Tissot took Russell up a mountain to celebrate the return of the RockWatch
Russell SheldrakeAs part of this job, you occasionally get to do manufacture tours or you get to go on press trips that often have some kind of link to the watch you’re being shown. But very rarely do you get taken to the site where the raw material for a new release was initially extracted, seeing the origins of a watch in its most unfiltered way. But that’s exactly what Tissot did this week, as they took a group of international press, including yours truly, to the top of the Jungfrau mountain in Switzerland to see where the rock was extracted for the new limited edition RockWatch.
The Jungfrau mountain is a pretty significant peak in Switzerland. Known as the “Top of Europe”, it towers over most of the Swiss Alps at 4,158m and is today one of the most visited attractions in the country. But you don’t need to be a mountaineer with tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of kit in order to scale this mythical summit, as there is a rather convenient railway that takes you up to an area called Jungraujoch, which sits just below the eventual summit at 3,463m above sea level. As I explained in my initial review of the RockWatch, it was the cuttings from this railway’s tunnel system that went into producing the new RockWatch’s cases.
It’s up here you’ll find all sorts of attractions and activities to enjoy the high altitude, from zip lines and sledging, to an ice palace and (possibly) the world’s highest watch store and Tissot point of sale. So, getting the chance to experience all of this on the day the RockWatch was relaunched felt very special indeed – especially with the brand’s charismatic CEO, Sylvain Dolla, on hand to talk us through this new release, along with a team of Tissot execs to explain the finer details of how this 80s legend has been brought back to life.
The entire surroundings of the Jungfrau mountain is breathtaking, with views as far as Italy from the top. You get a real perspective of how interconnected Europe is. Then, as you explore the amazing features that have been built on top and into the mountain, you see just what Europeans are capable of – getting a sense of the history of this special corner of Switzerland, and understanding exactly where this new release comes from. And getting to experience snow this early in September, while back at sea level, it was a balmy 20°C, felt very surreal!
I was told by a local that the snow we saw was nothing compared to what you can expect to see in the colder month – so I can only imagine the view and experience up there will only get more and more wild as the weeks tick by. But what is certain is that the legacy of the RockWatch is very much etched in stone, thanks to its everlasting connection to this very special place. I hope you all enjoy your weekends!
Russell and the Time+Tide team
Watch meme of the week: a man can dream
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If we can’t live it, we may as well find out how the other half live somehow.
Wrist shot of the week: First series or broke
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I will never be able to scroll past a shot of a Patek Philippe 3940 first series without stopping and admiring it for far too long. And when it’s captured by Tim Vaux for Watch Brothers London, I can’t help but feature in this spot too.
Time+Tide Shop pick of the week: Fears Geneva Watch Days 2025 novelties
For Geneva Watch Days this year, Fears brought us three very different releases that all speak to a new direction for the brand: two new Brunswick models in their classic cushion case, and the sportiest standard production watch we have seen from the Bristol-based brand in a new Redcliff.
First up, the Brunswick 40.5 Jump Hour Barleycorn Plum will no doubt prove to be a fan-favourite like many of the previous Jump Hours that Fears have released before it. This time, the centre of the minutes dial has not only been cast in a rather fetching shade of plum, but it is also textured in the traditional barleycorn design. A classically elegant Fears. Pre-order it from the Time+Tide Shop here. Price: £4,250.
Next, we have another Brunswick, this time with a far more modern execution. The Brunswick 38 Charcoal Rose combines complementary tones and textures in the smaller Brunswick case size, as a deep black centre dial is given a tarmac texture which is then punctuated with flashes of rose gold tone in the hands, applied Arabic numerals, sub-dial, and minute track. Pre-order it from the Time+Tide Shop here. Price: £3,450.
Finally, the sportiest of the lot, the new Redcliff 39 ‘ES’ adds a new dimension to the Fears offering with its sporty ruggedness. The ‘ES’ stands for Edurance Specifications and is the British brand’s first take on a modern tool watch. The hardened DLC-coated bezel, crown, and caseback show what a tougher take on what a Fears watch can look like, and we are definitely here for it. Pre-order it from the Time+Tide Shop here. Price: £3,350.
Our favourite Time+Tide coverage of the week
The Tissot RockWatch returns with a granite-based limited edition
I had to start with this one. There is nothing else I could have started this week off with, as the new Tissot RockWatch was one of the most exciting launches to happen this year. Bringing this legend back from the 80s and setting it firmly in the modern era with this new update was a masterstroke by Tissot. This watch meant a lot to the brand, as it was first released 40 years ago and now feels like the perfect time to bring it back, as it continues to ride the wave of the success of the PRX. Read my full review here.
The Quest Continues: Vacheron Constantin unveils a Louvre‑bound astronomical clock plus a complicated companion wristwatch
This is the next big release of the week, and it comes in a rather unexpected, but incredibly fascinating form from Vacheron Constantin. The one-of-a-kind masterpiece astronomical clock, which is currently sitting in pride of place in the Louvre, took over Instagram this week, as its animatronic man danced to the rhythmical tune playing underneath it. Of course, Vacheron couldn’t just stop there; they had to pair this with a retrograde watch that shrank the golden figure down to fit on your wrist. With so many layers of complication that have been developed over years and years of research, all I can recommend you do is go and read Jason Lee’s full breakdown of both pieces to get a full understanding and appreciation of what is going on here.
Trilobe’s Trente-Deux might just be the most interesting integrated bracelet watch of the year
This watch stole a lot of hearts at Geneva Watch Days 2025. A full in-house French movement, a refreshed design from a French brand, and a lot of details that go into making the Trilobe Trente-Deux an incredibly exciting release. With two dial options available for the integrated bracelet watch, both of which are subdued in their tone, there is a clear design direction at play here that shows where we might expect Trilobe to go in the future. Read Zach’s full review now to find out why they captivated him so much in Geneva last week.