JUST IN: 5 Luxury Watch Trends to Look Out for in 2017
The year is still young, but the world’s foremost watchmakers have already gathered in Switzerland for the 27th Salon de la Haute Horologerie to showcase the latest watch trends that will make you wish you hadn’t spent your Christmas bonus yet. Oh, you haven’t? Great, then it’s time to have a look at the new trends soon to be found on the wrists of discerning gentlemen everywhere. Thankfully, we have our own expert, Emerson Yao of Lucerne, right on scene to scope out the hottest new pieces.
Blue is The New White
The new Clifton GMT Power Reserve by Baume & Mercier is the latest model in the Clifton collection, and the first with a bright blue, satin-finished dial. While the Clifton is more known for elegance than trendiness, blue dials as a trend may be here to stay and this model’s design and features are nicely suited for travelers. Mechanical complications like the 24h/GMT function, power reserve indication, and date function are well-placed, and the black alligator strap makes this watch a versatile piece for travel, business, and formal occasions.
Keep it Complicated
Lange & Söhne celebrates complexity with their ‘Pour le Mérite’ series, and the newest edition, the Turbograph Perpetual is no exception, sporting a host of impressive mechanical functions. Complexity is a development we’ve seen among other premium watchmakers, but A. Lange & Söhne continues to take this trend to the next level by showing off a tourbillon and fusee-and-chain along with three other complications which ensure great timing in every situation: a chronograph, rattrapante function and perpetual calendar.
Over the Moon
You don’t need to be a hobby astronomer to enjoy the moon phase feature, but it’s a fun addition to luxury watches, and nicely caps off the classically designed complications of this elegant new Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Master Ultra Thin Perpetual. At 4.72-mm thin, the watch fits in a beautifully designed perpetual calendar as well, and we like the white gold case and classic black leather strap.
Good Old Times
Montblanc returns to Geneva with a nostalgia-tinged watch that makes us clamor for a time before we started reflexively checked our smart phones: The Montblanc 1858 Chronometer Tachymeter Limited Edition 100. Its bronze case and vintage-inspired dial are a brilliant example of contemporary vintage design, and reverentially update the 1930s models made by famed Swiss watchmaker Minerva, now owned by Montblanc. Only 100 pieces were built, so time is of the essence.
A Spring of Hope
If you haven’t taken off your quartz watch yet, the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony mechanical watch might inspire you to do so. While your typical electronic watch may require less care, this time piece’s excellent craftsmanship and simple but sophisticated aesthetic are worth the extra effort. The Patrimony possesses moon phase and retrograde date features which are elegantly incorporated into the dial, while underneath the hood, 275 meticulously put-together parts ensure that you’re always on time.
