28th May 2024
Starting a watch brand - Introducing Apiar
A while ago at a collectors’ event in London, I got chatting to someone who was in the process of starting their own watch brand. I was fascinated hearing about the process, and was absolutely blown away with what had been achieved. So, ahead of the 1st June launch of Apiar’s first watch, I spoke to Founder and Managing Director of Apiar, Matt Oosthuizen to learn more about the process and the story behind the launch of British brand, Apiar.
Read more6th May 2024
Spotlight: Armin Strom Orbit
Armin Strom is a brand that I have always admired. I have always found their designs to be appealing, and I especially like that they aren’t afraid to do something different. Back in 2022, they released the Orbit watch, with a new date-on-command function that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, and I’ve been keen to see it up close ever since. On a recent visit to my partners at The Limited Edition, I finally got my chance!
Read more19th April 2024
Watches and Wonders 2024 Highlights
Last week saw the return of one of the biggest events on the watch calendar in Watches & Wonders 2024 from 9th – 15th April, alongside several other smaller events and gatherings. Over the course of the week, some of the biggest names in the watch world announced their novelties for 2024, and now that the dust has settled a little, I wanted to pick out some of my favourite releases.
Read more31st March 2024
The MIH Prix Gaïa, or Gaïa Prize
Up until a few weeks ago, the Prix Gaïa for watchmaking was not something I had heard of, and I stumbled across it whilst researching for something else. As I learned more about it, I was somewhat surprised that I hadn’t heard about it previously, and after asking some of my watch friends it transpired that not many of them had heard about it either. So, for this article, I wanted to talk about the Prix Gaïa, and why I think it is worth knowing about.
Read more17th March 2024
Introducing Clocktime Digital Museum
Earlier this week, I was fortunate to have been invited to London’s Royal Academy of Engineering to attend the launch event for Clocktime – a new digital museum championing the innovations of early clockmakers. The online museum features a huge number of exhibits, including clocks, watches, and even information about the makers themselves, culminating in a wonderful online resource for anyone wanting to learn about the history of horology.
Read more8th March 2024
Spotlight: Kudoke 3
I have long admired independent watchmaker Stefan Kudoke, counting myself a huge fan of his work. It took a few years for him to release a follow up design to his Kudoke 1 and Kudoke 2 watches owing to the success he had enjoyed after winning the Petite Aiguille award at the 2019 GPHG Awards. However, at the beginning of 2023 he finally announced the launch of his Kudoke 3 watch, and on a recent visit to my partners at The Limited Edition, I was able to spend some time with it first hand.
Read more24th February 2024
Restoring an Heirloom Vintage Sagara Watch
About 18 months ago, my fiancée was gifted a watch by her parents which belonged to her Grandfather that she had never met. Sadly, the watch wasn’t in working order, and there wasn’t a great deal of information known about the history of it. Once she returned to the UK, we set about a journey to learn more about it, with a goal of getting such a wonderful thing ticking once again!
Read more21st January 2024
Spotlight: Bell & Ross BR 03 Gyrocompass
I always enjoy watches where there is something quirky and fun about the design, something that puts a smile on your face. Bell & Ross are a brand which I think do this particularly well, seamlessly blending creativity and design with the aviation DNA of brand, creating something for watch enthusiasts and aviation enthusiasts alike. The BR 03 Gyrocompass is the latest addition to the Flight Instruments collection, and with thanks to the team at Bell & Ross I was able to spend some time with one recently.
Read more12th January 2024
Spotlight: Chopard's Alpine Eagle turns 5 this year
It caught me by surprise when I realised that October this year, marks the 5th anniversary of Chopard introducing their Alpine Eagle collection to the world in 2019. So, for this article I thought it would be a fun way to start the year by shining the Watch Affinity spotlight on the Alpine Eagle, taking a look back at its introduction and at the journey the collection has taken so far.
Read more27th December 2023
Recommended Reading: '500 Years 100 Watches' by Alexander Barter and Daryn Schnipper
During a recent visit to a particular store in St. James’s in London, book which was opened to a deliberate page which caught my eye. On closer inspection, this was an advanced copy of a book which due to be published imminently, and after having had a short flick through, I was so impressed by what I saw that I made a note of the book so I could get a copy of my own!
Read more17th December 2023
Cédric Johner Atelier Visit
During a trip to Geneva last month, I was fortunate to be invited by Pietro of The Limited Edition to join him and a friend to visit the atelier of independent watchmaker Cédric Johner in Carouge, a 10-minute tram ride from the centre of Geneva. Johner is not a watchmaker I was overly familiar with prior to this visit, however after witnessing his work first hand, I was blown away!
Read more16th November 2023
Dubai Watch Week 2023 - a Retrospective
Every 2 years sees one of the most popular events of the watch calendar take place – Dubai Watch Week. I’ve been keen to go for a long time, but after a bit of a crazy year behind the scenes we decided that this year we’d make a trip of it and head to Dubai. It was our first ever visit to Dubai but suffice it to say this won’t be our last! For this retrospective I wanted to take a look back at the event and share some of my experiences of it.
Read more12th November 2023
Spotlight: Jean Kazès
In recent months, I’ve been struggling a bit with writer’s block. Or more generally, perhaps a lack of inspiration. However, on a trip to Geneva earlier this week, inspiration finally struck. Whilst heading out to visit the atelier of an independent watchmaker in Carouge, a short journey from the centre of Geneva, we took a slight detour to visit the atelier of a clockmaker named Jean Kazès. It turned out to be a visit which really resonated with me, and a story which I felt compelled to share.
Read more28th August 2023
Recommended Reading: 'The Cartiers - The Untold Story of the Family Behind the Jewelry Empire' by Francesca Cartier Brickell
One brand that has always been a little bit mysterious to me is Cartier – I often find photos online of watches from a bygone era that I’d never seen before, and was clearly a brand with a rich and colourful history that I really didn’t know a great deal about. I wanted to learn more so turned to ‘The Cartiers’ by Francesca Cartier Brickell, a fantastic book which I could not recommend highly enough!
Read more25th August 2023
Spotlight: Breguet Type XX 2067 and Type 20 2057
When Breguet announced the release of their new take on the Type XX (civilian) / Type 20 (military) pilot watches, there was quite the emotive and loud reaction from the watch community. Now that the dust has settled and having been able to get hands on with them a couple of times since the launch, I thought it was time to take a look at these watches in a little more detail.
Read more15th July 2023
Spotlight: MAD Edition MAD1 Red
When it was first released in 2021, the MAD1 ‘Friends Edition’ from Max Büsser was firstly the realisation of a long-held ambition to create a more affordable sister-brand to his high-end MB&F, and also a way to thank friends who had supported the MB&F journey until that point. The ‘Friends Edition’ was followed in 2022 with a ballot for the production version, something I have been desperate to see for a long while. Finally, I had a chance to spend some time with one recently!
Read more2nd July 2023
OnlyWatch 2023 - My Top 5 Picks
This year will once again mark another instance of biennial charity auction, OnlyWatch, where some of the major names in horology come together to produce a collection of unique timepieces which are auctioned for charity, funding research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The collection was announced last week, ahead of the auction taking place on November 5th in Geneva – here are my 5 stand-out picks.
Read more3rd June 2023
Recommended Reading: 'Hands of Time - A Watchmaker's History of Time' by Rebecca Struthers
When I interviewed Dr Rebecca Struthers a few months back, we spoke about her book Hands of Time which was due to be published on 27th April, not long after we spoke. I was intrigued by the book and so picked up a copy, and having just finished reading it, I could not recommend this book highly enough!
Read more29th May 2023
Spotlight: Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin
Over the past couple of years, Louis Erard under the guidance of Manuel Emch have launched quite the array of collaboration watches, often based on their Le Régulateur. Collaboration partners have included master watchmaker Vianney Halter, Alain Silberstein, Eric Giroud, artist Seconde Seconde, and more. This April saw another master watchmaker join the ranks – Konstantin Chaykin and Louis Erard have introduced the ‘Time Eater’, a new take on Chaykin’s ‘Wristmons’, and I recently got the chance to get hands on and take a look.
Read more17th May 2023
Spotlight: Petermann Bédat Reference 2941
Last year, when I caught up with independent watchmaking duo Gaël Petermann and Florian Bédat of Petermann Bédat, they had mentioned to me that they hoped to release a new watch in 2023 with a new complication, something they had been working on for a while. Well, in March this year just a few days before Watches & Wonders, this watch was launched – the quite incredible Reference 2941 – which is one of my favourite releases of 2023 so far!
Read more7th May 2023
Exploring Gem-setting in Watchmaking
During a recent visit to London to see what some of the different watch outlets had in store, I happened across two different “rainbow” watches on the same day that I wasn’t expecting to see close up and try them on. Whilst gem-set watches aren’t really my thing, it sparked my curiosity to go and find out more about gem-set watches, what it is that goes into them, and be able to better appreciate them for what they are.
Read more19th March 2023
Spotlight: Patek Philippe Calatrava 5226G
One year after the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G and 6119R were released in 2021, a new and more contemporary Calatrava joined the family in 2022. This watch certainly marked an interesting new direction for the Calatrava dress watch, and whilst it took me a while to get hands on with one, I eventually managed to track one down recently for a closer look!
Read more26th February 2023
In Conversation with Dr Rebecca Struthers
I first discovered Dr. Rebecca Struthers and Struthers Watchmakers on Instagram, I especially enjoyed the behind-the-scenes ‘making’ videos and the Struthers’ focus on both restoration and using traditional techniques. Ahead of the publication in April of her first book, Hands of Time, I sat down with Dr. Struthers to learn more about her career to date from studying jewellery to becoming the first British watchmaker to earn a PhD in horology!
Read more18th February 2023
Recommended Reading: 'The Collectibles' Book by Jaeger-LeCoultre
There have been a couple of big anniversary years recently for Jaeger-LeCoultre, what with the 90th anniversary of the Reverso in 2021, and the brand’s 190th anniversary this year in 2023. Their most recent campaign, The Collectibles, saw Jaeger-LeCoultre lovingly service and restore a single example of 12 of their most celebrated and iconic watches from between the 1920s and 1950s. These were made available for collectors to purchase directly from the brand, who at the same time published a magnificent accompanying book. Entitled “The Collectibles”, it showcases 17 of the brand’s most famous models in incredible detail – a superb book that is well worth exploring.
Read more5th February 2023
Spotlight: Tudor Black Bay Ceramic
When Tudor released the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic in 2021, I was intrigued. Ceramic is one of my favourite materials for a watch; pairing that with the alluring blacked out design and impressive tech specs on the Black Bay Ceramic – this is even METAS certified – it certainly caught my eye. After a long wait, I managed to spend hands-on time with the watch recently and see how it fares in person.
Read more10th January 2023
Spotlight: James Lamb Origin Azur
Towards the end of 2021, I spoke with independent watchmaker James Lamb. Given this interview was shortly after the launch of James’ first Origin series, I asked if he knew what he was going to be doing next; in his answer he talked about a second, more limited series, coming “either at the very end of 2022 or early 2023”. Well, this week saw the launch of the Azur, a limited series of 12 pieces in collaboration with Collective Horology and The Limited Edition!
Read more30th December 2022
Watch Affinity, 2022: A Year in Review
As another year comes to a close, I wanted to take a look back over some of my favourite things that have happened in the watch industry this year as we continue to enjoy this crazy hobby of ours. Sticking with my year in review tradition, I have picked out my five favourite articles with a couple of extra shout-outs, too!
Read more27th December 2022
Recommended Reading: 'Watchmakers - The Masters of Art Horology' by Claudio Proietti
As a fan of independent watchmaking, I have had my eye on this particular book for a little while. It focuses on some of the most esteemed names in independent watchmaking, as were featured in a travelling exhibition from 2018 that visited Rome, New York, Hong Kong and London. To me, it presents as a super introduction to independent watchmaking, and ‘art horology’, and is certainly a book I would recommend!
Read more17th December 2022
Reverso Stories Exhibit at Covent Garden
This week saw the arrival of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso Stories exhibit to London’s Covent Garden. This travelling exhibition started last year to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the brand’s iconic Reverso watch. Featuring several notable references including the Hybris Mechanica Quadriptyque from 2021, the “Spacetime” art installation, as well as the 1931 café, I decided to pay it a visit! This free exhibition is in The Piazza at Covent Garden until 24th December 2022.
Read more13th December 2022
Spotlight: Schwarz Etienne Roma Synergy Terracotta
Back in 2020, independent brand Schwarz Etienne teamed up with Les Ateliers Kari Voutilainen to create the Schwarz Etienne Roma Synergy collaboration. Initially, the Roma Synergy was available in two colours and limited to just 50 pieces in each variant. In October this year, a new variant joined the party: the Roma Synergy Terracotta, created in conjunction with my partners at The Limited Edition. Recently I’ve been able to spend some time with the Roma Synergy Terracotta, and so decided to give it the Watch Affinity Spotlight treatment.
Read more2nd December 2022
Spotlight: Horage
At a recent collectors’ evening hosted by my partners at The Limited Edition, I was able to experience Horage watches in person for the first time, and also speak with Horage’s Landon Stirling to learn about the brand. In this article, I shine the Watch Affinity Spotlight on the Biel Bienne based independent watchmaking brand, and rather than looking at the watches themselves, explore their underlying DNA and what makes them worthy of your attention.
Read more14th November 2022
Vintage and modern watches - the pros and cons
Today, there are more watches on the watch market than ever before – the variety and choice available to today’s watch collector is mind-boggling. Mechanical watches are built to last, so we find the modern, contemporary watches or today joined by vintage watches of yesteryear. However, what are the pros and cons of each? Are there benefits in collecting one over the other?
Read more31st October 2022
Spotlight: Lang & Heyne
One watch brand I learned of a few years back via social media was Lang & Heyne, however until recently I had not had the opportunity to see any of their watches in person. It was well worth the wait, and I was super impressed with what I saw! This article shines the Watch Affinity Spotlight on Dresden-based independent brand, Lang & Heyne, looking at their story, and getting hands-on with some of their watches.
Read more17th October 2022
Didier Drogba Champions League Watch Gift to Chelsea Staff
It isn’t very often that you encounter a watch with a unique and special provenance, let alone one which resonates with you on a personal note. This happened to me recently when I got hands-on with a watch gifted by Chelsea’s Didier Drogba to the club’s staff, commemorating one of the biggest moments in the club’s history!
Read more3rd October 2022
In Conversation with Davide Cerrato
The first time I learned of HYT Watches, their concept of using mechanical bellows to pump a fluid around a watch was like nothing I had ever seen. During the pandemic, HYT were forced to close their doors, but they are back with a bang under the leadership of Davide Cerrato, a watch industry veteran who is the mind behind the Tudor Black Bay, and now CEO and Creative Director of HYT. I had the amazing opportunity to interview Davide during a visit to London for a collectors’ evening hosted by my partners at The Limited Edition.
Read more28th September 2022
Spotlight: Zeroo Time T4 Tourbillon
When one of my friends messaged me a while ago to ask me about a brand called Zeroo Time, it wasn’t a brand that I had heard of. However, after a little digging and a price point of a little over £2000 for a skeletonised tourbillon watch, it certainly piqued my interest as an interesting prospect. After he decided to add the Zeroo T4 to his collection, I went to have a look for myself!
Read more15th September 2022
In Conversation with Ondřej Berkus
One of the best things about social media in the watch world is discovering new brands and new watchmakers. When I discovered independent watchmaker Ondřej Berkus’ account @hodinkyberkus, I was immediately struck by his inventive and unique pieces, the incredible colours, textures and use of different materials. Ondřej is a self-taught watchmaker from the Czech Republic, and I was lucky to be able to catch up with him recently to learn more about his journey and watchmaking philosophies.
Read more4th September 2022
GPHG 2022 Awards - My Winners
Last week saw the GPHG shortlists announced for the 2022 awards, which will take place in Geneva on 10th November. Often talked about as the Oscars of watchmaking, the GPHG awards celebrate the best of the watchmaking world across 15 different categories, including for the first time, a “Mechanical Clock” category. Here are my picks for this year’s winners!
Read more4th August 2022
Recommended Reading: 'Rare Watches' by Paul Miquel
This latest instalment of recommended reading takes a look at a book I have often seen around the way, whether it be physical copies in boutiques and watch stores, or just one that is talked about online. That book is “Rare Watches” by Paul Miquel and, having been enjoying it for the past few days, it is another watch book that I would highly recommend.
Read more29th July 2022
Spotlight: Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Opaline and Blue
Laurent Ferrier is a brand I have admired since the first time I had the opportunity to see some of the watches up close in 2019. One collection which had eluded me, however, was the Classic Origin. When I visited Geneva a few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be able to spend some time with not only the Classic Origin with the opaline dial, but one of the new stunning blue dials as well!
Read more11th July 2022
Spotlight: Kudoke 2 British Heritage
I have previously written about independent brand Kudoke, and even been fortunate enough to have interviewed master watchmaker Stefan Kudoke as well. I am a huge fan of his work, and so when I learned of a new limited edition collaboration piece with my partners at The Limited Edition, I was incredibly excited! On July 1st, the Kudoke 2 British Heritage was launched, and I was able to get hands on with the watch at a recent Limited Edition collectors’ evening.
Read more20th June 2022
In Conversation with Bernhard Lederer
I will openly confess that until I attended the GPHG Awards in Geneva last year, I was not really aware of Bernhard Lederer or his work until he was on stage collecting the GPHG Innovation Prize for 2021. In absolute awe of his award-winning central Impulse Chronometer, I set about learning more about him, before being presented an incredible opportunity to interview Bernhard during a visit to London at a collectors’ evening hosted by my partners at The Limited Edition.
Read more3rd June 2022
In Conversation with Gaël Petermann and Florian Bédat
Back in 2020 when Petermann Bédat announced the launch of their 1967 Deadbeat Seconds, it was one which immediately caught my eye. I love the design and find it interesting that the duo chose the deadbeat seconds complication for their first major launch. Given the limited production, I never thought I would see one up close – but on their recent trip to London I caught up with Gaël Petermann and Florian Bédat to learn more.
Read more20th May 2022
The OAK Collection - One of A Kind Watches
There are watch collections, and there are watch collections. The OAK Collection, belonging to super-collector Patrick Getreide, is definitely the latter, comprising over 600 incredible and historically important watches. Experts including the likes of Nicholas Foulkes have helped curate a subset of around 168 this collection into a special exhibition, on show at London’s Design Museum from 19-25th May.
Read more11th May 2022
International Festival of Time in Waterford, Ireland
As we start to see a number of in-person events returning to the watch world calendar, it is exciting to see that there are new events joining the calendar as well! Later this month, Johnny McElherron at The Watch Press will be holding the inaugural International Festival of Time, bringing together some of the biggest names in independent watchmaking to a stunning venue in Waterford, Ireland – a city with a surprising horological history!
Read more4th May 2022
Spotlight: Regulator Watches
It occurred to me recently that, whilst the concept of a regulator dial watch is something I am familiar with, I didn’t really know much about where it comes from. The name “regulator” suggests there may be an underlying reason as to why it is called such – after all, what would a regulator watch actually… well, regulate?! In this article I explore the origins of the regulator and look at some contemporary examples of regulator watches.
Read more27th April 2022
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Exhibit at Harrods
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Audemars Piguet’s legendary Royal Oak collection. We have already seen some new Royal Oaks with a special edition ’50 years’ rotor, and I’m sure there will be some more surprises over the year, too. When it was announced that as part of the celebrations, Audemars Piguet were to hold a Royal Oak exhibit in Harrods throughout April, I thought it would be worth going along to see… and I was right!
Read more20th April 2022
Recommended Reading: 'The Independent Spirit: Time makers since 1985' by AHCI
The AHCI, “Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants”, was founded in 1985 as a vehicle to bring independent watchmakers together and help showcase their work. With this book, “The Independent Spirit: Time makers since 1985”, the AHCI marked 35 years by highlighting past and present members – if you’re interested in independent watchmaking, I highly recommend it!
Read more13th April 2022
Spotlight: Tudor Pelagos FXD
At the end of last year, Tudor released a much-anticipated addition to the Pelagos collection, the Pelagos FXD, designed in collaboration with the French Navy – Marine Nationale. The idea of having a dive watch developed with the military is something I found particularly appealing, and a couple of weeks ago I was finally able to check one out to see it for myself!
Read more6th April 2022
Watches and Wonders 2022 Highlights
Last week, the eyes of the watch world turned to Geneva for Watches & Wonders 2022, and the AHCI Masters of Horology events, as some of the biggest names in horology announced their novelties for this year. In this article, I take a look at the releases which stand out to me as being the most exciting releases, and why.
Read more29th March 2022
In Conversation with Svend Andersen
Exploring the world of independent watchmaking, it doesn’t take long before you start learning about Svend Andersen. A master watchmaker and founder of the AHCI who spent several years at Patek Philippe after creating his legendary Bottle Clock, Svend Andersen has been operating as a true independent watchmaker since 1980. I was incredibly fortunate to be able to speak with him and learn more about his incredible career!
Read more23rd March 2022
Spotlight: Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Red Radar Ceramic
Every now and then, there is a watch that comes along that has an innate ability to make you smile. A reminder that watches can – and should – be fun and creative. For me, one such watch was announced last summer, when aviation-centric watch brand Bell & Ross announced the release of their BR 03-92 Red Radar Ceramic. Luckily for me, a few weeks ago I managed to get hands on with one!
Read more16th March 2022
Phillips ‘Made in Germany’ A. Lange & Söhne Exhibition
When Phillips announced their ‘Made in Germany’ exhibition of early A. Lange & Söhne Datograph and Lange 1 watches, I knew it was going to be something worth seeing. I went along last week to check it out, and there were some fantastic watches on display!
Read more9th March 2022
Spotlight: Parmigiani Fleurier
This is the next article in Watch Affinity’s series partnering with UK-based independent watchmaking specialist retailer, The Limited Edition. In this piece, I take a look at a brand which in my opinion deserves to be talked about a lot more than they are, shining the Watch Affinity spotlight on Parmigiani Fleurier.
Read more2nd March 2022
Spotlight: Blancpain Air Command
When Blancpain released the limited-edition reissue of the Air Command in 2019, it was a watch that really spoke to me, and a part of Blancpain’s history that I didn’t really know a great deal about. I was excited to see the Air Command return in 2021 as a part of the brand’s core collection as non-limited editions, and recently I was able to get hands on to experience them in person.
Read more23rd February 2022
Spotlight: Gerald Genta Arena Bi-Retrograde Sport
In the summer of 2020, Bulgari released a sport model of the Gerald Genta Arena Bi-Retrograde, and it is one that I have been looking forward to getting hands on with ever since. Recently, I finally got my long-awaited opportunity to see the watch hands on, and it was certainly worth the wait!
Read more16th February 2022
In Conversation with Tsoroev Rashid
When I recently wrote my piece about independent watchmaking in Russia, it amazed me how more than one of the watchmakers’ skills had been self-taught. I was fortunate enough to be able to speak with one of these incredible watchmakers, Tsoroev Rashid, to learn more about his journey so far.
Read more9th February 2022
Watch Brand Logos
I have always had a passing interest in symbology, and the meanings behind different signs, emblems and even logos. For this article, I take a look at different watch brand logos, looking at where they come from and why they may have been chosen to represent the brands that they do.
Read more2nd February 2022
Value for Money in Russian Independent Watchmaking - Part 3
This article is the third in Watch Affinity’s series partnering with UK-based independent watchmaking specialist retailer, The Limited Edition, looking to showcase different independent watchmakers and brands to highlight what they have to offer. This final part in the three-part series focuses on independent watchmaking at the more affordable end of the market, particularly Russian independent watchmaking.
Read more26th January 2022
Recommended Reading: 'Grandmaster Chime' by Patek Philippe
OK, I admit it, I am tumbling down a rabbit hole of literature on Patek Philippe. This is my second recommended reading on the brand, this time looking in detail specifically at the remarkable grand complication produced by Patek Philippe for their 175th anniversary in just 7 pieces – the Grandmaster Chime.
Read more19th January 2022
"It's complicated": an introduction to the Remontoire
One of the things I enjoy exploring within horology is the various inventive solutions presented by watchmakers in a continued drive to innovate for improvement. There are many facets to a watch movement, and therefore many areas to explore. One of these is the problem of ensuring a constant force is applied at the balance of a watch – in this article, I will take a closer look at the remontoire – what it is, what it does, and why it is worth knowing about.
Read more12th January 2022
"It's complicated": Acoustic watch complications
My absolute favourite watch complication is the minute repeater, a complication which chimes out the time on demand. I find something incredibly whimsical and charming about acoustic watch complications, and so in this article I look at some other watches which chime and sound in different ways.
Read more5th January 2022
My Collecting Journey: Rolex and the Oyster Perpetual
Over recent months, some conversations with watch enthusiast friends have included discussion around collectors having never owned a Rolex, or whether every watch collection should have at least one Rolex. This got me thinking, as I have never owned a Rolex, and nor have I really had a desire to do so before. In this article I explore whether after spending a month or so with an Oyster Perpetual, this experience has made me think differently.
Read more29th December 2021
Watch Affinity, 2021: A Year in Review
This year has of course been another challenging one for everybody to put it lightly, and as it was last year, Watch Affinity has been a way for me to continue to both enjoy the hobby of watch enthusiasm and learn more about the watch world. As this year comes to its close, I wanted to look back over the year and pick out of my favourite watch articles from 2021.
Read more22nd December 2021
My Collecting Journey: Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Vianney Halter
When at the end of 2020 a collaboration was announced between Louis Erard and Vianney Halter, I was super excited to see what the result would be. Evidently so were many other collectors, as this 178 piece limited edition Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Vianney Halter was completely sold out in just a few hours! I was fortunate to be able to acquire one several months after, and so for this article I thought I would chart my personal journey with this piece.
Read more9th December 2021
In Conversation with Pietro Tomajer
For the 100th Watch Affinity article, I wanted to do something special. Recently I have been doing a lot of work with the support of Pietro Tomajer at The Limited Edition, and so to mark this 100th article I sat down for an extended interview with him to learn more about his career and what makes him tick.
Read more1st December 2021
Recommended Reading: 'Patek Philippe - the Authorised Biography' by Nicholas Foulkes
After visiting the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, one of my biggest gripes was that there wasn’t anything to purchase as a memento. This led me to explore various writings on Patek Philippe, and I eventually landed on Nicholas Foulkes’ book, “Patek Philippe: The Authorised Biography”. This article explains why I think this truly magnificent book is a must-read for watch enthusiasts.
Read more24th November 2021
In Conversation with James Lamb
James Lamb is the independent watchmaker behind UK-based James Lamb Watches. This month has seen the launch of his first series of watches – the Origin Series – comprising 4 watches cased in silver, inspired by the four elements of Air, Earth, Fire and Water. For this interview, I sit down with James to learn more about his journey into watchmaking, the inspirations behind the Origin Series, and his plans for the future.
Read more17th November 2021
Laurent Ferrier Manufacture Visit
During my trip to Geneva earlier this month, I was incredibly fortunate to add Laurent Ferrier to the list of brand manufactures that I have been able to visit. Not only did we get to see some of the brand’s incredible watches, but there are also a couple of very cool bits of memorabilia on show, too!
Read more10th November 2021
OnlyWatch 2021
Whilst I was in Geneva last week, as luck would have it, the OnlyWatch 2021 World Tour of the collection had also arrived in Geneva! Given I thought I had missed the chance to see this collection of unique, one-off timepieces after the tour didn’t visit London this year, I had to take the chance to go along and see them for myself!
Read more10th November 2021
GPHG Awards 2021
Last week I was incredibly fortunate to have been and able to attend the GPHG Awards 2021 Ceremony whilst visiting Geneva, thanks to my partners at The Limited Edition. Akin to the Oscars of watchmaking, the GPHG Awards celebrate the best of the watchmaking world across multiple categories, and it was a fantastic experience to be in the same room as some of the biggest names in horology! This article describes the evening as well as listing the GPHG Awards 2021 winners.
Read more28th October 2021
Value for Money in Independent Watchmaking - Part 2
This article is the next in Watch Affinity’s series partnering with UK-based independent watchmaking specialist retailer, The Limited Edition, looking to showcase different independent watchmakers and brands to highlight what they have to offer. This is the second of three parts, focusing on independent watchmaking at the more affordable end of the market.
Read more20th October 2021
Spotlight: Rolex Milgauss Green Sapphire Crystal
Amongst the Rolex catalogue, the Milgauss stands out from the others not just thanks to its orange, lightning bolt seconds hand, but also because of a distinctive and unique green sapphire crystal. There is a little more than meets the eye with this crystal, and in this article I put it under the Watch Affinity Spotlight…
Read more13th October 2021
In Conversation with Stefan Kudoke
When independent watchmaker Stefan Kudoke won the GPHG Petite Aiguille award in 2019, he became the first German independent watchmaker to have won it. Ever since, the popularity of Kudoke watches has grown significantly, and I was lucky enough to be able to speak with Stefan about his career to date.
Read more6th October 2021
Watch Quality Standards
This is the (belated) second part of a two-part series looking at different standards in watchmaking. In the first article I explored accuracy standards, where this article will look at the Geneva Seal and other hallmarks for watch quality and finishing standards, including the Patek Philippe seal and the Fleurier Quality Foundation.
Read more29th September 2021
Hublot Service Courtesy Watch
One of my favourite things about this hobby is that you’re constantly learning and there is always something interesting around the corner. Recently, I discovered a Hublot service or courtesy watch dating back to 1993, meant to fill the void on your wrist if your own watch needs a service. These ‘not for sale’ service watches are few and far between, but I managed to get hands on with one to get a closer look!
Read more22nd September 2021
Value for Money in Independent Watchmaking - Part 1
This article is the next in Watch Affinity’s series partnering with UK-based independent watchmaking specialist retailer, The Limited Edition, looking to showcase different independent watchmakers and brands to highlight what they have to offer. This is the first of three parts, focusing on independent watchmaking at the more affordable end of the market to highlight value for money in independent watchmaking.
Read more15th September 2021
GPHG 2021 Awards - My Winners
Last week saw the shortlists announced for the GPHG 2021 awards, which will take place in Geneva on 4th November. Akin to the Oscars of watchmaking, the GPHG awards celebrate the best of the watchmaking world across 14 different categories. Rather than just share the shortlists, in this article I pick my own winners from each of the 14 categories – it will be interesting to see how my picks compare with the eventual victors!
Read more1st September 2021
Spotlight: Laventure Transatlantique GMT
Independent watchmaking and microbrands have certainly seen their stock rise in the past few years, as collectors look towards adding something a little more unique to their collections. There have been several notable such releases which have had collectors clamouring to get hold of them, one of which was the 2020 release of the Laventure Transatlantique GMT. In this article, I put this release under the Watch Affinity Spotlight.
Read more25th August 2021
Spotlight: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Nonantième
During a recent trip to Harrods, I was fortunate enough to be afforded the opportunity to take a closer look at the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Nonantième, a 190-piece limited edition watch launched this year to celebrate the ninetieth anniversary of the Reverso collection. In this article I get a hands-on look.
Read more18th August 2021
Openworked Dial Watches
I was recently able to get my hands on a watch I had been keen to see for a while – the openworked dial version of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato – and it got me thinking about other openworked dial watches. In this article, I decided to take a look at a few of my favourites – be sure to let me know yours, too!
Read more11th August 2021
Spotlight: Grand Seiko SBGM221
For this article I wanted to take a look at my favourite GMT watch – the Grand Seiko SBGM221. It’s not necessarily a watch that often gets the limelight, with certain other GMT watches attracting far more attention than this. I think personally that it is just as worthy, and so decided to give it the Watch Affinity Spotlight treatment.
Read more28th July 2021
Spotlight: Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119
This year saw two new watches added to Patek Philippe’s classic Calatrava collection, the 6119G and 6119R, in white and rose gold respectively. I do have a bit of a penchant for dress watches, and so when I had the opportunity to take a look at the 6119G in more detail, I of course could not turn it down!
Read more21st July 2021
Feather Marquetry and Bulgari Divas' Dream Peacock
Feather marquetry was not a craft I had heard of before Watches & Wonders earlier this year, when Bulgari announced the release of the Divas’ Dream Peacock with a dial constructed of peacock feathers. I was hooked, but I never thought I would get the opportunity to see one in person owing to its limited production, but on a recent trip to London that changed…
Read more14th July 2021
Spotlight: Laurent Ferrier
This Spotlight article is the next in Watch Affinity’s series partnering with UK-based independent watchmaking specialist retailer, The Limited Edition, looking to showcase different independent watchmakers and brands to highlight what they have to offer. In this piece, we take a look at one of my personal favourite brands, Laurent Ferrier, and even hear a little from the man himself.
Read more7th July 2021
OnlyWatch 2021 - My Top 5 Picks
This year sees the return of biennial charity auction, OnlyWatch, where some of the major names in horology come together to produce a collection of totally unique, one-off timepieces which are auctioned for charity, funding research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The collection was announced last week, ahead of the auction taking place on November 6th in Geneva – here are my top 5 stand-out picks for OnlyWatch 2021.
Read more29th June 2021
A Tour of Bremont's "The Wing" Facility
Earlier this year Bremont moved into their new, purpose-built facility named “The Wing” in Henley-on-Thames. This facility brings the entire Bremont team under one roof and is a major step towards realising the longer-term ambitions of founders Nick and Giles English. Last week I did the Bremont “The Wing” tour with a few friends to check it out!
Read more23rd June 2021
The Watch Boutique Experience
Last week was the first week for a very long time that I was able to get back to doing one of the things I enjoy most about this hobby – visiting watch boutiques. When I first started getting into watches, I didn’t really have a circle of people I could share this new-found passion with, so I turned to watch boutiques. Reflecting on last week’s visits, I wanted to talk about why I think the watch boutique experience is such an integral part of the hobby, and how it can be a great entry point into the wider watch community.
Read more16th June 2021
Spotlight: Hermès H08 Collection
At Watches & Wonders 2021, Hermès announced the launch of a brand-new collection of watches for everyday wear – the H08. This was one of my highlight releases from Watches & Wonders, and I was super excited to finally get my hands on some of the pieces and see them in person! This article shines the Watch Affinity Spotlight on the Hermès H08 collection.
Read more9th June 2021
Spotlight: Dive Watches
Dive watches are one of the most popular and storied type of watch, a tool in the truest sense of the word, designed to operate in the harshest of environments. In this article I will take a look at the history of dive watches, some important examples, and more generally the characteristics of what makes a dive watch a dive watch.
Read more2nd June 2021
Watch Enthusiasts Gift Guide
With Father’s Day coming up in the UK soon, I thought it might be helpful to put together a watch enthusiasts gift guide, full of ideas and links to gift ideas which won’t break the bank. I know this can be a tricky area, so I will look to keep this updated over time with any new ideas, too!
Read more26th May 2021
Spotlight: Schwarz Etienne
This article is the first Spotlight article written as a part of Watch Affinity partnering with UK-based independent watchmaking specialist retailer, The Limited Edition, looking to showcase different independent watchmakers and brands to highlight what they have to offer. In this piece, I will shine the Watch Affinity spotlight on independent Swiss brand, Schwarz-Etienne.
Read more19th May 2021
Influential Watchmakers: John Arnold
The second of a series of articles looking at influential watchmakers, this week I take a look at the life and works of John Arnold – an English watchmaker often held in the same regard as Abraham-Louis Breguet. In fact, he and Breguet were good friends, and Arnold even sent his son to serve at Breguet’s apprentice. With many accolades and innovative breakthroughs in watchmaking, John Arnold’s story is one worth telling.
Read more12th May 2021
Spotlight: Bulgari Octo Finissimo by Tadao Ando
Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo collection has sprung to the fore of high horology watches in recent years, and deservedly so having introduced new world records for the thinnest complications for the past seven years consecutively. In this article, we take a look at the limited-edition pieces created in collaboration with Tadao Ando – but who is Tadao Ando, and why is he such a perfect fit for these collaborative pieces?
Read more5th May 2021
Watch Notebooks by Watch Affinity
I am excited to announce the introduction of a new series of Watch Affinity watch notebooks! Available either as spiral bound or hardcover journals, each of the books is 6 by 8 inches, and the covers feature original graphic designs from my own photography. Perfect for home, the office, and an ideal gift for the watch enthusiast in your life – 18 designs are available on RedBubble, worldwide!
Read more28th April 2021
Independent Watchmaking - An Ode to the Indies
For this article I wanted to do something a little different and explore independent watchmaking. What is it? Why is it important? What are the benefits of it and ways in which you can support this incredibly important part of the industry. I’m also delighted to announce a partnership between Watch Affinity and The Limited Edition – authorised retailer for over 40 independent brands!
Read more21st April 2021
In Conversation with Jean-Claude Biver
There is one name that is truly synonymous with the world of watches: Jean-Claude Biver. The more I learned of his career, the more interviews with him I listened to, the more inspired I became. It was an absolute honour to be able to speak with Mr. Biver and to ask about his career and thoughts on the future of the watch industry.
Read more14th April 2021
Watches and Wonders 2021 - Highlights
This past week, the watch world’s eyes turned to the digital edition of Watches & Wonders as 40 brands came together to announce their novelties for 2021. In this article, I take a look at the releases which stand out to me as being the most exciting releases, and why.
Read more7th April 2021
In Conversation with Benoît Mintiens
When Benoît Mintiens founded Ressence watches in 2010, their designs introduced an entirely new way of showing the time with their mechanical rotating discs. I was hugely fortunate to be able to speak with Benoît, about learn more about how Ressence came to be as well as the thinking behind both their designs and innovations.
Read more31st March 2021
Watch Accuracy Standards
This is the first of a two-part series looking at different standards in watchmaking. Examples of these standards include COSC certification and other chronometer denominations, through to the Geneva Seal and other hallmarks for quality finishing. This first part will focus on watch accuracy standards, be sure to check back soon for part two, looking at standards and seals for the levels of finishing as well!
Read more24th March 2021
Spotlight: Pilots Watches
One of the most popular types of tool watch are pilots watches. The design inherent in these pieces is rooted in the history of aviation, starting with the first pioneers during the First World War, right through to the era of jet powered flight. In this article we will look at some of the characteristics which make a pilot’s watch what it is and check out some contemporary examples.
Read more17th March 2021
Watch Photography Prints on Etsy
Introducing the new Watch Affinity store on Etsy! Teaming up with talented watch photographer @fedorology, I am delighted to announce that we can bring you Watch Affinity watch photography prints. In this article I showcase the first three prints available and how you can get yours…
Read more10th March 2021
Antiques Roadshow Watches
Like many enthusiasts, I love when there is a good story behind a watch. For this article, I wanted to explore some watch related discoveries on the Antiques Roadshow – when somebody brings something to the Antiques Roadshow for appraisal, it often has a wonderful story to tell, and there is occasionally a lovely surprise waiting for a lucky and unsuspecting person!
Read more3rd March 2021
Spotlight: Blancpain Villeret collection
One of my favourite things about mechanical watchmaking is that it is steeped in tradition and is something which goes back centuries. Combine that with my penchant for dress watches, and you will start to understand why I have chosen for this week’s article to put the Blancpain Villeret collection under the Watch Affinity Spotlight.
Read more24th February 2021
In Conversation with Vianney Halter
With a self-titled style of “Future Past”, Vianney Halter’s watches are heavily influenced by timepieces from history but also his love for science-fiction – imagine what futuristic designs might have looked like in the 19th Century, and you’re entering Vianney Halter’s realm. I absolutely love his work, and am absolutely delighted to have been able to ask about his career, his inspirations and more.
Read more17th February 2021
Spotlight: Breitling Top Time
Breitling’s Top Time first appeared in the 1960s as an alternative and less ‘specialist’ chronograph offering to the Navitimer. It immediately became a success and was even worn by Sean Connery starring as James Bond in Thunderball. In 2020, Breitling released a limited-edition reissue of the Top Time, and I was fortunate to be able to get hands on and try it out.
Read more10th February 2021
Collaboration Watches
One of my favourite watches that I had the pleasure to try on over the last few years was the Urwerk x DeBethune collaboration piece for OnlyWatch 2019. Both these independent brands are ones I admire greatly, and so to see them collaborate on a timepiece which fused the best of both was wonderful to see. For this article, I will take a look at three other such collaboration watches from the past year.
Read more3rd February 2021
Influential Watchmakers: Abraham-Louis Breguet
Few watchmakers have left their mark on the world of horology like the great Abraham-Louis Breguet. He is of course the namesake founder of the Breguet brand, and many of his innovations and creations are still used in watchmaking today. In this article, I take a look at the life of this great watchmaker and some of his incredible achievements.
Read more27th January 2021
"It's complicated": Resonance in watchmaking
Resonance in watchmaking is a rare thing to behold, with only a handful of watchmakers today incorporating it into their work, which gives an idea of just how technically complex it is. For this installment of “It’s Complicated”, I’ll take a look at what resonance actually is, how it works, and resonance in watchmaking – both historically and today. I even got to catch up with Claude Greisler, Co-Founder of independent manufacturer Armin-Strom!
Read more20th January 2021
Spotlight: Zenith El Primero Revival Shadow
The legendary El Primero movement first appeared in 1969, and to mark the 50th anniversary of this in 2019 Zenith released a special edition ‘A384 Revival’ with an angular tonneau case shape inspired by the reference A384 from 1969. During 2020, they also announced a further A384 Revival piece – the Shadow. It took a while to get hold of one to check out in person, suffice it to say it was worth the wait!
Read more13th January 2021
Exploring Regional Watch Preferences
One of my favourite things about the world of watches is that everybody has different tastes and preferences, some more commonplace than others, but ultimately that there really is something for absolutely everyone. This article explores some of the regional preferences around the globe and why some brands or specific collections are more popular in some places than others.
Read more6th January 2021
A Case for Quartz Watches
During the 1960s and 70s, the invention of quartz watches led to a complete paradigm shift in the watch industry. As the cheaper and more accurate quartz movements came to the fore, mechanical watchmaking suffered tremendously before making it started to recover in the 1990s. In this article we take a look at what quartz movements are, the pros and cons, and how they have developed since their inception.
Read more30th December 2020
Watch Affinity, 2020: A Year in Review
This year has of course been a challenging one for all of us; over the course of 2020 I have tried to invest more of my time and effort into Watch Affinity and to grow it, from a new website design launched at the beginning of summer, the articles written over the course of the year, and there are some more projects yet to come. For this article I wanted to look back over the year and pick out some highlights.
Read more23rd December 2020
My Spotlight: Tudor Submariner 9411-0
With this edition of My Spotlight, feature articles penned in conjunction with followers of Watch Affinity, we have uncovered one of those great stories of discovering extraordinary timepieces in unusual places. For this article we caught up with reader Jake to learn how he came to own a remarkable Tudor Submariner.
Read more16th December 2020
In Pursuit of Ultra-Thin Watchmaking
The pursuit of thin and ultra-thin timepieces is not a new thing. It is, however, perhaps more prominent today thanks to the seemingly continual tug-of-war between houses such as Piaget and Bulgari, who have produced numerous world record ultra-thin timepieces, particularly in the past decade. In this article, we will take a look at the historical pursuit of ultra-thin watches and explore some contemporary achievements.
Read more9th December 2020
Spotlight: 9 by IWC
In recent years, the world of watches has changed significantly, and so too have the ways in which we as consumers engage with different brands. On the 9th November this year, a new platform called 9 by IWC launched with a goal of helping foster stronger relationships between the watch community and IWC Schaffhausen. We spoke to one of the founding 9 to learn more!
Read more2nd December 2020
"It's complicated": Manual-wind, automatic and quartz watch movement types
This movement of a watch is its heart and is – quite literally – what makes it tick. There are three main types of movement: manual-wind, automatic and quartz watches. In this article, we will explain what the key characteristics are of each of these different movement types and the differences between them.
Read more25th November 2020
Recommended Reading: 'All in Good Time - Reflections of a Watchmaker' by George Daniels
The late Dr. George Daniels is often hailed as one of the most influential watchmakers of all time, talked about in the same breath as the likes of the great Abraham-Louis Breguet. The Dr. George Daniels autobiography, All in Good Time, is a fascinating look into the life and times of a true horological genius.
Read more18th November 2020
Blockchain in the Luxury Watch Industry
One of the biggest recent technological innovations is the creation and evolution of ‘blockchain’ – the same technology which underpins cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. However, there is a significant difference between blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. In this article, we take a look at blockchain technology, what it does, and look at the ways in which it is already being applied in the watch world and what we might see from it in the future.
Read more11th November 2020
Spotlight: H. Moser & Cie Pioneer Centre Seconds
The category of a sports watch is one which can spark many discussions in the watch world. I mean, what exactly is a sports watch? What makes it stand apart from other watches? In this article, we will shine the Watch Affinity Spotlight on one of my favourite takes on the sports watch from a brand you might next expect to see this from – H. Moser & Cie’s Pioneer collection, more specifically the Centre Seconds, and what makes this a great addition to the sports watch category.
Read more4th November 2020
"It's complicated": Date displays and calendar complications
There are numerous ways and means of displaying the date on a timepiece, ranging from the date alone, the day, and calendar complications with varying degrees of complexity. In this article we will look at what different manifestations of date displays there are, and explore the differences between complete calendar, annual calendar and, of course, the perpetual calendar complications.
Read more28th October 2020
A Visit to the Clockmakers' Museum, London
London’s Science Museum is home to many amazing and wonderful exhibits, from flight to biology and medicine to locomotives. On a recent visit, I found too that is home to the world’s oldest clock and watch museum. The Clockmakers’ Museum over 700 exhibits including more than 600 watches, 80 clocks, marine chronometers, sundials and more. In this article we will take a look at this stunning collection and perhaps encourage you to visit it for yourself!
Read more21st October 2020
Spotlight: Bulgari Aluminium Collection
Sometimes you see a watch that immediately peaks your interest and you want to know more. This happened to me recently when I first heard about the new Bulgari Aluminium collection. I went to check these out and suffice it to say I was not disappointed; this article shines the Watch Affinity Spotlight on the new Bulgari Aluminium collection.
Read more14th October 2020
Spotlight: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Desert Edition
I have long been a fan of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, a watch with an incredibly rich history and an archetype diving watch. Having been fortunate enough last week to get hands on with the latest special edition of the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Desert Edition, it seems only right to make it the focus of a Watch Affinity Spotlight feature article.
Read more7th October 2020
"It's complicated": an introduction to the Equation of Time
For this instalment of our “It’s Complicated” series, we wanted to take a look at a less frequently seen, and perhaps less well-known complication: the Equation of Time. In this article, we will look at what the Equation of Time is, what causes it, what an Equation of Time complication conveys when included on a timepiece.
Read more30th September 2020
My Spotlight: Omega Speedmaster 'Tintin'
For our second edition of My Spotlight, feature articles penned with our readers, we have joined with Mr S to explore his treasured Omega Speedmaster Tintin. We met up with Mr S to learn about this piece and just what it means to him whilst filming his first video for his Youtube channel, Ticker Talker.
Read more23rd September 2020
A Guide to Omega Watch References
As you descend deeper in the rabbit hole that is the world of horology, one of the most difficult things to start to get to grips with is when in conversation people start referring to watches by their reference numbers. In some instances, this can be very helpful if you know them, however if you don’t, it rapidly becomes very confusing. One of the most daunting brands I personally find for this is Omega, with references like 215.90.46.51.99.001 or 311.92.44.30.01.001… any ideas? No? Then this article is for you!
Read more16th September 2020
My Spotlight: Breitling Cosmonaute vs Navitimer B01
This is our first edition of My Spotlight, similar to our feature Spotlight articles but penned with our readers! For this article, Tom England looks at the stories behind two of his favourite pieces in his collection – a Breitling Cosmonaute from 1967 and his 2015 B01 calibre Navitimer. Tom has worked in the watch industry for a number of years, and with this article he provides us a great insight into the history of these two great pieces – you can follow Tom on Instagram @theadvertemporium
Read more9th September 2020
Introducing Watch Affinity Watch Shopping Maps
With Watch Affinity, our main objective is to help find the best luxury watch for you. Of course, a key part of this is knowing where to go to be able to check out potential additions to the watch box, and ultimately make that purchase. In this article, we introduce to you our solution to help make this a smoother process – our interactive watch shopping maps for some of the best watch shopping cities in the world!
Read more2nd September 2020
"It's complicated": the Co-Axial escapement
To date, our “It’s complicated” series has looked more specifically at different complications and functions of a timepiece, however with this article we are going to look at something more fundamental – George Daniels’ co-axial escapement. This evolution is regarded as one of the most significant contributions to all of horology within the past two centuries, and in this article we will look at why.
Read more26th August 2020
How to use your watch as a compass
I was recently asked why some watch bezels feature the points of a compass as opposed to the more common minute markers or a tachymetre. The answer to this question was met with surprise, that it is in fact possible to use a wristwatch, any wristwatch where the time is indicated through hands as opposed to digital, as a compass! I this article, we show you how.
Read more19th August 2020
Watch Finishing Techniques
One of the facets of luxury watchmaking which takes it to the next level is the absolute attention to detail. This is perhaps most evident in the decorative processes, or the finishing, which is applied to each timepiece. Absolutely no detail is left unattended, with huge numbers of hours spent finishing components which will never even be seen by anybody other than a watchmaker completing a service of the timepiece. In this article, we will look at a variety of different decorative watch finish techniques that are applied to luxury watches, how they are created, and understand more about the time and effort that goes into creating these works of art.
Read more12th August 2020
Recommended Reading: 'The Wizard of Swiss Watchmaking' - Interviews with Jean-Claude Biver
Within the world of watchmaking, it is immeasurably difficult to turn any corner or explore any avenue without encountering the name of one man: Jean-Claude Biver. His achievements in the watch industry are truly phenomenal, and it seems everything he touches turns to gold. This book comprises a series of interviews with Biver conducted by Gérard Lelarge, ranging from how he found his passion with watchmaking, his philosophies on everything from family, friends and business, and even cheesemaking!
Read more5th August 2020
Exploring different watch enamelling techniques
In this article, we are going to explore that art of enamelling, to help get a fuller appreciation of what exactly an enamel dial is and the work and skill that goes into creating them. We’ll look at some of the history around enamelling, and then explore some of the watch enamelling techniques used by modern day artisans to create some of these beautiful dials.
Read more29th July 2020
"It’s complicated": an introduction to GMT Watches
In the modern era, when we are more connected than ever, it is more and more useful to know the time in different time-zones around the world. However, it wasn’t always this way. In this article, we will explore the popular complication introduced with GMT watches, a little about its history and how it manifests itself today across a variety of models.
Read more22nd July 2020
My Childhood Watch Collection Rediscovered
This weekend during a Covid-19 clear-out, I stumbled across my childhood watch collection – and entirely by coincidence, a friend of mine was sharing that he had just purchased what was to be his daughter’s first watch, and the idea of his daughter perhaps finding her first watch thirty years from now resonated with me quite a bit. Finding these watches sent me for a journey down memory lane, and this article is for those who want to come along for the ride!
Read more15th July 2020
Spotlight: TAG Heuer Carrera - a brief history and review of the new sport chronographs
For this installment of Spotlight, we are going to focus on the iconic TAG Heuer Carrera. This year is the 160th Anniversary of TAG Heuer, and so far in 2020 we have seen two new releases of Carrera inspired from its history, which were accompanied last week by four new contemporary pieces. In this article, we will explore a potted history of the Carrera before taking a look at some of the new TAG Heuer Carrera Sport chronographs, released last week.
Read more8th July 2020
Spotlight: Bereve Timepieces
For this installment of Watch Affinity’s Spotlight, we have decided to take a look at an independent brand that are bringing a fresh take to the age-old art of enamelling and enamel dials. In this article we will take a look at the history of enamel dials in watchmaking, explore the current Bereve Timepieces collections and shine the spotlight on this independent manufacture from the Swiss town of Chiasso, near the beautiful Lake Como.
Read more1st July 2020
In Conversation with Ludovic Ballouard
For me personally, one of the most enjoyable facets as a watch enthusiast is finding something different, something that stands out, and most importantly something which makes you smile when you look at it. I can still remember the first time I saw the Upside Down, a watch with only a minute hand which shows the hours on the dial all upside down, with exception of the current hour which is the right way up. I love this idea and was incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with its creator, Ludovic Ballouard.
Read more17th June 2020
Personal Shopping with Watch Affinity - Ms. S' Story
Perhaps the main aim of Watch Affinity is to help you find and buy the right luxury watch for you. Our Watch Affinity Compendiums are our online service which will provide you personalised advice to help find the right watch for you, recommending the 10 best matching timepieces from those in our system telling the stories of the brands and the collections, too. However, you can always reach out to us directly via our Instagram or our Contact Us page, and we will be happy to help where we can. This is exactly what one client did, and this is how we helped.
Read more10th June 2020
"It’s complicated": an introduction to the Mechanical Alarm
It has always struck me as somewhat bizarre that in the world of mechanical watchmaking, one of the most useful everyday complications for a watch to have, that each and every person would be able to use every day, is barely noticeable in the market. Despite its obvious use, it appears to be almost more of a quirk than anything else. In this article we will explore the lesser-seen mechanical alarm and some notable examples of a mechanical alarm watch.
Read more27th May 2020
"It's complicated": an introduction to the Chronograph
In our earlier “It’s complicated” series, we looked at three high-end complications: the tourbillon, the perpetual calendar, and the minute repeater. Each of these is of course an extremely intricate complication, requiring the utmost skill on the part of the watchmaker to assemble. However, there is another equally challenging complication, which is far more commonplace, and so we thought it only right to give the “It’s Complicated” treatment to that as well, so in this article we will focus on answer the question ‘what is a chronograph’?
Read more19th May 2020
Spotlight: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
For the second Watch Affinity Spotlight feature, we thought we would take a look not at a particular brand, but more at a particular family of watches – the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, the original and first modern, purpose-built diving watch. We will explore the history of the collection and take a look at some of the highlights along the way.
Read more4th May 2020
Spotlight: Grand Seiko
For Watch Affinity’s first Spotlight feature, we thought we would shine the light on a brand born of a desire to create superior timepieces. A desire to improve on not only precision and accuracy, but also comfort, durability – and of course, beauty. This year also happens to be the 60th anniversary year of their first timepiece. That brand is Grand Seiko; in this feature article, we look at the journey of Grand Seiko, and a review of some timepieces carefully selected from the current catalogue.
Read more30th April 2020
In Conversation with Max Büsser
Ever since I started learning about watches, one designer and his brand in particular has always stood out to me. That designer is Max Büsser, Founder and Creative Director of MB&F (Maximilian Büsser & Friends). The first time I saw these pieces, my mind was opened to an entirely new idea of what a watch could be; I found the creativity behind them to be inspiring, and I consider myself exceptionally fortunate to have had the chance to sit down and have a conversation with the man himself…
Read more24th April 2020
Watch Photography Tips at Harrods with Vacheron Constantin & Leica
One afternoon whilst visiting Harrods in London, I visited the Vacheron Constantin boutique where they happened to have the three-hand Overseas with a blue dial in stock, and so I asked if I could take a look. Whilst I was trying the watch, the attendant asked whether I’d be interested in an event they had coming up the following week, which was going to be in conjunction with Leica Cameras in Harrods, doing a short watch photography tips workshop with Justin Hast – a photographer from Hodinkee! Sign me up…
Read more18th April 2020
What happened to Baselworld?
This week has proven to be somewhat of a tumultuous one for Baselworld, one of the world’s foremost watch and jewellery trade shows with over 100 years of history. Whilst personally, I cannot claim for one moment to be an expert in all things Baselworld, I have fond memories of attending in 2018, and so have been keeping a keen eye on the wider industry reaction over what has been a crazy week, and have tried to summarise it as best I can…
Read more11th April 2020
Recommended Reading: 'The Watch Thoroughly Revised' by Gene Stone & Stephen Pulvirent
In 2006 when the first edition of ‘The Watch’ was published, there was very little in the way of books around watches. Gene Stone, an author and ghost-writer, set about writing what eventually became one of the bestselling books about watches. Just over a decade later, Gene Stone teamed up with Stephen Pulvirent – the Managing Editor at Hodinkee – to bring us ‘The Watch Thoroughly Revised’. After all, a lot has changed in the watch industry since 2006…
Read more5th April 2020
Personal Shopping with Watch Affinity - Mr. C's Story
Perhaps the main aim of Watch Affinity is to help you find and buy the right luxury watch for you. Our Watch Affinity Compendiums are our online service which will provide you personalised advice to help find the right watch for you, recommending the 10 best matching timepieces from those in our system telling the stories of the brands and the collections, too. However, you can always reach out to us directly via our Instagram or our Contact Us page, and we will be happy to help where we can. This is exactly what one client did, and this is how we helped.
Read more30th March 2020
Recommended Reading: 'A Man & His Watch' by Matt Hranek
I love watches because there is always something for everyone, and any watch can develop an inherent sentimentality with its owner. However, sentimental value is of course something that only an individual can attribute to a watch over time. When I learned of Matt Hranek’s “A Man and His Watch” I was intrigued, an entire book dedicated to celebrating the relationships between iconic watches, from all walks of life, and the stories from the men who wore them? Perfect!
Read more14th March 2020
Challenge: a Five Watch Collection for £5,000
With such a plethora of timepieces available on the market today, I thought it might be good fun to set a little challenge… I decided to try and come up with a 5-watch collection that could be acquired for £5,000. To make this a little more difficult, I set ourselves a few ground rules to work within: 1) all watch values must be list price, and 2) the collection must comprise of a diver, a pilot, a chronograph, a dress piece, and an everyday watch – this could also be the wildcard of the bunch! It seems easy, right? Well… think again!
Read more6th March 2020
Jean-Claude Biver: A Retrospective, Share Respect Forgive
When I first started exploring the world of horology with a level of seriousness, no matter where I turned there was one name around every single corner – that of Jean-Claude Biver. The more I learned about this man, the more inspired I became. So, when Phillips auction house announced a tour of some of Biver’s personal watch collection, I felt compelled to go, knowing that the opportunity to see such an incredible collection in one place would not likely come around again.
Read more3rd February 2020
"It's complicated" Part 3: an introduction to the Minute Repeater
The third and final (for now, at least!) part of our “It’s Complicated” series introduces my favourite complication, the Minute Repeater. In the world of luxury watches, it is not always obvious as to why a single timepiece can command a high purchase price. Can it really be worth that much? One common – and yet sometimes hidden – factor is the inclusion of specific high-end complications within the calibre. Our “It’s complicated” series has explored some of the complications available in the higher end of the market, what they are, and what it is about them that lends manufactures to be able to command such high prices.
Read more27th January 2020
"It's complicated" Part 2: an introduction to the Perpetual Calendar
Part 2 of our “It’s Complicated” series focuses on the Perpetual Calendar. In the world of luxury watches, it might not always be so obvious as to why a single timepiece can have such a commanding purchase price. Can it really be worth that much? One common – and yet not always as obvious – factor is the inclusion of specific high-end complications within the calibre. Our “It’s complicated” series explores some of the complications available in the higher end of the market, what they are, and what it is about them that lends manufactures to be able to command such high prices.
Read more20th January 2020
"It's complicated" Part 1: an introduction to the Tourbillon
In the world of luxury watches, eyebrows might often be raised when looking at a timepiece with a commanding purchase price. Can it really be worth that much? One common – and yet not always as obvious – factor is the inclusion of specific high-end complications within the calibre. In three parts, our “It’s complicated” series explores some of the complications available in the higher end of the market, what they are, and what it is about them that lends manufactures to be able to command such high prices. This – Part 1 – focuses on the Tourbillon. Check back next week to find Part 2!
Read more5th January 2020
Watch Quotes
Recently, I watched an interview with Jean-Claude Biver, and he said something which resonated with me: “Look at your watch. Don’t look at what time it is.” I often find myself lost looking at my watch, whether at the detail on the dial or playing with the rotor through the caseback, and similarly as often I find myself checking back within seconds afterwards to check the time! Here are some of my favourite watch quotes from various interviews and videos I’ve seen in recent months – I hope you enjoy them
Read more24th December 2019
Our favourite watch experiences from 2019
Over the course of this year, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing and trying on a huge range of timepieces – literally hundreds, from independent brands through to high volume manufacturers. As the festive season draws in and the end of 2019 approaches, it seemed like a good idea to take a look back at these watches and try and pick my top 5 favourite watch experiences, new or old, from the past 12 months – until I found out just how difficult that would be!
Read more29th November 2019
The Watchmakers Club 2019
Since starting to explore the world of horology in more depth, one of my horizons which has expanded quite extensively (and still has some way to go) is that of independent watchmaking and independent brands. When I learned of a group called The Watchmakers Club, a collective of independent watch brands, my interest was piped up immediately. When the Watchmakers Club 2019 event in London came around, I had to go along!
Read more15th November 2019
What Inspires Watch Designs?
Every watch starts somewhere: with a designer and a blank page before them. We’ve all been there for something, and starting something from nothing – no matter what it is – I’m sure everyone would agree can at times be frustrating and difficult. Not just starting either, but when do you know something is truly ‘finished’? We thought we would take a look at what inspires what designs by looking at some famous watches, and what sorts of things have in the past and in the modern day served to inspire their designers.
Read more8th November 2019
OnlyWatch 2019
This year saw the return of biennial charity auction, OnlyWatch, where some of the major names in horology come together to produce 50 totally unique, one-off timepieces which are auctioned for charity, funding research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The collection tours the world prior to the auction itself, and a stop at Christie’s in London was too good an opportunity to pass up…
Read more27th September 2019
A Watch Aficionado’s Guide to Geneva Part 2 – Blancpain Manufacture Visit
In Part 1, I talked about watch shopping in Geneva, visiting a wide range of boutiques on the famous Rue du Rhône, trying on countless different timepieces, and a wonderful visit to the Patek Philippe museum.
After our day of ‘normal’ tourism visiting a chocolate factory out in the mountains, our fourth and final day was very much a case of saving the best until last: a Blancpain manufacture visit in Le Brassus!
14th September 2019
A Watch Aficionado’s Guide to Geneva Part 1 – Watch Shopping in Geneva
I can only imagine how difficult it must sometimes be to be the partner of a lover of watches. Never being able to pass a jewellery shop without stopping to look at the displays, a ‘quick look’ in a boutique translates into at least half an hour, several watches being tried on and considered conversation about the merits of each given piece, and of course hearing about every finer detail and why it is important. However, when your partner surprises you with a birthday visit to go watch shopping in Geneva, I think it is safe to say she knew what she was letting herself in for!
Read more14th June 2019
What drives the relationship between watches and cars?
With this year marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic Heuer Monaco, there has been a lot of recent material celebrating not only the history of the Monaco, but also the deep-rooted link between watches and cars. This, combined with a couple of experiences this year of watches and cars together, prompted a deeper exploration of this relationship…
Read more7th April 2019
Bovet Pop up Visit
In March and April of 2019, Bovet Fleurier put a series of pop-up store displays within various branches of Watches of Switzerland in London. With Bovet renowned for their absolute artistry within their watchmaking, and having never seen a Bovet timepiece in person before, a visit to London was a must…
Read more1st March 2019
Bremont Townhouse 2019
The end of February 2019 saw Bremont’s series of Townhouse events in London, showcasing their latest releases and many of their current catalogue available as well. A great opportunity to see what’s new from the brand, and not one we wanted to miss…
Read more18th December 2018
From Starbucks to Baselworld - Starting a Watch Blog
Welcome to Watch Affinity, and thank you for taking the time to read about our experiences starting a watch blog. For our first blog post, we thought we would give you an insight into how the idea came about, and what we have managed to achieve over the past year.
Read more