Two Broke Watch Snobs
Best Field Watches for First-Time Mechanical Collectors: Hands-on Reviewed
After years of hands-on watch reviews, these are the field watches we think make the most sense for first-time mechanical buyers.
42,576 articles · 248 videos found · page 949 of 1428
Two Broke Watch Snobs
After years of hands-on watch reviews, these are the field watches we think make the most sense for first-time mechanical buyers.
Monochrome
As we have sort of halfway circumnavigated our annual lap around the sun, we come back to that age-old question on every watch enthusiast’s mind: what to wear during our summer holiday travels?! And I’m sure you all recognise the thought of what you’re actually planning on doing during your mid-year adventures. Are you staying […]
Time+Tide
We go hands-on with Barrington’s latest watch winders, including the Oxford Single Watch Winder and feature-packed 2 Watch Winder
Fratello
It’s Sunday morning, which means it’s time for another showdown! This week, the new stainless steel Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty takes on the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Self-Winding. With this new Laureato, Girard-Perregaux impressed a lot of fans. Not only is the 39mm version spot-on in terms of size, but the redesigned enamel dial also adds a […] Visit Sunday Morning Showdown: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Self-Winding Vs. Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty 39mm to read the full article.
SJX Watches
Three years after the Tokyo event, the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition Milan 2026 is now open for registration. Starting on October 2 at CityOval, a newly revamped event hall, the upcoming instalment of the exhibition will include some 500 timepieces. One of the most important markets for Patek Philippe in the latter half of the 20th century, the Milan event marks the return of the Grand Exhibition to Europe, after Munich in 2013 and London in 2015. As with prior exhibitions, the array of timepieces will range from historical watches from the Patek Philippe Museum to the limited edition collection made specially for the Milan show, which will start with basic models and progress to grand complications and Rare Handcrafts. The showcase will also encompass exhibits dedicated to Patek Philippe’s innovations, demonstrations of watchmaking crafts as well as workshops. The Grand Exhibition 2017 in New York. Image – Patek Philippe The Grand Exhibition 2019 in Singapore The exhibition is within CityOval, about 10 minutes’ drive from the city iconic Duomo. Formerly known as Palazzo delle Scintille, the venue was built a century ago as a sports arena but has been transformed into a modern event space with a historic facade. The Grand Exhibition takes places October 2-18, 2026, at CityOval. Entry is free but complimentary tickets are required and available via online registration at Watchart2026.patek.com.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Should you buy one luxury dive watch or build a five-watch affordable collection? We break down the real ownership tradeoffs using watches we’ve reviewed hands-on.
Deployant
Panerai introduces the Submersible Navy SEALs PAM01738: a 44mm steel tool watch fitted with the in-house P.980 calibre, a two-colour lume system with expanded Super-LumiNova coverage, and water resistance to 500 metres. The following post is based on press release information. Editorial commentary appears in italics. New: Panerai Submersible Navy SEALs PAM01738 The Panerai SubmersibleRead More
Two Broke Watch Snobs
We compared the $149 Watchdives EXD and $5,025 Tudor Pelagos FXD on wearability, movement, and value to see how close cheap titanium really gets.
Fratello
Hanhart introduces a new fire-service-inspired limited edition, and the Thermosphere is not shy about its source of inspiration. The 42mm watch is based on the Aquasphere series, but the bezel swaps diving orientation for breathing-apparatus monitoring, with markers designed around the time checks used during firefighting operations. That makes this more than a fancy colorway […] Visit It’s Getting Hot In Here, So Take Off… No… Strap On Your Hanhart Thermosphere! to read the full article.
Teddy Baldassarre
The Zenith Chronomaster A384 Revival is a faithful, 1:1 resurrection of the very first steel watch to house the legendary El Primero movement back in 1969.
Deployant
Casio goes back to the future with an addition to their Vintage line with the iconic A140WE. A reimagined and glammed up F-91!
Worn & Wound
One of the more interesting phenomenons in higher end watches is taking a bold, brash, complex design and deciding to make it simpler and more streamlined. You could argue that this goes against the whole point of such a design, but of course it’s a way for a brand to draw additional, perhaps less adventurous, customers. It also makes for a watch that is more approachable from a financial perspective as well, which is an additional added benefit if you’re trying to grow your customer base of exotic watch buyers used to six figure Super Watches. The Freak X is maybe my favorite example of this. It begs the impossible question: what is a more sedate Freak, exactly, and why would we want one? I’m a huge Freak fan. It’s importance in the avant-garde and independent watchmaking world simply cannot be underestimated. But, I think we all have to admit, it’s a tough watch to get your arms around in its traditional Freak form. It’s crownless, dial-less, hand-less, and is that rare watch that truly does need a bit of an explainer to the uninitiated. It’s not immediately intuitive. The Freak X attempts to solve this by cloaking the Freak in the guise of a normal watch, at least to the extent that’s even possible. Ulysse Nardin has just introduced a new generation of the Freak X, coinciding with the Freak’s 25th anniversary. It’s a complement of sorts to the Super Freak, the freakiest Freak ever, unveiled earlier this year at Watches & Wonders. The new Freak X ...
Fratello
Another Friday, another list. Summer is just around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about your watch for the season. While we understand that a simple strap change can do the trick, it is always nice to look at recent releases that could make great companions for the long summer days. That’s why […] Visit Fratello’s Top 5 Summer Watches Of 2026 to read the full article.
Time+Tide
As I spend most of my week writing about the latest watch releases, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing the hobby is all about what’s coming next. But every now and then, a week comes along that reminds you just how many different moving parts make up this interesting little world of … Continued
Monochrome
Traditionally, watchmakers solve horological problems by adding components. Dr Ludwig Oechslin famously does the opposite, stripping mechanisms down to their absolute essentials. It is a philosophy that has defined Ochs und Junior since its inception and one that reaches one of its purest expressions in the Anno annual calendar. The foundational model, the brand’s annual calendar, […]
Two Broke Watch Snobs
We tested the Marathon TSAR, CWC 1980 Royal Navy Diver Re-Issue, and CWC SBS Diver to see which military dive watch is worthy of your collection.
Teddy Baldassarre
Rolex launches an exclusive partnership with the Rockefeller Center with a redesigned information center with a Rolex clock proudly positioned on top.
Fratello
Maen has been gracing us with a string of interesting new releases over the past few months. First, the Swedish brand with Dutch roots released the updated Hudson 38 MK5. After that, Maen continued its partnership with Nico Leonard with the Grand Tonneau Ultra-Thin. And last month, I reviewed the refreshed Hudson GMT MKII. Today, […] Visit Maen Kick-Starts Its Boutique Exclusive Series With A New Manhattan 37 Ultra-Thin to read the full article.
Hodinkee
Basel, Switzerland, is returning as the venue for a major watch and jewelry show with the launch of Basilia planned for April, 2027. There's no word yet on which brands will participate, but event organizers say the show will give watch and jewelry brands from Asia and other parts of the world a venue to connect with buyers from Europe that don't participate at Watches and Wonders in Geneva, which is dominated by a handful of major Swiss brands, including Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Cartier. At a media conference Thursday in Basel, announcing the new fair, organizers stressed that Basilia is not a return of Baselworld, the massive event that was once the world's largest watch and jewelry fair boasting more than 2,000 exhibitors at its peak before Baselworld's final show in 2019. "Baselworld is no more. It has been more than seven years now, and it will not come back," says Roman Imgrüth, the CEO of MCH Group Exhibitions and Events, which is hosting the new fair with Informa Markets, the trade show and business-to-business events division of publicly listed Informa Plc. Basilia organizers, including MCH Group Exhibition and Events CEO Roman Imgrüth (left), announce plans for a new watch and jewelry fair in Basel. Organizers say Basilia, which will take place after Watches and Wonders in Geneva, is targeting some 400 exhibitors and between 2,000 and 5,000 visitors for its inaugural edition next year. Participants and exhibitors have yet to be identified, but organizers sa...
Deployant
Sarpaneva releases the next generation of his absolutely crazy Lunations, as a new model which he calls Eclipse. All steel. All madness.
SJX Watches
Tudor marks its 100th birthday by reviving the Monarch with a completely new look — one that captures the spirit of the brand’s founding decade, reinterpreted for the 21st century. The Monarch manages to be both sporty and dressy, with a distinctive design and upmarket build that proves Tudor has aspirations beyond the Black Bay. Initial thoughts Tudor turns 100 stronger than it’s ever been. The brand that once trafficked in cheaper versions of Rolex models can now bring compelling products like this to market with impressive regularity. That said, the brand tends to be at its best when it comes to sports watches like the Black Bay — what Tudor calls its ‘classic watches’ have had less market impact. In this context, the Monarch represents a major step forward for Tudor. It’s dressy without looking derivative, and robust enough for everyday wear. In short, the Monarch rules. Image – Tudor Much of Tudor’s current collection takes heavy inspiration from its deep back catalogue. That isn’t the case for the Monarch, which shares nothing with the 1990s and 2000s Monarchs save for the name and shield at 12 o’clock. Instead, the Monarch’s design celebrates the earliest years of Tudor — the 1920s — which was a transitional period in which wristwatch production had not yet equalled that of pocket watches. Watchmakers at the time weren’t yet sure what kinds of wristwatches people wanted, and the era is marked by expressive and experimental designs. Beca...
Two Broke Watch Snobs
We hands-on compare the Timex Field Post Solar and Marathon General Purpose Mechanical to see which affordable field watch makes more sense for daily wear.
Teddy Baldassarre Videos
Certina is going deep with their latest ultra-capable diver, the 2,000-meter DS Super PH2000M, available in three standard production colorways, plus a limited edition of 1,959 in a bright teal benefiting the Sea Turtle Conservancy. We’ve covered Certina’s DS Super PH lineup before, and the historic Swiss brand is well
Teddy Baldassarre
The Certina DS Super PH2000M is one of the most robust and capable dive watches out there in 2026.
Time+Tide
The new Hublot Big Bang Summer 2026 'Art of Pastel' Collection brings a variety of coloured ceramics to 33mm, 42mm, and 44mm watches.
Deployant
Angelus releases a new chronograph with telemeter with an Italian story. Introducing the Cronografo Telemetro Blue Ministeriale. Released in gold and steel.
Worn & Wound
For stuntman Tom Place, watches aren’t simply accessories. They’re tools with a purpose. They also serve as reminders of the people, stories, and qualities that have shaped his life and career. Those qualities of perseverance and passion are at the heart of Hamilton’s America 250 celebration, and you’ll have a chance to experience them firsthand […]
Worn & Wound
Nothing beats the bold and brash hand-painted liveries of motorsports in the 1960s and 1970s, especially compared to the overstimulating and overcorporatized wraps of today’s racecars. No, liveries of old were meant to invoke speed and evoke a sense of romance and adventure—and yes, also to occasionally advertise a sponsor. In celebration of those iconic liveries of the golden years of motorsport, British watchmaker Farer has unveiled a new trilogy of colorful chronographs. Each of the new models takes on a colorway seen on racetracks of yesteryear, while maintaining the motorsport-inspired design of their chronograph lineup. The new Racing Chronographs measure in at a slim 38.5mm in diameter and 13.4mm in thickness, making the stainless steel case comfortable on the wrist for long sessions behind the wheel. Each model features three subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, with hours, minutes, small seconds, and 30-minute and 12-hour counters. A bidirectional bezel with a ceramic insert wears a 12-hour scale and along with the hands and indexes, is filled with Super-LumiNova for legibility and visibility. Inside, and visible through a flat sapphire crystal exhibition caseback, is a Sellita SW510M b Elaboré grade movement. Decorations include skeleton framework, perlage finishing, blued screws, and a custom engraved bridge with the Farer monogram just below center. A 63-hour power reserve ensures that setting the watch down between race days won’t be an issue. I’ve ...
SJX Watches
California-based independent watchmaker J.N. Shapiro has unveiled the Infinity Series Radiant chronograph, the brand’s first complicated model available to the general public. Like the special order series released last year, the Radiant is built around a well-known La Joux-Perret monopusher calibre, but this time the watch features a tantalum case and choice of two dial configurations. Initial thoughts The Infinity Series is how it all started for J.N. Shapiro, and while the southern California-based watchmaker subsequently introduced the Resurgence — taking ‘made in America’ to the extreme — the Infinity Series makes use of third-party movements to make the brand’s inventive hand-turned guilloche dials more accessible. The Radiant chronograph takes after the 14-piece limited edition unveiled last year for the Boston-based ‘Escapement’ collector group. The Radiant is functionally identical, using the same La Joux-Perret cal. 5000 monopusher chronograph movement. But while the Escapement chronograph featured a movement that had been customised for fellow Alternative Horological Alliance (AHA) member Ming, the Radiant gets its own anthracite-coated livery complete with the brand’s ‘infinity weave’ logo. The movement itself has its own interesting backstory, but the handmade dials and weighty tantalum case do more to help justify the pricing of US$35,900. By the standards of mass market watchmaking this is a steep ask for a straightforward complication,...
Teddy Baldassarre
The new J.N. Shapiro Radiant monopusher chronograph comes in two variants done in 38mm tantalum cases.
Question, suggestion, or just want to say hi? Drop a note.