Results for The 2017-2022 Vintage Market Boom

Editorial: The Whys and Wherefores of Rolex Certified Pre-Owned

Having just announced the Rolex Certified Pre-Owned programme, the Geneva watchmaking giant has in the headlines everywhere. The programme is certainly a significant development, though it will probably play out in a more nuanced manner than predicted in most media. To recap, Rolex Certified Pre-Owned is open to all and any of the brand’s retailers on a voluntary basis. It allows a retailer to sell pre-owned Rolex watches – that have to be at least three years old – but only after they have gone through an official Rolex service centre. Importantly, retailers will have to source their own pre-owned inventory, pay Rolex for servicing, and are free to set prices on their pre-owned offerings. Such certified pre-owned (CPO) watches will be accompanied by a two-year guarantee as well as a Rolex Certified Pre-Owned guarantee card (in addition to the original guarantee card and accessories if available). The first to embark on the CPO programme is the biggest Rolex retailer in Europe, Bucherer, which already has CPO watches on sale. Other retailers will be able to do the same from spring 2023 should they choose to do so. Crucially, Rolex CPO has nothing to do with the grey market, which is the market for brand-new watches sold via non-authorised channels. It is where brand-new Rolex watches sold at a premium to retail are transacted. On the other hand, Rolex CPO all about pre-owned watches that are at least three years old. And Rolex knows exactly when a watch is three ye...

Breaking News: Rolex Announces Certified Pre-Owned Program

Authenticated, warrantied, and coming to your local Rolex retailer.

Louis Vuitton announces their Watch Prize for Independent Creatives

In an initiative to foster the future growth of innovation in the watchmaking industry, Louis Vuitton has announced the inaugural Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives. The competition (to be held every other year) seeks to nurture the future of innovation and creativity within the industry, as judged by a committee of 50 horological … ContinuedThe post Louis Vuitton announces their Watch Prize for Independent Creatives appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: We launch our 4th limited edition, plus a new season of About Effing Time!

This week, we’ve had a lot of excitement at our end. We just launched our fourth limited-edition collaboration watch, the Nivada Grenchen x seconde/seconde/ x Time+Tide ChaosMaster Series, while the highly anticipated new season of About Effing Time premieres this weekend. The Nivada Grenchen x seconde/seconde/ x Time+Tide ChaosMaster Series really embodies what we are … ContinuedThe post FRIDAY WIND DOWN: We launch our 4th limited edition, plus a new season of About Effing Time! appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Happenings: Colin de Tonnac To Lecture At The Horological Society Of New York

The founder of Semper & Adhuc will speak about the history of French watchmaking on December 5.

Pre-Owned Picks: To The Moon And Back, A Speedmaster For Everyone

With so many different Speedmasters out there – and in the spirit of the holidays – we thought a quick guide to some of the ones available in the Hodinkee Shop might be helpful.

In Conversation with Zenith CEO, Julien Tornare at the 2022 Meet the DreamHers Event in Singapore

Meet the DreamHers is a campaign that was launched in 2020 with the expressed goal of shining a spotlight on independent and accomplished women, by having them share their experiences that might inspire and empower others to pursue their dreams. The campaign is part of Zenith’s broader HORIZ-ON initiative to bring about social change. Wei […]

Introducing the Zenith Defy Classic Fusalp

A Week On The Wrist: Is There A Right Way To Wear The ‘Lefty’ Rolex GMT?

Swapping wrists with the GMT-Master II Ref. 126720VTNR - the most fun watch the Crown has made in years.

A Week On The Wrist: The Search Is Over - This Entry Level F.P. Journe Chronomètre Bleu Is My New Favorite Watch

For now, at least.

Hands On: IWC Portofino Perpetual Calendar

IWC has a suite of instantly recognisable models synonymous with the brand, namely the Pilot’s Watches and of course, the Portugieser. But one collection does get as much recognition as its peers, despite being almost 40 years old. Named after the famous seaside city in Italy, the Portofino was introduced in 1984 (though the inaugural model didn’t yet have the Portofino name at the time) as an oversized pocket watch-style wristwatch, something of a clarion call to persist with mechanical watchmaking after the Quartz Crisis. Now the brand has revived one of the classics from the line with the Portofino Perpetual Calendar. At 40 mm in diameter, it’s the most compact of IWC’s perpetual calendars and is equipped with an in-house movement from the 82000 family. Initial thoughts The perpetual calendar is a sought-after complication for its utility but also its aesthetics, especially when it includes a moon phase, which adds a touch of romanticism to the design. IWC’s latest take on the complication is straightforward, practical, and priced reasonably enough. In fact, it’s essentially a visually-simplified version of the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42, which uses the same movement but inside a larger case. While not revolutionary in technical terms, the Portofino Perpetual Calendar is a solid performer with a concise design. It retains all the features that made the 1990s original appealing but adds a few contemporary touches in both design and the in-house base m...

The Future of ‘Fusion’

Introducing: Bulgari And Phillips Find The Right Vintage Touches With A New Octo Finissimo Collaboration

The auction house adds some classicism to the modern Octo design.

Introducing: Merci Launches A Trio Of New LMM-01s (Live Pics)

Three new dials expand upon Merci Instruments' signature style.

HODINKEE Radio: A Smaller Murph, A Value Flyer, Bond's 60th, And A Rolex (Or Two) That Never Was

Digging into some exciting new watches and some that never existed (but could have?).

In Conversation with Matthias Breschan, CEO of Longines

Revolution Asia’s Editor-in-Chief Andre Frois had the privilege of speaking with Longines CEO Matthias Breschan on the historic milestones of the brand that have played a pivotal role in the evolution of chronometry and sports timekeeping.

For The Wild Ones

Introducing the Baltic Tricompax Panda & Reverse Panda

Why do you keep hearing about Kurono watches?

Editor’s Note: Recently the Kurono Chronograph 1 Mk.2 went up for sale, and has since sold out. More seasoned watch enthusiasts are likely familiar with the cult-followed micro-independent brand, but,  for those new to to the space, some of you may have been wondering what all the hoopla on social media was all about. So, we refer you to Zach’s first story on … ContinuedThe post Why do you keep hearing about Kurono watches? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

VIDEO: The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II and Engineer Hydrocarbon NEDU

One of Ball’s slogans is “accuracy under adverse conditions”. That tells the story of what this brand is all about – watches that deliver tough functionality that you can absolutely rely on. It’s a legacy that was founded back in the 1890s, when Webb C. Ball was chosen to dictate a set of standards for railroad … ContinuedThe post VIDEO: The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II and Engineer Hydrocarbon NEDU appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

C By Romain Gauthier: A Continuum of Lifelong Learning

First launched toward the end of 2021, the Continuum, now known as C by Romain Gauthier, is the boutique brand's take on a luxury sports watch without falling into the trap of trying to be just another voice in the steel sports watch market.

Ultra wide angle lenses: the new Fujinon GF 20-35 mm F4

We managed to get our hands on the new Fujinon GF20-35mmF4 R WR, Here are our impressions on the lens with our GFX 50S II.

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: T+T meets James Bond and lives out super-spy fantasies in London

The invitation came through emblazoned with two logos – those of Omega and 007. “Raynald Aeschlimann, The M of Omega, invites you to a spy-inspired event: 60 Years of James Bond. Dress code: black tie (of course).” Andrew and I duly started whistling cinema’s most famous theme tune. In London, we were driven to a secret … ContinuedThe post FRIDAY WIND DOWN: T+T meets James Bond and lives out super-spy fantasies in London appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Up Close with the Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster ‘No Barracuda’ for Revolution and The Rake

We are proud to present our first collaboration with the revived Nivada Grenchen, an all blacked-out version of the historic Depthmaster, one of the first dive watches to be rated to a depth of a thousand meters! Shop the Nivada x Revolution & The Rake Depthmaster “No Barracuda”

Nivada × Revolution & The Rake Depthmaster ‘No Barracuda’

HANDS-ON: The new IWC Portofino Perpetual Calendar IW344601 and IW344602

Most people associate IWC with pilot’s watches, which makes total sense due to their rich aviation history and classics like the Mark and Big Pilot series. But with their Portugieser and Portofino collections, IWC prove they still know how to appeal to dressier sensibilities. The latest duo of Portofino watches, the IWC Portofino Perpetual Calendar … ContinuedThe post HANDS-ON: The new IWC Portofino Perpetual Calendar IW344601 and IW344602 appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Highlights: Independent Watchmaking at Christie’s Hong Kong Auction

Having looked at some of the most fascinating pocket watches and clocks on offer at Christie’s Important Watches auction that happens soon in Hong Kong, we now turn to attention to the genre that many collectors are now pursuing, independent watchmaking. As expected, amongst the offerings going on the block are works from the big names like F.P. Journe, Richard Mille, and H. Moser & Cie. But beyond the usual suspects, the sale also encompasses hidden gems, like the highly complicated tourbillon perpetual calendar by Gerald Genta presented as a Cartier Pasha. The Important Watches auction (lots 2306-2523), including watches from The Triazza Collection, begins at 1 pm on November 27 – the catalogue is available here. It’s followed by the second session (lots 2201-2282) offering watches from The Champion Collection at 7 pm – see the full catalogue here. The fully-engraved Gerald Genta movement inside the Cartier Pasha Lot 2382: Cartier Pasha Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Considered one of the most successful watch designers of the 20th century – though his most influential designs were for Audemars Piguet and the Patek Philippe rather than his own – Gerald Genta was also responsible for some of the most complicated watches of the 1980s and 1990s when his namesake brand was at its peak. In fact, the Genta brand was so proficient at making highly complex watches that Cartier tapped Gerald Genta as a movement supplier for its top-of-the-line complications in the 19...

Cambodian Watchmaking School Debuts an In-House Tourbillon

Presented to the world leaders who were recently in Phnom Penh for the ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN Lotus Tourbillon was created by the Prince Horology Vocational Training Center, the impressively-equipped watchmaking school set up by local conglomerate Prince Holding Group. (I visited the school in 2020 just before it opened its doors – see our report here.) Produced in an initial run of 25 pieces for the summit, it contains a hand-wind movement that is as notable for both its hand finishing and the one-minute tourbillon regulator. Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen was personally involved in the design of the watch – he received the very first example – and posted photos of the watch on his Facebook page a few days before the summit with the comment “Khmer can do it”. Initial thoughts Having been aware of the project and its ambitions since I visited the school two years ago, I was expecting much of the Lotus Tourbillon and I wasn’t disappointed. The quality of the execution is immediately apparent in the hand finishing of the components, particularly for the key components of the tourbillon, namely the cage and bridge. Equally impressive is the fact that it was developed and completed in under two years. Admittedly, the Lotus Tourbillon is plain in terms of the dial and case aesthetics, but the mechanical excellence is obvious. Importantly, the movement is likely to make it into a series of watches that will be sold publicly to raise funds for watchmaking school,...

MICRO MONDAYS: The Trafford Watch Co. Crossroads

Trafford are shaping up to be a brand who are impossible to pin down, but if their releases continue the trend of happy surprises then we can only hope that never stops. Their first watch was a chronograph dedicated to 20th Century racing drivers-turned-spies, and their second watch is this new Crossroads. Despite a British … ContinuedThe post MICRO MONDAYS: The Trafford Watch Co. Crossroads appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Habring2 Introduces the Doppel 38

Habring² has scaled down its signature split-seconds chronograph to create the Doppel 38, which retains all of the key features of the original but in a more compact case. Still having the “bullhead” pusher layout that characterises the split-seconds chronographs of Habring², the Doppel 38 is smaller and thinner than its predecessor, but continues to be powered by the proprietary hand-wound A11R calibre. Initial thoughts Long one of the best values in terms of sub-US$10,000 chronographs, the Doppel is perhaps the archetypal Habring² watch since it’s descended from the complication Mr Habring invented at IWC three decades ago. Now vastly improved and refined by Mr Habring, the Doppel possibly the most accessible split-seconds chronograph on the market – in itself a major point of appeal. But the original Doppel was 42 mm, not massive but large enough to make someone who prefers smaller watches think twice. Personally I thought the larger Doppel was sized well for its particular type of complication, but the Doppel 38 is unexpectedly compact, especially at just 11.5 mm high. Beyond making it more wearable for more people, the new dimensions will no doubt give the Doppel 38 a slightly more retro feel, although the dial styles on offer are thoroughly modern. And it remains affordable as such things go, with a retail price of about US$7,900 before taxes. A value-proposition split-seconds Like many of the recent watches from the brand, the Doppel 38 is simple in sty...