Dennison x Time+Tide DateNight

A new collaborative timepiece has emerged from the partnership between the historic British casemaker Dennison and the global watch media platform Time+Tide. The result of this union is the DateNight, a Swiss-made watch that firmly establishes Time+Tide’s entry into the dress watch category while pushing Dennison into new aesthetic territories. It is a watch defined by its remarkable dial and a purchasing model that blends digital accessibility with brick-and-mortar exclusivity, reflecting the modern state of watch enthusiasm.



The story of Dennison is deeply woven into the fabric of 20th-century horology, even if the name itself is not always front and center on the dial. The company's origins trace back 175 years to its founder, Aaron Lufkin Dennison, an American visionary who was instrumental in co-founding Waltham U.S.A. His journey took him through the watchmaking heartlands of Switzerland before he ultimately settled in Britain to establish the Dennison Watch Case Company. Here, he built a legacy not on movements, but on the protective and beautifully crafted enclosures that house them.



Dennison's reputation grew to the point where it became the casemaker of choice for many of the most revered names in the industry. The phrase "The Name Behind The Names" is not an overstatement; Dennison produced watch cases for titans like Rolex, Omega, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Zenith. In an era where casemakers were often integral design partners, Dennison was a creative force, pioneering unique case shapes and securing patents for water- and air-tight designs that advanced the functionality of the wristwatch.



The company's historical significance extends beyond civilian luxury. For over half a century, Dennison was a key supplier to the British Military, manufacturing robust cases for watches and other critical instruments. This reputation for excellence is cemented by its presence in monumental historical events. When Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made their pioneering ascent of Mount Everest, thirteen of the Smith watches on the expedition were housed in Dennison "Aquatite" cases. Likewise, when Lt. Commander Lithgow broke the world air speed record in a Supermarine Swift, a Dennison-cased watch was on his wrist.



The modern revival of the Dennison brand is a project steeped in reverence for this rich history. The current leadership has meticulously researched the company's extensive archives, unearthing documents, designs, and artifacts to guide a path forward. To translate this heritage into a contemporary collection, they enlisted the services of the world-renowned watch designer Emmanuel Gueit, a man credited with creating iconic designs for brands like Audemars Piguet and Rolex. His involvement ensures that the new Dennison watches are not mere reproductions, but thoughtful evolutions that carry the brand's spirit into the 21st century.



On the other side of this collaboration is Time+Tide, a powerhouse in the world of watch media. What began as a side project in Melbourne, Australia, in 2014 has since grown into one of the world's leading publishers of watch content. With a global team of journalists and creators, Time+Tide produces a constant stream of articles, videos, and social media content, reaching a vast and diverse audience of watch lovers.



Time+Tide’s philosophy is built on accessibility and enthusiasm. They approach the often-intimidating world of watches with an open mind, aiming to foster a community where newcomers and seasoned collectors can coexist and share their passion. The platform champions the idea of "big watch energy," a concept that focuses on the joy and excitement of the hobby, regardless of budget or collection size. They are dedicated to providing valuable advice and opening up the conversation, making watch collecting as fun as it is informative.



In recent years, Time+Tide has expanded beyond digital publishing into the physical realm with its Time+Tide Watch Discovery Studios. These unique hybrid retail and content-creation spaces, located in Melbourne, London, and soon New York, offer a new way for people to experience watches. They also serve as the exclusive home for a series of special "Studio Edition" collaborations with brands like Baltic, Furlan Marri, and Studio Underd0g. These limited-availability pieces have become a hallmark of Time+Tide's creative output, offering unique designs to their dedicated community.



The genesis of the DateNight collaboration took place in Time+Tide’s London Watch Discovery Studio. During an event, Time+Tide founder Andrew McUtchen met Emmanuel Gueit, who had already been mentoring Time+Tide’s own apprentice watch designer, Pietro Pilla. This meeting of minds sparked the idea for a project that would fuse Dennison's British case-making heritage with Gueit's design prowess and Time+Tide's distinctively vibrant character. The result is a watch that embodies the spirit of all three entities.



At the very heart of the DateNight is its extraordinary dial. This is the first time Dennison has ever utilized mother of pearl, and it is also the brand’s first execution of a marquetry technique. Rather than using a single, flat piece of mother of pearl, the dial is constructed from numerous rectangular filaments of Australian mother of pearl, which are meticulously inlaid by hand. This painstaking process creates a geometric mosaic of iridescent material, a surface that comes alive with a dynamic play of light.



Visually, the dial is a captivating spectacle. The individual rectangular pieces are arranged to form a pattern that resembles intricate tilework, and as the watch moves, light reflects off each filament at a different angle. This produces a constant shimmer of shifting colors, with deep blues, cool violets, and subtle hints of green and purple appearing and disappearing across the dial's surface. Because each piece of mother of pearl is unique and hand-laid, no two dials are exactly alike, making every DateNight a one-of-a-kind creation. The only other elements on the dial are the simple, polished stick hands for the hours and minutes and the Dennison brand name, allowing the marquetry to remain the undisputed star.



The watch's name, 'DateNight', is a candid nod to its intended purpose. Time+Tide suggests that for many modern watch wearers, the dress watch is reserved for special occasions, and this watch is designed to excel in that role. Its visually arresting dial is a natural conversation starter, perfectly suited for the lower, more dramatic lighting of an evening out. It is a piece designed to be noticed and appreciated for its artistry.



The case of the DateNight provides a refined frame for the ornate dial. Fashioned from stainless steel, it measures a versatile 37 x 33.5mm. This cushioned, squared-off shape with rounded corners is a classic silhouette that feels both vintage-inspired and modern. The case is entirely polished, adding to its dressy character and complementing the luster of the dial. Perhaps its most notable feature is its slimness. With a thickness of just 6.05mm, the watch is designed to sit close to the wrist and slide effortlessly under a shirt cuff. This slender profile enhances its comfort and reinforces its role as a discreet yet distinctive accessory.



This impressive thinness is made possible by the movement chosen to power the DateNight: a Swiss-made Ronda quartz movement. While mechanical movements often dominate discussions among enthusiasts, the choice of quartz here is a pragmatic and purposeful one. It guarantees high levels of accuracy and reliability with minimal need for maintenance, such as winding or servicing. Most importantly, its compact size is the key enabler of the watch's ultra-slim design, a critical attribute for a true dress piece. Protecting the intricate dial is a flat sapphire crystal, chosen for its superior scratch resistance and clarity.



The DateNight is paired with a strap that matches the quality and consideration of the watch itself. The primary option is a slate grey suede strap handcrafted by the Belgian strapmaker Molequin. Known for their meticulous finishing and exceptional comfort, Molequin straps have a reputation for feeling supple and "pre-worn" right out of the box. The soft, textured grey suede provides a beautiful, muted contrast to the polished case and the vibrant dial. This marks another first, as it is the first time a suede strap has been offered on a Dennison model, representing a significant upgrade to the standard offering.



For those desiring a different look, an optional white leather strap is also available for an additional $95. This strap offers a brighter, higher-contrast aesthetic, transforming the watch's character into something more suited for warmer weather or more formal daytime events. The clean white leather accentuates the cool tones of the mother-of-pearl dial and offers a fresh alternative to the richer suede.



The story of the collaboration continues on the reverse of the watch. The solid stainless steel caseback is not left blank but features a detailed engraving. The motif is a charming illustration of the doorway to Time+Tide’s London Watch Discovery Studio, the very place where the concept for the watch was born. Illustrated by Time+Tide’s Australian Studio Manager, Alex Hindley, this engraving serves as a subtle signature of the partnership, grounding the watch in a specific time and place and connecting it directly to the community that inspired its creation.



The Dennison x Time+Tide DateNight is positioned as a "Studio Edition," joining a curated collection of special collaboration pieces. Its release strategy is designed to be inclusive while maintaining a sense of exclusivity. The watch will be made available globally for a single 24-hour online sales window, which opens on August 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM CET. The price is set at $995 USD.



This limited-time online availability ensures that enthusiasts from around the world have an opportunity to purchase the watch directly. The first 200 orders placed during this window are scheduled to ship within 7 to 14 days. All subsequent orders will be fulfilled in a later batch, with an expected arrival in early November. Once this 24-hour window closes, the opportunity to buy the DateNight online will end. From that point forward, it will become an in-store exclusive, available for purchase only in person at Time+Tide’s Watch Discovery Studios in Melbourne, London, and the forthcoming New York location. This approach rewards both the global digital community and the local visitors to their physical spaces.



Case: Stainless steel, 37mm x 33.5mm diameter, 6.05mm thickness, sapphire crystal, engraved caseback.

Movement: Swiss-made Ronda quartz movement.

Dial: Australian mother of pearl with hand-inlaid marquetry technique.

Strap: Molequin slate grey suede strap; optional white leather strap available for an additional US$95.

Price: US$995

Notes: This is Dennison's first mother of pearl and marquetry dial, as well as Time+Tide's first foray into dress watches. The caseback features a unique engraving of the Time+Tide London Studio doorway.