Avid watch fans and collectors will never forget the day they bought their first Rolex. It’s a big milestone moment, and as Rolex watches at retail have never been easy, it can take some time as authorised dealers tend to hold on to their stock as much as possible.

With this – and the costs – in mind, it’s often easier and more beneficial to buy a pre-owned Rolex. To find out more, I spoke to Robertino Altieri, CEO and Founder of WatchGuys about the secondary Rolex market.

“During 2020, Rolex prices boomed and secondary market values of certain models were almost a percentage of what they are now. Since then, the market has leveled out, but certain watches continue to trend upward in value,” Altieri explains. “But as a new collector, there are a few ways you can strategize your purchase on the secondary market.”

To help you find your perfect Rolex, Altieri gives his advice on how to buy one, and which models you should and shouldn’t buy.

Buying a pre-owned Rolex: The Do’s and Don’ts

At the start of 2026, Rolex raised its prices across all its models, including full gold and two-tone watches which climbed to 9% higher. Halfway through the year in June 2026, Rolex raised its prices a second time adding 5% more to full gold and 2.5% more to two-tone.

The main reason for this is simple: gold. As Altieri explains, “Rolex runs its own in-house foundry, the market value of the metal flows directly into the retail price of every gold watch. Gold has roughly doubled over the past three years, and it currently trades around $4,000 an ounce. This works to the watch's detriment on the resale side, because the retail value of gold often surpasses the watch's own secondary market value.”

So, when buying a pre-owned Rolex rather than new, chances are you can save money on Rolex gold and two-tone watches. “If your goal is to save money, lean into gold and two-tone references, where retail pricing has been inflated by the rising cost of gold and pre-owned examples trade at meaningful discounts,” says Altieri.

There’s nothing wrong with buying a Rolex that’s popular or limited edition, either. They’re good investment pieces to add to your collection, and “if your goal is appreciation, focus on the steel sports models and discontinued icons that consistently outrun supply.”

But along a similar vein, there are certain Rolex watches that are simply not very popular and should be approached with caution, as they may not be great money savers on the secondary market. These include Rolex Datejust models, like the 126303, 278273 and 126331, as well as highly exclusive pieces like the Rolex GMT-Master II 126729VTNR "Hornet".

10 pre-owned Rolex watches you should consider buying

1. Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO "Pepsi"

A model all Rolex fans know and love, the Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO "Pepsi" is Rolex’s most recently discontinued watch. “Its market value doubled after discontinuation was announced and has leveled out since, but these models are likely to hold their value for years to come,” says Altieri. Currently, you can buy a "Pepsi" for around $26,000 on the secondary market.

2. Rolex Daytona 126500LN "Panda"

The Rolex Daytona 126500LN "Panda" features a white dial which is often considered “a holy grail model for collectors”. It’s extremely hard to get at retail, and is expected to continue climbing in value, as it currently holds a market value around $38,000.

3. Rolex Datejust 126334 Green Dial

Next, the Datejust 126334 pairs a 41mm case and a fluted white gold bezel with one of Rolex's most sought-after dial colors: green. “Green dials move quickly, and this configuration blends everyday versatility with strong collector demand, making it a smart current-production buy that tends to hold value better than the average Datejust.” The jubilee reference has a market value around $17,000, with its oyster counterpart going for just under $16,000.

3. Rolex Datejust 126334 Green Dial

Next, the Datejust 126334 pairs a 41mm case and a fluted white gold bezel with one of Rolex's most sought-after dial colors: green. “Green dials move quickly, and this configuration blends everyday versatility with strong collector demand, making it a smart current-production buy that tends to hold value better than the average Datejust.” The jubilee reference has a market value around $17,000, with its oyster counterpart going for just under $16,000.

4. Rolex Explorer II 226570 "Polar"

The Rolex Explorer II 226570 with the white "Polar" dial is a tool watch that “has quietly earned its place as the “best starter watch among enthusiasts. The high-contrast white dial with the orange 24-hour hand is instantly recognizable and consistently in demand.” It’s a steel sports model which is tough to secure at retail, but the Polar is a strong long-term hold on the secondary market and has market value around $13,500.

5. Rolex Submariner 126618LB "Bluesy"

The Rolex Submariner 126618LB full gold "Bluesy" is a hefty piece and not quite as popular as its two-tone counterpart. But you can save yourself up to $5,000 if you buy it on the secondary market. It has a market value around $46,500, and a shocking retail value of $50,900.

6. Rolex GMT-Master II 126711CHNR "Root Beer"

Onto money-saving options, the Rolex GMT-Master II 126711CHNR "Root Beer" is a two-tone GMT with a black and brown split bezel and Everose gold center links. “It’s not quite as popular as other GMT models, and the presence of gold makes it a watch you can buy for up to $2,000 under retail on the secondary market. Many are available for around $22,500!

7. Rolex Submariner 126613LN

The next money saving model is the Rolex Submariner 126613LN. As a two-tone piece with a black dial and bezel with yellow gold center links, “it carries a similar look to a GMT, at a great price.” According to Altieri, you can save up to $3,000 when buying this model pre-owned. It’s available around $18,000, with unworn models selling for up to $20,500.

8. Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR "Bruce Wayne"

A well-named watch, the Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR "Bruce Wayne" has a black and grey split-bezel GMT. Another model that doesn’t stay in stock for long, it’s a classic piece and a cult favourite, whose value will likely continue to trend upwards.

9. Rolex Submariner 116610LV "Hulk"

Another discontinued winner is the Rolex Submariner 116610LV "Hulk." A stunning Submariner with a matching green bezel and dial – hence the nickname – this model flies off the shelf once stocked, and you can get one for around $20,000.

10. Rolex Submariner 126610LV "Kermit" / "Starbucks"

Finally, the current green-bezel Rolex Submariner 126610LV is a strong current-production pick. “It carries the spirit of the discontinued "Hulk" in a slimmer, more wearable case. Demand consistently outpaces supply at retail, so pre-owned examples command a premium, but this is a model that has historically held and grown its value.” It has a market value around $16,800, about $5,000 over retail.

The world's biggest audio brands might love to shout about their newest speakers, but they're rarely keen to let people into their research and development hubs to see how those speakers were actually made.

It's not that they're ashamed of the work (far from it), but more that there are a heap of risks attached, not least that journalists could get peeks at still long-distant projects that aren't yet ready for the limelight.

So, when Bowers & Wilkins, one of the UK's most lauded audio houses (and a T3 Award winner for Best Headphones in 2026), invited T3 to check out its R&D facility near Horsham, in West Sussex, we leapt at the chance.

This sort of tour is a proper first – Bowers & Wilkins was at pains to underline that it had never before let the media into this facility.

Inside, I got to spend a good few hours embedded in a couple of Bowers' custom-built listening rooms, and while the new 800 Series Diamond D5 speakers I heard blew me away, the intricacy of those rooms took me by surprise and really stuck in my mind.

Behind the curtain

When you hear "listening room", it's easy to imagine a normal room with some sound-proofing panels, and then an extremely expensive setup of audio gear.

In truth, that's probably what many wealthy individuals get in their homes when they commission audio rooms, since the results are acoustically impressive while concentrating the cost on that audio gear.

Bowers, though, is swimming in different waters; it doesn't want great sound – it wants perfect sound. Rather than outfitting a room with soundproofing, this means literally building a soundproof room within a room. Bowers has a few of these in its R&D facility, and we used the biggest of them for the afternoon.

You immediately get a sense of the room's scale when you step in, because it has two doors. Between the outer and inner doors there's about a foot of space, effectively a sound-dampening vacuum, and it illustrates how the room is built. I was told about spring systems underneath it to keep it elevated above the original floor, and an estimate that the room itself weighs 12 tonnes.

The photo below is of the window in the room (something Bowers' engineers reportedly requested for their own wellbeing when it was being built). It shows you the air gap and the thickness of the walls.

A pretty penny

When I asked Bowers & Wilkins about how much this might cost to build, I was told: "When we built that room – around £250,000. That’s the room, not the components inside the room." Anyone who's following tech knows that inflation is a real thing, though, so it's no surprise that a follow-up clarified: "Today, probably more like £300,000."

Those responses came from Andy Kerr, the brand's director of product marketing and communications, and he was effusive about what that sizeable investment has brought to Bowers. Its previous R&D facility was storied but cramped, and when Bowers moved to its new location a few years ago, getting more listening rooms was one of its main priorities.

Neutrality at its purest

Needless to say, these rooms aren't for pleasure listening (although I'm sure they get their share of after-hours use). The idea is that this sort of pristine environment gives B&W's engineers total neutrality in which to assess their in-progress speakers' sound, and to hear the results of their tuning changes.

When I asked how often each room was in use, Kerr told me that the location "is an engineering facility, and the main listening room has been created with a specific function in mind, which leads to the room being pretty much in continuous use."

With a couple of other, smaller listening rooms also available, that spells out just how important these pristine environments are for audio development.

That's before you start to even discuss the equipment within these rooms. Some quick maths on the setup I was listening to by the end of the afternoon has its value sitting at around £300,000.

God-tier audio

The acoustics are, indeed, completely mad. Bowers staff had to come in to swap out heavy speakers every few minutes, and it was crazy how easily you could tell when the inner door was closing – the ambient noise of the world just sort of sucked away into nothing.

Once the music started, it didn't take long to realise just how impactful such a perfect environment can be. I remember as a teenager visiting an ancient Greek amphitheatre, at Epidauros, and being blown away by how its design carried sound around a huge open space. This was like the reverse – a space that felt like there was no sound, until it was completely filled by whichever speaker we had turned to.

To be clear, though, I'm not done writing up my visit to Bowers & Wilkins – I've concentrated here on the practical side of its listening room setup, but the sound is something I'm saving for another write-up this week. In that, you'll get to hear what I thought of Bowers & Wilkins' newest generation 800 series, the Diamond D5.

G-Shock has unveiled a particularly eye-catching take on its classic DW-6900, created with Bay Area rapper Larry June and his lifestyle brand, Midnight Organic.

The limited-edition G-Shock DW6900MO26-4 is finished almost entirely in bright orange.

The colour comes from the custom interior of June’s 1987 Chevrolet C4 Corvette, which he calls “Tropical Guts”.

June reportedly bought the car for just $3,500 (~£2,628 / €3,079 / AU$5,014) in 2018 after spotting it parked beside a road in Pacifica, California.

Its stock silver and grey metallic exterior contrasts with the vivid orange cabin, making it one of the most recognisable symbols of the rapper’s self-described “laid-back luxury” lifestyle.

G-Shock has translated that combination to the watch with metallic elements around the dial and a silver-coloured metal keeper inspired by the Corvette’s exterior.

The resin bezel and strap supply a considerable helping of orange.

It is based on the familiar DW-6900 silhouette, complete with the model’s three circular indicators and oversized front-mounted light button.

Midnight Organic branding appears above the display, while “1991” is printed prominently along the strap.

A feel-good surprise hidden in the display

There are more collaborative details around the stainless-steel case back, including an engraving with Midnight Organic’s circular “1991 – You’re Doing Good” emblem.

Pressing the light button also illuminates the display with a custom red “Good Job!” message.

The watch is supplied in equally bright special-edition packaging decorated with Midnight Organic branding and the same “You’re Doing Good” artwork.

The watch itself offers shock resistance, water resistance to 200 metres, a 1/100-second stopwatch, countdown timer, multifunction alarm and a Super Illuminator LED backlight. Both 12- and 24-hour time formats are supported.

“I’ve been collecting G-Shocks for years, so it was special to see the process and be able to design my own watch,” June said.

The G-Shock DW6900MO26-4 is priced at $170 (~£128 / €150 / AU$244). Sales begin through Midnight Organic on 24 July, before availability expands to G-Shock’s US website, its SoHo store and selected retailers on 31 July.

G-Shock has not announced UK, EU and AU pricing or availability.

Jaeger-LeCoultre has just expanded its Rendez-Vous collection with two new timepieces, designed with feminine elegance in mind. While the new Rendez-Vous Jewellery Night & Day will draw all the attention with its intricate hand-painted dial, the Rendez-Vous Hour-Minute is the one that’s got me excited – and it might have finally changed my mind about women’s watches.

The Rendez-Vous collection by Jaeger-LeCoultre first debuted back in 2012, its dedicated collection of fine mechanical women’s watches. The models in the line-up come in smaller sizes between 29mm to 36mm to cater to smaller wrists, and typically feature hand-guilloché dials and diamond details.

The new Rendez-Vous Jewellery Night & Day has kept these features with its multi-layed dial featuring a miniature hand-painting in lacquer. Limited to just 10 pieces, the watch measures 34mm and sits in a platinum 950 collection which is a first to the Rendez-Vous range.

The bezel of the case is set with 49 baguette-cut diamonds that sparkles around the painted dial. Described as an ‘ode to nature’, the dial of the Rendez-Vous Jewellery Night & Day features an Asian Paradise Flycatcher which sits on a branch with Korean Dogwood blossom.

If you look just beneath the bird, there’s a disc which has a 24 hour day and night display. It rotates every 24 hours to show the transition from the sun to the moon. It’s also been meticulously hand-painted.

Oversized numerals sit atop the hand-painted disc, and they differ in size with 12 being the largest, and nine and three shrinking to the side. It sits atop the miniature painting which is separate from the dial with an oval ring that has grain-set diamonds dotted around it.

Powered by the Calibre 733 movement, the Rendez-Vous Jewellery Night & Day has a rotor that’s crafted from 22kt gold. It’s finished with a blue alligator strap to match the main colour of the dial.

My favourite launch from the new Rendez-Vous collection is the updated Rendez-Vous Hour-Minute. Now available in steel or 18kt pink gold, the new watch has a refined, minimalist style that sits in a small 29mm case.

The new Rendez-Vous Hour-Minute is very simple, just displaying the hour and minutes on the dial. It keeps the signature Rendez-Vous Floral numerals, and it has a light sunray guilloché texture. The case and bezel are smooth and sans diamonds, but there are small diamonds that loop around the dial that also act as hour markers.

The steel version of the Rendez-Vous Hour-Minute has black numerals, blue hands and a snow-white dial, while the pink gold model matches in colour with the case, hour markers and hands. The watch also comes with metal or alligator leather straps. It’s powered by the Quartz Calibre 657 movement, and prices start at £6,800.

2026 is shaping up to be the year of Ulysse Nardin. Following its ‘most complex time-only watch ever created’ at Watches and Wonders 2026, Ulysse Nardin has just launched the limited edition Blast [Moonstruck] which combines five astronomical indications in one watch.

The new Ulysse Nardin Blast [Moonstruck] is inspired by the Trilogy of time by Dr. Ludwig Oechslin, and is a celebration of the manufacturer’s heritage in astronomical watch making. The first-ever Moonstruck timepiece was launched by Ulysse Nardin in 2009, and this latest edition pays homage to one of the brand’s most impressive astronomical complications.

Well known for its ‘no dial’ designs, the Ulysse Nardin Blast [Moonstruck] takes this to the next level, and is made up of multiple layers to make up its geocentric display. The watch gives the wearer a look into the different positions of the Earth, sun and moon, while also providing five different complications to marvel at.

These five indications include a moonphase which is accurate for 40.3 years, days of the month, tidal coefficients, a world timer and the sun and moon positions around the globe. All of this and more sits in a 45mm case, made from rose gold on the upper case and black DLC-treated titanium in the middle and bezel.

At the centre of the dial is the Earth and a 3D display of the Northern Hemisphere which sits atop an aventurine dial. Surrounding this is a track that shows the positions of the sun and moon, with the sun indication mounted on a rotating 24-hour worldtimer disc which displays 24 time zones.

The sun sits at 12 o’clock as a reference point so wearers can read time across all 24 time zones. The moon displays the moonphase and lunar month, and moves around the watch to reproduce the lunar cycle. As the moon always faces the sun, the part that does on the watch is illuminated.

But that’s not all! A two-tone day/night indication and fixed city ring allows wearers to see global time and the movement of the sun throughout the day, so you can tell between daytime and nighttime. A rose gold ring circles the dial which is engraved with the days of the month. A sapphire glass box covers the entire infrastructure.

Powered by the UN-106 manufacture calibre, the automatic movement features a silicon escapement and hairspring, components that Ulysse Nardin first introduced to its Freak watch in 2001. The movement has a patented time setting mechanism which allows wearers to adjust local time forwards or backwards in one-hour increments.

This adjustment is done by the oversized pushers that flank the crown on the right side of the case. The crown itself can adjust the astronomical settings. The movement is made of 338 components and 42 jewels, and gives the watch an impressive 50 hour power reserve.

Finished with a black alligator strap, the Blast [Moonstruck] might be the most impressive watch from Ulysse Nardin Blast that I’ve ever seen – and that’s saying something! It’s a true work of art, but you’ll have to be quick if you want it.

Limited to just 20 pieces, the Ulysse Nardin Blast [Moonstruck] is priced at £87,530 / €102,600 / $116,000.

Gerald Charles has debuted a trio of new Masterlink watches, and I can’t decide which one I like the most! Upgrading its iconic Masterlink design, the new timepieces feature stunning, colourful gemstones on the dial and bezel, adding extra colour and sparkle to its classic watch style.

The Masterlink watch is Gerald Charles’ most recognisable watch. It has a 38mm stainless steel case and an integrated bracelet with Gerald Charles’ Maestro ‘smile’ at six o’clock. Based on a square, the Gerald Charles Masterlink has a rounded octagonal shape with a fixed bezel and screw-down crown – see our hands-on with the Gerald Charles Masterlink for more details.

What makes this new trio different from the original Masterlink is its use of gemstones. Available in blue, green or red, each watch uses a different gemstone as the base of its dial, and introduces baguette-cut gems as the hour markers and set into the white gold bezels.

Starting with the blue – which I think is my favourite version – the Gerald Charles Masterlink Gem-Set Stone Dial is made from spectrolite which is a rare form of labradorite. Each stone is unique, but spectrolite typically comes in blue, violet, green and gold hues.

To further capture the blue shade, the Gerald Charles Masterlink Gem-Set Stone Dial features 60 blue sapphires on the bezel. Blue sapphires also represent the hour markers, and the rest of the dial is kept simple with just hour and minute hands to let the gemstone really shine.

The green version of the Gerald Charles Masterlink Gem-Set Stone Dial is made from aventurine. 60 green tsavorites are set into the bezel and on the dial. Finally, the red edition is made from Iron Eye which has layers of red, orange, black and brown colours. The bezel and hour markers are set with red sapphires.

Powered by the GCA1000 manufacture calibre movement, the Gerald Charles Masterlink has a 50 hour power reserve. The movement, including its offset micro-rotor can be seen via the open caseback. Stone dials are a big watch trend for 2026, and Gerald Charles has captured it perfectly with these new launches.

As you can imagine, producing these dials takes a lot of time, as you have to be very specific and delicate when cutting a circular disc from a gemstone. This care and craftsmanship reflects the price and limited availability of the watches, too.

Limited to 10 pieces each, the gem-set stone versions of the Gerald Charles Masterlink are available on request.

Breitling has teamed up with Aston Martin on the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41, a stunning, intricate watch that pays tribute to the iconic Aston Martin DB5 car. Available in three versions, the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 is inspired by the interior of the Aston Martin DB5, including its upholstery and steering wheel.

The Aston Martin DB5 was first introduced in 1963. It’s known as one of the most iconic on-screen cars, as it was featured in not one, not two but eight James Bond films. Aston Martin and Breitling have that in common, as Breitling’s Top Time ref. 2002 was worn by Sean Connery’s Bond in Thunderball in 1965.

To celebrate this history, Breitling and Aston Martin have collaborated on the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 which looks like the Aston Martin DB5 in watch form. The watch is available in three limited edition versions, including stainless steel with a silver dial, steel and platinum with a black lacquered dial, and a 18K red gold with onyx dial.

Measuring 41mm, the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 features a cushion-shaped case with a round, fixed bezel. The corners of the watch have a grooved pattern which matches the outer ring of the crown. The crown is flanked by two mushroom chronograph pushers that hark back to Breitling’s original 1960s chronograph watch.

The Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 has many wooden details as inspired by the interior accents of the Aston Martin. This is most prominent on the wooden inner rehaut ring which is a nod to the DB5’s steering wheel.

While the dials differ in colour and material, the features are the same, including a main sunray brushed dial, and chronograph subdials at three and nine o’clock. The subdials are 1/4th second and 30-minute counters, and have a ‘squircle’ shape – squares with rounded corners – that are meant to look like the dashboard gauges on classic cars.

The dial has an external minute track, hours, minutes and seconds hands, and bar-like hour markers. The hands have Super-LumiNova to enhance the visibility in low light conditions.

Powered by the Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01 movement, the Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 has a 70 hour power reserve. The movement, including a vertical clutch and column-wheel, can be seen via the open caseback. It beautifully displays the Aston Martin-engraved rotor which comes in rhodium or 18K red gold, depending on the version you pick.

The Top Time B01 Chronograph 41 is finished with a brown calf-skin leather strap, another nod to the DB5’s upholstery. My personal favourite is the steel, platinum and black lacquered dial as I like the contrast between black dial, wooden rehaut and steel case. This version is limited to 315 pieces and costs £14,400, so it’ll be slightly harder to get your hands on but not impossible.

The stainless steel and silver dial is limited to 1,022 pieces and priced at £8,650, while the 18K red gold version is limited to just 250 pieces and costs £35,100. Pricing can be found on the Breitling website.

There's a lot of incredible ingenuity in the British watchmaking scene right now. While top name players like Christopher Ward lead the charge, there are a sea of smaller, independent brands putting out seriously impressive watches at great prices.

One example I stumbled upon late last year was the Abinger Nimrod. That's a well-spec'd watch with a go anywhere, do anything personality, for less than you'd think.

Now, the brand has unveiled the Phantom, which builds on that base with a stealthy new look. Let's jump in and take a closer look.

Abinger Phantom: key specs

Let's kick off with some specs. The model utilises a 38mm case diameter, and sits a mere 10.8mm tall. That houses a Miyota 9039 movement – a well-respected third-party movement which offers 42 hours of power reserve, and accuracy of -10/+15 seconds per day.

The piece is also water resistant to 200m, which is seriously impressive. That's dive watch levels of resistance, and feels unbelievable on a watch with these dimensions and at this price.

There is a bezel on the watch, though it's not a dive bezel. Instead, the watch uses a second hour scale, which allows the piece to act like a GMT watch.

You'll also find an FKM rubber strap on this model. That features a patterned top, designed to look like fabric, but it is, in fact all rubber. Also note that the pre-production model I've reviewed comes with a silver buckle, but that will be a matching black on the finished article.

What is the Abinger Phantom like on the wrist?

As you'd probably expect from the spec sheet, this model wears like a dream. The slim case height paired with the smaller diameter makes for an overall prospect which is just dreamy to wear.

I'm also a big fan of the rubber strap here. It suits the vibe of the watch – or, at the very least, how it has felt during my summer testing – with a lightweight nature. One gripe I have is that the fabric pattern and the wave pattern on the rear of the strap are both magnets for dirt and grime.

Still, that won't be enough to put me off. The 20mm lug width should make this a top pick for those who enjoy changing their watch strap, and I can see it looking great on a wide range of other options.

I'm also a big fan of the full lume dial. I'm rarely one to get dewy-eyed about lume performance – for most of us, it's not really a necessity in modern life.

Still, it's hard to ignore a full dial crafted from it, and it does look great here. In fact, I'd wager it's only really bested by another small British design in the Ontic Utility 40 Granite.

Is the Abinger Phantom worth the money?

Once the watch comes available for pre-orders on the 1st of August, you'll be able to snag it at an exclusive pre-order price of £699 (approx. €820 / US$950 / AU$1,350). Thereafter, the model will retail a little higher at £725 (approx. €850 / US$970 / AU$1,395).

It's worth noting that that's about £200 more costly than the original pre-order price of the Nimrod, though that does retail at £650, which closes the gap somewhat. Either way, it places this model in an interesting spot.

It's easy to compare watches around the £1,000 mark and watches around the £500 mark, but the space between it is hard to do well. I think this model is a good example of doing it right – enviable specs and a solid design with a decent story, and all at a price which undercuts some of the bigger boys in the space.

I felt similar feelings about the Clemence Munro, and I think that's pretty high praise indeed. I'm excited for the future of Abinger.

OMEGA and Swatch are back again with another Moonswatch, and this time, it’s all about gold. To mark the anniversary of the first Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, the new Mission To The Moon 1969 is made from OMEGA’s 18K Moonshine Gold and limited to just 1969 pieces.

OMEGA and Swatch have been collaborating since 2022, but it’s been some time since we’ve had a new Moonswatch. But this latest watch was definitely worth the wait. Speaking of, the Mission To The Moon 1969 weighs a massive 11 grams due to its gold content – it’s quite literally worth its weight in gold.

Taking clear design inspiration from the OMEGA Speedmaster a.k.a the first watch on the moon, the Mission To The Moon 1969 is a real beauty. Measuring 42mm, the case is made from matte black bioceramic with a tachymeter scale on the bezel in a gold colour.

The right side of the case has an oversized crown and two pushers on the right side, made from 18K Moonshine Gold. The gold material also constructs the dial and its hands, another nod to OMEGA’s gold 1969 Speedmaster, as well as the 11 gram weight which is a tribute to Apollo 11’s mission number.

To offset the gold, the dial has gold beveled hour markers, hours, minutes and seconds with black lacquer. Three chronograph subdials sit at three, six and nine o’clock, each with their own black hands and numerals.

At 12 o’clock, you can see OMEGA x Swatch branding, as well as Speedmaster and Moonswatch logos that sit just below the chronographs. In my opinion, where the watch really shines is when you flip it over.

The caseback or battery cover of the Mission To The Moon 1969 features a gold coloured moon that’s imprinted with ‘July 21, 1969’ – the date of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. A footprint can also be seen which references the first step taken on the landing site.

Powered by a quartz movement, the watch is finished with a matching black rubber strap which has a gold lining on the inside which looks like the surface of the moon. I’ve always been a fan of the Moonswatch but this version feels a lot more special than its other iterations.

Limited to just 1969 pieces, the Mission to The Moon 1969 is available to buy for £520 in select Swatch stores.

In celebration of the life and work of Stephen Hawking, Bremont has launched the Supernova Hawking. This latest watch is the second collaboration between Bremont and Hawking’s family, and it’s dedicated to the astrophysicist’s research into black holes.

Bremont previously collaborated with Hawking’s family on its first limited edition Stephen Hawking collection back in 2020. It quickly became a popular tribute piece, and its exhibition caseback drew attention with its four inlaid wooden discs that were taken from Hawking’s desk. It also contained an inscription of ‘A Brief History of Time’, the title of Hawking’s book.

Now for 2026, Bremont is back with its second Hawkings-inspired watch, the Bremont Supernova Hawking. Measuring 41mm, the Bremont Supernova Hawking is made from ultra black DLC-treated 904L steel, with the colour and multi-layer construction of the watch inspired by space engineering and black holes.

The bezel of the Bremont Supernova Hawking is made from ceramic and has a decahedral shape, giving the case a multi-faceted angular look. A large crown sits on the side which is flanked by two pushers that control the chronographs on the dial.

While the dial is a combination of black, white and grey, it’s anything but monochrome. The base of the dial is inspired by spacecraft solar arrays, and has an interlocking grid pattern. For more shape and structure, the grids are broken up into triangles around the dial.

The dial of the Bremont Supernova Hawking showcases two chronograph subdials, a 30 minutes counter at three o’clock and a small seconds counter at nine o’clock. Each subdial is made from real meteorites, and the chronograph seconds hands are made from black gold.

A tachymeter wraps around the dial, and there’s a date window at six o’clock. Sitting just above it is Stephen Hawking’s name and his black hole temperature equation. Triangles represent the hour markers, and these and the main hour and minute hands are made from black gold and filled with white Super-LumiNova for better visibility in low light.

Powered by the BC77 movement, the Bremont Supernova Hawking has a 62 hour power reserve and is water resistant to 100 metres. The caseback is just as impressive as the first collaboration, and showcases a swirling black hole that sits just above the movement and rotor.

Finished with the choice of an integrated ultra black stainless steel bracelet or a black rubber strap, the Bremont Supernova Hawking is another fitting tribute to one of the greatest scientists of all time.

The Bremont Supernova Hawking is limited to 600 pieces and available to buy now with prices starting at £7,700.

As part of its countdown to the 38th America’s Cup, Panerai has launched two new Luminor Luna Rossa watches. As the official sponsor of the Italian Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team, Panerai is continuing – and celebrating – this partnership with new sailing-inspired timepieces which are as stylish as they are practical.

Kicking off the releases is the Luminor Luna Rossa Chrono PAM01768. Measuring 44mm, the Luminor Luna Rossa Chrono PAM01768 sits in a steel case with a polished bezel, with its iconic crown and protective bridge sitting on the right side.

On the left side of the case sit two red accented pushers which control the chronographs that sit at three and nine o’clock on the dial. Powered by the P.9210 calibre movement, this powers the chronographs, as well as the hours, minutes and small seconds, and gives the watch 42 hours of power reserve.

The chronographs have red and white seconds hands which calculate the average speed over a fixed distance. The flange displays this in miles per hour or kilometers per hour. To do this, the chronographs must be stopped and reset before the wearer presses the pusher to start measuring the distance. When 1,000 metres have been covered, the pusher can be pushed again to stop the measurement.

Another sailing-inspired feature is a speed tachymeter which can be found via the scale on the rehaut. This allows sailors to calculate their boat’s average speed over specific distances. This and the chronographs sit in a silver sun-brushed dial with white Super-LumiNova X2 in the hour markers and numerals.

Water resistant to 100 metres, the Luminor Luna Rossa Chrono PAM01768 is finished with a bi-material rubber and grey strap with a Luna Rossa red stripe. It’s limited to just 500 pieces and priced at £9,700.

The second launch is the Luminor Luna Rossa GMT PAM01791. Slightly smaller than the PAM01768, the Luminor Luna Rossa GMT PAM01791 measures 40mm, and is the first watch from the Luna Rossa collection to feature a metal bracelet.

The Luminor Luna Rossa GMT PAM01791 has a steel case with a silver sun-brushed dial, and also features the crown and protective bridge. It has a date window at three o’clock and a small seconds chronograph at nine o'clock.

Powered by the automatic P.900/GMT movement, the calibre can be seen via the open caseback which also features its GMT function with a 12-hour display. Linked to regattas, this GMT allows wearers to track times in different locations. Another nod to the Italian sailing team, the GMT hand is shaped by the sail of the Luna Rossa boat.

The Luminor Luna Rossa GMT PAM01791 is water resistant to 100 metres and has a 3-day power reserve. It’s priced at £9,600.

If you're a fan of hi-fi audio equipment, you're probably also used to seeing extortionate price tags. It's not uncommon for speakers and other gear to run into several thousands, and going down the route of separates can see you spend four- or five-figure sums on pieces of kit which don't even have a direct effect on sound.

Fortunately, it's not all expensive. While the shiny end of the spectrum is packed with pricey gear, there's also a range of more affordable kit which will make enjoying killer audio easier on the wallet.

Here are three I've tested which I cannot live without.

1. Audio Technica AT-LP70XBT

I've collected records for years now, and I love nothing more than sitting down to spin a disc and relax into the lovely, analogue warmth. When my old turntable bit the dust earlier this year, I opted to snag this Audio Technica model, and I've loved every second of using it.

The automatic, belt-driven operation might not win favour with cork sniffers, but it's more than enough for my needs and makes the process totally simple. Not only that, it looks great, and gives me the opportunity to switch out the cartridge further down the line, which means I can upgrade without switching out the whole unit.

2. Majority Audio D70X

Of course, a great turntable needs to be paired with a pair of great speakers. Those can quickly mount up in terms of cost, and while there's a lot to be said for spending here – they are the rubber meets road component, after all – I was convinced that there was a more cost-conscious option.

The Majority Audio D70X offers exactly that, costing just £70 (approx. €82 / US$95 / AU$135) for the pair. Audio quality is better than I'd anticipated too, offering more than enough fidelity to make the most of an untreated room.

3. Activo Scoop IEMs

Arguably saving the best for last, meet the IEMs which have replaced all of my other earbuds and headphones. Sure, anything wireless is more convenient, but I just love the fidelity offered by these. Sonically, they blow earbuds worth two or three times as much out of the water.

What's also handy is the design, which allows the user to switch out the connection in under a minute. That makes them perfect for using with multiple devices – I routinely swap between the 3.5mm and USB-C jacks for trading between my phone and my Gadhouse Miko cassette player, and always have the option of 4.4mm for other devices when the need calls.

It's also hard to ignore just how stylish and on-trend you look with a pair of wired headphones, too. If it's good enough for Harry Styles and Zendaya, it's good enough for me.

The 2026 Wimbledon Champions is drawing to a close at the end of this week, and wow, has it been a busy fortnight. Despite having it on the TV for the past two weeks, I’ve not been paying too much attention to the tennis as I’ve been distracted by the luxury watches both on and off the court.

From David Beckham’s Tudor to Roger Federer’s Rolex, here are the best nine watches spotted at Wimbledon 2026, worn by athletes, celebrities and spectators alike.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph on Serena Williams

For her return to Wimbledon, tennis player and style icon Serena Williams was spotted wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph on the court. As an ambassador for Audemars Piguet since 2014, Williams is often spotted wearing Royal Oak timepieces and this year’s championships are no exception.

Her latest Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph is even more special, as its bright pink colour and rubber strap matches her racquet grip. Measuring 37mm, the watch features a titanium case with a bezel set with 32 brilliant-cut diamonds. The Lady Tapisserie dial is bright pink and has a triple chronograph display.

Tudor Black Bay 58 on David Beckham

David Beckham is often spotted supporting in the stands at Wimbledon, and he’s also regularly seen wearing a Tudor watch as he’s one of the brand’s global ambassadors. Just like last year, Beckham has been showing off his bespoke, personalised Tudor Black Bay Chrono.

This Tudor Black Bay Chrono features a black lacquer dial with two white subdials, snowflake hands and a date window. What it lacks is numerals which are replaced by diamonds – because why not?! The case, bracelet and bezel is also studded with diamonds.

Rolex Datejust II on Roger Federer

As Rolex is the Official Timekeeper for Wimbledon, it only seems right that there’s been a far few spotted at this year’s championships. Even better, Roger Federer, former tennis player and eight-time winner at Wimbledon was spotted in the stands wearing the Rolex Datejust II.

Federer’s Rolex Datejust II measures 41mm and features a silver dial and Oyster bracelet. The dial showcases Arabic numerals and a fluted bezel wraps around it. Not only is it an iconic Rolex timepiece, but this particular Rolex Datejust II was worn by Federer back when he won Wimbledon in 2009.

Hublot Big Bang Reloaded Usain Bolt on Usain Bolt

If you have a watch named after you, it only seems fair that you should wear it at every exciting occasion! Earlier this year, Hublot ambassador and runner, Usain Bolt announced his latest collaboration with the brand, deftly called the Hublot Big Bang Reloaded Usain Bolt.

Seen wearing it at Wimbledon, the Hublot Big Bang Reloaded Usain Bolt measures 44mm and is made from black ceramic and carbon. The bezel is in 18K yellow gold – as are the H-shaped screws – and features the engraving ‘Anything is Possible, Don’t Think Limits’. In true Bolt style, the dial also features a lightning bolt seconds hand and the watch has an original soil sample from his training track inside.

IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35 “Pool” on Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield is a fan favourite spot at Wimbledon. For watch enthusiasts, they’ll have also spotted that he was wearing an unreleased IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35 “Pool” – and we still don’t know much about it just yet!

A new take on a classic 1976 design from Gerald Genta, Garfield’s IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35 “Pool” has a blue ‘aqua’ dial and is surprisingly small at just 35mm. It features a grid-patterned dial, and an integrated case and bezel, but that’s all we (and anyone) knows so far.

OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M on Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Actor, Aaron Taylor-Johnson was seen giving OMEGA some love at this year’s Wimbledon. On his wrist was the OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M, and at closer inspection, it looks to be the steel and black ‘wave’ combination.

Measuring 42mm, the OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M has a black ‘wave’ dial, a steel case, and a black rubber strap. As a Seamaster, it’s water resistant to 300 metres, and has a helium escape valve and dive bezel. As OMEGA is the primary watch worn by James Bond, could this be a hint that Taylor-Johnson could be the favoured choice for the role? We’ll have to wait and see.

Breitling Top Time B31 on James Norton

Another British actor spotted in the stands was James Norton, and he was seen wearing a Breitling Top Time B31. This sport-chic watch measures just 38mm, proving that the small watch trend is here to stay.

The Breitling Top Time B31 worn by James Norton features a bold green dial with a minute track, hour markers and a date window. The integrated multi-link bracelet and case comes in stainless steel, and the watch itself is powered by the B31 movement.

Cartier Santos on Richard E. Grant

If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that Richard E. Grant will always be seen wearing two watches – and this Wimbledon was no exception. The actor is often spotted wearing a Cartier Santos on one wrist and a Breitling Navitimer on the other, and the same can be said for Wimbledon 2026.

The Breitling Navitimer was given to Grant by his Eswatini-born father on his deathbed. The Cartier Santos was given to him by his wife when he thought he’d lost the Breitling, but now, he wears both as a tribute to his father’s memory. One watch is also set to Eswatini time.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional Solargraph 100 on Ncuti Gatwa

Last but not least. Actor Ncuti Gatwa was seen looking smart while wearing the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional Solargraph 100. Measuring just 28mm, this TAG Heuer is the smallest watch we’ve seen at Wimbledon, but it’s still big in character.

With a steel case and bezel, Gatwa’s TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional Solargraph 100 has a dark blue dial. While it’s tricky to see in pictures, the hour markers are replaced by diamonds for that extra bit of sparkle.

Christopher Ward has been one of T3’s favourite watch manufacturers for years now, and its latest timepiece just strengthens that statement. Getting my vote for the watch of the summer, Christopher Ward has just collaborated with The Dial Artist on its new The Twelve Xander watch.

At a quick glance, The Twelve Xander is an undeniably colourful watch but when you take a closer look, you’ll realise just how impressive it is. British artist, Chris Alexander – also known as The Dial Artist – hand-painted more than 1,3000 individual movement components of The Twelve Xander across the edition.

In his Scotland studio, Chris Alexander spent 900 hours bringing The Twelve Xander to life. Inspired by street art and graffiti, the watch may look like it’s just been splashed with a paintbrush but it’s much more intricate than that.

The Twelve Xander is based on Christopher Ward’s The Twelve X (Ti) skeletonised design. It’s powered by the Calibre CW-001 movement which has had eight of its visible components hand-painted to give it a colourful street art effect.

Measuring 41mm, the case is made from Grade 2 and 5 titanium. The movement can be seen via the dial and caseback, and it gives the watch 120 hours of power reserve and 100 metre water resistance. I love the colours used in this watch but even more so when you turn it over.

By flipping over The Twelve Xander, you can see the different bridges and cogs that are interlaced with vibrant colours and patterns. Christopher Ward is written atop the movement, and engraved into the titanium case is ‘Hand Painted By Chris Alexander The Dial Artist’.

When speaking about the watch, Chris said “It’s meant to look chaotic. It’s meant to look fast. It’s meant to look as if I’ve just taken a paintbrush and splattered paint. Unfortunately, I wish it were that easy. Every single part goes through a multi-stage process of priming, airbrushing, hand-painting and hand finishing.”

Finished with a choice of an integrated titanium bracelet or white rubber strap, the Christopher Ward x The Dial Artist The Twelve Xander is limited to just 150 pieces. Available from 10th July, prices start at £4,325 / $5,995 / €5,625.

Carl Friedrik has given one of its most popular suitcases a new look, adding a sophisticated Navy colourway to The Carry-on X. It's a stylish alternative to the classic Black finish and continues the brand's recent move towards more versatile colours, following the launch of its Chocolate collection.

Designed for trips of up to five days, The Carry-on X is one of Carl Friedrik's lightest suitcases, weighing around 10% less than its hybrid counterpart. Despite the lighter build, it still features a durable polycarbonate shell, smooth-rolling spinner wheels and dual TSA-approved zip locks.

The Carry-on X in Navy is available now from Carl Friedrik's online store, as well as the brand's Regent Street and Floral Street boutiques, with an RRP of £395. However, it's currently reduced to just £316:

The new colourway arrives just a week after Carl Friedrik expanded its lineup with three luxury washbags, including two additions to the premium Sonder collection and one to the performance-focused Move range.

Before you go, it's well worth checking out our full review of The Carry-on X to see how it performed in real use.

One of my favourite watch collections in recent years has been the Norqain Enjoy Life range. That kicked off last year with a chronograph model, but peaked at this year's Watches and Wonders, with another pair. The pink sprinkles chronograph still lives rent free in my head.

Now, the range has gained a model which shares the ethos, but comes complete with a different complication. The new Norqain Freedom GMT Enjoy Life Holiday limited edition is the first GMT model to debut in this range.

The piece is powered by the brand's COSC-certified NN20/2 movement, which is manufactured by Kenissi. That offers a 70-hour power reserve, which should make this a useful part of a multi-watch rotation.

As has become common for this collection, the design is all about having fun. The dial depicts a map of the world in pink, orange and blue, complete with images around the world which denote the famous icons at each travel destination – pizza in Italy, springboks in South Africa and movies in Hollywood, for example.

The frivolity continues around the outer edge of the dial, with pink, blue and orange bands corresponding to the colour-matched part of the world map. That ring is a fully functional GMT ring, but also marks key daily moments, like sleep, coffee and happy hour.

The date window rotates to show off five different summer-inspired icons, and the whole thing is delivered in a bespoke aluminium travel case. That includes a passport holder, a world map and travel pins.

But that's not all. The model is limited to just 500 pieces, and one lucky winner will get a golden ticket – the exact appearance of the golden ticket wont be revealed until September – which sends them on a six-night, full board holiday for two at the gorgeous Ayada Maldives Resort.

Priced at £4,885 / €5,350 / US$6,490 / AU$9,250 on the steel bracelet, and £4,750 /€5,210 / US$6,290 / AU$9,000 on a rubber strap, this feels like a brilliant addition to the collection. It comes just in time for summer, too, which it feels made for.

Casio has recently unveiled one of the most ambitious G-SHOCK watches it has ever produced.

Created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the premium MR-G collection, the new MRG-BF1000EB takes the already luxurious FROGMAN diver and pushes it even further into the world of fine watchmaking.

Limited to just 800 individually numbered pieces worldwide, the anniversary edition is inspired by the "brinicle," a rare underwater ice formation that develops beneath polar seas.

Casio has translated the phenomenon into the watch's construction, with a dramatic faceted bezel designed to mimic the twisting columns of frozen seawater.

That bezel is arguably the star of the show and is made from COBARION, a cobalt-chromium alloy that's significantly harder than titanium, before being hand-cut and polished by Japanese artisan Kazuhito Komatsu.

The blue finish is achieved using arc ion plating, while the two exposed front screws are each topped with a 57-facet lab-grown blue sapphire, giving the industrial-looking dive watch an unexpectedly jewellery-like finish.

Luxury without compromising the tool-watch credentials

The watch is ISO 200m dive-certified, solar-powered, and equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, Multi-Band 6 radio timekeeping, tide information, dive logging, and full analogue dive functions.

It also ships with both a white Dura Soft rubber strap and an interchangeable titanium bracelet, complete with a dedicated tool for swapping between the two.

The commemorative details continue on the reverse, where the titanium case back features a sapphire crystal insert engraved with the iconic FROGMAN diving frog, "MR-G 30TH" branding and an individual serial number confirming each watch's place within the 800-piece production run.

Casio has even commissioned a bespoke presentation case with Japanese luggage specialist Proteca, reinforcing that this is as much a collector's piece as it is a professional dive watch.

Of course, exclusivity comes at a price. The MRG-BF1000EB retails for $9,500 in the US (~£7,087 / €8,313 / AU$13,699), making it one of the most expensive production G-SHOCK watches ever released.

Even so, with only 800 examples being made, it's unlikely to stay available for long.

You can learn more about the watch and sign up for notifications at Casio.

Not content with launching multiple pastel ceramic watches as part of its Big Bang Summer collection, Hublot is back again with a new Big Bang watch. Paying tribute to one of my favourite gemstones, the Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue is based on the brand’s Meca-10 caliber, giving it a cool, skeletonised look.

Hublot debuted its Meca-10 caliber back in 2016, and it quickly became the brand’s most recognisable watch design. Featuring a skeletonised architecture, including its movement and dial, the Meca-10 style puts the watch’s mechanics on full display, and in an incredibly stylish way.

The new Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue is no exception. Measuring 44mm, the Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue has a sapphire crystal case and bezel. While the sapphire has a light sky blue colour, it’s so transparent that you can see directly through it.

In true Hublot style, the bezel of the Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue has six iconic H-shaped titanium screws around the perimeter. The sky blue skeletonised dial has a minute track, hour markers, and hour and minute hands that overlap the movement’s construction.

Powered by the HUB1201 manufacture, the movement is made of 223 components which you can see via the dial and case back. Inspired by Meccano architecture, the intricate movement includes two parallel mainspring barrels, a rack-and-pinion system and sliding racks that move between three and nine o’clock.

This rack-and-pinion system shows off a dual power reserve, and the movement itself gives the watch an impressive 10 days of power. It’s also water resistant to 50 metres.

The Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue is finished with a blue rubber strap. Transparent watches have never really been my thing but I love the look of this watch’s case and bezel. The subtle sapphire colour is pretty, and it’s a great watch to wear throughout the summer – that’s if you can get your hands on one.

Limited to just 100 pieces, the Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue is available for £66,100 / $84,300 at Hublot.

It's been over two years since I first tested the Wolf Rocket – a portable watch winder designed to keep your favourite timepieces ticking even while on the move. Around the size of a travel mug, the model was described as the world's smallest watch winder, and certainly carries a lesser footprint than box-style designs.

Now, the brand has reworked that design for 2026. And it's not just a nip here and a tuck there – the fundamental design of the winder has been transformed to offer a modular system.

That sees the winder offered alongside a separate docking module, which can be connected together in a honeycomb pattern. The idea is that you can increase the capacity of your watch winder ad hoc, making it a great option for those with growing collections.

Before we dive deeply into that idea, it's worth talking about the other parts of the redesign. That includes a new cuff, which enables better micro-adjustment to suit different wrist sizes.

Personally, I think it's the best bit about this model. I've found Wolf's cuffs to be hit and miss over the years, with some being a little too rigid to accommodate smaller straps. That's a problem I notice with wrists which are on the slimmer side, and meant that many of my watches on bracelets had to be stored elsewhere.

I hope the brand recognises the brilliance of this design, and starts to roll it out to all of its products in future updates, because it fixes my biggest gripe.

Elsewhere, the model is broadly similar to its predecessor, with a small footprint and a simple operation. In fact, there's nothing to set here – simply switch it on or off as desired. That's going to be a big plus for those who aren't interested in option paralysis.

The modular system works pretty well, too. In essence, the winders pair up with a metal surround, with a USB-C connector at the back. Those metal surrounds are then latched together with push-fit connectors, to hold them in formation.

It works fairly well – there's a little flex when you move the units around, but most people won't be doing that too often. There's also no confirmation of what material they're made from, but it is incredibly light. My gut says its probably aluminium.

I'd also say that it's not the most visually striking design. That's not normally a point of contention, but given how appealing many of the brand's winders look, it seems a shame to simply have a raw, silver option. Hopefully more come out as the product matures.

One other point of contention is the price. The Rocket itself retails for £634.99 / €599 / US$699 / AU$1,075 which is only a hair more costly than the previous model, and the surround is a further £95 / €95 / US$165 / AU$225.

That's not too bad for a single winder, but the cost quickly adds up if you're building up a multi-winder system. I think it only really works for two or three units, before you're likely to get something nicer to look at for a similar price.

Still, if you want a travel watch winder with a degree of modularity, this is the one.

It's often quite easy to become disillusioned with the world of luxury goods. High price tags and exuberant designs can often leave the average Joe feeling like it's a world not really built for them.

But how do we know when luxury goes too far? We've seen a slew of wacky and wonderful pieces over the years, like Louis Vuitton dumbbells and Tiffany and Co building blocks.

Recently, a company called Okapa reached out to see if I'd like to test their water bottle. The line that stuck with me described the product as a "$350 water bottle reframing hydration as a luxury design object." Of course, I had to see what all the fuss was about.

What's so special about the Okapa water bottle?

Any good product designer – even those making wacky objects for luxury designers – will tell you that form must be as prevalent as function. Simply put, the thing has to work before you can make it look fantastic.

I think that's where the Okapa bottle shines. While there's nothing especially groundbreaking in the design – it is, after all, a silo with a spout on the top, much like any other water bottle you'd buy – the way it is crafted is pretty impressive.

All of the plastic parts, for example, are crafted from a material called Swiss Grilamid TR-90, while you'll also fine German Borosilicate Glass inside. The glass bottle is then protected with a shock-absorbing suspension, to minimise the risk of shattering in daily use.

Elsewhere, you'll find a leakproof design courtesy of a quartet of silicone seals, which are designed to give peace of mind when travelling with the bottle in tow. There's also a locking mechanism on the top cap, which prevents unexpected opening of it while in transit.

All of that is encapsulated within an aluminium shell, which is stylish and definitely gives a premium feel. The design features an array of holes, which is a unique look.

Form vs function

To me, the whole design feels like a battle between form and function. Once you scratch beneath the surface, it's easy to see just how well made this bottle is.

Little things like the rubber grommet on the base to protect the glass from impacts, or the satisfying way the mouthpiece clicks into place are signs that someone designing this bottle has taken real care in the process.

It's not perfect – there's no thermal management to keep liquids cool, which I only realised in the midst of a heatwave. Really, at this price, that feels like an oversight.

I also think the locking mechanism on the cap only goes so far. Sure, it stops you from being able to pop the lid, but the entire cap can still twist off with relative ease. I'd like to have seen that also get locked, to save a tidal wave in your backpack.

But overall, I think you'd be willing to pay a premium for something so well engineered.

Form is a little different. The design has been a real love-it-or-hate-it exercise, as far as I've seen, with some adoring the design and other loathing it – one even claimed it triggered their trypophobia!

But I think that's more forgiving. Luxury goods have always played fast and loose with designs, and are rarely intended to be all things to all people. Personally, I think this design is decent – fairly conservative by luxury standards, and very sleek feeling.

Is the Okapa water bottle worth the price?

This is where I struggle to justify things. Because despite everything I like about this bottle, I just can't imagine a world where you'd spend US$350 (approx. £260 / €305 / AU$500) on a water bottle.

As I've said, I really do appreciate the mechanical design, and from a technical standpoint I'd certainly be willing to pay a premium. But it's still a league away from what this costs.

Having pondered this for a while, I actually think the reason is nothing to do with technical points, but rather the design. It's a little too safe for something so bold, and that lessens the perceived value for me.

If the brand can come back with a second version which addresses some of the missing specs and plays with a more daring design, we might just have the next trend on our hands.

Zenith is expanding its DEFY watch collection with two new timepieces. Easily the most colourful watches from the line-up, the new launches include the DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet and the DEFY Extreme Lapis II – and I can’t wait to get my hands on them.

Starting with the Zenith DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet, this watch is the one I’ve got my eye on as it showcases my favourite colour. As the name states, the Zenith DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet features violet colouring on the dial and strap. Purple is a sharp move away from the brand’s trademark blue shade, but Zenith has previously used this powerful colour back in 2020.

Sitting in a 45mm microblasted titanium case, the case features angular lines, an oversized crown and two chronograph pushers. The round bezel circles the dial which has a layered geometric construction that’s lightly skeletonised so you can see the movement beneath.

The main attraction of the Zenith DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet is no doubt its bright purple colour which is most prominent on the subdials. A 30-minute chronograph sits at three o’clock, while a small seconds counter is at six o’clock. A 60-second chronograph is located at six o’clock and a chronograph power reserve indicator is at 12.

The dial features main hours, minutes and seconds hands, the latter of which has a star at the end. The chronographs also have hands, and the central chronograph hand performs a full rotation every second.

Powered by the El Primero 9004 calibre movement, the Zenith DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet has two independent escapements, one that beats at 5 Hz while the other operates at 50 Hz for the chronograph. Flip it over, and the caseback of the Zenith DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet features a large oversized star that’s also in violet.

The Zenith DEFY Extreme Ultraviolet is finished with a choice of three straps – violet rubber, titanium bracelet or black velcro. It’s priced at €20,200 / $20,100 / 17,900 CHF.

Zenith has also introduced the new DEFY Extreme Lapis II. The lapis lazuli colour and gemstone is often used in Zenith watches – including the Zenith Chronomaster Original Lapis Lazuli. This new version still showcases the lapis lazuli stone, and now comes in carbon and titanium materials.

The Zenith DEFY Extreme Lapis II is priced at €36,800 / $37,100 / 32,900 CHF.

Panerai, the watch manufacturer best known for its dive watches, has just launched its new Submersible PAM01756 timepiece. Bringing many of its historical features into the modern day, including its no-date dial, the Panerai Submersible PAM01756 also marks an exciting first for the brand.

The new Panerai Submersible PAM01756 is the first watch in the Submersible line-up to feature a 44mm case with a metal bracelet. This style of bracelet dates back to Panerai’s bracelet designs from 1999. Its construction includes a crown protective bridge and alternating finishes so the links look different in certain lights.

What’s more, the bracelet of the Panerai Submersible PAM01756 has a Quick Length Adjustment feature which is being introduced to the Submersible collection for the first time. This allows you to extend the watch’s bracelet by 2mm on each side without having to use tools or remove any links.

Measuring 44mm, the Panerai Submersible PAM01756 isn’t small by any means, but the brand has found this sizing to be extremely popular with its wearers. The case is made from polished stainless steel, and is contrasted by a blue ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel, designed for underwater use.

The dial of the Panerai Submersible PAM01756 comes in a black sun-brushed colour and white numerals and hands. To enhance the visibility, the hands and markers feature Super-LumiNova that glow green, while the bezel’s 12 o’clock dot and the minute hand shows up in blue, allowing you to read actual time and diving time.

The black small seconds counter sits at nine o’clock and has an azurage pattern. What the dial doesn’t have is a date, which is an important historical feature from Panerai. Before 1998, Panerai’s watches didn’t display the date in accordance with the Italian Navy, and the new Panerai Submersible PAM01756 reflects this history and ensures the watch is dedicated to reading time rather than anything else.

Powered by the P.980 calibre movement, the Panerai Submersible PAM01756 has a three day power reserve and is water resistant up to 500 metres. It also comes with a stop-second function which stops the seconds hand when you pull out the crown lever.

The Panerai Submersible PAM01756 is available to buy for £11,000 at Panerai.

In the wonderful world of watches, anniversaries are a big deal. With so many brand's building their modern personalities around the heritage they offer, it's important to celebrate big birthdays.

That's exactly what Orient Star is doing this year. While many might be unaware, the brand is actually 75 years old this year, and has been celebrating with a suite of limited edition models.

I've had the Contemporary Date model on my wrist for the last week, to see if it's any good.

Orient Star 75th Anniversary Contemporary Date: key specs

Let's kick off with some specs. All things considered, this is a pretty well designed model, with a 38.5mm stainless steel case which sits 12.3mm tall.

That's paired with a stainless steel bracelet, and houses the brand's in-house F6N43 calibre. That movement offer over 50 hours of power reserve, with accuracy of +25/-15 seconds per day. You'll also enjoy 100m of water resistance.

Of course, the main event here is the dial, which is absolutely fabulous. It's described in the official press release as a "green gradation" but that seems entirely wrong, with the images – and, indeed, my test model – featuring a blue dial.

It's not even like it's on the cusp of blue or green – this is a blue dial. And it's one of the best looking blue dials I've ever seen at that, with small flecks that play beautifully with the light.

What is the Orient Star 75th Anniversary Contemporary Date like on the wrist?

As mentioned above, the biggest part of this model is the dial, and that's what you'll notice first. I tend to find myself staring at it far longer than is really necessary every time I strap this one on – it's really mesmerising.

It's not just the colour and design of the dial, either. The indices and other complications on the dial are designed to stay unobtrusive, which allows it to shine.

Of course, it also helps that the case is perfectly sized, with a Goldilocks diameter and a decent thickness. That makes it a fantastic option to wear everyday.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the bracelet. It's a common gripe for Orient, Orient Star and Seiko models in this arena, but to me it just feels a little dated – especially the clasp.

Thankfully it's a 20mm lug width, which is perfect for those looking to change their watch strap. I'd love to pair this with something fun like a white rubber strap, to make it a perfect summer watch.

Is the Orient Star 75th Anniversary Contemporary Date worth the money?

When I last reviewed an Orient Star model, it was the M34 F8 Date, which cost north of £2,000 (approx. €2,350 / US$2,700 / AU$3,850). At the time, I said that the biggest competition that device had was from its own stablemates, with other, similar-looking models from the brand costing a quarter of that, and offering similar specs.

This is one of them, with the retail price for this model sitting at just £569.99 (approx. €665 / US$760 / AU$1,095). At this price point, I think the value for money is a lot better, and feels more like you're getting a good deal.

Throw in the limited edition nature – this piece is one of just 1,200 – and that stunning dial, and I can see this one being a popular pick.

In the world of luxury watches, mechanical chronographs are some of the hardest to make affordably. The complexity of the movements mean there's a floor on what can be done without sacrificing on quality or specs, limiting what's available at certain price points.

Still, that hasn't stopped one or two movements from bucking the trend. The Seagull chronograph movement is something of a modern legend for exactly this reason, bringing mechanical – albeit not automatic – chronographs to far more affordable price points.

It's what powers the quirky character on my wrist today – the Spinnaker Fleuss Spongebob Chronograph. Is it any good? Well, let's take a closer look.

Spinnaker Fleuss Spongebob Chronograph: key specs

Of course, that movement is the real star of the show here. We've seen in used in a slew of other models from other brand, and it offers a marked step up from the Meca-Quartz movement used in other Spongebob chronographs from Spinnaker.

That sits inside of a 43mm stainless steel case, which also sits 14mm tall. That's certainly on the larger side, but it's par for the course with movements like this, which have to give up something in order to maintain a lower price point.

The dial is designed to look like the iconic sponge's face, complete with eyes in the two sub-dials and a pair of teeth protruding at the six o'clock position.

That dial is surrounded by a diving bezel, bizarrely, which is domed to and almost feels like an inflatable beach ring around the dial. The model attaches to a 22mm strap, which is a matching yellow-coloured fabric, backed with leather.

What is the Spinnaker Fleuss Spongebob Chronograph like on the wrist?

Reading the dimensions should give you a pretty decent idea of what this will wear like. It's certainly on the larger side – particularly if you've got smaller wrists like me – but not so big that you'll struggle.

I find it to be right on the limit of what I could get away with, and that rings true of other 43mm watches I've tested in the past. What's noteworthy is that the thickness reads like it should be a big problem, but it's actually a lot less noticeable in reality.

Another point of note is that – despite the large case size – it doesn't feel unwieldy on the wrist. It's not uncommon for bigger watches to roll around in use, which can make them less comfortable, but I had no such issues here.

Now of course, the biggest point of contention here is the dial. It's quirky and fun, and will be loved by any Spongebob fans, but it's also hard to ignore. If you're looking for something which goes unnoticed, you'll want to swerve this.

Still, that's not really what this watch is all about. In all my time wearing it, I've received a flurry of compliments – more so than with any other watch I've used in the past.

Is the Spinnaker Fleuss Spongebob Chronograph worth the money?

At £505 / €490.95 / US$550 (approx. AU$972), this is a slightly odd prospect. On the one hand, it's a bargain for a mechanical chronograph – particularly one which wears well.

On the other hand, it feels pretty steep for what is a bit of a novelty. It's unlikely to be the watch you wear everyday unless you're in a really casual environment.

Still, I'm happy to have been proven wrong, because this model has already sold out on the brand's website. That means all 500 pieces of the limited run are gone – if you want to snag one now, you're going to have to hope for a good second hand deal.

When Christopher Ward announced that it had updated its Sealander collection a few weeks ago, it came with a lot of expectations. The collection has formed a cornerstone of the brand's image for years, and is widely considered to be one of the best value options in the circa £1,000 arena.

For me, it also held extra weight. My first 'proper' watch purchase was the older C63 Sealander GMT, and it's a watch which has come with me pretty much everywhere ever since.

So, can the new models hold up against one of the brand's most popular? I've been testing it to find out.

Christopher Ward C63 Sealander GMT: key specs

The new model comes with a range of different options, but the model I've got on test is actually fairly similar to those which have been available previously. That employs a 39mm case diameter, sitting 11.3mm tall and crafted from stainless steel,

The model is water resistant to 150m – not quite up to dive watch standards, but likely more than you'll need on a daily basis – and powered by the new Sellita SW330-2 movement. That's got a minimum power reserve of 50 hours, and is accurate to within -5/+12 seconds per day with a 4Hz beat rate.

The model I tested comes with the new Pistachio dial, and sits on a Bader bracelet. That's updated here to include the brand's new iLink bracelet adjustment system, which allows you to make tool-free bracelet adjustments thanks to a locking push-button design.

There are a range of subtle changes to the design, each of which contribute to a slightly more refined profile compared to the previous generation. Perhaps the most noticeable switch sees the bezel use lines in place of dots between the numbered indices.

What is the Christopher Ward C63 Sealander GMT like on the wrist?

If you've never strapped on a Christopher Ward watch before, prepare yourself. What I'm about to say will sound hyperbolic, but it is, in fact, the product of many years testing these watches – there's no such thing as a bad-wearing Christopher Ward.

Something about the way this brand designs its cases and bracelets makes them instantly comfortable – more noticeably than I've spotted with other brands. This is no different, with a homely nature which is as comfortable as sitting in a warm bath.

As mentioned at the top of this article, I've worn the older version of this model for years, so I was never really expecting much less. In fact – despite a handful of minor spec changes like the reduced case thickness – I really would struggle to tell them apart, sight unseen.

For me, this pistachio dial is a real treat. It's bang on trend right now, and feels colourful without being so overtly bright and garish that you can't dress it up. That balance is not always struck.

I will say that some of the design choices – like, for example, the frame around the date window – don't sit quite as well with me. Christopher Ward was keen to adopt a refined approach to this update, but that's one thing I think it just didn't need. It looks boxy and peculiar, where the older colour-matched design simply faded elegantly.

Is the Christopher Ward C63 Sealander GMT worth the money?

This one is an interesting question. When I picked up my watch a few years ago, I paid a hair under £900, thanks to an introductory offer.

Now, the exact model I tested – which is an exact equivalent in the new range – retails for £1,190 / €1,560 / US$1,620 / AU$2,195. It's not a massive jump, but it's worth noting that what was once a circa-£1,000 bargain has crept higher in price.

I do still think it represents great value. Not only are you getting good specs for the cash, you're buying into a brand which has rapidly ascended to be one of the most significant in the watch industry.

There are a lot of watches out there which sit somewhere between the original price I paid and the current list price here. Many of them offer similar specs, and get close to the looks on offer.

But none of them are a Christopher Ward, and in a world where trustworthy brand's are more important than ever, that's worth its weight in gold.

When you think of luxurious, rectangular watches, chances are adjectives like "elegant" or "classy" come to mind. Many of us will instantly picture the iconic Cartier Tank in this arena.

Another player is the Hermès Cape Cod, and that's just been given a sporty makeover which belies the elegant traditions of the model. For starters, this new version is crafted with a titanium case.

That should make it impressively lightweight on the wrist, particularly when paired with the range of rubber straps which this model is offered on. But it also means we get a deeper grey tone on the case, which is really smart to look at.

That's paired with a black dial, which is set over two tiers with a central square cutout. The indices are applied Arabic numerals, and use a similar font to that employed on the Hermès H08 models. There's also an aperture for a date window at six o'clock.

The central pinion holds hour and minute hands in a baton shape, with Super-LumiNova inside. The seconds hand is slimmer, and finished in the brand's signature orange hue.

Inside, the model is powered by a Manufacture calibre H1912. That's impressively small, sitting just 23.8mm across and 3.9mm thick, while still offering an impressive 45 hours of power reserve from a 4Hz beat rate.

The 41mm case is known as "Extra Large" in the Cape Cod collection, and should give significant presence on the wrist. Still, it doesn't look huge in the photos, and I'd hope for it to wear a little more elegantly than some square watches mange to.

Personally, I'm a really big fan. The Cape Cod is a gorgeous watch collection, but that doesn't mean it can't also have a change of personality. Based on impressions alone, it seems to do an equally good job as both a sports watch and something altogether more dressy.

Priced at £6,340 (approx. €7,400 / US$8,500 / AU$12,200) this feels like a nice addition to a box of Rolex, Omega and Grand Seiko models for when you need something with a little more personality.

The phrase ‘old is gold’ has never felt more true than now. Mr Jones Watches is reviving two of its older watch designs from its archives, and giving them a new, fresh twist for 2026.

The first watch to be revived and redesigned is Dawn West Dusk East. First launched back in 2011, the original version of the timepiece from Mr Jones Watches featured a single aperture to mark the time and change colour as it moved around the dial. Previously, the dial had four colours that it would cycle through – black, silver, gold and red.

For this new version, one of Mr Jones Watches’ print technicians, Tanith has updated the colours and background. The dial now has a ‘moody’ landscape and subtle patterning that makes it look like a ripple on the moon. The edge or bezel also has words looping around the dial, including ‘birth’, ‘madness’, ‘curiosity’, ‘peace’ and 'vengeance’.

The second watch is Analogon (Printers Edition) and while I normally don’t gravitate towards cartoon-like designs, I think this revival is my favourite. Analogon came out in 2014, and like other Mr Jones Watches models, it had an unusual way to tell the time.

Rocky, another print technician from Mr Jones Watches has kept this unique time-telling but given the dial a complete makeover. A robot face still takes up the majority of the dial but compared to the original, this Analogon (Printers Edition) looks much happier.

The face is made from cogs and screws, and the use of red, blue, green and yellow makes it look more pop art-like. To tell the time, it’s all in the robot’s mouth, as the upper row of teeth displays the hours while the lower jaw shows the minutes.

The Analogon (Printers Edition) isn’t small by any means and sits in a 46mm stainless steel case. It’s powered by a single jewel quartz mechanism and is waterproof to five ATM.

Launching today, both Dawn West Dusk East and Analogon (Printers Edition) are limited to just 100 pieces each. Pricing starts at £225 / $295 / €285 at Mr Jones Watches.

If I asked you to think of a sporting legend, I'm willing to bet your answer probably wouldn't be a cyclist. While the sport has exploded in popularity over the last two decades, it's still far from a known quantity for most people.

Even if you did opt for a two-wheeled all-timer, chances are you wouldn't think of Eddy Merckx. But that's exactly who Breitling has honoured, with its latest limited edition chronograph.

It's a legacy worth celebrating. Merckx enjoys a record which includes a whopping 525 victories, 11 grand tours, 19 monument classics and three world championships. It even includes five Tour de France titles, and 96 days spent in the iconic yellow jersey, which is still a record.

The model features a 41mm stainless steel case, which also sits 13.3mm tall. That's water resistant up to 100m, which is still impressive for a chronograph.

Inside, you'll find a Caliber B01 movement, which features a 4Hz beat rate and around 70 hours of power reserve. It's also COSC-certified, meaning you'll enjoy superior accuracy, while employing a vertical clutch, column-wheel design.

The model is offered on either a black racing-themed leather strap, or a stainless steel mesh bracelet. Both options invoke a little bit of retro design, which should make them hot picks.

The model is limited to just 525 pieces, honouring the number of victories Merckx holds. Flip onto the case back and you'll see a "one of 525" engraving, along with "Eddy Merckx Tribute".

Priced at £6,200 (approx. €7,250 / US$8,250 / AU$11,980) on the leather strap and £6,600 (approx. €7,700 / US$8,800 / AU$12,750) on the bracelet, this feels like a solid option for a lot of people. You definitely don't have to be a fan to own one – kudos to the Breitling design team – but if you are, it's a perfect way to honour an impressive legacy.

If you're in the market for high-end hi-fi speakers, a respected brand like Focal is always worth considering. With decades of experience, you know you're buying into something trustworthy and quality.

Now, the brand has unveiled a new set of luxurious floorstanding speakers. Called the Scala Utopia Evo M, these units are delectably designed with more than a hint of seventies charm.

The new model takes the foundations provided by the original Scala Utopia, including a three-way architecture. However, these new units adopt the M-profile midrange from the Utopia Main range of pro-grade speakers, offering a midrange response which is much more transparent and natural sounding.

It's not the only tech which is borrowed in the new design. It also takes the PRISM tweeter from the recent Diva Alta Utopia model, which uses a multi-material design.

The result offers a higher level of rigidity than beryllium, and maintains a healthy balance between being lightweight and offering suitable damping. That means you can expect incredible purity in the high-end of your sound.

All of that is added to a platform with improvements to the phase crossover system, which allows users to precisely adjust the bass and treble response to suit the listening environment. Additional Gamma and Focus Time technologies ensure consistency and stability in the operation, too.

Now, if you're thinking that all of that tech can't come cheap... you're exactly right. Priced at €40,000 / US$46,000 (approx. £34,400 / AU$66,000) per pair, these aren't even in the same postcode as cheap.

This end of the luxury speaker market is hotly contested, with many major brands offering premium, stylish floor standing speakers at similarly eye-watering prices. You could probably make a case for any one of them, but if you're in a position to buy, these new Focal units should definitely have a spot on your "must try" list.

Carl Friedrik is branching out into a new category with the launch of three luxury washbags, joining its growing lineup of the best carry-ons, suitcases and backpacks. The collection includes three new styles, including two additions to the elegant Sonder range and one to the performance-focused Move collection.

The new washbags are designed to complete a luxury travel setup, whether you're heading off for a weekend city break or a long-haul trip. As Mattis Oppermann, co-founder of Carl Friedrik, explains: "These new styles naturally pair with larger bags in the collection, so customers benefit from a cohesive product ecosystem that simplifies packing and travel."

The Washbag and Technical Washbag are available to pre-order via the Carl Friedrik website, whereas the Large Washbag is available to buy online now and in-store. Prices start from £145 and lead up to £225.

Leading the launch are the Washbag (£195) and Large Washbag (£225), which join the Sonder collection. Crafted from soft full-grain leather, both feature an easy-access exterior pocket, a magnetic internal pocket and a leather handle that can be hung from a bathroom hook. They're available in classic Black and a rich Chocolate finish.

Rounding out the collection is the Technical Washbag (£145), which joins the Move range, Carl Friedrik's most practical, performance-led collection. Made from durable matte nylon canvas with premium Vachetta leather detailing, it has a spacious main compartment for toiletries and an oversized exterior pocket for smaller essentials. It launches in an all-black colourway that pairs well with the rest of the Move collection.

When Ulysse Nardin unveiled its updated Freak X model a few weeks ago, it did so with a lot of expectant eyes watching. The model shaved 2mm from the case diameter, making it the smallest Freak ever launched.

That should make it an incredibly wearable prospect – and I gave the model a go to see if that proves true.

First things first, yes – it's incredibly easy to wear. 2mm doesn't sound like a lot, but it's the difference between a watch which sits neatly on the wrist and one which feels like a weighted dinner plate on your wrist.

But the differences aren't limited to just the case size. This model is also crafted with a more traditional construction, including a monobloc case and a more traditional dial design.

Personally, I found this to be a much more attractive design. It looks a lot more like a traditional watch dial, which helps this to slip under the radar a little more.

The Freak isn't often the kind of watch which you can say that about – and frankly, it's probably not the watch you buy to do that – but it certainly gives a new lease of life to the model. I really enjoyed the prospect of a slightly less out-there Freak, and it will almost certainly entice users who would otherwise have been put of by the avant-garde design language.

Don't be fooled into thinking that the quirky design language the model is known for is gone, though. If you've never seen the Freak in the flesh, you really have to – the floating hands are simply astounding in action.

This model also sports a beautiful new movement, complete with a rose gold micro-rotor. That's also good for 72 hours of power reserve, making this a capable part of a watch rotation.

Now, the sticking point for most people will be the price. At £32,030 / €37,960 / US$42,400 (approx. AU$ 61,605) it's certainly not cheap, finding itself in the company of watches like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

Still, if you're looking for something different to add to your watch box, I think this has always been a great option. This new model is the perfect entry point for most collectors into something Freaky.

Bremont is celebrating a decade of being the Official Timing Partner of Henley Royal Regatta with its limited edition Terra Nova HRR Chronograph. The new watch is limited to just 150 pieces, and is a celebration of one of the world’s most prestigious rowing events.

To pay tribute to the sporting heritage of Henley Royal Regatta, the Bremont Terra Nova HRR Chronograph is a real celebration of rowing. Not only does the watch feature royal blue colours and rowing motifs, but it’s also handmade at The Wing in Henley-on-Thames which Bremont’s HQ is based.

Measuring 42mm, the Bremont Terra Nova HRR Chronograph is crafted from 904L stainless steel. The biggest pop of royal blue is on the bi-directional ceramic bezel which has a stroke counter insert which measures stroke rate and cadence by minute during rowing training and racing. Crossed oars are also at 12 o’clock on the bezel.

The bezel is operated by chronograph pushers which are located on the right side of the case and flanks a push-in crown. The pushers also control the navy blue chronograph counters on the dial which includes a small seconds counter at nine o’clock and a 30-minute subdial at three o’clock. Both are contrasted with white hands and numerals.

The main colour of the dial is white but royal blue makes up the chronographs, hour markers and minute track. A date window sits at six o’clock just below the HRR logo. ‘Henley-on-Thames’ is written just below it as a nod to where the Regatta takes place and where the watch was made.

My favourite part of the Bremont Terra Nova HRR Chronograph is its seconds hand in a pretty mint shade. The colour is a nod to the Henley Royal Regatta deckchairs which are in the Stewards enclosure. My husband used to row so we go to the Regatta every year, and I’ve always wanted one of those deckchairs, so I love the tribute to the iconic chairs’ colour.

Powered by the BC77 movement, the Bremont Terra Nova HRR Chronograph has a 62 hour power reserve, and is water resistant to 100 metres. The watch is finished with a choice of a 904L stainless steel bracelet or a blue rubber leather strap.

The Bremont Terra Nova HRR Chronograph is available to buy from today, and is limited to just 150 pieces.

TAG Heuer is back for its fourth collaboration with Gulf Oil, and its latest limited edition watch might be my favourite model yet. Featuring blue and orange racing stripes and a tachymeter bezel, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Gulf is a racing-inspired work of art.

As the Official Timekeeper for Formula 1, TAG Heuer has a long standing history with motorsports. In partnership with Gulf, the two brands have collaborated on both Formula 1 Chronograph and Monaco timepieces, all of which display Gulf Oil’s iconic blue and orange branding.

The new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Gulf is no exception. Based on TAG Heuer’s popular Chronograph watch, the watch’s dial features Gulf’s blue and orange stripes that run vertically down the right side and is slightly overlapped by a date window at three o’clock. The base of the dial is black opalin, and a blue running track loops around the inside and is interspersed with hour markers.

In the centre and left side of the dial, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Gulf has three chronograph counters. The 30-minute and 12-hour subdials have orange hands, while the seconds indicator has a blue hand. The main hour and minute hands are skeletonised to match the hour markers, and the watch also has a bold orange seconds hand.

Measuring 44mm, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Gulf is crafted from Grade 2 sandblasted titanium. A tachymeter bezel frames the dial and has a forged carbon insert that gives it an irregular surface and subtle pattern. On the right side of the case, two chronograph pushers flank an oversized crown that’s tipped with orange.

Powered by the Calibre 16 movement, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Gulf offers a 48 hour power reserve and is water resistant to 200 metres. The caseback displays the Gulf logo and the watch is finished with a titanium bracelet.

Looking at the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Gulf, I’d describe it as a very busy watch. There’s a lot technically and visually happening on the watch, but I love the use of colour, and the bold bezel that frames the racing-inspired dial.

Limited to 1000 pieces, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Gulf will be available from July 3rd, and is priced at £5,350 / $6,300 / €6,300.

It’s no secret that Leica cameras are some of the most popular and beloved in history. For over a century, the brand has been producing exceptional bodies and lenses, beloved by everyone from Jason Momoa to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Now, the brand has unveiled the SL3-P. That’s a ‘Pro’ monikered version of the Leica SL3, which was first unveiled a couple of years ago.

I spent a week in Germany with the brand to test it and it left me with a contentious statement to make – I think this is the best Leica camera ever made.

The ethos behind the camera is simple – remove the ‘but’ which arises when people compare the brand’s previous models. Usually, you’d hear statements along the lines of “I love this camera but…” followed by a list of reasons why it’s impractical, or otherwise unsuitable for that user.

Having spent a good deal of time with the camera, testing it in different environments and shooting scenarios, I can certainly feel that. There doesn’t really seem to be much of a compromise with this body, which is capable of turning its hand to fast-paced sporting action as well as the slower, more intentional shooting which Leica is renowned for.

A big part of that comes down to the burst mode, which is capable of up to 40fps. That came in handy multiple times – whether out in the street trying to nail the perfect shot of an overactive drummer, papping a flower swaying in the wind or attempting to nail focus on a passing car.

In practice, it’s as good as I’ve used on any other camera out there, save, perhaps for the Sony A1 II. That’s pretty stiff competition, though.

What this can also do is nail those classic Leica shots. Scenes come alive with really characterful colours, and portraits look like a moment in time without really having to do much to them.

The so-called “Leica Look” is something we’ve all heard about over the years. It’s a pretty intangible thing for most people, but it’s definitely real. And despite the SLR-style body, autofocus capabilities and massive, traditional lenses, this thing delivers it in spades.

For me, that’s always been the charm of the SL series. Leica’s M series will always be renowned for its history, while models like the Leica Q3 definitely offer something appealing for modern users, with its fixed-lens simplicity.

But the SL3 series – and, indeed, this SL3-P – takes the magic of Leica and adds it to a body which is capable of shooting in modern environments and scenarios.

Let’s also take a moment to talk about that sensor. At 44MP, it’s a pretty decent halfway house between the Leica SL3-S (24MP) and the SL3 (60MP). And while some may look as it as a downgrade on the base model SL3, I don’t think that’s the case.

In my experience, image quality remains as high as you could imagine, and allows significant room for punching in where needed. In real world use, I can’t imagine a single scenario where you’d need more than is available here.

It also has a secondary benefit. Smaller sensor means quicker readouts and, crucially, smaller file sizes. In the current RAMageddon hellscape, that’s nothing to scoff at, with data storage now costing a fortune for many photographers.

Autofocus is also given a boost here. A staggering 819 AF points are in use, with reworked algorithms to offer the best autofocus performance of any Leica, ever. In reality, I found it to be exceptional, locking on to subjects with ease and ensure pin-sharp images.

To really get the most out of this AF, you’ll want to familiarise yourself with the different settings for tracking things like cars, humans and animals. Those are going to be quicker and more effective than you or I, but setting the appropriate option is a must to really make it work.

It’s also not a camera which forgets about video shooters. Users can enjoy full sensor video, complete with options for 4k120 and 8k open gate. That’s a seriously stacked spec sheet, and while it’s unlikely to be the first choice for dedicated cinematographers, it should be quite comfortable as a hybrid camera.

Overall, I can see a lot of users dismissing this camera before it’s even had a chance to impress them. After all, it’s far from cheap, and will be a lot to justify for all but the most professional of shooters.

Controversially, I actually think this might be one of the better value Leica cameras ever. Now, I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out.

If you’re shopping at RRP, you’re going to spend around the £8,000 mark for a Leica M series camera. A Q3 is less, but also limited with a fixed-lens. By that standard, I’ve always felt that the SL range offered something unique in the brand’s catalogue.

Now, the SL3-P takes the promise of the SL and delivers it with gusto. You'll pay £5,150 / €5,990 / US$6,690 excluding VAT (approx. AU$9,845). I can’t see that there’s an argument to opt for another brand on specs or performance now, and the pricing for top models isn’t too far removed from here.

Throw in the iconic Leica image quality and I think this could be a popular pick.

It's Amazon Prime Day week, which means I've had my head buried in the very best deals on watches and other luxury goods for some time now. I've been hard at work running the best watch deals live blog, shouting about a constant stream of bargains and even finding a cut-price Rolex.

But for those of us with champagne tastes and lemonade pockets, I've rounded up a selection of the very best deals on watches under £500. Each of them is a deal I'd personally buy, having tested millions of pounds worth of watches this year alone.

The Prime Day sale has been taking place for the past couple of days. Amazon has been releasing new, exclusive deals every day, and today, it’s launched tons of amazing beauty discounts, including hair styling tools.

Shop the Amazon Prime Day sale

Hair stylers have surged in popularity over the years, ever since the Dyson Airwrap made its debut. Since then, more brands have released their own stylers and hybrid products which combine hair dryers, curlers, straighteners and brushes in one.

As mentioned, there are loads of hair stylers that have had their prices slashed at Amazon for Prime Day. From Dyson, Shark, ghd and more, you can get a luxury hair styler for 64% off – and our team of experts have tested most of these stylers and highly recommend them.

With the Amazon Prime Day sale in full flow, there are lots and lots of bargains to be had. For most of us here in the UK, the focus has been on air con units, fans and other cooling aids to help beat the roasting conditions outside.

Still, for us watch lovers, there are many bargains to be had. And that got me thinking – can you buy a Rolex in the Amazon Prime Day sale? The answer is yes – and you could save a whopping £5,000 in the process!

While not being sold directly from Amazon, the model I've spotted comes from one of our trusted retail partners, Chisholm Hunter. They're a well-respected jeweller and offer a range of killer watches, too.

Right now, they're running a parallel sale to the Amazon one, but you won't spot this Rolex directly in the sale listings. Instead, you'll have to go into the Pre-Owned section, and find it there.

So, just what's on offer? Well, this model is a 2002 Rolex DayDate, crafted from 18k White Gold. That's certainly not as popular or recognisable as the Yellow Gold versions, but I actually think that plays to the benefit of this model.

The silver-toned appearance is more likely to be mistaken for steel, which is a blessing if you're looking to go under the radar. It's what gives watches like this their 'stealth wealth' monikers.

I also think that hue is a lot more timeless in its design. We see gold swing in and out of fashion like a poorly weighted pendulum, but silver-toned metals are far more rigid in comparison.

Of course, it's also worth talking about the price. A £5,000 saving is more than decent, and makes this a very attractive prospect. Similar models are trading online for between £20k-£25k, so you're on the good end of the spectrum with this deal.

If you're an audiophile, there's no better time to consider adding to your rig than right now. The Amazon Prime Day sales bring the cost of high ticket items crashing down, meaning you can buy without busting the bank.

I've been hard at work tracking down some of the very best bargains out there right now. That includes deals on headphone amplifiers, turntables, portable speakers and more.

I'll also be here all week, bringing you more of the bargains I spot live.

Best turntable deals

Best speaker deals

Best headphones and earbuds deals

Best soundbar deals

No better time to buy

Welcome to our guide to the best deals on audio products in the Amazon Prime Day sale. I'll be here with you all week, keeping this guide up to date with the biggest bargains as we find them.

There's no better time to buy than right now, with massive discounts on a wide range of products. I'm off to do some deal hunting, and I'll report back shortly.

Massive savings on Astell & Kern!

Every year, at these events, there's at least one deal which makes me question how the brand offering it is able to stay in business. That's exactly what we've got with this Astell & Kern headphone amplifier, which is a whopping 75% off!

Astell & Kern CA1000T: was £2,299, now £569.05

That means you'll save over £1,700 on the list price, which is not insignificant for anybody. It's built with a host of in's and out's for different headphones and other audio kit, while three different amplifier options allow for ultimate tone-sculpting.

An ultra-good deal!

If you're wanting to get into hi-fi, but don't fancy starting a physical media collection from scratch, something like this WiiM Ultra streamer is a great buy. Simply stream music as you would on any other device, but benefit from better audio.

Wiim Ultra Music Streamer: was £349, now £279

A host of I/O options on the rear of the device allow users to hook it up to existing hi-fi equipment, meaning you can seamlessly integrate streaming as part of a wider setup. It's really handy as either a first piece of the hi-fi puzzle, or as a catch all for all of those records you don't have on vinyl or cassette (yet).

Either way, at this price, it's going straight into my basket.

Bargain Bowers!

If you're into quality audio, you'll know that Bowers and Wilkins are a brand with real pedigree. That pedigree doesn't usually come cheap, but there's a killer deal to be had.

Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2e: was £329, now £191.90

These Px7 S2e headphones are discounted massively in the sales, bringing them under the £200 mark. You're getting a heck of a lot of headphone for that money, complete with Qualcomm aptX Adaptive connectivity and six built-in microphones.

It also comes in this rather natty Forest Green finish, which is bang on trend.

A little space all your own

Here's something a bit different I've just stumbled across. This natty little storage solution offers space to hold up to 140 records, along with a shelf and a stand for the record player itself.

VASAGLE Record Player Stand: was £32.99, now £23.50

I can't claim to have used it, but it looks smart and with 300 reviews giving a 4.5-star overall rating, I'd say it's worth giving a go. For just £23.50, you can't go too far wrong.

Half beat

Woah! I've just spotted another killer deal on a pair of Beats headphones. They're over half price on Amazon right now, which is a massive saving.

Beats Studio Pro: was £349.99, now £151.05

When our tester reviewed them, he was blown away by the fit and finish, and the build quality. Rumours have been spinning in recent weeks about a new model from the brand, so nab the bargain while its on offer.

KEF speaker savings

I bet you'd never have expected a deal on KEF speakers in the Amazon Prime Day sale. But because I'm just that good at hunting out bargains, I've found one for you.

KEF Muo: was £249.99, now £199.99

The KEF Muo is a portable speaker, with a natty finish and an IP67 water resistance rating, and USB-C and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity.

It's probably the cheapest KEF you'll see for some time!

CDs are back, baby!

The latest retro audio resurgence has seen CDs take centre stage. And if you're looking to add something in that vein to your audio system, I've found a great option.

FiiO DM13 BT: was £139, now £117

Right now, Richer Sounds has Fiio's DM13 BT player discounted, meaning you'll snag it for just £117. The model includes Electronic Skip Protection, and twin DACs for exceptional audio fidelity.

It's even good for using on the go, which is a dangerously tempting prospect...

While the resurgences of vinyl and cassettes have both felt quite gradual, those turning to digital audio sources like CDs are happening much more quickly. That, it seems, includes the modern equivalent of the MP3 player, in the form of hi-res audio players.

One of the best brands for such devices is Astell & Kern, and their latest deal is so good I thought it was a typo. That sees the brand's CA1000T desktop audio system reduced by over £1,700 – now just £569.05 at Amazon.

That's one heck of a saving – you could pick up four of them and still see a price cut over the RRP! One will probably suffice, though, and that will make this an effortless way to enjoy high quality audio.

The device itself features a stylish, flip-up design, with a suite of headphone inputs on the front. That includes a pair of balanced and a pair of unbalanced options, ensuring any headphones should play nicely here.

Flip around to the rear of the device, and you'll find a host of audio in's and out's, including mini XLR and RCA inputs, USB, optical and 4.4mm coaxial inputs. That should offer more than enough external connectivity to setup the device with any other hi-fi equipment in your setup

Inside, the model is best known for its triple amp setup. That includes a traditional op-amp circuit with a tube-driven amp stage powered by Korg's Nutube components. Those two can also be blended to create a third hybrid amp mode.

But hey, don't just take my word for it. A quick foray through the Amazon reviews sees comments like "simply excellent" and "worth every penny" from happy customers who have already given it five-star reviews.

With the Amazon Prime Day sales finally upon us, there has never been a better time to shop for a bargain. The current rampaging heatwave in the UK means most of us will be looking for cooling devices, but if you're just searching for something cool, I've got you covered.

All through the year, I test out the best watches on the market. I live it, I breathe it, and all so that I can give you advice in sales events like this which is meaningful and will help you to make the right choice.

There are a host of killer deals to get your hands on already, and I'll be keeping the page updated all week as I find even more.

Best watch deal on Amazon

Best watch deals under £50

Best watch deals under £100

Best watch deals under £250

Best watch deals under £250

Time to shop!

Hello watch lovers! T3's resident watch lover, Sam Cross, here. I'll be with you all week, updating this page with the very best deals on watches from Amazon and a wide range of our trusted partners.

It's early doors, but the deals look pretty good so far, and I'm sure as we unearth even more bargains it'll only get better.

Whether you're on the hunt for a decent dive watch, a cool chronograph or a dreamy dress watch, you're in the best place to get a good deal.

TAG! You're it...

There's a reason why TAG Heuer is such a beloved brand. The iconic watchmaker has decades of legacy and heritage, making it a solid pick for most people.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer: was £2,200, now £1,760

Right now, you can pick up a quartz version of its most recognisable dive watch – the Aquaracer – with £440 slashed from the price tag. At just £1,760, it's a great value option for those wanting a simple dive watch.

Still need something cheaper? Check out this Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba at £370.

Classy Citizen

While dress watches definitely aren't as popular as they once were, we're seeing a growing resurgence thanks to the popularity of vintage models.

Citizen Classic: was £299, now £150

This isn't one of those, but it's certainly got the vibe. And with an exclusive as-good-as half price deal at Goldsmiths, there's no excuse not to add a classy watch to your collection.

£150 is a bargain for a watch like this, and should be snapped up before it disappears!

Classic watches at bargain prices

Okay, now I'll be the first to admit that this deal on a Casio F-91W is not the best you'll ever see. In fact, the 40p price cut is rather insulting to us consumers who simply want a good deal on a great watch.

Casio F-91W: was £15.89, now £15.49

However, I'm willing to forgive it simply on the strength of the piece itself. The F-91W is a cult classic among watch lovers, owing to its simplicity and timelessness.

Buying into that for just over £15 is hard to argue with.

Ice cold Grand Seiko

Given the current heat which is battering the UK, I'd love nothing more than to find myself up against a sheet of ice right now. And while it's not quite the same, this Grand Seiko Icefall model at least fits the vibe right now.

Grand Seiko 'Icefall' Hi-Beat: was £6,300, now £4,725

The dial is – as you probably already expect from Grand Seiko – a work of art, with texture which elevates the piece above that of many contemporaries. And while it's still not what you'd call "cheap" it is a bargain for a watch of this calibre.

I've personally been hankering after a Grand Seiko model for a little while now, so this really couldn't have come at a more dangerous time.

Get a Grip!

One of the most unlikely watches I've fallen in love with over the years is the Gucci Grip. Everything about it should cause a watch enthusiast to recoil – it's made by a fashion brand, and the design looks most like a set of bathroom scales.

Gucci Grip: was £1,340, now £804

But despite that, there's a special place in my heart for this model. It's quirky and fun, and really doesn't take itself too seriously. In the watch industry, that's a bit of a rarity.

Need the vibe for less? I'd opt for this Tissot PRX digital, which offers a similar look for just £264.

Cheap Tudor

It's not often that you see big discounts on brands like Tudor, but there are a few bargains I've spotted. My pick of the bunch is this iconic Black Bay Chrono, in the perfect white dial, black sub-dial configuration.

Tudor Black Bay Chrono: was £5,370, now £4,295

Seen by many as the perfect Rolex Daytona alternative, this model is a hot pick for many seeking a relatively affordable, automatic chronograph.

Still too pricey? I've always loved the Citizen Zenshin chronograph, which nails the vibe for just £399.

Bag a bargain

While you definitely can spend a fortune on watches – even with killer discounts on offer – it's certainly not something you have to do. Recently, I've been spotting more and more people wearing the Casio A168, as a model which offers classy looks and a miniscule price tag.

Casio A168: was £35, now £29.89

That's even better at the moment, with Amazon offering the cult classic for less than £30. For that price, you're getting classic looks which can be dressed up for the office and down for the weekends, as well as the iconic digital display which Casio is renowned for.

Delicious dive watch

I'm a big fan of Seiko, and in particular, I've always loved the dive watches which come from the brand.

Seiko Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver's watch: was £1,300, now £1,040

This Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver's watch is a slight variant of one I tested a few years ago, and I absolutely fell in love with the dimensions and finishing. I'd argue that this one has an even better dial, though, with a gorgeous pale blue hue.

If you're looking to add a solid, reliable dive watch to your collection, look no further than this.

Big Crown, big saving

If you're not already on the Oris hype train, you're missing out on a really exciting watch brand. While there's a lot of history to get your head around, the brand has also been consistently making fantastic watches in recent years.

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date: was £1,750, now £1,400

This Big Crown Pointer Date is the quintessential piece in the modern collection, and it's a real bargain with £350 slashed from the price tag. If you're looking for an everyday piece with character, this is the one for you.

If you need a similar vibe for less, check out this Seiko 5 Sports SNXS for just £272.

70s chic

Rado is one of those brands which really sits under the radar. Its watches are truly excellent, with interesting materials and case shapes which offer something genuinely different from others on the market.

Rado DiaStar: was £1,400, now £1,120

I've been really taken with this limited edition DiaStar model, complete with a green dial with lots of colour gradients and detailing. It's simply oozing with seventies cool, and it's a style which is coming back into fashion right now.

It's time! World time!

The Nomos Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer was one of my top picks from Watches and Wonders 2025. The model packs a neat complication into an already excellent form, without adding too much bulk and heft.

Nomos Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer Reverie: was £3,800, now £3,040

Now, you can snag the limited edition Reverie model, complete with a neat discount. Save over £750 and grab it for just £3,040.

It's a lot of watch for that cash.

Quartz king

I'm rounding things out tonight with this Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz. I really fell in love with the watch when I tested it, taking one of the most popular entry-level watch forms and giving it a battery-powered makeover.

Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz: was £425, now £340

It's one of my go-to options when someone asks for an affordable recommendation, and it's even better value right now. At just £340, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better value prospect.

Second day, second hand

Welcome back to day two of hunting for some watchmaking bargains!

TAG Heuer Autavia GMT: was £2,895, now £2,461

Yesterday, I unearthed a host of stellar deals which make it cheaper and easier than ever to pick up something shiny and new. Today, we're kicking it off with something equally shiny – but not at all new.

Over at Beaverbrooks, I've spotted a pre-owned TAG Heuer Autavia GMT, which is down to just £2,461. That's a great price for a killer watch, complete with a complication which is really popular right now.

Left-field sports watch

If you want to add a sports watch to your collection without going for something from one of the main brands, Norqain should definitely be on your radar. The brand has gone from strength to strength in recent years, offering some of the best value for money in the segment.

Norqain Adventure Sport: was £2,350, now £1,695

This Adventure Sport model is gorgeous, complete with a green and gold design and a carbon fibre-effect dial. You can expect the same exquisite fit and finish which the brand is renowned for, too.

A saving of over £650 makes this one just £1,695 right now!

Another Dive Watch bargain?

If you're in the market for a quartz-powered dive watch, this sales event is made for you. I've already been waxing lyrical about a couple of models, but I've stumbled across another which is a bit of a bargain.

Tissot Seastar 1000: was £390, now £330

The Tissot Seastar 1000 doesn't always get the credit it deserves. That number denotes the 1,000ft or 300m of water resistance on offer, which is impressive at any price point.

Snagging this quartz model for just £330 makes it almost £1 per metre of water resistance, and I think that's a very eloquent way of deciding which diver to go for.

All dressed up

Dress watches have been out of favour for a little while, but I'm convinced they're on the cusp of a comeback. The rise of vintage watches – which are inherently more dress-oriented than the current crop – has definitely pulled them back into favour somewhat.

Baume et Mercier Clifton: was £3,200, now £2,245.50

If you do fancy snagging something more modern, this Baume et Mercier Clifton is a steal. Complete with the brand's Baumatic movement which offer five days of power, this watch is the perfect, modern dress watch.

If that's still out of budget, try this bargain Citizen Classic for just £150.

Digital delights

I was never a massive advocate for the Tissot PRX Digital when it first came out. Priced similarly to the main model, it never really felt like a good value pick for most people.

Tissot PRX Digital: was £330, now £264

Still, with this discount, I think it could be much more appealing. While still a little bit of a left-field choice, there's something cool and delightfully 80s about the combination of the integrated bracelet and the digital display.

A bargain dive watch

Regular readers of my watch deal coverage will know I've got a bit of a soft spot for the Invicta Pro Diver. While some will say that the design is derivative – and, to be fair, it is – I simply can't get over how good the specs are for the price.

Invicta Pro Diver: was £85.83, now £72.96

Enjoying 200m of water resistance is fantastic, while a Seiko NH35A movement powers things. All of that in a steel case with a steel bracelet for just £72.96? You'll be hard-pressed to beat that.

Day three savings

Good morning watch lovers! I bet you thought I'd forgotten about you but fear not – day three of ticking, tocking bargains is here.

Casio B145D: was £78.11, now £50.87

I'm heading back to Amazon first for this Casio B145D. It's a killer, integrated bracelet watch with a natty pink dial, and a whopping 35% off the list price!

If you're seeking style on a budget, this is the way to go.

£5,000 off a Rolex?!

If you thought you couldn't find a deal on a Rolex, you're simply looking in the wrong places. I've just found a neo-vintage Rolex DayDate with a nifty £5,000 saving.

Rolex DayDate: was £24,950, now £19,950

That comes from Chisholm Hunter and sees the watch slip beneath the £20,000 mark. And while that's still plenty of cash, it's a bargain for a watch of this calibre.

You'll enjoy an 18k white gold case and bracelet, and that classic styling.

Bargain Seiko alert

Seiko watches often represent exceptional value, so when they're on deal, things can get really crazy. And the latest offer I've found is just that.

Seiko 5 Sports: was £280, now £130

This Seiko 5 Sports model is better than half price at Goldsmiths, and can be yours for just £130. That's an insane amount of watch for the money, with an automatic movement, a day-date display and a steel case.

In my opinion, the worst part about cheaper watches is often the bracelet, and as this one comes on a rubber strap, you don't have to worry about that! Whether it's your first watch, or simply a stylish and reliable beater, this is one you won't want to miss.

Even bigger bargains

I've been waxing lyrical about a deal on the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical all week, but I've just found it for an even better price.

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical: was £755, now £435

You can snag the black model from Chisholm Hunter for just £435 right now, which is a total bargain. I'd argue it even looks better than the white model, too...

I'm green with envy

You definitely didn't need me to give you another dive watch deal, but I've got it for you anyway. This Oris Aquis Date is unlikely to be your first pick, but it's got a stonking price cut on it right now which makes it far more accessible.

Oris Aquis Date: was £2,000, now £1,150

At just £1,150, this is suddenly in the same arena as brands like Christopher Ward and Seiko, which is much different to where it sits at retail.

New day, same great deal

Hello you watch loving bargain hunters. I'm back again for the fourth and final day of the Prime Day sales. For some of us here in the UK, today is payday and that plus the sales is either dangerous or brilliant, depending on your outlook.

Citizen Promaster Diver: was £259.49, now £185.09

Over at Amazon, I've found a really smart looking Citizen Promaster Diver. Those are always available with killer discounts, and this one can be had for just £185.09.

Super (savings) Seville

The Bulova Super Seville is one seriously underrated watch. Designed around a 262kHz quartz movement, you'll enjoy one of the smoothest sweeping seconds hands of any watch.

Bulova Super Seville: was £499, now £399

The design is perfectly retro, with more than a healthy does of 70s charm. That's accentuated even more by the yellow gold-toned case and bracelet, which looks like it was plucked straight from The Sopranos.

Modern Classics

Us watch enthusiasts can often be accused of looking backwards rather than forwards. We're obsessed with history and heritage, which can make it difficult for modern brands to get a look in.

Frederique Constant Classics: was £695, now £495

One which is gaining some attention is Frederique Constant, and it's really not hard to see why. Well made watches at decent price points, complete with nice designs are the order of the day.

This Classics model is the embodiment of a brilliant dress watch, complete with a quartz movement and £200 slashed from the price. It's a bargain at that!

Calling all golf fans – TAG Heuer has teamed up with TaylorMade on its latest Connected Calibre E5 watch. The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 45 mm x TaylorMade Edition is designed to support golf players during rounds of golf, by tracking shots, positioning and other metrics.

TAG Heuer debuted its first Connected smartwatch back in 2015, and since then, it’s expanded the line-up to include sports like Formula 1 and golf. The latter is what we’re talking about today, as the brand has launched its latest golf Connected watch in collaboration with sports equipment manufacturer, TaylorMade.

Designed to seamlessly integrate into a round of golf, the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 45 mm x TaylorMade Edition is powered by TAG Heuer OS and the Calibre E5 movement. Compatible with iOS 18+ and Android 13+, the new timepiece is sure to impress golfers and fans alike.

With the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 45 mm x TaylorMade Edition, you can view your metrics quickly on the screen, including best and last score, longest drive, rounds played and more. Each shot and position is registered for you via TAG Heyer’s algorithms so you can focus on your game as your watch collects your data.

Once your shots and positions are registered, it’s processed by TaylorMade’s performance analysis which compares each round to deliver ‘strokes gained metrics’. Wearers will be able to see strokes gained and lost, and which areas they can improve on.

Measuring 45mm, the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 45 mm x TaylorMade Edition isn’t a small watch by any means. Aside from its golf tracking technology, it also has dual-band GPS and sensors that track your heart rate, calories, breathing and sleep.

The bezel of the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 45 mm x TaylorMade Edition is engraved with 18 holes. Part of the titanium case, a crown sits on the right side, and features TaylorMade branding, as does the caseback and strap clasp.

The dial or AMOLED screen is available in two digital designs. The first is called Topography and inspired by the topography of golf courses. It includes three chronographs, a date window, and hours, minutes and seconds hands.

The second is Momentum which, despite the name, is much simpler with just the digital time being shown. The background is inspired by the fluidity of a golf swing. Both dials, as well as the strap of the watch, shows off dark blue colours that are from TaylorMade’s palette and history.

The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 45 mm x TaylorMade Edition is finished with a blue leather striped bracelet, and an impressive 12 hour battery life. TAG Heuer and TaylorMade have also partnered on other golfing products, including a putter, duffle bag, hats and gloves.

For avid golf enthusiasts, the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 45 mm x TaylorMade Edition is exactly what you’ll want to wear to the course. Not only does it look the part with its two dial displays but having your golf stats on your wrist can seriously improve your game.

The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 45 mm x TaylorMade Edition is available to buy now for £2,150 / $2,550 / €2,550.

It's no secret that TAG Heuer enjoys a lot of heritage in the world of motorsport. It's chronographs have been seen on the wrists of drivers and fans alike for the better part of half a century, while a renewed timekeeping duty with Formula 1 has brought that legacy into the modern day.

Now, another major motorsport event has been immortalised in chronograph form. The brand's latest release is made to celebrate the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which is set to take place in just a few weeks time.

The model sports a beautiful, deep green dial and bezel colour, which is inspired by the green fields of Goodwood. That's accented with red hands and rings on the crown and pushers, and the two marry up really nicely.

That dial is broken by three sub-dials arranged in a 12, six, nine arrangement. That leaves space at the three o'clock position for a date window, and the brand, model and calibre logos.

It sits within a 44mm case crafted from fine brushed steel. Flipping things over reveals an engraved caseback, complete with the Festival of Speed logo and the position of the watch within the limited run of 500 pieces.

The model is also rated for a staggering 200m of water resistance. That's enough for a dive watch certification, and is almost unheard of in the realm of chronographs – top marks, TAG!

The piece is powered by a Caliber 16 movement, which should ensure around 48 hours of power reserve from a 4Hz beat rate. Note that those figures are taken from elsewhere online, and don't come directly from TAG Heuer.

Priced at £4,250 / €5,000 / US$5,050 (approx. AU$8,025) the model should be a popular pick for motoring fans seeking a neat limited edition watch. Whether that, or you're simply a TAG fan, this is certain to be a hit.

Footage of Henry Cavill has been going viral overnight, after the actor stole the show at Royal Ascot. Clad in top hat and tails, the icon looked every bit as dapper as one would hope of the occasion.

Sitting on his wrist was an equally impressive watch. Wearing a 1926 Longines mono-pusher chronograph isn't something all of us non-ambassadors will be able to enjoy. Still, if you want to nail the look, there are ways of doing it for less. Here are five of my top picks.

Seiko Presage Cocktail Time

If you're trying to snag a dress watch on a budget, Seiko absolutely must be in the conversation. Models like the Presage Cocktail Time offer some of the best value on the market, with quality materials and stunning dial art.

This one is my personal pick, and a bit of a bargain at just £429. But any model in this range will serve you handsomely.

Detrash McQ: Salmon

Getting all dolled up is all well and good, but it's important to do some good, too. That's exactly what Detrash champions, with watches which use eco-conscious materials and give back to charities protecting the planet.

The McQ: Salmon is one of the very best picks on the market right now for those seeking an affordable dress watch.

Tissot Telemeter 1938

One of the first things I thought of when I saw the watch in question was this Tissot model. It might not be a mono-pusher, but the busy nature of the dial and the chronograph functionality certainly put it in a similar spot.

It's not cheap, but it is great. I've seen it on sale before, so keep an eye out next week as the Amazon Prime Day sales start to make prices fall.

Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chrono

At last, we've reached a mono-pusher model! This Montblanc option is a real looker, with a healthy does of vintage charm.

It's far from cheap, but this style is rarely going to be .

Cartier Tank Louis

If money's no object and you simply want a timeless dress watch, there's no better place to park your cash than the Cartier Tank Louis. Worn by everyone from Muhammed Ali to Princess Diana – and currently enjoying a renewed spell of popularity on the wrist of Harry Styles.

If you're going to do it, this is the one. 18k rose gold case, brown alligator leather strap and a mechanical movement inside to attest to the timelessness of this design.

It's not cheap, though, so those looking to save a little cash should try the steel model.

While there are many features and functions we look for in a modern dive watch, there's one which really must stand out above all else. Water resistance should really be a given for anything in this space, but as the defining factor which makes the segment tick, it's still important.

Enter the Certina PH2000M. That name should already give away one of the key features of this watch – and no, it's not a typo!

The model is engineered to withstand pressures up to 2,000m below the surface of the ocean. It's no mean feat – the Rolex Submariner is a figurehead of this watch type, and can only manage a mere 300m.

Don't think the added deep water credentials come at the sacrifice of style, either. The model comes in four different dial options, each looking absolutely fabulous.

You'll choose between white, black, yellow and teal sunburst dials, all with black bezels apart from the white model, which has a blue bezel. All of the models feature orange accents on the minute hand, which ties in with classic dive watch colour schemes.

All four are presented in 43mm cases crafted from Grade 2 Titanium. They do sit 16mm thick, which is the only bug on the windshield in this spec sheet. But hey, that water resistance has to come from somewhere.

You'll also find a helium escape valve on the side of the case, while the bezel ring is crafted from ceramic. Inside, the popular Powermatic 80 movement powers things, offering 80 hours of power reserve.

Pricing is very reasonable, too. All four models cost just £1,230 / US$1,440 (approx. €1,420 / AU$2,320) which is not a lot for a watch of this calibre. If you're in the market for a stylish dive watch with serious specs, I think this one should definitely be on your radar.

Bolstering its reputation as military and pilot watch experts, Bremont has just launched its His Majesty’s Armed Forces collection, featuring three watches for the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. All three Bremont HMAF watches are inspired by the land, sea and air – and as someone with a military background, I was surprised by which one I liked the most.

Bremont has worked with the MOD since 2019, making watches for serving personnel. Through this work and collaboration, Bremont has become well-versed at honouring the British military, and is permitted to use signs, symbols and badges from the three armed services in its watch creations.

Bremont’s HMAF collection is a perfect example of this, as each watch uses the official heraldic insignia from each armed service. Another thing all three watches use is Super-LumiNova on its hour markers and dial elements to enhance the legibility.

Starting with the British Army, Bremont has developed the HMAF Terra Nova Date, a field watch which displays the official Army crest on its California dial. Measuring 40.5mm, it sits in a stainless steel case with an oversized push-in crown. The dial has a brown shade with a vertical gradient which gives it a rough, vintage feel. The hour numbers are a mixture of Roman and Arabic numerals in cream, and a date window sits at three while the Army crest sits at nine.

The HMAF Terra Nova Date is powered by the BB54 movement which gives the watch 41 hours of power reserve. It’s water resistant to 100 metres and comes with a steel bracelet or tan nubuck strap.

Moving on to the Royal Navy, the HMAF Supermarine is water resistant to 300 metres as a nod to the Navy’s experience in maritime environments. The stainless steel 40mm case features a full ceramic bezel insert which matches in colour with the grey gradient dial and ring. The numerals are more simple here as they’re represented by bars and circles, and a date window sits at three o’clock.

The Royal Navy’s badge sits just above the six o’clock position. The watch is also powered by the BB64 movement with a 56 hour power reserve, and is finished with a grey nubuck strap.

Finally for the RAF, the HMAF Altitude Date is the smallest of the three at 39mm. A three-hand pilot’s watch, it features a midnight bronze Cerakote case with a bevelled crown so it can still be used while wearing gloves. The black dial is offset with beige numerals, and hour, minute and seconds hands, the latter of which has Bremont’s ejection seat pullcord tail with a lollipop white tip.

Like the Royal Navy watch, the HMAF Altitude Date has the RAF’s crest just above six o’clock. Powered by the BB14 movement, the watch has a 68 hour power reserve, 100 metre water resistance, and is finished with a tan nubuck strap.

This is where I’m going to get in trouble. I have family in the Royal Marines so in theory, I should like the HMAF Supermarine the most. But there’s just something about the HMAF Altitude Date which I absolutely love, and considering Bremont is best known for its pilot watches, you’d expect this one to be most popular anyway!

The Bremont HMAF collection is available now with prices starting at £3,100. All models are limited to 300 pieces each, but you can also buy the set of all three which is also limited to 50 pieces.

In the realm of affordable watches, Seiko is a name with decades of weight behind it. The Japanese brand's core offering has long been associated with offering great watches at a great price, and that has made it a household name for many.

In the £1,000 region, its Presage collection represents some of the best value you'll find – and now there is a quartet of new models on offer. That includes a trio of additions to the permanent collection, as well as a limited edition model with just 2,000 pieces being produced.

Each of the four features a dial inspired by Tomioka silk and made to look like the fabric being draped over a surface. The limited edition model uses a white dial, and is set within a rose gold-coloured case, complete with a brown leather strap. The result is an aesthetic which looks like the quintessential dress watch, and should be very popular.

In the standard collection, there are three different dials to choose from. Shironeri is also a white dial, though it feels more of a bright white thanks to the silver-toned case.

That's paired with Watake-Iro and Sakura-Iro – green and pink – to round out the set. Those two dial colours have been used in the Grand Seiko line up before, and they have always been showstoppers, so seeing them at this price is pretty remarkable.

The white and green models are offered on a seven-link steel bracelet, while the pink model comes on a brown leather strap. That's designed to mimic the branch and blossom array of the beloved cherry blossom trees.

The collection uses 38mm cases which seat neat and tidy at just 12.9mm thick. All of the models are water resistant to 100m, and utilise the 6R51 movement, which offers 72 hours of power reserve from a 3Hz movement.

Priced from €1,030 (approx. £895 / US$1,200 / AU$1,685) on the leather strap to €1,200 (approx. £1,050 / US$1,375 / AU$1,965), these feel like Seiko may as well be printing money. It's a fabulously spec'd watch for that price, and should sell like hot cakes.

When it comes to dive watches, few brands have the heritage of Panerai. Spending most of its life under wraps as a supplier of the Italian Navy, the brand enjoys a handsome reputation as a maker of exceptionally rugged pieces.

That's no different today, with a new Panerai Submersible Navy SEALs model arriving with an enviable spec sheet. That includes a staggering 500m of water resistance, which is far more than many of the dive watches offered elsewhere in the market.

The model sports a grey sunburst dial, with a small seconds register at the nine o'clock position and a discrete date window at three o'clock. I'm always a fan of this dial design, which stays clutter-free and readable.

That's surrounded by a ceramic bezel, and sits within a 44mm case crafted from brushed stainless steel. Personally, I think that brushwork is a masterstroke, adding a grey hue which marries up nicely with the dial and bezel.

Inside, the brand's P.980 calibre beats away. That's an automatic calibre which offers three days of power from a 4Hz beat rate. The model also comes with both a black rubber and a grey canvas strap, to suit different people and scenarios.

Even more impressive than the spec sheet is the list of testing scenarios these watches are put through. In order to ensure they're fit for the most gruelling and demanding environments, Panerai employs a range of tests to ensure thermal shock resistance, movement winding, magnetic resistance and more.

The watches are even tested in saline and humidity, exposed to UV and given some pretty intense shock tests, all to make sure they will continue to work in such environments. It's a seriously impressive suite of testing, and should ensure the watch is more than capable of dealing with any stresses and strains it comes up against in use.

Priced at £10,400 (approx. €12,025 / US$14,000 / AU$19,725), this model feels like a bit of a bargain, all things considered. It'll probably outlive you or I, and that makes it a pretty decent deal in my book.

Harber London, known for its stylish range of best backpacks and wallets, has unveiled a new collection that combines premium nylon made from reclaimed marine plastic with rich full-grain leather accents.

The collection features four different products, including the Classic Roll Top Venture Edition (£369), Classic Holdall Bag Venture Edition (£329) and Classic Sling Bag Venture Edition (£189). There’s also a standard Classic Sling Bag, priced at £229.

The range is available to buy now via Harber London’s online store, with the brand offering a 15% discount ahead of Father’s Day using the code DAD26, making it a strong option for the best Father's Day gifts.

We’ve already reviewed a number of Harber London products before, including the Harber London Overnight Bag, Leather Roll Top Backpack and Legacy iPad Sleeve. As always, this new collection focuses on high-quality pieces built to last, with a strong emphasis on durable materials.

The Classic Roll Top Backpack features a quick-access, water-repellent 16-inch laptop compartment, magnetic front clasps for easy access to the main compartment, and a chest strap for added comfort on the move. The Classic Holdall Bag follows a similar design, with a water-repellent recycled nylon outer shell and a spacious 42-litre capacity, making it ideal for travel, commuting and everyday use.

The two sling bags share a three-litre capacity, sunglasses pocket and theft-deterrent closure system. However, the Venture Edition is designed with a more active lifestyle in mind, featuring a lighter strap with a magnetic clasp and water-repellent zippers, compared to the standard model’s traditional leather strap and metal zippers.

Hublot has launched its Big Bang Summer collection, and it’s just as colourful as you’d expect. Available in two sizes, the Hublot Big Bang Summer watches are inspired by the Mediterranean, and feature pastel-coloured ceramic materials.

If you know anything about Hublot, you’ll know how much the brand loves to use ceramic in its watch designs. Both of the new Hublot Big Bang Summer watches feature ceramic materials in their construction, which is highly scratch-resistant, lightweight and durable.

Most importantly, though, the new Hublot Big Bang Summer watches are undeniably stylish, and make ceramic look better than ever. There are two watches available from the collection, one in 42mm with a flyback chronograph and the other in 44mm with a tourbillon. Both have the same colour face and design, featuring pink, mint and sky blue pastel colours on the case, dial, bezel and straps.

Starting with the 42mm version, the Hublot Big Bang Summer Ceramic 42mm is powered by the Hub1280 Unico movement which gives the watch a self-winding flyback chronograph complication.

The case of the 42mm Hublot Big Bang Summer watch features patchwork-like pastel colours, and the bezel has Hublot’s iconic H-shaped screws dotted around it. On the right side of the case are two pushers that flank the crown, and power the chronograph subdials on the skeletonised dial.

Limited to 200 pieces, the Hublot Big Bang Summer Ceramic 42mm has a 72 hour power reserve, and is water resistant to 100 metres. It’s priced at £26,900 / $34,300 / €33,700.

Next up is the Hublot Big Bang Summer Ceramic 44mm, which has many of the same features as the 42mm version. Where it differs is its automatic tourbillon which sits at six o’clock. It has a skeletonised dial, and is powered by the HUB6035 movement which gives the watch a 72 hour power reserve. It’s available for £93,00 / $119,000 / €116,000, and limited to just 10 pieces.

The summer of watches has begun, and the new Hublot Big Bang Summer collection is definitely what I want to be wearing this season.

It's no secret that vintage watches are all the rage right now. Whether you love them for their retro styling, smaller sizes or quirky complications, it seems that something old is definitely the in-thing.

Now, those seeking a vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre watch have the opportunity to buy a curated selection of museum-grade pieces direct from the brand. As part of their 'The Collectibles VI' range, users will be able to select from 12 models carefully selected models.

That includes seven Reverso models from different eras, as well as a further selection of five other emblematic models which mark important moments in the brand's history. The oldest models on offer date back to 1931, meaning there's some real heritage to unearth.

Two pieces hail from that year, with a standard Reverso and a Reverso Dame, both in black and steel, and paired with a hand-crafted black calfskin leather strap. Similarly styled – and of only a slightly lesser vintage – is the Reverso Central Seconds, also lovingly known as the Doctor's Reverso.

Fast forward another few years and we get the Triple Calendar Moonphase dress watch from 1946. That's one of my personal favourites in this collection – it's a classic complication, complete with a pointer date around the outer edge.

The iconic Memovox is also represented with a pair of significant references. Up first is a 1958 Memovox Parking, which includes an alarm function, followed by a sleek 1969 Memovox Automatic Calendar with a black dial, a 37mm case diameter and an original Gay Frères bracelet.

But my absolute favourite from the collection is this 1970 Geomatic E560, which is one of just 200 pieces ever made. It features an 18k gold cushion case which is bang on-trend right now, and has had its automatic K883S movement chronometer-certified and tested for 360 hours.

There's no word on pricing right now, but I wouldn't expect them to be too affordable. Not only are these watches old and rare, they've gone through the brand's restoration workshop to ensure they're still fit for modern use – I wouldn't expect all of that to come cheap!