Two Broke Watch Snobs
Seiko vs Orient: Takeaways from 10 Years of Hands-On Testing
After a decade of reviews, we compare Seiko and Orient on design, performance, durability, and value to help you choose what's right for you.
23,416 articles · 217 videos found · page 422 of 788
Two Broke Watch Snobs
After a decade of reviews, we compare Seiko and Orient on design, performance, durability, and value to help you choose what's right for you.
Monochrome
Swiss watch manufacturer Ebel has long balanced beauty and function, from the 1911’s hexagonal case with exposed screws, first seen in 1986, to today’s clean, contemporary executions. The new 1911 Chronograph Ice Blue moves that signature language in a fresher, sport-forward direction. With this new colourway for the rather iconic chrograph, making us long for […]
Fratello
Spinnaker is back to haunt you. Once again, the Fleuss dive watch - not a watch named after a character from the movie Ghostbusters, mind you, but after influential diver and dive engineer Henry Albert Fleuss - is the medium that makes ghosts appear. The Spinnaker Fleuss Automatic Seconde/Seconde/ 2025 Edition is available in two […] Visit I Ain’t Afraid Of No Ghost! Introducing The Spinnaker Fleuss Automatic Seconde/Seconde/ 2025 Edition In Two Sizes to read the full article.
SJX Watches
Roger Dubuis continues its decade-long exploration of Arthurian mythos with The Enchanter Merlin, the twelfth iteration in its fantastical Knights of the Round Table (KRT) collection, and the second Merlin-themed watch in the series. At the heart of the spectacle is a highly architectural dial composed of 56 stepped columns, inspired by the basalt pillars of Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. The columns are rendered in a variety of materials, including Murano glass, vitreous enamel, and invisibly set diamonds. Above them stand 12 hand-engraved knights, each a unique character from the Matter of Britain, the medieval tales of King Arthur and his knights. Initial Thoughts Geneva has a long tradition in the decorative arts dating to the 18th century, mostly focused on enamelled boxes, small clocks, and of course, watches. It’s only natural that a Genevan watchmaker like Roger Dubius would continue that tradition, as do neighbouring Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. In 2013, Roger Dubius launched the first KRT watch with a miniature enamel replica of the famous Round Table in Winchester’s Great Hall. Since then Roger Dubuis has pushed the boundaries of what can be reasonably called a “table” with striking results. While the miniatures were what made the first KRT special, The Enchanter Merlin’s basalt pillar-inspired crystal palace dial could easily stand on its own (perhaps Kollokium should take notes for its next Projekt). The 45 mm case is 18k pink gol...
Monochrome
The name Santos at Cartier carries a lot of weight. One of Cartier’s oldest collections, named after Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who commissioned a watch from his friend Louis Cartier in 1904 to be worn while piloting his flying machines, it took on a slightly different vocation in recent years, becoming the brand’s vision of […]
Worn & Wound
This week, TAG Heuer announced a fifth generation in its Connected watch line, a collection of smart watches that lean more towards traditional watch form factors than most. It is an attempt to appease the modern watch enthusiast while offering the conveniences brought through connected features, most notably health tracking and phone connectivity. That does mean, though, that the previous generation did tend to fall somewhere in a no-man’s land where watch enthusiasts would most likely still prefer a watch, while those seeking smart features opted for more mainstream offerings from tech-focused companies. This new generation, though, is a true generational leap for TAG Heuer Connected. It brings about many meaningful improvements that might make you reconsider your next connected watch purchase. I was able to spend a bit of hands-on time with each version, cycling through the operating system to speak on it here. Looking first at the case, TAG Heuer is now offering the Connected Calibre E5 in two diameters, the standard 45 millimeter and a new 40 millimeter version. For those scoffing at the 45mm diameter, the Apple Watch SE comes in either a 40 or 44mm case for a frame of reference. At launch, seven standard versions are available between the two sizes, with one separate collaboration special edition. The 45mm case is offered in a mix of stainless steel with ceramic bezels or an all black DLC-coated titanium if you are looking for the full stealth approach. In the 40...
Time+Tide
There is no stopping the stone dial trend as Christopher Ward brings it to a smaller watch with real panache. The post Christopher Ward jumps on the natural stone trend with the C63 Sealander appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Fratello
Christopher Ward expands its versatile Sealander family with a striking set of four new models, the C63 Sealander Stones. This time, the spotlight is on natural stones, crafted into dials that make each watch one of a kind. The lineup includes malachite, charoite, turquoise, and tiger’s eye. The Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Stones models are […] Visit Rock-Solid Style: Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Stones Limited Editions to read the full article.
SJX Watches
Following last year’s Arsham Droplet pocket watch, Daniel Arsham has just unveiled his second collaboration with Hublot, the MP-17 MECA-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire. One of the leading artists in pop culture, Daniel Arsham was inspired by the fluidity of a water droplet, explaining the streamlined, pebble-like wristwatch with an intriguing asymmetrical dial framed by a frosted sapphire crystal bezel. Mr Arsham has collaborated with brands as diverse as Porsche and Pokemon, and here he applies his aesthetic to Hublot’s Big Bang Meca-10. While the aesthetic is unlike any other Hublot, the movement inside is familiar: one of Hublot’s most interesting movements, the Meca-10 calibre with a 10-day power reserve, which was just facelifted this year to fit smaller format cases. Initial thoughts The Arsham Splash starts with a good base: the cal. 1205 Meca-10 movement is appealing both in terms of aesthetics and function. The geometric styling of the skeletonised construction is inspired by Meccano, the children’s construction toy, while the power reserve is an impressive 240 hours. I like much of the movement, except for the Etachron regulator that I would have hoped Hublot would have replaced in this second-generation Meca-10 movement but it’s still there. Still, the Meca-10 is a logical fit for the Arsham Splash both in terms of form and function. The form of the Arsham Splash is unorthodox. Though the case has some familiar Hublot elements like the flared fl...
Monochrome
Born in 2016, the Nebula watch by Arnold & Son set out to make the movement the dial: a perfectly balanced, openworked stage where seven radiating bridges, twin barrels and a dial-side balance create a calm, symmetrical look. Over the years, the concept has been refined (and downsized) without losing its architectural clarity. Marking 75 […]
SJX Watches
When I look at the current landscape of watch culture, I see a tension that defines our time. On one side lies the fascination with the way a watch appears on the wrist, and the endless variations of colour and form that drive demand. On the other lies a culture that is older, slower, and infinitely more complex; the science of horology, the mastery of craft, and the knowledge transmitted across centuries. In recent years, I have felt this latter culture slipping into the background, lost beneath the pageantry of style. Yet at the same time, I have witnessed a counter-movement taking shape in Switzerland, a series of initiatives that seek to protect, project, and transmit the deeper culture of watchmaking. I see in them a form of resistance, a refusal to let horology dissolve into an empty shell of design. This is the rise of Swiss horological institutions. The Clockmakers’ Museum in London. Originally displayed at the Guildhall, the collection is now on display at the Science Museum. The early resistance It is worth remembering that Switzerland, for all its dominance in production, did not take the first steps in creating enduring institutions around horology; Britain anticipated this need by centuries. In 1631, Charles I granted a royal charter to the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, giving formal civic recognition to the craft. What began as a guild evolved into a guardian of standards, a keeper of apprenticeships, and eventually the custodian of one of the world’...
Teddy Baldassarre
The independent sector is where some of the most interesting, imaginative, and experimental designs are happening in the watch world, and Christopher Ward has been a standout in the category since its Bel Canto hit the scene. But today, I’m turning my attention to one of its less-hyped collections, one that is rather tame compared to the rest of the brand’s catalog, the Christopher Ward C63 Sealander. It strikes me as an outlier within the Christopher Ward universe – not that it’s without its own particular flair, but I would say that compared to the bold experiments with case architecture, haute horology level movements, and general quirky panache that I typically associate the brand with, the C63 Sealander is remarkably tame. The questions of the day are: how is this watch situated within the brand’s own offerings? What works about this watch, and what could be improved? Finally, how did we arrive at this relatively minimal watch in the first place? Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Context While other watchmakers have centuries-long histories, the Christopher Ward origin story is comparatively contemporary, officially founded in 2004. In that relatively short scope of time, the brand has evolved into one of the most successful independent brands out there, and the Christopher Ward of today has expanded its scope to include just about every flavor of watch utility, aesthetic, and functionality one could dream of, all while keeping its price point extremely competi...
Worn & Wound
Kollokium came on the watch scene almost two years ago shrouded in mystery. The Projekt 01 was not only a daring exercise in the avant-garde, it was from a brand that was, in some ways, kind of formless. Founded by watch industry veterans Manuel Emch, Barth Nussbaumer, and Amr Sindi, the pedigree was high but the teasing messages on their website and social media could lead you to think it was all a goof. Kollokium, in the years since, have evolved their Projekt 01 design with multiple colorways and lume treatments, always keeping the same signature “dial” effect, which is an array of hundreds of precisely sized cylinders that when viewed together show rough hour markers through undulations (like on a pin-art board) that allow for time telling. It’s all very sci-fi, and high concept, but Kollokium became a “real” brand at some point along the way, and have captured a devoted following of owners and prospective owners, always awaiting the next drop. Well, the next drop is here (sort of) and it debuts a striking new design. No points for creativity here, but the watch is simply called the Projekt 02, and according to Kollokium the design is rooted in the initial concepts that came from the brainstorming that eventually produced the Projekt 01. The brand describes it as a bit more organic, but very much still in their “neobrutalist” wheelhouse. Instead of those lume filled cylinders we saw in the Projekt 01 releases, the dial here is created from a total of ...
Time+Tide
The 5th generation of TAG Heuer's smart watch offers more features, a new smaller 40mm size, and more customisation than ever before.The post The new TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 brings upgrades, more customisation, and a new size appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Fratello
In 2023, Seiko debuted its Prospex GMT models. Based on the groundbreaking 1968 300m-rated Professional dive watch, the current offerings have a similar form, including an external rotating bezel and strong case shape. The watches have proven popular, and since the initial release, the brand has predictably announced several limited editions. Today, we have a […] Visit Seiko Europe Introduces The Prospex 1968 Heritage Diver’s GMT Seashadow SPB534 to read the full article.
Fratello
Christopher Ward is not scared to go against the grain with its new releases. It has become a big part of its success. The brand seemingly slapped purists in the face with a manual-winding integrated-bracelet sports watch not too long ago. In itself, that’s nothing spectacular. However, if you are a Gérald Genta devotee, you […] Visit Hands-On With The Ultra-Slim Christopher Ward Twelve 660 to read the full article.
Teddy Baldassarre
Teddy Baldassarre is an authorized luxury watch retailer of brands like TUDOR, OMEGA, IWC, Grand Seiko, Breitling, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Zenith, Longines, ORIS, MIDO, Tissot, Hamilton, NOMOS Glashütte, Baume & Mercier, and more.
Hodinkee
Two new references - one in titanium, the other with a black luminous dial - prove Cartier's first pilot's watch still has a contemporary edge that resists nostalgia.
Brew returns with something delightfully unexpected-the Metric Digital Blend, a hybrid timepiece that bridges analog charm and a flicker of retro-futuristic style. With an amber LED indicator residing next to the classic analog display, it feels a bit like looking at the dashboard of a stainless-steel ’80s icon. Brew’s Metric Digital Blend channels the spirit of a DeLorean-era vision of the future, when design and technology looked mechanical, purposeful, and inspirational all at once. Its compact, squared-off case and glowing digital readout recall the design cues and vibes of that bold decade-a time when innovation was built to be a tactile experience. The post Lookbook: Get Back to the Grind with Brew’s New Metric Digital Blend appeared first on Worn & Wound.
Worn & Wound
Let’s orient ourselves in the watch world five decades ago. The year is 1975, and we are in the height of the quartz crisis. Just six years prior in 1969, the watchmaking landscape forever changed with Seiko’s introduction of the first quartz timepiece, which called into question the future of mechanical timekeeping as we knew it. The era also marked the advent of the luxury sport watch, beginning with Gerald Genta’s Royal Oak for Audemars Piguet between 1970 and 1972. These two pivotal moments in horological history gave birth to an icon: the Girard-Perregaux Laureato. The first Laureato entered Girard-Perregaux’s catalog in 1975. The model was modestly sized by today’s standards and was even rather mid-sized for the era with a case measuring just 36mm (by comparison, the first Royal Oak began to set the tone for more oversized watches clocking in at 39mm, but was considered notably large and given the nickname “Jumbo”). The 1975 Laureato featured a two-tone construction, highlighting its mix of curves and geometric shapes. The design echoed Genta’s but with softer edges and a slightly more elevated look thanks to the addition of yellow gold elements combined with stainless steel. In line with the times, the model housed a quartz caliber, but not just any quartz caliber – it was COSC-certified. “The Laureato was more than just a new model for Girard-Perregaux’s catalog,” confirms Beatrice Morelli, Chief Customer Experience Officer. “It represente...
Monochrome
A classic in Oris’ collection, the Big Crown Pointer Date borrowed features from the brand’s first serially produced pilot’s watch of 1938, including the oversized crown and the pointer date calendar indication. Reintroduced in 1984 by general manager Dr Rolf Portmann on a hunch that nostalgia for mechanical watches with a dash of aviation history […]
Monochrome
Raymond Weil adds a new reference to its elegant and handsome Millesime Moon Phase 35mm with a Japan-exclusive Special Edition overseen by Masayuki Hirota, Editor-in-Chief of Chronos Japan Edition. The watch retains the compact proportions, sector-dial grammar, and restrained vintage cues that made the 35mm Millesime line such a hit, then sharpens it with a two-tone […]
Monochrome
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato is a child of the 1970s, one of the seminal integrated luxury sport watches designed during this exuberant, pivotal decade for the watch industry. Since 1975, the model has evolved in various directions while remaining faithful to its defining features. Half a century later, the collection is still alive as the brand […]
Fratello
By now, everyone is aware that the Santos de Cartier is hot stuff. Cartier has certainly realized this and keeps releasing new versions of its square all-metal sports watch. I still love my Santos Galbée XL ref. 2823. However, as a true Cartier Santos fan, I can’t get enough of all the new variations La […] Visit Hands-On: Two Sporty New Variants Of The Cartier Santos - One In Titanium, The Other In Steel With A Black Dial And Lume to read the full article.
Hodinkee
I don't need my diver watch to slice, dice, and julienne fries. But I do think that everyone needs a watch like this.
Fratello
Stylish, thought through, sophisticated… These are just a few words to describe the 35mm Japan-only Raymond Weil Millesime Moon Phase. This limited edition of 100 pieces was brought to life with Masayuki Hirota, the editor-in-chief of Chronos Japan Edition. The small watch is clearly a historically inspired Millesime, with its sector dial marking the hours, […] Visit Introducing: A 35mm Japan-Exclusive Raymond Weil Millesime Moon Phase to read the full article.
Monochrome
If you consider Louis Vuitton’s horological journey, many might think that it all began in 2002 with the launch of the Tambour watch, which was later transformed into an integrated sports watch in 2023. While this watch really brought the brand onto the map, it’s another watch that started it all. And it was all the way back in […]
Time+Tide
The very first watch Louis Vuitton ever produced has made its way back into the catalogue with a new look dial and updated movement.The post The revived Louis Vuitton Monterey is the next high fashion timepiece appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
On episode 12 of the SJX Podcast, SJX shares his hands-on impressions of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5, the fifth and final watch from the brand’s R&D; skunkworks. We also address listener questions about the (great) leadership at Vacheron Constantin, and whether brands like A. Lange & Söhne and Vacheron Constantin can gain market share from independents – why not? Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Youtube.
Worn & Wound
Marathon Watch traces its origins back to 1904, initially established as the Weinsturm Watch Company, later evolving into the Wein Brothers. In 1939, under the visionary leadership of Morris Wein, Marathon Watch was founded in the vibrant city of Montreal, Canada, with a steadfast commitment to delivering high-quality precision timepieces across North America. A crucial chapter in the company’s history began during World War II. In 1941, Marathon became a pivotal supplier of timekeeping instruments for the Allied Forces, providing durable and reliable watches to the U.S. and Canadian armed forces. Fast-forward to today, and the company proudly remains in the hands of the fourth generation of the Wein family, who continue to uphold the legacy of excellence. Marathon specializes in a diverse array of precision instruments designed to measure time, temperature, and distance, all crafted with a focus on military robustness and Swiss engineering. This unique combination ensures that each watch offers unparalleled quality and accuracy. Marathon watches are designed to withstand the rigors of military conditions and meet the stringent United States Military Standard MIL-PRF-46374G. This dedication to excellence has earned them the distinction of being the sole supplier of timepieces to the United States Armed Forces, including esteemed branches like the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as NASA and the Canadian Armed Forces. Their reliability has also made them a...
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