These are the best desk clocks from luxury watchmakers
From a timepiece inspired by Chopard’s ‘Classic Racing’ range to a transparent Jaeger-LeCoultre desk accessory, these are the best desk clocks…
Words: Jonathan Wells
The last year has been tough on us — and our watches. With nowhere to go, we’ve had less need for our trusty timepieces, and have buckled them onto our wrists far less as a result. Instead, we’ve left them on our dressing tables, or spinning aimlessly in their winders while we sit in our home offices.
But who really wants to be using their laptop clock to tell the time? We know we don’t. So, instead, we’ve discovered a way to bring quality horology into our work-from-home lives. We thought outside the 43mm steel case, and decided to see what our most trusted watchmaking Maisons could make of a desk clock. Here are five of the best…
Chopard Classic Racing Dashboard Table Clock
Which Maison made it? Chopard, the celebrated Swiss manufacturer and home of model ranges including the Alpine Eagle and the luxurious L.U.C. This table clock, however, takes its styling cues from Chopard’s Classic Racing range; that itself was inspired by co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele’s passion for automotive engineering.
What’s it made from? Crafted from palladium-finished stainless steel, this dashboard-style table clock has a curved, sleek body upholstered in black leather and is finished with a brushed front.
What can it do? Those three dials aren’t just for show. This Classic Racing clock integrates a thermometer, a hygrometer (to measure humidity) and a timepiece indicating hours, minutes and seconds — all across a trio of deep black dials.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos Transparente
Which Maison made it? The inimitable Jaeger-LeCoultre. Founded in Switzerland in 1833, this is the brand that gave us the pioneering, practical Reverso design — as well as this; the near-perpetual Atmos clock.
What’s it made from? Respecting the Art Deco style that has characterised the Atmos clock since its introduction in 1928, this modern redesign uses materials including anti-reflective glass, satin-brushed stainless steel and crystal to update a classic.
What can it do? Suspended in mid-air, the movement harnesses slight changes in atmospheric pressure to power its functions. That means no winding, no batteries and not a second lost. In theory, it should keep ticking forever.
Cartier Santos 100 Skeleton Desk Clock
Which Maison made it? Cartier, the globally renowned jeweller and watchmaker that has given us timepieces including the iconic Tank, the sleek Panthère and the Santos de Cartier.
What’s it made from? Supersizing the style of the latter, this ‘Santos 100’ desk clock is crafted from stainless steel, solid yellow gold and diamonds. The dial is grained silver and those sword-shaped hands are cut from blued steel.
What can it do? It’s a relatively simple timepiece, with the same manual winding 6002 MC mechanical movement — boasting an 8-day power reserve — that Cartier uses in most of its desk clocks. But doesn’t it just look the part?
IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Clock
Which Maison made it? The International Watch Company, or IWC. Built in the Swiss town of Schaffhausen, this ‘Clock & Weather Station’ is a collaboration with leading Italian yacht brand Solaris.
What’s it made from? Designed in the style of IWC’s iconic Portugieser watch, each of the four hardy cases are built from stainless steel — brushed on the surface and with polished, shaped edges. The base is hewn from wood with a glossy black varnish.
What can it do? What can’t it do? Each of the dials plays its own important role, with a barometer, hygrometer, thermometer and clock making up the quartet. And it’d look just as good in your home office as in the cockpit of your yacht.
Panerai Radiomir Table Clock
Which Maison made it? The only non-Swiss Maison on this list. Panerai was founded in Florence in 1860, and has since created several iconic models; including the Submersible, the Luminor and the Radiomir.
What’s it made from? Designed to resemble the Radiomir range of watches, this oversized pocket-watch design sits neatly in a brushed steel base. Crafted from a similar, but polished steel, the case is encircled by a matching fixed bezel.
What can it do? The P.5000 calibre is an impressive thing. With variable inertia balance and a power reserve of eight days, this hand-wound movement was inspired by the exceedingly strong watches created almost a century ago by Panerai for the commandos of the Italian navy.
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