Watches - another OCD problem
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Wow, there's a lot of dismissive condescension in those Hublot comments. In a world where I have unlimited watch funds, I still probably wouldn't buy it, because I am, admittedly, boring. But the development of really bright ceramics is interesting and has lots of potential. And it's actually kinda cool, albeit in a gaudy, over the top, way. Maybe I would buy it after all…
I feel like in the decade or so that I've paid attention to watches, prices have gotten dramatically higher, and probably as a result, the ownership has gotten more homogenous and simultaneously less open to variety. The folks at Hodinkee and their obsession with vintage "elegance" and palpable disdain for watches of unwearable proportions (40mm? Are you a clown? No one should ever wear a watch over 38mm, and tasteful gentlemen would never publicly wear anything larger than 36mm) just exacerbate the groupthink. This is why I periodically get fed up with watch-centric websites and online communities.
Anyway, some cool stuff at Baselworld this year, right?
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A whole lot of pics in this thread:
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Those Zeniths look a lot better in those shots than in the other ones I've seen. Except the pilot watches. Those do not appeal to me at all.
The Bamford Monaco is better looking, too. Still ambivalent about it, but the case is fascinating and the use of blue is well done. I like that they put the extra effort into making the date wheel match.
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More threads from the same guy - heavy pics that load slowly…
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@Chris when I bought my Breitling Avenger Seawolf in titanium in 2008 or 2009 the retail price was around £2000. The SuperOcean was a bit cheaper, somewhere around £1800, I think.
The titanium model was discontinued, but the current SuperOcean and Seawolf cost about £3500, so in a decade prices have doubled. Had prices tracked inflation, which has generally been low, these watches would be around £2200 to £2500.
You might be right about higher prices leading to more homogeneity. Certainly there are a lot of people who'll only spend money on a Rolex or Patek, which are very conservative brands, because they hold their value best.
I think that the tastes expressed by Hodinkee's readers and writers are typical of the groupthink of any online community. Compare Styleforum's streetwear section, The Fedora Lounge, and here. There's quite a bit of crossover in both tastes and posters, but some brands that are highly regarded on one will be dismissed on another.
But I agree that there were some good things at Baselworld, and also at SIHH. (I really like a few pieces in the IWC jubilee collection.) And as long as Hublot come out with red ceramic watches, and Bulgari do interesting things, it's not all lost, right?
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Longines Legend Diver in 36mm, this one has the burgundy dial. I might have found @Anesthetist a diver's watch.
More at the tiny watch lovin' Hodinkee.
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Stop helping me spend money @Graeme [emoji23]
That is a beauty but one I’d have to see in person. I think the original Longines is so perfect I am concerned the proportions would be off in a smaller case. Def interesting though.Did you guys see the new Nomos that is coming?
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The Neomatik Tangente? That one is great. The one that looks like a car speedometer? Not so great.
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I was looking at a Smiths military watch
As an aside, have you checked out timefactors as they stock smiths watches?
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The first review of the Oris Carl Brashear chronograph has been published on Monochrome.
It's a great looking piece, and I'm sure that @JDelage will appreciate me helping spend his money.
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Ooooooh, that is pretty.
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Hodinkee have wrapped up their coverage of Baselworld with a couple of articles.
There are the expected lists of the best everyday watches and the best grail timepieces. Somehow the Bulgari tourbillon was missed off the latter.
The biggest surprises contains a reference to an interview with Biver. I haven't got around to watching it yet, but I find this thoughts interesting. Plus in some of the Baselworld coverage his outfit makes him look like a Bond villain.
There's also a feature on the fashion of attendees at Basel, and whilst some of the outfits look like something out of Zoolander, some of the watch choices are interesting as some are a bit more adventurous than the average WIS goes in for. The Tudor Black Bay Bronze and Omega Dark Side of the Moon are the only pieces to double up. (There's a similar article about SIHH if you need more clothing inspiration!)
Time and Tide have a best of wrap-up, along with another piece covering the top seven cheaper watches.
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Greetings! Just this old thing on the wrist today…
