Opinion Archives - Page 3 of 149

Unholy Grail: Why the comically dated TAG Heuer S/el is a true guilty pleasure

Opinion

21.01.23

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Unholy Grail: Why the comically dated TAG Heuer S/el is a true guilty pleasure

No matter how tasteful your watch collection, no matter how stuffed your portfolio is with blue chip stocks like no-date Subs, pre-Moon Speedys, or the…

WHAT TWEAKS MY TOURB: You’ve been misusing the word “bicompax”

Opinion

17.01.23

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WHAT TWEAKS MY TOURB: You’ve been misusing the word “bicompax”

I’m sure you’ve come across the term before – hell, of course you know what a bicompax chronograph is! Just remember offerings from Baltic ,…

Making the case: The term ‘integrated bracelet’ is being commonly misused

Opinion

15.01.23

16399

Making the case: The term ‘integrated bracelet’ is being commonly misused

Within the watch space we have our own dialect. Terms like “workhorse”, “beater”, “strap monster” and more increasingly become a part of your speech the…

Opinion

14.01.23

9772

Which watch brand won 2022? Borna picks Parmigiani Fleurier – here’s why…

Editor’s note: During one of our final editorial meetings of the year, the question was posed: which watch brand won 2022? This then raises the…

Ruminations on my Rolex GMT journey that took me from Batman to Root Beer with a few diversions along the way

Opinion

10.01.23

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Ruminations on my Rolex GMT journey that took me from Batman to Root Beer with a few diversions along the way

Back in 2014, I wrote my first article for Time & Tide. It was a review of the Rolex GMT Master II, reference 116710BLNR which…

Lists

09.01.23

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Which watch brand won 2022? Ricardo picks Vacheron Constantin – here’s why…

Editor’s note: During one of our final editorial meetings of the year, the question was posed: which watch brand won 2022? This then raises the…

Opinion

08.01.23

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Which watch brand won 2022? D.C. picks Tudor and here’s why…

I’m sure that everyone on the Time+Tide team has valid reasons for why their pick won 2022. And they’re wrong. The correct answer is Tudor.…

Opinion

05.01.23

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Which watch brand won 2022? Luke picks Omega – here are five reasons why…

When asked to give my thoughts on which watch brand “won” 2022, I feared for a second that it might be a trick question. That’s…

What will be the watch colour of the year in 2023?

Opinion

04.01.23

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What will be the watch colour of the year in 2023?

A couple of years ago, the watch world became flooded with a sea of green. Dials were awash with the colour in multiple shades –…

Opinion

03.01.23

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Which watch brand won 2022? Zach picks Cartier – here’s why…

Editor’s note: During one of our final editorial meetings of the year, the question was posed: which watch brand won 2022? This then raises the…

The three watches Ricardo wore most in 2022 – Grand Seiko, MoonSwatch and Tudor

Lists

30.12.22

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The three watches Ricardo wore most in 2022 – Grand Seiko, MoonSwatch and Tudor

This will go down as the year that completely changed my life. From growing my passion for watches. To balancing life as a writer and…

The three watches D.C. wore most in 2022 – Seiko, Omega, and G-Shock

Lists

27.12.22

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The three watches D.C. wore most in 2022 – Seiko, Omega, and G-Shock

Any watch worth keeping in the collection has a story. Or at the least, a defined purpose. Some are sentimental: an heirloom, a gift, or…

Cheap Bastard: The Stauer 1930 Dashtronic is a digital automatic watch you can have for just US$179

Opinion

17.12.22

10413

Cheap Bastard: The Stauer 1930 Dashtronic is a digital automatic watch you can have for just US$179

Editor’s note: Whether David is a bastard is still up for debate, but the fact he is cheap is irrefutable. Kidding aside, David loves solid watches…

Confession of a terrible watch collector: Mistakes, I’ve made a few…

Opinion

11.12.22

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Confession of a terrible watch collector: Mistakes, I’ve made a few…

I am a terrible watch collector. I’ve been collecting watches terribly for about 10 years now with no end in sight. It admittedly consumes much…

Risky business: Are we ready for more microbrands going upmarket?

Opinion

10.12.22

8688

Risky business: Are we ready for more microbrands going upmarket?

One of my favourite watch brands, Farer, recently added a new chronograph to their line-up. Called the Chrono-Classic, it follows a long line of chronographs…

Making the case: The importance of watch packaging

Opinion

07.12.22

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Making the case: The importance of watch packaging

Editor’s note: Making the case is a new column in which the author delivers a heartfelt argument on a watch-related theme. A tick-tock trial if you will. Today…

GADA-OFF: The Longines Spirit Titanium vs the Tudor BB58. Which is the better daily wearer?

Opinion

27.11.22

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GADA-OFF: The Longines Spirit Titanium vs the Tudor BB58. Which is the better daily wearer?

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published back in January earlier this year, but, with our recent list of the team’s GADA (go anywhere do anything)…

OK, we’ve found the perfect watch for an eccentric but jaded billionaire…

Opinion

26.11.22

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OK, we’ve found the perfect watch for an eccentric but jaded billionaire…

You know that people-watching game that you sometimes play. The one where you speculate – ideally with a partner – on the complex inner lives…

Why the Cartier collection of Tyler, The Creator matters

Opinion

19.11.22

10549

Why the Cartier collection of Tyler, The Creator matters

It’ll be no surprise to you to hear that another rapper has been on record showing off their watch collection. Tyler, The Creator, however, is…

How I learned to stop worrying and love bolder watches

Opinion

10.11.22

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How I learned to stop worrying and love bolder watches

It’s a bit similar to haircuts. Looking back at photos from my youth recalls all sorts of misadventures in the barber’s chair. There was the…

The Apple Watch is the enemy of mindfulness – mechanical watches will keep you sane

Opinion

07.11.22

15461

The Apple Watch is the enemy of mindfulness – mechanical watches will keep you sane

You know what sounds nice? Mindfulness. You know — being in the moment. Noting your breath, checking in on the breeze, and focusing on the…

OK, cool… But who is the new 50mm titanium Rolex Deepsea Challenge really for?

Introducing

02.11.22

16368

OK, cool… But who is the new 50mm titanium Rolex Deepsea Challenge really for?

Today, inspired by the experimental watch that accompanied filmmaker James Cameron on his historic 10,908-metre (35,787-foot) descent into the Mariana Trench on March 26, 2012, Rolex…

The new 5711 successor – the 5811/1G Nautilus – is a bit of a letdown. But it is our fault, not Patek’s

Opinion

26.10.22

9171

The new 5711 successor – the 5811/1G Nautilus – is a bit of a letdown. But it is our fault, not Patek’s

“Anticipation, I suppose, sometimes exceeds realisation,” Amelia Earhart once said. Ever since the final swan song of the Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711, which, at…

The changing reality of wearing a watch in New York City

Opinion

25.10.22

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The changing reality of wearing a watch in New York City

It’s a Saturday morning in New York City. For years, I’ve enjoyed the comfort and privacy of driving around the city as my form of…

The many drawbacks of watches and why they make us love them even more

Opinion

20.10.22

7297

The many drawbacks of watches and why they make us love them even more

One of life’s great ironies is that the pursuit of perfection often leads to disappointment, even when it is achieved. Your average smartphone may have…

We glow with the flow, but is lume really necessary?

Opinion

05.10.22

8459

We glow with the flow, but is lume really necessary?

Radium was discovered by Marie Curie in 1898, and it was already showing up on the dials of wristwatches by the early 1900s. This goes…

Should you buy a low-end mechanical or a high-end quartz?

Opinion

27.09.22

22237

Should you buy a low-end mechanical or a high-end quartz?

Watch shopping on a budget can be extremely frustrating, not least because of watch media outlets like ours that routinely describe watches costing well over…

Why would anyone put a dive watch on a leather/synthetic hybrid strap?

Opinion

20.09.22

11991

Why would anyone put a dive watch on a leather/synthetic hybrid strap?

The debate has raged on for years over putting dive watches on leather straps. It’s a fairly straight-forward argument for and against, with compelling reasonings…

The Benetict Cumberwatches: Why so many watches have overcomplicated names

Lists

07.09.22

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The Benetict Cumberwatches: Why so many watches have overcomplicated names

Benedict Cumberbatch, decorated actor, deserves recognition for his work in The Imitation Game, The Power of Dog and Patrick Melrose. Today, however, we’ll poke a bit of fun at…

The dent on my watch that reminds me of the best day of my life

The Collector's Crossroads

27.08.22

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The dent on my watch that reminds me of the best day of my life

I remember it all like it was yesterday. It happened so fast. One second, I was securing my Black Bay Steel to my wrist. The…

Has the novelty of collaborations become muddled by oversaturation?

Opinion

21.08.22

13354

Has the novelty of collaborations become muddled by oversaturation?

With so many brands scrambling to get in on the action, is the novelty of it all in danger of turning into a gimmick?

Did Grand Seiko just give us the perfect two-watch collection?

Opinion

17.08.22

21512

Did Grand Seiko just give us the perfect two-watch collection?

A few days ago, as I sat in front of my watch box, a familiar thought crossed my mind. One I’ve already shared with you…

Opinion

13.08.22

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OPINION: Are publications hyping up “collapsing” watch prices?

For the last month every publication under the sun has seen a traffic gold-mine in the purported “collapse” in secondary pricing for “hype” watches from…

Scratching beneath the surface – should you engrave your watch?

Opinion

11.08.22

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Scratching beneath the surface – should you engrave your watch?

Watches have always been much more than tellers of time. They hold memories and are one of the most personal items someone can own. With…

Why my paranoia about toxic metals means I need a gold watch. Maybe several…

Opinion

09.08.22

9295

Why my paranoia about toxic metals means I need a gold watch. Maybe several…

I’ve always associated gold watches with Bond villains and 1980s stockbrokers – and yet I still want to be wealthy enough to wear them. Why?…

Why I broke my New Year’s resolution to purchase this watch

Opinion

30.07.22

9866

Why I broke my New Year’s resolution to purchase this watch

Before I delve deeper into the why, I’d like to bring you up to speed on my collecting habits. In a perfect world, I’d buy…

Opinion

19.07.22

12768

OPINION: Violence at Bamford G-Shock launch in Carnaby Street boutique must be turning point for limited edition releases

When George Bamford launched his first G-Shock Limited Edition in September 2020, it was a “super, super nice” experience, according to the man himself. People…

What would I tell my younger self about watch collecting?

Opinion

13.07.22

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What would I tell my younger self about watch collecting?

It’s been years since I got into this hobby of collecting watches. When I started, I was asking myself: “What would I leave behind for…

Is ‘no purchase history’ the biggest watch flex of 2022?

Opinion

09.07.22

10618

Is ‘no purchase history’ the biggest watch flex of 2022?

“Just stop your cryin’, it’s a sign of the times, we gotta get away from here” – Harry Styles, ‘Sign of the Times’ ‘ The…

To exhibit, or not exhibit, quartz movements? Your answers to the question

Opinion

05.07.22

14566

To exhibit, or not exhibit, quartz movements? Your answers to the question

Snobbery is an unfortunate element, at times, within the watch community. Fortunately, there are many moments where #watchfam comes together — charity auctions for Ukraine and…

Six months in, is the Doxa SUB 600T Pacific still right for me?

Opinion

04.07.22

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Six months in, is the Doxa SUB 600T Pacific still right for me?

Ask enough watch collectors and you’re bound to find someone who has celebrated a milestone by buying a watch. Give us any excuse to purchase…

What is this obsession with heavy ageing? Who’s buying it?

Opinion

02.07.22

8733

What is this obsession with heavy ageing? Who’s buying it?

A few weeks back, we shared photos of a heavily aged, and clearly forced-patinated, Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925 Silver. View this post on…

What is it really like to wear a pocket watch in the 21st century?

Opinion

27.06.22

18184

What is it really like to wear a pocket watch in the 21st century?

One evening I found myself at a RedBar gathering at Mr Porter, where many Richemont brands were displaying some of their latest timepieces. Not long…

“Price on application”: the most annoying three words any watch buyer can ever hear

Opinion

16.06.22

10057

“Price on application”: the most annoying three words any watch buyer can ever hear

I recently had to write a round-up of 24 of the most intriguing watches of 2022. The brief was for a glossy lifestyle magazine with…

EDITOR’S PICK: Why Andrew didn’t sell his Panerai to a stranger in business (for twice its value)

Opinion

13.06.22

22626

EDITOR’S PICK: Why Andrew didn’t sell his Panerai to a stranger in business class (for twice its value)

Editor’s note: Last year, I interviewed John Karambelas, the man behind @barnfindwatches. He’s a collector with a stunning array of vintage watches. But he admitted that he’d acquired…

EDITOR’S PICK: The 7 stages of watch buyer’s remorse (when you just don’t click with that new timepiece…)

Lists

10.06.22

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EDITOR’S PICK: The 7 stages of watch buyer’s remorse (when you just don’t click with that new timepiece…)

Editor’s note: “Non, je ne regrette rien,” is a phrase that few watch lovers can truthfully utter when it comes to their collections. Whether it’s…

Why I bought the Citizen Chronomaster and succumbed to the allure of High Accuracy Quartz

Opinion

09.06.22

22120

Why I bought the Citizen Chronomaster and succumbed to the allure of High Accuracy Quartz

For years now, I’ve wanted a HAQ watch. For those unfamiliar with the term, it stands for High Accuracy Quartz. These watches don’t deal with…

The Collector's Crossroads

06.06.22

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The Collector’s Crossroads – How do you work out whether to stick or twist?

Let’s set the scene. You walk into the boutique, knowing today is the day. The wallet is about to get a little lighter, and a…

Is the new AP Royal Oak Carolina Bucci Limited Edition the best rainbow watch design ever made?

Introducing

02.06.22

11585

Is the new AP Royal Oak Carolina Bucci Limited Edition the best rainbow watch design ever made?

What’s the biggest difference between Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet? For me, while both manufactures embody the best of traditional watchmaking, Audemars Piguet does a…

Collector’s Crossroads: How sentimental value can become the nemesis of an evolving collector

Opinion

20.05.22

8324

Collector’s Crossroads: How sentimental value can become the nemesis of an evolving collector

The first expensive Swiss watch I ever purchased was an Ernest Borel Athletic. It’s a beautiful chronograph with a black dial that features a ton…

Exploring some of the best rubber strap alternatives to a metal bracelet

Opinion

17.05.22

16690

Exploring some of the best rubber strap alternatives to a metal bracelet

When you think about it, straps are really half the game when it comes to watches. These precious metallic objects that keep time and reflect…

Collector’s Crossroads: OK, I’ve finally realised that I own too many watches

Opinion

14.05.22

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Collector’s Crossroads: OK, I’ve finally realised that I own too many watches

Last week, while celebrating six months of Grand Seiko ownership, I thought about my future plans with the watch. The question seemed simple: is the…

Are you kidding me? Two stock-standard Rolex OP watches each sell for over CHF 50K at Christie’s

Opinion

12.05.22

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Are you kidding me? Two stock-standard Rolex OP watches each sell for over CHF 50K at Christie’s

I am certainly an advocate of your wrist, your wallet, your choice. I don’t ever want to “purchase shame” a watch collector. But, while I…

Six months later: Am I still in love with my Grand Seiko SBGM247?

Opinion

08.05.22

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Six months later: Am I still in love with my Grand Seiko SBGM247?

Recently, I’ve made a habit of fantasising about forever watches in my collection. It’s something I feel should exist at the core of every collector,…

The Collector’s Crossroads: The dizzying effect of Watches and Wonders 2022

Opinion

23.04.22

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The Collector’s Crossroads: The dizzying effect of Watches and Wonders 2022

American graphic designer Chip Kidd once said, “You can be crippled by too many choices, especially if you don’t know what your goals are.” The…

Marketing guru explains why the MoonSwatch was a genius co-branding move

News

09.04.22

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Marketing guru explains why the MoonSwatch was a genius co-branding move

Last week at Watches & Wonders, I suspect that the watch that was discussed most regularly and with most animation wasn’t even released at the…

It’s 4:30 am in NYC: Welcome to the line for the MoonSwatch…

Opinion

26.03.22

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It’s 4:30 am in NYC: Welcome to the line for the MoonSwatch…

You remember when a certain watch from a certain brand dropped last year, in all its 170-piece glory. In that moment in time, it felt…

Why this is the golden age of mechanical watch collecting

Opinion

25.03.22

15423

Why this is the golden age of mechanical watch collecting

If you’re old enough to remember the song Video Killed the Radio Star, you’re also old enough to remember a time when most people wore…

The Collector’s Crossroads: Omega upended my chronograph search with the new Speedmaster ’57

Opinion

18.03.22

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The Collector’s Crossroads: Omega upended my chronograph search with the new Speedmaster ’57

For months now, I’ve been looking for a mechanical chronograph to add to my small collection. It’s a complication I’ve always loved. And after weeks…

“Don’t mention the war” – Will real war reduce our appetite for war-related watches?

Opinion

14.03.22

13837

“Don’t mention the war” – Will real war reduce our appetite for war-related watches?

This morning I was idly flicking through stories on my phone while answering emails, and found myself thick in a cluster of Ukraine-related footage on…

How I changed my mind about the Rolex Explorer II (and why it now rarely leaves my wrist…)

Opinion

09.03.22

23373

How I changed my mind about the Rolex Explorer II (and why it now rarely leaves my wrist…)

A long time ago in a land far away (2012 / Canada), I embarked on the journey of watch collecting. I had saved enough to…

How working for Time+Tide has changed my passion for watches

Opinion

07.03.22

12213

How working for Time+Tide has changed my passion for watches

When I was about a year into teaching myself electric guitar in high school, I couldn’t dream of a better job than working in a…

The Collector’s Crossroads: Should I buy now or wait?

Opinion

03.03.22

10702

The Collector’s Crossroads: Should I buy now or wait?

It’s that time of year. As watch journalists, our inboxes start getting inundated with press releases and embargo dates. New collections are created while others…