Gone are the days when microbrands were dismissed as pariahs of the industry. Second class timekeepers to more familiar, established brands. While not all microbrands are created equal, the subset has evolved into bonafide players that give the old pros a run for their money. Given the much smaller scale and freedom from corporate interference, […]
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 […]
When it comes to an accessible chronograph with automatic movement, coming from an established brand, the Certina DS Podium Chronograph has always been a solid option. Indeed, the watch is powered by an ETA Swiss made calibre and comes from a brand known for its reliability, as well as its fair price policy. For 2021, […]
The trend for 1970s-inspired sports watches with integrated bracelet doesn’t seem to slow down. In fact, multiple brands are entering the race, whether in the entry-level segment or all the way up in haute horlogerie. One of the latest contenders in this very highly prolific segment is coming from Tissot, with the PRX watch. While […]
I’m definitely a fan of themed watches such as Hamilton’s Jazzmaster Regulator Cinema or Raymond Weil’s Freelancer AC/DC Limited Edition, and William Wood collections have an intriguing, ongoing British firefighter theme. We looked at the William Wood Valiant Collection last year and the attention to detail was impressive with a host of firefighting elements throughout […]
If there’s one thing (among others) that Frederique Constant is good at, it is to create classic and elegant watches at fair prices. Of course, the brand also knows how to bring complex watches to a wider audience – think about its in-house perpetual calendar – or even recently to design a watch that can […]
Time and time again various attempts have proven it is extremely difficult to launch a new, exciting new brand from scratch, regardless of the technical complexity or segment of the market is focussed on. The most challenging thing is perhaps creating a distinct enough product and reaching out to the right clientele at the right […]
Since its foundation in 1994, Ikepod has always been about design. Megastar designer Marc Newson was the key figure behind the design identity of Ikepod in the 1990s, which is still going strong despite the ups and downs of the brand (see below). Collaborations with artists have also proved lucrative and watches with dials designed […]
The concept of limited editions made by watch magazines is now well established and Worn & Wound, an American magazine founded in 2011, is no stranger to the concept – specifically thought their Windup Watch Shop. What differentiates our US-based friends is a strong focus on value-driven watches and this is reflected in their latest […]
Looking at the specific segment of accessible, ultra-robust diver’s watches, there’s a name that should always be part of the discussion: Promaster. Indeed, the Promaster Marine Automatic Diver is one of the most enduring watches produced by Citizen, but also a watch with a huge fan-base… And rightfully so. The Promaster is a distinctive, highly […]