The Longines Spirit Pilot features a redesigned stainless steel 39 mm case with improved ergonomics and a refined aesthetic keeping the charm of the case profile and complementing brushed and polished surfaces. Rather than being secured by 6 screws the new caseback is screwed down into the case. Speaking of which, the case height has been reduced from 12.2mm to 11.5.

The clean matt black dial has done away with the 5 stars and replaces them with two lines of text: “Chronometer – Officially certified” along with the removal of the date window at 3. The Spirit Pilot is powered by the same Longines self-winding calibre L888.4, featuring a silicon balance-spring that provides magnetic resistance 10 times greater than the ISO 764 standard.

This is available on stainless steel bracelet featuring a double safety folding clasp with micro-adjustment, a brown leather strap on Longines deployant clasp which features an on the fly integrated micro adjustment, or a new textile-style green rubber strap with pin buckle.

CALIBRE
• Longines automatic calibre L888.4
• COSC Certified Chronometer
• Silicon balance-spring – resistant to magnetic fields (ISO 764)
• 11½ lines, 21 jewels, 25 200 vibrations per hour
• Power reserve: up to 72 hours
CASE
• Ø 39 mm; thickness 11.5 mm
• Domed sapphire crystal with multi-layer anti-reflective coating on both sides
• Screw-down crown
• Screw-down case back
• Distance between lugs: 20 mm
Water Resistance
• 100m / 10 bar

We first saw this watch earlier this year at an invitation only event held by Longines under embargo. Embodying the clean aesthetics from the titanium version but now in steel and at a size suitable for a broad range of wrist sizes this stood out as an immediate favourite of the event – along with the white 39mm legend diver also revealed at the same event. We only hope that like the legend diver Longines will also choose to release this is a white dialled variant.

With its 100m water resistance, simple yet classy aesthetics, ideal proportions and high-performing COSC movement this is a frankly stunning value proposition that could equally serve in both formal and more casual social settings alike – a perfect GADA (Go Anywhere Do Anything) watch.

The Longines Spirit Pilot is available now at www.longines.com from £2150

Despite the uncertainty surrounding its origins, Longines saw the potential in the design and decided to create a modern interpretation. The result was the Avigation BigEye, a watch that pays homage to aviation timepieces of the past while incorporating contemporary features.

The Avigation BigEye is characterized by its bold and functional design. The most striking feature is of course the oversized 30-minute sub-dial at 3 o’clock, which gives the watch its “BigEye” name. This asymmetrical layout is not only visually distinctive but also enhances legibility, making it a practical choice for pilots. Having a 30 minute register for minutes and oversized markers every third minute makes it quicker and easier to read the dial than a 60 minute register where your eyes are trying to distinguish between smaller gaps between the markers. Its only a small detail, but one that counts when using the chronograph in the real world.

The watch features a 41mm stainless steel case with a brushed finish, a domed sapphire crystal, and a black dial with large Arabic numerals. Looking at the dimensions alone you may be mistaken in thinking that this is a large watch due in part to the the depth of the watch AT 14.5mm however numbers only tell half the story. Due to its proportions and the way in which the case is divided as well as the way in which the lugs are designed, the watch sits remarkably snug to your wrist.

The overall design is both rugged and elegant, reflecting its military-inspired roots through its minimalistic implementation. The dial is not adorned with any superfluous details or unnecessary text. The pushers are oversized, allowing for easy operation even while wearing gloves—a nod to its aviation heritage.

Inside, the watch is powered by the Longines L688.2 movement, an automatic column-wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch. This movement ensures precise timekeeping and adds a touch of modern sophistication to the vintage aesthetic. The column wheel not only serves to provide a beautiful tactile engagement of the chronograph, but also to prevent someone from wrongly pushing the reset button while the movement is running as it disconnects the lower pusher from the mechanism – preventing an unwanted and expensive trip to the servicing department to repair a damaged movement. It would have been easy to have adopted a much simpler or cost efficient movement, however this is exactly where Longines displays its class – where it cant be seen but details matter.

The Avigation BigEye has not only won the hearts of watch enthusiasts but also garnered critical acclaim. It received the “Best Revival” award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), a prestigious recognition in the watchmaking world. This accolade underscores Longines’ success in reimagining a historical design for contemporary audiences.

What sets the Avigation BigEye apart is its combination of mystery, functionality, and design excellence. It bridges the gap between past and present, offering a timepiece that is both a tribute to history and a modern powerhouse. Its enigmatic origins only add to its allure, making it a conversation starter and a cherished addition to any collection.

The chronograph market is quite a saturated space with some of the most famous watches in the world including the Omega Speedmaster Professional, the Rolex Daytona, Breitling Navitimer, Heuer Carrera and IWC Pilot’s Chronograph just to name a few – but this watch from Longines embodies a level of class that quietly delivers all of the goods at a price point putting the rest to shame.

Longines has itself a number of chronographs in this space so what sets this particular chronograph apart, why is it so good and yet so affordable? Well firstly the dial is almost stark by most measures. A simple clean aesthetic clearly showing both the time and chronograph counters with minimal text or unnecessary design it has become ironically simplistic in its delivery of information. Bearing only the words “Longines” and “Automatic” on the dial many will concur that certainly in this instance; less is more. Moreover in terms of design language, while the conquest chronograph and the spirit chronograph are clearly part of their respective product lines, the Avigation Bigeye stands alone with its own unique identity – and therein a sense of purity.

Where the Avigation Bigeye really scores is in its incredible sense of value – delivering an automatic column wheel chronograph, with modest proportions that almost anyone can wear, killer aesthetics and from one of the oldest watch brands in the world – all for under £3000 – half the price of an Omega Speedmaster Professional or IWC Pilot Chronograph.

Could this be the best value proposition for a chronograph? – a heritage inspired watch, accessibly sized with classic aesthetics and a column wheel movement with a vertical clutch – from one of the oldest Swiss watchmakers – and all for under £3000.

As always we recommend you experience this for yourself – however if you’d like to see someone else’s opinion on it, we lent this very watch to a good friend Adrian Barker (Bark&Jack) and you can see what he thought of it here:

The Longines Avigation Bigeye is available from www.Longines.com for £2950

But what do you think? – Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

While these are still good watches at the £400 price point, Seiko are often criticised for their poor build quality, cheap feel and misaligned bezels accompanied by movements that run within laughable tolerances like -35 sec to +45sec a day (that’s up to 1min and 20 seconds variance per day!) However context is key here. Seiko are a full in-house watch company making every single piece of the watch’s internal and external components. They do so offering a fully mechanical watch to the consumer that is easily serviceable for many years to come and often these comparisons are made against watches that are 10 to 20 times the price as consumers get to see and feel more expensive brands on the high street such as TAG Heuer, Longines and Tudor – where the differences and build quality are like chalk and cheese. The majority of consumers are probably not even aware that Seiko makes ‘high-end’ models with premium materials, let alone get to see and experience one as they are much harder to find in a shop window and are often displayed along side cheaper Prospex models leading consumers to presume the price tag must be wrong.

So what do you get when you go “all-in” and buy a top of the range SLA series Seiko? Well we’ve been spending time with Seiko’s SLA073 to see just how it stacks up and what makes it different from

While most of Seiko range including the Seiko 5 and the normal Prospex models are mass produced, Seiko’s premium SLA watches are not made in the same factory or to the same standards. Instead, Seiko choose have them made alongside their more expensive stable-mate Grand Seiko in a facility more akin to the craftsmanship and experience you would see and expect in a Swiss atelier.

The Shizukuishi Watch Studio, located in the Iwate Prefecture of Japan, is the sole facility in Japan specializing in the production of high-end mechanical watches. It’s specifically where Grand Seiko’s 9S mechanical movements and watches are crafted. The studio is known for its integrated approach to watchmaking, encompassing everything from movement assembly to metal engraving, all performed by highly skilled technicians. Its here that the 8L35 is assembled and finished by hand. The 8L35 is essentially an undecorated version of the Grand Seiko calibre 9S55 with a larger diameter balance wheel to handle the torque needed for the larger dive watch hands. Although one notable difference is that the 8L35 is not adjusted or regulated to the same standards and tolerances as the GS9S55. So what does this mean in the real world? Well Seiko claims the accuracy of the 8L35 as -10/+15 seconds per day under normal temperature conditions (between 5-35 degrees C). While is possible that you may purchase a watch with an 8L35 that runs at +1 or +2 seconds a day (which lots of owners seem to claim) its equally possible that you could buy one that’s +15 seconds a day and that’s perfectly within Seiko claimed tolerances. This would mean that it’s gaining close to two minutes a week. As opposed to a COSC movement that gains a maximum of 42 seconds a week. This particular SLA073J1 is running at + 3 seconds per day. By shipping unregulated movements Seiko are clearly trying to protect the value of their Grand Seiko brand, however should you wish, you could have your 8L35 regulated which will then run within the same tolerances as movements shipped by Grand Seiko.

A hallmark of Grand Seiko is its attention to detail on the surface of its dials – something it has become world renown for – producing some of the most beautiful and elegant textured surfaces that are admired the world over. Here the SLA073 has inherited some of this attention to detail from its bigger brother and has been treated to a gradient ice blue textured dial paying homage to cave divers who wore the original 1968 Seiko Diver this model is based on. While this dial is not made by Grand Seiko, it does offer a gorgeous level of depth and detail. A date window sits between 4 & 5 ensuring the continuity of symmetry of the hour indices which are treated with Seiko’s proprietary LumiBrite which brings a number of benefits including both a longer duration and higher intensity making the dial very easy to read in dim or pitch black environments. Exposing the dial to direct sunlight for 10 minutes is enough to allow the indices to glow for 3-5 hours. Even on an overcast day, the LumiBrite is able to soak up a sufficient charge throughout the day to glow for many hours.

The case of the SLA073 includes surfaces that are Zaratsu polished which is a technique used to create a distortion-free, mirror-like surface on watch cases, and it is a hallmark of Grand Seiko and some other high-end Seiko watches. The SLA073, with its stainless steel case, features this polishing method to achieve its sharp edges and flat surfaces accompanied by alternating brushed surfaces. This is then treated with Seiko’s DiaShield coating. DiaShield is a surface treatment applied to the watch case to enhance scratch resistance and maintain the watch’s original appearance. It is a hard coating that protects the watch from minor scratches and scuffs, keeping it looking new for longer. The case shape tapers upwards at the edges allowing the case to sit comfortably on the wrist along with its iconic off-set precision milled crown at 4 o’clock. In addition the case includes drilled lugs that make strap changes a breeze as well as reducing the likelihood you’re going to scratch that Zaratsu polished case. Turn the watch over and the case back features Seiko’s signature deep engraving of the great wave of Kanagawa in the centre.

The unidirectional steel bezel is accompanied by a gloss finish black ceramic insert with a LumiBrite pip embedded within the top triangular marker and etched indices for each minute, 5 minutes and numerical values for each 10 minutes. The teeth on the bezel allow a very positive grip and the bezel action is spot on. Perfectly aligned with no play whatsoever – just a positive, reassuring, almost dampened feel to the rotation.

Bracelets are not Seiko’s strong suit. No matter the cost of the watch, the bracelets that have come on watches from Seiko are not good. They are typically hollow steel bracelets with pressed clasps put together with push pins rather than screws. While that may be acceptable on a watch that costs £100-£400 (some would say ‘expectedly commensurate’) I strongly feel that on Seiko’s best watches that customers are paying £2500 – £4000 there is a reasonable expectation for a solid, well designed and well built bracelet.

The bracelet on the SLA073 does have notable improvements. The links of the bracelet itself seem well made and display a combination of brushed and polished finishes tapering from 20mm to 18mm at the clasp with solid end links. The deployant clasp consists of a fold over safety clasp, twin buttons to release the top as well as a diver extension. However while the underside of the clasp is milled, the top is a piece of thin pressed steel with 4 holes for micro adjustment. The fold over safety clasp is also pressed steel with the Seiko logo laser etched on it. The divers extension on the bracelet is made entirely of stamped/pressed steel. This not only feels incredibly cheap and certainly not commensurate with a watch costing two to three thousand bounds, but due to its poor design the links do not fully articulate and remain at an angle when fully open and therefore unable to conform to the shape of your wrist. Unfortunately there are no screws present and the bracelet links are held together with push pins. Overall its clear that the bracelet has not had the same attention to detail that the actual watch itself has. Wearing the watch on the bracelet provides an acoustic ‘jangle’ due to the loose tolerances within the clasp. this is consistent with the feel of much cheaper Seiko’s

As an alternative, Seiko’s rubber straps are completely the opposite. These are very well made and include a metal collar embedded within the strap to accommodate Seiko’s fat spring bars allowing them to freely articulate and reinforce its connection to the watch. The buckle is substantial, milled and with a mixture of brushed and polished edges, and the rubber has a detailed and textured surface which includes a deeply embossed imaged of the Great Wave off Kanagawa on the tip in line with the case back.

Seiko’s take on the NATO strap called the Seichu is crafted using traditional Japanese braiding techniques, and pays homage to the artistry once used to create cords for securing kimono sashes. The result is a strap that not only showcases a distinctive Japanese aesthetic but also offers superior strength, flexibility, and all-day comfort.

Sadly the SLA073 doesn’t come with either of these two – both of which feel extremely comfortable and add to (rather than subtract from) the overall wearing experience.

Seiko have produced more expensive limited editions like the SLA055 & SLA057 which use Ever-Brilliant steel (which is 904L steel). While this may have improved corrosion resistance, 316L is actually a harder steel than 904L. Side by side with the human eye the difference is visually imperceptible, however at this increased price point, Seiko clearly feel their bracelet is not up to the price point as these come with both their rubber and Seichu straps but not the bracelet.

We’ve worn this SLA073 on its bracelet, on Seiko’s rubber strap and on a Bark & Jack Seventy30 (as seen above) and while the bracelet is comfortable to wear, it certainly doesn’t impart the same premium feel as the watch. Oddly the watch feels much better on the rubber or a NATO Strap.

Bracelet aside, this is a Seiko built using premium materials in a facility dedicated to attention to detail. The result is a well built, beautifully finished watch that certainly stands up to it’s price point and indeed imparts a premium sensation that you just dont get with cheaper Seiko watches. In addition it’s an ISO6425 dive watch meaning each and every watch is tested to 125% of its depth rating which is not something most of their competitors do.

The SLA073 is a serious luxury dive watch with a stunning dial, finished with Grand Seiko details. Ditch the bracelet and grab Seiko’s rubber or Seichu fabric strap for a level of understated luxury and enjoy an ‘under the radar’ watch that punches well above it’s weight.

Available from www.seikoboutique.co.uk for £2600

The new G40 is available in 3 dial variants: the traditional black dial, the White dial Sub Hunter and the iconic Sonar model – first envisioned as a homage to the CWC stopwatch used in the movie Mission Impossible 6 Fallout.

The dimensions give more wrist presence, improve legibility at a glance while maintaining all of the ‘tough as nails’ characteristics people love and expect from CWC. Each feature the same general specifications as the GS series from CWC including 200m water resistance, screw down crown & case back, and sapphire crystal.

Specifications include:

• 40mm Sainless steel case (44mm with crown), 46mm height lug to lug, 12mm depth
• Screw-down crown, screw-down case back with 20atm / 200m water-resistance
• Domed sapphire glass for scratch-resistance and durability
• Anti-reflective coating on crystal
• Light Vintage colour SuperLuminova markings on dial and hands
• Ronda Lithium 715Li movement
• Long life battery (7+ years)
• Weight (without strap): 58g
• Fixed strap bars, 20mm lugs
• Supplied with 20mm grey strap
• Three year warranty

Although CWC have announced the release of the new G40, at the time of writing, they are still awaiting stock so if you’re interested in getting hands on, we advise you to register your interest.

Available from www.cwcwatch.com for £399

According to Oris, “The colours are lifted from nature, particularly the deep ocean green, a shade that also picks up on the oaky green tones of the forested hills that surround our Hölstein factory.” Behind the watch’s retro façade is a contemporary mechanical chronograph movement, Oris Calibre 771. As well as providing running-second and chronograph 30-minute subdial indications, it also delivers an impressive 62-hour power reserve.

Water-resistant to 10 bar (100 metres), the watch is supplied on either a sustainably sourced Cervo Volante deer leather strap, or on a stainless steel bracelet.

Available now from www.oris.ch for £3,550

The entire Seamaster Diver 300M collection recently underwent a comprehensive revamp, with new mesh bracelets, domed sapphire crystals, and oxalic anodised aluminium bezels. These latest models continue that same design theme, while establishing their own identity through a black and orange colourway.

Each 42 mm timepiece is distinguished by its black aluminium dial, with rhodium plated skeletonized hands and indexes that are filled with white Super-LumiNova for a blue glow in dark conditions. Most notably, the central seconds hand is coated with an orange varnish, along with the indexes at the four quarter positions. There is also an orange Seamaster name, located beneath an OMEGA logo that is transferred in white.

This new orange style has been delivered in two different expressions. Either on a brushed mesh bracelet with clasp, or with an integrated orange rubber strap with foldover clasp.

Notably the dial on these is the same grained textured dial that Omaga have used on thir precious metal models since December 2024 rather than the revised wave pattern etched into the revised base no-date models.

In line with the rest of the models in the 300m range, this is equipped with the METAS certified 8806 no-date movement visible through the case back’s sapphire crystal.

Oddly and probably controversially, we think that the new orange dial highlights would look best on the Black rubber strap as an option keeping the colourway subtle as it is on the mesh bracelet above.

These are available now from www.omega.com starting at £5,800 on rubber or £6,100 on mesh and at all other authorised Omega dealers

Let us know your thoughts in the comments

However, as this was a significant birthday, I wanted to buy my wife a special watch – something she can keep forever, build memories with and eventually pass on. My wife is clearly not a watch person per-se, but I know she appreciates my love of watches and often has an opinion to share with me. She’s not the sort to pursue anything gregarious or ostentatious and overt displays of wealth are certainly not her pursuits. She is however someone who appreciates elegant simplicity. This is personified in her current watch. As a healthcare professional, monitoring her own movement and heart throughout the day, is something she enjoys however she appreciates not being constantly connected and reminded of every notification. So her daily watch is a Withings Scanwatch, offering 2 hands to show the time and a display that only comes to life to show health data when the crown is pushed. With this in mind I wanted to buy her something for her 50th that was classy, simple and yet elegant. Something that would not necessarily draw unwanted attention, but at the same time fit in perfectly in almost all environments. I was also acutely aware that as this was not going to be worn on a daily basis (and my wife is not used to winding and setting a watch) so quartz would be both a practical and beneficial choice. It seems that in general the watch world is largely divided – on one hand those that believe that a quartz watch should not be regarded as a ‘proper’ watch and those that understand the history and heritage that brands have come through over the last centenary of watchmaking and warmly embrace a purposeful quartz implementation. Moreover I was also aware that I was not buying for myself – something that I think we all forget from time to time as we are trying not to fill the intention of a gift with our own bias’s or preferences.

With all of this in mind I realised that not only did the Cartier Tank embody all that I (on behalf of my wife) was looking for, it was from a brand with true deep heritage in the watch industry, as well as being relatively fiscally and substantially accessible – no waiting lists, no precocious expectations about my purchasing history qualifying me to buy the watch in question, and no financial ruin for the purchase. Fortunately I had the opportunity for my wife to try on a Cartier Tank previously under the guise of wanting to take some photographs of one on a wrist – which allowed me to test the waters so to speak and watch her reaction to seeing and wearing it. Although I didn’t buy it at this point, it certainly helped me to confirm my choice and be sure she would be pleased with it. It also seemed obvious to me to make sure I got an alternative strap option so that my wife can switch this out to suit her attire. Fortunately Cartier adopts the use of quick release spring bars in their straps which allows customers a tool-free experience in this regard. This allows you to take a few extra straps on holiday without being accosted at the airport for carrying something ‘pointy’ in your luggage. I chose Cartier’s Taupe strap and an additional buckle to simplify strap changes. Giving my wife her new watch before the trip meant she would have the opportunity to build and associate memories throughout our travels.

As I was growing up most of my holidays saw me either at home here in England or travelling to France with my family. Since getting married I have travelled more extensively, however usually to more distant locations which has led to a distinct lack of appreciation of countries and cultures closer to home here in Europe (something my wife and I aim to rectify!) As we were planning a trip, we both wanted to travel somewhere that was steeped in history and that neither of us had been to before – allowing us to discover somewhere new together.

We decided to share our time between two of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Croatia – Split and Dubrovnik (both UNESCO world heritage sites) and as this was going to be more of a trip of exploration rather than sitting on the beach, we decided to book a couple of AirBnB’s as this would provide us with the freedom to roam and experience the local culture.

Dubrovnik is one of the oldest cities in the world. It boasts the oldest public healthcare system in the world and as a consequence the pharmacy there has been open since 700 AD. It’s very clean, and the people are some of the warmest and friendliest people we’ve met. The old city of Dubrovnik itself relatively small and its easy to walk round the city in a few hours – if you have the chance to go (and I would recommend you should) I would recommend the roof top walk where you can explore the walls and views over the rooftops of the city. Our AirBnB looked out over the cathedral square which felt an almost idyllic scene in the evenings.

Split’s was founded centauries before by the Roman Emperor – Diocletian who built himself a retirement home (the Diocletian Palace) and moved there in 303AD. Split is much larger than the old city of Dubrovnik. Diocletian shipped spoils of his empire over a thousand miles from Egypt to adorn his palace – including a sphynx that was between 1-2 thousand years old when Diocletian acquired it and you can still see this within the palace grounds. An exploration of the city on foot will reveal an ancient city which has largely survived thousands of years and steeped in history. Climb the tower at Cathedral of Saint Domnius and you will have views across the whole city, harbour and surrounding landscape. Further exploration will have you find St. Martin’s Church through an innocuous doorway which stretches back to the 6th centaury and has been built into the wall that surrounds the city itself – spanning only a few feet wide, its so narrow there are places you can touch both the inner and outer walls at the same time.

Over ten days relaxing and exploring Split and Dubrovnik we couldn’t have had a better experience. Not only were the cities rich in history and beautiful scenery, but wherever we went the food, hospitality and people were what truly made us feel so incredibly welcome without exception. Spending time in these two beautiful old cities certainly delivered a sense of conviction that we should spend more time exploring and adventuring – discovering future memories and spending time immersed in cultures rich with history. Here lies the personal tension between the discovering new places, and returning to destinations enveloped with fond memories – Croatia is now a place that we’re deeply fond of and looking forward to returning to in the future.

The simplicity and timeless elegance of the Cartier Tank seemed to be perfectly at home in two cities with nearly two thousand years of history and heritage. The Cartier Tank embodies an almost timeless design – whether we were exploring the rooftops of Dubrovnik, eating at restaurant 360 (Dubrovnik’s Michelin star restaurant overlooking the old city) or perusing the streets of Split and hanging out in café’s – the Tank manages to stay elegant and cool at the same time, never seemingly out of place.

Over ten days we spent our time exploring the history of two incredible cities around some of the most warm, generous and welcoming people building memories and taking them with us. I know every time my wife wears her Tank she fondly remembers our time in Croatia and looks forward to building more memories through future adventures that she can be reminded of every time wears her watch.

The Cartier Tank is available here www.cartier.com or other authorised dealers.

As you would expect the new Blue Lagoon is adorned with the same 5-link jubilee style bracelet with the T-fit clasp providing instant on-the-fly adjustment – ideal for the summer weather.

The Blue Lagoon is delivered right on time for the summer weather and we can see this being a big hit – especially for those who have been on the cusp purchasing a BlackBay 54. If the turquoise colour choices from other brands are anything to go by, this will sell out quickly and I can see waiting lists on the horizon, so if you are interested in this piece, I would encourage you to call your local Tudor dealer without delay.

One small word of caution: due to the the size of this watch being 37mm, the T-fit easy adjustability and the colour and appeal of this for both men and women, this may provoke some challenging conversations with your partner who may be just as eager as you to wear your new purchase as you are in the coming months!

The new Blue Lagoon is not a limited edition and is available now from www.tudorwatch.com for £3,590

In addition to this new size, Breitling have refreshed the other size offerings now delivering a 36mm, 40mm, 42mm and 44mm and have dropped the largest 46mm. Due to size constraints, the new 36mm variant doesn’t use the new B31 calibre but instead relies on the Breitling Calibre 10 (Breitling’s modified 2892)

In addition and in celebration of their Brand Ambassador, they have also released a ‘Kelly Slater Limited Edition ‘ variant limited to just 500 pieces. The dial features a tropical foliage pattern, capturing the essence of a Hawaiian paradise. The caseback is open, revealing the manufacture B31 movement, and its outer ring is engraved with “One of 500” and “Kelly Slater Limited Edition.” Available on a blue rubber mesh strap or stainless-steel mesh bracelet, the watch comes in a special presentation box, featuring the same lush Hawaiian motif, and includes a personal note from Slater himself. “Breitling has been with me for years,” says Slater. “This watch reflects everything I love—the ocean, nature, and the easy going style I’ve always connected with.”

The new Breitling SuperOcean Heritage line is available now at www.breitling.com from £4,400

However, when you start the journey with a clear problem that needs solving, the end result can be truly innovative and in some cases – life changing.

The Sher watch is not your typical “I made a watch small for kids and colourful so they’d be interested “- and then claim that this is being innovative. The origins of this watch are directly connected to the challenges and struggles our children face in being able to tell the time. While this might seem a straight forward part of our upbringing and education, for someone with dyslexia it is most certainly not.

As a father of a daughter who struggles with dyslexia (as well as ADHD) I know first hand the challenges she faces and also how some of the most insignificant changes can make the biggest differences to her. With that in mind I was very keen to get hands on with The Sher watch, and more importantly for my daughter to get hands on with it and find out just what she thought of it.

So what exactly is the Sher Watch?

The Sher watch starts with a 32mm wide and 9.5mm tall metal case with a screw down back and screw down crown , as well as a sapphire crystal up front. These are all the typical ingredients of a well built field watch. Building on this, the Sher watch is water resistant to 100m and comes on a silicone rubber strap – meaning its able to stand up to just about any circumstance or activity that kids might get up to.

Inside, the intentional lack of a date coupled with a quartz movement is spot on – there’s no need for little ones to unscrew the crown periodically to change the date, it doesn’t need winding if its not worn for a while, and its a tougher movement to withstand the knocks and bumps our kids are likely to subject them to.

However the innovation is how the dial presents and communicates time. With a similar visual aesthetic to a roulette wheel, each hour has its own ‘block’ that represents the whole hour. This means that from the very beginning of the hour to the very end of the hour, the hour hand is pointing to that particular block. It therefore carries the ‘meaning’ of the hour right to the end unlike a traditional watch face which only technically points to the hour for a few minutes. The skeletonised hands further allow the wearer to clearly see the colour block through the hand further emphasizing and confirming which hour is being referenced. In exactly the same way, there are larger numerical values every 5 minutes and clearly segmented minute markers. This all leads to a clearly functional and easily readable watch face.

While this might sound counter intuitive to you and I who have spent decades reading time on a traditional watch face, this is immediately helpful to someone learning to read the time, or to someone who may find a traditional watch face confusing. The presence of clear boundaries helps to frame time and bring a sense of logical purpose to reading the time. Not to mention the fact that the whole dial is luminous allowing it to be easily read at night.

The Sher watch comes in a hard travel case to not only protect the watch while in transit but also serve as a useful protective storage pouch for the watch when its not being worn.

Overall this is a fantastic piece of desperately needed innovation. Directly helping our next generation learn and understand time while at the same time not being a typically cheap plastic watch that will end up in a landfill. As a parent I can attest to the frustration of buying my kids things that just don’t last and I for one would certainly prefer spending a little more knowing it has many years of use ahead of it – but still keeping the price of this under £100 helps it remain affordable.

The Sher watch is available now at www.sherwatch.com for £99

Acknowledgement: This article was co-written by my daughter Hannah who has personal experience in living life with dyslexia.