Category: News

On July 19 in Japan, Casio is releasing the “Casio Watch Ring Collection” in partnership with toymaker Stasto Stand Stones. The pieces, to be sold individually in capsule machines for 400 yen each, are mini replicas of popular classic and modern Casio watches that are wearable as a ring in size 18 (with 18.7mm diameter). […]

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G-Shock U.S. is releasing the DW6900NASA237, the brand’s fourth official NASA limited edition release. Departing from the square 5600 base of the last three, this model uses the ’90s-style round DW-6900. The color scheme is a stealthy and astronaut-like white and gray with NASA logos on the band and an American flag on the band […]

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This year Tag Heuer are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Carrera racing chronograph and we’ve already been spoiled for choice when it comes to new releases. There was the Anniversary Edition at the outset of the year and the absolutely gorgeous Glassbox in spring. Now, they’ve taken that Glassbox design and given it a nautical makeover based on a heritage Carrera from the 1960s known as the Skipper. Meet the new Tag Heuer Carrera Skipper.

If you’re at all familiar with vintage Skippers then chances are that you’re actually used to seeing it as part of the Autavia collection rather than the Carrera. That’s because in the 15 years that it was produced from 1968-1983 only the very first ones (approximately 300 of them) were Carreras. It means those early Skippers are highly sought after and increases the hype of seeing the model make a return today.

As mentioned, the modern interpretation is based on the Glassbox, and as such it has the same case. It measures 39mm in diameter with a stainless steel construction and 100m water resistance. Not quite so suited for the water as say, the 1,000m Aquaracer Superdiver, but enough to survive a spill off the side of yacht. And yachts are the name of the game considering that the original Skipper was built in honour of the Intrepid, an Americas Cup winning yacht.

The Intrepid’s influence on the design of the modern Tag Heuer Carrera Skipper becomes more apparent when you look at the dial. The blue, light teal and lagoon green colourway is a reference to the signature colours of the boat floating on the dark ocean. The 12-hour chronograph counter at 9 o’clock, inscribed with the word Skipper, is completely teal (a shade described as Intrepid Teal) while the 15-minute regatta timer at 3 is a combination of teal, green and orange. The orange is designed to give a sense of urgency as you enter the last five minutes of the countdown at the beginning of a boat race. For the same reason, the central chronograph hand itself is also a vibrant orange.

I really like the look of the piece, it’s like an aquatic cousin to the Tag Heuer Monaco Gulf. It’s one of those strange coincidences of life that the motorsport and yacht racing teams that Tag Heuer are historically associated with share a very similar colour scheme. On top of all that, the style of the Glassbox with its domed sapphire crystal is one of the best versions of the Carrera they’ve made recently.

Below the surface, the watch houses the Calibre TH20-06 Automatic with 80-hour power reserve and bi-directional winding. The pitching and tossing of a boat are likely to keep that power reserve topped up nicely. Alternatively, if you prefer not to wear it while being active, it’ll still be ticking when you get home after leaving it behind for a weekend of racing. Or, as a third alternative, it’s just a cool watch and you don’t actually have to worry about how you can fit yachts into your life.

As for price, it’s £5,900, which makes it a touch more than the previous Carrera Glassboxes at £5,600. It’s only a slight but noticeable increase although to be honest, the colourway is nice enough that having to spend a few extra pounds likely won’t stop anyone who wants one from buying one. As a final note, Tag Heuer have specified that the release of the Carrera Skipper marks a concerted effort to return to the arena of aquatic racing and sport. What that means is a little vague at the time of writing but it wouldn’t be surprising to see them collaborate with a yacht racing team akin to the relationship between Panerai and Team Luna Rossa.

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Indulge me for a moment before we start talking about the new Seiko Prospex ‘Cave Diving’ 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-Interpretation SLA073, I first want to touch on the idea of core memories. If you’ve ever watched Inside Out you’ll know what I’m talking about. Core memories are the fundamental moments in our past that define who we are today and for me one of those core memories is a caving experience in Wales when I was a child. Climbing down a ledge in total darkness was the first time I was confronted with something I did not want to do but had no choice but to do it.

Thinking back to that time gives me confidence to get through anything life throws at me. But I can only imagine the experience would’ve ten thousand times worse if it was underwater. And that’s where the new Seiko comes in because it’s designed for cave diving. The idea of cave diving is frankly terrifying. But even I can’t deny that the photos of this insane activity are some of the most breathtakingly beautiful you’ll ever see. It’s those images that the dial of the Prospex Cave Diver is designed to replicate. It’s pale blue like the water with a texture of randomly snaking vertical striations.

Depending how close you look at it or from what angle your perception of it changes. Sometimes it’s like the cracks in a cave wall, sometimes it’s stalactites and stalagmites (if you forget which is which learn this little rhyme: stalactites hang tight to the ceiling and stalagmites might reach them) or even thin streams of bubbles from an unseen vent or scuba gear. Honestly, I could imagine Grand Seiko tackling the same concept and producing a similar design, albeit to a slightly more technical finish.

Plus, the presence of plenty of lume on the hour markers and hands makes it nice and legible in low light conditions. Which I imagine is necessary when cave diving. That’s not the only way that the watch has been specialised for cave diving though. The shape of the 42.6mm, stainless steel case is inspired by an original 1968 cave diving watch with large facetted sides and a 4 o’clock crown, which are designed to allow the piece to squeeze through small gaps without inhibiting the wearer. The bezel is also steel with a ceramic insert for added durability.

Like the majority of Prospex watches it has 200m water resistance. I’d prefer it to have 300m just to be on the safe side (check out our guide to water resistance here) especially because deep cave diving can be in the realm of 60m+ in depth. For the majority of amateur cave diving experiences though 200m resistance should serve.

Housed inside the Seiko Prospex ‘Cave Diving’ 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-Interpretation is the 8L35 automatic calibre with 50-hour power reserve. It’s one of Seiko’s higher spec movements in the Prospex line with -10/+15 seconds per day accuracy. The use of a high spec movement in this model is another tribute to the 1968 original, which was one of Seiko’s hi-beat models, a notable innovation at the time.

Between the awesome dial, ceramic bezel and great movement, it’s no surprise that this is on the higher end of the Seiko price range. To be specific, it’s £2,600. That might seem a lot for a Prospex but if it encourages you to get out there to try caving, or any other adventurous activity, and make some core memories, that’s priceless.

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A few years ago, we saw social media images of Jim Caviezel wearing a G-Shock Rangeman GPR-B1000 during the shooting of Sound of Freedom but did not feature it because the release details of the film were unknown at the time. Although the film was completed in 2018, it was shelved by Disney after they […]

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Chrono24 is one of the largest and popular online watch retail platforms in the world, selling everything from the latest hype MoonSwatch to the most prestigious of Patek Philippes. Now, cementing their position as a premier sales website, one of the Premier League’s hall of famers has become a shareholder. We’re of course talking about Cristiano Ronaldo, the latest Chrono24 investor.

Ronaldo is a constant presence in the watch industry these days. Whether it’s creating collaboration timepieces like the Flight of CR7 or attending store openings, it’s clear that he’s passionate about watches. To be honest it was only a matter of time before he took the plunge to either invest in a brand or build his own. It’s a small surprise that he opted to invest in a retailer rather than a watchmaker but it’s by no means crazy.

We often talk about watch investments but investing in the brand that sells the watches is taking things to another level. Although it’s certainly a shrewd investment considering the huge growth of the watch industry and second-hand market in the past few years. Chrono24 itself has grown in value by close to £100M since 2021 through a Series C round (a form of rapid investment growth in a short time span) and today sits at roughly £773M. That puts it above the $1B mark and earns it Unicorn status, a term used to describe a start-up business now worth over a billion dollars.

A strong watch industry is always a good thing and hopefully Cristiano Ronaldo’s investment in Chrono24 will contribute to that. Although I imagine the most visible change that will come from this, at least from an outsider perspective, is seeing Ronaldo with even more watches on his wrist. Considering that he’ll have an even closer eye on what passes through Chrono24.

More details at Chrono24.

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After the popularity of the previous Oracle Time subscriber competition, we’re doing another one! Congratulations to Daryl Gaddi on winning the previous William Wood and good luck to all participants this time around. All you need to do to enter the competition is be an Oracle Time Magazine subscriber before October 1st, you can subscribe here. For this giveaway the watch that’s up for grabs is the Orient Star 1964 Diver V2, so let’s meet the watch.

Starting with the basics, it’s a 41mm dive watch in steel with 200m water resistance. It’s reassuringly weighty, as a steel watch should be, and wears really nicely on wrists of all size (including my relatively thin ones). Aesthetically, it’s got a strong retro diver vibe with a round shape, facetted lugs and a broad, unidirectional rotating dive bezel. Retro is actually a pertinent adjective because this is the modern reinterpretation of the Calendar Auto Orient released in 1964.

That can be seen across the dial as well which is an absolutely classic diving display. It’s black with large hour markers in a combination of circle, rectangle and triangle shapes. The layout of the indexes is designed to make it easy to read underwater at a glance. Which is also where the lume comes in, providing luminescence in dark conditions. The handset is also very classical with a lollipop design on the seconds and hour hand (think Mercedes hand without the symbol on the disc), paired with a sword minute hand.

What makes the Orient Star 1964 Diver V2’s display stand out from many modern dive watches is the presence of a power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock below the triangular index. It consists of an understated steel hand and a linear scale from 0 to 50. Elsewhere on the dial you can also see the date aperture, which has black lettering on a white disc, contrasting to the black dial. Both functions are subtle enough that they don’t overly impact the legibility of the display.

Turning the watch over reveals a solid steel caseback with the Orient Star logo. Beneath that caseback is housed the Orient Star F6N47 automatic movement with, as the dial-side indicator shows, a 50-hour power reserve. Orient produce their own movement in-house in Japan and this one was produced specifically for the first edition of the 1964 Diver in 2021, so it’s inclusion in the V2 here makes sense. In terms of quality, I’d put it in the same bracket as the other accessible and reliable movements that come from Japan such as Seiko and Miyota.

Then we get to the strap and bracelet and the watch comes with two. There’s a 5-link steel bracelet with the centre and external links finished with brushing and the intermediary links polished. It looks great, it’s comfortable and is easy to put on thanks to its clasp with safety catch. The second option it comes with is a black silicon rubber strap in black, matching the colour of the dial. It’s super flexible and has a geometric texture to it that’s nice and tactile. I prefer the look of the bracelet but if you want to wear it during strenuous activity, not unreasonable for this watch, then the rubber is probably the better bet.

In terms of value, it’s £1,329.99, which is solid in itself but it’s worth remembering that for one Oracle Time Magazine subscriber it’ll be completely free. As a reminder, for your chance to win the Orient Star 1964 Diver V2, you just need to be subscribed to the Oracle Time print magazine before October 1st. And don’t forget that with each subscription you’ll also receive 10 issues of the gorgeous print magazine full of news, reviews and more straight to your door as well as exclusive offers.

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In the case of the original Genta icon, what goes up must come down. While it saw an incredible rise over the past three years, in the past 12 months the Royal Oak Jumbo’s lost a significant chunk of that. The drop’s flattened out now, but we hope you didn’t pick one up back in 2022.

Date
Opening Price (£)
Closing Price (£)
Price Change (£)
Price Change (%)

1 Year (Aug 2022 – July 2023)£94,820
£65,085
– £29,735
– 31.36%3 Years (Aug 2020 – July 2023)
£35,111
£65,085
+ £29,974+ 85.37%

Statistics accurate at time of writing article using WatchAnalytics.

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With the 37th edition of the Americas Cup on the horizon, set to take place in autumn next year, the teams are well into their preparations. However, it’s not all gruelling sea races as team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli from Italy are celebrating their multi-year collaboration with Panerai with a fleet of new watches ahead of the big competition. This is the Panerai Luminor Luna Rossa 2023 collection for the Americas Cup.

There are five timepieces in the collection including a time and date model, a GMT, a chronograph and a his & her pair of Luminor Dues. Since there’s a lot to discuss, let’s trim the sails and get under way.

Panerai Luminor Quaranta Steel DLC Luna Rossa PAM01408

As part of the Luminor Quaranta sub-collection, this Luna Rossa model has a 40mm diameter case, putting it solidly in the small to mid-size end of the spectrum. It has the characteristic cushion shape that will be familiar to anyone who’s ever looked at a Panerai before with its circular bezel and the Luminor’s signature crown guard. As the name suggests, it’s made from steel with a DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating that makes it super tough and gives it a black colouration.

The dial is relatively understated with a classy sunray finishing in a dark aquatic blue. It follows the navy and red colour scheme of the Luna Rossa by pairing that blue dial with a red small seconds hand at 9 o’clock, which is structurally mirrored at 3 by the date aperture. It’s also a sandwich dial, which means there are two layers with the bottom layer coated in lume and the top layer featuring cut-out markers to reveal the lume below.  That’s how the recessed look of the indexes is achieved.

Beneath the surface of the Luminor Quaranta Steel DLC Luna Rossa for 2023 is the P.900 calibre, which is one that we’ll see multiple times in this article. It’s an automatic piece with a 3-day power reserve, high frequency of 28,800 vph and Incabloc anti-shock device. It’s priced at £8,000, which makes it the median price of the five watches here.

Panerai Luminor Quaranta BiTempo Luna Rossa PAM01404

Second in the Luna Rossa 2023 collection is the Luminor Quaranta BiTempo Luna Rossa. Once again, it’s a Quaranta, which means it’s got a 40mm cushion case in steel this. However, this time the grey colour of the steel is left visible with a combination of polished and brushed finishes. The contrast between the bare steel and DLC version is interesting because the finishing on the exposed metal gives it a more luxurious appearance without giving up too much in terms of durability.

Although, more important than the case in this instance is the dial, which is where the titular BiTempo complication is found. BiTempo roughly means ‘two time’ and in wristwatch terms that equates to a dual time zone function, evidenced by the presence of two hour hands on the central hand stack. It’s a useful complication for regular travellers who need to keep track of the time in multiple places around the world. For sailors travelling the globe, its application is obvious.

Powering this edition is the P.900/GMT calibre, a modified version  of the P.900 with that additional GMT module. GMT is another name for dual time zone functions except that GMT watches traditionally use a 24-hour scale for their secondary zone while the BiTempo uses a 12-hour system. Beyond that, it has the same specs as the standard P.900, including crucially the 3-day power reserve. That also means it only has a slightly higher price than the non-GMT version, at £8,300.

Panerai Luminor Chrono Carbotech™ Luna Rossa PAM01519

The Luminor Chrono Carbotech is one of Panerai’s Experience editions, which means that purchasing the watch gives the owner access to an exclusive event designed to highlight the strengths of the watch. In the past those experiences have included army boot camps to test out their most extreme tool watches and a tour of Italian heritage for their more refined, luxury designs. I don’t think it will be any surprise that this Experience edition involves meeting the Luna Rossa team for some sailing-related activities.

The watch itself is 44mm in diameter with a Carbotech case. Carbotech is Panerai’s proprietary material made from a composite of carbon fibre and PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), giving it supremely lightweight and durable qualities as well as a uniform, layered appearance. It’s a chronograph model so the internal bezel is adorned with a tachymeter for measuring speed and distance.

Moving on to the dial, it features the same sunray brushed blue design as the other Luna Rossa watches we’ve looked at so far. Interrupting the blue is a pair of black bicompax subdials with snailed finishing. At 9 o’clock is the usual small seconds indicator while at 3 o’clock is a 30-minute chronograph counter. The central hand stack is also in stealthy black, featuring hours, minutes and chronograph seconds. It’s powered by the P.9200 calibre with 42-hour power reserve.

In terms of price, this one is the most expensive by several nautical miles, but not without good reason. On a pure watchmaking level, it has the most complex mechanics and is built using the most high-tech materials. But the main reason it costs £41,400 is the accompanying experience and the fact it’s limited to just 37 pieces in honour of the 37th Americas Cup.

Panerai Luminor Due Luna Rossa PAM01378/81

Since the last two watches are essentially a pair, we’ll cover them together. The only differences between them are the fact that one is 42mm while the other is 38mm and they have different straps. At those sizes they make for a good his & hers set but to be honest, they’re perfectly unisex and I find myself looking at the 38mm as one of the few Panerais that wouldn’t dwarf me.

As for the dials, they’ve deviated away from aquatic blue for a neutral white, although the team colours are still represented via the red seconds hands. It’s surprising how much a simple colour swap can change the character of a watch. The blue feels active and ready to jump on board and set sail, the white is more ready to pop open a bottle of fizz in the boat clubhouse. That’s not just an aesthetic distinction either because the two models are only water resistant to 30m (38mm) and 50m (42mm), so you don’t want to risk them getting soaked in the waves.

Both watches house the P.900 calibre – I did warn you at the start of this article that it’s a movement you’d be hearing a lot about. Since we’ve already talked about it a bunch, let’s focus on the straps instead. All five watches here except the 38mm are presented on bi-material straps consisting of rubber and textiles for a flexible, durable and water-resistant design in blue and red. The 38mm is instead on a Saffiano calf leather strap in white with a red stripe, hammering home that it’s for admiring the water, not jumping in it.

The Luminor Due Luna Rossa 42mm is £6,700 and the 38mm is £6,400, making them the most accessible in the collection. All that’s left to do is decide which of the Panerai Luminor Luna Rossa watches is your favourite. Personally, I like the idea of a chronograph model because it has the most relevance to racing but in terms of the watch I’d actually want, it would be the PAM01408, the standard time and date model. It has the right balance of style and function while displaying the team colours of Luna Rossa without being too overt about it.

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&SONS Navy Prospector Jacket, £295

The &SONS Prospector Jacket Navy is a durable canvas jacket designed for year-round wear. There’s a soft wool-mix liner that is removable so that the garment can keep you warm in autumn, while remaining cool in the spring. In fact, the lining is also wearable on its own as a cardigan. This aspect of the jacket is inspired by vintage canvas jackets that traditionally featured blanket linings, while also bringing a modern versatility to the concept.

Available at &SONS.

Creshman C-Classic ‘White Dial’ x Limited, £1,780

Balancing modern sartorial swagger with classic Swiss watchmaking, the C-Classic from Creshman watches is that perfect sweet spot between everyday casual style and a formal dress watch. Made from solid stainless steel housing a workhorse Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement, the C-Classic is available in four dial variations, including the beautifully streamlined silver, which offers a sleek monochromatic look to match the understated refinement of the finer details. Protected by 100m water resistance, it’s also a supremely practical timepiece, no matter what summer throws at you. , 3

Available at Creshman.

A-COLD-WALL* Shiraga Zip Hoodie, £460

Yes, it’s blazing hot but already designers are working on their autumn collections and that of Brixton-flavoured label A-COLD-WALL* looks to be a solid one. Based on ‘exterior, interior, and transitions’ with a healthy dose of colour theory, the entire new line is worth a look – though the Shiraga Zip Hoodie illustrates just what designer Samuel Ross can bring to the humble style staple. Reversed, asymmetric seams give it a rough-and-ready look with canvas patches giving the whole thing the look and feel of a rare find from your favourite vintage shop.

Available at A-COLD-WALL*.

Don Cavarchi Washed Grey Denim Jeans, £120

Rooted in the city of London, Doncavarchi embrace the rich cultural heritage and diverse influences that shape their designs. Every garment is meticulously crafted, with precision tailoring and flawless finishes. Whether it’s mixing and matching separates or layering statement pieces, their designs provide endless possibilities resulting in a contemporary aesthetic that transcends seasons. That’s as true of their timeless hoodies as it is of these, their washed grey denim jeans.

Available at Don Cavarchi.

Tesouro Neptune Field Watch, £2,000

While they come from humble microbrand beginnings Tesouro are on their way to becoming an established name in the UK and watches like the Neptune are proof that they’re heading in the right direction. The Neptune is a field watch that has been tested to MIL-STD-810G standards – those required for military equipment. It means the 42mm watch is resistant to shock, temperatures, salt, fog, driving rain, pressure (10 bar), sand and dust. The name, Neptune, comes from Operation Neptune, the official name for the D-Day landings.

Available at Tesouro.

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