MY WEEK WITH: The Seiko Astron GPS Solar 8X Dual Time in Japan

seiko-astron-sliderLast Sunday I boarded a plane in Melbourne and made the 8,000-odd kilometre trek to Tokyo. And in the last week I have travelled, by Shinkansen, bus and car a further 1500 or kilometres across Japan. On my wrist every step of the way – from airport lounges to traditional Ryokans – was the Seiko Astron. The Astron is a tremendously important and innovative watch for Seiko – it takes its name from the first quartz wristwatch, developed by the brand in 1969. The orginal Astron was a major milestone, not just in watchmaking, but in the history of electrical engineering. Seiko is hoping that the current Astron, released in 2012 will prove to be just as significant; it is the world’s first GPS solar watch, and aims to be an unfailing, ever-accurate timepiece, no matter how obscure your timezone. There’s no doubt it sounds impressive, but what’s it like on the wrist? My first impression was…Confusion. I’m a mechanical watch kind of guy, and the Astron, for all its appearance as a conventional watch, is a very hi-tech product. At first glance it appears to be a chronograph, but closer inspection reveals that the subdials are actually a second time zone, the…

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8 years ago

In-Depth: The Famed Enamel Dials Of The Patek Philippe Ref. 2526, And A Visit To The Factory Where They’re Trying Tirelessly To Replicate Them

Just recently, at a well-known auction house, a Patek Philippe ref. 2526 first series was being offered for sale at what I thought was an unexpectedly low estimate. Surely the watch would use the estimate as a starting point and the bidding would jump accordingly. It was during the pre-sale viewing, with a loupe, that I found the reason for the low estimate. The dial was cracked: a hairline ran from the center all the way across to the marker at four o’clock. The dream was shattered once more. The value of the 2526 lies, to a large extent, in the condition of the dial. And there in lies the rub. Enamel dials are extremely difficult to manufacture and maintain. However, I have recently found something worrying for collectors who, like myself, would love to own a 2526 but are concerned about dial provenance and condition.

8 years ago

What’s Going On In This De Bethune DB28 Drive-By?

I’ll say this right up front: The De Bethune DB28 is my favorite watch. But what do you think that this particular De Bethune DB28 might be doing in this car at this particular time? Perhaps it is being worn by a contract killer en route to a drive-by assassination? Or an Uber driver who has profited by surge pricing? Let us know your suggestions!

8 years ago

Introducing: The F.P. Journe Tenth Anniversary Centigraphe Souverain Anniversaire

Hot on the heels of announcing that it is offering a legit certified pre-owned program, the fan-favorite independent watch maker F.P. Journe has announced a new limited edition Centigraph Souverain in titanium and rose gold. It is an unusual kind of commemorative watch in that it celebrates the tenth anniversary of each of the brand’s boutiques worldwide, and will continue to do so over the coming years as boutiques reach that milestone. Let us explain.

8 years ago

Five Fabulous “Made in New York” Jewelry Designs

By Roberta Naas
For more than a century New York City has played home to jewelry designers. The vibrant night life, the city skyline and the hustle bustle of every day life have inspired the finest designers to create exceptional jewelry. The city has played home to some of the finest names, including

8 years ago

Ventus Mori Brass Diver Watch

Hailing from Singapore, Ventus Watches has just launched its third model on Kickstarter. This follows two successful campaigns, both Flieger watches made from either brass or carbon fiber. It started as an endeavour to offer classic designs with our own unique twists to them.

8 years ago

Bring a Loupe: An Extremely Rare Rolex Veriflat, A Gallet MultiChron Astronomic Chronograph, A Highly Sought After Doxa T. Graph, And More

This week, Bring A Loupe presents some truly rare watches that you would be hard pressed to find at auction, or for that matter, anywhere. The Rolex Veriflat exemplifies such rarity, being an ultra-thin Rolex produced only through the late 1950s. The MultiChron Astronomic is another example of a complicated wristwatch, which is still flying under the radar nowadays. As for the Doxa T. Graph, its orange dial and unique handset immediately made it a crowd favorite – so much so that its Ebay listing was gone almost instantly. This is your Bring A Loupe for October 7, 2016.

8 years ago

5 Cool Finds – 5 Essential Dive Watches from Highly Respected Brands

Today is… Friday! So not only it means that weekend is coming, but it also means that our 5 Cool Finds are online. To follow with last week’s article, we continue our “Cool Finds” selections, still with our trustful partner Chronext. What about the “5 Cool Finds”? Simple: 5 watches, not new, not vintage, most of the time young-timers (that we believe are the new trend) that we selected for you. Today, we go for one of the most sought-after categories, a type of watches that must be in every collection: dive watches. Here are 5 divers that look good now, that will look good in 10 years, that will look good everywhere and forever.

8 years ago

Interview: Montblanc Watch Chief Davide Cerrato Explains His Strategy for Success

Davide Cerrato took the top job at Montblanc’s watch division at end 2015, taking charge of the a crucial business segment at Montblanc. He was recruited by Jerome Lambert, the Frenchman who became chief executive in 2013 with a mandate to revitalise the drifting German pen maker. Cerrato’s track record in the watch business bodes well: his last job was Head […]

8 years ago