Thor Svaboe
Whether you are Darth Vader’s distant cousin or just enjoy the stealthy look of a ninja assassin, let us tempt you to the dark side. NOW, Time+Tide’s Watch Buying Guide, reviewed almost 200 of the best new releases from the last 12 months and among them were some real black beauties. From lume-infested diving watches to a flying tourbillon from Louis Vuitton that’ll inspire you to blow your budget (or possibly sell your house), the only real question is what’s your preferred shade of black when it comes to your wrist?Zenith DEFY El Primero 21 Carl Cox EditionThe Zenith DEFY gets a futuristic remix in carbon fibre courtesy of the legendary Carl Cox. The chronograph sub dials reflect the superstar DJ's status as the “three-deck-wizard” with the running seconds dial neatly fashioned to look like a spinning 12 record. To help with visibility in dark and sweaty clubs meanwhile, the bezel has luminous material within the composite, and even the stitching on the strap is infused with Super-Luminova to make sure you never miss a beat. Price: $28,200 AUDBell&Ross BR 03-92 Diver Full LumeBell & Ross has made the Square Diver their own and this large diameter tool watch in a black DLC case shows why. Served on a wide rubber strap and water resistant to 300m, as the name suggests, this diver has a major trick up the sleeve of its wetsuit. A bucketload of Super-Luminova lights up the entire dial and bezel markings, ensuring they'll glow like a torch in the ocean's darkest depths Price $7100 AUDDOXA Sub 300 Carbon Aqua Lung US DiversProving that they're not just relying on heritage, Doxa outdid themselves with this blacked-out militaristic stealth tool SUB 300. With its penetrating yellow and white highlights it keeps the brand’s trademark legibility and honours the Aqua Lung collaborations of old. The forged carbon case and sleek black rubber strap give the watch an undeniably modern look, while also saving a huge amount of weight, imbuing it with the comfort that Doxa diver's watches are reknowned for. Price: $7690 AUDHublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary Collection black ceramicConsidering the success that Hublot has seen over the last decade or so, it will surprise many to learn that the brand was only founded by Carlo Crocco in 1980. In 2020, Hublot paid tribute to the first-ever watch to bear its name on the dial with three limited edition homages. Featuring cleanly designed cases in three different materials, they all feature the signature integrated rubber straps, a well known case and bezel screws as well as an inky black laquer dial. Despite turning 40, there's no mid-life crisis here, just an expression of Hublot in its purest form. This black ceramic model is my personal favourite – pure Zen in a dark suit. Price: $14,600 AUDLouis Vuitton Tambour Curve Flying Tourbillon Poincon de GeneveIf your style is as dark as your budget is limitless, this is your choice of wristwear. The tourbillon is still perceived as the summit of technical watchmaking. But what Louis Vuitton does here is make one look totally badass. The Blade Runner vibes come from a futuristic case made from a carbon fibre composite. Looming out of the dark bridgework of the skeletonised movement, the brand's initials take centre stage in this, LV's horological Piece de Resistance. That is, if you can tear your eyes away from the deep hypnoticism of the flying tourbillon. It steals your attention, like an intricate mechanical ballerina, forever pirouetting for your horological pleasure, in slow motion. Price: $258,000 USD
08.02.21