Mido is one of the brands owned by the Swatch Group that, together with Hamilton, Tissot or Rado, plays on the accessible luxury trend. Still, it has both a storied history and portfolio that shouldn’t be overlooked. A couple of years ago, the brand introduced a very appealing retro-styled 3-hander watch that pays tribute to the […]
Ever since our story on the inner workings of COSC here, via an in-depth article by The Naked Watchmaker, our thirst for horological knowledge remain. More specifically, what it takes to make a movement a COSC-certified Chronometer? And what is the intrinsic value of the certification? We caught up with Peter Speake the co-founder of The Naked Watchmaker, a website with a weekly newsletter that analyses, dissects and disseminates everything from Breguet to Bulgari to satisfy your inner watchmaker. An important note from Peter Speake: There are exceptions to every rule in watchmaking, our answers are generalisations based on what we have both observed and lived in this industry. Each point merits a thesis rather than a paragraph and even then would still not be complete. Time+Tide: Right now there seem to be more discussions than ever on in-house versus modified ebauches. What is your point of view? Peter Speake: There is a possible misunderstanding as to what in-house represents. It’s a term that is understood by different people in different ways. There is no set definition, does it mean that the IP is owned by the brand that sells it, what percentage of components produced by a brand represents…
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Grand Seiko has been around for over 60 years, but within the last decade the brand is slowly (yet exponentially) growing its presence throughout the watch community and the world. The brand is known by enthusiasts for their high-value craftsmanship, offering more black polished components than most Swiss brands – and at a fraction of the price. Their Zaratsu finishing method results in some of the most aesthetically pleasing cases and their nature-inspired dials immediately catch the eye. This year, the new 9SA5 powered SLGH005 White Birch has taken the watch world by storm, its textured white dial and dual impulse movement leading some to believe it will overthrow the renowned SBGA211 Snowflake as the iconic white-dialled design of the catalogue. With the debate hot and raging, I’ve decided to throw my hat into the ring: Snowflake versus White Birch, the battle between the classic and the contender. To be clear, both are excellent watches neither of which you could go wrong with in your collection. So my breakdown will be a bit nit-picky, as well as subjective to my tastes and perspective. The dials While both watches have white dials, their textures and tones vary quite a bit –…
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Longines and its Heritage collection… A range that comprises some of the most desirable watches produced by the brand, all inspired by some of Longines’ most glorious past watches, re-edited in a modern way but always with great historical relevance. One of the flagship models in this collection is the Avigation BigEye, a watch modelled after […]
De-clutter that desk drawer with some constructive thinking.
The menswear expert will discuss perception and preferences in wristwatch sizing.
Around Christmas time when I dug into the archives of Orient Watch, the lesser known sister company in the Seiko family, our story resounded with our readers in a big way. Personally, since my early days of vintage obsession, through to a brief flirtation with a Mako diver, I have nurtured a secret love for the quirky nature and superb value of Orient. Like that holiday destination you don’t want anyone else to find (it’s in the South of France, that’s all I’m telling you), I have been persuaded to share more of their horological offerings with you, and what better way to start than their best new releases of 2021? M-Force AC0L Don’t be shy, here is a tough as nails alternative to other deep ocean dwellers, be that Tunas or Turtles, in a brand new version of the distinctive M-Force series. It’s a bullet-proof diver’s watch with a heritage that stretches back to its initial run from 1997-2002. Admittedly, it isn’t a 38mm svelte vintage dressy diver, but a pure tool that might look intimidating enough to be refused access to a respectable club. With a spot-on petrol blue fume dial, this 45mm diver is a colourful beast…
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Moritz Grossmann walks a fine line between traditional timepieces on one hand and offering a contemporary take on things on the other. Regardless of your choice, one thing is certain. You will end up with a watch that is created with high regards to traditional watchmaking craftsmanship. Most parts are made in-house, designed and constructed […]
From new takes on the Royal Oak Offshore Diver and Chronograph to a thorough refresh of the Seamaster 300, two watchmaking titans are updating the tried and true.
Bamford London has built a reputation by customizing watches from top brands like Rolex, Zenith and Patek Philippe, and all of the work is officially authorized. The company even collaborates with outside designers like Black Badger for wild creations like the Zenith El Primero Superconductor. Bamford also has its own line of GMT watches and […]