The M2 Luxury Watch Guide 2020
Technology comes, goes and is quickly forgotten. Yet quality craftsmanship and style are eternal.
Nothing illustrates this truism better than the field of luxury watches where meticulous attention to detail in manufacture, backed by uninhibited imagination in design, have turned each model into a unique wearable work of art. In a delicious irony, these elite timepieces are immune to the capriciousness of fashion; they are timeless.
Such strong statements of style also say a lot about the man whose wrist they adorn; of his sense of taste, sophistication, sportiness and identity. Even different messages for different occasions with a watch for formal duties; one for heading out and about town; one for the office; and one for the boat.
To help you choose a watch that is right for who you are; here are our picks of the best of the best. Two per marque:
CARTIER PASHA DE CARTIER CRWSPA0009 – 41mm, steel
In news just to hand, the legendary Pasha de Cartier watch is making a comeback! 35 years after it was first launched, this cult favourite is as classic as ever. The steel case has a diameter of 41mm and thickness of 9.55mm while the silver flinque dial features blued-steel diamond-shaped hands.
Inside, it’s mechanical movement with automatic winding, caliber 1847 MC. Outside, your eye will be caught by the fluted crown cap with its crown set with synthetic spinels. Choose between the steel bracelet and a dark grey alligator-skin strap, both featuring the QuickSwitch interchangability.
Cartier SANTOS SKELETON WATCH LARGE MODEL
Skeletonised bridges form the luminescent Roman numerals on this dial and the time is told by polished grey steel sword-shaped hands. The black ADLC steel case is 39.8 mm in diameter with a thickness of 9.08 mm with a 7-sided crown set with a blue synthetic spinel.
Inside, it’s mechanical movement with manual winding, calibre 9612 MC with a power reserve of around 72 hours. Watch it through the sapphire crystal case back. Strap this beauty to your wrist in black alligator leather, with black ADLC steel double adjustable folding buckle or in a dark grey semi-matte alligator leather. Both bracelets are fitted with the “QuickSwitch” interchangeability system.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual
Watches in the Rolex Oyster Perpetual range are direct descendants of the original Oyster, the world’s first waterproof wristwatch, on which Rolex has built its reputation since 1926. Carrying on this tradition is the new generation Oyster Perpetual model, complete with a Chromalight display, with the hands and hour markers coated or filled with a luminescent material that emits a long-lasting blue glow in dark conditions. The Oyster Perpetual 41 is equipped with calibre 3230, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, launched by Rolex this year.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner
The new generation of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner and Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date have just launched and while they might be the latest, they both carry the legacy of the historic links between Rolex and the world of diving. Both timepieces feature a redesigned, slightly larger 41 mm case – whose profile is highlighted by the light reflections from the case sides and lugs – and are fitted on a remodelled bracelet. They are equipped with movements at the forefront of watchmaking technology – the Submariner with calibre 3230, unveiled by the brand this year. True to its aesthetic heritage, the new Submariner in Oystersteel has a black dial and rotatable bezel with matching Cerachrom insert.
HUBLOT BIG BANG INTEGRAL UNICO 42mm in King Gold
The big news for the Big Bang watch is a brand new unique, tailored fully integrated bracelet and, of course, a redesigned case to go with it. Not a bad 15th birthday present! Otherwise it retains its iconic ‘sandwich’ construction but without the composite resin insert. Crafted entirely from King Gold, this watch has a case diameter of 30mm and a thickness of 14.5mm. Technical innovations include an oscillating seconds clutch, chronological friction system and a ratchet retaining system with unidirectional gears.
HUBLOT CLASSICAL FUSION GOLD CRYSTAL 45mm
Flam-boy-ant! How else to describe a dial decorated with crystal made from flakes of gold and capped off with an alligator strap stitched onto rubber? Like a precious work of art, this standout dial is fitted into a black 45mm diameter ceramic case with a thickness of 10.95mm. It also houses the HUB1112 calibre, a self-winding movement and a 42-hour power reserve.
IWC-SCHAFFHAUSEN PORTUGIESER PERPETUAL CALENDAR BOUTIQUE EDITION
Know the time, date, month AND moon phase you’re in with this brand new marine-styled beauty. In addition to the comprehensive four subdial displays, this boutique edition also features a four-digit year display, small seconds and a power reserve display. The 18-carat Armor Gold® case has a diameter of 44.2mm, a thickness of 14.9mm, a blue dial, gold-plated hands and attaches to your wrist via a blue alligator leather strap by Santoni – naturally.
And do take time out to admire this watch’s intricate inner workings through its
transparent sapphire glass back.
IWC-SCHAFFHAUSEN PORTUGIESER YACHT CLUB CHRONOGRAPH
A nautical sports watch, this new 3rd generation Chronograph has been designed to look good and be tough and water-resistant enough to withstand any punishment you could expect on deck. The new models feature a filigree bezel and flat casing ring while the dial is 44.6mm in diameter and 14.4mm thick.
The Chronograph also has a stopwatch function with flyback while the automatic winding builds up a power reserve of 68 hours. Ticking away inside is the IWC-manufactured 89361 calibre, check it out through the transparent sapphire case back. Available in four versions, this one features a stainless steel case, silver-plated dial, blue hands and appliques plus a stainless steel bracelet.
TAG HEUER CARRERA SPORT CHRONOGRAPH 44MM CALIBRE HEUER02 AUTOMATIC
In yet another triumph for the Carrera, the model virtually synonymous with motor racing, TAG Heuer have used a rose-gold coloured lacquer for the first time ever on its black ceramic bezel. The fine brushed 44mm diameter case is steel while the crown and pushers are made from solid 18K rose gold. Looking through the sapphire crystal back you’ll see the oscillating weight of the movement has been fashioned from black PVD coated brass with a rose gold printing. Wrap this watch around your wrist with a classic black leather strap complete with steel folding clasp with double safety push-buttons.
TAG HEUER AQUARACER 43MM TORTOISE SHELL EFFECT CALIBRE 5 AUTOMATIC
Now you don’t even have to go to sea to have the sunlight glinting off the ocean waves! TAG Heuer have used an innovative resin technique first ever tortoise shell pattern on this Aquaracer’s bezel and the effect has to be seen to be believed. The Aquaracer’s 43mm diameter case is made from polished and fine-brushed stainless-steel while inside the movement is completed with a calibre 5 automatic. Fit it around your wrist with a blue rubber strap complete with steel folding clasp with double safety push-buttons.
TUDOR BLACK BAY BRONZE
The winner of the ‘Petite Aiguille’ prize at the 2016 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève is now available in a new slate-grey model with shaded dial. Reminiscent of the brass used in old ships this 43mm diameter ‘living’ high-performance aluminium-copper alloy case will produce a subtle, unique colouration to match your habits. Inside, TUDOR’s widest calibre clocks in at 33.8mm and features alternating polished sand-blasted surfaces and laser decorations. The gold-thread strap option is a cap touch to period French Navy rescue parachutes while the other features classic aged black leather.
TUDOR BLACK BAY FIFTY EIGHT NAVY BLUE
A new navy blue version of TUDOR’s historic 1958 commemoration of their first divers’ watch waterproof to 200m, this model also features a period-accurate 39mm diameter case that is ideal for the slimmer wrist. Inside is a manufacture calibre MT5402 with a 70 hour weekend-proof power reserve, silicon hair-spring and COSC certification. Also available in three strap or bracelet options; a blue Jacquard fabric complete with silver band; a blue ‘soft touch’; and a riveted steel look.
SEIKO PROSPEX SPB145J1
A new entry to the pantheon of diving watches for the famous Japanese marque, this Prospex features a 40.5mm diameter case with a thickness of 13.2mm. The case is made of stainless steel with a super hard coating while the crystal is a curved sapphire and easy to see in any conditions thanks to an anti-reflective coating on the inner surface. The hands feature LumiBrite as do the indexes and bezel while inside the calibre 6R35 movement is automatic with a manual winding capacity. Water resistant to 200m you can strap this Prospex to your wrist with a bracelet featuring a three-fold clasp with secure lock.
SEIKO PROSPEX SPB153J1
Slightly wider at 42.7mm this case is made of stainless steel too with a super hard coating, while the crystal is a curved sapphire and easy to see in any conditions thanks to an anti-reflective coating on the inner surface. The hands feature LumiBrite as do the indexes and bezel while inside the calibre 6R35 movement is automatic with a manual winding capacity. Water resistant to 200m, this Prospex will stay on your wrist with its three-fold clasp with secure lock on the silicon band.
