#THE TIMEPIECE GENTLEMAN CONTROVERSY MANUAL#
#THE TIMEPIECE GENTLEMAN CONTROVERSY SERIES#

#THE TIMEPIECE GENTLEMAN CONTROVERSY MANUAL#

Perhaps the most impressive is the Grand Complication, which displays the day, date and month of the year, all via three separate dials-though last year, the brand introduced a limited-edition tourbillon version that will only need a manual date adjustment every 577.5 years. The piece pairs a simplified design that is somewhat deceptive given the complications happening under the hood. Named for its clients, two Portuguese merchants in the ‘30s who desired what was then an oversized wristwatch, this model has since become the most iconic in IWC’s beloved portfolio. Price: $20,070, TAG Heuer Monaco Style: Chronograph Identifiable by its minimalist face-with long, graceful hands and slender ticks for numerals-and slim case (often a relatively miniscule 37mm), this is a design that has stood the test of time. That’s perhaps nowhere as true as with the Calatrava, a subtle timepiece introduced in 1932, and named for the brand’s cross logo. Patek is a connoisseur’s favorite, and it’s not hard to see why: The brand invented the wristwatch (though its original was worn primarily by women), and its understated designs appeal to those with an eye for detail. Price: From $6,250, Patek Philippe Calatrava Style: Dress watch The brand relaunched the Santos in 2018, meaning you no longer need to pony up for a vintage model (or suss out whether it’s the real thing). This is the result, and it’s been a definitive dress watch for more than a century (as has Cartier’s Tank, which features an elongated rectangular case, as opposed to Santos’ squarer original). Price: Navitimer 1, from $5,820, Navitimer 8, from $3,980, Breitling Cartier Santos Style: Dress watchĬartier didn’t invent the wristwatch, but the Santos was the first one to become popular with men, thanks to its daring namesake: Alberto Santos-Dumont, a Brazilian pilot who asked his buddy Louis Cartier to design a timepiece that wouldn’t require him to take his hands off the controls of his plane. Recently, the brand has refreshed the line with both collaborations (Pan Am and TWA models) and the Navitimer 8 line, which boasts a slimmer silhouette and a more accessible price point.

#THE TIMEPIECE GENTLEMAN CONTROVERSY SERIES#

Its signature Navitimer series was designed with pilots in mind-the design inspired by an airplane’s gauges, and the brand famously included a slide rule on each case to assist pilots with their calculations. Price: From $5,350 (for Moonwatch version), īreitling Navitimer Style: Chronograph / Aviationįor more than six decades, Breitling has been synonymous with aviation. A smart pick even if your workplace is of the terrestrial variety. It remains an icon due to its seamless blend of high functionality with elegant design. Introduced in 1957, the Speedmaster gained iconic status 50 years ago when Buzz Aldrin wore it on the surface of the moon. Rolex Submarinerįor the astronauts landing on the moon, the Speedmaster was an essential tool-a tricked-out timepiece with three sub-dials (set to measure 60 seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours), a tachymeter (which measures travel time, or distance based on speed) and an ultra-precise hand-wound movement.

But no matter what your intent is, one thing’s certain: Purchasing a classic men’s watch is a surefire way to ensure your investment is well spent, whether that investment is in the five figures or is less than a c-note.īelow are 18 iconic watches to consider, including chronographs (think: stopwatches), dive watches (for underwater diving with some degree of water resistance), dress watches, digital watches, and sports watches (shock-proof and scratch-resistant).

It can be a deeply meaningful talisman you intend to pass along some day to your son. It can be an accent piece you throw on to complement a suit. (Bonus: It also tells time.)Ī watch is essentially jewelry with a purpose-a wedding of form and function that’s equal parts decorative and meaningful.

If, however, you need to communicate something about who you are and what you hope to accomplish in this life, that’s where a watch comes in. If you need to tell time, well, there’s a mobile phone in your pocket that can help.

The timepiece gentleman controversy