Hodinkee
HODINKEE Radio: Finding J.P. Morgan's Long-Lost Million-Dollar Pocket Watch
The most complicated British watch ever made had dropped off the radar; could Daniel Miller find it?
41,227 articles · 6,873 videos found · page 1443 of 1604
Hodinkee
The most complicated British watch ever made had dropped off the radar; could Daniel Miller find it?
SJX Watches
When Vacheron Constantin celebrated its 260th anniversary in 2015 with the Harmony collection of cushion-shaped watches, the standout was easily the split-seconds chronograph. Seemingly ordinary on its face, the Harmony split-seconds was powered by the cal. 3500, an all-new rattrapante chronograph calibre with a novel automatic winding mechanism. The movement was gorgeous, but disappeared from the catalogue – until last year. The cal. 3500 made its comeback with the Traditionnelle Split-Seconds Chronograph Ultra-Thin Collection Excellence Platine. Like the other Collection Excellence Platine (CEP) watches, the Traditionnelle split-seconds is a limited edition – only 15 pieces in fact – that utilises platinum generously throughout the watch, but it is unique as there is no standard production equivalent in the catalogue. In short, it is a special watch. The cal. 3500 with its intricate chronograph mechanism and novel peripheral rotor Initial thoughts On its face, the Traditionnelle split-seconds is an elegant watch with a restrained, almost simple style. Its proportions are wide and slim, creating a graceful profile. The thinness exaggerates the case diameter slightly, so it does seem a bit wider than it is, especially with the longish lugs. In typical CEP style, the dial is nearly monochromatic, rendered in grey and silver, with the only colour coming from the indicator hands for the chronograph and power reserve. It’s a simple combination, but a good one. The pla...
SJX Watches
Best known for his versatile repertoire and customised watches, Russian watchmaker Maxim Sushkov recently realised the vision of a Scottish watch collector, who wanted a one-off, time-only watch. The result has been christened Dark Sky. Despite its simple format, the new watch incorporates several interesting details that help it stand out from the sea of industrially-produced timepieces that dominate in this price range. Initial thoughts As is the case with most of Mr Sushkov’s projects, the Dark Sky is basic in terms of function, but it scores well for aesthetics. It’s essentially a three-hand watch with unusual details, including a mother-of-pearl dial with pink accents and wavy guilloche on the seconds register. The owner’s inclinations are evident in the watch, because Mr Sushkov is able to accommodate a large degree of customisation, since he operates his own work workshop and produces most parts from scratch, including the hands, dials, and even cases. The personalised and artisanal experience has long been a primary draw of independent watchmaking, but that experience often comes with high prices and a long waitlist, especially now. Mr Sushkov’s work is unusual in its affordability. The Dark Sky costs €4,500 before taxes – entirely affordable and strong value considering the degree of customisation and the magnitude of workmanship required to accomplish that customisation. Pink and pearlescent The most eye-catching element of the Dark Sky is indeed th...
Time+Tide
During the holiday break, the Time+Tide team caught a very interesting post in the r/Rolex thread on Reddit, where a user claimed he was offered a very intriguing trade opportunity from a dealer. The offer was a straight trade, watch for watch, with no cash involved. On the table was the chance to swap his … ContinuedThe post A dealer is offering to trade a black dial ceramic Rolex Daytona for a “Tiffany blue” Rolex OP – what would you do? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
The Hamilton Ventura was a truly revolutionary watch upon its release. While Richard Arbib’s extremely unique case shape turned heads, it wasn’t the Ventura’s true party piece. As the world’s first electric watch powered by a battery, it became an instant worldwide sensation. However, the Ventura’s true claim to fame comes as Elvis Presley’s companion … ContinuedThe post Three of our favourite Hamilton Ventura watches to celebrate Elvis’ birthday appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Quill & Pad
Enamel dials are not as uncommon as they once were, and brands need to do a little bit more to stand out. Jaeger-LeCoultre has no problem with that as the Master Ultra Thin Moon Enamel features eye-catching blue enamel over a hand-guilloche dial. Martin Green looks at what else makes this model stand out.
Quill & Pad
Martin Green enjoys hiking to the Dutch beach in the winter. So when he borrowed a Tutima M2 Coastline Chronograph for a test he decided to put it through its paces at the coastline. The stormy conditions were challenging, but the M2 Coastline Chronograph proved its worth.
SJX Watches
Most famous for its jewelled timepieces and the Astronomia, Jacob & Co. specialises in over the top watches. One of its latest is the Opera Godfather Minute Repeater. Inspired by the film of the same name, it’s a massive watch in the brand’s typical style of a sapphire cake dome containing a 758-component movement. While The Godfather branding on the dial is gaudy, the mechanics of the watch are surprisingly unusual and impressively complex. The Godfather repeater can chime the time with the minute repeating function and also play The Godfather theme on the miniature two-cylinder musical box within the case (see the video just below). That makes it a two-train grand complication at heart: one barrel and going train drives the triple-axis tourbillon and time display – which is linked to the repeating mechanism – while the second barrel and train power the music box. Initial thoughts Jacob & Co. specialises in loud watches, so everything has to be judged by that benchmark. The Twin Turbo Furious, for example, is one of the tamer complications the brand offers. The Godfather repeater fits right into that repertoire. It’s enormous – almost 50 mm wide and over 20 mm high – so it scores low on wearability. But it scores high on making a state on the wrist, in both aesthetics and function, which is unquestionably the point of the whole exercise. The button that activates the music box, with the slide for the repeater just below it That said, the large size is not...
Deployant
Casio G-SHOCK announced two new G-SQUAD Red Out series, which are the new colorways of the tough sports watches with smartphone connectivity.
Hodinkee
The Finnish watchmaker taps into his past to chart the future of a hidden gem.
Hodinkee
"We have met the enemy and he is us." -Walt Kelly, Pogo
Revolution
Looking for a watch that’s a bit different, a bit interesting? Of course, you are. Well, how about this: I’ll save you the effort of looking. Here are three hidden gems from Omega - and there isn’t a Speedmaster in sight
Hodinkee
In order to understand watches, I knew I had to understand Patek. So I went to Geneva for a tour of the brand's mothership museum. Lesson one: Don't show up late to a place that's all about timekeeping.
SJX Watches
Just last year, IWC debuted its smallest Big Pilot’s Watch to date. Smaller, but not small, the latest Big Pilot is 43 mm, leaving it very much large and legible, but more wearable. The brand quickly followed up with the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Spitfire, which shares the same proportions but in new styles and materials. Two variants are available: titanium or bronze, but the standout is definitely the model in the lightweight metal. Initial thoughts The original Big Pilot’s Watch 43 is intrinsically appealing, being large enough to be an oversized aviator’s instrument, but small enough to sit relatively comfortable on wrist. That contrasts with the original Big Pilot, which is 46.5 mm in diameter. With the original version selling well, the addition of the Spitfire editions is natural. The aesthetic of Spitfire editions is clearly different from the that of the standard model in steel, which is good news for enthusiasts who want something more interesting. History fanatics, however, might frown at the dial design. Of the two Spitfire versions, the one in titanium stands out for its unusual, historically-inspired dial (though it’s not exactly historically accurate since IWC didn’t produce a B-uhr with such a dial; more on that below). And it also has an atypical case finish that mimics a worn, vintage case. On the other hand, the bronze version is identical to the steel model save for the bronze case and green dial – in fact it sticks to the same formula applied...
Time+Tide
At this precise moment in time – with apologies to Messrs Lewandowski, Messi, Mbappe et al – Mo Salah is arguably the best football player in the world. The Liverpool forward is a truly astonishing player, who routinely bamboozles defences with his jinking brilliance, acceleration and technical skill. Despite being slightly built at just 5’9, … ContinuedThe post Liverpool’s Mo Salah shows his wristwear is as dazzling as his football with his Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
The Cartier Tank, through all its varied forms, possesses an unshakable aura of cool that transcends gender, cultures and centuries.
Hodinkee
In the first installment of her new monthly column, Cara Barrett says it's time to retire our outdated gender norms.
Hodinkee
A decade-long search takes me all the way to Thailand - and meets a surprising end.
Revolution
Genta’s original watch designs of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus and more are paired with NFTs at Sotheby’s 2022 auctions.
SJX Watches
Patek Philippe introduced a bunch of notable new models this year, including the recent “Advanced Research” Minute Repeater Ref. 5750P. The most notable amongst its accessible complications – accessible in a relative sense – is unquestionably the In-line Perpetual Calendar ref. 5236P, an all-new model with a movement developed from the ground up. The ref. 5236P takes its cues from the “linear” perpetual calendar pocket watches of the 1950s and 1960s, namely the ref. 725 with perpetual calendar only, and the refs. 699, 843, and 844 that also included a minute repeater. The nickname stems from the calendar display within a single, horizontal window under 12 o’clock, which instantly sets such watches apart from conventional calendar displays that rely on multiple sub-dials. A ref. 699 from 1956 with linear calendar and minute repeater This same straight-line calendar display has been reproduced on the ref. 5236P – a substantial feat considering its compact size and relatively large calendar window. It was realised with an all-new calendar mechanism with a cleverly designed display, but one still constructed as a traditional, “grand lever” calendar. Initial thoughts Despite its vintage inspiration, the ref. 5236P looks and feels like a contemporary watch, especially because of its colours and size. In the hand the ref. 5236P is substantial, both in diameter and weight. At 41.3 mm it’s one of the biggest perpetual calendar watches Patek Philippe makes. In...
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." –Iñigo Montoya, The Princess Bride
Revolution
To celebrate 300 years of making complex and fascinating timepieces, Jaquet Droz has released a collection of eight new pieces that celebrates the thrill and excitement of hand-painted and engraved intricate animations.
Deployant
The Chopard Alpine Eagle collection welcomes a new XL Chrono in ethical 18k rose gold and ceramised titanium with a calfskin leather strap.
Quill & Pad
Zeitgeist marks the five-year anniversary of the launch of Armin Strom’s patented resonance technology and focuses on the brand’s ideals and commitment to innovation in watchmaking by going back to the roots of watchmaking while remaining entirely cutting edge.
EDITOR’S NOTE: What’s that you say? It’s already Christmas? Oh well, better late than never I suppose. Plus there’s always next year, too. This video primer will arm you with the knowledge to really jingle your partner’s bell in the horological gift department at least… If you’re thinking of pulling the trigger on a watch for … ContinuedThe post VIDEO: How to buy your partner a watch for Christmas appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Deployant
We take a quick look at the Norqain Adventure Neverest GMT, a rather new brand to enter the entry level luxury sports segment.
Deployant
Casio G-SHOCK announcs the latest addition to the G-SHOCK brand of shock-resistant watches. The new MTG-B2000XMG with multi-coloured bezel.
Hodinkee
It's in the way that you use it.
Deployant
We took a close look at the Omega De Ville Central Tourbillon Co-Axial Chronometer. Not quite a new watch, as Omega was the first to offer a tourbillon wristwatch from way back in 1947. Omega later introduced the central tourbillon in the regular catalog in 1994. And this iteration was released in 2020. Here isRead More
SJX Watches
A watch designer whose talent lives on in his work, the late Gérald Genta was exceptionally prolific – he claimed to have penned over 100,000 creations. His family still possesses some 3,400 original sketches covering a bewildering diversity of timepieces. From that, a hundred sketches have been curated to form Gérald Genta: Icon of Time, a series of four thematic auctions staged by Sotheby’s in the first half of the year. The brainchild of Genta’s wife, Evelyne, the auctions will offer original sketches of his best known creations, including the Royal Oak, Nautilus, and Disney Fantasy watches – each accompanied by a non-fungible token (NFT). Three of Genta’s best known designs. Notably, the illustration of the Nautilus includes its case profile, unlike most of his sketches that depict only the front of the watch Essentially digital representations of the sketches, the NFTs “serve as a record of ownership and proof of provenance for each design, ensuring the value of each physical artwork is intrinsically connected to its digital counterpart which cannot be resold without the NFT that attests to the legitimacy of the piece” according to Sotheby’s. And these original works will be affordable, with each sketch and its NFT starting at just US$100, CHF100, or HK$1,000, depending on the sale location. But the highlight of the event is an actual watch – Genta’s own personal Royal Oak. Slated to be sold at the final instalment of the event taking place...
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