Micro magic: 3 microbrand watches that got everyone talking in 2019
The sheer breadth of microbrands currently occupying the horological hemisphere is nothing short of miraculous, and for us enthusiasts, it’s a very good time to be into watches. There have been numerous examples of microbrands knocking it out of the park over the last 12 months, and while we’d like to mention all of them, these three timepieces really stood out: MING 17.06 COPPER For a brand that has only been producing watches for two years, Ming have managed to create a remarkably consistent – and eminently recognisable – design language. This is clear in their new 17.06 Copper, an update to their original model, the 17.01. While the flared lugs express the panache of a brand making a name for themselves on the world stage, the gem hiding in plain sight on this watch is the dial. Its coppery warmth evokes the salmon tone used so commonly on the dials of mid-century Swiss watches. Ref No: 17.06C / Case size: 38mm / Case material: Steel / Movement: ETA 2824-2 / Price: CHF1250 CREUX AUTOMATIQ DIAMONDBACK Creux’s bid for more attention in the world of microbrands is likely to be achieved with the release of the Diamondback series. While the…
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Stetz & Co recently published an interview with one of the foremost vintage watch aficionados on the planet, Mr Roni Madhvani. Madhvani — or as he goes by on Instagram, @roni_m_29 — has a truly unbelievable collection of some of the rarest and most eccentric timepieces from the likes of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Cartier. His Instagram page is the stuff of legend and, rather surprisingly, it’s one of the few watch ‘gram pages that isn’t littered with steel sports watches. No, Madhvani’s assemblage of watches all have two things in common: precious metal and unique case shapes. Whether it’s a Cartier Crash, Audemars Piguet “Disco Volante” or a Gilbert Albert-designed Patek Philippe, his Instagram feed is a veritable cornucopia of the strangest and most left-field watches out there. And, rather interestingly, Madhvani admits that since his appearance on Hodinkee’s Talking Watches back in 2016, the main focus of his collecting has been mid-20th century Audemars Piguet, and the reason for this interest is mainly because of the “increasing unaffordability of vintage Patek”. It’s a great interview, and if you’ve got the time, it’s definitely worth a read. Hit this link for the full interview.
Netflix’s latest blockbuster, Uncut Gems, follows the story of a deeply flawed and shady jewellery dealer, Howard Ratner, played by Hollywood funnyman Adam Sandler. It’s an … interesting film, that essentially involves Sandler yelling and screaming profanities A LOT in a pretty unconvincing manner. OK, I’m going to be brutally honest here, it’s actually a straight-up dumpster fire of a film. But there are some cool … and some not-so-cool watches featured in it, so enthusiasts may feel compelled to watch it. DON’T – it goes for two hours and it’s time that you’ll never get back. Good bloke that I am, I’ve taken one for the team and watched it, and made note of the watches, so you don’t have to. You’re welcome. Rolex Day-Date 36 Deary me, this one definitely falls into the not-so-cool category of wristwatches featured in the film. Unfortunately, however, the brutalisation of this solid 18k yellow gold Rolex Day-Date 36 is commonplace in the States, especially amongst the many independent jewellery dealers you’ll find in places like Miami, Manhattan and Los Angeles. Yes, what was once the quintessence of class is now anything but. Gone is the signature 18k yellow gold fluted bezel found on…
Editor’s note: The one-watch collection is forever in the back of the minds of watch collectors, as a consideration of how one’s tastes might look when reduced to a single timepiece. A fun extension of this thought is what one might wear during the apocalypse, and you’d be hard pressed to arrive at a better contender than the Casio G-Shock GMW-B5000V. Be it an apocalypse of the zombie, nuclear or garden (read: ecological) variety, this G-Shock is as tough as it seems. Let’s take another look at the watch that is right out of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. Casio’s G-Shock has a reputation — and a well-deserved one, I might add — for being one of the toughest watches ever made. Way back in 1983, Kikuo Ibe, the man behind the watch, decreed that the watch needed to meet some pretty tough criteria: a 10-year battery life, water resistance of 10 bar, and the ability to survive a 10-metre fall onto a hard surface. In the decades since, the combination of extreme functionality and even more extreme durability has made the G-Shock the go-to choice for people who need a watch that can *really* take a beating. And, of course, this…