VIDEO: Red alert – could you wear Hublot’s Big Bang Unico Red Sapphire?
There’s something about the colour red. In nature it symbolises danger, in human culture it’s got a more complex set of meanings: typically passion, strength, desire – emotion writ large. Which is why this glistening red sapphire confection is the logical extension of Hublot’s journey into sapphire. Not only does the vivid case amplify all the natural attributes of the Big Bang case – especially given the contrasting black detailing, but it exaggerates everything that Hublot stands for, not just in terms of design, but also in brand ethos. It’s an audaciously out-there watch, not to many people’s tastes, but it is an undeniably, infectiously fun watch. And, really, isn’t that what matters? Hublot Big Bang Unico Red Sapphire Australian availability and pricing Hublot Big Bang Unico Red Sapphire, limited to 250 pieces, $95,000
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One of Grand Seiko’s most in-demand and instantly identifiable watches is the Snowflake, AKA the SBGA211. For many, this pure, and deceptively simple, watch epitomises the high-end Japanese maker, and it certainly exhibits all the Grand Seiko hallmarks: exceptional casework, precise finishing techniques, and those glimmering hands and hour markers. And then, of course, there’s the dial — textured like a field of fresh snow, that can, at a distance, be passed off as a simple white. Look closer though and you’ll find yourself sucked into the richness and serenity of its lustrous beauty. And then there’s the impossibly smooth sweep of that hand-blued second hand, a tell-tale marker of the Spring Drive movement whirring behind the scenes. Spring Drive, unique to Seiko, is an innovative hybrid of quartz accuracy and mechanical perpetuity that is as intriguing and ingenious as the titular dial, if not more so. Add to this the watch’s supreme wearability and it’s easy to see why it’s still such a popular option. Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGA211 ‘Snowflake’ Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGA211, titanium, $8400
The ’80s were Nerd City, peppered with popped polo shirts and pie-crust collars, Slime, The Breakfast Club, pommes noisettes, Pop Rocks candy and brine shrimp pets masquerading as Sea-Monkey kits. All items the young cast of the addictive, nostalgia trip that is Stranger Things no doubt had to get across when their director asked them to watch The Goonies and Stand By Me in pre-production. Against this neon, fad-filled haze emerges the ’80s saving graces – the best pop music in history and watches that either embraced new technology or new money. Here’s 11 (see what we did there) watches we’d be happy to see in season two. Swatch Watch – 1983 The simple plastic quartz Swatch flipped the way we looked at watches on its head, bringing a sense of play to the fore, and decreeing them style consumables. It was a democratic move away from Swiss watches predicated on careful craftsmanship to be cherished for a lifetime. Swatch meant there was a colour and design for every personality. Casio G-Shock (DW-5000C) – 1983 The durability of the game-changing Casio G-Shock managed to avoid a prohibitive price bracket while earning cult cool status. Its engineer, Kikuo Ibe, wanted a…
The story in a second: Two-tone is back, baby! Steel and gold watches have been around for years. Hitting peak popularity around 30 years ago, they were the epitome of ’80s style, but, then again, so were pastel polos with double popped collars. However, while the mix of these two metals has been used by countless manufacturers, I’ve just never been a two-tone guy. It’s not that I have anything against the combination (double popped collars are a different story), it’s just that they were never for me. This year, something happened that I think no one saw coming. Tudor released a two-toned Black Bay, and, I have to say, I think they’ve changed my mind. The case Apart from the obvious, not much has changed with the 41mm case of the new Black Bay. It still holds that same classic tool watch shape, with high, polished sides, chamfered lugs, and oversized crown. On top, the satin-brushed finish is still there, as is the black 60-minute bezel, which surrounds that wonderfully domed sapphire crystal. It’s even still water resistant to 200 metres. What has been changed, though, makes all the difference. The bezel is now a solid piece of yellow…