Happenings: Maria & Richard Habring To Lecture At The Horological Society Of New York
The independent watchmakers will discuss designing and producing proprietary watch movements.
Hands-on – Live Impressions on the New Omega Seamaster Diver 300M James Bond
Last week, Omega introduced a new Bond-themed Seamaster Diver 300M, inspired by the 1969 movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. When we posted this watch on Instagram, the reactions were telling. So did the comments below the article we published, with press images, right after the watch was presented. As always, it is hard to judge on such images, so we decided to give this watch a second chance, but this time live and on the wrist.
Hands-On: The Rado True Thinline Les Couleurs Le Corbusier
Rado’s Thinline watches in a color palette by one of architecture’s modern masters.
HODINKEE Radio: Episode 59: Typographer Jonathan Hoefler, James Bond, And A Fistful Of Diamonds
You’ll never look at a watch dial the same way again.
Introducing – The MB&F HM9 Flow “Air” and “Road” Editions now in Red Gold
When it has been introduced back in 2018, MB&F HM9 Flow made some noise. Not that we should be surprised by the independent watchmaker creating a bold watch, but the HM9 Flow was using different inspirations and came with unprecedented shapes. The latest opus in the Horological Machine series, HM9 paid tribute to 1940s automotive […]
Revisiting the Montblanc Orbis Terrarum UNICEF Limited Edition
Editor’s note: A recent discussion in the office has brought up the rather interesting question: “What is the best watch for international travel?” LOTS of different watches were bandied about as suggestions and, of course, names like the Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO and Patek Philippe 5930G were hotly debated as some of the best. And there’s no doubting that these aforementioned watches are absolutely brilliant at what they do, but — and it’s a big but — they’re also very expensive. Which got me thinking about the Montblanc Orbis Terrarum, because it’s a handsome looking watch, with a very useful world time complication and a beautiful motif dial, and it retails for around $8000 AUD. That’s quite a large amount of bang for buck when you consider that a comparable watch from Patek Philippe, for example, is going to set you back close to ten times what the Montblanc will. Anyway, our man Felix Scholz was lucky enough to go hands-on with the Limited Edition Montblanc Orbis Terrarum UNICEF, and these are his thoughts: When they’re done right, limited edition watches are great. They offer some exclusivity, membership to a special club, and that feeling of being part of something bigger…
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First Look – Seiko Presage Green Enamel Dial SPB111J1
When Seiko internationally launched its Presage sub-collection a couple of years ago, the goal was clear: offering a classic approach of watchmaking and a focus on traditional craftsmanships, still at a relatively accessible price. To do that, the brand introduced several classic, elegant and discreet pieces, with dials made of enamel or using ancient Urushi lacquer. A few years later, we’ve seen some very nice editions in white or blue enamel and today, Seiko brings a slightly different and no often seen colour. Meet the new Seiko Presage Green Enamel Dial SPB111J1.
5 questions about the GPHG you were too afraid to ask, including how voting works
This year, for the first time in history, the complete collection of nominees for the 2019 GPHG – the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève — were presented in Australia. All 84 of them, by a sum total of 50 brands. And this stellar mega-team, worth well over $30 million AUD, is visiting only four locations before the big show in Geneva on November 7. So, in other words, Australia is being figured into the global future of watchmaking. We matter. And we sure turned out to witness this explosion of creativity and colour in droves. The exhibition ran over last weekend in partnership with The Hour Glass in Sydney, and what we witnessed at the launch event were people five and six deep encircling each showcase, craning to see, and photograph, the crème de la crème in person. On this occasion, we sat down with Ms Carine Maillard, director of the Foundation of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, and asked the questions that have perhaps been on the tip of your tongue about the still relatively new (it started just eight years ago) landmark event for the industry. 1. What is the mission of the Foundation of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de…
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Hype beasts – 5 of this year's most unobtainable watches
While there are some enthusiasts out there who feel as though the vast majority of new watches released at this year’s Baselworld and SIHH were a bit … safe, there were still some real stunners unveiled from legacy outfits like Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet. And, because the collective products of these three aforementioned watchmakers are arguably the most desirable in the horological hemisphere right now, they’re particularly hard to actually get a hand on. So, chances are you’re not going to be able to walk into your local AD and pick up one of these wrist-worn rock stars, but here are five of the hottest and hardest watches to purchase in 2019: Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR While it might have come as a surprise to some, being released so soon after its predecessor was discontinued, the new GMT-Master II ref. 126710BLNR “Batman” or, as it’s being referred to by some, “Batgirl”, caused quite the stir when it was revealed at Baselworld 2019. The black and blue GMT now features Rolex’s latest Calibre 3285 movement and, in keeping with the other steel GMT Rolex currently offers, the “Pepsi”, ditches the Oyster bracelet in favour of the prodigious Jubilee bracelet.…
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EVENT: A Crazy few Hours with Franck Muller in Melbourne
The Franck Muller Vanguard Crazy Hours landed in Melbourne last week, and not only was I fortunate to take a closer look at it, but the kind people at Franck Muller invited me to celebrate it with them at a dining event with some of their important local clients. It was a great opportunity to view the new collection, as well as share a meal with a group of like-minded watch enthusiasts. There were some special people seated around the dining table, including Franck Muller’s global COO, Nicholas Rudaz, and Franck Muller’s General Manager of Australia, Mr Heng, both of whom enthusiastically shared their passion for mechanical watches and Franck Muller alike. Watches from the new collection were dotted around the room in display cases, as well as a number of pieces from other current collections that are available at boutiques, including the Happy Magpie from the Long Island collection, a charming rectangular watch with an immaculately hand-painted dial. Unsurprisingly, Nicholas Rudaz was carrying some serious horological heat, with a watch on each wrist. On one wrist, he wore a Franck Muller Crazy Hours, which he described as his “party watch” (and you can’t disagree with him on that), with…
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