Rolex AD hype appears to be all the community is capable of discussing right now. Yes, they’re a luxury marque. The antidote? Open yourself to the beautiful world of vintage ownership. Although it’s a perilous and much, much more fraught endeavor, vintage offers so much value even despite its recent...

Enicar are one of those manufactures that existed for eternity but only really found their stride toward the end. In the decade pre-quartz crisis and their folding, Enicar was on fire. They went out in a true blaze of supernova glory with a full suite of chronograph, dive, and GMT...

Unconventional, obscure, and shrouded in mystery, the square 222 is is something of a footnote today. It is rare to come across an original shape 222 in steel, midsized or jumbo. This unassuming reference 46004 is an even less common sight. Most give it a pass for its mildly undersized...

I have heard it said that art may have no other purpose than itself. I find this a useful mnemonic to delineate what I consider artful approaches in our sphere of horology. A 2446 Big Eye Autavia is beautiful, but in this light it is not art. That is a...

If you’ve been even casually aware of Grand Seiko’s last year, you will be familiar with this watch. For the better part of a decade, Grand Seiko spoiled us with the most spectacular dials of anything shy of an order of magnitude higher in price. Their inspirations were natural, close...

In the early 1950s, Rolex created swathes of Oyster-cased wristwatches to cater the whims of specific watch-buying segments. Among those early efforts were a series of waterproof automatics meant to be durable and elegant dressier offerings, alongside the early Submariners. This is the genesis of the modern OP and it...

2004 was a solid year. The Nintendo DS was released, NASA’s scramjet hit 7000 mph, Taipei 101 opened, and Zuck created Facebook. Okay, maybe axe that last one. Additionally, Omega released two Speedmasters which are among my all time greats. The first, the modern Japan Racing. It was unique, bold,...

In the late 90s, Sinn released a series of watches known as the EZM (Einsatz Zeit Messer, or mission timer in English) line, a line which would go on to prove their legendary durability and purposeful design ethos. The pieces were intended to be abused like tools, issued, and used...

Here we have the mackdaddy submariner, and one of the more unique examples I’ve seen for sale this year. Before the 6538 generation, the submariner was a serious tool for those divers who required water resistance. The 6538 took the submariner to the people by way of Sean Connery in...

Valjoux 72s don’t seem to come in anything unattractive, do they? The Heuer Carrera is a piece which needs nothing more said about it. It is simple, elegant, lovely. The legacy of Jack Heuer’s leadership and F1 affiliations speak for themselves. The unfussy design and accurate Valjoux made a perfect...

I’m not sure a boutique opening has ever been celebrated with such style. To celebrate the opening of the Dubai Boutique, Journe released 99 examples of fan-favorite Chronometre Souverain in a brilliantly unusual green. Although it was certainly the year of the green dial, this one simply hits a little...

The appeal of neo-vintage, to my sensibilities, is self-explanatory. Mechanics are modern enough to not give concern and yet the design is something entirely apart from both modern and properly vintage pieces. Tritium was still in use. Proportions were still slight back then. Not all things from 90s and early...

Among the numerous rationales enthusiasts may give for enjoying the mad niche that is watches, history is often referenced. History, where wristwatches are concerned, may come in one of two varieties. First, there is the general historic significance a model range may have contributed to humanity: think Speedmaster to NASA...

Lip seems to be incapable of offering a vintage watch I don’t find hugely appealing. Maybe I’m vulnerable to the French disposition. This seems unlikely, however, as I’ve never bicycled while holding a baguette. More likely, I am attracted to the quirky nuance of their period designs, lack of pretentious...

After a decade of attentive watch interest, it’s hard to get excited about the lion’s share of modern releases. Torsti Laine is a Finnish watchmaker, trained under Lange and Voutilainen. There is a level of intention behind his work that shines through in in the details. Many can take a...

The El Primero is a model range with as much breadth and depth as the best of them. However, Zenith can be a bit daunting for the recent entrant. Allow me to simplify. Modern Zenith is like a Tag’s cooler older brother. They’re generally a bit better at everything they...

This one is just a bit special. I have said on many occasions that the base Polerouter makes an exceptional entry point to vintage for its Genta design, engineering innovation, and massively-diverse variation. Today, I have the pleasure of featuring a watch very decidedly in the ‘experts-only’ UG territory. Polerouters...

It is hard to overstate the appeal of Rolex’s first Explorer II. After the 1016’s monumental success, Rolex sought to expand the model range and capitalize on Hillary’s success. While intended to be an adventurer’s companion (and designed for cave and polar exploration), the 1655 became more of a go-to...