Words: Gentleman's Journal
New Years Eve is fast approaching – perhaps the night of the year where counting down the seconds matters most. And, with Christmas slipping in just before the big night of December 31st, wouldn’t it be nice to unwrap a new watch on which you can count out the rest of 2017? Here, we’re rounded up our favourite timepieces of the moment that cost less than £10k. But which would you want to find under your tree?
Rolex Datejust
The classic Rolex Datejust is the archetype of the modern watch, thanks to aesthetics and functions that transcend changes in fashion. Aesthetically, the Datejust has spanned eras, while retaining the enduring codes that make it, notably in its traditional versions, one of the most recognised and recognisable of watches.
Tudor Heritage Black Bay
Sixty years of TUDOR diving history distilled into one truly iconic watch. The Heritage Black Bay has been updated for 2016 with a mechanical movement manufactured by TUDOR, but retains its 200m water resistance, 41.0mm case and stainless steel case and strap.
Breitling Superocean Heritage
This striking and iconic diver’s watch – water-resistant to 200 m (660 ft) – echoes the functional and elegant design of the legendary 1950s model. The black unidirectional rotating bezel matches the black dial and rubber strap, and the stainless steel case pairs with the blue dial to give this watch the look of the sea.
Kronaby Carat
Housed in a traditional case, but complete with all the features expected from a modern day smartwatch, the Carat by Swedish brand Kronaby is the perfect hybrid timepiece. Key specs include a two-year-long battery life (meaning you’ll never have to scrabble around for an outlet to recharge), a function that relocates your phone when its lost and a GeoTag button that allows you to retrace your steps when abroad. Better still, thanks to its fuss-free Scandi aesthetic, it’s one the most stylish chronometers on the market.
Bell & Ross BR03
As an aviation watch for professional use, the BR03 – with its 42mm diameter – is a smaller version of the 46mm BR01. This particular model, the BR03 Phantom, was designed in reference to stealth bombers – undetectable, yet never totally invisible. The integral black dial is discretely legible – and its ceramic case boasts 100m of water resistance.
Baume & Mercier Clifton
This Clifton watch in 18K red gold has a conveniently-sized 39 mm-diameter case with a double bevel on the case profile that was inspired by a Baume & Mercier watch dating from the 1950s. Driven by a Swiss-made mechanical self-winding calibre visible through a transparent sapphire crystal case-back, this watch houses a sun satin-finished silver-coloured dial and is worn on a black alligator strap for ultimate sophistication.
IWC Pilot’s Mark XVIII
The ‘Tribute to Mark XI’ from IWC was designed to meet the often challenging demands of timekeeping in the skies. With the ability to remain cool, calm and collected, even under difficult conditions, a pilot needs the best piece of kit he can get his wrists on. And this, featuring a 40mm stainless steel case with a brown dial, brown fabric strap and deployment clasp, is security on the wrist.
Longines Flagship Heritage 60th Anniversary
Celebrating 60 years of the iconic Longines Flagship, this timeless timepiece has elegance in abundance. With a 38.5mm stainless steel case – which houses the silvered dial – and the Longines L609 self-winding movement which boasts a power-reserve of up to 42 hours, this watch is set on a brown alligator strap featuring a pin buckle to secure the watch on the wrist.
Officine Panerai Lumior Due 3 Days
This Automatic Titanio sees Italian design and Swiss watchmaking technical expertise join together to create a watch of unparalleled beauty and mechanism. The case of the new Luminor Due 3 Days is 45mm in diameter, and inside every component is polished. The sapphire crystal reveals the classic minimalist Panerai dial with figures and bar hour markers and the small seconds dial at 9 o’clock, and it comes set on a blue alligator strap.
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch
There’s no bigger claim to fame or heritage than a watch that was part of all six Apollo lunar landings. This incredibly well engineered timepiece has a stainless steel case which houses perfectly proportioned black face with tachymeter, black chronograph sub dials with white detailing protected by hesalite crystal glass and is paired with a black alligator leather strap. Out of this world.
Piaget Polo S
Swiss watchmaker Piaget’s S incarnation of their iconic Polo wristwatch is a dramatic and exciting departure from the established design. Relatively thin for an automatic chronograph, the watch is stainless steel, and boasts polished flanks and brushed bezels. It also features sapphire crystals on the front and back, luminous markers and water resistance to depths of 100 metres. No wonder it was hailed a ‘game-changer’ upon its launch.
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