Tag: Watches

The Swatch x Omega Snoopy MoonSwatch Has Landed

The connection between Snoopy and Omega is long established, and it’s likely this iteration of the wildly successful Swatch collaboration will be its most popular model, especially as it is a proper new iteration and not a version of the Moonshine Gold MoonSwatches. “There seems to be an increasingly sonorous groan echoing throughout the enthusiast space with each new, and somewhat gimmicky, release,” watch site Time+Tide wrote upon the release of one timepiece that arrived to coincide with National Swiss Day. No such criticisms can be made concerning the Mission to Moonphase.

This also means, however, that anyone waiting for a budget Swatch Snoopy Speedmaster will need to be prepared to, once again, stand in line at selected Swatch stores, because like the other models this won’t be available to buy online.

Photograph: Swatch

Initially, the MoonSwatch was considered for online sales, and even Nick Hayek Jr., chief executive of Swatch Group, refused to rule out the possibility post-launch. “Ask me in four months if ecommerce can play a role,” he told WIRED in July 2022. “Perhaps. I don’t know.” Nearly two years later, no MoonSwatch has been sold new online, nor does it look likely they ever will be.

The Omega and Snoopy space connection stems from NASA’s Silver Snoopy award, a silver lapel pin first awarded in 1968 for outstanding achievements related to flight safety or mission success. Omega was awarded the Silver Snoopy in 1970 after the Speedmaster played a vital role during Apollo 13, serving as backup to the broken instruments during the mission, with Jack Swigert using his to time the critical 14-second rocket engine burn, allowing a safe return to Earth.

However, it wasn’t until 2003 that Omega created what was to be the first in a series of Snoopy Speedmasters to commemorate the brand’s spacefaring heritage.

Speaking to WIRED in January, when news of the Snoopy MoonSwatch first broke, watch specialist and WIRED contributor Tim Barber said such a model was inevitable. “Bringing in Snoopy was only ever a matter of time,” Barber said. “In fact, it’s remarkable there wasn’t a Snoopy version the first time around, which would of course have been the absolute must-have MoonSwatch.”

The MoonSwatch Mission to Moonphase is available beginning March 26, in selected Swatch stores. And, as with the whole MoonSwatch Collection, apparently only one watch can be purchased per person, per day, and per Swatch store.

Jeremy White

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March 20, 2024
This DC Collection Lets You Pretend You’re Bruce Wayne, Not Batman

Uncrate and DC Comics teamed up with some of the best clothing and accessory brands to create the Wayne Enterprises collection. They feature subtle branding in the form of Bruce Wayne’s company’s logo and emphasize style and class over vengeance. Standouts include a leather folder, a brass and leather punching bag, and translucent gray sunglasses.

Lambert Varias

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March 17, 2024
It’s Apparently Easy to Crack the Apple Vision Pro’s Front Screen

Appleâs mixed-reality headset is selling well, but itâs embroiled in a new mystery thatâs proving tough to crack.

As first reported by MacRumors, some customers have discovered a mysterious crack appearing vertically down the center of the front-facing screen on their Vision Pro headsets. The reports have come from only a small number of users, most of them talking about it on Reddit, which can be an unreliable source. That said, Engadget reports that the same crack has occurred on its review unit. The folks affected say they havenât mishandled the devicesâthereâs been no dropping or smashing that could create the crack in the laminated glass screen. So itâs not yet clear what exactly is causing the problem, or whether it actually affects the performance of the Vision Pro.

WIRED reached out to Apple to ask about the cracks on the Apple Vision Pro’s front screen and what could be causing them, but the company hasnât responded.

Apple has chosen to make its first headset out of premium materials like aluminum and glass that have resulted in the device being both heavy and less durable. For an example of how it stands up to stress, take this video of YouTuber JerryRigsEverthing absolutely demolishing an Apple Vision Pro headset. (Spoiler alert: It doesnât do well if you set it on fire.)

Hereâs some other consumer tech news.

Apple Sports a New App

This week, Apple announced a dedicated app for sports lovers. Itâs calledâwait for itâApple Sports. The app is free on iOS, and it gives iPhone users access to real-time sports scores. It can be used to track scores and stats from some professional and college leagues, like Major League Soccer, NBA and NCAA basketball, Premier League soccer, and NHL hockey. Notably missing are other sports giants like the MLB, NFL, NCAAF, NWSL, and WNBA, though Apple says those leagues are coming to the app soon for their upcoming seasons.

The app lets users filter and customize the scoreboards to show their favorite teams. Itâs also meant to push users toward watching games on Apple TV, with the inclusion of a âWatch on Apple TVâ button in the app. While the iPhone app is free, streaming the games usually requires a subscription.

Apply PC Games Directly to the Forehead

In other VR news, Sony says it is testing out making its newest VR headset compatible with PC games. Sonyâs PS VR2 came out a year ago, and while itâs a fun, powerful device, it received some criticism for requiring a tethered connection to a PS5 console. Now, Sony is exploring the idea of letting players utilize the headset for gameplay on PCs as well.

The announcement was buried a few paragraphs into an update about new games coming to Sonyâs console platform. The company didnât share any details about which PC games it is testing on PS VR2, or when such a feature might become available.

Still, itâs a welcome cross-platform move that may bring Sony a step closer to ending the console wars. Thatâs probably not the companyâs immediate goal here, but it is not the first move by a gaming company on the interoperability front. Last week, the Xbox team announced that several of its previously exclusive console games will soon be made available on other platforms like PlayStation and the Nintendo Switch.

What Are You Dune 2 Night?

Swiss luxury watchmaker Hamilton has unveiled two new timepieces inspired by director Denis Villeneuveâs upcoming Dune sequel. As you might expect, they look like something thatâs arrived straight from Arakkis. (Thatâs the Dune planet.) The exterior is a rugged matte black, with bright blue numbers and watch hands meant to evoke the color of the eyes of the Fremens. (Theyâre the Dune people.) The triangular shape of the case is an evolution of Hamiltonâs Ventura model, which was first introduced in the 1950s.

The Ventura XXL Bright costs $1,810 and is limited to 3,000 total units. The Ventura Edge Dune watch is $2,553 and is limited to 2,000 total pieces. Dune: Part Two opens next Friday, March 1.

Tech Trouble

It’s a rough time to be in the tech industry for a lot of workers, especially those who have been swept up in the great wave of layoffs that have happened so far this year. In a matter of weeks, tens of thousands of tech workers lost their jobs. Companies of all sizes have made cuts recently, including Google, Amazon, Discord, and Instacart. It’s a stark shift for an industry that grew by enticing employees with extravagant campuses and benevolent benefits. Now, faced with a glut of job seekers, companies have gotten very particular about who they hire. It’s harder than ever to land a tech job, and both sides of the interview table are getting creative about how they approach the other. (Yeah, they’re probably all using AI.)

This latest episode of WIREDâs Gadget Lab podcast dives into the plight of tech workers, and how getting a job and keeping one have become much more precarious.

Boone Ashworth

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February 24, 2024
We’ve Entered the Era of the Timepiece: Trends and Watches That Will Define 2024

The watch industry is traditionally a male-dominated space, but we’ve seen women carving out a bigger presence in it—from an expert POV and a shopping standpoint. On social media, specifically, we’re seeing a new wave of experts who are educating their audiences on the world of watches and inspiring a new generation of collectors. Among them are Brynn Wallner of Dimepiece and Trang Trinh of Girls O’Clock, whose content is both educational and entertaining, making the watch world a fun, less intimidating place to enter. As Wallner puts it, “With social media, anyone can talk about it, and there’s no gatekeeping. If you use the tool correctly, then you get your voice heard, and it has the power to impact the entire industry.”

Wallner got her start in the watch world after she was laid off from Sotheby’s in 2020 and set the tone for the new direction of women in the industry. “To me, what I was doing wasn’t all that groundbreaking—it was mostly just identifying watches that celebrities wore, but with my tone and my point of view and the people that I was covering,” Wallner explains. “Scary Spice to Bella Hadid to Princess Diana—all of these women with great style—and I injected my personal sense of humor into it.” Trinh, too, approached the luxury watch space less traditionally. “I began Girls O’Clock with two missions: to be a resource for women who don’t know where to begin in the world of watches and to amplify the dialogue on why women are interested in watches and the styles they lust after, all of which I hope I accomplish with a bit of fun!” Trinh shares. Each of their platforms has resonated in a major way and has translated to a new generation of watch enthusiasts and collectors.

Curious to know more about where the watch world is headed in 2024, I consulted Wallner and Trinh. Ahead, learn about the hot watch trends and styles to own.

Kristen Nichols

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February 5, 2024
I Love a Dainty Watch, But I Tried On This Men's Style, and Now I'm Obsessed

The fashion world is currently enamored with watches, especially ones designed for and worn by women. Instagram is loaded with them, showcased on wrists and stacked alongside sculptural bracelets or in a decorative box to show off a growing collection. In a retail space once dominated by men, women are embracing these meticulously crafted and categorically luxurious investment items with open arms.

In the past, celebrities like Victoria Beckham, Rihanna, and Jennifer Lopez dabbled in larger timepieces, but this time around, most of the watches that are trending among women are rather dainty in size. Think smaller Tanks and Baignoires and Lady Datejusts. While I am nothing if not smitten with all three of the aforementioned styles, I’m also someone who spent her early 20s in a men’s Seiko stolen from her father, which is why I’ve always had a soft spot for bigger, more substantial timepieces when time is taken to choose the right one and, of course, it is styled just right.

One trick to styling a men’s watch is to stick with cases that are 40 millimeters or below. Anything larger than that tends to be overly showy, a trait that’s best avoided, especially for an everyday watch. (Luxury watches are expensive and sought after, so you don’t want to draw an abundance of attention to yours. In 2022, nearly 7000 Rolexes were reported stolen or missing, according to data from The Watch Register.) I also prefer to go for classic color options and minimal designs that can be dressed up or down and will fit seamlessly with my existing jewelry collection and wardrobe.

Eliza Huber

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January 8, 2024
I Polled My Editor Friends, and These Are the Fine-Jewelry Pieces They All Love

Now that I’ve clocked in close to ten years of experience in the fashion industry, I know there are a handful of credible sources to trust for style advice. I can always count on my gut when scrolling through pages of new arrivals, but when in doubt, I turn to my editor colleagues.

Whenever I’m in a pickle on what to buy, they always come through with their expert advice. This time, I needed help picking out my holiday gifting pieces. I want to gift my loved ones with timeless jewelry this season, so we collectively turned to Bloomingdale’s to take a look at its vast collection. The retailer boasts a truly impressive assortment of jewelry, from 18-karat-gold necklaces to staple diamond earrings as well as classic silver fine watches. The options are endless and we spent hours narrowing down the top picks. Ahead, you’ll find all the pieces that got my editor friends’ stamp of approval.

Humaa Hussain

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November 7, 2023
Jacob Elordi’s Diamond-Set Cartier Tank Has Us Swooning

Want more insider watch coverage? Get Box + Papers, GQ’s newsletter devoted to the watch world, sent to your inbox every Friday. Sign up here.

This isn’t the first time Gen Z superstar Jacob Elordi rocked a Cartier Tank in public, and we doubt it’ll be the last.

The Euphoria star, previously spotted wearing a Tank Normale in 18-karat yellow gold, seems to have a soft spot for the iconic dress watch. Though he was once an ambassador for TAG Heuer, it’s the Tank that he’s worn to two separate appearances while promoting Sofia Coppola’s new film Priscilla, in which he plays Elvis. This week, he pulled out yet another beautiful model, a diamond-studded Tank Must, on The Today Show, proving that the moderately sized, slim-wearing watch is alive and well among today’s young collectors.

NBC/Getty Images

Unlike the solid-gold Normale, the Tank Must is more of a bare-bones, entry-level model. This particular version, however, adds diamonds to the watch’s famous brancards, turning a somewhat pedestrian reference into a stealthy flex with 42 brilliant-cut stones and a synthetic cabochon crown. Powered by a high-autonomy quartz movement, it might not have the Normale’s horological cachet, but it should certainly appeal to watch lovers both casual and serious—and it’s fairly widely available for $6,850.

In case you missed the Must craze: Back in the 1970s, Cartier released an affordable line of paired-down fare—watches, perfumes, and more—that offered the maison’s class at a more palatable price. These (now vintage) Must de Cartier Tanks used gold vermeil cases and quartz movements, and until recently, could often be had for under $1,000 on online watch exchanges. However, Cartier surprised the watch world back in 2021, relaunching the Must line with a series of colorful dials, solar-powered movements, and even a “leather” band made from recycled apple cores.

Nowadays, it’s cool to own a Must—though, to be fair, a solid-gold Tank still reigns supreme among both the watch and the fashion set. Elordi’s choice thus smacks of horological and sartorial awareness, with the diamonds helping it ride the line between classic Cartier and the brand’s push into more affordable territory (again). However you look at it, it’s a cool watch—and a great choice for an actor who’s cutting his teeth playing iconic figures whose impact on the zeitgeist can’t be overstated.

Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Sylvester Stalone’s Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6265

While Sly may be most readily associated with Panerai—whose conversion from military to civilian watchmaker he helped bring about—the Rocky actor is a dedicated Rolex collector, and has been spotted wearing everything from modern GMT-Master IIs to vintage Daytonas. Speaking of which: Just this week he was snapped courtside at an NBA game rocking a to-die-for vintage reference 6265 with tropical subdials. In production from roughly 1971 through 1987, the 6265 features screw-down pushers, the Valjoux 727 hand-wound movement, either a stainless steel or a solid-gold case, and one of several dial configurations—including the famous “Paul Newman” dial from Singer. This version, with its brown chronograph totalizers, is arguably even cooler.

Michael S. Schwartz/Getty Images

Kumail Nanjiani’s Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675/3 “Root Beer”

Kumail Nanjiani is no stranger to a good watch, having worn a frosted AP Royal Oak in Eternals and a Patek Philippe Aquanaut ref. 5167R on Hot Ones. This week, while performing at The Ice House Comedy Club in Pasadena, CA, the Pakistani-American funnyman rocked a deep cut from the Rolex catalog, a GMT-Master ref. 1675/3 from the 1980s. Nicknamed the “Root Beer” for its multi-color black-and-brown bezel, the 1675/3 is somewhat of a divisive watch, with some absolutely in love with its unique colorway and “nipple” dial, and others feeling that its two-tone aesthetic makes it look like something a used car salesman would rock in a kitschy commercial. On Nanjiani’s wrist, however, matched to a blue knit polo and worn with confidence, it looks classy and refined.

Oren Hartov

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November 4, 2023
Aaron Rodgers Tells Us Why He Designed a $12,800 Swiss Watch

So was it the process of like, okay, you know that you’re going to do this colored bezel; now you have to pick which numerals to use or what are the hands going to look like?

So we started with color. Then we went, first, different types of numbers, a bigger number here, the shading on the numbers. Are we going to put a little color on the second hand and the timer as well? Are we going to leave that blank? We’re going to go do something with that. And then there was the signature.

Actually, the entire caseback. It was, what were we going to do with the back? Are we going to make it see-through? Are we going to cover it up? Where are we at with the autographs? Big, small, middle, side. So there were a lot of different options. It was a back-and-forth process for a while.

You are into classy and classic watches. Did you have something specific in mind for what you wanted this watch to feel like?

I think classy, timeless, wearable for every day. Something different than they’ve done for a while, and then at the same time something you can wear every day. So you could wear it with different colors, different outfits, more casual, more dressed up. I think we accomplished that.

The watch is very green. Is that a nod to the Jets? Or is it just a shade that you just happened to like?

Well, we all liked green, and most of the conversations happened when I was still a Packer, and I still thought I was going to be a Packer or retire. So there wasn’t any Jets conversation in it, but I’m going from green to green.

I was going to say.

But it works for honoring the old 18 years in Green Bay and also excitement about the future in New York.

Did you intend for that? Or it just works out that you like green, you’re comfortable in green?

Yeah, it totally just worked out. I mean, I think green is a color you can wear with light colors and also dark colors. So that’s why we all felt like it could be an everyday watch. And they hadn’t really done green ever in that collection. So they really brought that to the table early, and I was like, “Yeah, for sure. That’d be great.”

Cam Wolf

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October 30, 2023
Diddy Wore the Most Expensive Rolex on the Menu

Want more insider watch coverage? Get Box + Papers, GQ’s newsletter devoted to the watch world, sent to your inbox every Friday. Sign up here.

Some homecomings bang harder than others, and Sean “Diddy” Combs helped Howard University’s festivities get extra loose this week with a surprise performance accompanied by a $1 million donation. Following the September drop of his latest opus, The Love Album: Off the Grid, Sean Combs (aka Puff Daddy, formerly P.Diddy, and also known for a time as simply “Love”) is in the midst of a long-awaited return to form. Diddy’s giant check wasn’t the only flex he brought to his alma mater, however. In addition to an appropriate amount of XXL diamond jewelry for a man who helped create modern hip-hop, the Bad Boy Records founder flaunted one of the most coveted timepieces on the planet: the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Rainbow.”

Thaddaeus McAdams

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is one of the world’s favorite—and most collectible—chronographs. It was also, for a time, the most expensive watch ever auctioned thanks to the 2017 sale of Paul Newman’s legendary ticker for $17 million. The rainbow bezel variant, however, is among the most exclusive pieces in the Swiss watchmaker’s catalog, with a murky application process, a long waiting list, and a six-figure price to buy one at retail. Despite these hurdles (and also because of them), the rainbow Daytona has become a must-have accessory for bust-down-loving collectors in search of the ultimate flex, from John Mayer to Post Malone to Pat Mahomes. Diddy’s is the Everose gold version released in 2018, with a case made from Rolex’s proprietary blend of 18 K pink gold, copper, and platinum, a bezel featuring 36 baguette-cut sapphires, and a case set with 56 diamonds.

Hot Ones

Flea’s F.P. Journe Octa Lune

Watching Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist (and avowed Stüssy fan) Flea eat hot wings and talk about music is a great way to spend 20 minutes any day of the week. For anyone who loves watches, however, the experience is enhanced by the knowledge (thanks to @niccoloy) that he’s wearing an F.P. Journe Octa Lune, an incredibly tasteful choice from one of the world’s most fascinating watchmakers. The Octa Lune is a beauty to behold, with an asymmetrical dial including a large date, a power reserve indicator, and a moon phase rendered in 18-karat white gold. The real star, however, is Journe’s Octa caliber, one of the most advanced automatic movements ever made, which can run for nearly a week while maintaining exceptional accuracy—just like Flea himself.

Noah Graham/Getty Images

Steph Curry’s Patek Philippe Aquanaut

For most of us, simply being the best shooter in the NBA would be enough of an accomplishment to keep busy. Steph Curry, on the other hand, continues to expand his resume by earning accolades as a singer, a golfer, and one of the best-dressed dudes in the league. He’s also earned kudos as a god-tier watch collector, a reputation he burnished this week when he arrived for Golden State’s matchup with the Phoenix Suns wearing a Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167A. Not to be confused with the Nautilus, the brand’s legendary 1970s sports watch, the Aquanaut arrived in the late 1990s as a sporty modern addition to the Swiss watchmaker’s conservative lineup. Distinguished by a checkerboard dial, big Arabic numerals and the first rubber strap in the brand’s history, the Aquanaut pushed Patek into the 21st century while earning it a place on discerning wrists like Curry’s.

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Rory McIlroy’s World Time Flyback Chronograph 5930P ‘Green’

Last weekend’s Formula 1 Lenovo United States Grand Prix 2023 in Austin, Texas, was an all-out battle royale between Max Verstappen (who scored his 50th win) and Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, and Lando Norris, each of whom continues to nip at his heels. Irish PGA champ Rory McIlroy kept things spicy off-track, strolling the starting grid wearing a Patek Philippe World Time Flyback Chronograph 5930P. Featuring two of Patek’s most-loved complications, it makes the perfect accessory for a guy who has won pretty much every title except the Masters, thanks to a hypnotic guilloche-engraved dial and matching alligator strap in Augusta green.

Hailey Bieber’s Patek Philippe Nautilus

Among the many things we learned about Hailey Bieber this week: She has excellent taste in accessories. In addition to never going wheels-up without her Saint Laurent shades and Drew House slippers, the Rhode founder is partial to a mini-sized yellow gold Audemars Piguet, dubbed a TTRO (teeny tiny Royal Oak) by Dimepiece’s Brynn Wallner. In keeping with the Biebers’ ongoing dominance of #couplegoals fits, Hailey’s TTRO is a similar model to the one the Biebs bought himself as a wedding present in 2019.

Jeremy Freed

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October 28, 2023
This Ultralight Watch Just Set a New Record

The Ming LW.01 is interesting on a few levels aside from its ethereal weight. For one thing, when a tiny brand that’s been around for less time than This is Us can command as much clout as august Swiss makers with centuries of heritage, it’s confirmation that we are now living in a golden era of indie watchmaking. With pieces by niche makers like F.P. Journe sharing top billing with Rolex and Patek Philippe at auction, and Louis Vuitton putting its money behind little-known names like Daniel Roth and Rexhep Rexhepi, it’s apparent that a major shift is underway in the world of high-end watches.

Enter Ming, a brand founded in 2017 by Ming Thien, a Malaysian child physics prodigy-turned-professional photographer with a longstanding timepiece obsession. Ming and a group of like-minded pals started the brand as an antithesis to the elitism and exorbitant prices they found in the upper tiers of the watch-collecting world. Ming aimed to create watches that were as interesting as they were (relatively) accessible, and over the last six years, he has amassed a loyal following of collectors who are eager to snap up each new limited-edition release. Unlike the big Swiss brands with eight-figure marketing budgets and state-of-the-art production facilities, Ming doesn’t make any of its components in-house and doesn’t operate a single retail store, but that hasn’t stopped the brand from conceiving and executing some of the most interesting watches of recent years—including the superlative-grabbing Ming LW.01.

MING THEIN | MINGTHEIN.COM

MING THEIN | MINGTHEIN.COM

The Ming LW.01 is limited to just 200 pieces (100 in manual-wind and 100 in automatic) and available exclusively on Ming’s website as of 1 pm GMT today. Given the popularity of Ming watches in general and the hype around this one in particular, it is guaranteed to sell out faster than Taylor Swift tickets despite its roughly $22,000 price. If the past is any indication, however, other watch brands are paying close attention, and it won’t be long before another ultralight ticker comes for Ming’s crown.

*Probably. As with any superlative, the closer you look at the nitty-gritty details, the more difficult it becomes to make a definitive ruling. For example, at just 1.75mm thick, Richard Mille’s RM UP-01 holds the title as the world’s thinnest watch. Because it requires a separate key to wind the mechanism, however, some folks (including, perhaps, the makers of the 2mm thick Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept) see it as a bit of a cheat. In light of this, there’s no arguing that the Ming LW.01 is one of the lightest watches ever made, but without weighing every other watch ever made, how can you be sure? For that reason, and being the good sports they are, Ming Thien and his compatriots are leaving it an open question for now.

Jeremy Freed

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October 27, 2023
The Five Most Exciting New Watch Brands of 2023

This is an edition of the newsletter Box + Papers, Cam Wolf’s weekly deep dive into the world of watches. Sign up here.

2023 has been a really great year for watches. At the tippity-top you have Rolex releasing an emoji-laden Day-Date, and on the other end of the spectrum Blancpain launched sea-slug inspired pieces with Swatch. But it’s not just the watch-world stalwarts who are having fun. In 2023, a host of exciting new brands have emerged—both from industry legends and fresh-faced newcomers alike.

A couple of these upstart brands represent the early returns of a growing collecting community. It’s a theory Mark Cho, the owner of Drake’s and the Armoury and a top-notch watch collector, has been floating out there: “[New collectors] are the ones who are going to shape the future of collecting,” he said during a recent GQ chat. “Just the fact that there’s all this extra interest in watches means that there’ll be other people who want to enter the industry, who want to make watches, want to design new things, and it just makes the whole ecosystem richer, more interesting, more variety, more ideas.”

Some of these companies, however, were founded by folks who have risen through the ranks of some of the biggest watchmakers in Switzerland. For instance…

The shapeshifter

Really the entire conceit of this newsletter is an excuse to write about Berneron. It’s the side hustle of Sylvain Berneron, the chief product officer of Breitling, who previously worked at BMW, Porsche, and Ducati. He’s spent the past two years developing his namesake label’s debut watch, the Mirage, which comes in both yellow and white gold. The oddball design certainly has its detractors. Chris Hall made me laugh when he described it as “a chocolate left in a coat pocket,” in his newsletter The Fourth Wheel. But the Mirage floored me. The watch has such movement: The numerals look like they’re being pulled into an unrelenting whirlpool, and even the bent and crooked hands look like they’re only just resisting the riptide. If I wanted to get philosophical as a softie new-ish dad, I might say the watch looks like a reminder of how quickly time moves.

The lazy comparison for the Mirage is the Cartier Crash, with which it shares a certain mushy quality. But I think a better fit is the work of boundary-pushing designer Gilbert Albert, who was responsible for some of Patek Philippe’s funkiest designs from the mid-20th century and a great lover of asymmetry. (Berneron has cited him as an inspiration.) Critically, unlike the Crash—which has an entirely oozing, liquid shape—both Albert and Berneron’s watches seem to be rebelling and kicking out from their more conservative boundaries. These are watches nearly imploding with energy. So, yeah, I really love this piece. I’m not alone: Berneron will only make 24 of the roughly $55,000 watches over the next decade, and all of them have already been claimed.

Cam Wolf

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October 27, 2023
The One Accessory You Need to Ace the Quiet-Luxury Look

We all want to look expensive and luxurious, right? If you’re a 20-something like me, though, you might not have thousands of dollars to spare. But investing in an under-$500 watch from Citizen? That’s something my wallet and I can get behind. Its watches have this air of elegance that makes them the perfect accessory for acing the quiet-luxury aesthetic. The best part is that you really only need one signature timepiece. (But I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to grab a few styles to match different looks.) I also love that nearly all of the watches in the collection are solar-powered because let’s face it—I don’t have the time or desire to replace batteries. Whether you’re in the market for one or three of these sustainable watches, I’ve curated the best quiet-luxury timepieces for any style or mood.

Emma Walsh

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October 24, 2023
Justin Bieber Wore One of the Most Playful Rolexes of All Time

Want more insider watch coverage? Get Box + Papers, GQ’s newsletter devoted to the watch world, sent to your inbox every Friday. Sign up here.

Justin Bieber added to his collection of eclectic accessories this week with a vintage yellow gold Rolex Day-Date with a money-green “Stella” dial, a rare and collectible watch that strikes the perfect Bieber-esque balance between freaky and refined. The watch was introduced in the 1970s as part of a series of colorful lacquered dial options for the 36mm Day-Date, but like many bold ideas, the Stella seems to have been ahead of its time. Despite the popularity of colorful pieces from brands like Piaget and Cartier during that era, it seems Rolex buyers weren’t quite yet ready for the Stella’s exuberance, and it’s thought that many Stella dials were later replaced with more traditional ones in white, black, and silver over the years.

Backgrid

As Cam Wolf notes in this week’s edition of Box + Papers, however, the times have finally caught up with the Stella’s colorful personality—which fits perfectly alongside recent Rolex drops like the Puzzle Dial Day-Date and “Celebration” dial Oyster Perpetual—and adventurous collectors like the Biebs are snapping them up. Speaking of which: If you’re looking to add a Stella to your own collection, Cam notes that this week is an excellent time to do it, with a selection currently up for bids at the Monaco Legends auction in a tasty variety of flavors from eggplant to mint chocolate chip.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Tom Brady’s Patek Philippe Nautilus

If anyone was concerned about what Tom Brady would do following his NFL retirement earlier this year, you can rest easy in the knowledge that the former quarterback is keeping busy cementing his reputation as a GOAT watch collector. Following recent appearances wearing a rose gold Puzzle Dial Rolex Day-Date, a solid gold “John Player Special” Rolex Daytona, and an extremely rare platinum Richard Mille, his hot streak continued courtside at the WNBA Finals this week with a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980-1R-001. While not quite as rare as some of the other pieces in Brady’s rotation, this version of Patek’s iconic sports watch has a solid rose gold case that shines all the brighter against a moody black gradient dial, making for an extremely tasteful addition to the team.

Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Leo Messi’s Patek Philippe Calatrava

It’s been a busy week for Leo Messi, who clinched Argentina’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win against Peru on Tuesday before jetting back to Miami to watch his Inter Miami CF teammates tie with Charlotte in their last home game of the season. Messi looked suitably jubilant in the stands sporting a crisp white Inter Miami tee and one of the most coveted Patek Philippe watches of the year: the new Calatrava 6007G-011. Introduced in the 1930s, the Calatrava is a foundational piece in the Patek Philippe universe, with a refined, understated style and countless dressy variations. The latest version, however, might as well have been made with the Patek-loving footballer in mind, with its sporty sky-blue dial accents, a “carbon” motif at center-dial, and a matching contrast-stitched strap.

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Ronny Chieng’s Mickey Mouse watch

Comedian Ronny Chieng stepped on stage at Carnegie Hall this week wearing a timely reminder that there’s just as much enjoyment to be had in a $275 Snoopy tennis watch as in a six-figure Swiss grail. Chieng, whose diverse collection includes pieces from Rolex, Tudor, and Seiko x Rowing Blazers, wore a vintage kids’ Mickey Mouse watch that he’s had since he was four, proving once again that the most valuable watches in the world aren’t always the most expensive.

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Tyrese Maxey’s de Bethune DB28 Skybridge

Maxey made an immediate impression as a man of adventurous tastes when he posed for his 2020 NBA Draft photo wearing a hypnotic matching houndstooth suit, shirt, and tie. It comes as little surprise, then, that the 76ers point guard also has a singular eye for watches. At this week’s WNBA Finals, Maxey was spotted courtside wearing the de Bethune DB28 Skybridge, an ultra-limited six-figure creation from one of Switzerland’s most avant-garde watchmakers. One of less than 300 watches de Bethune produces each year, the Skybridge features a deep blue polished titanium dial studded with white gold and diamond “stars” and a unique spherical moon-phase indication. Maxey isn’t the only one who appreciates de Bethune’s sci-fi styling, however: Tennis pros Tommy Paul and Jessica Pegula were both seen sporting the brand on-court at the US Open, and fellow hooper Kyle Kuzma is also known to be a fan.

Jeremy Freed

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October 21, 2023
Jennifer Lawrence and Barbara Palvin Are Already Wearing the Next It-Girl Watch

I’ve been obsessed with Swiss watches since my trip to Switzerland back in January. I’ll admit that I previously only had a fleeting interest in watches, but that trip solidified my newfound passion. In the months since then, I’ve made it my mission to include timepieces in as many Who What Wear stories (and TikToks) as possible, which is why I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to attend and cover a new launch event.

Swiss luxury watchmaker Longines invited me to an elegant dinner party in New York City to celebrate its brand-new Mini DolceVita watch. The piece comes in 11 different variations, with strap options in both stainless steel and leather. Naturally, the event attracted an exceptionally well-dressed crowd, including campaign star Jennifer Lawrence as well as Bae Suzy, Mikaela Shiffrin, newlywed Barbara Palvin, and others. Wearing a Tom Ford dress, Lawrence took to the stage to introduce the new piece, which will surely become the next It-girl watch thanks to her endorsement. Scroll down to see how Lawrence and Palvin styled the watch on the red carpet and shop it for yourself.

Erin Fitzpatrick

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September 26, 2023
The 87-year-old billionaire behind Bucherer is selling his dynasty to Rolex—and the deal will reset the luxury watch business

Over more than a century, three generations of Bucherers built one of the most exclusive watch and jewelry retailers in the world, selling expensive time pieces and glittering gems to the global rich and famous.

Now, the secretive 87-year-old Swiss billionaire behind the eponymous luxury boutiques — Chairman Jörg G. Bucherer — has agreed to sell Bucherer AG to Rolex in a move that has stunned the world of high-end watch retailing.

The companies didn’t disclose the terms of their deal and arriving at an estimate isn’t easy since neither Switzerland-based firm publishes financial results.

Jean-Philippe Bertschy, an analyst with Vontobel Holding AG, put annual sales at Bucherer’s more than 100 stores at about 2 billion Swiss francs ($2.3 billion), giving the firm an enterprise value of as much as 4 billion Swiss francs. He estimated Bucherer accounts for about 5% of Rolex’s sales.

The octogenarian Bucherer’s decision to dispose of the closely held family business took the industry by surprise partly because of the intense secrecy surrounding himself and the two watchmakers, whose histories have been closely entwined for decades. In a statement about the agreement, Rolex said his choice was made “in the absence of direct descendants.”

By buying Bucherer, Rolex is giving itself a major presence in consumer sales for the first time, a strategic shift from reliance on external distributors. The only store in the world currently owned and operated by Rolex is in its home city of Geneva.

Read More: Rolex Upends Luxury Watch Retail With Purchase of Bucherer

The deal, which still requires approval from authorities, comes amid what UBS Group AG has dubbed the greatest transfer of wealth in history over the next two decades as business founders and investors grow older. Yet it’s unclear where Bucherer plans to direct the proceeds from the sale. A spokesperson for the firm declined to provide any details beyond the Rolex statement, adding that Bucherer “has always been a very discreet company.”

What’s clear is that the move will put an end to dynastic control over the purveyor of pricey jewelry and watch brands including Rolex, its own Carl F. Bucherer, Chopard and Blancpain. The business traces its roots to 1888 when entrepreneur Carl-Friedrich Bucherer and his wife Luise opened a shop in Lucerne, according to the company’s website.

Their sons Ernst and Carl Eduard joined the business in the early 1920s, with Ernst reaching an agreement with Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf in 1924 to add the brand to its product line. Third-generation Jörg took over management in 1977, expanding into Austria in the 1980s and then Germany a decade later. Bucherer opened a flagship store in Paris in 2013 and has also moved into London, Copenhagen and the US.

Jörg Bucherer has never been known to give a media interview and is mentioned only briefly on the company’s website. A French corporate filing lists him as a Swiss national.

German-born Rolex founder Wilsdorf created a Geneva-based foundation in his name in 1945 that took over the firm’s ownership, according to the company’s website. He died in 1960 and also didn’t have any direct descendants.

“Jörg Bucherer is the last person still in activity to have known and worked with Hans Wilsdorf,” Rolex said Thursday in its statement announcing the deal, adding that Bucherer will remain the retailer’s honorary president.

Tara Patel, Andy Hoffman, Bloomberg

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August 26, 2023
These 3 Watches Will Never Go Out of Style—I Promise

You may have noticed that our coverage of the watch industry has expanded tenfold. We’ve recently chronicled celebrity-approved watches, museum-worthy luxury timepieces, and the British royal family’s watch collection. Now, I’m directing your attention to three key styles that are perfect for creating the ultimate watch capsule collection.

Below, I’ve rounded up the three styles that will never go out of style. Naturally, I’ve gathered plenty of shopping selections, including designer versions worthy of saving up for as well as under-$200 pieces. Scroll down to shop my favorite watches for women.

Erin Fitzpatrick

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July 6, 2023
Jennifer Lawrence’s Quiet-Luxury Watch Is About to Sell Out at Nordstrom

The stars always shine bright at Cannes, but there are a select few who are always on our radar. One, of course, is Jennifer Lawrence. The actress, who frequently dons Dior for red carpet events, made headlines for pairing her gorgeous red gown with black flip-flops earlier in the week. However, it was an even smaller accessory that caught our attention when Lawrence attended the photo-call for Bread and Roses: her exquisite Longines timepiece.

Pairing the watch perfectly with a silvery gown from Dior Couture’s Spring 2023 show, nude Dior heeled sandals, and pear-shaped Alison Lou cocktail earrings, Lawrence looked every bit the movie star, all while exuding the current quiet-luxury aesthetic that is taking hold around the globe. Her watch, of course, is the perfect accessory for this moment, offering both form and function without being overtly flashy. After all, when was the last time you checked your wrist for the time?

Fortunately, this exact item, the La Grande Classique De Longines Diamond Bracelet Watch by Longines, is available for purchase at Nordstrom. This stunning stainless-steel watch sparkles with a total of 56 diamonds, 44 circling the bezel and 12 more marking time over a gorgeous mother-of-pearl dial. It truly is a spectacular timepiece and, as far as celebrity-approved accessories go, isn’t obscenely expensive.

Whether you’re in search of a new watch to mark a special occasion or simply want to peek at your wrist instead of constantly keeping your phone out, there are several Longines watches currently available at Nordstrom that, at the very least, will help you keep track of time. Dial back on the diamonds, explore mixed metals, or just enjoy gazing into a gorgeous watch face—just choose quickly and carefully. Now that this quiet-luxury item is J.Law approved, we have a feeling it’ll sell out ASAP.

Drew Elovitz

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May 31, 2023
The Best New Pieces From the World’s Biggest Watch Show

Most Clever

Parmigiani’s Tonda PF Minute Rattrapante

It doesn’t get cleaner than Parmigiani’s new platinum Tonda PF. To maintain the watch’s sleek dial, the brand rethought the function of a diver’s watch. While typically a diver would spin their instrument’s bezel around to indicate when they needed to resurface, this watch uses a second minute hand that’s hidden underneath the primary one. Say you want to remember to go visit your horses, or whatever rich people do: You set the second minute hand ahead, and wait for the two hands to overlap again. It’s an simple but novel take on this complication that keeps the Tonda PF as uncluttered as possible.

Best Trademark

Zenith’s Pilot Automatic

It’s been an entire week and I still can’t get over the fun fact Zenith dropped at its W&W presentation. All the way back in 1888, Zenith founder Georges-Favre Jacot trademarked “Pilot,” meaning the brand is now the only one that can put the word on its watches. The result is this cool-looking new Pilot watch with a dial that takes inspiration from those retro “split flap” boards that airports once used to display flight info.

Dr. Frankenstein’s Favorite Watch

Panerai’s Radiomir California

Panerai dug into a fascinating part of its history for the brand’s big new 2023 release. The apocryphal story is that during the 1970s, California-based dial restorer Kirk Rich worked on Panerais but couldn’t track down matching numerals for each watch. He started mixing Arabic and Roman numerals together to complete his pieces. The mish-mashed look earned the nickname “California dials.” Panerai is bringing the style back officially with a watch that uses Roman numerals on the top half of the dial and Arabic markers for the bottom.

Cam Wolf

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April 5, 2023
The Best Watches From Watches and Wonders 2023: Diamonds, Zodiac Signs, and More

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Per usual, this year’s Watches and Wonders was rife with exciting new styles. After all, the industry’s biggest watch show is known for offering attendees a first look at fun innovations, technical movements, and high jewelry techniques that will have watch connoisseurs, novices, and fashion fans alike queuing up for wait lists, no matter how long they are (sometimes even years). For 2023, brands went all out with colors and materials that are perfect for every occasion. Click through our gallery to see—and shop!—some of my favorite pieces.

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1

Patek Philippe 5261R-001 – Aquanaut

1

Patek Philippe 5261R-001 – Aquanaut

Rubber straps were definitely trending this season—this time, in full range of colors and textures. The three chic, rich, understated colorways at Patek Philippe jumped out at me because they are true to the DNA of the brand: dark brown, café, and—my personal favorite—denim.

Price upon request. Visit patek.com for more details.

2

Tag Heuer Carrera Date 36mm

2

Tag Heuer Carrera Date 36mm

I love this refreshed version of a classic Tag Heuer style in four brand-new hues.

Visit tagheuer.com for more details.

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The key codes of the house were on full display at Chanel this season: lions, pearls, tweed blazers, and, of course, lady-like diamond pieces. Awash in sparkle, the Hyper Lucky Star was the standout.

Visit chanel.com for more details.

4

Chopard Haute Joaillerie

4

Chopard Haute Joaillerie

Giving jewelry lovers what they crave, Chopard rolled out a pair of high jewelry timepieces. This one boasts two very rare yellow pear-shaped diamonds at 12 and 6 o’clock, respectively.

Price upon request. Visit chopard.com for more details.

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5

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36

5

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36

PSA: Four versions of this watch are currently being made in limited numbers, each with specially sourced hard stones—specifically, turquoise, malachite, and carnelian. Each one is a chic and luxe addition to Rolex’s most iconic styles.

Price upon request. Visit rolex.com for more details.

Inspired by the Ludo Hexagone Macarons secret watch from 1941, this iteration features a dial that’s hidden behind a motif adorned with Mystery Set emeralds, while the bracelet is a meshwork of yellow-gold hexagons, punctuated with star-set emeralds. A perfect combination of high jewelry and high watchmaking.

Price upon request. Visit vancleefarpels.com for more details.

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7

Hermès Medore Mini Watch

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Hermès Medore Mini Watch

According to the French house, the Hermès pyramid stud was first used on belts in the 1930s. It then served as inspiration for the legendary Collier de Chien (translation: dog collar) bracelet, before ultimately becoming the Medore watch in 1993, designed by Philippe Mouquet. Here’s the most recent version, complete with a secret cover protecting the hours and minutes and revealing them at the touch of a 3 o’clock-placed button.

Price upon request. Visit hermes.com for more details.

This reimagined version of the Baignoire, which was first introduced in 1906, is also miniature. Whether done in yellow gold with a navy patent leather strap or red carpet-ready pavé, it’s breathtaking—just like everything else Cartier does.

Price upon request. Visit cartier.com for more details.

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9

Piaget Limelight High Jewelry Watch

9

Piaget Limelight High Jewelry Watch

This turquoise, diamond, and yellow gold watch necklace is truly spectacular, as is the story behind it: the veinless turquoise was sourced from the now-dormant Sleeping Beauty mine.

Price upon request. Visit piaget.com for more details.

10

Jaeger Le-Coultre Reverso One Precious Colours

10

Jaeger Le-Coultre Reverso One Precious Colours

This classic watch is updated with beautiful Art Deco enamel motifs, all done by in-house master enamelers. The mix of blues and greens is an absolute work of art.

Price upon request. Visit jaeger-lecoultre.com for more details.

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April 3, 2023
My Favorite Piece From Watches & Wonders, Day One

This GMT is a pure throwback to ‘80s opulence, which is great if you’re into that type of thing. (I am, but one fellow attendee told me it wasn’t for him because he isn’t an “arms dealer” lol.) Precious metals like gold and platinum weigh a lot—they’re substantial, so when you strap the thing on, you can tell that it must be really valuable. And yes, you might also feel like an arms dealer. There’s something villainous about this watch, but in a smiling-devil-emoji way. One cool thing I learned about this watch in my meeting: It’s the first GMT done up in black and gray. Typically the GMTs get goofy fountain-soda nicknames—the Pepsi, Root Beer, Coke, Sprite—but this one is going to be tougher to christen. The Johnnie Walker? Please reply to this email if you’ve heard any good potential nicknames.

The Rolex team also had last year’s massive FIFTY millimeter Deepsea on hand, and I tried it on side-by-side with the new titanium Yacht-Master. At 42 millimeters, the YM is not tiny, but it looks like a tugboat next to the titanic Deepsea.

Once you’re done at Rolex, they send you on your way with a beautiful Rolex-green suede tote bag—meant to mimic the calfskin underside of the new 1908’s leather band, I believe—filled with goodies. This year, it’s a box of chocolates and a cute little coin pouch.

The Best Sounding Watch

I met with Montblanc’s global managing director Laurent Lecamp, who has a handy backstory for seemingly every design choice the company makes. The new gray-dial Iced Sea (known as the “Ice T” among its fans) is inspired by the color of the stone on the Mont Blanc mountain above 8,000 meters. Why 8,000 meters? Because there are only 14 peaks higher than 8,000 meters in the world, according to LeCamp.

Cam Wolf

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March 28, 2023