Tag Archives: models

Classic Swiss

Zodiac Is On Target With Refreshed Sea Wolf

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Zodiac has updated their Sea Wolf models for the Christmas season.

Yeah, it’s that wonderful time of the year when you receive gifts you don’t like, whilst those goodies you DO want are tantalisingly sold out by 2pm on Christmas Day as the Sales get underway.

Anyway, the changes are subtle; new typescript saying `Super Sea Wolf’ is embossed on the dial of the Compression edition. There are new dial colours too, plus bigger, triangular shaped markers at the 3,6 and 9 positions.

The Skin Diver has a date at 3pm, so the markers are different. Both the Skin and the Compression get bolder, kinda arrowhead shaped hands on the dial, which look very modern, very tool watch and it sort of fits in with that Zodiac-Target-Sight theme, if you get what we mean.

The lume isn’t green. It’s burnt orange and you know what, that’s a nice touch. Different.

Basically a special limited edition Navy Seals Sea Wolf, complete with a free infra-red night scope, would see Zodiac clean up this festive season. Just a free marketing idea for y’all there. You are welcome.

Prices are in the $1295-$1395 range. More info here. 

Uncategorized

Pagani Homage to Explorer GMT Ticks All The Boxes

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Who wouldn’t like  Rolex Explorer Freccione GMT from the 80s? Classic lines, 40mm case size, fantastic tool watch. However, finding a good one can be expensive, like 20 grand plus expensive. Ouch.

So if you love the style then China based brand Pagani have that all boxed off for you. The 42mm PD 1693 model was launched earlier in 2021 and really captures all the 80s GMT vibe you could want. 200m water resistance, classic orange GMT hand, plus a choice of white or black dials and that 24 hour numbered bezel too.

Inside, there’s a DG auto movement, which is closely based on the Miyota auto found in so many Accurist, Citizen and Bulova watches even today.  Sapphire crystal, 20mm lug width and a steel bracelet, or you can choose a silicone strap.

Price is $104 and that includes shipping.

More here.

Classic Swiss

Tissot PRX Auto: Little Touch of Remixed Genta Magic

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Tissot’s PRX Powermatic 80 really captures the 80s vibe in terms of design, and it’s interesting to see Tissot chasing a younger market with its make-your-own-movie promotional campaign. It might work, although so many younger blokes want a Tudor, Rolex or Hublot – that’s the stuff they see sports stars wearing, not a Tissot.

But a PRX Powermatic 80 is affordable of course. The budget Powermatic movement is a Swatch inspired sandwich of automated tech that keeps costs down, and although it isn’t adjustable by a trained watchmaker, frankly, most owners won’t really care. You shake it and off it goes, no battery required.

At £565 it’s way cheaper than a Tudor Black Bay, but still a bit expensive compared to plenty of Indie brand watches online, on Kickstarter, or even in some shops. You get that beautiful blue waffle finish dial, a case and bracelet that has a slight similarity to an AP Royal Oak too – no surprise as Gerald Genta was the designer behind the Roayal Oak, Omega Constellation and original PRX auto – that is some track record in watchmaking.

 

 

Micro Brands

New Stuff: Updated Torgoen T43 Dive Watches

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Torgoen has updated the T43 dive model, which has been one of its best sellers recently. Now with a graduated, `ombre’ style dial, this 44mm watch features a Swiss Ronda quartz movement. Here’s the spec from Torgoen;

The T43 Diver Collection features a 44mm stainless steel case, a classic diver’s ratcheting bezel and best-in-class sapphire crystal that’s both scratch resistant and water resistant up to 200 metres.

Equipped with a blue leather strap and heavy duty stainless steel buckle, the T43 is perfect for any style. Small details like etched Torgoen logos on the inner case wall, a screw down crown for extra water protection, and a custom two-layer dial give the T43 an irresistibly functional and stylish appeal.

The movement of the watch was designed and made by leading Swiss manufacturer, Ronda. The 515S.2 incorporates torques which are meant to withstand the heavy hands of the T43 Collection.

Specifications: 29.4mm in size, battery life of 24 months, 3 hands and a calendar, powerful stepping motor, repairable metal parts, power saving mechanism with pulled out stem (which reduces power consumption of approximately 70%) and one jewel.

More here at the Torgoen website.

Japanese Watches

Orient Star 70th Anniversary Editions

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News from Orient, who continue to mark their 70th annivarsary with some new models.

To celebrate its 70th anniversary, ORIENT STAR (I know, the constant use of capitals by brands is deeply annoying – Ed) is releasing four limited-edition models: a Mechanical Moon Phase, a Modern Skeleton and a Classic Semi Skeleton. The Classic Semi Skeleton is available in both his and her models.

Throughout its history, ORIENT STAR has dedicated itself to producing high-quality made-inJapan mechanical watches, that are “shining stars” fusing traditional craftsmanship and the latest watchmaking technologies.

This year, ORIENT STAR celebrates its anniversary with a dedicated colour concept inspired by nebulae floating in the vastness of outer space. These nebula-themed anniversary models provide a fresh interpretation of the glittering cosmos of ORIENT STAR.

Limited in numbers, these one-off models make appealing timepieces for watch afficionados everywhere.

The popular flagship Mechanical Moon Phase model features a power reserve indicator, a semi-skeleton dial design revealing a glimpse of the mechanical movement, and a distinctive moon phase display with a date hand. The latest limited-edition 70th anniversary model of this Classic Collection has a MOP dial with distinctive colour gradation that transitions from green in the centre to navy blue on the outer edges, evoking nebulae glittering in the infinite depth of outer space.

The gold coloured accents suggest a universe of twinkling stars. This Mechanical Moon Phase model is limited to 100 pieces and comes with a black cordovan leather strap. It is powered by in-house automatic mechanical caliber F7M62, known for its stable precision and reliability, and featuring a 50-hour power reserve. The see-through case back provides a view of the movement and an engraved serial number certifying the limited-edition timepiece.

VERDICT: We love the modern take on the Skeleton watch, which sets the Star range apart, and having a 70th anniversary box is a nice touch. The teal dial is our fave, sums up the Japanese watchmaking philosophy we reckon.

Frustrating that Seiko’s internal politics mean the UK doesn’t get Orient supplies via the Seiko/Lorus dealer network.

More info at Orient’s website. 

 

Japanese Watches

New Grand Seikos: Beauty, Simplicity & Yeah, Expensive

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Is a Grand Seiko worth £54,000? We only ask the question because as great as a Grand Seiko is, we are at Patek money and the watch market is Swiss dominated. Maybe it’s a great investment, maybe not.

Anyway that expensive GS model is the star in a range of new models from the famed Japansese watch house of horology, with some more affordable models on offer for us mere mortals on average wages and ever rising taxes.

That GS at £54,000 is the Hi Beat, Annual Rings, (above) made from platinum and limited to just 140 pieces by the way. In case the Sultan of Brunei is a regualr reader of NWC magazine.

Other GS models are available on pre-order right now, including a very nice Mechanical Seasons: Summertime edition, with a kind of light blue, folded linen effect on the dial. Seiko says;

“The dial of this watch is inspired by early Summertime in Japan just after the rainy season when the refreshing southern wind breezily ripples on the sea and the lakes to mark the start of high summer.”

This one is relatively affordable at £6860 by the way.

Finally, this is our fave from teh new GS model line-up, the Spring Drive Suwa Lake . This blue dial watch is a classic, and very much an investment piece or grail watch for the average collector with 3-5K per year to devote to their watch obsession.

A 40mm case, updated power reserve of 120 hours, yes 120 hours, plus a see-thru caseback so you can admire that exquisite workmanship every month or so.

There is a great deal to be said for owning a Spring Drive rather than a Rolex Sub. Why? Well in some ways it is a purists choice because you are investing in the watch technology of today, not a refinement of 1950s dive watch tech. That marriage of electronic power and mainspring drive is a clever tour de force in miniature, rather like the gear-driven V4 motor powering the first 1980s VFR750 from Honda.

OK we digress, what’s the pice of the Suwa? £8200, which is bang on Rolex Sub territory.

Find out more at Seiko’s UK site here. 

 

Modern Quartz

Torgoen Adds New Dial Colours to the T43

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The T43 model from Torgoen gets new blue, green and red dial/bezel colour options. The 200m dive watch has a beefy 44mm case diameter, a Swiss Ronda quartz movement inside, plus a spahhire crystal.

Screw down crown naturally. It comes as standard with a leather strap, and it’s worth noting a PU synthetic is an extra £36. Bit steep, we think you could buy a decent 20mm silicone strap from eBay for a tenner frankly.

All adds up to nice spec for the RRP, which is £209.

More here.

Micro Brands

Skagen Ryle Solar Watch – Go Square, It’s Hip

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Skagen have a new solar powered watch and this has the old school rectangular case style, for that vintage look.

There is a 32mm diameter ladies model and a 36mm gents case width in the range, with grey and blue dial options. The mesh strap is also available in grey or black. Skagen say that just a few hours sunlight can power the watch up and it will then keep going for up to 6 months, which is remarkable – if true.

I mean it defies the laws of physics, but yeah, could happen.

The watch also a case made from 50% recycled steel, in tune with the Skagen leaf ethos.

Price is £169 and engraving is free.

VERDICT; A Seiko, Lorus or Citizen solar is cheaper and does the same job, probably more reliable in the long run as the Japanese have been making solar watches for a long time. But if you want that european, basic Ikea furnishings look, then Skagen have it covered.

Modern Quartz

Timex Digital Captures That 70s Vibe

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Digital watches were a huge thing back in the 1970s, to the extent where the Swiss watch industry was almost destroyed by the Japanese brands. The Japanese pioneers like Seiko and Casio were followed by US watch brands and even a few UK companies like Accurist finally jumped on the quartz/digital bandwagon.

The classic `TV dial’ digital watch design still looks cool today and you can add on some 1971 Coca-Cola advertising colours too, for that super retro touch. There are other watch designs in the Timex-Coke range too by the way.

The Indiglo lume button is a feature that we love at NWC mag too, just handy if you wake up in the night all dazed n confused.

Here’s the word from Timex;

Timex are pleased to announce a limited-edition collection of vintage-inspired watches, in partnership with Coca-Cola®. The capsule collection brings together two iconic American brands, Timex and Coca-Cola®, to herald an enduring message of tolerance and hope. Meant to inspire watch wearers around the world to make time for what matters – peace, love and harmony – Timex is releasing three commemorative styles, a Timex T80, a Timex Standard and the Q Timex, to celebrate Coca-Cola’s® time-honoured 1971 ‘Hilltop’ commercial and the unity message it portrays.

“In the same way you offer to buy someone a Coke®, the act of asking for the time is a meaningful gesture – a way of bridging differences, striking up good conversation, and finding community,” says Shari Fabiani, Senior Vice President Brand Marketing and Creative for Timex Group.

“We are dedicated to bringing quality timekeeping to all and have always believed in making time for community. We’re thrilled to team up with Coca-Cola® in their original message of solidarity and continuing to inspire the world to sing together in perfect harmony.”

Available at Timex.co.uk, RPP: £79 – £169.

Japanese Watches

New Casio G-Shock GM2100 Colours

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Casio has added some new colour options to its GM 2100 range, which retail at £199 in the UK.

That’s a chunk of money for a quartz digital watch, but Casio are legendary for their tough steel cases, water resistance and longevity. I’ve had customers in my old shop come in after 5 years for a battery change – and they havene’t bothered to do the pull-the-crown out thing when the watch has been launguishing in a drawer.

Red is  bold choice, you don’t see many red dial watches. But there are grey, green and blue too.

With the usual alarm functions, plus calendar, this makes a great tool watch, plus 200m depth resistance means you will not worry when swimming etc on holiday. Yeah we did just insinuate you could go on holiday.

Sorry, poor joke there.

More at the Casio site here.