Frederique Constant’s Vintage Rally collection is a family of sporty retro-style watches inspired by the world of classic cars. To be precise, by the world of the Austin-Healey, a British sports car built from 1959-1967. Since 2004 Frederique Constant and the Austin-Healey car brand have been partners and the Vintage Rally collection is designed to […]
Success begets success.
A legacy from the golden era of diving remade for today.
First breaking on the indie watchmaking scene in 2017, Krayon and its founder Rémi Maillat made a name for themselves with Everywhere, a mind-boggling complicated watch capable of computing sunrise and sunset hours for any location on Earth. The development received a well-deserved industry accolade with the Innovation Prize at the GPHG 2018 (the Oscars […]
Smith & Singer (formerly Sotheby’s Australia) are hosting their first watch and jewellery auction of the year this week, featuring a smattering of interesting watches, with a few standout pieces. While the current circumstances mean a crowded room focused on a rostrum is impossible, the auction will be held virtually, with bidding allowed via telephone and online to enable the sale to go forward. While watches only make up a portion of the Jewels Department of Smith & Singer, there are always some interesting lots on offer, including a Heuer Autavia “Jo Siffert” and an Omega Speedmaster Apollo XI 1969 ref. 145022 69 in the last 12 months. This sale is no exception, with a few lots in particular that aren’t things you might see every day, and is due to take place on May 27 at 6.30pm. Lot #111: ROLEX ‘AMERICA’S CUP’ SUBMARINER REF 5513, A STAINLESS STEEL AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET, CIRCA 1967 When it comes to buying vintage watches, provenance is one of the single most critical factors for many collectors. The origins of this particular Rolex Submariner are belonging to a member of the Australian contingent of the America’s Cup race in 1967, aboard the racing…
The post A mid-60s Submariner with a sea story, a bargain Speedy, and a lit Reverso at the first virtual Smith & Singer auction appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
Krayon’s signature complication in a newer, more versatile incarnation.
As we should all know by now, 2020 is the 60th anniversary of the launch of Grand Seiko, and while they have released a number of watches linked to this special birthday, this collection of Grand Seiko “firsts” might be the most significant yet. Based on the first-ever Grand Seiko to be born in the Suwa Seikosha factory and powered by the famed 3180 caliber, this latest collection features three references in platinum (SBGW257), yellow gold (SBGW258) and the firm’s proprietary Brilliant Hard Titanium (SBGW259). The three different references in three different metals all offer a totally different experience of this simple but beautifully designed template for a dress watch par excellence. Each blends the vintage design cues of the case and dial with the thoroughly contemporary Grand Seiko caliber 9S64. In typical Grand Seiko style, they are not reinventing the wheel, but slowly improving the fundamentals of their watchmaking until even the most basic elements are approaching the best in the world. This quiet mission is something we see expressed in these on-the-surface simple wristwatches. You might recognise them from a series of limited edition pieces released in 2017 (which we looked at here and here) that also used…
The post HANDS-ON: Grand Seiko First SBGW258 in yellow gold, SBGW257 in platinum and SBGW259 in proprietary titanium appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
The luxury sports watch is one of the most successful categories, dominated by cult classics such as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus – two timepieces that defined the genre back in the 1970s. Smaller independent watchmakers are now entering the category. Brands like Laurent Ferrier, Urban Jurgensen or H. Moser […]
A new steel sport watch and a new movement.
There is no doubt that the global COVID-19 pandemic will take a heavy toll on the watch industry. After two consecutive months of decrease (-9% in February and -22% in March), The Swiss Watch Federation (FHS) has just released its statistics for the month of April 2020 and, as expected, exports fell sharply. A direct […]