Dress Watches
Men don’t get to wear much jewellery, so it’s important to make the subtle touches count
CHRONOGRAPHS are the most pervasive watch complications around, but they are by no means unimpressive. As they function to ensure precision, so their design follow suit. A similar principle governs the world of watch complications: while some may count as relatively simple mechanisms, their designs must be complementary and serve as an accurate reflection of their nature.
Just as a chronograph inspires precision, something like a moon phase indicator typically evokes a sense of wonder.
Tissot Heritage 1973
The Tissot Heritage 1973 features the ETA Valjoux 7753, one of the most ubiquitous chronograph movements on the market. There is nothing ostentatious about the Valjoux family of chronograph movements. Simply put, it does its job and does it well. For the neophyte, it’s a fantastic introduction to the world of chronographs.
Enthusiasts, on the other hand, will appreciate the historical significance the movement holds as the quintessential workhorse chronograph movement. With the Heritage 1973, the appeal lies in its honesty: it’s a sports chronograph with no delusions of being anything else, other than what it clearly is.
Montblanc 1858 Automatic 24H
One-handers are a rare breed, but the Montblanc 1858 Automatic 24H puts a slightly more eye-catching spin on the concept. Instead of having the 24-hour scale orientated after a conventional fashion (with the 24 numeral pointing north), Montblanc upended the layout instead. Seems odd at first, except when you realise that this orientation follows intuition when one considers daylight hours. The single hand in itself is another interesting feature when one considers the compass-like markings surrounding the minute track. Rotating the watch and aligning the lone hand with the sun gives a bearing due north. While it may not be as accurate as an actual compass (and works only in the Northern Hemisphere), it’s nonetheless a nifty little feature to have on a watch.
Zenith Elite Moonphase
There’s something irresistible about a moon phase indicator. Perhaps it’s the implied romanticism, or the idea of having an additional layer of art. Whatever it is, Zenith makes full use of this timeless feature with its Elite Moonphase collection. Confining the seconds hand to a small sub-dial ensures that the moon phase aperture stays unobscured, except during times when lunar observation becomes untennable. It is fitting to see the moon phase make its debut in the Elite collection; a classic complication for a classic timepiece. AM