Certainly, we’re only halfway through February, so it’s a bit too early to call the best watches of the year… just a bit! However, it’s only been two months and brands have presented more than just minor models. In fact, following several months of slow launch calendars, most of the watch manufactures have woken up […]
Tonight is the men’s final of the Australian Open. While this tournament is primarily a great opportunity for fans worldwide to enjoy some great tennis, it is also a good time for watch lovers to spot some fabulous timepieces on the wrists of their favorite players. Rolex is a longstanding sponsor for various tennis tournaments, with many players on the circuit official and unofficial ambassadors of their robust creations. You may not see them on the court during play, but they always make an appearance upon victory – especially when raising the trophy in celebration. Rolex will not be the only brand you see sported on wrists at the open, but it is definitely a heavy favourite for watch spotting. What is really interesting to see is not just which players are wearing watches from the crown, but the diverse range of references they actually select to wear. Thanks to this article from Bob’s Watches, we have not only a full encyclopedia of Rolex worn by the players at the Open over the years, but also an outlet to purchase them. Roger Federer – Rolex Datejust, GMT Master II, Sky-Dweller, Daytona, and more… It should come as no surprise that…
The post RECOMMENDED READING: Rolex spotting at the Australian Open from Federer to Tsonga appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
Before we dig into the Rolex Submariner 114060, I want to set the record straight on Submariner nomenclature. There is no such thing as the “Submariner No-Date” in the Rolex catalogue. The Rolex Submariner does not have a date window or cyclops magnification, that complication is reserved for the Submariner Date. This rampant mis-naming of the Submariner stems from the fact the date model is the more recognised and sought after of the two – at least by the masses. Some collectors, myself included, prefer the original Submariner design for its clean, symmetrical and dateless dial. It displays all the analogue information a diver requires – I don’t think you really need to know the date when diving into the ocean. If you’re planning on staying under the surface that long, you have other more pressing issues to worry about. The case The 904L stainless steel case is 40mm in diameter, 48mm lug to lug across the wrist (without including the fixed end links of the bracelet), and 12.5mm thick. The case is predominantly satin finished on its front, with the case sides mirror polished. The Rolex Submariner 114060 has a larger presence than its predecessors, but in my opinion…
The post IN-DEPTH: Gone but not forgotten – the discontinued Rolex Submariner ref. 114060 appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
The word “concept” is something that is often associated with the world’s most enthralling works of art. A concept album can tell a very deliberate story, or explore a particular theme or idea in wondrous detail. A concept car is usually shown to represent the pinnacle of a designer’s imagination that’s invariably watered down should it make it into production. So when Audemars Piguet announced a concept watch in 2002, what was the world to think? Does it represent some bigger idea? Can I actually buy one? Why does it need to exist? Unpacking the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept isn’t instantly intuitive, but it begins with rebellion, technology and ingenuity. If you’re unfamiliar with the story of the original Royal Oak introduction in 1972, here’s a quick debrief. Seiko unveil their quartz-powered Astron in 1969, shaking the foundations of the watch industry. As the masses flocked towards the technology for its affordable reliability, the Swiss traditionalists were brought to their knees. Many brands held on for dear life, some even releasing their own quartz offerings, but many more collapsed. Audemars Piguet realised that their struggles didn’t have to be the end, but an opportunity for reinvention. Enter designer Gérald…
The post IN-DEPTH: Rebellion meets technology in the history of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
Excelsior!
The watch community has its own cultural rhetoric teeming with insider slang that never registers to the mainstream ear. It all stems from a greater engagement with watches and, as you go down the rabbit hole and discover all of the intricacies of watches, you begin to need specific terms for purposes of clarification. One common phrase collectors often utilise is “strap monster”. It is thrown around a lot, so we wanted to take a moment to break down what it means for those who aren’t familiar with it, why it is beneficial to own a strap monster in your collection and suggest a few references that we believe truly fit the bill. What is a “strap monster”? A strap monster is a chameleon of sorts. It is a watch that is ripe for seemingly limitless strap pairings that work well with the watch. Strap monsters, typically have more neutral toned dials – such as, black, white, grey or blue – and lug widths that cater to strap sizes most commonly produced (18mm, 20mm, 22mm). Often you will see a watch release that in its factory configuration will attract inquiry at points of sale. But, for those who love to…
The post What is a “strap monster”and why do you need one in your watch collection? appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
Ascari, a name forever linked to Formula 1, as Alberto Ascari was amongst the first to compete in this newly formed category of racing coming out of WWII. But, perhaps you know this, perhaps you don’t, it was also the name a Dutch entrepreneur and multi-millionaire gave to his supercar brand. That’s right, there have […]
Last week it happened again. I was standing in line at a coffee shop and, of the seven people queuing, I was the only one wearing a proper watch. There were four naked wrists, one Garmin and one Apple Watch constantly buzzing and flashing. Now if we have any chance of turning this sad situation around we desperately need an injection of youth into the watchmaking industry. Is Norifumi Seki the answer? Yes, that’s serious pressure laying the entire future of the watchmaking industry on just one man. But hear me out. How many independent Japanese watchmakers do you know? In addition to Hajime Asako and his Art Deco panache, you’d be hard pressed to find many, which is one of the reasons why this story is important, especially considering the enormous power of the Asian marketplace in horology. So who is Norifumi Seki? Hailing from Tokyo and still only 23, he attended the Hiko Mizuno Jewelry College and burst onto the international scene last year as the first Asian to win the esteemed F.P Journe Young Talent Competition. Seki’s delicate Model II is the precursor to the pocketwatch that won that competition and is a brilliant example of quirky…
The post This is why Norifumi Seki looks set to become the Next Big Thing in watchmaking appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
Editor’s note: Yesterday we took at look at all of the Australian Open tennis players who actually wore their watches while competing. Today we’ll be shining a spotlight on the rest of the watches on display and some of them are real cross-court winners. The final days of the 2021 Australian Open are underway in Melbourne. While there’s some great tennis on display on the courts, there are also some amazing watches to be spotted. Many of the players have sponsorship agreements in place with various watchmakers with some wearing these watches while playing while most pop a timepiece on their wrist after a match or for press conferences. Semi-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas who is a Rolex Testimonee has regularly been wearing the coveted stainless-steel Daytona reference 116500 with white dial and ceramic black bezel. The most blinged out watch at the 2021 Australian Open belonged to fellow Rolex Testimonee, Grigor Dimtrov. He was wearing a Rolex Daytona reference 116588TBR, which has been nicknamed “Eye Of The Tiger”. This timepiece immediately catches the eye (pun intended) with its diamond bezel and dazzling dial. Another Rolex Testimonee, the Austrian player, Dominic Thiem, was wearing a white gold Yachtmaster on Oysterflex bracelet with…
The post Watchspotting at the Australian Open watches including Bulgari, Audemars Piguet and, of course, a ton of Rolex appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
The value of double stamped watches is no secret. Most famously Tiffany & Co. stamped dials have notably elevated the prices of Rolex and Patek Philippe references. But these watches, while not released in heavy quantities, are rather widespread on the secondhand market. If you really want to discover co-stamped dials in even more limited numbers, Tudor is the brand to dig into. The watches are rather hush hush as they are not meant to be sold. In fact, they are commissioned by entities in limited quantities to be gifted to those within their inner circles – with usually no more than 100 pieces produced. So when one pops up for sale, they can command quite a premium. Recently an Ed Sheeran Tudor Black Bay emerged for sale, but before we reveal the asking price it sold for let’s recap some of the known custom Tudor watches. Hodinkee’s Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight took the watch world by storm upon its release, with many lauding Tudor’s decision to release a scaled-back and slimmed-down version of the beloved Black Bay diver. The watch definitely got a ton of air time from our friends over at Hodinkee, but…
The post Would you pay $50k for this customised Ed Sheeran Tudor Black Bay? appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.