In 2024, ABTW readers made themselves heard over 20,000 occasions. Our remark part creates a small neighborhood, provides readers an opportunity to offer their very own ideas on watches, and even appears to create friendships (or web facsimiles thereof). There’s at all times loads of negativity (although our moderators attempt to ensure issues keep civil), however there are additionally jokes, reward, and storytelling. The main focus is at all times on watches, however sidebars are a typical characteristic. Folks examine in when a daily hasn’t commented for some time. Folks share about their holidays. Some supply poetry as commentary, reference obscure movies, or share about their newest buy. The neighborhood is a big a part of what makes ABTW what it’s. This yr, 10 tales stood above the remaining as producing essentially the most dialogue, and I’m positive we are able to all guess a handful of them, although there have been actually surprises.
A Bit of Chatter About a Duo of New Girard-Perregaux Laureato 38mm Watches
You received’t be shocked to know that we cowl a variety of watches right here at aBlogtoWatch. In 2024, we went hands-on with over 400 watches, and whereas some unsurprisingly created a number of chatter, two new dials of an current mannequin from Girard-Perregaux wouldn’t have been anybody’s guess for one of many prime spots. However right here we’re. Past the predictable value complaints (for 2025, possibly we are able to swear these off?), individuals admired the watch, however questioned who it’s that’s shopping for any GP (it seems it’s Will Ferrell). This disbelieving inquiry was a thread we noticed all year long, as individuals questioned how so many luxurious manufacturers keep afloat.
Readers Sound Off About Their AD Experiences
In one among his columns, Ariel talked about what individuals ought to count on from ADs, and naturally requested readers to share their very own experiences. Our readers, in fact, had been greater than prepared. Folks shared about massive and small manufacturers, on-line and in-person, good and dangerous. There have been comparisons to purchasing automobiles, tales of outright disrespect, and a fast joke about Max Verstappen. Ultimately, individuals simply wish to be handled effectively and with respect, and that shouldn’t be that a lot to ask.
A New Watch Stand in the aBlogtoWatch Store Drums Up Discussion
We knew this was a enjoyable product and one thing individuals would take pleasure in, however posts in regards to the few objects we promote in the ABTW store (none of that are or ever can be watches) weren’t on our shortlist for this Prime 10 submit. It’s at all times nice after we get to carry one thing to our readers and get quick suggestions about how a lot they prefer it, what they wish to see, and what they might change. Having that suggestions embrace a point out of the 1956 sci-fi traditional Forbidden Planet is only a bonus.
Citizen Wows with “The Citizen” AQ4103-16E and Its Gold-Flaked Washi Paper Dial
ABTW readers have a mushy spot for Citizen, at occasions swelling right into a loin-burning idolatry. This specific Citizen is a bit greater finish than the everyday fare we cowl, however no much less deserving of our phrases or readers’ eyes. As soon as once more, the response was nearly universally constructive (as soon as once more, permitting for pricing criticism). Only one particular person voiced his dislike for the watch. One. Everybody else both favored it or acknowledged its magnificence whereas saying it wasn’t for them, although one reader did surprise if the flakes had been constructed from celebrities’ used rest room paper. They’re not — the bathroom paper is unused when utilized to the dial.
Bremont’s “Reset” Leaves People Scratching Their Heads…
Was it the brand new emblem, the discarding of name DNA, or the forsaking of a longtime and enthusiastic buyer base? Everybody appeared to take subject with Bremont’s model pivot/turnaround/makeover. Maybe the transfer to extra mass-market designs just like the Terra Nova was inevitable as soon as exterior cash got here in — traders wish to make their a reimbursement, in spite of everything. Everybody appeared laser-focused on the Terra Nova, however the Supermarine bought a makeover, too, which was arguably extra compelling. Sadly, every thing caught up within the abruptness and ham-handed execution of all of it. And in any case, so few individuals had gone hands-on with the watches that any actual conclusions had been untimely.
… And They Kept Right on Scratching with the Review of the Bremont Terra Nova 38
Till they weren’t. The Bremont Terra Nova assortment was one of the maligned releases of the yr (scroll down for essentially the most maligned), and we took it upon ourselves to assessment 4 completely different fashions, together with the Bremont Terra Nova 38. The consensus from the critiques was that whereas the Terra Novae could not bear any resemblance to the Bremont many knew and beloved, the watches are all well-made, good timepieces — anybody prepared and wanting to purchase one probably wouldn’t be disillusioned. Whereas the reader response was considerably extra balanced than it was to the debut, the frequent feeling could also be finest summed up by one remark: “Mediocre effort.”
Mourning the Loss of Craftsmanship & Performance in Luxury Watches
Is the significance manufacturers place on accuracy waning? That’s what David urged in one among his Grinding Gears columns this yr, lamenting the obvious disinterest from high-end manufacturers in certifying the accuracy of their actions. Whereas Patek got here out with new requirements for its personal actions, David asserts that fewer and fewer manufacturers are certifying their fashions and collections. This one generated a great deal of considerate dialogue in regards to the deserves of chronometer certification, together with some blunter statements that reminded us all that if you would like accuracy in a watch, nothing will ever beat quartz.
TAG Heuer Teams with Kith for a Range of Old School Formula 1 Watches
What’s massive in 2024? Shade? Smaller case sizes? Collabs? Classic inspiration? Test. Test. Test. Test. The TAG Heuer Components 1 Kith collaboration watches appeared to have all of it. And generally even that isn’t sufficient. Whereas only a few took subject with the precise watches, the pricing, as at all times, took middle stage. As one reader put it, these are $1500 “plastic quartz watches for teenagers.” The parallels with the MoonSwatch had been onerous to disregard, and as one other reader remarked, “It’s cool to see what number of manufacturers are getting actually invested in propping up the eBay reseller market.”
Patek Philippe Debuts the Cubitus… and People Have Thoughts
When Patek Philippe discontinued the metal Nautlius 5711, the thought was that one thing spectacular would take its place. In any case, why kill your darling in the event you aren’t going to interchange it with one thing equally praiseworthy? It’s not clear if something might have ever totally crammed the handmade oxfords left empty by the Nautilus, however what is evident is that the Cubitus can not. The response to the watch was swift and cruel, the final sentiment being, “Wait, that is what you killed the 5711 for? THIS?” A lot of the vitriol could possibly be dismissed as kneejerk feedback, however it was undeniably that the Patek Philippe Cubitus seemed extra like a homage than a watch which may quickly be homaged. As a counterpoint to the plenty, ABTW contributor Celine Simon questioned in her remark if the response was, partly, knowledgeable by our familiarity with the enduring Nautilus, and what the Cubitus could appear to be to somebody unfamiliar with its predecessor.
Thierry Stern Does Not Like the Thoughts People Have About the Cubitus
If the Cubitus itself wasn’t sufficient to stir one’s pot, certainly Stern’s response to criticism was. In a peak show of condescension and an illustration of the haughtiness of the Patek Philippe model, Stern primarily stated anybody with a destructive view of the watch is just not and will by no means be a Patek proprietor. A lot of the feedback rehashed preliminary criticisms of the Cubitus with a splash of scorn for Stern. However many opined about Stern himself and the way disconnected he was from the bigger watch market and neighborhood. Some shrewdly noticed that whereas the feedback had been hubristic, that didn’t make them inaccurate — to which nonetheless others identified that simply because it’s proper, doesn’t make it sensible to say. Maybe Stern would’ve been higher off heeding the recommendation supplied by Ariel, who commented, “The perfect wealthy individuals are those who don’t preserve reminding everybody within the room how wealthy they’re.”
What did we miss? These tales and critiques could have gotten essentially the most feedback, however what items did you are feeling generated the perfect discussions? Tell us!Trending Merchandise
