennial Pink’ throws up a lot of confusing implications, but the shade itself is quite entrancing. With notes of sandy-beige and salmon, it’s hard to believe the neutrality of the colour, which is undeniably pink. It’s not quite pastel, nor full-on peach, keeping you guessing whenever you check the time. Though the case, skeletonised dial and strap all match, the uniformity is broken up by the subtle changes in form and texture…
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Last night saw the Phillips’ and Blackbird thematic auction Retrospective: 2000 – 2020 play out, with some truly incredible watches reaching truly incredible prices. Two that I wanted to focus on were a pair of watches that are at the same time very similar and very different. Both are handmade. Both are three-handed dress watches in precious metal. Both could be argued as examples of the finest watchmaking from their respective countries. However one is from Switzerland, and the other is from Japan. I am of course talking about the Philippe Dufour Simplicity 20th Anniversary No. 00/20 and the Seiko Credor Eichi II in platinum. Despite being produced on different sides of the globe, both of these watches have a story that is more intertwined than you might expect. It is well documented that Mr. Dufour himself was a teacher to the master watchmakers at the Micro Artist Studio at Seiko’s factory in Shiojiri. Specifically sharing his knowledge of movement decoration and how to make watches that would have longer lives on the wrists of their owners. In this sense, it is a story that is already set up with Philippe Dufour as the master, and the watchmakers of the Micro Artist…
Watch modification is now rampant throughout the watch community. From modded Seiko watches to blacked-out Rolex Milgauss pieces in Hollywood, a desire to personalise a watch and make it more of your own has always been an aspect of the watch industry. While some may opt for an engraved caseback, others have gone the route of completely overhauling the aesthetics of their watches. Like Hublot birthing the trend of rubber-strapped precious metal watches, someone has to be credited with starting the modding mayhem. Cue George Bamford, and the Bamford Watch Department. The backstory For George’s 18th birthday, the story goes, he was offered a Rolex Daytona as a gift. Most people would be content with the venerated watch, but while attending a dinner party, soon after receiving the watch, he noticed that half of those in attendance were wearing the exact same watch. This got George thinking. Born from a desire to have something that would stand out and be different from the herd, George approached his family business and asked if it would be possible to change the colour of his watch. As a result of his request, a DLC coating was applied to the case and bracelet of…
I’m not alone in considering the Rolex Explorer one of the best examples of clean, sharp, monochromatic watches out there. But it’s fair to ask – for any of a host of very fair reasons – what are the best Rolex Explorer alternatives if you can’t get a direct path to the Crown? It’s not easy, as we’re looking at one of the cleanest designs out there, with superb comfort to boot. And let’s face it — it’s not a tool watch anymore, it’s good enough to be the most consistently rated ‘one watch’ on the planet. The ultimate functional daily. Part of a two or three watch collection … well, you get the picture. What else is there? The Hamilton Khaki Murph Honesty first: I really honestly wish they didn’t make this so generous in diameter. At 42mm, with a 22mm lug width, one can only speculate that it was needed for a starring role on the silver screen in Interstellar, in maybe one of the biggest cameos of a watch in the last 10 years. I might just be jealous of larger wrists, but if this had a sweet spot of 38-39mm it would ace this story. But still,…
Yesterday we explored the Top 10 sports watches under $10,000, but if you are willing to stretch your budget, there is an entirely new tier of top sports watches to explore as well. Here are 10 of the best sports watches of 2020 over $10,000. Hublot Classic Fusion 40th Anniversary yellow gold The watch that birthed the luxury rubber trend, the Hublot 40th anniversary models are classic meets modern luxury sports watches. It blends the heritage of the brand with the Hublot we know today to create one of the most compelling watches within the category. The three watches come in either titanium, ceramic, or the purest homage to the original of all – yellow gold. The dials are polished black lacquer with gold appliqués on the yellow-gold model, and rhodium appliqués on the titanium and black ceramic models. The date window blends into the dial with a matching black disc and white numerals that do very little to interrupt the overall aesthetic. Inside powering the watch is the Hublot caliber HUB1112, which is based on the SW300-1 but is finished and assembled by Hublot themselves. RRP: in titanium – $11,600 AUD, black ceramic – $14,600 AUD, and yellow gold…
We’ve all likely seen these two glorious new Carrera references by now, but there are two hot questions remaining. Do you like either or both enough to pull the trigger? Because we have it on good authority that they’re just about done. You can pick them both up here until they’re gone. The second question is, which, in the end, is your favourite? TAG Heuer celebrate their 160th anniversary with two limited edition chronographs that each celebrate the essence of the brand in their own way. The TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition and the TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Montreal Limited Edition. The Carrera chronograph line has been a staple of the racing chronograph category, with drivers and automotive enthusiasts everywhere touting them on their wrists. These stainless steel chronographs present fans of the brand with two great options to choose from. Some may even opt to add both to their collections, with each being such solid entries into the collection that many will wish the TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Anniversary models were standard production. They are both housed in 39mm cases, a nice compromise between modern and classic sizing, with sharp angular lugs that taper…
Sports watches have established themselves as the most sought-after and worn watches in the world. With a greater emphasis on outdoor activity and physical health, consumers need timepieces that can keep up with their active lifestyles. There has been no shortage of divers and chronographs this year, so we have compiled the best sports watches of 2020 under $10,000. Bulgari Aluminium time-only While this watch has taken previous forms over the years, its re-release in 2020 presents the most robust take on the aluminium model yet. With exceptional original design, the watch manages to have the heart and feel of a sports watch while also having an aesthetic capable of being upscaled with formal wear. The Italians are masters of fashion, and the Roman Jeweller of Time consistently puts the “novel” in novelties with creations that distinctly reflect the brand. With a 40mm case made of tough aluminium, and a rubber bracelet that forms around the wrist thanks to its embedded aluminium links, this ETA-based entry Bulgari is a great way to dip your feet into the Bulgari catalogue and makes for one of the best daily wearers of the year. The lightness and wrist-comfort of the aluminium cannot be…
Louis Vuitton are best known today for their leather goods, and historically for their travel trunks, but when it comes to watchmaking, most aren’t aware of the work they do. Of course, having such a well-recognised brand globally is a double-edged sword, where Louis Vuitton bags are desired all over the world, but the quality of their other products is less well understood. But don’t let that lull you into thinking the French-founded brand can stitch a seam and nothing else. No, the Louis Vuitton watchmakers are some of the finest in the world, earning their movements the Geneva Seal, a rarified standard of Swiss watchmaking reserved for the best of the best. Think Cartier and Vacheron Constantin, two other brands that are also authorised to use the Geneva Seal. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at some of our favourite pieces from the Louis Vuitton 2020 collection, including flying tourbillons, gem-set cases and some special spinning cubes. Tambour Spin Time Air Japan Limited In the Louis Vuitton collection, we have seen and become dazzled by the intricacies of the Tambour Spin Time, as seen here in our video from Queenstown, New Zealand. This time, Louis Vuitton…