MICRO MONDAYS: The Serica 4512, a tough French take on classic military utilitarian chic
The WMB came out in 2019 as an unusual and strong contender from the newly formed French microbrand Serica, through an idea from the only American on the team, author of A Man & His Watch, Matt Hranek. Inspired by the iconic Wrist Watch Waterproof of the armed forces, a tough-looking everyday tool watch with optional dial colours and hands, it hit a perfect note within the horological community. Covered in Nick Kenyon’s story here, where Nick went as far as calling it the revival of the good, affordable watch. Well, I think he might have been right, and here is the new and sharpened second version, the Serica 4512. This time the military field watch monochromatic charm is still ever-present, but distilled – and with a superb vintage bracelet as standard. The feel is one of a small, bulletproof tool, but with a certain je ne sais quoi (indefinable, ed.) that makes it fit for everything from rambling through the woods to brushed off and elegant under a sharp shirt cuff. Unlike many microbrands that naturally enough haven’t got 40 staff on research and design, Serica hit the nail on the head with the all-important proportions first time out.…
The post MICRO MONDAYS: The Serica 4512, a tough French take on classic military utilitarian chic appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
Editor’s pick: The Norm Smith Medal is awarded to the best player in an Australian Rules Football Grand Final. If you win one, you’re all but guaranteed sports legend status for life. If you win two, you’re one of the game’s all-time greats. It’s unlikely you’ll ever have to buy yourself a beer in a bar again. If you win three, you’re a man called Dustin Martin. ‘Dusty’ was the difference in the Tigers win over the Cats on Saturday night, and we’re imagining there’s been plenty of talk over at Kennedy, an Australian jeweller and watch retailer, where he was the face of a campaign in 2020. We won’t be surprised when he once again graces city billboards and ad-banners draped in more Panerai and IWC. Congratulations to Dustin and the Tiges on an epic win. Now, let’s read again about how Kennedy working with sporting ambassadors, as opposed to models, is a good thing. Luxury brands invariably dangle a world of mahogany-panelled exclusivity. Viewed through the prism of their marketing, life is presented as a stately whirl of weekend polo, yachts and vintage convertibles. Access is restricted by a velvet rope and the relative depth of your wallet. But…
As a watch journalist in 2020, based in Europe under the draconian rule of the pandemic, it’s easy to lose perspective and here is a particular example. Despite my missionary preachings and personal taste, 38-39 millimetres is not the Goldilocks size for everyone. So, with this self-realisation in mind, the TAG Heuer Carrera Collection is pitch-perfect for most buyers at 42mm. And there is not a shadow of a doubt that these four strong contenders from La Chaux-de-Fonds are likely to hit a sweet spot as modern takes on a stone-cold classic. The four references here are based on the same classic Carrera case, yet show just how much colours, accents and strap choices can transform your wrist-worn favourite. The Carrera DNA is as resilient and adaptable as ever in 2020, in these four sleeker, more suit-ready takes on the larger more muscular Carrera Sport Chronograph collection. The case We have seen the iconic shape before, echoing the heyday of the sports chronograph around 50 years ago, sharpened yet familiar. The recognisable Carrera case remains perfectly proportioned, which is surely its calling card. Aesthetics. Balance. And balance is more prominent in the TAG Heuer Carrera Collection than the Chronograph Sport,…
Editor’s note: There’s always been a healthy competitiveness between Time+Tide and Watchonista. This was evident when we recently did an Instagram live session that quickly degenerated into a State Of The Collection showdown between Andrew, Josh, and his wife Viviana. Now, they’ve gone and upped the ante by sponsoring a NASCAR team. So, if there are any obscure sports out there that have prominent branding opportunities, we’d like to hear from you. The Nordland Wife-Carrying Association? The Shropshire Bog-Snorkelling League? No sport will be excluded from our consideration. Please note: Payment in T-shirts, magazines and watch straps. Game on, Watchonista … Both the founding Watchonista team in Switzerland, as well as the budding team based in NYC, have a fondness for racing and motorsports. When the opportunity presented itself to get involved with NASCAR, Watchonista saw a green light to mix profession and passion – driving awareness to the brand and opportunities that racing partnerships can potentially bring to the world of watches. Having formerly partnered with sports and endurance cars with Rebellion Racing, Lamborghini Super Trofeo, and Tour Auto, this is not Watchonista’s first foray into the world of racing. In fact, they have also provided coverage on the motorsports…
It feels like a lifetime ago that I was heading home from the DOXA Australia Launch Event to pack my bags for Dubai Watch Week 2019. Since then, the global pandemic put a stop to any in-person watch events (with the exception of the LVMH Watch Week and more recently at a socially distanced Geneva Watch Days), which included the demise of the longest-running watch event in the world – Baselworld. But the youth of Dubai Watch Week gives it an advantage against the traditional trade show. Flexibility. And this year the organisers of Dubai Watch Week are demonstrating their dynamism with the Horology Forum 2020 to be held virtually. The Horology Forum 2020 began last night in earnest, with a panel debating the nature of the grey market. RedBar founder Adam Craniotes said in the session, which can be viewed at the link below, that “the grey market is a creation of the brands, and they need to address it, instead of kicking the can down the road.” The final session is to be held on November 9. Last year’s speakers included Jean-Claude Biver, Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, Aldis Hodge, Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani and even @shameonwrist, and this year the line-up…
Never, in my life, have I had more comments on my watch. From friends. From strangers. No one can help but notice my full metal gold-tone G-Shock (the Casio G-Shock Full Metal GMW-B5000GD-9). But if you’ve met me, or follow me on Instagram, you’ll likely know that I tend to lean towards simple, cleanly designed watches with two or three hands. I love watches that manufacturers like Cartier produce for this very reason, as well as anything else that strives for balance and proportion above all else. So why did I add one of the loudest and most gaudy timepieces released in recent memory to my collection? Mainly because I also love watches that don’t take themselves too seriously. Of course many of the most desirable watches on earth are expensive, and must be treated with appropriate respect – especially in the important world of vintage watch collecting. But I’m undeniably attracted to watches that can poke some fun, or offer reference to something they are diametrically opposed to. This might be the brilliant H. Moser Swiss Alp Concept Black, a minute repeater tourbillon without hands that costs $350,000, which reminds of a certain mass-produced tech product. Or it might…