With Geneva Watch Days and Rolex’s new releases in the rearview, August was still a busy month full of interesting new watches and great stories. Is there a hotter new release in the past month than Accutron’s Spaceview DNA watch? Invoking the spirit of Bulova’s vintage Accutron watches, the new Accutron Spaceview features an unconventional electrostatic movement. Speaking of unconventional and quartz-based watches, we also take a look at an unusual quartz chronograph that was made by Seiko 15 years ago called the Sportura Kinetic Chronograph SLQ019.
From around the Web, we have the remarkable story of Philippe Dufour and how he became a watchmaker. Taking a trip down memory lane, we learn more about the history of Audemars Piguet’s perpetual calendar watches. Last but not least, we also have a feature on 10 record-breaking ultra-thin watches and an in-depth look at Ferdinand Berthoud’s amazing Chronomètre FB 2RE.
1. NO LONGER MADE: SEIKO SPORTURA KINETIC CHRONOGRAPH SLQ019
No Longer Made is a series of articles that feature discontinued watches, and this month we have a watch that’s really off the beaten track. This is the Seiko Sportura Kinetic Chronograph SLQ019, a quirky masterpiece that melds an unusual case, funky design, and an advanced “kinetic” quartz movement. Although this watch was released 15 years ago, it still looks fresh, modern, and thoroughly unique today. With its separated dials, it calls to mind Vianney Halter’s seminal Antiqua watch. Would it be a stretch to say it’s the Japanese Antiqua? Probably not. Learn more about this unconventional and rare watch in the link below.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
2. HANDS-ON: ACCUTRON SPACEVIEW DNA ELECTROSTATIC WATCH
Hands down the most impressive new watch for the month of August is the Accutron Spaceview DNA. There are two important things to note with this new watch. First, while Accutron was closely associated with Bulova, it will now be its own brand. Second, while this watch looks like it’s based on tuning fork movements of old, it actually uses a very interesting electrostatic system. It’s still quartz-based, of course, so you get impeccable accuracy and precision, but the method by which it is done is really interesting. It also results in a watch that is visually unique. Learn more about how this new movement works via the link below.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
3. WATCH REVIEW: MARATHON ANTHRACITE GSAR AUTOMATIC WW194006BK
A G-Shock is the most obvious choice for a watch to do chores with. It’s rugged, relatively inexpensive, and it has a ton of features like a chronograph and alarm that can be handy around the house. But it’s too obvious. I have been trying to find something that is just as tough but driven by a mainspring and escapement. So, I was delighted to see the Marathon Anthracite GSAR Automatic watch being reviewed this month. It has a tough PVD-coated stainless steel case, a water-resistance rating of 300 meters, and it uses self-illuminating tritium gas tubes so I can still tell the time even if I’m rummaging for stuff in the storeroom.
Source: aBlogtoWatch
4. SEIKO PARTNERS WITH “STREET FIGHTER” SERIES FOR SIX LIMITED-EDITION SEIKO 5 MODELS
For better or worse, Seiko is releasing more limited-edition watches. While I appreciate giving fans the chance to own something that’s arguably a little more special and exclusive, I can’t help but also feel that it also encourages unsavory behavior like scalping. Still, Seiko’s latest limited-edition watches are sure to strike a chord with kids of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Based on the brand’s new Seiko 5 watches, these five new models are inspired by the characters from Street Fighter. Key characters like Ryu, Ken, and Chun-Li are represented here. One could probably argue that they are too garish but, as the saying goes, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” They will probably sell out faster than you can say “Hadoken!”
Source: aBlogtoWatch
5. WATCH REVIEW: LACO FRANKFURT GMT
GMT watches are probably not the most practical purchases right now, but I have always had a soft spot for them. It’s one of the most practical and useful complications, and I like how GMT watches represent travel and exploration. The Laco Frankfurt GMT is really the answer to the question, “What would a Flieger look like if it had a GMT complication?” It has all the hallmarks of a traditional Flieger watch like the blued-steel hands, triangle with twin dots at 12 o’clock, and large easy-to-read markers. I also like how the counterweight on the seconds hand is styled in the shape of a plane.
Source: aBlogtoWatch