Happy Birthday Oris, Let The Purple Reign

A purple dial says two things; one you’re a member of the British Royal Family, or secondly, you just love to stand out from the crowd. Sure every man and his sheepdog own a few blue dial watches, but purple? That’s 70s disco, 80s Prince album. Oris do this Holstein edition thing every June 1st, which is their birthday. This year, it’s been 119 years … Continue reading Happy Birthday Oris, Let The Purple Reign

Minase 7 Windows: Handmade, Bespoke and Classic Lines

Minase are a Japan based artisan watchmaking brand. Not for them the factory production lne, or off the shelf templates for dials, cases or bracelets. Nope, this is old school stuff and if you have the spare £4500-£6000 lying about, an investment in elegant timepieces too. The latest 7 Windows range might share a name with the bland, adequate software operating system that conquered the … Continue reading Minase 7 Windows: Handmade, Bespoke and Classic Lines

Omega’s WorldTimers Are Heavenly Bodies

The worldtimer watch is one of those 1950s jet age fashions that defined people as being modernists of their era. They needed to know what the time was in Rekjavik or Singapore, but you Bert Higginbottom, slaving in a factory in Rochdale, did not. It was for pilots and global trade merchants, oil explorers and margarine salesmen – the worldtimer was a tool watch before … Continue reading Omega’s WorldTimers Are Heavenly Bodies

Formex Reef Collective: Bespoke Bronze Beauty

We have a lot of time for Swiss brand Formex at NWC magazine. Why? Simple really, they love creating beautiful watches, packed with features, that are Swiss made and yet affordable for mere mortals. Yes, a Vacheron Constantin Overseas, Hublot Big Bang or a Richard Mille is a superb thing, but it costs the same as a small house in the wilds of Grimsby. Formex … Continue reading Formex Reef Collective: Bespoke Bronze Beauty

Ball Roadmaster Chrono 999: Great All-Rounder, Swiss Quality

Ball have launched an updated variant on their Roadmaster Chronograph 999. There are twin sub-dial versions, plus a COSC and non-COSC version too. The watch also features a locking detail on the chrono buttons, so once you srat timekeeping you can secure that pusher, so that it doesn’t accidentally get pushed to stop it. Handy on things like motorcycle endurance racing or time trial cycle … Continue reading Ball Roadmaster Chrono 999: Great All-Rounder, Swiss Quality

Two New Dial Variants For Frederique Constant Tourbillon

Frederique Constant has two new variations on its relatively cheap, Swiss manufactured Tourbillon, here’s the word; “Frederique Constant is now offering collectors two all-new variations of its Manufacture Tourbillon in a 39-millimetre steel case with a blue or silver-coloured dial. The contemporary look is a perfect complement to the classic design – and sits perfectly alongside the original rose gold version introduced earlier this year. … Continue reading Two New Dial Variants For Frederique Constant Tourbillon

Bulova Marine Star Gets Two New Variants

The Bulova Marine Star range has two new models on the UK website. The blue dial model has a chunky 45mm wide case, mineral crystal and a Miyota 82S series automatic movement inside. You can view it through the caseback by the way, although it’s quite a boring bit of tech to look at. On the upside the watch has 200m of resistance, so it’s … Continue reading Bulova Marine Star Gets Two New Variants

New Stuff: Farer AquaMatics Catch The Wave

Farer has launched a new line up of watches for summer, featuring bright dial colours, Swiss auto movements, 200m of water resistance and 38.5mm wide steel cases. All rounder or dive watch? Your choice really as the AquaMatic can do both jobs. Our fave from the range is the Nazare, (above) which celebrates the epic big wave surf off the coast of Portugal. With a … Continue reading New Stuff: Farer AquaMatics Catch The Wave