Results for Tool Watch vs Dress Watch

Only Watch 2015: Kari Voutilainen GMT-6

Only Watch 2015: Kari Voutilainen GMT-6. A piece unique featuring a stunning Grand Feu enamel dial.

Hands On With The Striking HYT Skull – A Watch That Looks At You

The HYT Skull that was announced recently was an unexpected development from Hydro Mechanical Watch making masters HYT, yet its appearance was somehow hinted at before with the H2. After all, visible through the case-back of the H2, the movement, arranged in a V shape did resemble a face, or more specifically, as some commentators […]

The Coin That Tells Time: Beaubleu La Pièce Redefines the Watch Dial

Finally, a Japanese Manhole Inspired Watch with a Cloisonné Enamel Dial

Having none myself, I’m always a bit impressed when it comes to those who have artistic talent – and that goes doubly for those who can appreciate the everyday beauty around them. This is especially true when those two virtues combine to form a beautiful little timepiece, like the Altmann × Isotope Osaka Cloisonné Enamel, a new collaboration between English watchmaker Isotope and designer, illustrator, and typographer Björn Altmann. The first, and perhaps only, thing you will notice about this watch is its dial, which is based on a municipal manhole cover featuring Osaka Castle. Now, you may be asking yourself, why Japanese manhole covers? I can assure you that you are not alone in that. Apparently, after a Wikipedia deep dive, it is something of an urban art form and a show of civic pride throughout Japan. In fact, more than 15 million manhole covers across the country feature some sort of carved, imprinted, or painted design. This was a niche interest of Isotope founder José Miranda, which eventually led Miranda to Björn Altmann’s book Manhole Covers of the World. This, in turn, led to this collaboration you see before you today. The intricacy of the dial does not stop with its source material. The dial itself is made in grand feu cloisonné enamel, using fine silver wires and multiple rounds of firing to build out the design and color. The process took close to a year to develop, and in the end only five dials were successfully completed, which helps explain ...

Face Value: Why Painting on Watch Dials is Art

Fine watches have pulled double duty as decorative objects since before the invention of the hairspring in 1675. In this sense, one could almost argue that watches have been linked to art since before they were even watches in the modern sense. This relationship emerged early in part because both types of objects were made primarily for the same clientele: wealthy elite in Europe and elsewhere. Though art and watches exist for different reasons, they are both often created with eternity in mind. The noble materials and timeless designs of many fine watches, especially those of the quality that would normally be paired with a work of art, also help justify the painstaking (and costly) work of artisanal decoration, which can, in some cases, take more than a year for a single work of miniature art. Introduction to miniature painting Of all the forms of decoration that have been applied to watches, miniature paintings are an especially important genre. Historically, these miniature masterpieces have been produced primarily in enamel, though acrylic paint is increasingly used today. Much has been written about the art of miniature painting, and it would not be an exaggeration to call it a dying art, since the number of living practitioners seems to have rarely exceeded half a dozen at any given time over the past century. Vacheron Constantin’s Masterpiece on Your Wrist programme is a partnership with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York that allows customers to commissi...

Ralph Lauren Adds a Turquoise Dial to their Western Watch Collection

One of the very common knock-on effects of diving deep into any hobby or enthusiast pursuit is that eventually you’ll find yourself kind of obsessed with something that most would likely perceive as a waste of energy, or not actually all that interesting. I liken it to a cinephile finding a deep appreciation for the films of Michael Bay, constantly reminding everyone that Armageddon is in fact in the Criterion Collection (and has one of the best commentary tracks ever recorded – but that’s beside the point). Sometimes I feel like all of my watch interests are deeply niche. As my taste has evolved and, dare I say, matured, it’s also gotten a little bit weirder. But one niche of a niche that I know is underappreciated by many of my peers and perhaps even derided by some are the watches of the Ralph Lauren “Fine Watchmaking” division, specifically those in the American Western Watch Collection (but I have soft spot for the ones with the bears, too). A new release from Ralph Lauren in this very collection bolsters my position, I think, that these watches are actually quite special. It’s important to start, though, with an understanding that while you’re likely to see “Polo” branded fashion watches anywhere Ralph Lauren apparel is sold, and certainly in the vitrines of big retailers at malls, and so forth, these are absolutely not what we could typically call fashion watches. The Western Watch Collection features movements made by Piaget, lots of handcraft, ...

Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Chronograph RD#5, a Thin Watch with Tall Ambitions

Audemars Piguet (AP) reinvents the chronograph with the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5. Inside the titanium and palladium BMG case – standing just 8.1 mm high – is the cal. 8100, a new take on the chronograph mechanism that employs spring-loaded racks to gather and store energy. The RD#5 is the fifth and final instalment in the “RD” series of watches that underline the impressive technical know-how of AP, particularly its Le Locle manufacture that evolved from Renaud & Papi (APRP). Conceived with the goal of creating a chronograph that is extra slim and easy on the fingers, the RD#5 boasts exceptionally light and comfortable pusher feel, an instantaneously-jumping minutes counter, and an exceptionally slim profile (thanks in part to peripheral winding), all while remaining amenable to industrial-haute horlogerie manufacturing. It’s one of the most technically interesting debuts of 2025, and we explain AP’s new take on the chronograph in detail below. The cal. 8100 with its unorthodox chronograph and peripheral rotor Initial thoughts Outwardly just another Royal Oak, with the same ideal proportions and class-leading bracelet as the iconic “Jumbo”, the RD#5 is actually one of the most innovative mechanical chronographs in recent years. Perhaps the only comparison for out-of-the-box chronograph construction is AgenGraphe that was unveiled almost a decade ago. The watch was evidently developed with two goals in ...

Watch Spotting: Ed Sheeran Wears A Unique IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar With A Pink Dial For The Launch Of His Album "PLAY"

Punchy pink product pops, punctuating performer's "Play" premiere.

Hands-On: The Rolex "Alcaraz" Daytona With Turquoise Lacquer Dial ref. 126518LN – Yet Another Watch I Wish I Could Pull Off

In our last hands-on of this year's Rolex Daytonas, we look at colorful dials and what makes a good nickname.

Business News: Switzerland Moves Closer To U.S. Trade Deal That Could Bring Tariff Relief For Watch Industry

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Switzerland has climbed to the front of the queue for trade deals.

Business News: Omega CEO And Other Top Watch Industry Executives Say Tariff Uncertainty May Delay Purchases By Some Consumers

Omega will promote 60-year anniversary of NASA certification with new models despite surprise tariffs announcement making sales more difficult, CEO Raynald Aeschlimann says.

Business News: Trump Pauses Reciprocal Tariffs For 90 Days Giving Swiss Watch Industry More Time For A Deal

Swiss watchmakers get 90-day reprieve even as a 10% tariff stays in place.

Introducing: The Metric Chrono Regulator Returns With A Lumed Dial In Worn & Wound's New Collaboration With Brew Watch Co.

The retro colors takes a backseat for something more monochromatic (until you turn off the lights).

Hands-On: Kari Voutilainen's GPHG-Winning KV20i Is A Dream Watch, Even Without A Quintessential 'Kari' Dial

Voutilainen continues a long run of GPHG success. We dig into why.

Ressence Presents Its First TYPE Watch With A Silk Thread Dial

Why Watch Nerds Often Love Cars (And Vice Versa)?

Unraveling the knotted threads between our obsessions and how free-falling into the rabbit hole resembles our longing for community and the search for self.

Introducing: Grand Seiko Recreates Its Very First Watch With A Night-Sky Dial And Rose Gold Case

This new Grand Seiko First harkens back to 1960 with sparkling navy blue.

Watch Spotting: Formula One Driver Daniel Ricciardo Wearing A Secret Blue Dial Tudor Black Bay Ceramic

And we've got some info on this never-before-seen blue BB.

Watch Spotting: Daniel Craig Wearing A Yet-To-Be-Released White Dial Speedmaster At 'Planet Omega' In New York

A new take on the "Alaska Project" perhaps? We may need to wait until 2024 to find out...

Geneva Watch Days 2023: Trilobe Nuit Fantastique Brume with a Brown-Grey Guilloche Dial

Pre-Owned Picks: A Tudor Submariner With A Shield, A Unique Alarm Watch From Glashütte Original, And A Funky Off-Center Chronograph From Jaquet Droz

Plus a Breitling for the car enthusiast, and what happens when Bauhaus does a GMT.

Introducing: IWC Celebrates 75 Years Of The Mark Pilot's Watch With A New Silver Dial

A handsome new Mark XX for a special anniversary.

One To Watch: Yosuke Sekiguchi Draws Inspiration From The Past As He Charts His Future

It's been a hard road from Japan to establishing himself in Switzerland, but Sekiguchi is ready to make his mark under his own name.

Editors' Picks: We Asked Our Editors To Tell Us About Their Ideal Watch

Come dream with us – all it takes is a little inspiration and some entry-level Photoshop skills.

Watch Of The Week: My Dali Watch Is So Much More Than A Wannabe Crash

And it's the crown jewel in my collection of oddball watches.