Mass gains! Hublot are peak 2020 as they release a mechanical desk clock FOUR TIMES the size of the Meca-10 model
In Scandinavia we have a traditional saying: all good things come in threes. And, boy, does this apply to clocks in 2020. First, the Hodinkee table clock that broke the internet and brutally maimed the comments section, then the futuristic T-Rex from Massena LAB, MB&F and L’Epée. And here comes lucky number three – the Hublot Meca-10 Clock. Hublot’s impressive in-house Meca-10 movement was released four years ago, and this year made its debut in the fabulous tonneau-shaped Spirit of Big Bang, to our micro-mechanical marvelling delight. So, as an answer to your question, no, this is not a small paperweight, but the entire Meca-10 movement made four times larger, measuring 19.6cm by 18.1cm. Despite this enlargement, it fully preserves the 10-day power reserve, and original specifications – including its knock-out skeletonised movement. And, once again, the clock-masters at L’Epée are the go-to collaborators in the venture, solidifying their position alongside JLC as the masters of static timepieces. This comes in two tantalising versions (yes, still talking about a table clock here) — black PVD or satin and polished steel with transparent composite. While Hublot aren’t afraid of providing their wristwatches with large, easy to use crowns, the Hublot Meca-10 Clock…
The post Mass gains! Hublot are peak 2020 as they release a mechanical desk clock FOUR TIMES the size of the Meca-10 model appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
Looks can be deceiving, and the Seiko Prospex SNR049J proves the point in idiosyncratic style, once again firmly setting the bar for how we perceive a tool watch. This is a deliciously blue faced, limited reference in the LX series, Seiko’s pinnacle of sports and diver’s watches. In 2020 this is a brash and unapologetically large watch, but even at 44.8mm, Seiko are the masters of watch ergonomics, and close to unbeatable for chunky tool watch comfort. Don’t be surprised if this feels like a 41-42mm watch on the wrist, as the familiar muscular sides curve downwards at the lugs, sharpened by exceptional bevels. The reason the weight drops away is a T for titanium: light, strong and seldom finished to this degree outside Japan. The bold, softly finished angles on the large case create a strong visual impact, one that is only superseded by what is surely a knock-out punch to this year’s other Batman wannabes. Yes, this is a classic GMT, where the decisive movement of the sword hands is complemented by a pop of light blue in the second time zone arrow. The dial itself — encircled by the familiar sight of the dark night vs blue day…
This year has been remarkable in many ways. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve said to myself, “Well, I never thought I’d see that happen in my lifetime.” Despite these surprises, the watch industry has demonstrated a remarkable stability. Sure, we lost a few trade shows. But there was also a regular flow of new releases from a wide range of brands, despite some early signs to the contrary. Equally impressive was the resilience of the auction industry. In this article, we investigate why high-value vintage watches have appeared to be pandemic-proof at a time when most segments of the wider industry are in steep decline. Another year of broken records at watch auctions, despite broken economies everywhere I remember watching the Phillips Geneva Watch Auction XI live stream back in May and marvelling at what they were pulling off. There were people gathered together, in person, bidding on some truly impressive lots while the pandemic was still roiling economies worldwide. Equally impressive was the result: more than CHF 30 million in revenue, all lots sold, a world record for a Patek Philippe 1518 at CHF 3.4 million, and a pair of F.P. Journe early references sold for…
The strangest feeling is to be had when you first put on the Bulgari Aluminium time-only — if you actually get it on in the first place. Holding it makes you do a double take and shift it from left to right hand as if to check your own function as a makeshift human set of scales. Yes, this is metal, but we’re not used to light, cool, matt aluminium in a watch case. Then there is a chunky rubber bracelet. Yes, a linked rubber bracelet, in itself a novel concept that surprises in equal amounts. My entire image of Bulgari is changing as I am handling the watch for the first time. An image that in 2020 is one of record-breaking Haute Horlogerie, the unfathomable elegance and thought-provoking feeling of a paper-thin watch with the magic of a tourbillon, somehow at odds with this fresh breath of summer. And I love it. The unbearable lightness – and coolness – of aluminium My first associations are close to the cool technical feel of a Leica camera body when I peruse the details — details that surprise and amuse. First, the surprising nature of its chunky yet light case – an angular…