BuyingTime Daily - March 2, 2026
Rolex “Pepsi” reportedly ends deliveries, CHANEL resets the J12 spotlight, Swatch Group claps back at Morgan Stanley, plus fresh drops, reviews, and videos.
Time Graphing today’s watch universe
Time Graphing Today’s Watch Universe for March 2, 2026 feels like one of those days where the industry both tightens the screws and loosens the tie. The headline is unmistakable: Rolex has reportedly confirmed to authorized dealers that the GMT-Master II “Pepsi” is no longer being delivered. Waitlists are being gently redirected, secondary prices are already reacting, and the “Batgirl” is catching some sympathetic heat. For a model that’s been rumor-fodder for months, this feels less like a plot twist and more like the market finally exhaling. In the same Rolex universe, the brand opened a watchmaking college in Dallas that’s described as Harvard-level selective, a clear signal that while supply may be constrained, talent development is not. And in the predictions department, the 2026 crystal ball is spinning with talk of a Milgauss return, more Land-Dweller expansion, and perhaps even a Moonphase 1908—Pepsi or not, Rolex remains the gravitational center of speculation.
Over in campaign land, CHANEL rolled out its new J12 push starring Gisele Bündchen under the banner “In The Greatest Strength Lies Softness.” It’s yacht-coded, ceramic-forward, and firmly doubling down on the J12’s unisex sports-luxury identity. Meanwhile, Swatch Group fired back at Morgan Stanley with an open letter defending Longines profitability and Tissot growth, reminding everyone that spreadsheet watch analysis is still a contact sport. Transparency also had a moment as Tudor opened up its supply chain to show how “Swiss Made” really gets assembled, while F.P.Journe leaned into cultural capital with its Art Gstaad collaboration, reinforcing that independent watchmaking and contemporary art increasingly share the same collectors.
Celebrity flexes were in full effect as Michael Jordan celebrated his Daytona 500 moment wearing a Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon 30° Technique, because of course he did. Customization took center stage with Artisans de Genève crafting a vivid, one-off chronograph for Andre Agassi, proving once again that bespoke is the ultimate luxury escalation. At the more philosophical end, a thought piece argued that you—not your movement—are your watch’s biggest accuracy problem, while another deep dive explored how brands are escalating anti-counterfeiting tech with microscopic engravings and NFC solutions as replicas grow ever more convincing.
On the new-release front, there was no shortage of variety. Beda’a introduced the Angles Stone Collection with semi-precious dials and quartz pragmatism. Citizen expanded its Attesa ACT Line with 39mm Super Titanium atomic timekeepers. Cvstos went darker and lighter at the same time with a 50-gram carbon Challenge edition. Gerald Charles unveiled a stealthy boutique-only Masterlink. Junghans stepped firmly into professional dive territory with the Aquaris at 500 meters. Marathon Watch Company blacked out its SAR line across three sizes. Naga delivered a motorsport-leaning meca-quartz chronograph. Norqain refined the Adventure line with a new 40mm case and chronometer credentials. Orient splashed summer color across the Stretto Date 2026 editions. Perrelet added malachite drama to the Weekend. Spinnaker modernized the Bradner compression diver. And Tutima cooled down the Patria Titanium with a light blue dial that plays with Saxon finishing under a domed crystal. In short, whether your taste runs quartz, carbon, titanium, or stone, there was something new to argue about.
Reviews leaned hands-on and practical. The Bühlmann Decompression 02 attempted to reclaim the dive watch as a legitimate planning instrument, complete with decompression logic baked into rotating bezels. Farer offered a more elegant take on the world timer with the Thorne Gold. Hanhart delivered hardened-steel tool credibility with the Pioneer Preventor HD12 Blue. Kudoke blurred art and complication with the poetic Kudoke 5. And Panerai made a strong case that its entry-level Luminor PAM01086 might actually be the brand’s sweet spot for everyday ownership.
Comparisons and guides kept the buying brain engaged, from wedding-watch picks to elegant GMT travel companions, from Explorer II alternatives to the perennial Casio versus Seiko debate. February’s coolest drops reminded us that materials science and jumping-hour experimentation are hardly slowing down. Even Taschen got in on the action with its survey of 100 legendary watches, a reminder that the story of horology is as much about narrative as mechanics.
On the video side, Rolex dominated the discourse with debates over production cuts, waitlists, and whether the brand’s allocation mythology survives data scrutiny. Elsewhere, creators reflected on selling a Rolex, leaving YouTube, avoiding costly buying mistakes, and whether Omega has drifted too far into ubiquity to feel “special.” There was even an interplanetary clock engineering project for those who feel Earth time is simply too provincial. Podcasts kept things lively too, with Scottish Watches bouncing from accessible collaborations to high-end fireworks while teasing broader brand perception themes.
At auction, the saga of the 2022 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 Coral Red continues, bid to $18,250 on one platform and $15,000 on another, unsold on both—a reminder that simultaneous listings are not a masterclass in leverage. Meanwhile, the 2025 Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono sits at a modest $2,200 opening bid as it eyes a realistic mid-to-high teens landing zone. Ice-blue dial, Lucent Steel, flyback column wheel—mechanically serious, market-wise pragmatic, and ending tomorrow at 3:06 PM ET. As always, emotion is the most expensive complication.
All told, March opens with scarcity plays, marketing resets, independent artistry, and enough new releases to keep wrists—and comment sections—busy. Whether you’re chasing Pepsi ghosts or carbon chronographs, the watch universe continues to oscillate between hype and horology with impressive consistency.
-Michael Wolf
News Time
Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi Discontinued, ADs Confirm
Rolex has reportedly confirmed to authorized dealers that the GMT-Master II “Pepsi” will no longer be delivered, effectively ending ongoing speculation about its status. Customers on waitlists are being encouraged to consider alternative references, as availability is not expected to return. The news has already tightened the market, with secondary prices for the Pepsi rising further and spillover demand pushing up prices for related models like the “Batgirl.”
CHANEL Launches New J12 Campaign: “In The Greatest Strength Lies Softness”
CHANEL has introduced a new campaign for the J12 watch starring Gisele Bündchen and Clément Chabernaud. Titled “In The Greatest Strength Lies Softness,” it highlights the J12’s unisex identity and the balance of durability and refinement that has defined the model. The campaign also nods to the watch’s original inspiration from water and the sleek lines of J-Class racing yachts, reinforcing its long-running positioning around performance and elegance.
Swatch Group Publishes Open Letter To Morgan Stanley Management Saying Longines Is Profitable And Tissot Sales Grew
Swatch Group has issued an open letter challenging the accuracy of Morgan Stanley’s latest “Swiss Watcher” report and the methods used to estimate brand performance. Swatch specifically disputes claims that Longines was unprofitable and that Tissot sales declined, stating instead that Longines achieved a 16.6% profit margin in 2025 and Tissot grew sales by 3%. The letter also pushes back on estimates for other Swatch brands, arguing that unit volumes and average retail price assumptions were materially understated in the report.
Feature Time
Rolex Opened a College—and It’s as Selective as Harvard
Rolex has opened a new college in Dallas to help address the shortage of professional watchmakers in the United States, where there are reportedly fewer than 2,000 working artisans. The piece frames the program as extremely selective, underscoring the prestige Rolex is attaching to watchmaking education and talent development. It also uses the initiative as a springboard to explain how demanding the craft is, including a close look at key movement components like the pallet fork and why tiny failures can stop a watch entirely.
Michael Jordan Celebrated His Daytona 500 Win While Wearing an Insane Watch
Michael Jordan marked his Daytona 500 celebration while wearing a Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon 30° Technique, spotlighting an ultra-high-end complication designed to reduce timing errors. The summary emphasizes the watch’s technical architecture, including its double tourbillon system and black ADLC-coated titanium case. It also broadens out into a round-up of notable watches worn by other celebrities, reflecting how major public moments continue to function as showcases for rare, statement-making pieces.
Bring a Loupe: A Heuer Dato 12, A Rolex Bombé, and—What’s That?—An F.P.Journe Élégante?
This edition of “What’s Selling Where” spotlights a set of watches currently on the market that span vintage classics and modern innovation. The Heuer Dato 12 is highlighted for its unusual early date-at-12 layout and recent servicing, which boosts its appeal to collectors. The F.P. Journe Élégante is framed as a distinctive alternative to traditional mechanical collecting thanks to its advanced quartz concept and user experience, alongside mentions of a Rolex Bombé ref. 1010 and the Omega Speedmaster “Teutonic” for their character and design quirks.
Tudor opens its supply chain
Tudor has offered a rare look into its supply chain, bringing a small group behind the scenes to see how components and processes come together across multiple suppliers. The tour emphasizes how tightly coordinated modern “Swiss Made” production is, from raw inputs through testing and certification, all clustered near Tudor’s Le Locle base. The broader theme is transparency and process credibility, positioning Tudor’s manufacturing ecosystem as part of the product story rather than something kept out of view.
F.P.Journe Taps Art Gstaad to Reinforce Its A.R.T. Patronage Vision
F.P.Journe’s collaboration with Art Gstaad is presented as an extension of the brand’s long-standing focus on cultural patronage and support for contemporary art. The piece ties independent watchmaking values, like authenticity, rarity, and talent, to the logic of collecting and elevating contemporary artists through awards and institutional connections. It also frames Switzerland as a key hub not only for art commerce but for cultural exchange, with major fairs and foundations reinforcing that role.
A Conversation with Jim Wirth of GiantMouse Knives on Watches, Knives
Jim Wirth describes how a personal connection to vintage dive watches helped spark the GiantMouse collaboration with Zodiac on a Super Sea Wolf watch and matching dive knife. The project is depicted as a long development cycle focused on design cohesion, manufacturing execution, and real-world testing for practical use. A shared black-and-orange palette and diver-friendly details link the pieces, while the story also highlights how enthusiast events help sustain the community around these cross-category collaborations.
Rolex Predictions 2026 - The New Models We Expect Rolex To Launch This Year
As Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026 approaches, this piece lays out expectations for possible Rolex releases and updates, balancing anniversaries with technical evolution. Predictions include a potential Milgauss return tied to its 70th anniversary, ongoing Land-Dweller expansion, and an updated Explorer II with a more classic-feeling profile. It also floats ideas like a Jubilee bracelet option for the Daytona and the possibility of a 1908 Moonphase, while noting uncertainty around the GMT-Master II “Pepsi” continuing in the lineup.
fold watch tells time only through shadow and layered architectural dials
Nazar Şigaher’s Fold Watch proposes a different approach to analog time, replacing traditional hands with a layered dial system that relies on edges, boundaries, and shadow. The concept turns the watch face into a kind of geometric diagram, where time is read from the structure itself rather than from applied indices. Light and subtle height changes are central to legibility, with tapered spacing designed to refine the shadow lines and improve clarity while keeping the spirit of analog display intact.
mechanical clock with rotating discs can tell what time it is on other planets
This story introduces a mechanical clock that uses rotating discs to display time across different planets, translating varying rotational periods into readable indications. The mechanism is positioned as both an inventive technical solution and a way to make planetary time systems tangible. It is framed as functional art that appeals to science-minded audiences as well as collectors drawn to unusual, conversation-starting horology.
You Are Your Watch’s Biggest Problem
The piece argues that enjoying mechanical watches requires a kind of willing suspension of disbelief, since many collectors value them as aesthetic objects more than precision tools. It uses the topic of accuracy and new standards like COSC’s Excellence benchmark to explore why performance specs often matter less in practice than brands imply. The article also points to how real-world human behavior shapes accuracy, including Rolex research that distinguishes between different wearing habits and how those patterns affect movement performance over time.
The ABCs of Time: Fighting Counterfeiting - How Brands Can Secure Authenticity
This piece looks at how counterfeiting has become more sophisticated, especially for high-demand luxury brands, making replicas harder to identify with traditional checks. It outlines the security measures brands are adopting, such as microscopic engravings, NFC-based approaches, and design elements intended to be difficult to reproduce. The takeaway is that authentication is becoming increasingly tech-driven, particularly in the secondhand market where buyer confidence depends on reliable verification methods.
Hands-On: Is The Smartlet One Watch Bracelet The Answer To Double-Wristing?
The Smartlet One is presented as a modular bracelet system that lets a wearer mount both a traditional watch and a smart device on the same wrist, positioned on opposite sides. Its push-button clasp setup is designed for quick swapping and compatibility via different end-pieces, prioritizing flexibility and function. The review notes tradeoffs in refinement, like sharp edges and a less elegant look than conventional bracelets, but frames the system as a practical solution with room to expand through future modules and adaptors.
Artisans de Genève Customise a Unique Chronograph for Andre Agassi
Artisans de Genève created a one-off chronograph for Andre Agassi that mirrors the athlete’s bold style and specific preferences, with a lightweight titanium case and vivid color accents. The build is described as an intensive, highly bespoke process involving 14 artisans and more than 1,000 hours of work. Details like an anthracite treatment achieved through anodizing and a gradient register palette inspired by Agassi’s 1990 Roland-Garros outfit reinforce how customization can turn a familiar watch format into a personal artifact.
Deals
eBay Finds: A Vintage Speedmaster MK II, a Grand Seiko in Pristine Condition, and a Funky LED
This roundup highlights a set of vintage watches currently up for bidding on eBay, with picks that span dressy classics, Japanese excellence, and quirky 1970s tech. Standouts include a 1953 Bulova dress watch with a yellow rolled gold case and original champagne and silver dial, plus a 1972 Grand Seiko 5646-7010 praised for its condition, finishing, and clean design. The selection also calls out several sportier options, including a Tissot Seastar and a Zodiac Sea Wolf, for collectors looking for more everyday-wearable vintage. A key feature is an Omega Speedmaster Mark II chronograph with its tonneau case and chocolate dial, powered by the caliber 861 and offered with its original bracelet.
Event Time
A Preview Of British Watchmakers’ Day 2026 — Including The Hotly Anticipated Limited Editions
British Watchmakers’ Day 2026 takes place March 7 and is set to feature a record 48 brands, with 26 of them bringing exclusive limited-edition pieces for attendees. New rules are designed to keep releases fair and encourage discovery, including a cap of 50 pieces per brand for any special show model. The preview calls out several notable editions, including Zero West’s H01 BWD Heritage Special and William Wood’s Great Fire of London watch, along with collaborations and small-batch releases that lean heavily on British storytelling. The event is positioned as both a buying opportunity and a chance to meet creators and hear the narratives behind the watches.
The Latest Time
Beda’a
Beda’a Introduce Angles Stone Collection with Four Semi-Precious Dials
Beda’a has expanded its quartz lineup with the Angles Stone Collection, pairing a 37mm octagonal case with four semi-precious stone dials: malachite, blue aventurine, African hawkeye, and tiger’s eye. Each dial is naturally unique, leaning into a bold 1980s-inspired sports-watch look while staying slim and wearable for everyday use. The watches run on a Swiss Ronda quartz movement and are positioned as design-forward daily pieces with a luxury feel and minimal fuss. Pricing is listed at CHF 700, which is approximately $908.
Citizen
Citizen Attesa ACT Line: Super Titanium, 39mm Cases, Two New References
Citizen adds two new Attesa ACT Line models with 39mm Super Titanium cases, emphasizing lightweight durability and scratch resistance. Both models use the light-powered Caliber H128 with atomic timekeeping, plus features like a perpetual calendar and world time, while maintaining 10 ATM water resistance and sapphire with anti-reflective coating. The two references differentiate through finishing and dial personality, including a black DLC option with a deep blue dial. Pricing is noted at approximately $638 and $816.
Cvstos
Cvstos Challenge K. Khachanov Carbon. 50 Grams of Lighter, Darker, Louder
Cvstos is releasing a 100-piece limited edition Challenge K. Khachanov Carbon that shifts from aluminum to layered carbon fiber for a darker, more technical look. The tonneau case is built for presence but keeps weight down, and the watch is paired with a strap in red Cordura textile for extra contrast. Inside is the in-house Calibre CVS610 with a 60-hour power reserve, visible through the caseback to emphasize the brand’s independent watchmaking credentials. The price is listed at $24,000.
Gerald Charles
Gerald Charles Masterlink Boutique Edition
This boutique-only Masterlink edition introduces a black dial made specifically for the JR Nagoya Takashimaya boutique and the Gerald Charles Atelier in Geneva. The model blends Gerald Genta’s legacy design cues with a more contemporary, stealthy presentation, including a Darkblast finish and the collection’s signature asymmetric case. It is powered by the ultra-thin Caliber GCA1000 automatic movement with a 50-hour power reserve, reinforcing the brand’s focus on both design and technical refinement. No price is included in the database entry.
Junghans
Junghans Aquaris Collection Introduces Their First Contemporary Professional Diver
Junghans enters the modern professional dive-watch space with the Aquaris collection, split into Aquaris Sport and Aquaris Diver variants that share the same core architecture. The lineup leans hard into capability, with a large 46.9mm case, 500m water resistance, and an automatic Junghans calibre J830 with a 48-hour power reserve. Diver versions add higher-contrast accents (green or orange) for underwater legibility, plus distinctive caseback engravings. Pricing is listed at £2,690–£2,760, which is approximately $3,623–$3,717 depending on the model.
Marathon Watch Company
Marathon Drops a New All-Black Military Dive Watch in Three Sizes
Marathon’s new Anthracite SAR collection applies a fully blacked-out treatment to its long-running SAR platform, offered in 46mm (JDD), 41mm (GSAR), and 36mm (MSAR) sizes. The watches keep the brand’s utilitarian tool-watch priorities front and center, including 30 ATM water resistance, sapphire crystals, and tritium gas tubes for constant legibility. Movement choices vary by model, using Sellita SW200-1 automatics for the 41mm and 36mm and the SW220 for the 46mm. Pricing is listed between $1,900 and $3,750.
Naga
Naga Granturismo Chronograph 39 Dakar Review
The Naga Granturismo Chronograph 39 Dakar is a compact 39mm chronograph designed to balance sporty function with a more refined, textured look. It uses a Seiko VK64 meca-quartz movement to deliver mechanical-style chronograph actuation with quartz practicality, and the 316L steel case is rated to 100m water resistance for daily wear. A motorsport-inspired color palette and bi-compax dial layout aim to keep the design energetic while staying readable. The price is listed at €499, which is approximately $589.
Norqain
The Norqain Adventure Watches Gets A 40mm Case And a Slew Of Updates
Norqain’s updated Adventure line adds a new 40mm case size, designed to sit between the brand’s 42mm and 37mm offerings while also bringing broader refinements. Updates include a new aluminum bezel insert, a revised case profile with crown guards, improved water resistance to 200m, and a mountain-pattern dial with the date moved to 6 o’clock. The watch also leans further into performance credibility with a chronometer-certified movement. Pricing starts at $3,790, with the Neverest edition listed at $4,450.
Orient
Orient Introduce Stretto Date 2026 Special Edition in Vibrant Summer Shades
Orient’s Stretto Date 2026 Special Edition series is built around bright summer-forward dial colors, offered as time-limited production rather than a numbered run. The watches use a slim 38.5mm steel case and the in-house Orient calibre F6722 automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve, plus a straightforward time-and-date layout. The collection emphasizes wearability and color-driven style while keeping everyday practicality with 50m water resistance and an exhibition caseback. Pricing is listed at £349.99–£369.99, which is approximately $471–$498.
Perrelet
The New Perrelet Weekend Malachite
Perrelet adds a malachite-dial option to its Weekend collection, using natural stone to create distinctive green banding that makes each dial visually unique. The watch stays classic in its overall execution, with a 39mm stainless steel case, rhodium-plated indices, and dauphine-style hands, plus 50m water resistance. It is powered by the Soprod P-321 automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve, and it includes both a steel bracelet and a green leather strap with a quick-release system. Pricing is listed as 1,590 (CHF/EUR), which converts to approximately $1,879–$2,062 depending on the currency basis.
Spinnaker
Spinnaker Bradner Automatic: A Modern Twist on A Classic Diver
The Spinnaker Bradner Automatic modernizes a compression-diver style with a 42mm steel case, dual-crown setup, and a multi-layer dial designed for depth and legibility. It pairs a sapphire crystal with Super-LumiNova for low-light visibility and offers 180m water resistance aimed at everyday adventure use. Inside is the Miyota 8215 automatic movement, and the watch is finished with a beads-of-rice bracelet to keep the look versatile beyond pure tool-watch styling. The price is listed at $370.
Tutima
The Tutima Patria Titanium, now with Light Blue Dial
Tutima updates the Patria Titanium with a light blue dial that adds contrast and depth while keeping the overall design minimal and dress-leaning. The watch uses a 41mm Grade 5 titanium case with 50m water resistance, and the dial detailing is designed to play with light through three-dimensional finishing and a small seconds display at 6 o’clock. Power comes from the hand-wound Tutima 617 manufacture calibre, offering a 65-hour power reserve and an emphasis on Saxon-style movement architecture. The price is listed at EUR 8,600, which is approximately $10,157.
Wearing Time - Reviews
Bühlmann
Bühlmann Decompression 02 Hands-On: An All-In-One Tool Watch For An Entire Dive Trip
The Bühlmann Decompression 02 is positioned as a purpose-built dive instrument that goes far beyond the typical “backup to a dive computer” role most dive watches fill today. It uses a large 48.5mm steel case with 575m water resistance and pairs two independent bezels with a rotating decompression chart based on the Bühlmann ZH’L 16B calculator, aiming to help manage decompression stops and other dive-planning needs. The watch is powered by the Sellita SW300 automatic movement and is designed for underwater clarity, including a bright turquoise sunburst dial and an oversized minutes hand for timing. The retail price is listed at $4,790 USD.
Farer
Hands-On With The New Farer World Timer Thorne Gold
The Farer World Timer Thorne Gold blends a dressier look with practical travel functionality, led by a deep burgundy dial and a gold-PVD-coated case. Instead of a busy city-ring layout, it uses a central disc to help track time zones while keeping the dial modern through raised Lumicast markers and a cohesive color palette. Inside is a modified Sellita SW331-2 automatic movement with a 56-hour power reserve, supporting the watch’s everyday usability. The price is listed at €1,800.
Hanhart
Hanhart Pioneer Preventor HD12 Blue Review
The Hanhart Pioneer Preventor HD12 Blue is a vintage-leaning sports watch that emphasizes durability, using a hardened steel case to boost scratch resistance. It keeps the spec sheet straightforward and functional with a 39mm case, screw-down crown, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and a Swiss Soprod P024 movement offering a 38-hour power reserve. The matte blue dial is designed for legibility, with luminous hands and Arabic numerals reinforcing its tool-watch intent. The price is listed at €1,295/$1,528.
Kudoke
Hands-On With The Kudoke 5 — A Piece Of Art For Your Wrist
The Kudoke 5 is framed as an artistic, independent watch that still delivers a functional complication through a day-night display using a rotating disk with a Sun and Moon motif. Its wearing experience is shaped by a dramatically domed crystal, a slim profile, and a comfortable calfskin strap, while the real focus is on the hand-finished movement details like an engraved balance cock and carefully executed beveling. The piece also highlights Kudoke’s small-scale, maker-led approach, including options for customization that make each example feel personal. The price is listed at €17,900 excluding taxes.
Panerai
The Panerai Luminor PAM01086 — Is The Brand’s Entry-Level Dive Watch Its Best?
The Panerai Luminor PAM01086 is presented as a strong entry point into the brand, pairing the signature cushion case and minimalist dial with everyday practicality. It uses a 44mm stainless steel case and a hand-wound P.6000 movement, leaning into simplicity with a clean display that omits a seconds hand and keeps the focus on legibility. While its 100m water resistance may not satisfy people who define “dive watch” strictly by professional specs, the write-up argues it performs well in real-life use like swimming, surfing, and snorkeling. The design is positioned as versatile enough to move between casual and more formal settings without losing its Panerai identity.
Comparing Time
Best wedding watches
For those preparing for a wedding, selecting the right watch can be a significant decision shaped by style, meaning, and personal connection. This curated list highlights nine standout options across tastes and budgets, from the Dennison ALD Marble to the Piaget Andy Warhol. The picks aim to pair well with formal attire while still feeling distinctive, whether that is the Grand Seiko SLGW005’s precision or the Blancpain Villeret Ultraplat’s refined elegance. The core idea is to choose a piece that will feel as memorable after the wedding as it does on the day.
Buying Guide: First Class Travel With Some Of Todays Most Elegant GMT Watches
This buying guide focuses on GMT watches that balance travel utility with a more elegant, dress-leaning presentation. It spans a wide range, from the accessible Maurice Lacroix 1975 Automatic GMT to the high-end Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonance, showing how many ways brands approach dual-time readability. Notable examples include Grand Seiko’s SBGM255 for classic refinement and Schwarz-Etienne’s 1902 GMT for a contemporary take on traditional cues. The selection emphasizes that modern GMTs can be both practical tools and objects of high finishing and design character.
Casio vs Seiko: 10-Year Affordable Watch Brand Review - Here’s the Winner
This comparison frames Casio and Seiko as serving different priorities within affordable watch ownership. Casio is positioned as the practical choice, delivering lightweight durability and low maintenance, with staples like the F-91W and G-Shock underscoring reliability. Seiko is presented as the more involved, enthusiast-leaning path, emphasizing mechanical engagement and design nuance in models like the Turtle and Samurai. The conclusion favors Casio on overall value, while acknowledging Seiko’s stronger “watch experience” for those who want it.
Fratello’s Top 5 Rolex Explorer II Alternatives In 2026
This roundup offers five alternatives to the Rolex Explorer II, focusing on GMT-capable watches that deliver similar versatility at very different price points. The list ranges from higher-end options like the Grand Seiko SBGE285 “Mist Flake” to accessible picks like the Seiko 5 Sports SSK023, with stops in between including the Tudor Black Bay Pro and Christopher Ward C63 Sealander GMT. Each choice highlights a different interpretation of the Explorer II idea, whether that is materials, sizing, or dial aesthetic. The piece is meant to spark debate and invite readers to suggest their own favorites.
Hamilton Khaki vs Timex Expedition: Hands-On Field Watch Value Comparison
This hands-on comparison contrasts two field-watch philosophies: the ritual and heritage of a mechanical watch versus the set-and-forget convenience of solar quartz. The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical is presented as a traditionalist’s choice, with the tactile appeal of winding and a stronger link to military-inspired watch culture, but it asks more of the wearer day to day. The Timex Expedition Field Post Solar is positioned as the practical tool, prioritizing reliability and minimal upkeep while staying unobtrusive on the wrist. The takeaway is that the better value depends on whether someone wants daily convenience or a more engaged ownership experience.
Sunday Morning Showdown: Favre Leuba Deep Raider Revival Vs. Aquastar Deepstar II
This “showdown” compares two retro-inspired dive watches that modernize distinctive vintage templates in different ways. The Favre Leuba Deep Raider Revival is framed as the more spec-forward option, with 300m water resistance and a La Joux-Perret G100 movement offering a 68-hour power reserve, while keeping the design wearable for daily use. The Aquastar Deepstar II leans into a more characterful, historically rooted look, including a smaller case and a multi-dive no-decompression bezel, plus multiple colorways. Both are pitched at enthusiasts who want vintage charm without giving up modern build quality.
The 10 Coolest New Watches That Dropped in February
This list-style comparison surveys February’s biggest releases, emphasizing how major brands are pushing both complications and materials. It highlights Audemars Piguet’s experimentation, including a jumping-hour concept and the brand’s first self-winding jumping hour movement, alongside Richard Mille’s sport-driven complication ideas. The overview also spotlights the growing use of advanced case materials, such as IWC’s “Ceratanium” and H. Moser & Cie.’s move into ceramic. The overall theme is that new releases are blending bold design references with real technical progress across the market.
What are the 100 most legendary watches of all time, asks Taschen
This piece summarizes Taschen’s Ultimate Collector Watches, which curates 100 historically important timepieces chosen for rarity, beauty, quality, and provenance. The authors highlight watches tied to notable figures, including examples associated with Albert Einstein and Neil Armstrong, alongside pieces that advanced design and engineering. Standouts mentioned include the 1936 Omega Marine for its early dive-watch significance and the 1967 Cartier Crash for its iconic, unconventional form. The book is framed as a visual and historical tour through watchmaking’s most influential milestones.
Watching Time - Videos
Building an Interplanetary Clock - YouTube - Chronova Engineering
This video explores what it would take to design a clock meant for interplanetary use, where timekeeping needs to work beyond Earth’s conditions. It walks through the technical challenges of keeping time consistent across different planets and mission contexts, including how distance and environment complicate synchronization. The project also highlights engineering and design choices intended to keep the device accurate and reliable in harsh space conditions. Overall, it frames precise timekeeping as a foundational requirement for future deep-space operations and communication.
Cheap Watches Millionaires Surprisingly Wear - YouTube - Britt Pearce
This video looks at why some wealthy watch owners choose inexpensive watches even when they can afford luxury brands. It highlights models that stand out for practicality, distinctive design, or everyday convenience rather than price or status signaling. The discussion suggests that personal taste and usability often matter more than the logo on the dial. It also reinforces the idea that an affordable watch can still feel intentional and meaningful in a collection.
I Sold My Rolex... Here’s Why - YouTube - Ben’s Watches
This video is a personal account centered on the decision to sell a Rolex, focusing on how ownership can shift from aspiration to reassessment over time. It weighs the emotional pull of a status object against practical realities like maintenance, market dynamics, and changing priorities. The story frames the sale as part of a broader move toward aligning possessions with current goals. It ultimately treats luxury ownership as a choice to revisit, not a one-way milestone.
Leaving YouTube - YouTube - Andrew Morgan Watches | The Talking Hands
This video explains the creator’s decision to step away from YouTube, focusing on the pressures that come with maintaining a consistent online presence. It reflects on how the platform’s demands can affect mental health, motivation, and long-term fulfillment. The narrative emphasizes prioritizing well-being and personal direction over algorithm-driven output. It offers a candid look at the trade-offs behind content creation in the watch community.
Recent watches that you might want to avoid buying - YouTube - This Watch, That Watch
This video outlines several recent watch releases that the creator believes buyers should approach carefully, often due to value, execution, or quality concerns. It points to specific red flags and explains how those issues can show up in real-world ownership. Beyond the individual examples, it provides a framework for evaluating watches before buying. The goal is to help viewers avoid paying for hype when the fundamentals do not justify the price.
Rolex Cuts Production — Why That’s Good for Watch Collectors - YouTube - Collective Horology
This video argues that Rolex production cuts can benefit collectors by increasing scarcity and supporting values in the secondary market. It explains how reduced availability can intensify demand and change how buyers behave when new models appear. The discussion connects Rolex’s approach to broader luxury-market dynamics where exclusivity is part of the product’s appeal. It positions scarcity as a feature that shapes both collecting and resale economics.
Rolex Has Been Lying About the Waitlist. I Have the Data to Prove It - YouTube - My Watch Journey
This video presents a data-driven critique of Rolex waitlist narratives, arguing that real buyer experiences often do not match the official story. It uses collected information to highlight inconsistencies in allocation and availability for high-demand models. The broader takeaway is about transparency and the realities of purchasing in the luxury-watch market. It encourages viewers to be more analytical about how the system works rather than accepting waitlist explanations at face value.
The Phillips Watches Podcast Episode 4: Leadership Roundtable on 2025 Triumphs and 2026 Horizons - YouTube - Phillips Watches
This episode features a leadership roundtable reflecting on major wins from 2025 and discussing priorities and expectations for 2026. It highlights how leaders are thinking about strategy, adaptation, and decision-making in a changing environment. The format emphasizes multiple perspectives and practical takeaways rather than a single narrative. It is framed as a resource for listeners looking to learn from real leadership experiences and apply those lessons forward.
This Watch is Dangerous - YouTube - WatchChris
This video focuses on a watch that the creator considers risky, explaining what makes it problematic and why it could lead to bad outcomes for owners. It breaks down the specific characteristics that trigger concern and uses examples to illustrate how those issues might show up in use. The overall message is to think critically about design and function, not just aesthetics. It aims to help viewers avoid products that look appealing but have hidden downsides.
Top 4 Cheap Watches to Buy Right Now - YouTube
This video highlights four affordable watches positioned as strong buys right now, focusing on value and everyday wearability. It compares the options by key features and what each does well, helping viewers match a watch to their preferences and budget. The emphasis is on finding styles that feel current without paying premium pricing. It works as a quick shortlist for anyone wanting to add a low-cost watch to a rotation.
Watch This Before You Buy ANY Watch (9 Costly Mistakes Exposed) - YouTube - The Watch Bros
This video lays out nine common mistakes people make when buying watches, from insufficient research to misunderstanding value and features. It explains how these errors can lead to regretful purchases and wasted money, especially in a market full of noise and marketing. The guidance encourages a more deliberate buying process grounded in learning the basics of brands, pricing, and use-case fit. It is framed as a preventative checklist for smarter, more confident buying decisions.
Why Omega Watches No Longer Feel Special - YouTube - Watch Focus
This video examines why some enthusiasts feel Omega has lost a degree of exclusivity, pointing to higher production and broader accessibility as key drivers. It discusses how brand positioning and marketing can shape perception even when product quality remains high. The argument is that luxury relies partly on scarcity and narrative, and those elements can weaken when the market feels saturated. It invites viewers to reconsider what “special” means in modern watch collecting and whether Omega can regain that feeling.
Talking Time - Podcasts
Scottish Watches Podcast #756 : Our Fun February Finale - Scottish Watches
In this episode, the hosts bounce from an accessible Citizen collaboration with French designer Romaric André to the other end of the spectrum with bold, design-forward Chronoswiss releases. They also touch on nostalgia-driven drops like the revived Fossil Big Tic, alongside headline-grabbing high-end pieces such as Richard Mille’s RM 41-01 Tourbillon Football Timer. The conversation widens to broader brand and market themes, including what is shaping perception around brands like Breitling and a rundown of new releases from Yema. The episode closes by flagging upcoming “Women in Watches” events and the leadership and representation topics those panels will address.
BuyingTime at Auction
A few select current auctions that caught our eye on GetBezel.com
[Friday’s auction watch, the 2022 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 Coral Red (124300-0007) - was bid to $18,250 but did not meet its reserve. - make an offer] Meanwhile, over on Grailzee (grailzee.com), the exact same watch (actually the exact same) was bid to only $15,000 (see it here). The seller of this watch tried both platforms at the same time. Not the smartest idea as the watch remains unsold on both auction platforms.
Today’s Auction
2024 Patek Philippe Cubitus Platinum / Sunburst Blue / Strap (5822P-001)
Auction Report: Big Blue Cubitus: Patek’s Platinum Square Peg Heads to the Block (Ref. 5822P-001)
If you’re going to bid on a watch that still makes parts of the watch internet argue in the comments, you might as well do it in platinum. The PATEK PHILIPPE Cubitus ref. 5822P-001 is the complication-topped flag planted at the top of the Cubitus launch: a big, unapologetic 45mm case, a sunburst blue dial that looks like it was designed to be seen from across a restaurant, and a modern sport-luxury silhouette that very clearly intends to live in the same mental neighborhood as the brand’s integrated-bracelet legends without cosplaying as one.
The Cubitus matters historically because it represents a rare “new pillar” moment for PATEK PHILIPPE in the modern era, and the 5822P is the version that best explains what the line is trying to be. It isn’t just a case shape and a vibe; it brought an all-new ultra-thin movement built around calendar architecture that’s meant to perform like a proper modern PATEK PHILIPPE mechanism, not a styling exercise. Inside is the caliber 240 PS CI J LU, an ultra-thin automatic with an off-center micro-rotor and a display package that’s equal parts practical and theatrical: a grand date in a double aperture at 12, a day indicator, moon phases, and small seconds, with instantaneous jumps designed to keep those indications crisp and drama-free when the watch is actually living a life on a wrist. In other words, this is the “we’re serious” Cubitus.
Value-wise, this reference sits in that familiar PATEK PHILIPPE paradox: retail is “high,” secondary is “higher,” and availability does most of the talking. Boutique/AD retail for the platinum 5822P has generally been seen in the high-five-figures to low-six-figures range depending on market and tax treatment, while current secondary-market asking prices have commonly floated well into the mid–high six figures, often clustering roughly around the $150,000 to $190,000 band for examples that are complete and clean. Real-world transaction prices can swing meaningfully based on timing, seller credibility, and how allergic buyers are to waiting, but the overall story is consistent: the market is pricing in scarcity, novelty, and the simple fact that a platinum PATEK PHILIPPE complication in a headline-making new collection doesn’t exactly need help getting attention.
This specific auction example checks the collector-comfort boxes. It’s a 2024 watch with box and papers plus the folio/wallet, which is the baseline requirement for anyone who doesn’t enjoy unnecessary future complications (the paperwork kind). Condition is described as pre-owned, with the important surfaces reading well: dial, hands, and crystal are listed as excellent, while the case, bezel, and strap show minor signs of wear. That’s exactly what you want to see for a watch that’s been enjoyed but not abused, especially in platinum, which has a habit of advertising its life story through hairlines and small marks even when the owner is careful. The key question for bidders is whether those “minor signs” are the honest, normal kind or the “someone tried to be helpful with a polishing cloth at the wrong angle” kind, so the closer the photos get to the bezel edges and case planes, the better.
The Cubitus 5822P-001 is not a stealth buy, and it isn’t trying to be. You’re buying the watch because you want the big platinum statement, the electric blue dial, and the mechanical credibility of a new ultra-thin calendar movement that’s intended to age into significance as the Cubitus story matures. If the collection ultimately becomes a modern classic, early platinum complication references like this tend to be the ones collectors circle back to. If it remains polarizing, you still own a platinum PATEK PHILIPPE grand-date/day/moonphase with a legitimately interesting caliber, and that’s not exactly a sad outcome.
The auction ends today at noon, 12:00 pm Eastern (Monday, March 2, 2026), which means this is the part where you decide whether you’re bidding on a future cornerstone piece, a contrarian flex, or simply the nicest way to wear a blue dial while everyone else is still debating the case shape.
Current bid: $115,200
Preview: Tuesday’s Auction Watch
2025 Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono (298609-3003)
Auction Report: Ice Blue, Steel Nerves - The 2025 Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono That Thinks It’s a Royal Oak (But Shows Up With Better Manners)
This listing is for the 2025 Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono, reference 298609-3003, a 44mm steel (specifically Chopard’s “Lucent Steel” alloy) integrated-bracelet sports chronograph with the brand’s in-house caliber 03.05-C. You’ve got the full-set comfort blanket here—box and papers—and the condition notes read like the kind of honesty you actually want: excellent dial/hands/crystal, with minor wear on case, bezel, and bracelet. In other words, it has lived a little, but it hasn’t been dragged behind a Peloton.
A quick reset on what this watch is trying to be. The Alpine Eagle line launched in 2019 as Chopard’s modern revival of the brand’s earlier luxury sports watch, the St. Moritz (an early-1980s Karl-Friedrich Scheufele project that pre-dates the current integrated-bracelet pile-on era). The Alpine Eagle’s calling cards are the eight-screw bezel, the sculpted “compass rose / bezel eyelet” vibe, and—most memorably—the textured blue dial meant to evoke an eagle’s iris (Chopard calls it glacier-inspired; your eyes call it “I’m not subtle, I’m expensive”). Chopard also tied the collection to an environmental angle via the Alpine Eagle Foundation, which is either sincere stewardship or extremely high-end brand positioning, depending on how allergic you are to modern luxury storytelling.
Now the important part: the XL Chrono isn’t just “Alpine Eagle, but louder.” It’s mechanically legit. The 03.05-C is an integrated, COSC-certified, column-wheel chronograph with flyback, a 60-hour reserve, and a notably crisp, modern spec sheet for a brand people still lazily typecast as “jewelry-first.” The minute counter does a semi-instant jump, which is a fancy way of saying it’s designed to read like a proper timing instrument, not a decorative subdial festival. Translation: this isn’t a modular stack bolted onto a base caliber. It’s the real meal.
As for value, the market on this reference tends to sit in a pragmatic lane. Retail is commonly listed around $23K new, but real-world pricing is often less romantic. Grey-market new examples frequently show up in the high teens, and pre-owned pieces tend to trade roughly in the mid-teens to high-teens depending on condition, completeness, and whether the bracelet looks like it was used to grate parmesan. With box and papers and only minor wear, this one is positioned where it should be—your main pricing question is less “Is it real?” and more “How close will it land to new-grey pricing, and does the auction format tempt someone into paying retail emotions for a watch that can be bought with retail logic?”
The buyer profile is pretty clear. If you want an integrated steel sports watch that isn’t the same two or three usual suspects—and you’d like an in-house flyback chrono from a major Swiss house that still feels slightly under-owned—this is a strong candidate. If, on the other hand, your self-worth is indexed to whether strangers can identify your watch from across a valet stand, you may experience mild existential discomfort. The Alpine Eagle is recognized by watch people, not by the global paparazzi economy.
Bidding advice: treat this like a $16K–$19K watch in today’s market if it presents well in photos and the wear is truly “minor” in the real world. If it starts pushing past that neighborhood, you’re no longer paying for the watch—you’re paying for the feeling of winning an auction at 3:06 PM ET on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, which is a thrilling hobby, but not technically investing. If you can keep your pulse out of it, this is one of the more compelling “alternative-luxury-sports-chrono” buys from the last few years: modern, capable, and just uncommon enough to feel like you made a choice on purpose.
Current bid: $2,200