Results for California Dial

Maurice de Mauriac Embraces Brutalism with the Pillow Watch

Maurice de Mauriac isn’t afraid to make a bold statement. And their latest release, the Pillow Watch, might be their boldest yet. Not because it’s overly-designed or flashy, but for the quiet confidence this collection possesses. The Pillow Watch is a set of three references (Black, Bronze, and Titanium), each with a cushion case design and a corresponding calf leather strap that showcases the exceptional craftsmanship and design philosophy of this Swiss brand. Drawing inspiration from the architectural movement of brutalism, the Pillow Watch possesses clean lines and a bold design. For those who love a cushion case, you can agree that it’s a design built on a bit of opposites: daring, but subtle; delicate; but strong. For a brand that has put out some pretty eye-catching designs lately, some might consider this a departure for Maurice de Mauriac; but I say it’s the opposite. The Pillow Watch is a natural evolution for the brand, eschewing the bells and whistles for something simple, timeless, and sophisticated. Coming in at 45mm, this is a watch with presence, made all the more so with its Fabian Schwaerzler-design dials. Designed with thick applications of Superluminova, it’s at once retro and modern. The minimalist dial, displaying only hours via large lume plots, underscores the brand’s commitment to restraint for this collection, ensuring the watch remains balanced in its design. The Pillow Watch runs on a La Joux-Perret G100 automatic movement, designed b...

First Look - The New MB&F; LM Perpetual EVO Titanium, With An Icy Blue Dial

Max Büsser might have a fervent imagination, capable of dreaming up spaceships to relay time in the most unusual way to his fellow earthlings, but he also has his feet firmly on the ground. Following the buzz surrounding the launch of the brand’s first perpetual calendar in 2015, a groundbreaking movement with a mechanical processor […]

New: MB&F; LM Perpetual EVO

MB&F; releases a new EVO version to their GPHG winning Best Calendar Watch: the LM Perpetual EVO, now in a titanium case with an icy blue plate.

Hands-on - The Ollech & Wajs OW 8001 is an Ultra-Robust Take on the 1970s Integrated Sports Watch

Amidst the rapid expansion of the steel sports watch with an integrated bracelet category, selecting the right (meaning available and accessible) timepiece has become increasingly complex. However, this watch by O&W; (the contemporary side of Ollech & Wajs) stands out distinctly amidst the influx of new models. Rooted in the legitimate design ethos of the […]

Strap Review: RSM’s Luxurious Silk Straps (and a More Rugged Camo Option)

There comes a time when we must find the right shoes to strap our favorite watches onto our wrists. And let’s face it, we live in a time where there are many options to choose from at many price points. Besides the popular NATO-style straps and Tropic-style rubber straps, we all sorta need a good leather one in our arsenal. Or perhaps a soft perlon for these hotter days of the year. At the risk of generalizing a tad too much, I’d say that we more or less see the same straps being offered on the market everyday. And thus shopping for straps becomes a little bit overwhelming and boring just the same. Sometimes, however, a brand creates something new or proposes a fresh take on a popular style. And that’s what we’re going to talk about today.  Based in Singapore, RSM has been offering unique collections of well-made straps at competitive prices since 2019. The brand started with a single-pass Herringbone Twill strap and has evolved quite a bit since. While it offers poly-cotton and various types of robust polyester straps, today we’re going to focus on two of RSM’s most recent creations: 2-piece and reversible silk straps as well as a 2-piece and one-piece Camo that has more than a few tricks up its sleeves. What will perhaps become immediately apparent is that RSM goes the extra mile to make their straps look and feel special. Whether it is how it came about finding an artisanal silk maker or new ways to weave polyester fibers together.  While most straps we se...

The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Nekton Edition Pops Up On My Radar Screen

The hype is real. Although it’s a mini hype because the craziness is limited to Fratello HQ, it is still very real. Morgan recently bought one, Nacho can’t stop wearing his, and that led to RJ wearing his more and more often. And if that weren’t enough, all the team members started studying the collection […] Visit The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Nekton Edition Pops Up On My Radar Screen to read the full article.

Introducing - A More Compact 38mm Case for the Classic MeisterSinger No.03

Single-hand watches are the mainstay of German brand MeisterSinger. Proving that single-handed watches can perform multiple functions, MeisterSinger has produced a rich collection, ranging from straightforward time-only models all the way up to a sophisticated repeater or a jumping hour dive watch. Today, MeisterSinger releases three iterations of its classic time-only No.03 model in a […]

A Guide to Modern California Dials

The watch industry is rife with examples of watch brands turning to the past for new releases. The interest in vintage designs has led to some fun and unique long-forgotten or long-inaccessible designs finding a new audience. Consider the Timex World Time 1972 Reissue bringing some 70s funk to the 2020s. Or the Tudor Black Bay 54 giving Rolex Submariner fans the closest thing you can get to an original Sub without spending tens of thousands of dollars. And now, in the last few years watch brands have seen fit to revisit one of the most interesting and obscure vintage designs out there: the California dial. The California dial is the nickname given to watches that have Roman numerals on the upper half of the watch and Arabic on the lower half, typically with lines at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock spots and a triangle at the 12. This unique dial has a strong association with Panerai, which has featured watches with the dial in its catalog for some time now, but, like many developments in watchmaking, it was actually created by Rolex. Patented in 1942, the dial was originally known as the “error-proof” dial, designed to be more easily read because the different style numerals “clearly distinguishes these two halves” of the watch and “the Roman numerals chosen are those which are the simplest to perform and the easiest to read.” (Seems unnecessary, but it certainly wound up looking cool.) The modern PAM01349 The error-proof dial picked up the “California” moniker w...

Mark Wahlberg wore his new Norqain Wild One on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Marky Mark got Wild (One) on his recent Late Show with Stephen Colbert appearance.The post Mark Wahlberg wore his new Norqain Wild One on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Hands-On: If Affordable Avant-Garde Is Your Thing, Baltic's Newest Prismic Watches Are Straight-Up Money

Out of left field or from the dark side of the moon, these new watches in steel and titanium come in nearly any color you like.

The Baltic Prismic reinvents the classic cocktail watch

Baltic's latest piece features unisex proportions and a stunning Art Deco-inspired dial.The post The Baltic Prismic reinvents the classic cocktail watch appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Hands-On With The Ace Jewelers × Christiaan Van Der Klaauw stAriadne Limited Edition

Christiaan van der Klaauw (CvdK) is a brand known for its astronomical complications. Its watches feature miniature planetaria, small three-dimensional versions of the Moon, and entire star systems on the dials. More often than not, the celestial bodies on CvdK’s watches are part of an ingenious complication. That’s still the case on this new limited-edition […] Visit Hands-On With The Ace Jewelers × Christiaan Van Der Klaauw stAriadne Limited Edition to read the full article.

Watch Spotting: From Christian McCaffrey's Rolex To George Kittle's Casio, The Watches Of Super Bowl LVIII

Brock Purdy and his Tudor didn't win the game, but there were a lot of other watches to check out (and a massive clock during Usher's Halftime Show performance).

First Look - The Dazzling Gem-Set Zenith Chronomaster Sport

Any serious watch buff is familiar with the story of Zenith’s El Primero high-frequency automatic chronograph calibre of 1969. Fast-forward to the 21st century, and Zenith’s iconic movement ticks on thanks to upgrades and ever-higher frequencies to track elapsed times. A variant of the brand’s famous Zenith Chronomaster – itself a descendant of the iconic […]

Buying Guide - Six Watches Connected to our Neighbouring Satellite, the Moon

The Moon, our beloved neighbouring satellite, has a huge influence on life on Earth; it slows down the rotational speed of our planet, affects the tides of our oceans and forms the foundation of our convention of time. As the Moon is an ever-present celestial body, completing one cycle around our planet in approximately 29.5 […]

The Grand Seiko SBGA497 Honors 20 Years 9R Spring Drive Movement

Fratello Talks: Affordable Watches That Punch Above Their Weight

In this week’s episode of Fratello Talks, we’re taking a look at three affordable watches that punch above their weight. Nacho, Thomas, and Morgan have set their sights on sub-€500 offerings. This is a space in which the likes of Seiko, Hamilton, and even Tissot once reigned supreme. Today, it’s the battleground for many microbrands, […] Visit Fratello Talks: Affordable Watches That Punch Above Their Weight to read the full article.

Patek Philippe’s Price Increases And Discontinuations For 2024 - What Is Next For The Genevan Brand?

On February 1st, as usual, Patek Philippe communicated the new list prices to its authorized dealers. We also got the yearly list of discontinued models, which, not shockingly, includes more Nautilus references. On top of that, Patek Philippe decided to discontinue the popular Aquanaut Travel Time in stainless steel (ref. 5164A). While price increases are […] Visit Patek Philippe’s Price Increases And Discontinuations For 2024 - What Is Next For The Genevan Brand? to read the full article.

Hands-On: the Bell & Ross BR-X5 Green Lum & BR 03 Cyber Ceramic

Make no mistake, I’m grateful to be able to write about watches. Doing so opens a lot of doors and brings about some great opportunities. Many fantastic new watches are delivered to my door, and often weeks will pass without needing to pick something to wear from my own watch box. However, there are times when a new watch is in such demand, or produced in such limited numbers, that a loan is not easy to come by. The BR-X5 Green Lum is one such watch. Spending some time with it would mean leaving the warmth and comfort of my own home and venturing up to London’s Bell & Ross boutique. It’s a ‘hardship’ I’m willing to take, and an opportunity I’m still thankful for. So, accompanied by ‘wrist model’ and Bell & Ross fan Jeremy, I trekked up to the Big Smoke to go hands-on with this bright and bold addition to the BR-X5 line, and also had some surprise wrist time with the brand new BR 03 Cyber Ceramic. First up is the Green Lum ($13,300). When the BR-X5 line was launched in late 2022, it represented a serious advancement in the Bell & Ross brand identity. For as long as I can remember, the square watch has been Bell & Ross’s calling card. Think square: think Bell & Ross. The successful BR05 model family saw the brand pushing into the integrated-bracelet sports watch arena, rounding off a few square edges while still maintaining a familiar dial layout. Outside of those product lines Bell & Ross has also regularly added to and updated its ‘Concept’ range, w...

A futuristic wolf of a watch: the modern and angular Namica Okami

This Japanese microbrand's latest piece would be right at home in Neo Tokyo.The post A futuristic wolf of a watch: the modern and angular Namica Okami appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Three Kinds of Blue: 3 Cool and Relatively Affordable Limited Edition Watches Under $3,000 from Seiko, Oris, and Union Glashütte - Reprise

For less than $3,000 you can get a pretty cool watch with an interesting story to tell. But which one: Japanese, German, or Swiss? Jan Lidmaňský highlights three possibilities from Seiko, Union Glashütte, and Oris.

Hey Lewis Hamilton, I’ve designed your new Richard Mille

With the F1 star ditching Mercedes (and therefore IWC) in favour of Ferrari, he'll need his very own Richard Mille model.The post Hey Lewis Hamilton, I’ve designed your new Richard Mille appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Ben Clymer x G-SHOCK Limited Edition

The G-SHOCK Ref. 5600 By Ben Clymer Limited Edition is the third in a series of collaborations with John Mayer, Ed Sheeran, and Online Ceramics - inspired by vintage watches and the history of Hodinkee, now available in the Hodinkee Shop.

Introducing - The New Ikepod Megapod with a One-Minute Hourglass

Ikepod is a preeminent figure in unconventional and often contentious design-focused watchmaking icons. Revered by collectors and enthusiasts alike, the brand, founded in 1994 by designer Marc Newson and entrepreneur Oliver Ike, has left an indelible mark on the watchmaking scene. Despite its global success, Ikepod faced a challenging period, with production coming to a […]

Fratello Talks: When Should You Service Your Watch?

Welcome to this week’s episode of Fratello Talks. Today, Nacho is joined by Morgan and RJ to discuss the topic of watch servicing. More specifically, they answer common questions on the topic, including: when should you service your watch? How often should you service your watch? And how much should you expect to pay for […] Visit Fratello Talks: When Should You Service Your Watch? to read the full article.

Review: the Findeisen NauticMaster

If you are not already following @mikestuffler on Instagram, then you probably should. He is a watchuseek.com moderator emeritus and talks nearly exclusively about German watches. It is through one of his 7000+ posts that I discovered the brand, Findeisen. Until then, I had never heard of them, despite having been around since 2017. They began with a traditional three-hand dressy sports watch and in 2021 they launched the F-1253 diver. With its distinct sawtooth bezel, this is the one that caught my attention. New for 2023-24 are new vibrant dial colors and a polished DLC-coated bezel inlay.  In for review are two of their NauticMaster divers, a black one with the new bezel inlay and a blue one without. They also have white or green dials, available with either bezel option and your choice of right or left side crown positions. I must admit, I did not know what to expect when they were shipped over. After a few years of admiring these online, I was very excited to get my mitts on these in “real-life.” The case measures 41.5mm in diameter, with a thickness of 12.5mm, a lug-to-lug measurement of 47mm and an end-link to end-link length of 53.5mm. I read somewhere that if the tip of the male end link sits lower than where the spring bar attaches to the case, the latter measurement is not as pronounced. I have come to believe that this is true. On my 7.5” wrist, it feels very well balanced and not too wide, not exceeding the surface of my wrist at either end. I also took...

Grail Watch 9.1 Moritz Grossmann × Kari Voutilainen Benu 37 Stainless Steel ‘German Silver’

Hublot slides into the future with the MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Energy System Titanium

Not only does the M-10 do away with a typical method of telling time, but it also does away with a typical automatic winding system.The post Hublot slides into the future with the MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Energy System Titanium appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Introducing: The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon

After the Carrera Dato Chronograph that we showed you on Monday, we have something a tad more complicated today. This is the teal-dial TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon. And it is all in the name - well, except for the fact that this new watch is part of the very popular Glassbox collection. So you […] Visit Introducing: The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon to read the full article.

The Minimalist, 1970s Bulgari Bulgari Makes a Comeback

Bulgari updates its signature Bulgari Bulgari wristwatch by reverting to the original format (almost). Debuted in 1977 as the brand’s first wristwatch, the model was designed by Gerald Genta, who conceived a flat bezel engraved with the brand name, reputedly inspired by ancient Roman coins. Though the model has remained in the collection size in a variety of styles, the latest version returns to the simplicity of the original, with a minimalist dial and compact, 38 mm case available only in either 18k yellow or rose gold for now. Initial thoughts The Bulgari Bulgari remains the Italian jeweller’s quintessential wristwatch, remaining recognisable despite having evolved into a multitude of iterations over the years. The appeal of the design is its distinctive style despite the simplicity, something that the latest version returns to. The new Bulgari Bulgari has a minimalist dial featuring a date at three (which purists might frown at), and rendered more wearable with a diameter of 38 mm. This scaled-down case no doubt reflects a trend found across other brands, many of which are moving towards cases in the range of 35 mm to 39 mm, often in a vintage-inspired style. Whilst the new case size is almost ideal, the date window gets in the way of the minimalist design. At the same time, an upgraded movement would have made it more appeal. While in-house, the long-in-tooth BVL 191 has a disappointingly short power reserve of 42 hours, as opposed to the norm of three days for n...