@ulyssenardinofficial Freak X Gumball 3000 Edition 2 continues UN’s collaboration with the @gumball3000 rally. The 43mm PVD black titanium case houses UN’s iconic UN-230 movement, suspending a flying silicon balance wheel and distinctive handset above the carbon and orange resin blended dial. Limited to 150 pieces.
It’s hard to imagine @greubel.forsey without Stephen Forsey toiling behind the scenes on their almost comically perfect - and priced - timepieces, yet here we are. As of now, Mr. Forsey has officially ended his professional relationship with the manufacture he cofounded with Robert Greubel over 20 years ago. Indeed, it is almost impossible to overstate the influence of G-F on the world of haute horlogerie… Mr. Forsey’s urbane presence will be sorely missed, but somehow I doubt that we won’t be hearing from him soon on his next steps. 🤔😉
My first watch of 2026 is one that, at least in my totally biased opinion, represents the best that this admittedly frivolous industry has to offer: value, integrity, inclusiveness, and charity.
I have made no secret of my respect for @Oris as an independent brand and manufacture. For well over 100 years they have maintained their core identity and continue to create watches that resonate with true collectors at prices that mere mortals such as myself can afford. They have history, provenance, and true design DNA that is wholly their own. From the Diver (née Divers Sixty-Five) to the ProPilot, an Oris is instantly recognizable to even the casual fan of this ridiculous hobby, and owning one marks you as more than a mere tourist.
What’s more, Oris has demonstrated time and again their commitment to the community through both their home grown initiatives, like the Oris Social Club, and their organic outreach to groups like RedBar. Even better is their commitment to the environment – though watch collaborations like The Billion Oyster Project and The Coral Reef Foundation, and preservation projects like the Great Barrier Reef and fresh water initiatives – that do far more than pay mere lip service to the organizations and causes they support; real money is raised, and meaningful awareness and support is engendered.
Of course, any conversation about Oris must include their management team, which leads by example from the top down. CEO Rolf Studer is perhaps the most community-friendly exec in Switzerland. He is genuinely curious, kind, and most importantly, he absolutely loves horology. He isn’t selling widgets to target demographics – he’s purveying passion. Closer to home we have the indefatigable, and heroically named VJ Geronimo, who is a familiar figure in collector circles and a friend to absolutely everyone who even remotely considers themselves a part of this community. His team, led by folks like Josh Shanks share his passion and enthusiasm, and likewise are just as accessible.
(Continued in comments.)
This will be the 13th time that I’ve marked the passing of the year with my trusty Top Gun, and much as was the case with 2025, I have say that it’s hard looking forward to 2026 with joy or optimism. But there is still hope.
Hope for more kindness. Hope for more compassion. Hope for more understanding.
There is always hope.
And with that said, please allow me to say Happy New Year, and to extend my sincerest… hope… that you approach 2026 with an open mind and an open heart.
Merry Christmas from:
1. The Grinch
2. Santa and his sleigh
3. The Queen of Xmas (and Invicta)
4. Buddy the Elf
5. David Christmashoff
6. Hans Gruber
(Mucho thanks to @atommoore and @jackkoto_ for roasting me properly for the holidays over the years.)
From RedBar HQ, Waldorf (Kathleen) and Statler (Adam) wish you and yours a very happy holiday season, filled with good cheer, good watches, and two unceasing grumpy hecklers giving you what can charitably be called “constructive criticism” from a nearby balcony.
Absolutely accurate unretouched photo by @jackkoto_
This past Tuesday we toasted the season in high style with @vacheronconstantin , who graciously opened their flagship boutique on 57th Street to the RedBar faithful for some much needed holiday cheer.
We were fortunate to have Erwan Dantan, Vacheron’s Commercial Director for the Americas, on hand to share with us some of the maison’s latest releases, including the hotly anticipated Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin, which is even more stunning in person.
As is the custom with our annual holiday party, drinks were drunk, music was played, watches were tried on, and good times were had by all.
From our family to yours, Happy Holidays, and may all your horological dream come true!
📸: @atommoore
19 years…
It has been exactly 19 years since my best friend was born, and even after almost two decades have past I’m still finding new ways to love you, Paul.
That you’re tall, ridiculously handsome, and fiercely intelligent is evident to all – indeed, you could be forgiven for trading off these unearned gifts – and yet it is through your innate kindness and compassion that you lead. It has always been this way; your humility is an example to me, and a quality that I strive with limited success to emulate.
You were named after your grandfather, my father, and a deeply flawed man who never defeated the demons that lived in his heart. But even though he hid it, he too was an incredibly compassionate human being who never hesitated to help those with less, and those in need – just like you. Paul, I know that you will be the man he couldn’t be, but should’ve been.
And yes, perhaps it’s too much for me to ask that you become the man I needed your grandfather to be, but too bad; you’re already him. Hell, if I were to get squashed by a falling piano tomorrow (don’t laugh, it could happen) I’d die happy knowing I that my legacy was to be replaced by something – someone – better than I could have ever hoped to be. Paul, I couldn’t ask for a better son, and the world couldn’t ask for a better person.
Basically, what I’m saying here is that I love you. You will always be my Bao Bei, my beautiful baby boy, my son, and I will always be here for you. Happy birthday.
Today, during @dubaiwatchweek , @ulyssenardinofficial and @urwerkgeneve announced the UR-Freak - a mind-blowing synthesis of the Freak’s materials innovations and engineering with Urwerk’s iconic satellite numerals. It’s a collaborative effort that is both unexpected and instantly familiar - a perfect blending of design languages and identities.
The UR-Freak features the in-house Calibre UN-241 movement, which was developed exclusively for this project and utilizes 150 new components unique to this watch. Cased in grey sandblasted titanium, the UR-Freak is limited to just 100 pieces.
Happy birthday, Mom. Miss you always.
Story Time: my grandfather, who, by all accounts, wasn’t a superstitious man, was actually more than a bit concerned at the prospect of his child being born on All Hallow’s Eve. Fortunately, Dr. Mom popped out a day early, thus sparing him the horror of an unholy demon baby.
Fast forward to when said non-demon baby had her own children, and lo and behold she loved Halloween. So much so, in fact, that she created the trick or treating tradition in her apartment building, which carries on to this day.
