A Closer Look At A Submariner Big Crown Four Liner 6538
This is a you won’t see every day: the Submariner Big Crown Four Liner 6538. Four Liner refers to the four lines of text on the dial that not only indicates the model name (Submariner), depth rate (200 meters / 660 feet) but also that it is an Officially Certified Chronometer.Submariner Big CrownAlthough it is definitely related to today’s Submariner, this reference 6538 chronometer model is something else! With a diameter of ‘just’ 37.5mm, it looks very distinguished and the big crown (8mm diameter) gives you immediately the feeling of having a proper vintage tool watch on the wrist.A 1957 Reference 6538In the early days of the Submariner (introduced in Basel in 19...
Artisans de Genve and Juan Pablo Montoya introduce ? La Montoya ?
Juan Pablo Montoya?“I've always been passionate about the? Daytona, I won the? 24?three times, and it's a watch that really relates to all of my racing. So I?was amazed when the idea came along to do a?skeleton Daytona.Artisans de Genve embodies what I wanted in somebody who would build a watch for me. They are that somebody that was happy to go with?no limits to how a watch should be built.The more you look at it, the more you like it.??Juan Pablo MontoyaFor more information, visit www.artisansdegeneve.com/en/collections/la-montoya/Juan Pablo Montoya was taught the art of motorsports at an early age by his father. He quickly began to show promise, and has since then carved an incredi...
Oris Watch Night in Munich
Since 2017, Oris actively supports the Movember foundation. To raise awareness about men’s health and the need to improve it (and to raise donations), Movember supporters reveal themselves by growing a mustache in November. So, November is the perfect time for an event to accentuate Oris’ dedication.Having started in 2017, Oris each year presents a special Movember edition of one of their watch models and donate part of the revenue. This commitment was the peg for a grand event that Oris hosted last week in Munich.Oris Watch Night in the Munich HearthouseOris, of course, also presented their other novelties as well as some models representing their different collections. But they...
Speedy Tuesday Moonwatch Only 3rd Edition Book Review
Recently, Gregoire Rossier and Anthony Marquie introduced the third edition of their masterpiece ‘Moonwatch Only’. Where the 2nd edition was subtitled ’60 Years of Omega Speedmaster’, this third edition has a ‘The Ultimate Omega Speedmaster Guide’ subtitle.When this new edition was dropped on the @Watchbooksonly account of the authors, I put my order in via their distributor WatchPrint.com. I also own the first and second edition, and I was wondering what would be new to this book, besides the Speedmaster models that have been introduced since the appearance of the previous version. If you don’t have any of the earlier editions, order this Moonwatch ...
Hands-On: The Oak and Oscar Olmsted 38
We take a look at the Oak and Oscar Olmsted 38, the brand's re – entry into the field watch segment.By the time you read this, about a week will have passed since a small group came together in Frankfurt, Germany with Oak and Oscar's Chase Fancher (founder) and John Hatherly (creative director) at my absolute favorite cocktail bar on the planet (a shameless plug for Antony's?thanks for hosting us!) to share some drinks and to take a look at the Chicago-based watch brand's newest watch: the Oak and Oscar Olmsted 38.? As mentioned, the watch is a simple 3-hander with date that falls into the oft-referenced field watch category.? We first saw this watch in photos a few weeks back and whil...
#TBT Vintage Watch Packaging Troubles
I?am a?self-diagnosed vintage watch nerd. You can only imagine how many parcels, packages, and boxes I?have received over the years. What you cannot imagine is the creativity of some of the packaging that comes through. Watch collecting is supposed to be fun, right? Well, some of the featured wrapping techniques definitely prove it.If you have ever spent more than $3k or $5k on a watch, you can remember exactly how long you spent fawning over your new watch. I am pretty sure you spent the same amount of time studying each square centimeter of the packaging. Packaging comes in endless shapes, materials, and sizes. The packaging becomes a part of the story. It sets the scene, builds the narrat...
Christmas Buying Guide: Accessories From Schofield Watch Company
A couple of weeks back, I introduced the newest watch from one of my favorite brands. The Schofield Strange Lights was surely an early Christmas gift and would certainly make a very generous stocking filler. But for those of us that don’t quite have that kind of spending power, I have some other options from the Sussex-based brand. I’ve got straps, pens, and perhaps the most opulent, divinely crafted watch box you’ve ever seen to show you. Grab a fresh mug of cocoa and warm your feet by the fire. This list is about to get festive…Do you ever wonder what to buy the watch lover in your life? It can be tough buying meaningful gifts for friends and family members that cle...
The Watches Of My Heroes
There are accounts on Instagram that do nothing but showing famous people wearing specific watches. Steve McQueen wearing a Submariner 5512, Tom Selleck with his GMT-Master 1675, Joe Biden wearing an Omega Speedmaster Professional, Jacky Kennedy with her Cartier. In this article, I will share my personal heroes and their watches.It is an interesting phenomenon that people actually care what watches famous people are wearing. Brands have realized this forever, of course, and even in the early days of advertisement, actors, singers, and sportspeople have been used to sell these watches. In the process, they became the first brand ambassadors.I know I am in the minority here, but I couldn't ca...
Hands-On With The Hamilton Khaki Field King
If you are on the lookout for an affordable field watch, the chances are pretty solid that Hamilton’s name will be at the top of your shortlist. With a pretty extensive range of Khaki Field watches available for under $1,000, the brand has a lot to offer. The latest addition to the Khaki Field King line-up is a stealthy full black version. I went hands-on to determine if this black version offers a new perspective on the familiar Khaki Field King.I like black. If you know me a little bit, you know that’s my go-to color with pretty much everything. I have explained this before in articles. It’s not a conscious effort. Whenever presented with a choice, I gravitate naturally t...
[Video] The Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Gets The Job Done
In this video, I talk about the Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto, a 43mm diver in stainless steel that weighs a whopping 212 grams.While the trend is towards smaller and lighter watches, this diver from Hamilton is the contrary. A big case and chunky bracelet. For those who prefer smaller and lighter diver’s watches, there’s a 40mm version as well that you can wear on a rubber strap. But what we watch enthusiasts might prefer, does not always apply to everyone. So for those who prefer a big and heavy watch, this Hamilton Khaki Scuba Auto might be perfect.Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba AutoHamilton is the brand that brings mechanical watches with a purpose, for a very attractive price. A...
The Five Best Seiko Watches Released In 2021
With just over a month to go, it's time to look back on another Seiko year. As you would expect from the Japanese watch giant, there was an abundance of new watches in all of its product families. Does that make it easy to sift through and distill a list from? Not really, no. The watches I selected made their mark. Have a look at what I think were the five best Seiko watches of 2021. Well, the first eleven months of 2021, that is.There were four watches that immediately came to mind when I asked myself which five would make it onto my very subjective list. The fifth, however, was a genuine eureka moment, but I'm not going to reveal which watch that was just yet (maybe you can guess what it i...
ASTRONEF The Latest Masterpiece From Louis Moinet
I've said it before, and I'll say it once again today: Louis Moinet is a brand that's not afraid to reach the highest summits of innovation and creativity. When it comes to the highest form of watchmaking, few brands dare to be as bold as Louis Moinet. The latest release of the ASTRONEF shows that the brand is also not afraid to strike a more classic chord within the wild watchmaking realm in which it operates. Upholding the brand's maxim toproduce an excellent and curious effect was Louis Moinet's mission. Even today, it is something the brand aspires to do with every single one of its releases. The ASTRONEF is no exception.You might remember a few weeks ago when our very own Lex Stolk show...
The Fast And The Fratelli: Cartier Roadster Chronograph Vs. Seiko SRQ029
The race roars on with the Cartier Roadster Chronograph versus the Seiko SRQ029. And what a spectacle it will be! It’s going to be a track battle between two watch equivalents of early 1970s race cars. The Cartier Roadster will be represented by the Matra-Simca MS670, a Group 5 prototype equipped with a howling 2,999 cc V12 engine - the one which, some say, is the best-sounding engine ever produced. The Seiko SRQ029, a 2019 watch that celebrates 50 years of Seiko chronographs, appears on the circuit in the shape of a Toyota 7. This Group 7 car with a Yamaha chassis was powered by a 3-liter 61E V8 made by Toyota. Messieurs, demarrez vos moteurs! ȥ`?楢?The race between hi...
My Seiko Diver Journey Part Two: Shogun To Marinemaster 300
After a hectic couple of years documented in My Seiko Diver Journey - Part One, I started to feel torn. In an increasingly diameter-reducing media environment, I felt like Jekyll and Hyde, with dressy, 36mm vintage-inspired pieces for the office and big Seiko divers for the weekend.And they felt increasingly too big, so the Turtle had to go. Nevertheless, the green Sumo remains. It’s the largest, but it’s still the one I am smitten with every time I put it on. Then I read an article on the quite un-Seiko-like titanium Shogun. I found a bargain-priced one in Denver from an Instagram buddy and was blown away, bored, and confused at the same time.@thorsvaboe slips a big diver under ...
Recent Innovations From Independents And Microbrands
Independent brands, which we can also call microbrands, have been working hard to create some neat stuff. Yes, I decided to say neat instead of outstanding because what they recently released is quite refreshing. This article will look at three trends that define independent watchmaking in 2022. I did use the word innovation in the title. Not to bait you into reading an article that is not about innovation, but the things I'll mention are not new. However, independent brands are making them accessible to a large segment of the watch-collecting population. So although they’re not new, they are innovative. I promise this will all make sense shortly.A few weeks ago, I wrote an article on ...
Jorg's Best Watches Of 2022 Zenith, Tudor, And More
I can’t believe we are at this point again. The year 2022 has flown by, and I still remember compiling my list of the best watches of 2021. It’s now 12 months later, and I have enjoyed a great number of new releases this year. But as it tends to go with lists like these for me, the majority of my picks will be pieces that I actually want and can add to my collection. I’m always looking for a personal story, a personal connection that triggers the desire actually to want to buy a watch. And that story does not have to be multi-layered and elaborate. It can be as simple as a fascination with a design. Essentially, that’s where it all starts and ends for me with these fi...
Building A Watch Collection With $25,000: Thor's Picks
Is this a difficult story to write as a watch journalist? Yes. But the intriguing thought of selling off everything and starting fresh is immensely tempting nonetheless. And as I am in the middle of a consolidating process before the holiday season, the exercise is needed. I would very much enjoy building the perfect watch collection from scratch again.The problem is, to my chagrin, age hasn’t brought enough sense. I wish I were a focused collector, but instead, I have tended to follow my heart, which often leads me astray. This is why I am trying to consolidate, so let's put that aside and do a clean-slate story here. Being a contrarian, you know very well that there will be no here;...
Lange Odysseus Chronograph Vs. Gronefeld 1941 Gronograaf
When it comes to perpetuating the values of Haute Horlogerie, longstanding brands like Breguet, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin never let us down. It’s thanks to such brands and their persistence that mechanical watchmaking is at the high level that it is right now, and many of them will keep developing new technology for the foreseeable future. But nowadays, there are also some new kids on the block, such as MB&F, Urwerk, and HYT. In many ways, these fresh-faced brands are bold and daring, and they have a knack for developing things we’ve never seen before. In today’s Sunday Morning Showdown, we’ll put watches from both of these schools u...
A Space-Flown Omega Speedmaster And Glove Up For Auction
Now here is something special! A space-flown Omega Speedmaster Professional 3570.50 and the EVA (Extra-Vehicular Activity) glove it was worn over in space will be up for auction on December 3rd at Koller Auctions in Zurich, Switzerland.Cosmonaut Padalka’s space-flown Omega Speedmaster and EVA gloveThis watch was on the wrist of cosmonaut Gennady Padalka (born 1958) during the International Space Station Expedition missions 43 and 44 in 2015. He spent over 168 days in space with this watch. He also wore this Orlan EVA glove and Omega Speedmaster Professional for over 5.5 hours outside the ISS during his spacewalk in August 2015.The Orlan glove is designed for cosmonauts embarking on ext...
The November 2024 Geneva Auctions Retrospective
Recent auctions in Geneva concluded with a relative bang. Eye-watering results occurred for some truly rare pieces. For many watches, though, the sales were solid but not awe-inspiring. I’ll kick off today’s article with my thoughts on the market, and then we’ll look at several lots.My colleague Lex recently penned an article about the current sales slump the global watch market is facing. In particular, he means the market for new watches. The trading floor selling rare pre-owned and vintage watches, however, is slightly busier. Recent auctions show that there’s vibrant interest in truly rare and special pieces, but there’s still a different feeling in my view....