Luxury is a fast-changing industry. Luxury watchmaking, not so much. Hampered by tradition, classicism and, more often than not, a lack of vision, it tends to be set in its ways. One of those ‘ways’ is to consider that gem-set watches are a) for women, b) for the bling-loving crowd of hip-hop entertainment or c) for wealthy clients from the Gulf region with no watchmaking savvy. Yes, there is prejudice and snobbery afoot where gem-set timepieces are concerned, as alluded to in the Unusual Suspects companion piece to this story. The truth is that mechanical timepieces with abundant gem-setting skills on display are in high demand, especially those whose sizes and styles make them compatible with the tastes of men. Yes, men. Cue shock and outrage.
Just the other day, I was invited to a highbrow cultural event in my hometown of Paris, in a posh setting, by a brand whose approach is very conservative. A senior member of staff, young but far from having a penchant for what might be considered the thug life (cringeworthy though such thoughts might be), confessed an amazing fact to me: his dream watch is one of their most famous references...with a rainbow bezel.
MORE SPECIFIC
This story is from the Issue 72 edition of WOW Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 72 edition of WOW Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Eureka!
Although yellow gold is perennially on the verge of being the next big thing, it has never been trendy. This might be because it has been trending all along...
Secret Signatures
The Breguet Classique 7637 is a delight for both the ear and the eye, being that it is a minute repeater. It also gives you something to feel in its fluted case band
Centralised Power
Longines presents a unique take on the humble power reserve indicator with its Conquest Central Power Reserve model
Heights Of Adventure
Luminox celebrates Bear Grylls' first ascent of Everest with a limited edition 3730 series watch
Warm Glow
German silver is inextricably tied with watchmaking in Glashütte, especially at A. Lange & Söhne. We explore the virtues of the alloy and learn why the manufacture is so committed to it
Better Tomorrow
The revised Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller opens new frontiers for the brand and represents unique opportunities for collectors
Celestial Complexities
From devising proxies to approximate a far more complex reality, to developing timepieces that do the same, we've always sought to simplify the ways we mark the passage of time. Blancpain's new perpetual calendar timepiece is, perhaps, the perfect microcosm of these efforts
Keeping It Real
Technology proves to be a solid tool for luxury watch brands in their fight against mounting cases of fake timepieces and watch thefts
Pure Mannerism
The Parmigiani Fleurier L'Armoriale pocket watch is a unique grand complication that is both a result of Michel Parmigiani's craft as well as a birthday present to him
The Unusual Suspects
With reality setting in for hype watches, we present our annual look at potential trendsetters of the (near) future. These also represent some of our forgotten favourites of 2023
