So Many Watches to Think About, So Little Time…
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Hey everyone, long time no (virtual) see!
I’ve been pretty tied up with my involvement in The Real Time Show and life generally, so I’ve not been able to post regularly on my own website. Recently though I’ve still noticed traffic pick up considerably and I have some ideas I’m ready to get out of my head, so here I am.
Nothing too deep in this post, but I’m sure this is something we can all relate to:
Even if your “to buy” list of watches is relatively short, don’t you still have a ton of other watches kicking around in your head?
Some may belong to the “if I won the lottery I’d buy this” list, others are perhaps on the “yea this looks beautiful but I live in sweatpants now” list, and others maybe you just think about because they’re interesting.
That’s what I want to cover today: in no particular order, with no sponsorship dollars behind any of the entries, here are several watches that I can’t get out of my head.
Let’s get to it.
The Hublot Big Bang Unico Chronograph
I’ve been seriously into watches for well over a decade now, and amidst all the change the industry has experienced in that time, shitting on Hublot has been a consistent theme.
Granted, the brand is not perfect - though I’m sure we all realize that no brand is - but they stand by what they are and they do make some very horologically interesting pieces.
I’ve had my eyes on both the Hublot Meca-10 and the Big Bang Unico Chronograph for about 3 years, with the latter getting the edge because it has a date function. New they are very expensive, used they are still very expensive, but in a realm that I might one day be able to consider.
Part of my love for watches stems from the mechanics and science that drive them, and in the Big Bang Unico Chronograph you get all of that: industry-leading materials science and an in-house movement that is on full display, front and back.
The watch used to come only in a 45 mm case, but a 42 mm option was recently introduced. For my money, my choice would be that size, with a rubber strap, titanium case and ceramic bezel, since that configuration gives you all the materials Hublot is known for, “fused” into one watch.
I don’t care what anyone says, this watch is badass (Image source: www.hublot.com)!
Still not convinced?
Check out the recent TRTS episode on Hublot and the associated follow-up discussion, then maybe even head to your local Hublot boutique, you might be in for some surprises…
The Timex Expedition North Titanium Automatic
I’m switching gears very abruptly for something that couldn’t be more different in both design intent and pricing strategy, but the reason behind that whiplash is simple: great watches come in at all price levels, and this is a great watch.
Timex has been on a tear the last several years, but nothing really grabbed my attention until this watch was originally announced as a collaboration with EDC knife company The James Brand.
I am very excited about one day getting to own the Timex Expedition North Titanium Automatic (Image source: www. timex.com).
This was sold as a limited edition so unsurprisingly the watch sold out quickly, and unsurprisingly just as quickly showed up on re-sale sites for hefty premiums. I can’t stand that game (and imagine what that says about the current industry situation, that people are flipping Timexes…) so I thought I’d just have to forget about the Expedition North Titanium, but I was delighted to find out recently that Timex was introducing this as a full-time member of its catalog.
Yes, there are a few cosmetic changes, but overall it’s the same killer package: titanium case, sapphire crystal and case back, and 200 meters of water resistance, from a brand with real heritage.
All for less than 400 bucks!
I don’t seem to be the only one thinking this because the watch is only in stock sporadically (in Europe, anyways), and I’m confident that the Timex Expedition North Titanium North Automatic will end up in my watch box at some point in the future.
The Frederique Constant Manufacture Highlife Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar
Let’s whiplash back up to the high-end…
Kind of?
Frederique Constant does not have a long history when compared to the industry’s better-known brands, but wow do they work hard to overcome that with solid, highly compelling watches.
I’ll admit I’d been cold on the brand for a long time, but how could I possibly ignore all the cool stuff they’ve been doing the past few years: the handsome Highlife line, worldtimers, 40 Hz silicon escapements, and even (relatively) affordable perpetual calendars!
I’ve written before that I love finding watches that push value-for-money to the extreme, and I don’t think anyone can argue anymore that Frederique Constant is a class-leader in this type of watch.
Within their extensive range of (again, relatively) well-priced watches, the one that I can’t get of my head is the Manufacture Highlife Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar. The main attractions of this watch are right there in the title, but here’s something that isn’t:
The MSRP is less than 27,000 euros!!!
Though this watch was only meant to be made in limited quantities, you can apparently find it pretty easily on Chrono24, for prices well South of that; I’ve seen one for around 17,000 euros and at that price, is there a better value in all of watch making?
I want the Frederique Constant Highlife Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar very, very badly (Image source: www.lepage.fr).
For a tiny fraction of the going rate for a Royal Oak, you get:
That same integrated bracelet styling that looks good in almost any setting
A FREAKING PERPETUAL CALENDAR!!!
A FREAKING SWISS-MADE TOURBILLON!!!!
I do not currently have nearly 20,000 euros laying around, but in the hypothetical world where that is the case, this watch is on my wrist. If you own one, and especially if you own the gold-cased version, I’d love to hear from you, please feel to drop me a line at contact@davidvaucher.com.
The Certina DS-2 Chronograph Automatic
Ever since the release of the Certina DS PH200M, I’ve been low-key following the brand, always keeping it in mind if I needed to gift someone a first watch that is robust, good-looking, and well-priced. Nevertheless, I’ve never found myself really wanting a Certina of my own…
Until now.
Last week I read a story on Monochrome about the new DS-2 Chronograph Automatic and I was immediately smitten.
I think it’s the application of colors that does it for me: the accents of orange and yellow set against a blue dial, all of that tying back to the fabric and stitching of the strap. This watch is meant to evoke the 1970s but would look fantastic with an outfit put together in 2023 (or 2043!).
The DS-2 Chronograph Automatic does come in a gold-coated version which looks nice, but gold-coating is not my thing (a solid gold version of this watch would be something else though, no?) so it’s the 1970s-inspired version for me, all the way.
The Certina DS-2 Chronograph Automatic is available in dressy and sporty-looking versions, I’m all about that sporty version (Image source: www.monochrome-watches.com).
Since this watch was announced so recently I may be jumping the gun a bit with its inclusion on this list, but for what it’s worth in that time I’ve thought about the Certina DS-2 Chronograph Automatic multiple times a day.
A Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos Clock
I realize I’m cheating a little bit by including a clock on this list, but having said that this article wouldn’t be complete without it because I think very frequently about finally buying an Atmos.
I’ve been collecting for a while and have more watches than I can wear regularly. More and more I try to focus on projected cost-per-wear before buying anything (obviously, the lower the better); consequently, a new watch purchase becomes less and less appealing the more of them I own, knowing that I just won’t wear new additions regularly over time.
With an Atmos I know that won’t be the case because I’d have a way for everyone - not just me - to tell the time in my living room, so it will be used constantly, by multiple people.
Sure, I can kind of rationalize the purchase of a Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos, but really my desire for one comes down to the fact that it’s gorgeous (Image source: www.jaeger-lecoultre.com).
The Atmos also gets my engineering-brain going because it’s the closest thing I know of to a perpetual motion machine. From a horological perspective, I’ve never gotten around to buying a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch but with an Atmos I can finally have that magic. In fact, it will be emphasized even more than that of any one watch in my collection because it will stand alone on my mantle place.
As a bit of a side note, the lack of popularity of table clocks is puzzling, not only because watch buyers have now had years to educate themselves about time devices generally, but also simply because some of the table clocks I’ve seen released are jaw-droppingly gorgeous.
I say that, but then I do indeed have to count myself among that group of buyers who’ve had years to educate themselves but didn’t, because while I think I know quite a bit about watches, I know very, very little about clocks. I still have to do a lot more research before committing to an Atmos, but the initial findings are positive: the fact that you can seemingly get into an Atmos for about 3,000 euros at the low-end is pretty staggering for what you’re getting.
What’s on your mind?
Have a watch that you just can’t stop thinking about?
Close to buying a piece you’ve been saving up for for months, or even years?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments!