Category: News

G-Shocks have a reputation for durability, practicality and accessibility, which they’ve built up over a 40 year history. They’re tough as old boots while having a rugged style and a price tag that for the most part stays in the sub £700 mark. However, that’s not exclusively the case because Casio also produce a prestige line called the MR-G that explores more advanced watchmaking techniques and materials, resulting in prices that compete with the likes of Oris and high end Seikos. The latest addition to this line, the MRGB2100R-2A, is steadily being expanded across Casio’s global markets from Japan to the UK and now America.

Starting with the case, it measures a broad 44.4mm in diameter, which is in keeping with the G-Shock’s larger than life sports watch presence. As a prestige model it’s made from Ti64 titanium that’s undergone a hardening process in order to ensure a good level of scratch resistance and durability to complement the shock resistant multi-part construction, which also has a water resistance rating of 200m. It has an ion-plated finish in black with navy accents on the shoulders of the octagonal design.

Speaking of octagons, the MR-G MRGB2100R-2A bezel is also in the collection’s signature shape. It’s inspired by legendary integrated bracelet sports watch design from the 1970s, paying particular tribute to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. It’s also made of a different material to the case, using Casio’s proprietary Cobarion alloy, which is four-times harder than titanium with a high lustrous shine, though here it’s protected by that ion-plated finish. It’s super tough, just as you’d expect from a G-Shock.

As for the dial, it’s inspired by traditional Japanese arts. The geometric pattern with ridges and lines has a dual purpose: it allows light to pass through the dial efficiently to power the solar quartz movement below while also paying homage to the Japanese art of kigumi, a woodworking method that uses lattice like structures without any metal nails or joinings. The colour comes from ao-zumi, a rich blue ink used in sumi calligraphy.

Compared to some G-Shocks that cram as much information as physically possible onto their displays, this one is relatively pared back. It has central hours, minutes and seconds, a date at 3 o’clock and a subdial at 7:30 that displays date along with indicators relating to the Bluetooth® and radio-controlled multi band 6 precision quartz movement. Being a radio-controlled movement means it can keep time with atomic precision, ensuring it’s always accurate no matter where in the world you are.

Between the high-quality titanium case, traditional Japanese style dial and advanced movement, the MR-G MRGB2100R-2A has a fairly substantial price by G-Shock standards. In the UK, where it has been available since January, it’s £3,300 while over in the US where it is being introduced for the first time today, it’s $3,800. I always enjoy seeing cool watches achieving global success and spread to new markets. It gives me hope that some of the coolest Japanese exclusives might eventually make their way to the UK, though perhaps that’s wishful thinking.

More details at G-Shock.

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WatchDavid reviews the new G-Shock Fine Metallic Series featuring stainless steel bezels and the all-new Tough Silicone Band. The band offers a very reflective finish that looks like polished metal, which is the result of a mid-layer vapor deposition protected by a clear resin outer layer.  

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Japanese news site Mynavi revealed two new G-Shock GM-110 models that are coming to Japan in March and expected to be released worldwide. These models are notable for having a stainless steel bezel and being the first GM-110 models with a stainless steel band. They also reportedly have a center case made of resin and […]

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In an industry as broad as horology where brands with heritages centuries long rub shoulders with microbrands run out of people’s garages (sometimes literally), it’s no surprise that there is an equally broad range of styles and designs out there. Which means sometimes you come across an interesting, niche novelty that leads you down a rabbit hole of awesome vintage designs. Case in point, the Furlan Marri Disco Volante. After its launch in the summer of last year, I simply had to learn more about the UFO shaped watches that inspired it.

Omega CK2013, image credit: Phillips

The term Disco Volante means flying disk, as in the classic saucer shape of sci-fi spaceships. In wristwatch circles it refers to a completely circular design without lugs or protruding crowns that makes for a distinctive round shape. Something the 38mm case of the Furlan Marri Disco Volante replicates brilliantly. The earliest examples of the Disco Volante design can be traced to the early 20^th century and the Omega CK2013.

Released in 1932 the CK2013 epitomised the key aspects of the flying saucer style with vintage proportions of 39mm, a smooth bezel and a domed sapphire crystal. That dome means that a profile silhouette of the watch has the distinctive flat circle and central cockpit of the stereotypical UFO. It also sports an Art Deco dial with sector display, railway minute track and in many references a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. Interestingly, original sketches and advertising show a full size crown but it appears that by the time the watches went to production it had been shrunk to fit within the diameter of the case to create the uninterrupted circular shape.

Vacheron Constantin Disco Volante, image credit: Analog:Shift

Following in the wake of the CK2013, the Disco Volante design had an immediate period of popularity. Vacheron Constantin produced a watch that like Furlan Marri’s modern interpretation was also called simply the Disco Volante. Though in classic VC fashion it’s much more about the finishing and decorative arts than Omega’s version, featuring a Clous de Paris bezel and matching guilloché sector dial.

Audemars Piguet also had a go at the saucer shaped design in the 1950s, designed by Gebhard Duve whose contributions to AP’s heritage have been frustratingly overshadowed by one Gerald Genta a few decades later. Their Disco Volante actually follows more in the footsteps of Vacheron’s rendition of the style rather than Omega, featuring the same Clous de Paris finishing on the bezel. The bezel is also particularly wide, sitting around the relatively normal, central dial.

After the 1950s the popularity of the design began to wane in the watch industry. However, the Disco Volante name was still used in other industries such as motoring. In 1952 Alfa Romeo created an experimental series of cars with flared, rounded bodies called the Disco Volante Spider. They were developed in wind tunnels in an effort to improve aerodynamics. They never quite achieved inter-galactic flight but they’re seriously cool all the same.

Jumping forward more than half a century we come to the Furlan Marri Disco Volante. With its slim steel case and sector dial design its design codes arc all the way back to that original Omega rather than the slightly later gold models from VC or AP. Though while it may be vintage in its inspiration it still has modern elements to its design such as an innovative use of lume to frame the display in low light conditions. It’s proof, if it were needed, that sometimes following unconventional designs from the past can lead to modern gems.

More details at Furlan Marri.

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Watching Formula One as a fan can be a stressful endeavour. Imagine then the stress of sitting on the sidelines as Toto Wolff, CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, and watching the team you have shepherded for years try to reclaim glory. It would be enough to make you punch your fist, forgetting that you happen to be wearing a very expensive IWC Perpetual Calendar – something he’s been filmed doing multiple times. Evidently IWC are concerned about the safety of the watches on Wolff’s wrist because they’ve created the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team.

As the name implies, the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL is all about reducing the g-force from shocks and bumps that are transmitted from the watch’s case to the movement. If you’ve ever pulled up a watch’s tech sheet and seen words like Incabloc, Nivachoc or Diashock, these are the most common shock resistance systems. Largely they all operate in similar ways, suspending the core components of the movement (particularly the balance wheel) on springs that flex and absorb energy when the watch is shocked. If you’ve ever dropped a watch and it’s still ticking, it probably has a shock resistance system.

The Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL takes that idea even further by replacing those springs with their SPRIN-g PROTECT® shock absorber system. It uses a cantilever spring made from bulk metallic glass to evenly spread force across its entire length and width, cushioning the movement. Bulk metallic glass is a metallic alloy that’s rapidly cooled in such a way that it gains exceptional hardness and elasticity – the last time I heard of its use in watchmaking was on the bezel of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo”  Extra-Thin 16202XT. Providing superior protection from shocks.

For the Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team edition of the watch they’ve dressed it in the team’s colours. Which means a black ceratanium case, measuring a broad 44mm x 12.6mm, combined with Petronas green accents. The cushion shaped ring around the edge of the central dial is actually the SPRIN-g PROTECT® shock absorber on display, coloured Petronas green and coated with lume. The display in the middle is actually as straight forward as they come compared to the complexity of the watch around it, featuring a time only display with hours, minutes and seconds.

So, what is the movement that has had so much effort gone into protecting from violently shaken fists, whether that be in celebration or frustration? It’s the Calibre 32101 with a whopping 120-hour power reserve, equivalent to five days. It’s also got a blacked out finish visible through the tinted sapphire glass exhibition caseback, which sports Toto Wolff’s signature.

It’s a limited edition of 100 pieces at a price of £79,700, making it pretty damn exclusive. You’d probably need a job along the lines of being the CEO of an F1 team to buy one. If you want to see Toto actually wearing the watch, he’s due to wear it at tomorrow’s (February 18^th) F1® 75 Live at The O2 Area event.

More details at IWC.

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The all-new G-Shock GA-V01 series was officially unveiled in China on February 16, and it is now apparent that the unique innovations of this watch are mostly based on its appearance rather than its functions. Along with what looks like an integrated band and bezel structure (like the GA-B001), the watch has a very unusual […]

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Beavertown Brewery Neck Oil, £20

The British independent watch scene isn’t the only British industry embracing colour and entertaining style. Beavertown Brewery has made itself a mainstay of the British night out and pub experience with its unique, cartoonish style and focus on the social parts of drinking like good company, good music and good venues. The London-based brewery produce a wide range of drinks including their award-winning Neck Oil that fuses flavours of hops with the citrus influence of passionfruit. It’s also proof that a good time needn’t break the bank. Eight-cans and pint glass, £20.

Available at Beavertown Brewery.

Alan Scott Peregrine Puffa Jacket, £6,450

Alan Scott’s capsule collections draw directly from his experience growing up in the north of England, combining modern style with rural life. Each garment is inspired by and dedicated to impressive birds of prey seen in falconry. The Peregrine Puffa Jacket is ideal for cold mornings out in the English country with a warm cashmere lining. Cashmere is the designer’s signature material using state-of-the art stretched cashmere from Ardizzone. While Alan Scott designs are inspired by England, they’re made in Italy for high end quality.

Available at Alan Scott.

Ettinger Capra Travel Pill Case, £150

White Ettinger produce a large range of luxury leather goods for exciting and fun times, such as their poker, card, domino and dice cases, they also have the essentials covered. Their Capra Travel Pill Case is ideal for keeping track of your medication while you’re on the move. Just because medication isn’t something we often discuss in public life, that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a little bit of luxury as you look after yourself. It’s produced in goat leather and is available in a handful of colours, including this marine blue.

Available at Ettinger.

House Of Hazelwood Queen of The Hebrides, RRSP £2000, 43.4% ABV

Even among House of Hazelwood’s rare inventory, they count those from the isle of Islay, aka the Queen of the Hebrides, as some of their rarest. A blended malt matured in American oak with light tannins and a long finish. If you’re unfamiliar, House of Hazelwood is a relatively new Scottish whisky brand that source their rare produce from a family’s private collection, making each bottle extremely sought after. 36-year-old, 274 bottles, RRSP £2000, 43.4% ABV.

Available at House of Hazelwood.

Fielden Whisky of England Rye Whisky, £62.50

Britain produces a lot of whisky, but if you look at the individual countries that make up this United Kingdom, Scotland does a lot of the heavy lifting. Fielden Whisky is aiming to slowly change that narrative with their championing of English whisky. At the same time Fielden use regenerative farming techniques to grow their crop, ensuring a sustainable, chemical-free drink. Their Rye Whisky has tasting notes of wild berries that matures through caramel and hazelnut to a peppercorn spice finish.

Available from Fielden.

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Image credit: Chelsea-Bijouterie

When we think of historic British watches, those with military ties often stand out: Vertex, CWC, Timor, Precista, and Smiths. These brands boast rich heritage and compelling stories, but with the resurgence of British watchmaking, they’re far from unsung today. Pair this with collectors’ growing appreciation for uniquely designed watches rooted in dressy principles, and one name emerges: Roy King.

King’s name was discovered during one of many late-night auction searches for uncommon yet captivating watches. Though I didn’t secure one of his pieces, the journey uncovered a charming, underexplored chapter in watchmaking. Yet, search ‘Roy King’ on Chrono24, and you’ll see ‘Did you check your spelling? Edit your entry, or try another search term’. As homegrown talents go, Roy King’s incredible life story led him to become a highly celebrated designer whose influence on jewellery watch design was profound.

Image credit: Dawsons Auctions

It was just after World War II in Watford, Hertfordshire, and King returned from his role as planning engineer on the production line of the Hurricane aeroplane. The plan was simple: set up a workshop producing jewellery before applying his eye for design to watches. King was honest about where his talents lay. Honest about his limitations, King never claimed to be a watchmaker, instead describing his creations as “jewellery that tells the time”. Over the coming decades, King would produce watches that truly embodied this mindset, and while some designs drew inspiration from Cartier and Piaget, King’s work showcased proprietary, charming visions. Yet, labelling him merely as a jewellery designer applying his craft to watches fails to capture the depth of his aptitude, a talent he began honing at a bench from a very young age.

In 1927, at just 14 years old, Roy King became an apprentice at M.J. Greengross, a prominent Hatton Garden jeweller. From day one, he was thrown into demanding conditions, working beside an artisan who would infamously smash imperfect work with a mallet. Despite his age, King’s dedication showed as he attended evening classes to master diamond mounting. Soon, he was crafting one-off pieces for elite clientele, including members of the Royal Family, through a Bond Street jeweller.

Image credit: SeaSickSilver

By the 1930s, King’s uncredited work for Rolex, Cartier, and Asprey reflected his rising expertise. As the decade was brought to a close, a new challenge faced this 26-year-old man, as King fulfilled his duty during World War II.

The 1950s was the beginning of his foray into watches, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that the watch side of the business flourished due to a number of factors. Firstly, the import restrictions on Swiss movements to the UK were lifted, which meant King was free to use desirable and reliable Swiss movements, swiftly signing an exclusive agency deal with Bueche-Girod. For fellow vintage watch fans, that name will mean something, as Bueche-Girod was a maker utilised by Cartier, Bulova, Universal Genève; even Robert De Niro wore a woven herringbone bracelet watch in white, yellow, and rose gold from Bueche-Girod in the Martin Scorsese film, Casino.

Image credit: Bonhams

Another critical factor in King’s swinging sixties success was precisely that: it was an era in which people were receptive to decorative and expressive principles for the first time since the geometric lines of 1920s Art Deco. From the era that brought us space age on the one hand and a rising appreciation for brutalism on the other, the sixties was defined for its liking of boldness and flair, something King was a master of.

By the mid-1960s, Roy King’s workshop was a thriving factory, producing 25,000 gold and silver pieces annually. He became a prominent figure in British jewelry and design-led watches, pioneering the “bark finish” texture, which was later adopted by major manufacturers. He even created a bark-finished wedding ring for George Harrison and Pattie Boyd. His clientele included other Beatles, Tom Jones, and Saudi princes.

Image credit: SeaSickSilver

King’s creations fall into two categories: classic and recognizable designs, and more expressive, artistic pieces. The former category often draws inspiration from Cartier (Tank Louis, Ceinture) and Piaget, sometimes to the point of being derivative. While these pieces offer good value for those interested in mid-century style, King’s true talent shines through in his more original works.

These more expressive pieces often feature the bark finish, large oval links, and unique details like belt-like clasps, Cuban link bracelets, rope twist designs, lavish lugs, and leaf-inspired dials. King’s workshop experimented with techniques like pouring molten gold through tea strainers.

His jewelry-focused approach led to collaborations with brands like Omega, resulting in 18k gold pieces with stone dials, bark finishes, and distinctive bracelets (oval, ladder, cushion cases). These Omega creations often bear Roy King’s name.

Image credit: SeaSickSilver

In the 1970s, King acquired La Montre Royale de Genève, allowing him to create luxurious pieces with stone dials, diamonds, precious metals, and unique cuffs. He continued working into his 80s from his Mayfair showroom.

With smaller, dressier, and more distinctive pieces becoming popular among collectors, Roy King’s work is a worthwhile area of exploration. Pieces can be found on eBay and at specialist auction houses, with prices ranging from £500-£1,000 for simpler pieces to tens of thousands for more avant-garde precious metal creations.

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From the same team behind RZE’s accessible titanium tool watches comes a new brand dedicated to equally accessible but not necessarily titanium watches. The new brand is called Vostra after the Italian pronoun “yours” because they want to make watches for you. Yes, you specifically, reader. They’re refreshingly open about the types of watches they want to create: fun, sporty and not so precious that you’ll spill a tear if you scratch it. Their debut timepiece is the Vostra Vector, which is being made available via Kickstarter from February 14th.

Perhaps it’s because the new Fantastic 4 trailer dropped recently but the word that comes to mind when looking at the Vostra Vector is retro-futurism. The term was coined in the 1960s and 70s to refer to that nostalgic, sci-fi vibe where people ride around in Jetsons-style flying cars that look suspiciously like vintage Buicks and Cadillacs. It’s a combination of soft round shapes with a hard modern edge – perfectly encapsulated by the Vector’s 40mm steel case which has a wide, round shape but also the steep facets of an integrated bracelet and a dodecagon bezel.

It’s an appropriate connection because it was also in the 1970s that famous designers like Gerald Genta revolutionised watch design with the first wave of integrated sports bracelet watches like the Royal Oak and Nautilus. So, in some respects the idea of retro-futurism and luxury steel sports watches are related because they both reflect a desire for new growth and fresh design impetus in the decades after World War II. The Vostra Vector feels like it was plucked directly from this period, though without the Patek Philippe or Audemars Piguet price tag.

Even the bold, block colours on the dials of the three variants help to cement this aesthetic. The Atomic Blue has a matte blue dial with white subdials and orange accents (perhaps this is where the Fantastic 4 connection was made as those are the colours of The Thing and Human Torch in their costumes). Then Gamma Grey is, unsurprisingly, grey with black subdials and teal green accents. Leaving the Electro Yellow in its bright yellow with white subdials and red accents. The names of the colourways, Atomic, Gamma and Electro, are also inspired by that late 20^th century drive towards new energy, tying a perfect bow on the 70s design of the Vector.

Getting into the details of the dial, it has a 60-minute scale on the flange around the circumference of the display. Inside of that is a chronograph seconds scale and then the baton hour markers. Then, inside of that are the tricompax chronograph functions with small seconds at 6 o’clock intersecting with the date, then a 24-hour subdial at 3 and a 60-minute counter at 9. The central hand-stack consists of hour, minute and chronograph seconds hands. Activating the chronograph is done via the rounded pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock.

Powering the Vostra Vector is the Seiko VK63 meca-quartz movement. It’s a hybrid movement that bridges the gap between quartz and mechanical, combining battery powered regular timekeeping with a mechanical chronograph. It’s not a prestigious movement by any stretch of the imagination but then, as I noted in the introduction, Vostra make no pretences of being a prestige brand. Instead, it’s practical and accessible.

Speaking of accessible, the Vostra Vector in any of its colourways is $199 on Kickstarter with a future retail price of $279 (approx. £160 / £225). Is it going to be the flagship watch in your collection? No. Is it going to be a fun runabout watch that you can slap on before heading down Camden Market or Shoreditch? Yes. The Kickstarter is live from February 14^th.

More details at Vostra.

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Bell & Ross have always been obsessed with aviation and the instruments of flight. Whether that comes in the form of practical pilot’s watches or more colourful and entertaining numbers like the BR-03 Horizon. Their latest release though has achieved escape velocity to move from humble Earth-bound aviation to the realm of space travel. It’s the fittingly named Bell & Ross BR-03 Astro.

I say space travel rather than space in general because it’s specifically inspired by the view from the International Space Station’s cupola viewing port. The position from which astronauts can watch the Earth, moon, other satellites and even other planets in their cosmic dance. Which is why the dial features the Earth front and centre with the seconds displayed by an orbiting satellite, the minutes by the moon and the hours by Mars.

Each of the decorative elements are rendered in surprising detail. From the wispy clouds above the Earth to the individual panels on the satellite, pockmarked craters on the moon and even the geological scar of the Mariner Valley on Mars. They’re all presented against an aventurine glass backdrop, horology’s go-to material for creating the impression of the Milky Way without having to paint 400 billion individual stars.

BR-03 Astro’s case is based on the updated model from 2023, measuring 41mm in micro-blasted ceramic. The matte finish of the ceramic emphasises the industrial vibe of the watch with its exposed screws in the corners outside the ring of the bezel. The same is true of the cylindrical crown at 3 o’clock with hobnail grip.

Powering the BR-03 Astro is the BR-CAL.327, which is essentially the dateless version of the BR-CAL.302, which is itself based on the Sellita SW300-1 a with 52-hour power reserve. It’s on the higher end of the Bell & Ross spectrum, which in combination with the ceramic case and highly decorative dial means the watch has a price of £4,200. It’s also a limited edition of 999 pieces.

On a subjective level I’m torn. On a strict horology front the Astro is a little gimmicky and toy-like, a criticism that has been levelled at B&R more than a few times. But also, I’m a sucker for astronomy and science. The vision of a blue planet seen through a porthole is so evocative of adventure and progress. In a world where space is becoming politicised by tech billionaires who for some reason are making speeches in the Oval Office, it’s nice to remember how beautiful and precious the Earth is, and the Astro gives me that feeling in wristwatch form.

More details at Bell & Ross.

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