Words: Hugh Francis Anderson
When it comes to iconic watches, there are so many to pick from that it all starts to get rather mind-boggling. With this in mind, we have tried to compile a list of some of the most iconic and influential watches of all time. With revolutionary history and provenance, these timepieces all underpin the world of luxury horology today, and we love the historic magnitude of them all.
The first production watch – Girard-Perregaux
Although the history of wristwatch-making dates back to the early 19th century, the first production watch was created by Constant Girard for the German Navy in 1880, seeing 2000 models made. There are, however, other singular watches that were created beforehand, but we think this one takes the top spot.
The first pilots watch – Cartier Santos-Dumont
The fascinating story of the first pilots watch belongs to Cartier. In 1904, at the request of Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos Dumont, Louis Cartier created a piece that could tell the time whilst flying. With a world-first geometric shape, the Santos Dumont has risen to enigmatic fame.
The first divers watch – Omega Marine
1932 saw the first commercially produced divers watch by Omega. Although the 1926 Rolex Oyster is widely considered the first waterproof watch, it was Omega that began production. With a watch face that doubled as a clasp, the Omega Marine was capable of reaching 135m underwater without failing. Iconic indeed.
The first chronograph – Longines
The first chronograph was arguably created by Longines in 1913. With a monopusher, a 29mm casing and the 13.33Z caliber, it was accurate to one-fifth of a second, making it one of the most complex and therefore influential timepieces ever.
The first date calendar watch – Rolex
Released in 1945, the Rolex Datejust was the first wristwatch to both tell the time and the date. Revolutionary to the market, the Datejust is beyond iconic, and its design remained almost entirely unchanged for 60 years.
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