The watch is seen as the ultimate accessory for the modern gentleman, but it is easy to be overwhelmed when choosing an appropriate timepiece to start—and grow—your collection. With a vast variety of styles, technical capabilities and price ranges, it is important to do your homework. Any budding horology enthusiast will understand that your choice in wristwear goes beyond mere functionality. Just like the car you drive and your favourite drink, your watch is a statement about who you are, and is not a decision to be taken lightly.
The Heritage Piece
Founded in 1851 by Antoni Patek and Adrien Phillippe, Swiss watch manufacturer Patek Phillipe is the ultimate symbol of prestige in the watch market. Long time suppliers to royalty all over the world dating back to the 19th century, Patek Phillipe even counts the British monarchy among their blue-blooded clientele. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were the original trendsetters for Patek Phillipe, following the Grand Exhibition of 1851 in London. With a heritage so closely linked to the crown, a Patek Phillipe timepiece will delight even the most seasoned watch connoisseur.
The Ultimate Luxury
Ask anyone to name the leading luxury watch brand, and 9 times of out of 10 they will say Rolex. In fact, Rolex is so synonymous with quality, Forbes recently named the company as the 64th most valuable brand in 2016. The Rolex Submarine in particular is considered a classic among wristwatches, and is therefore a must-have display piece in watch boxes for men across the globe.
The Action Watch
For the young go-getter, TAG Heuer could be the right choice. A long-time sponsor of McLaren F1—and more recently Red Bull—the TAG Heuer brand stands for dynamism and precision. The Mikrogirder, released in 2012, has remained one of their most celebrated pieces thanks to its groundbreaking accuracy.
The Classic
For a traditional watch that is both fashionable and technically sound, then Omega is a fantastic choice. Masters of the mechanical, Omega is worn by both Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne and James Bond, and was the first watch on the Moon in 1969. The Globemaster model, which was unveiled by the brand last year, is the ideal watch for those who are looking for a watch that delivers both traditional luxury and outstanding performance thanks to its cutting edge mechanical movement.
