05Sep 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
SaStek Time Speed Indicator: Ready For Take-Off

SaStek Time Speed Indicator: Ready For Take-Off

News
With the entry barriers to start your own watch brand at a historic low, many new brands pop up. One of the great things is that this has enabled many creative people to finally realize their vision, and one of them is Saket Sharma. His brand SaStek just released its very first model on Kickstarter, the Time Speed Indicator, for which he reinvented the classic aviation watch!   That is quite a task, but SaStek really succeeded in it by thinking outside the box. The Time Speed Indicator features a regular dial, but this only houses the hour hand which seems to float over a ring marking the hours and stamped with a circular guilloche motive. The center of the dial is covered, with a cut out for the running…
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02Sep 2016 by Martin Green 1 Comment
The Rado Ceramica Reborn (with interview designer)

The Rado Ceramica Reborn (with interview designer)

News
The Ceramica has always been an important watch for Rado. But even, or maybe especially, these watches need a refresher every once in a while. Rado trusted this to the capable hands of Konstantin Grcic, an industrial designer best known for his Chair_One design. The biggest change Grcic made on the new Ceramica was the use of matted High-Tech ceramics. It does indeed give the men's model a completely different look and feel, not to mention make it look far more masculine. Of the two models, the signature model is limited to 700 pieces, plus one for Grcic himself. Here the typography is making a difference. Grcic says that he was inspired by aviation watches, when he designed the dial. We can most certainly see that, and although it suits…
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31Août 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Getting Creative With Vario Straps

Getting Creative With Vario Straps

News
Straps are such an essential part of the way you experience a watch. Over the last decade or two, switching out straps on a watch to change its look, or to match an outfit, mood or season, has become a staple. There are now many straps out there that make straps to especially do that, and one of them is Vario. Vario is the brainchild of Ivan Chua, a graphic designer from Singapore. He was bored with the plain looks of the ever popular NATO-straps and wanted to do something different. So expect straps featuring chevron's, plaids and even macaron's as decorations. We tested the Camo Green Nato strap on a Valachio. One of the first things you notice is that the weaving of the strap feels much finer then…
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30Août 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
The Laidback Freelancer: Command Your Own Time

The Laidback Freelancer: Command Your Own Time

News
There is an ironic tension in the name of the Laidback Freelancer. Usually being a freelancer doesn't mean a very laidback lifestyle. What it does mean, is that you are in control, and do what you feel most passionate about. For those people Laidback made the Freelancer. The Freelancer is a love it, hate it design, there is no other way to put it! It stands out and that is a good thing, because there are already too many generic offerings in the market place! The most eye-catching aspect is the wooden dial of the Freelancer. It is your choice of either light Bamboo, or the rich color of Sandalwood. On top of this dial is a frame of roman numerals. Both dials are "framed" by a suitable case, brushed…
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26Août 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Apple Is About To Launch The Apple Watch 2

Apple Is About To Launch The Apple Watch 2

News
The Apple watch is in trouble. Not that it is a bad product, but apparently it simply doesn't sell in the volumes that Apple was hoping for, or perhaps has gotten used to. The competition is fierce, and many are undercutting Apple's prices, like the Ticwatch 2 for example, while offering comparable or even better functions, leaving Apple in the dust. There are strong rumors that Apple will announce the Apple Watch II on September 7th, when they have scheduled another special event, which will be streamed world wide, and Apple is known to seize these opportunities to launch new products....like the Apple Watch 2. Of course it is very unlikely that Apple will wipe the slate clean. The design by Marc Newson is still very good, although the rest…
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24Août 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
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…
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23Août 2016 by Martin Green 4 Comments
Get Creative With Memomem Watches

Get Creative With Memomem Watches

News
What if you buy a watch that not the brand designed, but you? Memomem comes with a very interesting concept on Kickstarter where you can basically design your own watch! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVe22lHQMuk&feature=youtu.be Of course there are a few boundaries, but Memomem allows for an enormous amount of options thanks to the clever use of color. For the case, you can select either steel, black PVD, rose gold PVD or yellow gold PVD. The crown? The same options. The little rubber ring that decorated the crown? 12 color options, same for the bezel ring. Actually, there are in total 15 different aspects about the watch that you can customize. That means that you can make 17.118.646.272.000.000 different Memomem watches, before you make one that is exactly like another one. And this is only…
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19Août 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
The Importance Of The New Swatch Sistem51

The Importance Of The New Swatch Sistem51

News, Opinion
Swatch is one of those brands that seems to deliver when its parent company is struggling with difficult markets for its more high end brands. Unfortunately that time is also now, and that is why the latest addition to the Swatch line-up, the Sistem51 Irony, is probably more important than most people realize. The Sistem51 in steel is basically a watch many of us have been waiting for. Thanks to the very innovative movement, this is a Swatch that not only appeals to the brands regular consumer pool, but also to watch collectors who usually buy more upscale brands. People that normally wear an Omega, Tudor or Bell & Ross around the wrist, have often a hard time getting used to the feel of plastic on the wrist, so the…
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18Août 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Komrade Watches: Kiwi Tough

Komrade Watches: Kiwi Tough

News
Field watches have always intrigued me, because they have to be multi-purpose, and they have to be tough. So I was more than delighted to see that Komrade watches from New Zealand, selected this type of watch as inaugural model. Surprisingly, also this brand has decided to bypass crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter, and go out on their own. Like many field-watches is also the Komrade initially build as a divers watch. A lot of people are worried about water and humidity entering the case, but dust and sand can wreck havoc on a watch movement as well. With 300 meter water resistant neither one is a problem for the Komrade. But to last as a field watch you need more then being water- and dust proof. That is why Komrade…
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17Août 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
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,…
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