Best Super NEWS Watches
Review of the Grand Seiko Kodo "Daybreak"
Two years ago, Grand Seiko did something that many people probably assumed had been done a long time ago: it released its first mechanical complication. For all its mechanical watchmaking prowess, high-end finishing, creativity with spring-drive movements, and creative design, Grand Seiko hadn't made a mechanical complication (except for GMTs) in 62 years of existence until 2022. But when they did, they did it in style. The original Grand Seiko ref. SLGT003 was essentially a concept car of a watch, a tourbillon with a remontoir constant-force mechanism. The watch was named Kodo, the Japanese word for heartbeat, and captured all o...
Happenings: Joseph Kirk To Lecture At The Horological Society Of New York
Grand Seiko design adopts its ethos from Japan itself, embodying elements of nature, light, and shadow, and even from architectural design to bring to life a unique sensibility in the watch industry. While Grand Seiko established its design code in 1967, the design traits of the brand have continued to evolve over time. The Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi At the May 2024 lecture of the Horological Society of New York (HSNY), Grand Seiko Brand Curator and National Training Manager Joseph Kirk, along with special guest Junichi Kamata, Grand Seiko Design Director, will discuss how the brand has mastered its manufacturing and craft...
This Week In The Shop: Taking Six Of Our Favorite Small Watches For A Spin Around Atlanta
Your Weekly Shop Brief Last week, G-SHOCK debuted its thinnest men's watch ever created, complete with Bluetooth connectivity and a pedometer for staying on top of your step goals. Also in the world of G-SHOCK, this ever-popular screw-back model is back in our digital storefront.? Taking Some Of Our Favorite Small Watches For A Spin Around Atlanta The movement towards smaller, downsized watch styles is so ubiquitous that it would be remiss of me to even call it a trend. That being said, there's something in the air at Hodinkee HQ in that we're having a collective surge of interest in watches in the 40mm and under ...
Happenings: Meet With Hodinkee Insurance At Windup San Francisco This Weekend
This coming weekend marks the start of the Windup Watch Fair calendar, with the always fun show kicking things off in San Francisco. The event, which has been run for the past several years and also includes stops in Chicago and New York City, welcomes over 80 brands to San Francisco C including Hodinkee Insurance!? Our own Head of Hodinkee Insurance, Marc Hajjar C both the Head of Hodinkee Insurance and a licensed insurance agent C will be on-site and ready to answer any questions you may have about how Hodinkee can help you easily insure your watches and jewelry C including engagement rings, earrings, necklaces, and other precious items.? ...
Hodinkee Radio Spring Geneva Auction Preview
We're back with another Wednesday episode of Hodinkee Radio. In addition to the podcast feed, each episode also has video, so swing by Hodinkee's YouTube channel (or watch below). Only want the audio? It's being published to the same old Hodinkee Radio feed, so check your feeds or subscribe wherever you find your podcasts (might we recommend Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or TuneIn). We took a week off after Watches & Wonders before hitting the highlights of our 21st Century Fantasy Watch Draft. If you're waiting for the results of your voting, you'll have to wait a little longer C it just gives you enough time to get your vote...
TAG Heuer And Kith Just Revived The '90s Formula 1 Watch
Watch collecting and nostalgia have always been connected C it's a big part of how we craft such emotional bonds with these little timekeeping devices. Nostalgia is the emotional anchor point in the Paul Newman component of the Paul Newman Daytona; it's a memory of wanting [insert watch here] when you were a kid C and hunting for it when you finally made enough to afford it. It's also the reason we yearn for certain watches in ways that defy conventional wisdom, taste, or maturity. Perhaps it was a watch we did have as a child that we hope to get again so that maybe, just maybe, we can recapture that childlike feeling, that bit of magic. A couple of weeks ago, we...
Back in 2023, Longines mini-fied its signature DolceVita line, which has been a staple in its collection since the late '90s, defined by its rectangular case shape and 1927 heritage-inspired design. Just over a week ago, we saw the brand's latest riff on its adorably miniature DolceVita, which included a newly redesigned double strap in several color options and an additional silvered flinqu dial. Similar to the breakout models from the Mini DolceVita collection, each of the new additions to the Mini family is housed in a rectangular stainless case measuring 21.50mm x 29.00 mm, available with diamond embellishments if that's you...
Gift Guide: Our Favorite Mom-Approved Watches And Accessories In The Hodinkee Shop
As Mother's Day approaches, there's no better time to celebrate the moms and maternal figures in our lives who make the world spin in the right direction and the impossible happen. Whether you're shopping for a mom who's already a watch aficionado or looking to introduce her to the world of horology, we have options that run the gamut. P.S. Don't forget: Hodinkee insurance has expanded coverage to insure jewelry too, so if you want to give the gift of peace of mind for mom's whole jewelry box this Mother's Day, we've got you covered. ...
Ulysse Nardin Freak S Nomad Review
Last year, the GPHG awarded Ulysse Nardin the "Iconic Watch Prize" for the Freak, to no surprise for anyone following the development of the brand and its centerpiece watch over the last 23 or so years. In many ways, modern watchmaking could be separated into two worlds: before Freak and after. Everything from the design to the use of silicium reset the watch world's vision of what a watch could be. So now, in the year 23 A.F. (ahem, not that acronym but "After Freak") Ulysse Nardin has taken a look back in time to take one of the original avant-garde watches and sort of "center" it in a place that bridges old and new with the Freak S Nomad. ...
It's Grand Prix weekend in Miami, and Tudor has taken to Instagram to tease a special pair of Black Bay dive watches created for the drivers of the Visa Cash App RB F1 Team that mirror a special livery designed for the race in Miami. For those who missed the announcement a couple of months ago, Tudor is a sponsor of the Visa Cash App RB Formula 1 team, and the team's drivers, Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, have both been seen wearing Team Black Bay Ceramic models with bright blue dials. For Miami, there's a new livery on the car and a new livery for their wrists.? The Cash App Chameleon card livery for Miami. The livery is...
Naoya Hida Type 5A, Type 1D, And Type 3B Review
Last year, I finally met Mr. Naoya Hida-san and his team as they did a trunk show at The Armoury in New York City. The Armoury is no stranger to these kinds of shows, but more frequently you can expect some of the best in tailoring and menswear at their outposts in Hong Kong and New York. Under the helm of avid watch collector Mark Cho, they've also become one of the few places you can see (and order) one of the watches from this Japanese microbrand that has left big-name collectors obsessed.? Two versions of the Type 4A I photographed at my meeting last year. We've covered Eric Ku's take on Naoya Hida (as well as their collab...
Mosers Pink F1 Miami Tourbillon
We are here in Miami this weekend ahead of the Grand Prix where Moser has just announced a follow-up watch to the blue Streamliner Skeleton Cylindrical Tourbillon announced just a couple of weeks ago to cement its new partnership with the Alpine F1 team and Moser's new brand ambassador Pierre Gasly. That watch featured blue accents, which represent the livery of the BWT Alpine F1 team. Of course, if you know Formula 1, you know blue isn't the only color the team sports. And so where we had a 100-piece LE in blue, today we are getting a far more limited variation of the Cylindrical Tourbillon of 20 pieces in pink. The pink version...
Introducing: The Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono 'Cycling Edition'
This weekend, the 2024 Giro d'Italia will kick off in Italy, with the cyclists taking to the first stage to race 140 kilometers from Venaria Reale to Torino. While the famous Giro d'Italia was first run in 1909, this year will feature one notable addition: the Tudor Pro Cycling Team will represent the brand for all 3,400 kilometers of the grueling 21-stage race. It's the young team's first Grand Tour, and in honor of the team's entry, Tudor has produced a special version of the Pelagos FXD Chrono called the Pelagos FXD Chrono "Cycling Edition." With a matte carbon case, a team-inspired colorway, a fixed 60-minute bezel, and a special cyclist-specific spin on the tachymeter scale, this new FX...
Christie's To Auction Off Watches Belonging to Formula 1 Legend Michael Schumacher
Sometimes, it's not really about the watch; it's about the story. Paul Newman's "Paul Newman" Daytona wasn't the best example of the model, but it was his "Paul Newman." And then there are times C like this week at Christie's Geneva sale C when you have watches that are a little bit of both. That's because Christie's isn't just selling watches that belonged to a legend; they're selling watches made by legends, and ordered by another legend, as a gift to celebrate one of the greatest of all time in their sport: Michael Schumacher. Christie's auction this weekend is actually titled "Rare Watches Including the Property of Michael Sc...
Exploring Ressences Imaginative Approach To Modern Timekeeping In Five Watches
Your Weekly Shop Brief Zodiac released a vibrant new addition to its Super Sea Wolf Compression line in a color palette of teal and neon lime green. On the subject of varying shades of green, we have just received the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 with a mint dial in both 40mm and 35mm. Finally, TAG Heuer's most recent take on its Formula 1 Chronograph has arrived in both blue and green. On the pre-owned side of the shop, this JLC Reverso looks particularly dashing in 18K Rose Gold. For Calatrava fans, this model strikes as a touch more unique with its sector-style dial configuration.? Exploring Ressences Imaginat...
Watch Spotting: Lando Norris Celebrates Winning The Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix Wearing Richard Mille
When Lando Norris crossed the finish line in first place at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend, he shed the title of most race podiums (15 before this weekend) without a win. The British driver brought McLaren its first win since Daniel Ricciardo's victory in 2021. As you'd expect, Norris slipped on a special watch to celebrate his long-awaited victory.? Norris has been a long-time ambassador for Richard Mille and gravitates toward the RM67-02 because it is super lightweight and comfortable. He's been spotted wearing the "McClaren Edition," made in 14 pieces. But this time, Norris went outside his own sport and grabbed the Quartz ...
Hands-On Review Of The New Amida Digitrend
There's a new generation of watch microbrands that's got me excited. (Side note: I never really liked the term "microbrands" C James recently proposed "boutique brand" as an alternative and I like it). While the first generation of micros gave us a lot of heritage-inspired divers C some of them quite good! C this new generation is more design-forward, and varied. It can be difficult to evaluate these new brands; to be blunt, it's hard to know if they'll be around in five years. Even if the watch is good, these need to support actual, money-making businesses. It's with these caveats we introduce one of these funky new watches: The...
A Week On The Wrist: The Autodromo Prototipo Chronograph
Autodromo is an automotive lifestyle brand that all started with a few watches. Now there are gloves and sunglasses (including the collaboration we created here), but watches are still at the core of what Autodromo does. The latest release is the Prototipo, a chronograph inspired by the cars and chronographs of the late 60s/early 70s "prototype" era in racing that uses a unique Japanese "meca-quartz" chronograph movement. I spent a week with the Prototipo, and here is a look at this mix of vintage styling and modern technology. An Introduction To Autodromo Autodromo Founder Bradley Price Autodromo is a...
Hands-On: With The Three Minerva-Powered Panerai Chronographs From SIHH 2014 (PAM 518, 519 & 520)
These three Panerai chronographs could be some of the most interesting, if controversial, releases of SIHH 2014. They are truly watches of superlatives. All three are incredibly handsome, incredibly cool (powered by vintage Minerva chronograph movements), and, lastly, incredibly expensive. We gave you a first look live from SIHH, but here is an in-depth look at these three unusual Panerai, complete with live photos. You don't want to miss these, we promise.?So what exactly are they? Well, they are three limited production watches with three different reference numbers. The PAM 518 that you see above is a 45mm Radiomir 1940 chronograph in solid .950 platinum.? It features a beautiful cream di...
Watch Spotting: Zenith Signs NBA Star Russell Westbrook As Ambassador
There is a constant war going on between luxury watch brands, not only for customer's interest and money, for counter space in retailers, but also for ambassadors. Finding athletes that actually make sense with a conservative Swiss watch manufacture ain't easy, so it's always interesting to see where the money is spent. Today, we have news that Zenith, whose previous forays into ambassadors include Felix Baumgartner (check out his watch here), have just signed NBA star Russell Westbrook, of the Oklahoma City Thunder. How does this relationship compare to say, Dwyane Wade and Hublot, or AP and LeBron? That remains to be seen, but it's an interesting step for Zenith, for sure. More here....