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While I’ve had a tendency to bring vintage models to your attention, today’s is a thoroughly new watch – though it does claim some impressive heritage.  The original Smiths design accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary to the top of Everest.  This modern incarnation is brought to us courtesy of Timefactors, like the Speedbird we saw yesterday.

Unlike that watch of mountain-climbing fame, this new one is powered by the Miyota 9015 movement.  Sure, that might not have the cachet of a Swiss movement, but do some research, and you’ll find that Miyota has been creating some great movements.  This particular movement is housed in a 40mm stainless steel case that rises to a thickness of 14.5mm due to the high-dome acrylic crystal.

With the screw-down caseback and crown, the Everest will stay water-tight up to 100m, and is also anti-magnetic to the tune of 4,800 A/h.  Under that tall crystal we have a simple (and very legible) black dial with white numerals; C3 SuperLuminova has been applied to the dial and the hands, making for a watch that’s simple to read in the dark.

Overall, this is a very clean watch, and there’s not much going on to clutter things up.  While I miss the date display, and am not a fan of the “Mercedes” hand (not just on this watch, but most that have it), I still find myself drawn to the simplicity of the design, and utter cleanness of the dial.

Should you find yourself floating in that same boat, you can pick up one of these watches for £225 (approximately $355).  If you prefer something with a bit more color, the Radio Room model may be more what you’re looking for.  Either way, an intriguing resurrection of a storied marque.

See the rest here:
The Smiths Everest

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Today, we’ll have a look at an interesting watch from a brand that I only recently became aware of.  The brand being Timefactors, and you might normally just think of them as a retailer, but it seems (from what I can tell) that they’ve got two lines that are now their own.  In this post, we’ll take a look at their Speedbird GMT.

The PRS-22GMT is a limited edition watch (only 100 pieces), due to the difficulty in sourcing the ETA2893-2 movements used in the watch.  This particular movement features everthing you’d expect from an automatic (hours/minutes/seconds/date), as also features the addition of an independently adjustable GMT hand.

In terms of styling, I’d call it very subtle.  You have the 39mm stainless steel case (11mm thick) and matching bracelet wrapped around soft iron dial with a black and blueish-white color scheme.  Why a soft iron dial?  Apparently it really ups the magnetic resistance of the watch.  In this case, it brings it up to 80,000 A/h.  Now, I’m not super-familiar with that spec, but it does seem more than adequate.

For the other resistance (water) it’s good to a rated 100 meters.  Or, if you want to climb mountains, it’s been negative pressure tested to withstand going down only 0.4 atm.  So, regardless of the direction you head, the sapphire crystal will stick in place, and the watch will keep ticking.  And if the lights go down (or the waters get dark), you’ll still be able to read the time, as there’s some multi-color lume applied.

So, how much will this watch set you back?  £415.00 (approximately$655), which seems reasonable for the movement inside, and all the various features that the watch offers.  If you like the style, but wish it was more affordable, you may want to check out the non-GMT version, which comes in at £340 ($537).  Either way, it’s a striking watch.

More:
The TimeFactors SpeedBird GMT

Welcome to the HourTime show, the best 30 minute (+/-) hour podcast on the web.

In this weeks riveting episode we discuss a bit more of SIHH, the Richard Millie RM 56 and it’s case made of sapphire, the Hamilton Khaki X-Patrol Watch and the revised version of the Konstantin Chaykin Lunokhod, the ‘New Moon’ Watch.

John also makes a plea to the HourTime listeners to help in the hunt for a new girlfriend for Ariel.

I can’t see this turnout out good at all.  Nope.

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HourTime Episode 93 Is GO!

Back in December, we got to play around with some amazing watches from the Christie’s sale (like this one).? One of them was the Patek you see here. It’s a reference 2481 manufactured in 1956.? It is, as you can tell, a relatively simple, tiime-only watch.? Still, it pulled down $464,500.? Why? Because the dial was Cloisonn? enamel showing the historic “supercontinent” of Eurasia. Cloisonn? dials are highly sought after by collectors and can make simple watches sell for extreme multiples of its mechanical value – as witnessed here.

Click through for more pictures of this beautiful Patek Philippe 2481 with Cloisonn? dial.? For details on the sale, click here.

DID YOU KNOW? A time-only Rolex with Cloisonn? enamal dial sold last year for $717,000

Read the rest here:
Just Because: A $464,500 Patek Philippe Reference 2481 With Cloisonné Eurasia Enamel Dial

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As I mentioned in my review on Modify Watches, the whole “interchangeable silicone band” watch segment is really growing – and today’s example serves to underscore that assertion.  So, let’s see what the folks at Tikkr have on tap!

Much like we’ve seen in other offerings, the draw for Tikkr watches is the number of different colored straps available, and the ease of changing those straps out.  Tikkr has 22 different strap colors available, and two different faces (black or white; excludes some special models they have).  Regardless of the combo you pick out, your entry point is $65.  Should you want additional straps, they’re $20 apiece (or $199 for all of them).

On the watch side of things, I found the watch to be a capable and accurate, yet noisy, quartz movement.  There is one oddity to note here as well, regarding the seconds hand.  If you look closely, you’ll see that it’s actually twice as long as you’d expect (half on each side of the center pivot).  What this means is you cannot necessarily tell which increment of time is being indicated.  Then again, this isn’t a chrono, so that level of accuracy isn’t important.

Now, for the straps we were sent.  I found them to be perfectly comfortable in regular wear (as you’d expect), and the glow-in-the-dark one we were sent was just as cool as you’d expect (or maybe that’s just me).  Sure, not something you’d wear in the office, but hit that sucker with a UV flashlight and head on out in the evening.  Of course, that glowy band does highlight another weakness of the Tikkr watch face – there is no lume at all on the dial or the hands, drastically reducing it’s utility.

So, would I recommend the Tikkr over the Modify?  If all things were equal, Modify definitely has the edge on price.  Tikkr, on the other hand, has some very interesting options (ie, the glow-in-the-dark strap), and a different style aesthetic on offer.  In the end, it’s really going to be up to the sort of style you’re going for.

Read more:
REVIEW: Tikkr Watches

Almost unrecognizable as a watch, the Round-the-Clock bracelet communicates the time with hour and minute rings that rotate around the user’s wrist. Made of stainless steel, plastic and rubber, this exceptional timepiece is modern and elegant with a touch of masculinity that an equally unusual wearer will appreciate.

Designer: K?rös Benedek

- /> Yanko Design /> Timeless Designs – Explore wonderful concepts from around the world! /> Yanko Design Store – We are about more than just concepts. See what’s hot at the YD Store! /> (Atypical Time Telling was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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Atypical Time Telling

Following up the success of their Blackout series, Luminox gives the stealth treatment to the watch that put them on the map, the Original Navy Seal. The Blackout edition of the watch features the brand’s trademark LLT-micro gas lights that glow with a blue hue in the dark and keeps its glow for up to 25 years. Link

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Luminox Original Navy Seal Blackout

It’s not often we lead off a post with a picture of a movement, but in this case, it’s warranted.

Heritage Watch Manufactory (HWM) is a privately held company based in Neuch?tel, Switzerland. It is the manufacturer of classically made chronometers and its TENSUS model with force constant is high on the hit list of true horological aficionados the world over.? We discovered Heritage while walking around the GTE over one year ago, and since then, we’ve been tracking this independent maker of some of the most beautiful movements in the world.? Heritage’s flagship model boasts a movement with a true constant force mechanism and five individual patents to its credit.? The entire line was designed by the indomitable Eric Giroud, and the story doesn’t end there.? These are some of the truest watches from a young brand we’ve seen in a while, and the level of creativity shown in the development of Heritage’s three calibers is extraordinary. ?

In this in-depth look, we speak to both founders of the company, lead designer Eric Giroud, and a collector or two for their input on what makes Heritage so special.? For the true watch lover’s reading pleasure, click through for an in-depth look at the Heritage Watch Manufactory.

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IN-DEPTH: Introducing Heritage Watch Manufactory, A Brand To Watch

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It’s been awhile since we took a look at what our friends to the north have been creating.  And, lo and behold, Archer Watches has introduced a few new models!  Today, we’re going to take a look at the Stratos.

What grabbed me, at first, with the Stratos was all the texture detail on the dial.  As with everything I’ve seen coming from Al’s workshop, this is a striking example, through and through.  Of course, it’s not just good looks.  With this watch, you get the following:

• 42mm stainless steel case (11mm thick)
• Domed sapphire crystal with AR coating up front (flat sapphire crystal in the exhibition caseback)
• Large onion crown for ease of use
• 22mm lugs holding the strap in place courtesy of screw-in pins
• 50m water resistance
• Manual wind ETA 6498 movement

• Hours / minutes / sub-seconds
• 18,000 BPH
• Incabloc shock protection
• Decoration on various parts of the movement
• Guilloché style dial with blued Breuget style hands

Do I mind that there’s no lume on the dial or hands, or that there isn’t a date display?  Not particularly.  Sure, they would be nice, but not necessary.  In my mind, when you’re looking for a dress watch, you want something that blends seamlessly with a suit or tuxedo.  And in those instances, you don’t need the roadflare glow of Luminova peeking out from under your cuff, now do you?

Of course, at $975 for this watch, you’re putting yourself at a pricepoint that offers quite a few options in this segment.  For me, I think the styling is classically dressy, and offers a solid Swiss movement.  Also, given Al’s attention to detail and documentation (read more about that here), you’d be getting a watch that should be reliable and worry-free.

Oh, and if you agree with my assesment, but wish it had a slightly different style?  Check out the Sterling, which is practically identical, aside from the details on the sterling silver dial (sample shown below as well).

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Archer Shoots For The Clouds

The death of the great George Daniels was a tragic loss for the watch industry.? He was, according to many, the greatest living watchmaker.? Now that Mr. Daniels has been laid to rest comes the matter of his estate.? We’ve already told you that his incredible, $12.4 million car collection will be coming up for sale shortly via Bonhams.

Now, it seems his home and workshop on the Isle of Man is on the market, and for ?2.25 million.? The Georgian mansion is set within four acres of landscaped gardens, two semi-detached cottages, a workshop, and various outbuildings and several interlinked garages.?

So, now that we know where his cars and home are going to be sold, that leaves just one (very) important personal possession left – his watch collection…

Click through for more images from the George Daniels estate.

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Inside The £2.25 Million Home Of The Late George Daniels