WATCHES & STYLE

14 Ticking Picks To Add To Your Wish List

by Katherine Arteche
19 Dec 2019

They say a watch on the wrist tells you a lot about the person behind it. So conjure up the best gift list for the person who deserves it most – you.

  • FOR THE BOUGIE BUDDY
  • FOR THE MODERN MILLENNIAL
  • FOR THE ARTISTIC AFICIONADO
  • FOR THE VINTAGE VENTURER
  • FOR THE CHROMATIC CHARACTER
  • FOR THE FAST & FURIOUSLY AMBITIOUS
  • FOR THE ONES ENTERING FROM LEFT FIELD

For the Bougie Buddy

There’s nothing too much about having your pick in 18ct yellow gold … with a diamond bezel … and a diamond dial … in an iconic model … powered by a reliable self-winding movement … you get it: it’s just right. The new gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona was unveiled at Baselworld 2019 and isn’t shy of its diamante embellishments.

The dial’s triple-counter configuration is gorgeously decorated in black lacquer and diamonds, with the sub-dials in a hue of champagne gold recording small seconds, minutes and hours. If you really think about it however, this is more subtle than the rainbow Cosmograph Rolex put out last year. 

With a power reserve of 72 hours, the watch is powered by the in-house Calibre 4130 and is finished in a black Oysterflex strap.

Those familiar with the black and blue Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II, would recognize that this isn’t the first. However, the same colors doesn’t necessarily mean it’s just another replication.

The dual-color bezel is now materialized in Cerachrom, and the watch sports a get-up of a new bracelet, this time in a Jubilee style. It is also powered by the new Calibre 3285, which provides approximately 70 hours of power reserve, a 40 percent increase from the previous calibre 3186. The dial configuration remains the same within the 40-mm Oystersteel case, with a blue triangle-tipped 24-hour GMT hand and Cyclops lens over the date against a black lacquer dial.

Shop the collections on Rolex.

  • FOR THE BOUGIE BUDDY
  • FOR THE MODERN MILLENNIAL
  • FOR THE ARTISTIC AFICIONADO
  • FOR THE VINTAGE VENTURER
  • FOR THE CHROMATIC CHARACTER
  • FOR THE FAST & FURIOUSLY AMBITIOUS
  • FOR THE ONES ENTERING FROM LEFT FIELD

For the Modern Millennial

The trick to wearing dive watches is not to be too concerned about actually going into the water’s depths with it – and that’s taking a cue from several James Bonds who’s been wearing the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M whenever he wants. We say go a little different with the ceramic and titanium version that sends the watch in stealth mode with its jet black entirety.

The case, bezel, dial and strap buckle are given the ceramic treatment, while titanium is integrated on the caseback, hands and indexes. If you do want to take the watch for a splash, the watch is water resistant to a depth of 300 meters and is powered by an automatic-winding 8806 caliber with a provision of 55 hours of power reserve.

With a refreshing look last year, the new Constellation Manhattan is a classic choice especially in rose gold, while the color is still reminding us of swigging rosés in the summer sun. The two-tone combination lends an alluring glow against delicate wrists, complemented with a mother-of-pearl dial accented with 11 diamond hour markers.

The jewelled face is further framed with a diamond-set bezel, which we say shouldn’t be anything less. Over the years, through the influence of the Art Deco period and the fashionable introduction of steel watches, the Constellation has been stylized into the full bracelet entirety we’ve been familiar with since 1982.

Now designed with slimmer bezel and lugs, new crown details and an adjustable bracelet clasp, the 29mm timepiece displays the date through a small aperture at 6 o’clock and is powered by the automatic-winding 8700/8701 caliber.

Shop the collections on Omega.

  • FOR THE BOUGIE BUDDY
  • FOR THE MODERN MILLENNIAL
  • FOR THE ARTISTIC AFICIONADO
  • FOR THE VINTAGE VENTURER
  • FOR THE CHROMATIC CHARACTER
  • FOR THE FAST & FURIOUSLY AMBITIOUS
  • FOR THE ONES ENTERING FROM LEFT FIELD

For the Artistic Aficionado

When Jaeger-LeCoultre released the iconic Reverso Tribute Small Seconds at SIHH 2019 in nothing else but full bordeaux, the watch community was enlightened. It was a brazen color that touched the model once in 1931, but even that was just on the dial which was muted and slightly dull, though it still remains a piece many would **** to covet.

The wine color is a sophisticated shade that is elevated with Dauphine-style hands and raised appliques, perfectly arranged in its rectangular frame. Ticking within is the manually-**** Calibre 822/2, an in-house ligne movement that has been refined since its primary development from the 1933 model.

In colour-coded completion, the sunray-brushed dial is paired with a matching Casa Fagliano leather strap.

A decent use of the word “rendezvous” is to apply it in simple ways, like meeting a friend for a simple cup of coffee at the Parisian corner coffee house. As the day dawdles on, you both decide to head out to the streets, where glimpses of one’s diamond-set Dazzling Rendez-Vous Moon sparkles to life in the moonlight.

It’s a timepiece that’s ever so romantic, with the waning and waxing of the moon tethering on the edges of the moonphase aperture, and a mother-of-pearl dial to capture the natural luminescence. Within the white gold case is the automatic-winding caliber 925/A1 with a power reserve up to 38 hours.

Shop the collections on Jaeger-LeCoultre.

  • FOR THE BOUGIE BUDDY
  • FOR THE MODERN MILLENNIAL
  • FOR THE ARTISTIC AFICIONADO
  • FOR THE VINTAGE VENTURER
  • FOR THE CHROMATIC CHARACTER
  • FOR THE FAST & FURIOUSLY AMBITIOUS
  • FOR THE ONES ENTERING FROM LEFT FIELD

For the Vintage Venturer

If you’re into something a little more unconventional, Panerai’s new Radiomir California 47mm will intrigue you. You’re staring hard at the split numbered dial and you’re now denouncing that the watch looks absolutely schizoid.

Perhaps some of us are used to a watch’s symmetrical perfection, but who’s to say we haven’t had erratic moments of our own? It’s a fun read to have Roman numerals take over the 10 to 2 markers, while Arabic digits denote 4 to 8.

This style is termed the California dial, and made its first appearance on the models circa 1944. The rounded square case and thin lugs are preserved in the new Radiomir California, where the stylized dial takes on a patina effect in a shade of gradated brown.

The dial is kept clean otherwise, with no branding or script, which mimics the ****-grade watches of the original model to honor secrecy of who actually produced them. In keeping up with its historic tribute, a Plexiglas(R) dome is used instead of modern sapphire crystal, and an oiled calfskin strap completes its vintage look.

The Radiomir 8 Days 45MM takes a few steps into the future in spite of bearing the same 1950s Radiomir case. The dial is modernized in black and dons an Arabic numeral configuration with the ‘12’ and ‘6’ hour markers.

A small seconds counter dominates at 9 o’clock, while the patented 8-day power reserve is inscripted at 3 o’clock.

Both watches are powered by a manually-**** movement; the P.3000 caliber for the Radiomir California, and P.5000 caliber for the Radiomir 8 Days.

Shop the collections on Panerai.

  • FOR THE BOUGIE BUDDY
  • FOR THE MODERN MILLENNIAL
  • FOR THE ARTISTIC AFICIONADO
  • FOR THE VINTAGE VENTURER
  • FOR THE CHROMATIC CHARACTER
  • FOR THE FAST & FURIOUSLY AMBITIOUS
  • FOR THE ONES ENTERING FROM LEFT FIELD

For the Chromatic Character

Rado has been associated with material innovation since 1962 with the ceramic DiaStar. For the longest time, it was never thought possible for ceramic to be anything but black, until extensive research and development in the watch industry started producing ceramic watches in every color of the rainbow.

Rado is one such member of the party, and Rado’s True Thinline collection is the appropriate collection to dive into for switching up moods. Feel like spreading Christmas cheer in the middle of May? Strap on the royal blue or spanking orange piece to paint the town red.

And if you woke up on the wrong side of bed, pick muted tones like black or grey to face the day for you. Though if you want to hear the absolute truth, we’ll tell you to get one in every color.

For something that integrates the two worlds of whimsical artistry and ingenious innovation, the DiaMaster collection features modern ladies’ watches, among which includes a new moonphase model. The ceramic case comprises a single constructed piece with integrated lugs, and houses a matching light green dial.

A moonphase aperture peeks underneath the green mother-of-pearl disc which is framed by a shimmering diamond ring. With the refreshing hue named Dulux’s color of the year for 2020, we say green is definitely a color to embrace beyond the wrist.

Shop the collections on Rado.

  • FOR THE BOUGIE BUDDY
  • FOR THE MODERN MILLENNIAL
  • FOR THE ARTISTIC AFICIONADO
  • FOR THE VINTAGE VENTURER
  • FOR THE CHROMATIC CHARACTER
  • FOR THE FAST & FURIOUSLY AMBITIOUS
  • FOR THE ONES ENTERING FROM LEFT FIELD

For the Fast & Furiously Ambitious

In this age of flying, where some would say is the revival of the Golden Age of Flight, it’s cool to want to be a pilot again. Then again, has the ambition ever went out of fashion?

It’s time to relive those ambitious aviation dreams with Hamilton’s collaborated timepiece with Schott NYC, the Khaki Pilot Schott NYC. These two names were prominent in the equipment of the USA Air Force during the Second World ****, whose **** style of the 40s have remained a coveted classic.

Limited to 1,892 pieces, the timepiece sports a **** green dial displaying hours, minutes, seconds, and date, powered by the H-30 automatic movement, a build on the ETA 2824-2 base caliber that provides up to 80 hours of power reserve. Schott NYC comes in with a top grain leather strap in a charming shade of earth brown.

If the aviation route wasn’t on your bucket list, then Hamilton’s other limited edition release are for those who prefer their two feet on the ground. The Chrono-Matic 50 pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Caliber 11, the legendary chronograph movement that set the course for the most iconic sports chronographs to be made.

The Chrono-Matic 50’s round steel case resembles the sporty chronographs of the 70s, and is paired with a perforated black leather strap. The H-31 automatic movement powers the main hours, seconds, date and sub-counters at 3 and 9 o’clock, and provides up up to 60 hours of power reserve.

Shop the collections on Hamilton.

  • FOR THE BOUGIE BUDDY
  • FOR THE MODERN MILLENNIAL
  • FOR THE ARTISTIC AFICIONADO
  • FOR THE VINTAGE VENTURER
  • FOR THE CHROMATIC CHARACTER
  • FOR THE FAST & FURIOUSLY AMBITIOUS
  • FOR THE ONES ENTERING FROM LEFT FIELD

For the Ones Entering from Left Field

(left): Vanguard Lady Crazy Hours with diamonds; (right): Vanguard Crazy Hours

We’re not just talking about individuals who are easily excitable about their deposit on the next car launch, neither are we referring to those who have wine for breakfast (who doesn’t?). If you don’t know anyone else in your social circle who’d take a seven-day yacht ride to Thailand on a whim, it’s probably you. 

Make trouble a double with Franck Muller’s his and hers Vanguard Crazy Hours. This complication is a personal favorite because reading time off the elongated dial isn’t something you can do with any old watch.

In your world, the sun rises at 2 o’clock, tea time happens at 11, and it’s lights out at 3. And there's nothing better than to find someone to do it with you.

Shop the collection on Franck Muller.