The 2024 Tissot T-Touch Connect Sport Blends Smartwatch Functionality With Luxury Horology

Smartwatches might be a relatively new innovation compared to others that have come about in the world of horology, but there’s no denying that it has revolutionised the way we view watches, and it is no wonder why. Where else can you find a device that acts as a heart rate monitor, can keep track of your blood oxygen levels, and tracks your workouts, in addition to functioning as a wrist-bound extension of your smartphone? It is almost inevitable then that it has come to dominate the sport watch category — the next time you go for a run in the park, try having a peek at what people are wearing on their wrists: it will almost certainly be an Apple Watch, or an equivalent offering from Garmin.

This is what makes the Tissot T-Touch Connect Sport such a breath of fresh air — while it does share similar functionality with the above-mentioned smartwatches, it possesses one crucial difference — it retains its soul. Most smartwatches today are cold, minimalist, and postmodern extensions of the devices we rely on to function on a daily basis: a touch screen integrated into a lightweight case with a couple of buttons, and finished with a rubber bracelet. In comparison, the 43mm Tissot T-Touch Connect Sport retains some old-school charm by keeping its three hands, a bezel that displays the minutes at 10-minute intervals, and indices finished with Super-LumiNova lume for maximum legibility in low light environments. The watch is also powered by a quartz unit — these more traditional components distinctly establish this as a watch first, and health/workout assistant second.

That said, the T-Touch Connect Sport definitely holds a candle to its smartwatch competition — used in conjunction with the iOS, Android and Harmony-compatible phone app, the Workouts function on the watch enables wearers to view stats like distance, speed, heart rate and calorie consumption live. Furthermore, the Stats feature allows wearers to glean deeper insights from their stats, with the app offering a complete performance analysis through graphs and trends that enable wearers to track their fitness progress. Other modern aspects of the watch include a tactile sapphire glass face equipped with an AMOLED screen, granting wearers the flexibility to choose between direct touch or two side pushers to engage the watch’s functions.

The T-Touch Connect Sport also integrates notifications for incoming calls and reminders. Crucially, though, Tissot’s aim is not to replace your phone, but complement it — wearers will still need to physically use their phone to answer calls. While that might disappoint some, this author would like to argue differently. Considering the modern bells and whistles that the T-Touch Connect comes packed with, this decision feels like a deliberate effort to limit connectivity, allowing wearers to plug out and get active, unencumbered by the hustle and bustle of daily life — another factor that distinguishes this timepiece from its smartwatch competition.

A common bugbear that smartwatch users face is the need to constantly ensure that their watch is juiced up and ready to go before it is worn on the wrist — T-Touch Connect Sport wearers will face no such issues, as its quartz unit relies on the power of the sun to function. In “watch mode”, an outdoor charge of more than 20 minutes per day (with a clear sky) grants what Tissot calls “infinite autonomy”, while sun time of more than 35 minutes charges up the watch for six months in “standard connected mode”; upping charge time to more than 60 minutes a day ensures functionality for around three months in “sports connected mode”. The concluding touches on the watch come via elegantly brushed and polished finishing on either ceramic or titanium case material options, giving the timepiece a refined touch on an otherwise visually-brawny package.

Regardless of whether you’re on the lookout for a contrarian timepiece that blends sporty smartwatch functionality with horological soul, or simply looking for a watch that stands out against other smartwatch offerings, the 2024 Tissot T-Touch Connect Sport — thoughtfully-engineered, elegant, resilient, and practical — is as good as it gets.

This story was first seen on MensFolio.com

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The Santos de Cartier Glows in A Cinematic Gold

One thing Cartier does particularly well — more so than most other watchmakers — is its penchant for reinvention. That pieces such as the Cartier Tank and Santos-Dumont remain steadfast despite the constantly-blowing winds of change are not just a testament to the timelessness of Louis Cartier’s design nous — they are also symbolic of the maison’s ability to reinvent itself without losing the essence of elegance and artistry that defines it.

This year, while the Santos de Cartier Dual Time understandably hogs most of the limelight, this ref. WGSA0095 three-hander piece arguably deserves some time in the sun as well, as a tangible symbol of what the maison stands for: elegance, and timeless reinvention. As has been already well-documented, the Santos de Cartier is the maison’s contribution to the integrated-bracelet sports watch phenomenon, and incorporates a sense of tasteful modernity into iconic, beloved design cues.

This iteration of the Santos de Cartier is no different — thankfully, Cartier has left the good bits untouched. Beyond just design cues, the in-house manufactured, automatic 1847 MC movement is fitted within a 39.8mm case — the same as its other like-sized brethren. That said, it is a new release, so differences come in the area of dial and case colour — it is here that Cartier’s signature sense of timeless elegance shines through.

Combining a yellow-gold case with a chocolate-brown, satin-finished sunburst dial, furnished with matching gold-hued hands and Arabic numerals, this Santos de Cartier oozes cinematic, 1970s retro-tinted elegance — think floral Cuban shirts, piña coladas and Havana sunsets. 

Granted, this — to some — might be just another addition to an already-extensive Santos de Cartier collection. On closer inspection, however, the differences in the small details remind us of Cartier’s knack for tasteful reinvention, while elevating further the sense of elegance that has come to define the maison’s watchmaking.

This story was first seen on MensFolio.com

For more on the latest in luxury watch news and releases, click here.

Bell & Ross’ BR-03 Cruises Into a New Stratosphere

Since its inception, Bell & Ross has been known for its unique take on military tool watches, with the utilitarian, ‘circle within a square’ design language a central feature of its various offerings. The BR-03 collection is the current manifestation of those utilitarian ideals, but the manufacture has also started to discover the line’s versatile potential.

This year’s BR-03 “White Steel & Gold” — as its name suggests — incorporates rose gold into the case materials, continuing the experimental departure from the collection’s rugged, military aesthetic. While the watch has the standard Calibre BR-CAL.302-1 movement at its ticking heart, a sense of elevated refinement is delivered in a satin-brushed and polished steel case, with an 18K rose gold bezel and matching crown.

The refined aesthetics continue dial-side, with Bell & Ross’ classic aviation-instrument indices and Arabic numerals applied in the same 18K rose gold, juxtaposed against a sophisticated white opaline dial backdrop. Altogether, the brushed and polished surfaces and opaline dial create an exquisite light play that is a far cry from the blackout, stealthy look of its more functional siblings. Together with the latte-brown leather calfskin strap that complements the warm hues of rose gold, the watch is one that clearly cruises in a more luxurious stratosphere. 

That said, although it sports a more dressy appearance, this BR-03 retains the same utilitarian essence of its forebears, with a 100m water resistance and 54-hour power reserve. It might come in a prettier package, but — in what is always a good sign — Bell & Ross clearly did not forget their high-performance roots with this BR-03.

While utilitarian functionality remains at the core of Bell & Ross’ offerings, the continued inclusion of refined variants within the BR-03 line, and development of the integrated-bracelet sports watch BR-05 line, are signs that the manufacture’s ascent higher into the horological stratosphere is more planned flight than experimental rocket launch. As long as they continue in this fashion, the sky is the limit for Bell & Ross.

This story was first seen on MensFolio.com

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Is Hublot and Daniel Arsham’s Droplet Horological Art?

Those familiar with the world of watches understand that the line between art and horology is a fine and, very often, blurred one. While there are manufactures that have made a name for themselves prioritising function over form, it is those that approach watchmaking from an artistic angle that possesses the most illustrious heritage, and command the greatest sense of gravitas. Sure, something as subjective as “gravitas” can be a pretty flimsy basis upon which to judge a horological work, but the fact remains that things like a plique-à-jour enamel dial and hand-engraved arabesque case finishes will always catch the eye more readily, and elevate the timepiece beyond just an object that just tells time. That being said, the argument remains: since art is so subjective, how does one determine whether a timepiece qualifies as a work of horological art? Indeed, the subjective nature of art is what renders it so polarising, but simultaneously, therein lies its beauty — what is perceived and interpreted varies from person to person. Fundamentally, it first needs to catch the eye — what effect the art has from there on is yours to decipher.

This is why Hublot’s latest collaboration with contemporary artist Daniel Arsham is such a fascinating one — it certainly does catch the eye, but once again begs the question — can it truly be called a work of horological art? A closer examination of Daniel Arsham’s body of work thus far offers some clarity: a lot of it centres around the concept of time — specifically, a hypothetical future. Inspired by Andy Warhol, Arsham rose to fame through his calcified, crystallised, and decayed portrayal of everyday products: his meditation on the passing of time and a commentary on the transience of the objects that define modern consumerism. The Droplet, therefore, is coherent with his artistic philosophy, identifying it as art, but also marks somewhat of a departure from his usual artistic vision — this is a different, almost postmodern expression of horological art.

To begin with, a key tenet of postmodern art is its defiance against categorisation into a specific time period — evident in The Droplet. The choice of a pocket watch as the canvas for his work speaks to us about Arsham’s desire to capture an element of the past while channelling the essence of the present and hypothetical future in a modern, open-worked presentation that is not fully contemporary, but not quite anachronistic either. Furthermore, the watch can either be worn as a pocket watch, pendant, or displayed as part of a sculptured table clock — an additional refusal to stay within the confines of definition.

Another crucial aspect of postmodernism is a sense of Avant-pop: a combination of cutting-edge experimental with pop-culture influences. The Droplet embodies Hublot’s signature, avant-garde sapphire crystal design language, a 10-day power reserve Meca-10 movement, and titanium skeleton, with the pop-culture influence coming from the detachable chain which calls to mind chain patterns on modern jewellery. The pocket watch is finished with accents of Arsham Green — the unique shade of green-hued turquoise found on many of Arsham’s "decayed" sculptures — a self-referential hint at the artist’s message and another layer of meaning up for interpretation.

Given how Hublot’s and Daniel Arsham’s Droplet unapologetically skips along the fine, blurred line between horology and art, it is almost guaranteed to split opinion. Whether it might be for you or otherwise, one thing is for sure — Hublot and Arsham have created a work of horological art that definitively disrupts the traditional union of time and art.

This story was first seen on MensFolio.com

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Watch Enthusiast Darren Toh Understands How to Curate Desire

An oft-discussed facet of the watch collecting journey is the understanding that it is something to be passed on to succeeding generations – not just the timepieces, but more crucially, the knowledge and passion for horology developed through the years. Darren Toh, whom we met during his tenure at the Singapore Watch Fair, embodies the successful passing of the horological baton from one generation to the next. Explaining that he currently shares a collection with his father and that he acts as the curator for this joint collection, he shares the journey so far, and how his tastes have evolved along the way.

First Steps

Usually, it is the first watch that holds the most sentimental value, and with Darren, it is no different. “I was in Primary school when my dad passed me a watch just to wear for an event, and he took it back a day later. I’d say that was the instance that kicked off my interest in watches. Later on, after he noticed my growing interest in watches, he passed me his Breitling Superocean, and taught me how to wind and set the time on it – the first time I attempted setting the time, I completely pulled out the crown,” he recalls with a laugh. Thankfully, the watch was eventually restored to functionality, and Darren learned his first lesson in horology: “I learned to be more gentle with watches, and began to learn how they worked, especially why the stem came out with the crown that first time!”

Besides the humorous memories that the watch holds for him, Darren also found out the significant symbolism behind the watch later on: “I found out that the Superocean was the watch that my father received in celebration of my parent’s wedding anniversary – he wore it for a good decade or so before passing it to me.”

“Although I don’t really wear the Superocean as much now, the good memories I’ve had with it, and the familial symbolism it holds, marks it as the one watch that stands out in my collection in terms of sentimental value.”

Learning to Walk

Like many others who share the same passion, Darren shares that the next port of call in his watch-collecting journey was with the established international manufactures. “The first watch from a major manufacture that I actively sought out was the Rolex Submariner 116610LV ‘Starbucks’. Green is my lucky colour, and I had read a lot about Rolex at that point, so I thought it was something worth looking at,” he explains.

“Following the ‘Starbucks’,” he adds, “I fell in love with the Rolex Daytona. To begin with, it’s a chronograph – a complication that’s grown to be one of my favourites – and its versatility was, and still is, highly appealing to me.”

Swimming Deeper

Darren’s initial dip in the pool of established manufactures eventually led him to dive deep into the ocean of complications. “I began getting really deep into the artistry of Patek Philippe, and the intricate craft and finishing that goes into their movements, so that’s when the Patek Philippe World Time (5231J) and the 5905R-001 Annual Calendar Chronograph came in.”

“But by and large, my favourite complication right now would be the chronograph, as the collection reflects,” he adds with a smile.

On the Horizon

Admitting that he still has some way to go in his collecting journey, his current tastes are a reflection of how it has evolved along the path. “I met Nelson (Lee, co-founder of the Singapore Watch Fair) about four to five years ago, and he introduced me to independent watchmakers. It didn’t take long before I got hooked. The first independent that caught my eye was MB&F – the Horological Machine 4 in my collection caught my eye because of its radical design. When I first saw it in the flesh, I thought, ‘is that a watch? What’s that?’, I was so confused.”

“But as much as I was into independents, I realised my father didn’t share the same appreciation, and my moving overseas necessitated a versatile watch that I could wear for six months straight, so I dialled back on independents a little.”

“Currently,” he adds, “the watches that get the most wrist time reflect that – the platinum Rolex Daytona 126506 ‘Ice Blue’ is the one that gets the most wrist time, followed by the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1A. I know I’m at risk of being categorised as just another follower of the integrated bracelet, sports watch trend, but there’s a practical value in their versatility and robustness, especially in a hot climate like Singapore’s where I’ll sweat a bit more.”

Despite maturing in taste and his increased focus on functionality, Darren insists that he still retains a keen interest in independent watchmakers and complications – aspects of his interest that he intends to explore in the future. “I’m definitely going to be looking out more for independent watchmakers, especially when I can eventually curate one purely to my own tastes. Also, while there are already some complications in the collection, I’m also definitely on the lookout for more in the future – maybe a perpetual calendar, hopefully a minute repeater, and maybe tourbillons.”

While it is easy to stereotype the next generation of watch collectors as hype-chasing and excessively particular about investment value, young collectors like Darren are a breath of fresh air, and a timely reminder that the kids are alright.

This article is slated to appear in WOW's Summer 24 Issue, out soon.

For more on the latest in watch reads, click here.

Five Watches Across Various Water Resistance to Make a Splash This Summer

As another season of summer and sun beckons. Indulge in a sporty selection for a horological companion this summer — across a range of water resistance levels (from 100m to 500m and beyond) and occasions.

3,900 Meters: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Yellow Gold

Starting off strong with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Yellow Gold, arguably the most robust watch on this list. The Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea is truly a diver's best friend. The unidirectional rotatable bezel of the Rolex Deepsea enables divers to monitor their dive precisely and safely during decompression times. The triangular 'zero' marker of the graduation is visible in the dark thanks to an embedded capsule containing a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting blue glow. For legibility underwater, the dial features large Chromalight hour markers and hands, filled with luminescent material that emits a long-lasting blue glow for excellent legibility in dark conditions. Beyond the allure of the 18 ct yellow gold of the case and the Oyster bracelet, the watch sees hues of blues found in the compression ring, the dial and the Cerachrom bezel insert which are combined to create a subtle oceanic palette. Lastly, when it comes to wearability, the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea is equipped with an Oysterlock clasp, which prevents accidental opening and allows it to be worn comfortably over a diving suit. Not only are the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea's bezel virtually scratchproof, but their colours are also of a rare intensity and are resistant to environmental effects. Thanks to its chemical composition, the high-tech ceramic is inert and cannot corrode.

500 Metres: Zenith DEFY Revival A3648

Zenith is blessed with a rich archive that acts as a near-bottomless well of inspiration, and they know it. From the re-release of classics such as the Chronomaster Original, to incorporating details from neo-vintage icons like the Rainbow Flyback, the Le Locle manufacture’s continued derivation of inspiration from its historical catalogue has reaped handsome rewards. The latest to get the Zenith revival treatment is the Zenith DEFY Revival A3648 — also the first vintage Zenith diver to experience it. The Revival A3648 retains plenty from its storied vintage predecessor — purists will be glad to note that the 600m depth rating, octagonal case shape and fourteen-sided bezel all return, as does the signature, bright orange-and-black dial and bezel. While the sharp angles of the case and bezel mark this as more a sophisticated embodiment of ruggedness than an expression of pure horological fun, the bright orange on the dial and bezel means this timepiece has a place on the wrist, beach- or pool-side with an ice-cold cup of exotic fruit juice on a side table.

300 Metres: Tissot Seastar

As far as tool watches go, there exist few manufactures that embody the values of resilience and ruggedness the way that Tissot does. Within the manufacture’s collection, none encapsulates the robust nature of Tissot’s timepieces than the Seastar, having been the timepiece of choice for many mountaineers and divers across its substantial history. Today, the Seastar still honours the ruggedness of its predecessors, whilst incorporating a sense of free-spirited, adventurous fun. In an extension of its Seastar 40mm line, five new models have been released, with the workhorse 80-hour power reserve Powermatic 80 movement at their ticking hearts. In terms of dial colours, Tissot’s offerings combine elements of sophistication with fun — the author’s favourite being the turquoise-dial ref. T120.807.11.091.00. A colour that conjures mental images of glistening Swiss lakes in the shadow of the Alps, the Seastar 40mm combines a rich, adventure-accented heritage with the soft, relaxed fun of a Swiss summer.

200 Metres: Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT

While most of the horological world anticipated the release of a red-and-black ‘Coke’ bezel on its big brother’s reference, Tudor instead surprised everybody, incorporating the cult-favourite colourway with its beloved Black Bay 58 and a GMT movement at this year’s Watches and Wonders (much to our delight). That being said, the ‘Coke’ bezel is just the icing on the cake. Coupled with the slightly reduced 39mm case size and COSC-certified GMT movement, the product is a Black Bay that possesses a more pronounced vintage look and feel, but that nevertheless retains everything that contemporary Tudor is fêted for. Given the  GMT movement on the Black Bay, its inclusion on this list is only logical — it makes the watch perfect for travel, especially across time zones. Finished with golden gilt touches on the 24-hour bezel, hour markers, and hands that are reminiscent of warm sunsets, the Black Bay 58 GMT combines a timeless, vintage summer aesthetic with peak travel functionality.

100 Metres: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time

With the sports watch with integrated bracelet trend not dying out anytime soon, Vacheron Constantin taps into the recently popularised green dial on pink gold combination for its adventure-ready Vacheron Constantin Overseas collection. While several complications span the newly released pieces, none embodies a summer holiday more so than the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time. Its dual time zone and day-night indicator complications allow the jetsetter to view home and local time in style be it by a sunkissed beach or bustling concrete jungle. Keeping in line with the sports watch theme, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time is rated to 150m water resistance, allowing one to wear it for quick dips in the pool or acting as insurance against a sudden downpour. Two other leather and rubber straps in a dial-matching green shade accompany the watch should one wish to switch out the 18K 5N pink gold bracelet.

A version of this article was first seen on mens-folio.com.

For more on the latest in watchmaking reads, click here.