FEMALE WIND DOWN: That is not a typo, this is not a test. 5 new ways women can get into watches
It’s a fitting time to publish our first ever Female Wind Down, in place of the usual Friday Wind Down. New websites are launching, collectives are forming and congregating on Instagram and Clubhouse, and the noise level questioning many of the fundamental tenets of the watch industry – stemming from the one that designates it primarily a playground for men – is reaching quite a pitch. Meanwhile, everywhere we look, the patriarchy is crumbling. What a time to be alive. If the watch industry were a band venue, there’s that same sense of nervous anticipation before the main act comes on. You know the vibe. It starts as a murmur, then a curtain moves, a kick drum rings out, and it’s noisy as hell, it’s on. But instead of Nirvana, it’s Veruca Salt. Instead of The Ramones at CBGBs, it’s Shonen Knife at an art gallery in Ginza. We are seeing new leaders in the industry and in the media emerge, and for me, it’s as refreshing as a cold glass of water on a hot day. It does take me back. Please indulge a memory. In our first printed material for Time+Tide, in the way, way back of March…
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The watch industry’s persistent categorising of watches by gender is back on the agenda. And well and truly in frame is the pointlessness of the “women’s watch” category. But, speaking personally here, I’m not one to let a category push me around. I really don’t count labelling for men and women as being told what to do. For me, those labels are simply a shortcut to getting some idea of what the size, look and feel of the watch might be. Conversely, if I already know what the watch is like, the labels – because they are so predictable and clichéd – are a filter that makes the piece quicker to find. Saves a bit of time, either way. No offence taken. Same goes for trousers. Can be worn by men or women – in that sense, they are gender-neutral. As with a watch, our choice is driven by whether we like the way they look and how good they feel to wear. Do we get upset that clothing boutiques are labelled men and women? Nope. Because it vastly increases our chances of finding something that fits. That said, in the same way that Cara Barrett over at Hodinkee recently…
Johnny Dowell, a.k.a King Nerd – who was one of our Londoners featured recently in a series by European Editor Mike Christensen – is a watch customizer with a very sharp point of difference. He is an engraver, and applies his craft to watches, among other things – it’s a world of traditional craftsmanship you wouldn’t necessarily associate with street cool wristwear. Today I’m knocked out by his flamboyant collaboration with on-the-march G-Shock in the King Nerd x G-Shock GM-6900GKING-9ER. In this gold version of their tough GM-6900, the IP-plated case and über-cool King Nerd designed patterned strap turn our perceptions of a traditional high tech tool watches upside down, and I love it. From sharpening his skills at Bamford after working for the world renowned gunsmiths James Purdey & Sons, Johnny has become the go-to for some of the wildest, most exciting collaborations in the world of independent watchmaking. from Linde Werdelin to Urwerk, and from coins to camera cases. Johnny has an otherworldly skill, that has put a delicate twist to the alien pod-like creations of Urwerk and the unbreakable tool aesthetic of Linde Werdelin. From coin-based artwork to the intricate dinosaur-motifs, Johnny is proving to be money. G-Shock…
Rolex bracelets are some of the best in the business and the Oyster bracelet with Glidelock on the ref. 114060 Rolex Submariner (featured below in other guises) is a prime example of their incredible construction and fit. But sometimes it is nice to switch things up, especially if you do not have a box full of watches to swap between. Swapping straps is a great way to rejuvenate a watch in your collection and make it feel new with a fresh aesthetic. It can give your daily wearer a different aesthetic and also help you preserve the condition of the bracelet if you are so inclined. Before you take the Oyster bracelet off your Sub, we figured we’d help you to get the party started by putting together five looks and configurations that we think work particularly well with a Rolex Submariner watch. Rolex Submariner on olive tropical strap Tropical straps are a great option for a more casual look and work really well in the summer months of the year. They are very resistant to daily wear as they’re hard to scratch or tear and offer high resistance to water and sweat. The olive green pictured above injects some…