Journal

Time, well spent

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Three countries, two time zones

I recently took the Ming Odyssey on its biggest adventure yet. It kept me on time in two time zones while I traveled through three African countries, making sure I knew when to call home.

The thing I love most about every Ming holds true here: subtle, small design choices that make it a genuinely cool wear. Each GMT hour carries a color gradient you barely notice in photos, and the smoked sapphire dial ever so slightly lets you peek at what’s under the hood.

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Watch raised against a sunset over the river
A leopard on safari Watch on a green strap in the African bush
Sail Boston

A seafarer among the tall ships

This summer Boston welcomed gorgeous vessels to the harbor for a week, showcasing their cultures and celebrating the United States’ 250th birthday.

I wore the TAG Heuer Seafarer. It was a day on the water, so I figured I might as well be a seafarer for the day. Incredible memories, lasting conversations, fun times and, most importantly, cool watches.

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A cream-dial chronograph on the wrist with a tall ship in Boston Harbor behind it
New York City

Founder Fest and a genuine love for watches

At Time+Tide’s Founder Fest in New York, seven microbrand owners came together for coffee-table talks about their limited editions and their passion for the industry.

I went for watches and a cool time, but left with a genuine understanding that the passion behind a lot of these projects is authentic. The goal is simply hoping others see the beauty you see on the wrist.

This Echo/Neutra Rivanera Piccolo “Rosa d’Epoca” came home with me: a quiet Italian dress watch for those who appreciate a small wrist presence done right.

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Small rectangular grey watch with rose accents on the wrist
On patience

Good things come to those who wait

As I’ve become more refined in my collecting, I reach for things that break the conventional schema of watchmaking, which led me to De Rijke & Co.

This watch came four months past its expected delivery. Credit where credit is due: Laurens De Rijke himself kept me updated the whole way. Delays happen for reasons beyond anyone’s control, and I would rather something be delayed and perfect than rushed to meet a deadline. Boy, was this dial worth the wait.

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Curved rectangular watch with a vivid blue dial
Boston Harbor

Gone when the page reloaded

One Sunday, an email arrived: the Kollokium Projekt 02 was going on sale, limited to 299 pieces, with presale access by password only. I logged in right when it went live, and I swear that when the page reloaded, it was gone.

Sixty-seven individually hand-stacked, painted plates make up this glacier-like dial. It has life to it: 3D wrist art, and arguably the best summer watch you can’t get your hands on.

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Turquoise textured dial on the wrist against the sky Turquoise-strapped watch over a wooden dock
On independents

The most fun part of collecting

Independent brands are the most fun part of collecting. You’re fighting everyone else for a limited piece of the pie, and proprietary movements can mean expensive service, but you get innovation the big names are too apprehensive to chase.

The first day I wore this Fears Brunswick Jump Hour, I got maybe three comments about how pretty and elegant it is, and one person asked where to get it. A cushion case, a contrasting plum dial and a jump hour: a piece of art you get to wear around with you.

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Cushion-cased silver and plum watch on the wrist