Editorial

WMT Montana – Long Term Review
Reviews

WMT Montana – Long Term Review

From a distance and across the room, the WMT Montana presents exactly as the watch many of us enthusiasts can only dream of. A silhouette to mirror the 6263 Rolex Daytona, does the Montana possess merit on its own terms or does it fail to ride on the coat tails of one of the most desirable watches of recent times? WMT The WMT brand has been able to replicate the ageing process of timepieces seen only in the catalogues of the most prestigious auction houses. With every special edition, every release, WMT seems to be the only brand daring or capable enough to bring patinated watches to market in far more complexity than any other. The Montana is a timepiece that has received what WMT calls their ‘ageing’ process, featuring tasteful effects on the bezel, bracelet and hands so that while ...
Omega Speedmaster Blue Side of the Moon Aventurine Dial – Review
Reviews

Omega Speedmaster Blue Side of the Moon Aventurine Dial – Review

The mighty Omega Speedmaster, variations there are many. What makes this one special?  I’ve owned the Moonwatch in its traditional form, the one we all know and love with its steel case and tri-register layout. This hulking 44.5mm blue ceramic, aventurine dial, coaxial automatic Speedmaster could not prove to be any greater contrast by appearance, but (spoiler alert) I’ve found it far more enjoyable to own. With a more literal interpretation of the world beyond our atmosphere, the Blue Side of the Moon (BSOTM) gives you a glimpse into the cosmos with its stunning blue aventurine dial and 18k laser ablated moonphase disc.     We Have Lift-Off The OG Moonwatch looks and feels like an instrument where the BSOTM is an ode to exactly what the Speedmaster's reputation has been b...
The Microbrand Caveat – Serica 5303-2 Review
Reviews

The Microbrand Caveat – Serica 5303-2 Review

We are back with another review! Which is great news for all of us, me as I have found a watch worth writing about and you the reader who can agree or disagree with each of the sentiments I have regarding microbrands and the Serica 5303-2. Serica shot into the microbrand limelight with its dirty dozen-esque design that is the 4512 series, riding the wave of momentum from its collaboration with the WM Brown Project and author of enthusiast favourite book "A man and his watch" Matt Hranek. The 5303 moves away from military inspired pieces and offers a dive watch conjured with the 1950's in mind. While there is no shortage of vintage inspired dive watches, Serica's charming design language and enticing specifications for under $1500 AUD makes this a formidable option amongst a long list of a...
Zenith Defy 21 Ultraviolet Chronograph – Long Term Review
Reviews

Zenith Defy 21 Ultraviolet Chronograph – Long Term Review

Thanks to Chamath (@champsg @watchadvice www.watchadvice.com) for letting me borrow his Ultraviolet Zenith. The generosity of the watch community never ceases to amaze and to experience this piece over the last month has been incredible.  You’ve been sensible all week. You’ve endured meetings, workshops, team building exercises. Everyone dresses the same, looks the same, speaks the same. You get home on a Friday evening and take off your suit or dress, flick off your shoes and relax. The weekend is here. It’s time to have fun, let your hair down. You put your sensible, classic, work friendly timepiece on the dresser and live a little. Let go of the professional persona for 48 hours and when guilty pleasures are a little less guilty, what watch is on your wrist? Introducing the Zenith D...
Long Term Review – Omega Speedmaster 3592.50
Reviews

Long Term Review – Omega Speedmaster 3592.50

The Omega Speedmaster, we all know why this watch is important but what is it like to own? There comes a moment in every enthusiast journey where you discover the Moonwatch for all its historic significance and are coerced by watch media, fellow enthusiasts or your own self that no collection can be complete without a Speedy. A first watch for many, an "only watch" for some, I have always admired Omega's quintessetial timepiece and took the leap to purchase one for myself in November 2021. Reference 3592.50 There are a plethora of Speedmaster to choose from and I mean that quite literally, it took me so long to commit to a Moonwatch due to the vast array of limited editions, off-shoots and vintage pieces. I landed on the 3592.50 as it was close enough to birth year, consisting of a hesal...
Watches & Wonders 2022 – Winners & Losers
Enthusiast Extras

Watches & Wonders 2022 – Winners & Losers

The best time of the year for the watch enthusiast, from the ashes of Baselworld rises Watches & Wonders! The premier horological fair of the year has come and gone, so why not take the time to recap the novelties of 2022 to see where each of our favourite brands have landed. Omega Omega was the first brand to really jump out of the gates this year and while they are not officially committed to Watches & Wonders, the yearly novelties are made public in the week before the fair hits full swing. This year saw a slew of "derivative" releases, from a yellow gold green dial Speedmaster, a blue to black gradient Planet Ocean Deep and of course the green Seamaster. These pieces while very well executed seemed a little too familiar to a brand with a crown logo. While the memes were ro...
Long Term Review – Jaeger Le Coultre Reverso Tribute
Reviews

Long Term Review – Jaeger Le Coultre Reverso Tribute

It’s been a hot minute since the last review and I couldn’t be more excited to share my thoughts about a watch in my own collection, the Jaeger Le-Coultre Reverso Tribute. For those of you who prefer the long form this one is for you, feel free to make a coffee or negroni and buckle up. To avoid this becoming a history lesson or regurgitation of marketing material, I won’t be touching too much on the Reverso origin story, but I will say the watch has evolved quite a lot over the last 90 years while remaining true to its roots. This particular reference substitutes the typical silver dial and Arabic numerals of the classic Reverso with a gorgeous array of applied indices, logo, dagger hands, small seconds and a magical blue dial. It is undeniably art deco inspired, which I find so ex...
Should You Meet Your Heroes? The Holy Grail
Enthusiast Extras

Should You Meet Your Heroes? The Holy Grail

Before I begin, as some of you may know Dane (@the_watch_vault & www.watchvault.com.au) had a serious motorcycle incident recently. We often take our next day for granted and it stunned me that one of our best pals was seriously hurt. Thankfully, Dane is one tough bastard and came out the other side with only a few metal upgrades (#terminator) and some scars to show for it. Yes, we love our watches here but nothing is more important than our friends.  They say never meet your heroes. That the expectation you build upon them will far surpass the reality of seeing them in the flesh, so what do you do? Let your dreams be dreams? The journey is far better than the summit? For the week, I have dared to go where not many have gone before thanks to Dane who has not passed one, not two, but...
Review – Halios Seaforth
Reviews

Review – Halios Seaforth

Several trends have emerged in recent years within the watch industry, one being steel sports watches (you know what I’m talking about) but more surprisingly, micro brands! Whether they begin as a passion project or kick starter campaign, micro brands have been able to deliver what the community wants when the big brands could not. Halios is the result of Jason Lim’s unbridled love for watches and one quick search of their website will convey exactly that. Many of us readers live, breathe and dream watches but very few make the leap to make it more than just a hobby. Whether it is a career change or part time project, I tip my hat to anyone who is so brave to create an entire brand. Jason’s watches tend to drop in limited runs and if you’re lucky enough to snag an allocation, he is w...
Enthusiast Extras: A Quick Guide to Vacheron Constantin Movements
Enthusiast Extras

Enthusiast Extras: A Quick Guide to Vacheron Constantin Movements

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the Vacheron Constantin boutique in Melbourne, Australia. On show, was a brief case full of their manufacture movements cased in clear perspex ranging from delicate manual wind calibres to crazy skeletonised mechanisms. It was truly incredible to have an unobstructed view of the inner workings of these wonderful timepieces and the boutique to myself for some quality, uninterrupted watch nerdery. It's not often that you see a travelling display like this and it shows that VC are more happy to share exactly what it is you're paying for when you invest in one of their watches. There is absolutely nowhere to hide with every mechanism, every finish, available for critique not only to the naked eye but also under a loupe. I've been very lucky to see so...