To round up 2020, the final article this year is a listing of the top 10 most popular post for the year. Most of the highly read posts were published this year, though we have two first published in 2018! Here they are, in reverse order.
Top 10 most popular posts for 2020
No. 10 Review: Hands-on with the Rolex Milgauss Ref. 116400GV
The Rolex Milgauss is one of the less celebrated watches in the Rolex sports watch lineup. We reviewed a recent example, and concluded that it is perhaps one of the most unusual Rolexes in modern times, when it comes to design and aesthetics. It is bold, confident, and perhaps a little playful. But for those who comment about how boring Rolexes are, the Milgauss is certainly a breath of fresh air.
However, looking beyond the aesthetics, the Milgauss is still a true-blue Rolex timepiece. It is a well-built tool watch, and it is capable of performing whenever it is being called to task. In addition, it is sized rather nicely too, which makes it very comfortable on the wrist. This is a good option for someone who is looking for a reliable daily beater.
No. 9 Review: Enter the dragon: The Citizen AQ 4020-54Y. Best quartz watch in the world?
First published in May 2018, the Citizen Chronomaster review is No. 10 on our the best received articles of all time. This is an amazing watch.
At first glance, it looks like an unremarkable, aesthetically uninspired three handed watch with date. But take a moment to saveur the fine details, and one finds no conclusion possible other than qualité de ce qui est tres agréable et plaisant. Our review is long, detailed and expounds why this is one of the hidden gems of the decade. Please do read it.
No. 8 New: Casio Frogman GWF-A1000
This is a curious one. The post is a Press Release, with no commentary, no original photography, but its popularity at No. 8 is somewhat discouraging to the amount of effort we put into our hands-on reviews, detailed analytical reviews, and even our short takes reviews.
No. 7 Review: Seiko 5 Sports SRPD67K1
An inexpensive Seiko 5 takes position 7. This is a review of the Seiko 5 Sports SRPD67K1 owned by the Chief Editor after about 3 months of ownership, and worn as a daily beater watch. This watch was released in 2019 as part of the refresh on the Seiko 5 range. Seiko calls the SRPD67K1 its Suit Style watch, intended to be worn with a suit. Though, like all Seiko 5 watches, it excels as a tool watch, and that is what we took it to task on.
This is an excellent tool watch, pitched firmly at the affordable entry level of SGD 451. It is well designed, well made, and is rugged and tough in day to day use as a tool watch. The bracelet lends the use case to more situations, making it perfect for hot and humid weather. Our only wish is that the movement run with a higher precision, but that would only increase the price.
No. 6 New and reviewed: Citizen Kuroshio ’64
Another Citizen in the Top 10. And well deserved. The Kuroshio ’64 is a remarkable series of 5 new automatic watches inspired by the iconic Parawater.
As an elegant, dressy automatic wrist watch, pitched at a very moderate price point about SGD 590, it is an exceptional value proposition. Here is a watch with a good pedigree, with strong historical context, well designed, magnificently executed and targeted at a very moderate price point. Already a big winner in our books.
No. 5 Throwback Sundays: Six Independent Watchmakers which you should know, but may not
Our Throwback series are usually quite popular, making appearances in many of the annual Top 10 lists. And for 2020, the independent watchmakers get a pat in the back. And in this highlight focus on the less well known independents.
2020 has been particularly tough for many watch manufacturers. And the independents have suffered perhaps more than others. It is with great regret that one of the watchmakers which is in this list and which we are very excited about – Tulloch Watches has decided to call it quits. Shane Tulloch confirmed to us in a private email, that he has had to close the brand just after Christmas.
But the rest soldiers on. And particularly, we are extremely happy that one of our early spots Petermann-Bédat has gone on to win the GPHG, and have met with considerable success.
No. 4 2020 Top picks: Six of the best watches launched this year
Not surprisingly, another Throwback article. This on the best 6 watches launched in 2020. What was surprising is that even though this has been a tough year, the watch industry continues to amaze us with exceptional watches. Some brands even stuck their necks out and introduced major watches. Of note, the big ticket watches like the Ferdinand Berthoud FB2 and the Patek Philippe Grand et Petite Sonnerie. Even Seiko decided to break the norm with their concept movement T0 Constant Force Tourbillon. Exceptional high end pieces targeted at the top end of the market. Bravo for these manufacturers to release these in a difficult year.
And among the new releases, the article lists our top picks. Some may be controversial. Some may be expected. And others will be a surprise. Here are the watches…in no particular order.
No. 3 The new Rolex Oyster Perpetual in coloured dials – a analytical review
This was not really a surprise. Rolex is a great crowd pleaser, and the new Oyster Perpetual in multi-coloured dials is an interesting option at the entry level (for Rolex).
The Oyster Perpetual collection is Rolex’s bread and butter. And it shows. A lot of care and attention have been paid to the collection. Five model lines. Multiple colorways to choose from. The base architecture remains the same, with the Rolex Oyster DNA clearly imprinted. And yet, it is different from its predecessors and to each other in the details. Nuances which only the enthusiast will notice, yet which one has come to expect from Rolex. As they say, the Devil’s in the Details. And there are tons of tiny details to discover.
No. 2 The Bronzed Patina: The curious case of patina. How to get it, and how not to
Another article from 2018. This “How To” article gets a lots of kudos for its exploration aspects, and we thank Bell & Ross for sacrificing their Bronze BR 03-92 for us to experiment on.
The article is quite long, and documents our experimental efforts in many different agents to accelerate, slow down, and remove the effects of patina on a raw (uncoated) bronze case.
No. 1 Citizen titanium technology celebrates 50 pioneering years with the 3 new releases – hands on review
And another Citizen rounds off the No.1 position on this list. The article documents a hands-on analytical review of the new Titanium Technology 50th Anniversary Limited Models, powered by the Satellite Wave GPS F950 and a less complicated model with the less complicated Radio controlled H145. These models were release to celebrate 50 years of Citizen pioneering leadership in the use of titanium as a case material for watches.
As is typical of Japanese companies, anniversaries are celebrated for every achievement. This one is a rather significant milestone. The advent of titanium as a material for watch case and bracelets. And not only was Citizen noted for being the first to the post with using of innovative use of titanium as a material, it overcame the negativities of the metal, and invented the Duratec SuperTitanium.
These achievements are often not celebrated enough by the company, or at least not well communicated. Many watch collectors may have falsely been led to believe that Swiss manufactures like IWC pioneered the use of titanium. Such is the power of publicity. The Swiss having oiled their machinery to communicate, and engineering based companies like Citizen focus on technology. Heads down. Create. And sometimes fail to beat their breasts to tell the world their achievements.
Concluding Thoughts
There you have it. Three Citizen Reviews. Two Rolex Reviews. And one for Seiko and even one Press Release article for Casio. Two Throwback articles and a How To article. What does this tell us of your tastes as the audience? We are not sure. Tell us in the comments if you have specific subjects or brands or genres you would like to see us cover for 2021.
And in the meantime, we wish you a very Happy New Year. We will be taking the day off on January 1, 2021. And will be back with a review on Jan 2.
