John Mayer just made this green and gold Daytona the next hype-piece
Editor’s note: One of the biggest takeaways from John Mayer’s Daytona-fest that was his Talking Watches Part 2 was the fact that the dude managed to blow up 2016’s yellow gold and green-dialled Daytona overnight. If you can get it now, get it. Here’s our original review (and Jason’s stunning pics) of this yellow gold stunner … Though the devastatingly cool new steel Daytona is the Rolex chronograph de jour, this year the brand also released new variations of their classic chrono in white and yellow gold. Today, we’re having a look at the reference 116508, in 18 carat yellow gold with a new green dial – a colour combination that no Aussie can resist. The reference 116508 is the same 40mm Oyster case, powered by the calibre 4130, accurate to within -2/+2 a day. Indeed, the only difference between this reference and earlier models is the dial. But what a dial. Yellow gold versions of the Rolex Daytona are most commonly seen with black or champagne dials – the green is stunning in its sheen and richness. Of course, green is a special colour for Rolex, but in this instance it’s a green not like the bright tones of the green Submariner…
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Bracelets aren’t something you see strapped to Panerai watches too often, which is, I think, a bit of a shame, as that half-moon design is quite distinctive and stylish. But that’s something that’s set to change with two new, silver and steel additions to Panerai’s Luminor Marina family, the PAM00977 and PAM00978. Offered in two case sizes — 977 is the 42mm, and 978 is 44mm — the overall form of the Luminor Marina is well established by now, but aside from the bracelets, there’s a few things worth pointing out. Most obviously, the dial. I don’t know about you, but I expect Panerai to offer dial options verging on the dark and serious, which is what made this brushed silver number such a pleasant surprise. It offers a fresh take on the old favourite, and when combined with the bracelet, adds up to quite a flashy package. There are applied markers, a date, and a lovely little blue detail on the seconds hand. Ticking away behind the scenes is the P.9010 movement, an in-house number with three days of juice. It’s not your typical Panerai, but hey, it’s 2019. Is there such a thing as a ‘typical’ Panerai anymore?…
Editor’s note: The Rado Thinline Ceramos — one of the brand’s most interesting (materially speaking) pieces from last year — has hit Aussie shores. Time to have another look. When it comes to materials, it’s hard to beat Rado. The brand is a master of innovative materials. They pioneered ultra-hard metals and ceramics, and continue to push the realms of the possible. The latest is Ceramos, an alloy of ceramic and metal that offers the best of both worlds — the lightness and scratch-resistance of ceramic, paired with the finish and lustre of metal. Here they’ve chosen to deploy Ceramos on the relatively conservative DiaMaster Thinline, a classic two-hander with a date. So, if you like your tradition with a healthy dose of technical, check out the Rado DiaMaster Thinline Ceramos. Rado DiaMaster Thinline Ceramos Australian pricing Rado DiaMaster Thinline Ceramos, $3025
One of the bigger surprises of Basel was Seiko’s announcement of their high-end Prospex LX collection — big, chunky sports watches that feature a level of fit and finish we’ve seldom seen on a Seiko-labelled watch. And while the initial collection was a drop of six models, the one that we were most interested in, and — I suspect — the most crowd-pleasing number is the SNR029J1, a straight-up-and-down diver — inspired, to no small degree, by the classic Marinemaster 300. If the look is a 2019 update on a tried-and-tested model, the same can be said for the build. It’s a big, sporty watch, with a peerlessly finished titanium case (that zaratsu!), ceramic bezel and the mighty Spring Drive inside. With the high-end finishes and movement comes a higher price point. The Prospex LX family is designed to go toe-to-toe with the biggest Swiss brands’ mainstream sports offerings. Only time will tell if Seiko can succeed in their mission. Seiko Prospex LX SNR029J Australian pricing Seiko Prospex LX SNR029J, $8500
