From investment pieces to sparkly goodness, we show you the must have watches to buy this season that you’ll definitely want to wear forever.
Photo: Rolex
This story was first published on Her World’s July 2019 issue.
ALSO READ: WATCH BRANDS ARE LAUNCHING NEW TIMEPIECES OUTSIDE SIHH AND BASELWORLD
Since the Datejust was introduced in 1945, it has borne every Rolex signature feature, from the waterproof case to the top-grade chronometer certification, in the most elegant package that speaks to women as much as men.
Its latest iteration comes in white Rolesor — Rolex-speak for a combination of 18k white gold and Oystersteel — with a super-cool black sunray-finished dial. Bet on this to be a keeper. Price upon request.
Photo: Rolex
ALSO READ: THE BLUE DIAL WATCHES WE’RE LUSTING OVER THIS SEASON
The deep-sea diver is known to be a most toughie under the most extreme underwater environments.
Its latest variation adds a touch of luxe to its strength — 18k yellow gold on the bracelet, bezel markings, crown and hands. Its technical forte remains: waterproof to more than 1,220m, shock-absorbing, resistant to magnetic interference, and a readable and scratch-proof face with luminescent hour markers and hands. Price upon request.
Photo: Rolex
ALSO READ: WATCH BRANDS ARE LAUNCHING NEW TIMEPIECES OUTSIDE SIHH AND BASELWORLD
Some superheroes simply cannot die. The Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II, with a blue and black Cerachrom bezel, is now revived and endowed with new powers.
On the inside: a more energy-efficient movement with a power reserve of 70 hours (20 more than its predecessor). On the outside: a five-piece link Jubilee bracelet that offers flexibility as much as comfort — it has an Easylink extension, which allows the bracelet’s length to be extended by up to 5mm. Price upon request.
Photo: Rolex
ALSO READ: THE BLUE DIAL WATCHES WE’RE LUSTING OVER THIS SEASON
Not everything has to be a reinvention. Sometimes, subtle tweaks are all a classic needs. Tudor‘s latest addition to its most popular Black Bay collection retains its divers’-watches-from-the-1950s good looks, as well as the “snowflake” hands from the brand’s 1969 catalogue.
The minor change is a retro-inspired five-link bracelet that combines polished and satin-brushed steel with satin-brushed yellow gold. $5,400.
Photo: Tudor
ALSO READ: WATCH BRANDS ARE LAUNCHING NEW TIMEPIECES OUTSIDE SIHH AND BASELWORLD
The Autavia line has auto and aviation roots dating back to the 1930s. Originally a dashboard timer for racers and pilots, the Autavia was redesigned into a wristwatch in 1962 by Jack Heuer, scion of the company’s founding family.
Now, this reissue channels that same ruggedness and functionality in the form of a three-hand piece instead of a chronograph. It still features nods to its heritage: a highly legible 44mm face; hour markers and hands that glow in the dark; and an XL crown inspired by pilots’ watches (they’re easier for fly boys to use while wearing gloves).
To give it more cred, the steel bracelet is interchangeable with a Nato strap (included with purchase), or leather calfskin straps sold separately. Also available with a blue ceramic bezel or bronze cae. From $4,900.
Photo: Tag Heuer
ALSO READ: THE BLUE DIAL WATCHES WE’RE LUSTING OVER THIS SEASON
Coco Chanel once said that “black wipes out everything else around”. Indeed it does. Of all the updated variants the house introduced to mark J12‘s 19th anniversary this year, this limited edition has the highest covetable factor.
Only 55 pieces are available worldwide, and it’s dressed only in black, from the cae and bracelet in highly scratch-resistant ceramic and steel, to the lacquered dial and matte bezel with a baguette pattern.
What it does share with the other J12s: a redesigned typeface, a smaller crown and an upgraded Chanel-exclusive automatic movement. Price unavailable.
Photo: Chanel
ALSO READ: WATCH BRANDS ARE LAUNCHING NEW TIMEPIECES OUTSIDE SIHH AND BASELWORLD
There’s a reason why the Octo Finissimo range appeals to us year after year: aside from being the thinnest watch, it has day-to-day style. This one, made almost entirely of matte black ceramic — case, dial, crown, bracelet and clasp — is unobtrusive on the one hand, and distinctive on the other.
Though its face is large-ish at 40mm, its thickness is a mere 5.5mm, giving us size without bulk. $22,000.
Photo: Bvlgari
ALSO READ: THE BLUE DIAL WATCHES WE’RE LUSTING OVER THIS SEASON
Although the current Panthere collection is inspired by the watch of the same name from the ’80s, its offerings are decidedly less of a show-off.
This paved pink gold version has a 30x22mm case and a fine-link bracelet — big enough to hold 599 brilliant-cut diamonds, and small enough to remain classy. Also available with a white gold case and bracelet. Price upon request.
Photo: Cartier
ALSO READ: WATCH BRANDS ARE LAUNCHING NEW TIMEPIECES OUTSIDE SIHH AND BASELWORLD
More jewellery than timepiece, this is wrist candy of the most dazzling order. The 18k rose gold case, bracelet and dial are fully encrusted with diamonds, and even the crown has a cabochon-cut ruby.
The only thing that’s been scaled back is its drop-shaped case (characteristic of all Serpenti watches) — it’s now thinner than it was before. $146,000
Photo: Bvlgari
ALSO READ: THE BLUE DIAL WATCHES WE’RE LUSTING OVER THIS SEASON
This is how you make a statement with less. A face measuring only around 20x15mm doesn’t give you much real estate to work with, so the brand’s solution is to keep everything simple with a yellow gold case and velvet-touch black rubber strap, then focus attention on the dial by packing every teeny bit of it with 116 brilliant-cut diamonds. Price unavailable.
Photo: Chanel
ALSO READ: WATCH BRANDS ARE LAUNCHING NEW TIMEPIECES OUTSIDE SIHH AND BASELWORLD
Each of the eight watches from this ’60s-inspired collection is literally centred on minerals. Every dial is carved from a diffferent stone (here, it’s forest-green malachite) and framed by generous-sized diamonds totalling more than four carats.
The bracelet is 18k white gold or leather in green, turquoise, royal blue or navy blue. Prices upon request.
Photo: Chopard
ALSO READ: THE BLUE DIAL WATCHES WE’RE LUSTING OVER THIS SEASON
Based on the original Crazy Wheel men’s watch, this puts big boys’ watchmaking know-how into a glitzy package for women: a diamond-set bezel, mother-of-pearl dial with starry cut-outs, and alligator-embossed rubber strap.
The skeletonished face is designed to show off the beauty of the in-house 360-degree flying movement. At 43mm, it’s a little hefty on delicate wrists, but who wouldn’t want a good view of such a wondrous mechanical show? In four versions with dials that vary in finishing, colour and pattern, and with different straps. From $26,000
Photo: Franck Dubarry
ALSO READ: WATCH BRANDS ARE LAUNCHING NEW TIMEPIECES OUTSIDE SIHH AND BASELWORLD
Superman only has one other identity to juggle. But all its 21st-century women have several, from wife and friend to mother, lover, sister and colleague, making us true heroines. To pay tribute to us, Hublot teamed up with artist Marc Ferrero for this sassy number.
The dial depicts Ferrero’s most famous work, Lipstick — an image of a mysterious woman, her eyes hidden behind dark glasses, putting on lipstick. The comic book-like aesthetic and sizeable 39mm case marks this out as a power sign for those who kick butt. Comes in red and turquoise, 50 pieces in each colour. $22,700
Photo: Hublot
ALSO READ: THE BLUE DIAL WATCHES WE’RE LUSTING OVER THIS SEASON
Its triple-loop bracelet and clean elegance mean that we don’t need anything else on the wrist. Also in white gold and pink gold, and cases set with brilliant-cut diamonds. From $49,800
Photo: Cartier
ALSO READ: WATCH BRANDS ARE LAUNCHING NEW TIMEPIECES OUTSIDE SIHH AND BASELWORLD
With just a touch of the rebel, this is sophisticated rock ‘n’ roll. A limited edition of only 55 pieces, it features a steel chain bracelet interwoven with black leather, a steel case, and a black lacquered dial.
Tougher than it looks, both its case and bracelet are treated with ADLC, a diamond-like carbon coating that’s almost scratch- and fingerprint-proof. Price unavailable.
Photo: Chanel
ALSO READ: THE BLUE DIAL WATCHES WE’RE LUSTING OVER THIS SEASON