INTRODUCING: Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date limited edition
The Polaris collection was launched by Jaeger-LeCoultre last year to pay tribute to the dive watches produced by the brand in the ’60s and ’70s. Instantly recognisable with the super-compressor style case and internal bezel, the Polaris has been given a new look in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date. What makes this new edition different can be seen immediately in the dial, with a blend of finishes and shades of blue that place it at home in the water. The dial has three separate sections: the centre featuring a sun-rayed finish that looks almost liquid in its shimmer, which heavily contrasts against the grained ring that holds the Super-LumiNova filled hour markers, which are surrounded by the internal rotating bezel. The 42mm steel case is both polished and brushed to highlight the dial, and houses the in-house Calibre 899A/1, a movement that offers a date function for desk diving, as well as 200m water resistance for scuba diving. The two crowns at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock allow control of the time setting and bezel adjustment, and are typical of the super-compressor cases of the 1960s. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date also features a navy blue rubber strap with a tactile Clous…
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It’s probably a bit generous to call me a ‘collector’, but as I continue on this journey, I’m discovering that I genuinely enjoy meaningful attempts by companies to do something different. In today’s expanded universe of microbrands and industry stalwarts, it can take a lot to stand out, but it takes even more to stand out in a good way. But that’s what I enjoy about the Citizen NY0080 line-up, the successor to the original NY0040 ‘Fugu’. To me, the Fugu line-up (in particular the black dial one that I own) is an excellent example of a watch that stands out from the pack in all the right ways. But much like actual puffer fish, the NY0080-12E might be an acquired taste. Many of the NY0080’s design elements can only be appreciated after some scrutiny. In this respect, the Fugu lives up to its namesake in a second way: you get a lot more than you bargain for once you get a bit closer. The combination of brushed and polished finishing interacts seamlessly to create curves that you swore were not there a second ago. The tapered lugs and case profile benefit the most from this effect, effectively bringing out…
For almost every watch enthusiast, the first sojourn into the world of the vintage watch market is two things: fun and inexpensive. The thrill of owning something that was created and worn several decades ago, the history, the gorgeous patina and, in most cases, the value for money – it just seems like there are zero downsides. My first vintage piece was a gold-capped Tudor Oyster Prince from the early ’60s. It wasn’t a minter by any means, with scratches and swirls galore adorning both the plexi and the case. But I didn’t care one bit, because in my humble eyes it was completely and utterly gorgeous! High off this perceived value, it wasn’t long before my collection had swelled rapidly with other vintage pieces from the likes of Omega, Universal Genève and IWC. They all varied greatly in appearance, style and condition, but they had one thing in common – they were cheap. With my most recent soirée into the buying of watches from yesteryear, however, I have strayed rather far from the path of my usual modus operandi. Essentially, I’ve gone from procuring timepieces worth a couple of hundred bucks each, to buying a single watch worth more…
There’s something really appealing about a well-priced travel watch, and the Atlas GMT, from micro brand Monta, certainly fits that bill. If you’re not familiar with Monta, they’re a relatively young brand inspired by the well-priced tool watches of yesteryear and, I’ve got to say, they’ve done a really good job of delivering on that mission. The Atlas GMT offers everything in moderation: size, style, and all the rest — it’s not too over the top in any way; 38.5mm wide by 10.2mm tall is a really great size for 2019, where we’re seeing what I (along with many others) would posit is a return to sanity in sizing — and many of those people would be the sort of people interested in this watch. But there’s a whole lot more to like about this watch than just the smart sizing. The crown, for example, is a pleasing ergonomic offering — not quite a flieger-style onion, but definitely usable. The detail on the bezel is pleasing, too — that radial brush really evokes mid-’70s and ’80s sports watches, especially with that 20mm oyster-style bracelet. The dial is also lovely — there’s a few options, but I like the light and airy…
Editor’s note: If you ever want to flex down at the NBAYOUNGBOAT Club, you want to have the appropriate attire — jacket, loafers, watch. And when it comes to the latter, we suggest the Yacht-Master. Surely, Lil Yachty would approve. This cool, calm and collected new Yacht-Master almost slipped past me. I was too busy falling in love (again) with the gold and chocolate Rolesor Yacht-Master, which was distracting me and dazzling my senses. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a flash of almost-iridescent blue, and my curiosity was piqued. I’m so glad it was, because this steel and platinum Yacht-Master, with its dark rhodium dial and blue highlights, is an absolute stunner, even though it’s a much more restrained affair than its Everose-embellished siblings (in both Rolesor and Oysterflex variants). This is partly down to the dark dial, but it’s also the bi-directional platinum bezel, which might sound weird given the material, but with a predominantly sand-blasted finish, it’s actually far less in-your-face than ceramic. Not that it’s plain, by any stretch. The shimmering dial, polished bezel elements and centre bracelet links means it pops where it counts, and the overall effect of metallic grey on metallic…
