Hodinkee
Introducing: Albishorn Lightens Things Up With The Type 10 "Officer"
The same great framework with a new beige twist results in a really attractive watch.
Results for Watch Dial Text Conventions
24,798 articles · 223 videos found · page 450 of 835
Hodinkee
Worn & Wound
The Seiko 5T52-7A19: An Ode to the Age of Discovery
I’ve never had many gold-tone watches in my collection, and it’s simply because I don’t have much gold jewelry to match. The benefit to this is that I’ve always been incredibly critical of the gold-tone watches I contemplate adding to my collection, knowing that I only want a few in my watch box overall. I acquired this 5T52-7A19 a couple of months ago after a spur-of-the-moment faceoff between me and the “buy it now” button on eBay. While I had owned a model from Seiko’s Age of Discovery line many years ago, I had never come into contact with one of the higher-end models from the collection. I’ve remained true to my self-implemented rule for gold-tone watches, meaning that this model will have the honor of forcing my hand to sell off another piece from the watch box. If you’ve been thinking about adding another gold-tone watch to your collection, let me introduce you to a staunch contender. Brief Overview of the Age of Discovery Line and -7A19 Model The Seiko Age of Discovery was introduced sometime between 1990 and 1992 to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ 1492 voyage. Based on the historical time period of the same name, the Age of Discovery series is heavily influenced by the nautical theming associated with the many expeditions of European travelers between the 15th and 17th centuries. Many of the line’s watches feature motifs that harken back to crucial aspects of seafaring travel, sporting iconography such as maps, ...
Teddy Baldassarre
Chronograph vs. Chronometer: What is the Difference?
One of the first hurdles to clear for newcomers to watch appreciation is the clarification of two very common horological categories: chronograph vs. chronometer. Quite simply, a chronometer (from the Greek chronos, meaning time, and meter, meaning measure) is any watch or clock that keeps reliably accurate time, usually as determined by an outside independent testing agency, whereas a chronograph (from chronos and graph, i.e., to “write time”) is any watch or clock with the ability to track and record intervals of time, aka a stopwatch. This is, again, the simplest way to look at it. But there’s a bit more to both chronometers and chronographs that a knowledge-hungry watch enthusiast might want to digest - including the fact that the terms are not interchangeable but also not mutually exclusive. [toc-section heading="Chronometers Defined"] Our original, classical definition of a chronometer can be traced back to the golden age of seafaring exploration in the 18th Century, when ships required the use of a highly accurate onboard clock that enabled their navigators to determine longitude in order to avoid the perils of running aground or veering hopelessly off course. The man credited with developing the first of these “marine chronometers” was legendary British watchmaker John Harrison; his invention facilitated the celestial navigation used at the time by navigators at sea to determine their ship’s position in coordination with a sextant. Marine chronome...
Worn & Wound
Kurono Tokyo Introduces Meteorite to the Collection with the New Inseki
Kurono Tokyo, Hajime Asaoka’s approachable watch brand, has introduced their first new release of 2026 on the very first workday of the year. Nothing like getting right back into the swing of things. The new piece, part of the brand’s “Special Projects” series, introduces meteorite to the collection for the first time. The Inseki features many of the Kurono hallmarks that have made the brand a favorite among enthusiasts over these last several years, while riding a trend in watchmaking in a rather elegant way that still feels appropriate for the brand. The centerpiece of the watch is the gray meteorite dial, taken from the Muonionalusta meteorite which fell in what is now Sweden about one million years ago. The small slab of meteorite, with the familiar striations that make the material so interesting, is surrounded by a white lacquered outer ring where you’ll find Asaoka’s custom “Calligra” typeface numerals, which have been painted in high relief. It’s a really spare execution, accented by hand bent, high polish steel hands, a design detail that has become a Kurono signature. Kurono notes that, as with all meteorite dials, no two are exactly the same. Asaoka, in the press materials for the Inseki, further explains that sometimes the variance in this material results in a piece of meteorite that is not particularly visually interesting. For this release, Asaoka has personally selected each piece of meteorite for inclusion in the Inseki’s run, and t...
Deployant
New: TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Year of the Horse
TAG Heuer's release for the Chinese New Year of the Horse is now released and available immediately. The watch is based on the Carrera Chronograph.
Time+Tide
Vario flips the script with two festive limited edition Versa models
The Singaporean microbrand's quirky rotating-case dress watch sees two limited edition seasonal variants join its range.The post Vario flips the script with two festive limited edition Versa models appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Fratello
Battle Of The Black Bays: Tudor Black Bay 54 Vs. Black Bay 58
In the second half of 2023, Tudor quietly dropped what would turn out to be one of its most interesting modern dive watches, the Black Bay 54. This 37mm watch instantly became the smallest Black Bay diver in the lineup and slotted in neatly alongside the Black Bay 58 and its standard 41mm counterpart. My […] Visit Battle Of The Black Bays: Tudor Black Bay 54 Vs. Black Bay 58 to read the full article.
Monochrome
The ABCs of Time - Watches Designed to Withstand the Most Extreme Conditions, From the Deepest Oceans to Outer Space
Let’s be honest, virtually no one who buys a Rolex Submariner or any 300m dive watch actually dives below 50 metres. In fact, the majority of dive watch owners today rarely, if ever, engage in diving. Most serious scuba divers use wrist computers, so traditional dive watches are often fashion statements as watch enthusiasts like […]
Hodinkee
Hands-On: A Historical, Technical, and Practical Look At Breguet's Expérimentale 1 - Plus, How The Magnetic Escapement Actually Works
Breguet celebrated its 250th Anniversary with a big technical achievement that has a lot to do with its founder’s vision and a decent amount to do with an odd little American pocket watch. We go deep on the Expérimentale 1.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Best Mechanical Watches for Beginners: Picks After Years Of Testing
Looking for your first mechanical watch? We share proven, hands-on picks we’ve worn and tested, so you can start confidently without wasting time and money.
Time+Tide
Is a new golden age of dress watches upon us?
Not only has dressing down dressy watches become more acceptable, but there's a growing number of robust, GADA-worthy dress watch releases. Here's some of the best.The post Is a new golden age of dress watches upon us? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Monochrome
News - The 2026 Rolex Price List Shows 1 to 6% Price Rise Depending on Metals and Models
New year, new resolution, new price rises… Some things never change. This article shouldn’t come as a surprise. For some years now, on the first days of the year, we publish the complete list of updated prices for Rolex. Indeed, new year means new price policies and new price lists for watch brands, and the […]
Time+Tide
The Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie is a big statement of intent (now with video!)
You don't come across a watch like this everyday: this exceptionally complicated chiming watch gives us a glimpse of the future of Blancpain.The post The Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie is a big statement of intent (now with video!) appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Monochrome
Recap - The Best High-End Horology Timepieces of 2025
While many brands bowed to the prevailing trends of 2025 with downsized case sizes, expressive dial colours, a newfound taste for shaped watches, and a deluge of stone dials, the art of high-end horology was, thankfully, not forsaken. A particularly prolific year, we’ve seen some impressive horological innovations from wafer-thin or high-speed tourbillons to an […]
SJX Watches
Retrospective: A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Handwerkskunst
One of the most important complications of A. Lange & Söhne is undoubtedly the Zeitwerk. And the fanciest iteration of the digital watch is undoubtedly the Zeitwerk Handwerkskunst. A limited edition of 30 pieces launched in 2012, this Zeitwerk is part of the Handwerkskunst collection of watches dressed up with hand-applied decoration – handwerkskunst being German for “craftsmanship”. One of Lange’s most important creations, the Zeitwerk is quirky, weird, yet appealing, especially in the first generation format; the Handwerkskunst is probably the pinnacle of that generation. Like a Labubu, it is weird but adorable. I recently got to spend an extended period of time with the Zeitwerk Handwerkskunst, and I thought it worth revisiting. Initial thoughts Lange’s Handwerkskunst collection is eight-watches strong, but I rank the Zeitwerk and Datograph as the best, even though they are neither the most complex nor the most elaborately decorated, because the two models are amongst the brand’s most significant models (alongside the Lange 1). The Zeitwerk is historical for being one of the first digital-display watches – and probably the most reliable, still – and is visually distinctive enough to be one of Lange’s most recognisable models. Moreover, the Handwerkskunst version is not merely dressed up, but it also incorporates a novel escapement that Lange has not used in any other model except for the monumental Grand Complication (that is more complicated and impr...
Fratello
How To Change Your MoonSwatch Battery
If you were one of the lucky ones who got a MoonSwatch when they first came out, chances are your watch’s battery is dead by now. That’s always an awkward moment. How do you replace the battery? Is it a demanding job, and what type of battery do you need? We’re here to help. Contrary […] Visit How To Change Your MoonSwatch Battery to read the full article.
Fratello
A Year In Review - 2025 Saw A Slow Market But Surprisingly Good Watches
Another year has gone by, so it’s time for this yearly ritual of looking back at the past 12 months and mentioning the noteworthy occasions and events. It always takes me a few days to collect and curate my thoughts on the year here at Fratello and in the watch industry. The number of watch […] Visit A Year In Review - 2025 Saw A Slow Market But Surprisingly Good Watches to read the full article.
Worn & Wound
Year in Review: the Best Things We Bought in 2025
Obviously we love watches at Worn & Wound, but our enthusiasm goes well beyond what we wear on our wrists. We’re also interested in gear, tech, apparel, and gadgets of all kinds, and we never shy away from celebrating all the “stuff” that reflects our interests, large and small. This year, we asked Worn & Wound staff and our contributors to write about the best thing they bought in 2025. Not watch related, just a thing that added something to their lives. We got a huge range of responses that sometimes surprisingly tie back to our shared watch enthusiasm (and, sometimes, are just completely distinct). As always, we want to know what you think. Let us know in the comments what your best purchase of 2025 was, watch related or not. Nathan Schultz My outdoor gear philosophy was formed in my early post-college years which were spent car-less and mortgage-free as I bounced between seasonal jobs that made up for in adventure what they lacked in financial compensation. As an avid outdoor enthusiast then and now, I spent my time (and the little money I had earned) between jobs traveling and hiking, finding myself (happily) living out of a tent on more than one occasion. During this years-long period, I developed what the outdoor community endearingly refers to as a “hiker trash” mentality of minimalism that embraces frills free, budget friendly gear- a mentality formed partially out of necessity, but that also felt genuine to the same frugalness that has largely de...
Hodinkee
Hands-On: The Rolex Land-Dweller - A New Escapement, An Integrated Bracelet, And A Lot Of Opinions
The Land-Dweller is the talk of the watch world.
SJX Watches
Raketa’s Latest Wristwatch is Key-Wound and Wood
Inspired by 1930s Russian fairytale, Raketa’s latest is the Golden Key, an unusual watch that further expands the brand’s diverse repertoire. The cushioned-shaped watch has a case of walnut wood – this evokes historical wooden clocks and watches from Eastern Europe – and includes a winding key, though it can be wound conventionally via the crown as well. Though modelled on a similar 1970s Raketa model, the modern-day creation is a surprisingly apt adaption of its namesake, The Golden Key, or The Adventures of Buratino, a Russian version of Pinocchio that also includes a wooden puppet that comes to life, but also includes a golden key as central to the tale. Like all Raketa watches, this is affordable and powered by an in-house movement, albeit a basic calibre descended from a Soviet era construction. Initial thoughts The Golden Key has a recognisable 1970s look thanks to its shape and dial, but still manages to stand out because of the wood case. The case and dial are detailed nicely enough so the watch avoids looking like a novelty souvenir. The winding does feel like a bit of a gimmick, but it has no bearing on the function of the watch, which can be wound via the crown anyway. Raketa stuck to the colours of the 1970s original with the Golden Key, making it pleasing but also plain. A more adventurous combination of wood and colour would have made it more interesting; I’m sure that’s on the cards if this one sells well. The only weakness of the watch is arguab...
Hodinkee
In-Depth: A Technical and Practical Deep Dive On The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak RD#5 - The Most Extreme "Jumbo" Ever
From the wearing experience to the technical expertise behind it, we look at what makes AP's final Research & Development watch so special.
Fratello
Fratello Favorites: The Best Watches Of 2025 - Henry’s Picks From IWC, Seiko, Longines, And More
Every year, the watch industry delivers a flood of releases that range from quietly brilliant to perhaps a little forgettable. Indeed, 2025 has been no different. Amid anniversary reissues, limited editions, and the like, a handful of releases stood out to me as watches that genuinely got things right. These are not necessarily the most […] Visit Fratello Favorites: The Best Watches Of 2025 - Henry’s Picks From IWC, Seiko, Longines, And More to read the full article.
Deployant
New: Beda’a Eclipse Qatar Limited Edition
Beda'a celebrates Qatar's National Day with a new edition of their Eclipse - a watch with a sweeping digital hour display and floating minutes indication.
Time+Tide
Time+Tide Wrapped: Our top 10 videos of 2025, as chosen by you
We look back at ten of the top videos shared on the Time+Tide YouTube Channel in 2025, as decided by you! Did you watch them all yet?The post Time+Tide Wrapped: Our top 10 videos of 2025, as chosen by you appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Monochrome
The Petrolhead Corner - The Best Stories from the Petrolhead Corner
For about six years now, we have been entertaining you, hopefully, with our Petrolhead Corner stories. The idea came from the fact that at least three of us (Frank, Brice and I) are absolute car-nuts, as much as we are watch-nuts. We also felt it offered something of a break from the onslaught of news […]
WatchAdvice
Reviewing The New Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Chronograph
Rado has recently released the new Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Chronograph in black ceramic, and we wanted to test the latest iteration from the brand. What We Love The combination of matte and polished ceramic looks good The colourway is highly versatile The dial & bezel are highly legible during both day and nighttime thanks to the Super-LumiNova What We Don’t The bracelet clasp design is a little fiddly to open and close The screw-down pushers are not the easiest to operate when on the wrist It is a thick watch and won’t suit smaller wrists Overall Rating: 7.75/10 Value for money: 7.5/10 Wearability: 7.5/10 Design: 8.5/10 Build quality: 7.5/10 As a watch enthusiast, there’s plenty of pieces out there to choose from. From low-end entry-level models to super high-end grand complications, the range is vast. But if you’re looking for a mid-level piece as a daily wearer, then the Captain Cook has always been the go-to model from Rado. As their tagline suggests, they are the Master of Materials when it comes to High-Tech ceramic, and as a material, ceramic is both versatile and robust. So much so that I bought my wife an all-white High-Tech Ceramic Rado True Thinline about 10 years ago, and it looks the same as the day I walked out of Wallace Bishop in Brisbane. The last Rado I personally reviewed was over 2 years ago now – the Bronze Captain Cook Chronograph which you can read about here, and I was quietly impressed with the watch and the value for money at the ...
SJX Watches
Year in Review: Predictions for 2026
Twenty twenty-six is just days away. Most in the watch industry are hoping the new year will bring better times than 2025, though most equally don’t quite expect that to happen. That said, it will be a great year for some brands, big and small. Architectural and affordable Independent watch brands have had a great run, and that looks like it’ll continue, especially for (expensive) time-only watches with decorated movements and frequently, open or no dials. Plenty of independent watchmakers cater to this demand, all for more or less the same money. Personally, I find many such watches uninteresting – though a few stand out and feel like they will stand the test of time – but the strength of demand will propel this trend. I expect two more interesting developments to emerge from this. One is watches priced lower, or much lower, than the typical CHF65,000-90,000 range for such watches. Ironically, while lower priced options might offer better value, they might be less appealing precisely because they are cheaper. That said, there is still opportunity in this segment, especially since lower prices often go hand-in-hand with higher volumes, so the market will gradually fulfil it, particularly since the way forward is obvious. Functionally, such watches are not complex. Computer-aided design makes it even simpler by allowing manufacturers to rework existing calibres with relative ease; Christopher Ward is already doing something along these lines with the C12. And decora...
Teddy Baldassarre
Our Favorite Sports Watches Of 2025
The versatile sports watch is probably the most difficult category to do one of these year-end roundups for simply due to how many releases can qualify. The editorial team here at Teddy decided to choose our favorites that push the category forward while retaining what we all love best from some of the best sports watch collections out there. It was an excellent year for iterating some of the most well-loved collections from Oris, Tudor, Seiko, and others. So, let’s not waste any more time and get into our favorite sports watches of 2025. [toc-section heading="Seiko Samurai"] Seiko updated their Samurai in 2025 by delivering on one of the most persistent pleas by enthusiasts and housing it in a smaller case. The previous iteration of Seiko’s more obscure (yet no less respected) dive watches came in a big 44mm wide case that has been shrunk down to a manageable 41.6mm wide and 12.6mm thick with a 49mm lug-to-lug height. Naturally water resistance is still a solid 200m. The new Seiko Samurai is one of my personal favorites of 2025 though I know a few people still have gripes with the choice of an aluminum bezel rather than ceramic. But past that, the sleek angular aesthetic and nice tapered three-link bracelet (which has a much more manageable 20mm lug width down from 22mm) make for a fantastic sports watch priced under $600. - Bilal Khan [toc-section heading="Oris ProPilot Date"] This year, Oris rounded things out with one of its most compelling releases in recent mem...
Hodinkee
Hands-On: The Patek Philippe Cubitus In 40mm
A slightly downsized Cubitus captures exactly where we are on the watch-design timeline.
Worn & Wound
Year in Review: the “Sleeper” Watches of 2025
How does one define a “sleeper” watch? We put together a guide a few years ago and basically came to the conclusion that a sleeper watch is one that is great but not obvious about it. A better framing might be that these are “if you know, you know” watches. They all have some attribute that makes them incredibly special but it’s not always readily apparent or widely understood. Honestly, I love a sleeper and always have. I think it’s a natural focus for a collector, and as you see more and more watches, it paradoxically becomes more difficult to identify the sleepers, because nothing really “sleeps” when you’re highly engaged in a hobby like this. Zenith G.F.J. The Zenith G.F.J. is a sleeper because it’s so specific and so hard to see, it’s just not really out there all that much in the broader watch media landscape. But man, it’s great. It’s a tribute of sorts to Zenith’s history as true pioneers in chronometry, but the appeal for this watch to me is purely aesthetic. It’s a study in blue, with multiple tones in multiple materials and finishes. From a distance, it’s nice looking enough, but you really have to examine it close up, with a loupe, to get a sense of the contrasts and how special the use of lapis lazuli is in particular. And then there’s the bracelet. The G.F.J. is rendered in platinum, and the case is fantastic, but on the full platinum bracelet (which effectively doubles the price of the watch) it really makes an impr...