Damien Koch – Owner and Designer of HOF Watches

Damien Koch – Owner and Designer of HOF Watches

News
We talked with Damien Koch – Owner and Designer of HOF Watches some months ago. We really like what he is doing with his brand. With passion as his fuel, Damien is a rising star in the independent horology scene. We were fortunate enough to sit with him and talk about his brand. He said to us things like « It took two and a half years to achieve the SEASHORE, and when you look at it, at the first glance, you find it “simple” and efficient. » It is quite extraordinary to note that Damien Koch, owner of HOF watches, is an independent watchmaker who works alone and who designed the watch, made the plans, managed the manufacturing of the parts, and finally assembles it all by himself. Damien loves a…
Read More
The rise of the machines – Alpina Seastrong Horological Smartwatch

The rise of the machines – Alpina Seastrong Horological Smartwatch

News
Smartwatches have now a few years of history - from the first connected watches, the Seiko RC Series in 1984 till the well-known Apple watch, the smart watches are considered by some the future of watchmaking, but this remains to be seen... Personally, I prefer to have a classic watch at my wrist, it doesn’t matter if it’s quartz or pure mechanical. I am tight to the telling time hands, I like to see them move and even if I have a smartwatch, I end up by wearing a watch at one wrist and a fitness band at the other’s wrist. I was very happy to hear, in 2015, about the appearance of the first series of Swiss Horological Smartwatches: Frederique Constant, Mondaine and Alpina using the new Horological Smartwatch…
Read More
Elliot Brown Presents The Tyneham Watch

Elliot Brown Presents The Tyneham Watch

News
British brand Elliott Brown is now presenting their first automatic watch under the name of Tyneham. Like every Elliot Brown’s watch this one is the result of 1000’s of hours spent obsessing over the smallest details; refining, improving, inventing, and testing. When Ian Elliot and Alex Brown created the brand they had one clear mission : to create robust and highly durable timepieces for gentlemen. While before they only had quartz watches, now they come with a new piece which has as its heart a Miyota 9130 automatic. This movement allows the timepiece to have a power reserve of 40-hour that you can check thanks the indicator at 01 o’clock. The classic 41mm case is made from solid marine grade brushed stainless steel with a scratch resistant, ultra tough hardened…
Read More
MEW Hydroforce X1: A Nautical Beast

MEW Hydroforce X1: A Nautical Beast

News
There is not a shortage for divers watches in today's market. They are the favorite watches of many collectors, even those that hate to get wet. In fact, the market for divers watches is so large, that it even allows for very specific niches within the theme. The MEW Hydroforce X1 is not only a beast of a watch but also filling in one of those niches. What niche that is? The one for people who enjoy a unique divers watch, that might not be recognized by random people on the street, but that is crafted with care in very limited quantities. Those people will be very pleased with what the Hydroforce X1 has to offer. Apart from its cool name of course, which for some reason made me think…
Read More
Latest Issue Watchisthis?! Magazine Out Now!

Latest Issue Watchisthis?! Magazine Out Now!

Magazine, News
Nothing gives us at Watchisthis?! more pleasure than the launch of a new issue of our magazine! With this issue we continue to explore the world of affordable watches for you, and uncover creative new micro-brands, as well as speak with the CEO's of the leading brands. [caption id="attachment_1679" align="aligncenter" width="900"] TAG-Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver[/caption] We talked with marketing-legend, and current TAG-Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver about the brand and smart-watches. We also talked with Jin Nonogami, who founded the innovate smart-watch brand Veldt Watches. Their insights contribute greatly to a better understanding of the way the market is changing! [caption id="attachment_1680" align="aligncenter" width="900"] The Porthole by Pheidippides watches[/caption] In this issue also a lot of micro-brands, from the very creative Pheidippides, the bronze cases of Regia, the unusual regulator of…
Read More
Seven Tips For Starting Micro-Brands

Seven Tips For Starting Micro-Brands

Opinion
Every week several new watches are launched on crowd funding websites. Often they are being introduced by a micro-brand that is less then a year old, and this is probably their first product. When you have already started your journey as a micro-brand owner, good for you, for people looking to start, here are a few tips: 1. You are not alone!! The world is not waiting for your watch, in fact, we don't even need your watch! You are going to create something that will enter a market place that already has too many offerings, and that market place is even a shrinking as we speak! Sounds mean? Yes, but it is absolutely vital that you realize this before you start. This is as much a challenge, as it…
Read More
Casio G-Shock Finally Releases Quad Sensor Gulfmaster

Casio G-Shock Finally Releases Quad Sensor Gulfmaster

News
It has been a long wait for G-shock fans because already at the Baselworld watch fair of this year, did Casio announce the new Gulfmaster. Why all the excitement? Well, this is the very first time that Casio G-shock combines a water depth sensor with a atmospheric pressure sensor (altimeter/barometer), temperature sensor (thermometer), and magnetic sensor for compass readings in a single watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=o-nGmDBjFH8 The new Gulfmaster was developed especially with coast guard personnel in mind. They indeed have to operate under extremely challenging conditions in which the functions of the G-shock can come in handy, but quite frankly even when you have a less demanding trip in mind, the Gulfmaster will be a great companion. The atmospheric pressure sensor is especially handy because it can help predict sudden change in…
Read More
Anonimo Nautilo: Blue Works For You

Anonimo Nautilo: Blue Works For You

News
Blue is the color of this summer, and I don't mind that at all! Actually, blue is one of my favorite colors when it comes to watches, especially on dials, and especially with diving watches, let alone blue dialed diving watches that come on a blue rubber strap. In that case Anonimo is already ahead of the game before we even get started with the Nautilo! The Nautilo is actually a Watchisthis?! favorite. What I like about the Nautilo, apart from the blue, is that it is still very much an Anonimo! The case is an unapologetic 44.4mm, and being cushion-shaped, that makes it a serious watch. But as intimidating as its size sounds, the watch is actually more like a friendly giant. The case is well-rounded for wearing comfort,…
Read More
New Riveted Bracelet For Oris Sixty-Five

New Riveted Bracelet For Oris Sixty-Five

News
The Oris Divers Sixty-Five is one of those watches that offers a lot to love. It's the type of retro that we really like, A. because Oris made the original, and B. because the original is so cool, yet so hard to find these days. Oris introduced the Sixty-Five in 2015 with a rubber strap, and earlier this year this version got company of a collection of fabric straps. Now Oris introduces a third option: a riveted bracelet! Should we really get excited about a bracelet? YES! Nobody would have blamed Oris if they simply took a regular bracelet, perhaps even one already used on one of their other watches, and introduce it on the Sixty-Five. But Oris decided to take a different route and created a bracelet especially for…
Read More
Straits Foundry: Bypassing Crowdfunding

Straits Foundry: Bypassing Crowdfunding

News
We are in August and sure thing is that I never saw so many new brands in our industry than this year...and yet Straits Foundry, another new microbrand, will be launched next September. It is true that the industry is suffering this year, but paradoxically, we see more and more small brands making their big debut... Interesting thing is that they often provide original and quality products. Unlike many young brands, Straits Foundry will sell their watches directly on their website and without going through Kickstarter. When we see the success of brands launched on the crowdfunding platforms, we are entitled to ask if this is the right strategy. The team is based in Singapore, and they are a curious crew of engineers by training and explorers on the weekends.…
Read More