Fashion Time

There are two questions that, as a watch critic, I hate being asked. The first comes with alarming frequency, and is this: ‘What’s your favourite watch?’ Often, before my hand can hit my face, it’s caveated by, ‘I’m sure you get that question all the time…’ Or, ‘you probably don’t have one, but…’ And worst of all, ‘perhaps you can’t say…’, as if to suggest I’m somehow beholden to a brand, but bound to a false creed of professional journalistic impartiality, and might – just for them – let my…

With age comes experience. And nowhere is that truer than among Swiss watch manufactures. Brands such as Vacheron Constantin and Cartier have been crafting timepieces for over 160 years. And, unsurprisingly, such a resumé costs. But experience isn’t the only guarantee of authority. In recent years, plenty of new watch brands have emerged that hold their own against the ancients – offering similar levels of craftsmanship, often at a fraction of the cost. As Andrew Jennings, founder of contemporary watch brand Larsson & Jennings explains, good looks aren’t the only…

Part of the appeal of owning a mechanical watch is the fun you have tinkering with it. There’s a tiny machine in that case which requires your daily input to keep it going. But as with any machine, the smallest human error can see it grind to a halt. Whether it’s changing the date at the wrong time of day or failing to screw down the crown when you take a bath, every mechanical watch-wearer should be aware of the basic errors that could result in a costly visit to…