Two Broke Watch Snobs
The Best Watch Brands We’ve Reviewed: From Seiko to Rolex
From daily beaters to luxury icons, a decade of hands-on testing by our team reveals which watch brands are worth your time.
35,921 articles · 314 videos found · page 455 of 1208
Two Broke Watch Snobs
From daily beaters to luxury icons, a decade of hands-on testing by our team reveals which watch brands are worth your time.
Teddy Baldassarre
Among all of Rolex’s bracelet options, the Oysterflex is perhaps the most unconventional and arguably the most misunderstood. Now marking 10 years on the market, and encompassing attributes of both a sturdy steel bracelet and a supple rubber strap, the Oysterflex has gone from being a curious, one-off outlier on a niche Yacht-Master model to an integral element of some of the Crown’s most buzz-worthy timepieces of recent years. Here’s what you should know about it. History of Rubber Watch Straps The road to the Rolex Oysterflex bracelet really started with the invention of vulcanized rubber in 1839, attributed to chemist Charles Goodyear (below, whose name is now immortalized in the automotive world as a leading manufacturer of tires). Vulcanized rubber - a compound of natural rubber with other compounds, which offered enhanced resilience and pliability - was originally used in mostly industrial areas, as in the manufacture of o-rings, gaskets, and (of course) tires. The discovery of fluoroelastomers as an alternative to the difficult-to-source natural rubber led to the rise of synthetic rubbers that had even more advantages, such as resistance to water, oils, and temperature extremes. These rubbers found their way into more everyday products such as shoes, belts, and flooring, while also expanding further into applications in the automotive industry, for door seals, hoses, and other parts. Synthetic rubber first emerged as an alternative for wristwatch straps in...
Monochrome
Born in the Black Forest and best known for instrument chronographs like the 417 ES and Pioneer series, Hanhart also has a quieter thread that predates its stopwatch fame: the wristwatches of the 1930s (cal. 36/39), valued for clarity and everyday utility. The Silva line infuses that heritage into a modern, time-only series. It is […]
Monochrome
Besides their accessible dress watches and fairly-priced yet robust retro-inspired divers, Baltic has long been all about race cars and vintage motorsport competitions (not really a surprise when you know the founders’ passion). The connection between cars and watches is obvious, and Baltic materialised it with several Tour Auto-themed models, the latest in line being […]
Deployant
Just released! The much anticipated EVF only Leica M. Dubbed the M EV1. We got our hands on a pre-release sample, and tested it for this review.
Monochrome
For most of its modern life, the Luminor has been a big-wrist proposition, the classic 44mm and 47mm references defined the line’s presence. This spring’s Luminor GMT Power Reserve Ceramica PAM01574 reaffirmed Panerai’s commitment to high-tech casework at the larger end of the spectrum. At the same time, Panerai has been quietly proving that the […]
Monochrome
Dive watches span the spectrum: retro throwbacks that trade on romance, do-it-all desk divers that split time between meetings and marinas, and true instruments built for cold, dark water. This segmentation is very much in place at Oris, and the Aquis Pro 1000m belongs in the last category. Previously available with a manufacture Calibre 400 […]
Monochrome
Founded by master watchmaker Gerd R. Lang (1943-2023) in 1983, Chronoswiss rowed against the tide of quartz to become a key player in the renaissance of mechanical watchmaking. Renowned for exceptional craftsmanship and a penchant for regulator displays, Lang’s brand released the Opus chronograph in 1995, the world’s first serially produced skeletonised automatic chronograph, revealing […]
Fratello
Good morning, and welcome to another Sunday Morning Showdown. We’ve had a couple of battles between dressy watches in the previous weeks, so we thought it would be good to return to our more regular program of proper sports watches. This week, Omega launched its updated Dark Side of the Moon collection, which we couldn’t […] Visit Sunday Morning Showdown: IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Ceratanium Vs. Omega Speedmaster Dark Side Of The Moon “Black/Black” to read the full article.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
A revival of the 1982 Seiko Rotocall with a rotary function bezel, compact case, and space age history-now part of the regular catalog.
Monochrome
The Freak, Ulysse Nardin’s avant-garde masterpiece, marked a before and after in contemporary watchmaking. Designed by wizard watchmaker Ludwig Oeschlin under the inspired leadership of Rolf Schnyder, the Freak was unleashed in 2001. With no dial, hands, or crown, the Freak upturned conventional time displays, relying instead on the movement’s rotation to tell the time. […]
Monochrome
Angelus and Massena LAB return with a second collaboration that once again leans hard into classic mid-century chronograph codes. After the first collaborative project, the 2023 Chronographe Médical, which reintroduced the brand’s vintage tool-watch spirit and the La Fabrique collection, and the recent Chronographe Télémètre established a small-case, hand-wound monopusher as a core design, the […]
Monochrome
Two Saxon institutions, one renowned for its porcelain and the other for its precision, come together on a shared canvas. To mark 180 years of watchmaking in Glashütte and 315 years of Meissen porcelain, Glashütte Original unveils the Senator Meissen limited editions, a trio of red-gold watches with hand-painted porcelain dials; timepieces that are as […]
Teddy Baldassarre
Tudor has been on a roll in recent years with expanding its contemporary repertoire of watches, and has debuted several heaters across its collection this year alone. But if I were to pick out one model as a standout among the bunch over the past few years, I think that a release from 2024 still takes the cake as its most impactful addition to its modern catalog – the Black Bay 58 GMT. I know everyone might not agree with me here, and we’re all entitled to our own unique favorites (I will say the Black Bay Pro is a close second, for transparency), but there’s something about the Black Bay GMT that continuously impresses me. From its wearability to its versatility and great color palette, there’s a lot to love. So, as a testament to my Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT favoritism, today, I’m diving into the depths with this watch, exploring how it came to be, what works about it, what it possibly leaves to be desired, and, of course, some speculative guesses on where I think the brand might go next. Some Context and History As always, it’s necessary to begin at, well, the beginning, and do a little bit of digging into the brand’s legacy to chart the trajectory of how we get to the Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT. For an even further exploration into the longstanding history of Tudor GMT watches, I will refer you now to this definitive guide on the subject here. Unlike its luxurious older sibling, Tudor’s connection with GMT functionality can’t really be traced back anywher...
Worn & Wound
I like to think I have a good balance in my life. While I live in a very rural part of the U.S., I’m equally able to spend time in cities around the world thanks to my work. Because of this, I appreciate the late nights in unfamiliar places all the more – at home, I’m in bed by 10:00 PM most nights with my three elderly dogs. It’s this, then, that attracts me so much to the new colorways of the Club Sport neomatik Worldtime with its Night Navigation Series: Grid, Trace, and Vector. These three references are designed to highlight the bit of thrill and adventure of entering a new city and navigating by the neon signs, storefront windows, and flashing crosswalks. While longtime readers will know we’ve featured the Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer, it still remains a favorite for those looking for a watch that can balance its sporty design with the elegance that Nomos Glashütte excels at. This is due, in part, to the proportionality of the watch itself. Clocking in at a not-too-big-not-too-small Goldilocks-sized 40mm, it feels all the more slighter with its 9.9mm thickness. In fact, it’s the thinnest watch of its kind, making it just another reason to highlight the Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer among its competitors. As mentioned, three new references have been released with this series. Trace pairs black and turquoise; Grid in amber; and Vector in olive and ecru. While each is defined by its relation to traveling at night, it works just as well as a daily watch...
Monochrome
Kari Voutilainen is regarded as one of the greatest independent watchmakers on the scene today. Working from his atelier in Môtiers, Switzerland, the Finnish master watchmaker produces some of the most coveted complications, drawing collectors from near and far to admire his minute repeaters, tourbillons and other in-house delicacies. The latest marvel to emerge from […]
Monochrome
Once an American brand, now owned by the Swatch Group, Hamilton is a watchmaker with more than timepieces. It has fascinating stories to tell. We can’t forget the brand’s involvement in cinema, having been featured in over 500 movies since 1932 and its appearance in Shanghai Express, and then important features such as a futuristic […]
Worn & Wound
Rereleased: The Peak Design x Sitka Optifade Marsh Slide Lite Peak Design has once again collaborated with Sitka, hunting and outdoor experts, on a limited edition Slide Lite camera strap. Crafted in Sitka’s Optifade Marsh pattern, this strap blends comfort, versatility, and Peak Designs quick-connection system with the unique aesthetics and outdoors benefits of Sitka’s legendary concealment know-how. Wether you’re trying to blend in, or stand out, this camera strap might just be the perfect accessory for you. Full specifications of the strap and details on how this collaboration came to be are available on Peak Design’s website. Spinnaker and Scottish Watches release the Nessie Pear Diver Spinnaker Watches has announced its newest rendition of the Fleuss Automatic Nessie Pearl Diver Limited Edition, created in collaboration with Scottish Watches. This timepiece plunges into the depths of Loch Ness, drawing inspiration from Scotland’s legendary waters and its most mysterious inhabitant. Powered by a Miyota 8245, this collaborative piece features a mother of pearl dial, and Nessie illustrations on the small seconds dial and rotor. Limited to 650 pieces, the Nessie Pearl Diver was released on September 65, and retails for $425. For more details on the release, check out the official release page here. Tactile Turn Polyagonal Collection While Tactile Turn might be known for their cylindrical, machine finished writing devices, they’re unlocking a new machining...
Monochrome
Raised in a family of watchmakers, David Candaux has a deep appreciation for the history of the craft, something evident in all his creations. For him, however, tradition is not about repetition. While he is a true representative of the Vallée de Joux expertise – combining complex watchmaking with refined craftsmanship – his watches remain […]
Monochrome
March LA-B is a French brand with a characterful design language, founded in 2008 by three close friends – Alain Marhic, Jérôme Mage and Joseph Châtel – fusing French horological heritage and Los Angeles design culture. The watches are original and full of character, fairly accessible and, for most of them, rely on a distinctive […]
Monochrome
Formex, founded in 2000, is renowned for its rugged action watches. The brand’s bestselling Essence, a sporty, all-terrain model with sharp case architecture, a patented suspension system, and COSC-certified movements, made its debut in 2018 and was refreshed in 2021 with a wider range of dial colours. Marking its 25th anniversary, Formex released its first […]
Monochrome
Dial colours are an integral part of Doxa‘s iconic diving story. From the blazing Professional Orange that defined the SUB 300 in the 1960s to today’s rainbow of professional-grade divers, the brand has always known how to pair serious underwater credentials with a playful edge. Now, in collaboration with Watches of Switzerland, Doxa introduces a […]
Deployant
Ba111od adds another addition to their price busting Chapter 4 Tourbillon with a novelty in titanium with 5N PVD treatment with a calm grey dial.
Monochrome
Tissot’s PRX Grendizer watches are one of the editions that vividly embody the fusion of pop culture and Swiss watchmaking. What started in 2024 as a tribute to Go Nagai’s legendary anime UFO Robot Grendizer now returns in 2025 with a darker, dramatic sequel, the Black PVD-coated PRX Grendizer 50th Anniversary Special Edition. Limited to […]
Monochrome
Union Glashütte, one of the two Swatch Group brands located in the Saxon town of German watchmaking fame, next to higher-end manufacture Glashütte Original, manages to compete with its heavyweight neighbours thanks to its solidly built watches – often with vintage motorsport accents – but always recognised for their good value. With its close ties […]
Deployant
Armin Strom adds a dial variant to their Tribute 1 collection with a forest inspired green which looks rather refreshing and elegant.
Worn & Wound
I’m part of a generation that grew up appreciating Robert Redford, who passed away this morning at the age of 89, primarily through the lens of their parents. Specifically, in my case, through my mom, who I can remember renting The Sting for me and my sister when we were children, certainly too young to appreciate Redford’s cultural impact on a generation of moviegoers, but not too young to understand his movie star magnetism. That’s something that defies age. Over the years, as my movie education expanded and deepened, I began to see Redford in a series of different lights. At times, he was the consummate leading man. At others he exemplified a particular type of American authenticity and charm. As he aged, he grew into roles where he played learned experts, passing on knowledge (and movie star bona fides) to new generations of actors. Perhaps most importantly, he was an evangelist for movies, the founder of the Sundance Film Festival, and spent much of his later life promoting and elevating independent film in one way or another. He was also, of course, an important part of the watch community and over the years has been responsible for more watch spotting Instagram posts, articles, and podcasts, than perhaps any other celebrity. His Red Sub, to us, became an extension of Redford’s persona. It was as much a part of his image as the red jacket worn by James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause, or Audrey Hepburn’s pearls in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The difference wi...
Monochrome
Founded in 2019, French indie brand Awake was created with the idea to raise awareness of our planet’s limited resources. Initial releases were based on a rather unique perspective, such as the brand’s “Mission to Earth” space-themed watches, which featured an NFC chip allowing owners access to exclusive views of our planet from the International […]
Quill & Pad
In August, about half of the major brands gained ground. Patek Philippe, the best performer so far in 2025, continued its recovery, although the growth isn’t as strong as that of the previous months.
Monochrome
Seven hundred and eleven horsepower… SEVEN hundred and eleven… Let that sink in for a moment. I’ll wait. With it, the 911 has come a very long way from the modest 130bhp of the very first ones. The mad scientists employed by Porsche have managed to squeeze a never-before-seen amount of power from the 911’s […]
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