Patek Philippe nautilus rose gold? These two brands took lots of time throughout the history of the industry to perfect the art of watchmaking. There’s a reason they’re still in business after over 100 years in operation. Rolex prides itself on the accuracy and durability of their watches while Audemars Piguet is less focused on precision and more artistic about their craft. You can clearly see the difference between the two by comparing any of their movements. AP pays meticulous attention to every single detail in the movement and finishes them to perfection in a way that Rolex doesn’t even compare. See extra information at Audemars Piguet royal oak chronograph.
Patek Philippe began in 1839 and has been led for over 80 years by the Stern family, with the ownership now in its fourth generation. This provides a high degree of consistency in the company’s philosophy and policies. It also excludes the possibility of radical shifts in direction imposed by a changing management, so the path of success will most certainly continue. This ensures sustainability, which is closely aligned with the following point.
While the circa $10 Casio F91W-1 probably also deserves a place on a list like this, we’ll begin with the awesome World Time just to avoid Casio-overload. But the Japanese brand is undeniably strong in this price point with tough, reliable, dirt-cheap watches. Oh, and some people find them to be quite stylish as well. This Casio World Time offers all these attributes and more (including world time, calendar, and alarms) with a dash of retro-futuristic nostalgia, and it’s surprisingly robust for such a great price. Using an automatic movement based on an old caliber originally from Seiko, the Orient 3 Star is a simple, utilitarian automatic akin to the Seiko 5. While there’s not much in the way of fit and finish, it does have a well-proportioned 37.5mm case, a stainless steel bracelet and a colorful dial. Its as simple of an automatic watch that you can get, but therein lies its charm.
Certina, founded in Grenchen, Switzerland in 1888, has always been a rather low-key brand. You may not know, but they were innovators in shock protection and water resistance, which is nearly weapons-grade on this watch. The rotating ceramic diving bezel on this 41mm beauty, usually a hallmark of much more expensive pieces, is scratch resistant and nearly indestructible, and the handsome strap features a deployment clasp. Shinola watches, assembled in Detroit, have sparked a renaissance in the Motor City and for American watch brands in general. One of their latest editions of their most popular design, the Runwell, is a subtle version of what can be a busy style. This is destined to become a classic design that will no doubt age well with it’s stainless steel case and durable leather strap. With a clean ivory-colored face and luminous hands, wearing this watch makes a statement that you value good design, but don’t need an overly expensive timepiece to speak for you.
Some companies claim that their wooden watches should be worn loosely and cannot be adjusted to fit a specific wrist size. If you come across such a company, just know that it is not reputable. If you purchase from them, you will end up having a substandard watch. This is simply because any high-quality watch should be made adjustable to fit any wrist size with little strain. The last thing of our wooden watch guide that you should consider is the features and functionality of the watch that you want to buy. Depending on what you prefer, there are some extra features that you can look for, such as calendar display, luminous hands, waterproof capability, hypo-allergenic properties and many more.
After its successful launch in 2018, Victorinox announces the second mechanical iteration of Inox, its sports watch line known for almost comical toughness — tests include being blasted by corrosive liquids and run over by a tank — while maintaining a cool, streamlined aesthetic. As its name suggests, this version is made from a carbon composite, something also used to protect space shuttles from atmospheric re-entry at temperatures that can exceed 1,260°C, where presumably checking the time would be the last thing on your mind. Scratch-resistant, hypoallergenic and with Super-Luminova detailing on the dial and the strap, it somehow weighs in at just a fraction under 100g. One of the toughest watches on this planet then, now fully space-proofed. Find even more details on www.hmwatches.ae.
