HODINKEE Radio: 2020 Year In Review
Favorite watches, bold predictions, and a whole lot of change.
Favorite watches, bold predictions, and a whole lot of change.
The Seiko 5 Sports x STREET FIGHTER V Editions were one of the feel-good highlights of 2020. Taking the tried-and-true template of the 5 Sports collection and combining it with one of the most successful fighting game series in history proved a winning combo – both for watch collectors and fans of the combat franchise. Seiko released six different references, each a nod to one of the main characters in the game: Blanka, Ryu, Chun-Li, Guile, Zangief and, of course, Ken. The Ken edition is a particular eye-catcher with a fully black case that contrasts well with the gold crown, outer bezel, and hands, that reflect the character’s distinctive blonde hair. In a nod to his uniform, the textile strap is bright red, matching the dial and bezel highlights, making the watch a coherent tribute to the muscle-bound warrior. To further deepen the connection to the character, Ken’s special move “Shoryuken” is also printed on the caseback. With 100m of water resistance, and powered by the automatic 4R36 movement, the 42.5mm case size is thoroughly wearable and would make for a reliable if slightly flamboyant daily watch. Seiko 5 Sports SRPF20K Ken price and availability: The Seiko 5 Sports SRPF20K…
The post VIDEO: This Seiko 5 Sports collab delivers knockout appeal with Street Fighter’s Ken appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
The Seiko 5 Sports x STREET FIGHTER V Editions were one of the feel-good highlights of 2020. Taking the tried-and-true template of the 5 Sports collection and combining it with one of the most successful fighting game series in history proved a winning combo – both for watch collectors and fans of the combat franchise. Seiko released six different references, each a nod to one of the main characters in the game: Blanka, Ryu, Chun-Li, Guile, Zangief and, of course, Ken. The Ken edition is a particular eye-catcher with a fully black case that contrasts well with the gold crown, outer bezel, and hands, that reflect the character’s distinctive blonde hair. In a nod to his uniform, the textile strap is bright red, matching the dial and bezel highlights, making the watch a coherent tribute to the muscle-bound warrior. To further deepen the connection to the character, Ken’s special move “Shoryuken” is also printed on the caseback. With 100m of water resistance, and powered by the automatic 4R36 movement, the 42.5mm case size is thoroughly wearable and would make for a reliable if slightly flamboyant daily watch. Seiko 5 Sports SRPF20K Ken price and availability: The Seiko 5 Sports SRPF20K…
The post VIDEO: This Seiko 5 Sports collab delivers knockout appeal with Street Fighter’s Ken appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
Jaquet Droz has always placed a lot of emphasis on its Ateliers d’Art watches. Developed in the company’s La Chaux de Fonds workshop in Switzerland, these watches boast centuries-old artisanal techniques that have been passed down the family line from one generation to another throughout its 250-year heritage. These include miniature painting techniques and relief […]
BOLDR is a well-established microbrand with a strong following, which we covered earlier this year in a story on their tough, keenly priced Venture titanium field watch. We suspect there might be something new coming in January (hint!) but, for the moment, let’s take a look at the rugged BOLDR Odyssey Freediver that’s recently been released in five fresh versions. The Freediver is a cool diver’s watch at a perfectly sized 40mm with a 14mm thickness and BOLDR’s first custom 316L steel bracelet. Even from the dark stealthy teaser shots, the watch’s tough, angular shape immediately strikes you, with the strong dynamic of the downturned lugs with their intricate side bevel catching the eye. For a small brand like BOLDR, the quality of the case work and distinctive design suggests this diver will punch hard above its price point. To accentuate the angular, bead blasted case design, the lugs and crown guards have polished bevels that’ll give you a flash of reflection in the light for a signature BOLDR move. The large screw-in crown has an engraved logo, and a groove cut into the side, echoing the design of the technical diver’s bezel. All the Freedivers come on a bead-blasted…
The post MICRO MONDAYS: The BOLDR Odyssey Freediver melds style and substance at an eyebrow-raising price appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
Nothing over $1 million can really be called a bargain. Particularly when it’s a mere wristwatch from the Swinging Sixties. Yet we all know the stratospheric values paid for Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona 6241. The first one went for a mind-boggling and (then) world record $17.8 million USD back in 2017. Fast forward to the here and now. We are at the end of 2020, a year of slow turnover sure, but not across the board – the huge Chinese market has already picked up with YOY sales considerably up from 2019. But earlier this month, Racing Pulse – a New York auction by Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo – sold Paul Newman’s other Daytona. This one had a dark reverse panda dial and was still delightfully clean and crisp after half a century. Being a significant Rolex, this was snapped up for $5,475,000 US – a considerable sum, of course, but a relative bargain compared to Newman’s previous Daytona, given that it sold for 70 per cent less. The Phillips/Bacs & Russo auction still achieved some phenomenal results. It included a record sale for any Heuer, the iconic Heuer Monaco ref. 1133 owned by Steve McQueen –…
The post Why did the second Paul Newman Rolex Daytona sell at auction for the “bargain” price of $5m? appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
Subs, Advisors, Homeplates, and a lot more.
Since its release, the Rado Captain Cook line has provided watch buyers with a robust option in the dive watch category at a pleasingly approachable price. The watches boast ceramic bezels, 300m water-resistant cases of varying materials, plus movements that last longer than many of their more expensive competitors. Yet despite such attributes, the Captain Cook manages to keep its costs down. The introduction of a new colour configuration into the mix – the Rado Captain Cook Bronze Burgundy – is likely to only enhance the watch’s heady appeal. When Rado developed this red/burgundy configuration of the watch, Rado CEO Adrian Bosshard realised there was a perfect group to pre-launch this unique and eye-catching watch with. RedBar is a group of watch collectors and enthusiasts that meets regularly in NYC and the red tones of this watch made this a fitting match given the group’s colourful name. This led to a partnership where the watch pre-launched exclusively to the RedBar group for two weeks, with a branded travel folio, bundled leather strap, plus a special gift – a branded watch winder! Fortunately for buyers outside of RedBar, the watch is also available in the same build and format – but…
The post HANDS-ON: Get marooned with the Rado Captain Cook Bronze Burgundy launched with RedBar appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
The dress watch, an accessory that every man needs is the simplest but most elegant type of watch. Refined, discreet, visually simple but mechanically satisfying, they are all about exclusive materials and finishing, balanced proportions and luxurious but not ostentatious appeal. As 2020 comes to an end, here’s a selection of five of our favourite […]
Which is the best Omega Speedmaster of all time? Our friends at Fratello Watches decided there was only one way to settle this one properly – by launching the Speedmaster World Cup. Over a gruelling tournament that lasted almost two months(!), 32 eager Speedies duked it out to determine who would be the ultimate victor. As with any World Cup, there was agony, ecstasy and the odd contentious refereeing decision. But what emerged from Fratello was an admirably comprehensive analysis of this iconic watch in all its myriad forms. Here are the top five contestants. The Winner: the Calibre 321 Ed White Embodying the peak of Speedy-ness, this dynamic piece of remade history fully deserves to be on the top podium with a gold medal dangling around its slender angular lugs. The case itself is essentially the leaner version that you’ll recognise from the #FirstOmegaInSpace, but refashioned with a few subtle tweaks. That means it’s got the narrower 39.7mm diameter with a 48mm lug to lug range, making it comfortable and almost identical in feel to the normal Moonwatch, while sharpened to within an inch of its life. The flat link bracelet is supremely comfortable, while the remade 321 Calibre…
The post We followed every single round of the Fratello Omega Speedmaster World Cup in case you missed it, and the winner is… appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.