I recently ripped the Frederique Constant Yacht Timer Regatta Countdown a new you-know-what. It’s ugly and expensive, based on a patently ridiculous complication that doesn’t even do what its cheaper, more reliable quartz predecessor did (provide variable countdown intervals). Hodinkee’s Jack Forster knows I’m right. To paraphrase, T-Swizzle, a pimp’s gotta pimp, pimp, pimp . . .
When Steve McQueen wore a blue TAG Heuer Monaco in the 1971 movie Le Mans, that sealed it. TAG Heuer watches and motorsports were a thing. Since then, TAG’s hooked-up with Ferrari, McClaren and Red Bull Racing. And now Porsche. As you can see, TAG Heuer’s sponsoring Porsche’s new Formula E racer. TAG Heuer Formula E irony much? Yup . . .
The nice thing about quartz watches is that they’re inexpensive. Inexpensive to make — thanks to off-the-shelf movements — and inexpensive to buy. As Swatch will attest, there are plenty of cash-strapped collectors on the lookout for distinctive designs to add to their horological rotation. The A Perfectly Useless Afternoon quartz watch is a perfect example . . .
As my review of a minimalist Black Bay blue Tudor indicates, I’m a fan of the brand. Now that Tudor has its own caliber — an awesome movement built with BFF Breitling — Rolex’s sub-brand is on a roll. The latest timepiece tempting horophiles: the limited edition Tudor Black Bay Chrono Dark, celebrating New Zealand’s All Blacks national rugby team. Geddit? Before you do here’s a few things to consider . . .
Bless coachmag.co.uk writer Jonathan Shannon for trying to find good things to say about the Casio Pro-Trek WDS F30. Like “it won’t appeal to everyone, and in fact the people it will appeal to probably won’t be too bothered about the smartwatch functions.” Pay no attention to the smartwatch behind that curtain? After a brief warm-up, Shannon rips away the veil . . .
The Apple Watch 5 offers some new cosmetic options (titanium and ceramic case, Hermès edition), a compass, a menstrual cycle tracker and a REALLY LOUD NOISE detector (Note: detects really loud noises quietly.). The Apple-loving press had to have something to report. Ladies and gentlemen, behold! The always-on Apple Watch Series 5! And the crowd goes wild. O.K., maybe that’s the wrong word . . .
Hear that? That’s the sound of a dead industry walking. In the last 18 months, Americans bought more smartwatches than traditional watches. The stat sounds the death knell for the traditional watch industry, facing a smartwatch crisis that makes the ’80’s quartz crisis seem like a minor disturbance. According to market researchers NDP [via robbreport.com] . . .
