Hodinkee
Retailer Spotlight: Wempe In New York City And Martin Pulli In Philadelphia, PA
I would rather die of passion than of boredom. — Vincent van Gogh
239 articles · 6 videos found · page 7 of 9
Hodinkee
I would rather die of passion than of boredom. — Vincent van Gogh
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Huge shout out and a thank you to our two most recent community guest contributors" Alexander Van Slyke and Fred Nicolaus! The Two Broke Watch Snobs sincerely thank you from the bottom of our snobbish hears for sharing your awesome stories with the site. In relation, serious - what's cassava, guys? Someone has a produce related meltdown pretty early in the show...
Time+Tide
If an illustrator’s quirky designs of horological ephemera is your thing, hit follow on @watchesandpencils. You won’t regret it. NAME: Teun van Heerebeek OCCUPATION: Illustrator and front-end developer HANDLE: @watchesandpencils FOLLOWERS: 1.9k LOCATION: The Netherlands Hey Teun, tell us about yourself. I grew up in a small village nearby Eindhoven, where I still live today. Almost 30 … ContinuedThe post WHO TO FOLLOW: @watchesandpencils appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Deployant
At the crossroads of yet another global recession, a follow up edition of the Reverso à Eclipse with a enamelled painting of Van Gogh brings needed salve.
Revolution
If you are around Beijing from today (7th March 2013) to 10th April 2013, do make a point to visit the Cafa Art Museum. Presented by the Triennale Design Museum and in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute in Beijing, this exciting art exhibition is curated by Silvana Annicchiarico and Jan van Rossem. With Patricia Urquiola […]
WristBuzz
From Nivachron to Besançon, ISO 6425 to the Quartz Crisis. A working glossary built for people who read spec sheets for fun.
Time+Tide
Echo/neutra has introduced a pair of new, antique pink dials to its fan-favourite rectangular Rivanera collection
Fratello
Hype around Swatch is not new. The “Second Watch,” launched in 1983 as a fun and affordable accessory you could wear to match your daily outfits, was never meant to be a lifelong heirloom investment. It was always about the heat of the moment. The colorful plastic Swatch caused a massive cultural and commercial “uproar” […] Visit Pondering Swatch’s Relevance: Is Adrenaline-Fueled Hype Enough To Remain A Player In The Watch Game? to read the full article.
Fratello
It’s always fun to see a seconde/seconde/ take on a popular watch. With the many whimsical releases Romaric André created while collaborating with brands, you sometimes wonder whether he is ever short of good ideas. So far, though, that hasn’t been a problem. If anything, I have seen the releases become better over time. The […] Visit The Rivanera Gets Echo/Neutralized By Seconde/Seconde/ to read the full article.
Worn & Wound
At the risk of sounding jaded, it’s all too easy to split our attention these days; scrolling on our phone while watching YouTube, texting while walking, and jabbing at huge screens in the car while driving. But sometimes dividing your focus can lead to something new and daring-at least, that’s what British-American watch revivalists Dennison have done with their Dual Time collection. Built on the concept of splitting the dial in half horizontally, each Dual Time model shows two dials, each with their own set of hands. The result is striking, especially paired with the stone dials in vibrant colors that the ALD collection-of which the Dual Time is a subcollection-is known for. Now, for the first time ever, Dennison has added indices to their Dual Time design, with their new “Shades” models. Like other Dual Time models, the Shades variants present two faces. Here, they are split into two dial colors each, with a fluid finish that Dennison says is an “exploration of light, perception, and restraint”. Basically, as the watch is moved, light plays off the opposing faces and changes the shades of the dial. It’s an alluring visual and one that is furthered by subtle texturing and the clever “split” of the dials on each model, giving both faces a slightly different reaction to light in contrast to each other. Three colorways are available: green, blue, and brown, with varying highlights and shadows that appear and vanish as the watch is positioned diff...
Monochrome
ArtyA is an independent Geneva-based brand founded by Yvan Arpa in 2009, best known for turning unconventional, often shocking materials, into fully wearable watches. The brand’s latest excursion in the vast jungle of materials involves moissanite, an extremely hard silicon carbide with a bright, highly dispersive surface often used as a diamond alternative in jewellery. […]
Fratello
Some things must be titanium - orthopedic implants, for example. And the Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird,” the retired Mach 3+ reconnaissance aircraft, could only do what it did because it was made of titanium. The three new titanium King Seiko Vanac watches might also qualify as something that just has to be made from that special […] Visit Hands-On With The Three New King Seiko Vanac Watches In Titanium to read the full article.
Fratello
You can be a fan of Van Gogh while knowing you will never, ever have one of his works hanging on your wall. Can you be a fan of watches while being aware that you can’t afford the objects of your desire? Yes, you can, but only if you can let go of the concept […] Visit Inclusive Exclusive Watchmaking - What’s It All About? to read the full article.
SJX Watches
Grand Seiko has installed its high-end quartz calibre 9F in a 33 mm stainless steel case with fan-favourite textured dials, making one of the most advanced analogue quartz movements available in the smallest and slimmest format to date. The compact proportions of the Grand Seiko Heritage Collection Quartz 33mm “Snowflake” SBGX359 and “Skyflake” SBGX361 are possible thanks to a new member of the 9F family: the cal. 9F51. Though smaller, the new calibre retains all the technical bells and whistles of this class-leading quartz platform. Ref. SBGX359 (Snowflake). Initial thoughts While Grand Seiko’s quartz models are generally known as good value propositions, with the cal. 9F in particular representing a lot of movement for the money, that has generally been less true of the brand’s smaller models. These maintain the brand’s standout case and dial work but with relatively pedestrian cal. 4J movements. Though above average in terms of quality and technology, the cal. 4J lacks the torque necessary to accommodate the exceptionally large and refined hands found on most Grand Seikos. Ref. SBGX361 (Skyflake). Given the brand’s recent emphasis on Spring Drive technology, seemingly at the expense of battery-powered quartz movements, that seemed unlikely to change. In this context, this duo is a pleasant surprise, with more likely to follow, and offers a no-compromise Grand Seiko experience in a smaller size without the high price tags of the ladies automatic line. A ...
Teddy Baldassarre
G-Shock continues to fill an important role in the landscape of watch collecting, almost solely occupying a genre that it essentially created. G-Shock watches are practical, accessible, and functional; but they’re also so much more than that. They are expressive, vibrant, and fun. Their impact on the broader culture around watches can’t be understated, and it’s a connection that remains intact today, over 40 years after emerging onto the scene, and over 30 years since the formation of the 6900 lineage. The design that hails from 1995 has changed surprisingly little, and remains one of the vanishingly few items that can make that claim without looking completely out of place on the wrist today. As the saying goes, good design is timeless. I’m not so sure this is technically "good" design, but it is unique and timeless in its own way. When it first debuted in 1995, the 6900 design used a rounded case, representing a departure from the blocky cases that had typically defined what a G-Shock was. Situated above the square digital display were a trio of circular graphics, with a button situated under the dial itself, all set within a shock-resistant structure. The watch brought the best features of the 5000, the 5900, and the 6600 together, creating a "best of all worlds" in a way. These features represented unlimited possibilities, and were almost mysterious at a glance, but they signaled just what was possible with a digital display. Those three circular graphics wer...
Worn & Wound
Earlier this week we brought you news of the latest in Zenith’s ongoing Revival series, but the big news for the brand coming out of LVMH Watch Week is a big expansion of the contemporary Defy collection at all levels. As a certified Defy-head, this move has my full support. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Defy has long been my favorite sports watch line, full stop. I’m a huge fan of the way the modern Defy combines a funky, avant-garde design sensibility with real sports watch chops (these watches are truly built like tanks, and have been since the 1960s). The latest Defys to enter the collection span the breadth of Zenith’s range as a watchmaker, from the simple and straightforward to the highly exotic. We’ll start with the simple. The Defy Skyline 36 has a pair of new variants, with silver dials joining previously issued versions in blue, ice blue, green, and pink. You can have your silver dialed Defy Skyline 36 with or without a diamond set bezel. As with earlier versions of the Defy Skyline in this size, the option for a diamond bezel reveals that Zenith hopes to market these watches to the women’s market, but 36mm is actually a great size for an integrated bracelet sports watch for just about anyone. Watches in this style tend to wear a little bigger than their dimensions would suggest, and there’s something inherently appealing and comfortable about a watch like this that’s a little undersized, anyway. Like other Defy Skylines, thi...
Worn & Wound
If you’re a Mad Men fan like me, then you may remember a particular scene in season 1 where Don Draper and Rachel Menken are having a conversation and the concept of utopia briefly comes up. “Maybe,” says Rachel, “They taught us at Barnard about that word, ‘utopia’. The Greeks had two meanings for it: ‘eu-topos’, meaning the good place, and ‘u-topos’ meaning the place that cannot be.” While the latter may be true for an ad exec and his department-store-heiress-slash-mistress, it doesn’t have to be for you, dear reader. All thanks to Italian watchmaker, Venezianico, who has released their Redentore Utopia II. Inspired by the Lagoon of La Serenissima, there is undoubtedly a sense of otherworldiness that this watch brings to the market, with its dial decorated with hand-engraved waves, creating a kaleidoscopic effect. Further inspired by the Neoclassicism of the Palladian Basilica, the textured dial is complemented by a 38mm stainless steel case that offers clean lines and simple ergonomics to balance the intricacies of the dial and the transparent caseback.Visible beyond it is the V5001 calibre, an evolution of the V5000 that marked a turning point for the brand. Made in Italy, the movement maintains a slim 3.5 mm profile and a 60-hour power reserve, all while improving upon previous iterations with elevated finishing, such as bridges and a mainplate treated with a 24-carat gold galvanic coating, radial Côtes de Genève, and fine perlage. The Red...
Teddy Baldassarre
Since the advent of wristwatches, the watch industry has continuously been defined by a constant drive to refine and innovate. In the modern context, we typically see that in the competition to make the thinnest watch ever, the most intricate, complicated movements, and recently, the most sophisticated complications at the most affordable price point. All of this is fine and dandy, and makes up much of the great majority of the stories your humble writer finds across her desk on any given week. But today, we’re getting into the weeds on an even more astoundingly specific side quest, possibly the most granular I’ve embarked on yet. That is, the pursuit of pushing the limits of one particular color. We’re entering the void of Vantablack – the blackest material in existence – and the few watchmakers out there that have dared to create Vantablack watch dials. [toc-section heading="What Is Vantablack?"] I’m going to prepare you up top that this article will be touching on some pretty complex science elements. Largely, that’s what makes the subject at hand so interesting. Admittedly, it is also what took me the longest time to wrap my head around. It’s been a long time since I was in any sort of science class, okay? But the short answer to the question at hand is, put simply, Vantablack is among the darkest substances on planet Earth. Vantablack is not naturally occurring and is the brainchild of the British company Surrey NanoSystems, which, as its name sugg...
Monochrome
Artya, the brand created by Yvan Arpa, is never shy to break the rules and to create watches with impressive character. Even though recent models have toned things down a bit, specifically the sleek and organic Purity Wavy or Luminity Wavy, the family-run business is always answering the call for innovation and creativity. As part […]
SJX Watches
Appointed Managing Director of Girard-Perregaux (GP) in early 2025, Marc Michel-Amadry has over two decades of leadership experience spanning both the auction world and fine watchmaking. A former head of Sotheby’s Switzerland and Chief Commercial Officer of IWC, he steps into the role at a pivotal moment for GP, which has spent the past three years refining its identity as an independent brand, alongside its sister brand Ulysse Nardin in the Sowind Group. I sat down with Mr Michel-Amadry not long after he took office to discuss what he has in store. Our conversation touched on the enduring relevance of the Laureato, the renewed importance of in-house innovation, and his plans to restore GP to its former glory. The interview was edited for length and clarity. SJX: You’ve covered a wide range of the industry, having worked with niche brands, major brands, and big groups. Tell us how you ended up at GP. MMA: People often tell me I don’t have a typical career path. Usually, you start somewhere and stay within the same group. But for me, every step has to have a purpose. I’ve always wanted to work for a brand that means something. By coincidence, I was born in La Chaux-de-Fonds - the home of GP. It’s a brand I’ve always followed. I met Luigi Macaluso early in my career and was struck by the sophistication and beauty of the brand. Beyond its know-how and history, GP has always expressed its own design because everything is in-house. Luigi “Gino” Macaluso, forme...
Monochrome
Not so long ago, this summer, ArtyA, the avant-garde, family-run Geneva atelier steered by Yvan Arpa, launched the Luminity Wavy collection, debuting 40mm timepieces, pairing sculpture-like titanium or full-sapphire cases. Inside was the brand’s first proprietary micro-rotor calibre, AMR-02, developed with the specialist movement maker Telos. The idea was to let movement and light do […]
WatchAdvice
TAG Heuer’s latest Formula 1 refresh blends the collection’s colourful 1986 spirit with modern materials and solar-powered convenience. From the versatile steel Silverstone GP to the lightweight, vibrant TH-Polylight Monza GP, these watches show that racing DNA can still be fun, practical, and stylish! What We Love Successfully brings the colorful spirit of the 1986 original models with modern materials and solargraph movement Collection offers versatility with steel and TH-Polylight materials Solargraph movement is the best option for the quartz model. No battery changes, long autonomy, and eco-friendly. What We Don’t TH-Polylight bezels/cases won’t have the same scratch resistance or perceived “luxury” feel as steel. With a 38mm case size, enthusiasts who like larger watches may find it too small. Limited editions tied to specific races may be hard to secure or try on before purchase. Overall Rating: 8.6/10 Value for money: 9/10 Wearability: 8.5/10 Design: 8.5/10 Build quality: 8.5/10 The story of TAG Heuer and Formula 1 is one of new beginnings. A tale that starts not in a quiet Swiss valley, but on the screaming straights of Monaco, Silverstone, and Suzuka. The story goes all the way back to 1986, when the watchmaker, now freshly going under the wing of Techniques d’Avant Garde, forming TAG Heuer, built a timepiece that matched the energy of the sport that it sponsored: light, colourful, and unafraid to stand out. The Formula 1 collection was released dur...
SJX Watches
With a swivelling case and unadorned back, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso has long served as a canvas for miniature enamelling (or double-faced complications). The Reverso Tribute Enamel “Shahnameh” is a fine example of the art, which is almost synonymous with Jaeger-LeCoultre (JLC), one of the first brands to set up an in-house enamel workshop. Originally invented as a watch for polo players – the reversible case is meant to protect the crystal – the Reverso goes back to the historical origins of the game with this set. The quartet is inspired by scenes from Shahnameh, an epic poem written one thousand years ago that recounts the origins of the Persian Empire, and also depicts the ancient game invented by Persians that is today known as polo. Specifically, the four watches reproduce illustrations from the Shahnameh commissioned by Shah Tahmasp, the second ruler of the Safavid dynasty, in the early 16th century. The four piece set comprised of (from left) ‘Siyavush Plays Polo before Afrasiyab’; ‘Faridun Tests His Sons’; ‘Saam Comes to Mount Alburz’; and ‘Rustam Pursues Akvan’. Image – Jaeger-LeCoultre Initial thoughts JLC has long reproduced historical art on the Reverso – including Monet’s Venice series of paintings last year – but the artwork was often Western or East Asian, perhaps reflecting the watchmaker’s biggest markets. The “Shahnameh” set, on the other hand, reproduces scenes from a piece of art that might be less well known in...
Monochrome
When Gerd-Rüdiger Lang (1943–2023) founded Chronoswiss in 1983, his mission was to safeguard and advance mechanical watchmaking at a time when quartz technology threatened to eclipse traditional horology. A master watchmaker, Lang became renowned for pioneering features now considered staples of fine watchmaking, and the openworked mechanical chronograph. In 1995, Chronoswiss launched the Opus, the […]
Monochrome
Yvan Arpa is not your conventional Swiss watchmaker. Eccentric and imaginative, he founded his brand, ArtyA, in 2010 with a portfolio of exotic models. Arpa’s taste has matured over the years, and his latest creative direction is characterised by openworked movements housed in diaphanous cases congregated in the Purity collection. A new model, the Purity […]
Worn & Wound
I’m fortunate enough to have been to Spain twice, to Seville and to Barcelona in 2018 and 2019. I fell in love with the country, the history, culture, architecture, food and lifestyle, and had wanted to come back ever since. My wife and I are foodies who truly enjoy fine dining and new eating experiences. When we went to Barcelona the first time, I heard of an amazing restaurant called Disfrutar (“enjoy” in Spanish), but was unable to get reservations at the time. Disfrutar has three Michelin Stars and was named the best restaurant in the world in 2024. I tried many times to get a reservation, but they book out one year in advance to the day, and are understandably quite popular. Late one night while watching TV in May of 2024, I randomly went to their website and, lo and behold, was able to procure a reservation for two on Friday, May 9, 2025. Well, that settled it, we were going to Spain in 2025! Spain is a place that we are considering spending a significant amount of time after retirement, so we wanted to use this trip as an opportunity to explore some areas that might be suitable to live/stay part-time in the future. After much research and deliberation, our itinerary was set. We would arrive in Madrid, stay there for five days, take the train to Córdoba for the day, and continue on to Málaga for a five day stay. Then, we’d rent a car and take a few days to drive the Costa Del Sol (the southern coast), ending up in Valencia for three days. And finally, we’...
Monochrome
ArtyA, the avant-garde, family-run Swiss watchmaker known for its expressive, often unconventional horological creations of its founder Yvan Arpa, introduces the next evolution of its Luminity collection with a significant update: the launch of its first proprietary micro-rotor movement, the calibre AMR-02. Combining a visually open design with chronometric performance, this new collection keeps movement […]
SJX Watches
With its fifth new model in as many months, MB&F; has been on quite the run to kick off its third decade. Fresh off the launch of the fun and affordable M.A.D.2, which followed closely on the heels of a collaboration with Bulgari and the introduction of the the Legacy Machine Longhorn editions, the brand has returned with the SP One, a contemporary take on the open-worked dress watch. Sleeker than the typical Horological Machine yet more avant garde than a Legacy Machine, the pebble-like SP One is the first model in a new “Special Projects” collection that packages the brand’s signature contemporary aesthetic in a smaller more wearable 38 mm footprint. The SP One joins the collection as a regular production model in either platinum or 18k rose gold. Initial thoughts Picking up the SP One for the first time, one is struck by the light and airy nature of the watch. On the wrist, the minimalist case almost disappears, making the the SP One something of a wrist-worn display case for the Y-shaped movement. This effect is accentuated with a brushed internal flange dubbed ‘the amphitheater’ that focuses attention on the spectacularly three-dimensional mechanical architecture. The smooth pebble-like case measures 38 mm and is just 12 mm thick, making it the most compact MB&F; watch to-date. The front and rear sapphire crystals are cambered to blend seamlessly with the case, giving the SP One the feel of a polished stone. Visually, the smoothness is emphasised by lugs that ...
Worn & Wound
If there’s one drum I’m constantly banging in the watch enthusiast discourse, it’s that the Swatch MoonSwatch is probably among the least interesting watches made by the brand. I know, I know. They are a phenomenon. They have probably introduced untold numbers of new collectors to our hobby. And they are meant to be fun and I should just chill out. This is all incredibly valid. But as a somewhat older, somewhat more grizzled watch collector who fondly remembers a pre-MoonSwatch era, I’m very much of the opinion that Swatch remains on the vanguard of creativity, you just have to walk past that MoonSwatch display briefcase in the boutique. This week saw the release of what I think is a great example of a watch that is more impressive in just about every way than a run of the mill MoonSwatch. The new SCUBAQUA Collection even uses the same Bioceramic material found in the MoonSwatch, but in a way that, to my eye, is more uniquely Swatch. Based on the classic Swatch Scuba collection, the new SCUBAQUA watches are a thoughtful update using new materials with enhanced specs and a more contemporary feel. The new SCUBAQUA watches are all about color and transparency, achieving what the brand calls the “jelly effect,” a principle common to many similarly transparent and colorful Swatches over the years. Each watch combines Bioceramic in the solid color sections of the case with castor oil derived biosourced materials for the transparent components. The dials in each v...
Worn & Wound
The next stop in our ongoing celebration of 10 years of Windup, the Windup Watch Fair San Francisco, is now right around the corner and if you’re like us, you’ve only got one thing on your mind: what watches am I going to see? Whether you are planning to stop at specific brands on your tour of the Fort Mason venue, or your plan is to wander through the nearly 90 different watch and EDC brands, today we’re highlighting a selection of standout projects from our Lead Sponsors. As always, Windup is free and open to the public, thanks in large part to these brands who continue to support the enthusiast community. You can see all of these brands and more at the 2025 Windup Watch Fair in San Francisco: Fort Mason – Gateway Pavilion, 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco Friday, May 2: 12PM – 6PM Saturday, May 3: 12PM – 6PM Sunday, May 4: 12PM – 5PM Free and open to the public You can see every sponsor on the Windup Watch Fair website. While you’re on the site, be sure to sign up for Windup updates to make sure you continue to get the latest info in advance of and throughout the Windup weekend. Here’s that sneak peek at the watches of our 2025 Lead Sponsors in San Francisco! anOrdain anOrdain is proud to celebrate the crafts of watchmaking and fired arts by introducing the Model 2 Porcelain. The Model 2 offers a true porcelain dial that was developed in-house after years of research aided by master potters in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Each dial is lovingly handcrafted by p...
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