Hodinkee
Second Opinions: The Countdown Bezel Makes My Life Easier. So Why Don't More Watches Have Them?
It tells me what I need to know – and that's how much time I have left.
665 articles · 2 videos found · page 5 of 23
Hodinkee
It tells me what I need to know – and that's how much time I have left.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
“By this time next year, we’ll expand even further into the junk food franchises… get ready for the Pink Starburst Seawolf. The Astropop. The Count Chocula GMT… Ecto Cooler… The Hamburglar… Cool Ranch Doritos… iconic names for iconic color sets.
Hodinkee
A new green fumé to brighten your day.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
"I don't understand. I told Mr. Baker that it was time to surface," Ramon, their tour guide explained "But he just kept looking at his watch and saying something about ISO standards and asking me if my Apple Watch was ISO COSC.”... Read The Balance Cock Bugle for balanced horological news (probably)
Hodinkee
Some unusual picks in this week's round-up of vintage watches from around the web.
SJX Watches
While the quintessential G-Shock is arguably the original, oblong DW-5000 in black plastic, the oversized DW-6900 is almost as famous. Introduced in 1995, its bulbous case was strikingly large and the watch became a fashion accessory of sorts over the next two decades, especially with the collaborations done with streetwear labels like Mastermind and celebrities like rapper Eminem. So as the DW-6900 reaches its 25th year, Casio is marking the anniversary with a special edition: the G-Shock GM-6900 with metal bezel. Identical in shape and function to the original, the GM-6900 is distinguished by its stamped steel bezel, essentially a metal outer case goes over the inner resin case. The bezel is formed into shape via multiple stamping processes, each further refining the form and curve of the bezel. It’s available in a natural steel finish, black-coating with a glossy finish and red accents, or polished gold plating. In terms of tech, the GM-6900 is basic. The electronic module inside is battery operated and has all of the usual functions of a G-Shock, including stopwatch, countdown timer, and multiple time zones. It is delivered on a black resin strap with a buckle finished to match the steel bezel. The original DW-6900 Key facts and price G-Shock GM-6900 G-Shock GM-6900B (black bezel) G-Shock GM-6900G (gold bezel) Diameter: 49.7 mm Height: 18.6 mm Material: Resin with steel bezel Water resistance: 200 m Movement: Model 3230 Functions: Digital, multifunction Windi...
Hodinkee
A sharp new color scheme for the Spring Drive GMT.
Revolution
Time+Tide
Cola was the hot topic leading up to Baselworld 2018 when it came to speculation about new Rolex releases. Would the Big Crown twist the lid off a new ‘Coke’, a two-colour red and black Cerachrom bezel GMT-Master II model, or rather open a cold can of Pepsi, referring to the two-colour red and blue … ContinuedThe post VIDEO: The 5 big Rolex releases of Basel 2018, including a cool Pepsi and warm root beer, and a gem of a Daytona appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
In an opening salvo of releases that instantaneously became the first buzz topic of Basel 2018, Rolex and Tudor have simultaneously released ‘Pepsi’ GMTs; Rolex with a GMT-Master II with two-colour blue and red Cerachrom bezel and the Tudor Black Bay GMT, with two-colour red and blue aluminium bezel. The Rolex is one of three new versions … ContinuedThe post NEWS: Tudor and Rolex in the battle of the Pepsi GMTs gives Basel 2018 its first big moment appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
BASEL BUILDUP: Will it happen again? Will Rolex put a ceramic bezel on an existing watch and break Baselworld? Rumours abound we may see just that on the ‘Coke’ GMT-Master II, which has been mocked up here by those resourceful Rolex rumourmongers at Monochrome. Though, for ours, a gradated green dial on a Sea-Dweller would … ContinuedThe post BASEL BUILDUP: 8 days to go. Remembering the Rolex that blew up Baselworld 2016… appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
From huge watch brands to the lesser known names, we compare real-world bezel feel, grip, alignment, and long-term wear to see which dive watches truly deliver.
Teddy Baldassarre
If you’re new to your appreciation of fine watches, you have undoubtedly read a lot of references to and heard a lot of opinions about watches’ bezels. It is somewhat of an esoteric term but it describes something very simple and essential. The bezel is the front part of the case (often but not always ring-shaped) that frames the dial and secures the crystal. Bezels can be made of the same material as the case middle and/or the caseback, but can also be made of a different material. Here we run down the various types of watch bezels you’re likely to encounter. Polygons and Exposed Screws Watch cases, of course, are not uniformly round, which means that bezels, the front-facing parts of those cases, can also be found in a variety of shapes - sharply squared or rectangular, like the Cartier Tank and Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso (above); softy cushion-shaped, like the Panerai Luminor and Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921; oval-shaped, like the Breguet Reine de Naples and other luxury ladies’ models; tonneau (“barrel”-shaped), like the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang and many Richard Mille models; and a host of others that combine elements of these and other polygonal shapes. The shape that has proven to be the most popular and influential is the octagon: eight-sided bezels have proliferated ever since Audemars Piguet launched the Royal Oak (above) in 1972, and watchmakers have also dabbled in other unconventional shapes: the sharply faceted bezel of the Zeni...
Fratello
When people mention Pepsi in the watch world, they refer to the red and blue colors on a GMT or dive bezel. Rolex’s GMT-Master was the first watch with such a bezel, but Seiko also made numerous watches with red and blue bezels. In a surprising turn of events, Seiko has now launched two new […] Visit Introducing The Seiko 5 Sports × Pepsi Limited Editions - Are These The First Watches With Official Pepsi Bezels? to read the full article.
A new twist on (or off) the bezel.
Time+Tide
Adam pursues his primal instincts of solar navigation with a compass bezel for education and entertainment.The post Are compass bezels on watches actually useful? Adam put his Seiko to the test! appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
Three new configurations for the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer Titanium makes its debut in the collection, new green dial for stainless steel, all use coloured ceramic bezels for the first time Titanium model is US$2.6K more expensive than the original steel, new steel models US$1K more expensive due to new bezel and 18K moonshine gold … ContinuedThe post Omega revisits the Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer with new titanium and steel models with coloured ceramic bezels appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
Jewellery and watches have always been interlinked, but there is a quantum leap from a gem-set bezel to the intricate wrist-worn jewellery of Bulgari. Set deep within their Roman DNA, the pure exuberance of the Italian Dolce Vita comes alive in the Bulgari Allegra. This is dazzling joie de vivre on a strap that willfully … ContinuedThe post INTRODUCING: Supersized gem-set bezels bring the dazzle with the Bulgari Allegra appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
SJX Watches
One of the longest-lived models in the Omega line up, the Constellation with its characteristic “claw” bezel made its debut in 1982 as the Constellation Manhattan. Still looking like a 1980s design many years after that, the collection was face-lifted this year and given a smart new look that retained all of the key elements but with tighter, more modern lines. Now Omega has just taken the covers off the flagship men’s model, the Constellation Gents’ 41 mm that features an unusual combination of a metal case, polished ceramic bezel, and an integrated strap or bracelet. Initial thoughts Offered in a variety of striking dial and bezels combinations – with the red gold and blue ceramic being the most striking – the latest Constellation is the most noteworthy of any recent model. Despite the number of iterations, each model has a cohesive look with all the elements complementing each other. My favourite is undoubtedly the steel version with a irregularly textured dial thats adds visual appeal and intricacy compared to its counterparts with simpler dial finishes. Regardless of iteration, the new Constellation also has a slightly sporty look that is appealing, unlike earlier attempts at a sporty Constellations – like the chunky Constellation Double Eagle – that fell flat. Overall its a good-looking but affordable luxury-sports watch in steel And it does look much better in 18k gold, but then it costs three times as much. Shiny ceramic What makes them special a...
Worn & Wound
Every watch enthusiast has gotten the question from a newly watch-curious friend: “what should be my first real watch?” Of course, designating any watch as “real” over another is a bit silly, but the sentiment remains. For newbies to the horological hobby, there are few “first” watches better than any model from the ever-expanding and always-iconic Seiko 5 lineup. From skin divers to field watches and way beyond (especially if you look at vintage…), there’s a Seiko 5 for everyone, and not just new fans, either. Most serious enthusiasts can attest to having a 5 in their collection, or at least having owned one (or many) in the past. So, when Seiko comes out with a new 5 entry, it’s hard not to be excited, and four new Seiko 5 Field models have arrived to continue that tradition. The HDB006, HDB007, HDB008, and HDB009 bring a lot of the hallmarks of Seiko 5 field watches, including wearable dimensions at 41mm in diameter and 13.2mm in thickness, strong LumiBrite coating on the hands, indices, and bezel markings, and trademark Seiko robustness and reliability thanks to the 4R36 caliber automatic movement, which provides 41 hours of power reserve, a stop second hand function, and a day/date complication. While none of these features are particularly remarkable or innovative, they prove the everlasting utility of a field watch as an everyday timepiece. The new HDB00- models do have an extra party trick up their sleeves in the form of a simple compass on the ...
Hodinkee
Two new Moonwatch variations bring a shiny, modern twist to a classic design.
Monochrome
By and large, most information on your watch comes from the dial. Sometimes there are functions on the back, like a power reserve indicator or an addition to the case, like on the Pierre Kunz Spirit Diver with a Boyle-Mariotte depth gauge that can measure down to 80 metres. Functional watch bezels, however, add functionality […]
Time+Tide
Don't roll your eyes... Ele's masterclass in everything from sapphires to stone dials is not to be missed.The post A Matter of Time EP 09: Gemstone watches for dummies, from hardstone dials to rainbow bezels appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
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
Since its introduction in 2002, the Seamaster Aqua Terra has gained the status of the all-terrain watch by Omega, as its name suggests. Despite its clear nautical inspiration, this watch is your perfect everyday all-rounder, capable of tackling most environments and still look classy when needed. By now, the collection has grown to include virtually […]
Monochrome
The easiest and cheapest way to customize your watch is, without a doubt, by swapping the original (often boring) strap for a more personal aftermarket one – like we have in the MONOCHROME Shop. In a more complex and far more expensive way, vintage Rolex Sub and GMT collectors have long played the game of […]
Hodinkee
Oh, and gazing at in-house movements too!
Hodinkee
On Fourth of July Weekend, we're taking the horological Pepsi Challenge.
Quill & Pad
There has been a lot of talk and promises made by the watch industry about ceramics and their use in timepieces, so it would seem that a primer on the subject might make us much more informed consumers. And Joshua Munchow delivers that here.
Hodinkee
We love Tudor's modern dive-watch classic and the less-expensive Timex version. Which one's right for you?
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