A small history of watches and a few advices for buying the perfect watch. LUC XPS 1860 Officer Royal Arms of England 40mm 18k white gold case, black alligator leather strap. Beneath its demure Swiss dial, Chopard’s new special edition LUC XPS has a supremely English core. Created to commemorate the new flagship boutique on New Bond Street, London, it features a hinged case back covering engraved with a Richard I lion motif, which swings open to reveal an ultra-thin movement powered by a 22k gold micro-rotor. The 40mm watch comes in 18k white gold with a dial decorated with hand-guilloché detailing, contributing to the receipt of its Poinçon de Genève hallmark, a rubber-stamping of horological excellence. Only available in the UK and limited to eight pieces, you’ll need to mount your own crusade to get your hands on one.
Let’s move on to the under 1000 USD category. Cases made from solid titanium — loved for its lightweight, durable and hypoallergenic properties — are not such a common site on sub-$150 watches, which is what makes the young U.S. watch brand Bertucci an enticing option. Similarly enticing is the classic field watch dial design, the Japanese quartz movement inside, and a 100-meter depth rating. You’d be forgiven for thinking Citizen’s entire lineup is made up of its quartz Eco-Drive watches, but the brand does, in fact, make some mechanicals. The NH8350, for instance, packs a Miyota 8200 automatic movement into a clean-cut stainless steel case and comes adorned with a shimmering, sunray blue dial. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better mechanical dress watch for less.
TAG Heuer, founded in 1860 by Edouard Heuer in St-Imier, Switzerland, and long a favorite of motorsports enthusiasts, is a name that commands instant respect in every watch-loving quarter. Only occasionally are any of their pieces attainable under the £1K mark — and when they are, you should definitely drop the coin. With a rubber strap and stainless steel case, this watch is ideal for rugged adventures. While it is not suited for scuba diving, it is capable of withstanding up to 660 ft of water. In addition, the iconic Formula 1 model has the distinction of having been worn by actual Formula 1 drivers. An updated pilot watch is a sharp style that adds something interesting to any watch collection, thanks to its intricate looking chronographs and large numbers you can read at the quickest of glances. Alpina is known for its pilot watches and movements, so if you are looking for one under £1,000, this is the brand to beat. This clean timepiece on a stainless steel bracelet also looks great with a T-shirt and jeans since it has been designed with the modern man’s movements in mind.
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