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Patek Philippe Vs. Vacheron Constantin Watches [ALL Aspects]

Joseph Lama

November 30, 2022

Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe are known to be the most luxurious watch brands in the world. These companies have a rich history – The Vacheron Constantin company is the oldest watchmaking company in the world (in continuous operation) while the Patek Philippe company is the oldest family-owned watchmaker in Geneva that is still operating today.

Timepieces from both companies have found abode place in some of the most prestigious wrists and homes in the world. They have been worn by kings, royals, celebrities, presidents, and billionaires who could afford the price point they command. It does not matter which brand you choose between the two. You are guaranteed to have an experience of a lifetime.

And the price you will pay to own a vintage Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin watch cements this adage of the two companies being the most luxurious and expensive brands in the world. In 2019, the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 watch made history as the most expensive watch ever sold at an auction at $31 million.

The Vacheron Kalista (a 1979 custom masterpiece that featured 118 emerald-cut diamonds) sold for $11 million. The creativity, innovation, and man-hours that go into making Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin watches are, inarguably, over the top. Patek Phillipe and Vacheron Constantin’s watches are appealing and special. This article places these watches head to head to compare features and functionality and offers insights into the watch that offers the best value for money.

Brief History

Patek Phillipe

Founded in 1839 by Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek, Patek Philippe is the oldest family-owned independent watchmaking company in Geneva. When the company began operations, its driving force was to create timepieces of utmost precision and accuracy without losing aesthetic value.

And they have achieved this perfectly over the years through consistent innovations that have earned the company numerous awards – including the 1844 award for keyless winding and hand-setting system.

In 1863 they made the first Swiss wristwatch for Hungarian countess Koscowicz. From this achievement, the company would later gain over 100 patents during its continuous 183 years of watchmaking. The notable patents and awards include;

Patent for time-zone watches in 1959
An award for the tourbillon movement that achieved the world timekeeping precision record for a mechanical watch at the Geneva Observatory in 1962 (The record is still unbeaten)
Patent for ultra-thin automatic caliber 240 in 1977
Patent for a secular perpetual calendar watch with retrograde date indication in 1986
Patent for Annual Calendar mechanism technology in 1966

These patents solidified the company’s prestigious position on the totem pole of the watchmaking industry. Patek Phillipe’s clientele range from dignitaries, millionaires, celebrities, royalty, and top business executives.

Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin has over 250 years of continuous watchmaking history. The company was established in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron and remains one of the most progressive and recognizable luxury watch brands. The company was passed down to generations of the Vacheron family until 1810 when Jacques-Barthelemy became the head of the company.

Jacques wanted to expand the business across the globe (before then they were exporting to Italy and France) and he brought in a strategic partner, Francois Constantin to help make this a reality. The company changed its name to Vacheron and Constantin. Francois Constantin was an ingenious businessman who took the business to America and other parts of the globe.

In 1887 the company became a joint-stock company after the death of Francois, Jacques, and other heirs who had taken over the helm of running the company. It would change hands several times with the latest ownership belonging to Richemont International – a successful and large Swiss watch manufacturing company.

Why compare the Patek Philippe Chronograph 5170G-010 and The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 watches?

This article compares two classic watches in the same category – the Patek Philippe Chronograph 5170G-010 and the Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 watch. The harmony Chronograph 3300 caliber watch was the counter to the widely popular Patek Philippe 5170G-010 timepiece. Both companies spared no expense in the design and manufacture of these watches.

The Patek Philippe Chronograph 5170G-010 watch was released at BaselWorld in 2010. The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 was released in 2015 at the SIH show to commemorate the 260th anniversary of the Vacheron Constantin brand. They manufactured a limited run of 260 pieces.

Pricing

A Patek Philippe Chronograph 5170G watch costs north of $87,000. The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 watch costs approximately $74,000. Custom pieces from either company can run into hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars depending on complexity, design, and the number of manpower spent. Most parts are assembled by hand by watchmakers with a wealth of experience in making luxury watches.

This is what makes these watches pricey. It is unheard of to find an original Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin watch going for less than $10,000. According to Wristadvisor.com, the most affordable Patek Philippe watch is the Aquanaut edition (with 5167A reference) which retails at $21,650. The most affordable Vacheron Constantin watch is the steel version of the FiftySix Edition watch (which debuted in 2018 at the SIHH) and retails at $11,700.

Design and Style

The Patek Philippe Chronograph 5170G-010 watch is meticulous and elegantly designed. The watch targeted the modern and contemporary clientele. It has a clean, simple design without the extra fluff and additions found in many luxury watches that debuted within this timeframe. It is a large watch but can still be worn with a suit or official attire comfortably.

The case has smooth, clean, and polished edges. The bezel is not exaggerated either, with the company choosing to stick to the simple polished outlook rather than the winding bezel you find in other luxury watches (such as the SBGA211G Grand Seiko diving watch). The Patek 5170G watch is made of white gold metal (also known as grey gold in the industry) and comes with either a black or white dial.

Both dials are also clean, without fluff, but nothing is boring about them. It does not have lots of inscriptions or added features. The black dial has well-polished Breguet Arabic numerous that allow for easy reading. The beautiful leaf-style hands are also simple, and functional, and may seem understated.

The inscriptions on the black dial (including the Patek Philippe signature at the 12 o’clock mark) are white, which increases the watch’s contrast. There is a Lancet-style counterweighted seconds mark for the chronograph. Each of the sub-registers features a miniature, railroad-style, white-printed track. The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 watch has an ivory, bone-white dial with blue numbers and golden hands.

There is a ridged section underneath the tip of the lugs. The mid-case curves inwards at this point, making the watch look thinner than it is. The crown has a slash cut that makes it easy to tune the watch. It also has a coaxial mono-pusher in-built button. The hour and minute hands are rose-gold.

The hour-hand has an apple-head style while the minute-hand has a spear-shaped design. The counterweighted seconds-hand is blue and the chronograph section has a 45 minutes sub-dial. The chapter rings are red-gold and the hour markings are blue. There is a pulsation scale on the dial.

Size

The Patek Philippe 5170G-010 watch measures 39.4mm in diameter (not inclusive of the crown) and is 11mm thick. There is a 21mm spacing between the lugs. This is pretty thin for a chronograph watch. This thickness means that the watch can fit under your cuff easily while resting flush on your wrist. The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 watch has a 42mm case (not including the crown) with a square rounded look unique to this model.

It has a distance of 51.6mm from lug to lug and is 13mm thick. It is a broad watch with a lug spacing of 24mm. Although it is a big watch, its unique design makes it seem less overbearing when worn on small wrists. The overall design of the Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 was inspired by the model manufactured by the company in 1928.

The 1928 mono-pusher chronograph timepiece featured a bi-compax layout with poire-shaped hands, a pulsimeter scale on the white dial, and a shape that slightly resembles that of the Harmony chronograph (with the rounded white dial and square bezel). The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 watch has a cushion-shaped, curved caseband with a circular dial enclosed inside a squarish bezel.

The single pusher on the crown was purely a design element. It was meant to give the watch a more sophisticated look, feel, and functionality. Placing all functionalities on a single element (the crown) made the watch more complex but elevated Vacheron Constantin’s company status as an innovative luxury watchmaking company. They added a power-reserve indicator at the base of the watch and painted the hour markers blue.

Straps and clasp

When you turn the watch underneath you can see the patented Patek Philippe de riguer pull-tabs spring bars. These tabs make it easier to remove both sides of the straps from the case to allow for deeper cleaning between the lugs. It also allows for easy changing of straps without the risk of damaging the watch by scratching when using a screwdriver.

The medium rectangular scale alligator leather straps have a single-fold grey gold clasp with the logo inscribed on the surface of the clasp. This clasp is beautifully polished and has a Calatrava cross to add panache to the mechanism. The Calatrava cross is also present on the crown. The two vintage-inspired chronograph pushes (for setting and resetting the watch) on the casing are also perfectly polished.

The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 has matte dark brown alligator leather straps with a monotone stitch on the underside and a sheer-sided construction that shows you the layers of leather making the watch. The clasp is a single-fold, highly polished mechanism with a Maltese cross logo on the inner section.

The straps can also be brown alligator leather accompanied by a pink-gold single-fold clasp. The spring bars that hold the Harmony in position are slightly curved. Despite the watch’s seemingly large size, this small (but innovative) feature makes it much more comfortable for the wearer.

Movement

The Patek Philippe Chronograph 5170G watch features an in-house movement (CH 29-535 PS caliber). The CH 29-535 PS caliber was an improvement of the previous movement technology on most Patek Philippe watches and features modern and better chronographic movements with a 65-hour power reserve.

The wheels have self-adjusting hammers, 33 jewels with 269 components, and a patented Patek Gyromax balance. This balance adjusts for isochronism, heat, and cold. All the levers inside the watch are satin-finished and fully visible. Every screw has been black-polished with its slot and circumference chamfered to a clean and neat edge. The watch makes 28,800 revolutions per hour.

Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 watch is a mono-pusher chronograph. You can make it stop, start, or reset using the same button (located at the crown position). The 3300 caliber movement is manually-wound with a spectacular finish seen through the back sapphire case back.
Underneath, the watch has 252 parts including 35 jewels enclosed in an engraved half-bridge balance structure with Breguet to help it keep time.

It has a column wheel lateral clutch mono-pusher featuring a brass polished Maltese cross. The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 watch has 65 hours of power reserve. The power spent is observed from the subdial at the 6 o’clock mark. It makes 21600 revolutions per hour. The screws are black polished, satin 8 steel levers with beveled, chamfered bridge edges, and mirrored glass on top.

The balance cock with golden Fleurisanne engraving is the only decorative highlight inside this watch. This gives the Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 watch an old vintage, yet impeccable look. A column wheel controls the chronograph functions, effectively eliminating the jerking of the watch’s seconds hand when you start the watch.

The cone-shaped gear between the crown and the winding pinion allows for the smooth winding of the watch. You still have to push it in or pull it out with some force. This design was and it prevents unwanted and accidental winding or unwinding by the slightest touch of the crown.

Water resistance

Neither The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 nor Patek Philippe Chronograph 5170G watch is designed for diving. Both have a 30m water resistance capacity. This gives the two watches decent exposure to rain, splashes, and shields against damage if they accidentally fall into the water. However, do not wear any of these watches when diving or swimming.

Extra features and information

Because of the highly intricate and complicated mechanisms of the two watches, it is recommended that any mechanical service or repair be done at the factory or designated repair centers. Patek Philippe Company encourages their clients to contact them when they want to service their watch. They have serviced their watches in-house or through regulated agents since the company’s inception.

When you have spent close to $100,000 on a timepiece, you will be hesitant to take it to a watch repair shop that opened recently around your block. These watches need to be handled by trained personnel with the tools and expertise to deal with such delicate pieces.

FAQs

Does Vacheron Constantin hold value?

The watches we have looked at here command more than $70,000 apiece. The price has not fluctuated since the watches debuted. Only 260 pieces of the Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph watches were manufactured and sold out. This makes it extremely difficult to access an original Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 watch (unless in the second-hand market). The rarity pushes the prices through the roof.

The Patek Philippe Chronograph 5170G-010 watch is also a rare watch and a beautiful piece to own. The older and rare a watch is, the higher the resale value. Watches from Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe companies hold their value well compared to watches from other luxury companies. Watch enthusiasts and collectors pay a premium to own these watches because they know they can flip them for a profit in the future.

Recap

As pioneers in the luxury watchmaking industry, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin companies have come a long way and have created legendary timepieces. Consistent innovations (such as the in-house CH 29-535 PS caliber for Patek Philippe and the mono-pusher chronographic mechanism of the Vacheron Harmony watch ), adaptation to technology, and great marketing have made watches from these companies irresistible to the avid watch collector.

The Patek Philippe 5710G-010 and the Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 are among the most popular luxury timepieces ever manufactured across every spectrum. The same goes for the Patek Philippe nautilus and the Vacheron Constantin Overseas watch. Whichever watch you buy, you are guaranteed to get value for money.

They are elegant and rare. Patek Philippe makes less than 50,000 watches per year and only 260 pieces of the Vacheron Harmony watch were manufactured to celebrate the company’s 260th anniversary. This keeps the value of these watches high and makes them perfect conversational pieces and possible investments with an almost guaranteed higher ROI.

Cartier Vs. Omega Watches (Value, Designs, Movements & More)

Mark Trenkler

November 30, 2022

You’ve narrowed down your choices. You have decided to purchase either an Omega or a Cartier wristwatch. You just need a little bit more information to push your decision across the finish line. In this article, we will explore the histories of two of the most recognizable watch brands in the world. On the way, we will compare a few models side by side and then answer some often-asked questions regarding the two watch powerhouses.

The Omega Watch Brand

Omega is a Swiss luxury timepiece counted amongst the ten most recognizable brands worldwide. Omega was founded in 1848 by Louis Brandt in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland. The watch company did not incorporate the “Omega” name until 1894 and even then it was known as a combination of Brandt and Omega.

In 1885 the “Labrador” caliber movement was created which had superb accuracy and significant technological advancements. This movement would become the basis for the 19-ligne Omega caliber that would revolutionize watchmaking roughly ten years later. Omega created the first-minute repeater for the wrist in 1892, and then the Omega brand was officially birthed with the 19-ligne movement.

The movement was very accurate and groundbreaking in that every component could be replaced without modification by any watchmaker in the world. It also boasted advancements in winding the watch, using a stem and crown.

The early 1900s found Omega making great inroads into the timing for sports events. In 1932, Omega set timekeeping precision records in all six trials at the Geneva Observatory. The Omega watches tested performed more accurately (through various conditions) than any other brand competing. They also prototyped the first automatic movement that used two weights.

Omega and the Olympic Games

In 1932, Omega was the first watchmaker to time an entire Olympic Games. This was done with their chronograph model and times were scored to 1/100th of a second. Another milestone was achieved in 1936 when Omega’s 477 mm. Caliber movement set a world precision record by scoring 97.8 points out of 100 at the Kew Observatory. The movement was 2.2 points away from perfection; this record stands to this day.

The mid-1900s saw Omega developing watches for military applications. These watches require a high level of water resistance, be extremely shockproof, and have to be highly antimagnetic. The company continued to make great strides in all of these areas. In 1947, the first Omega tourbillon was launched to great reception amongst the watchmaking community.

Unlike the conventional tourbillon movements where the cages rotated once every minute, the Omega rotated once every 7.5 minutes. This provided greater accuracy leading to the movement being recognized as the most accurate recorded timepiece in 1949. A great development in the area of sports timing was achieved with the creation of the “Magic Eye.”

This innovation was the use of photoelectric cells to capture the exact moment an athlete crossed the finish line tape. Since the elasticity of the tape was so poor, there were often inaccuracies in the final time recorded for any particular event. This innovation solved this problem.

1948 saw the introduction of the first Seamaster model and over the next ten years the Constellation, Deville, and the Ladymatic automatic women’s wristwatch were all introduced. Omega also created a professional line of watches which included the Speedmaster, the Seamaster 300, and the Railmaster.

The “Moon Watch”

Another iconic chapter in Omega’s history was the development of the “Moon” watch. This watch was launched in 1957. In 1962, it became the first watch in space when Wally Schirra wore it for the Mercury Mission on Oct. 3rd of that year. Nasa subsequently qualified the watch for manned missions in 1965, and astronaut Buzz Aldrin wore it when he walked on the moon on July 21, 1969. Thus Omega became known as “The First Watch on the Moon.”

In 1999, Omega released the first practical new watch escapement in 250 years. The co-axial escapement was a turning point in mechanical watchmaking. By using smaller contact surfaces the co-axial escapement produces less friction and requires less lubrication making it far more reliable than traditional movements.

2008 Omega created the Si14 balance spring to resist the ever-increasing threat of magnetic forces watch wearers encounter in today’s world. Named after its chemical symbol and the atomic number of silicon, the new spring significantly reduces deviation and improves chronometric stability. In 2013, the co-axial 8508 caliber movement was brought to market with a magnetic resistance of 15,000 gauss.

The creative use of antimagnetic materials in the movement meant that there was no need for a protective inner case paving the way to being able to incorporate additional features such as a date wheel and the watch could have a skeletal back. Rounding out this rich history was the development of an ultradeep wristwatch that is water-resistant to 6000 meters or approximately 20,000 feet.

Trademarked Specialty Alloys and Materials

Omega has garnered a high reputation in the development of trademarked materials incorporated into the parts used in their movements and for use in the manufacture of their cases and bracelets. Besides conventional materials such as 316L stainless steel, aluminum, 18-carat yellow, and white gold, ceramics, the highest quality diamonds, and mother of pearl, Omega has developed the following exclusive materials;

Liquid Metal- Since 2010, ceramics have been bonded with this alloy (composed of titanium, zirconium, and copper). The result is a material that is three times harder than steel and provides superior scratch resistance and stability offering new decoration possibilities.
Grade 2 Titanium- an alloy material that is light, corrosion resistant, biochemically inert, and able to withstand very high temperatures. Its dim gray color is used primarily in brushed finishes and is particularly effective in limiting light reflection.
Red Gold- A combination of 18-carat yellow gold, copper, and silver. The finished product is highly non-corrosive and biochemically inert.
Bronze Gold- a bronze alloy composed of 37.5% 9-carat gold, palladium, and silver. This alloy makes the bronze easy to wear on the skin. It offers corrosion resistance without oxidation and will age very slowly and maintain its natural patina over time.
Sedna Gold- Introduced in 2012 and is a combination of 18-carat yellow gold, copper, and palladium giving it its signature rose color. Highly resistant to fading.
Moonshine Gold- Created in 2019, the 18-carat yellow gold is combined with silver, copper, and palladium and is also highly resistant to fading. The trademarked name is inspired by the shining moonlight in a dark blue sky.
Canopus Gold- Developed in 2015 and comprised of 18-carat white gold, platinum, rhodium, and palladium. It is distinguished by its high brilliance, whiteness, and longevity. It is named after the bright star Canopus which is 71x bigger and 10,000x brighter than the sun. Because of its brilliance and position, it is a vital navigational and positional reference point.
Ceragold- The first product to allow the decoration of ceramic watch parts with 18-carat gold.
Meteorite- The use of lunar meteorites with irregular stone patterns that have been discovered here on earth.

METAS Certification

The major feature that distinguishes Omega watches from other brands is that each is a master chronometer. To achieve this classification, the movements are not just certified chronometers by the COSC (Swiss chronometer testing institute) for accuracy, but they are then put through more precision testing by METAS. METAS is the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology.

The movements are put through eight additional tests and must fall within certain parameters of accuracy. Whereas the COSC accepts results of -4/+6 seconds per day after the METAS tests the range is 0/+5, 0/+6, and 0/+7 seconds per day depending upon the caliber size of the movement.

The Omega watch line offers over 1000 models and has a starting retail price of approximately $2550.00. A basic “Rail Master” is about $4900.00, and a basic divers watch will run you about $5100.00. Women’s watches start at approximately $2550.00. There is great depth to the women’s selections with styles ranging from classic models to models adorned with diamonds and gemstones in solid gold.

There are four distinct subgroups within the collection: Seamaster, Speedmaster, Constellation, and Deville. These groups are also made up of subgroups of assorted styles with choices that most would find appealing. Omega has many notable inventions and patents which it has acquired during its history. The company created the first Master Chronometer Tourbillon and presently offers four models that range from $137,000.00 to over $700,000.00 retail.

These handcrafted watches come with either manual winding or self-winding movements and range in case size from 38.7 mm. to 44 mm. These models are inspired by the first tourbillon wristwatch caliber Omega created in 1947. Additionally, Omega has been a mainstay on the silver screen with its prominent positioning in the James Bond movies of the last three decades.

Its commitment to the sponsorship of world-class sporting events, commitment to philanthropy, and practicing preservation and environmentally friendly practices have contributed to its reputation and success. Omega offers a five-year warranty on all of its timepieces making it comparable to Rolex in this respect.

Cartier-Yesterday and Today

In 1847 Louis Francois Cartier took over the workshop from his employer at the time Adolphe Picard. Though France was in the throes of the French revolution, Cartier built his company and, in 1859, opened the first Cartier boutique. While Cartier is a recognized and successful watch company, they are probably better known for jewelry and other high-end fashion designs.

Cartier, unlike Omega, is not just a luxury Swiss watchmaker but a brand that has prospered as a powerful and recognized name, as evidenced in Forbes magazine, ranking Cartier as one of the top 100 brands in the world. The watches, as well as the jewelry collection, have benefited from each other’s design, innovation, and creativity.

In 1847, Louis’s son Alfred took over the business from his dad and moved the Cartier boutique to the prestigious jewelry district in Paris. Alfred’s three sons, Louis, Pierre, and Jacques, were involved with the family business. While Alfred worked in Paris, his brothers sought to expand the family name to both London and New York.

While in Paris, Louis continued to grow Cartier’s reputation by incorporating revolutionary ideas such as using platinum in jewelry making. It was during this period that Cartier’s “Mystery Clocks” were developed in partnership with watchmaker Maurice Couet featuring transparent dials with hidden mechanisms. Due to Louis’s jewelry creations, King Edward Vll dubbed Cartier “Jeweller of Kings, Kings of Jewellers.”

The Creation of the Santos

In 1904, Louis’s friend Brazilian pioneer aviator Alberto Santos Dumont commissioned him to create a watch he could wear on his wrist when piloting his dirigible. At the time pocket watches were the only choice and Dumont found using a pocket watch while needing to use both his hands to control his dirigible was difficult and near impossible.

From this request, the Santos watch was born. This was Cartier’s first men’s wristwatch and due to Dumont’s celebrity, became a must-have accessory for men. Its flat shape and unique square bezel were instantly recognizable and proved successful for Cartier.

1907 saw Cartier sign an exclusive contract with Edmond Jaeger to supply movements for the Cartier watch line. By 1920, the two entities formed a joint company that had Jaeger continue to provide movements for the collection. In addition, movements from Audemars Pequot, Vacheron Constantin, and Movado were also used.

The Tank Watch is Born

A visit to the western front in 1917 inspired the formulation of what is one of Cartier’s most iconic styles, the Tank. The Tank was introduced in 1918 and entered full production in 1919 when six pieces were built. Its lines and proportions are similar to those of tanks used on First World War battlefields. Its strap is integrated into vertical sidebars giving it the distinctive and most replicated shape.

Louis Cartier died in 1942 but the company continued to flourish under new leadership over the watch and jewelry sides of the business. Cartier continued creating new and timeless jewelry pieces as well as growing the distribution of its watch collection over the next forty years.

The Panther collection was introduced in 1983 with its signature bracelet design, and shortly thereafter the Pasha watch was brought to market. The Pasha was somewhat of a departure from previous case styles and sported a distinctive oversized crown.

The interesting back story whether true or not is that the Pasha got its name because The Pasha of Marrakech commissioned Cartier to create a watch that he could swim with The first Pasha supposedly was the culmination of this request in 1933, but somehow the design fell through the cracks and was forgotten only to be resurrected in 1985. True or not, definitely an interesting story. The Roadster was introduced in 2002 and brought another successful design to the watch market.

Becoming a Swiss Watchmaking Powerhouse

The past twenty years have seen Cartier go through a large-scale transformation. Up until 2000 Cartier’s women’s watch sales exceeded men’s models, particularly in the USA. The women’s timepieces are as much a piece of jewelry as a watch and are gorgeous pieces that any woman would proudly wear. The transformation was the purchase of a facility to be able to design and manufacture every component in every Cartier watch.

A complete vertical integration under one roof. With this came a fresh mandate to produce superb quality mechanical and automatic movements. As one executive has been quoted, “Our main philosophy is to be creative, rather than complex,” with that said Cartier has captured the attention of the watchmaking community with the watches they have created featuring a host of complications, signature materials, and technological innovation. Three such models are the following:

Ballon Bleu de Cartier (2007)
Concept ID Collection- The ID One was introduced in 2009 and the present version, the ID Two in 2012. The watch utilizes a completely air-tight ceramic case made of Cartier’s patented Ceramist. Because the case is airtight there is little friction on any of the moving parts within the movement. The movement is made of titanium and is so precise that it requires no lubricating oils. The watch is also completely antimagnetic due to its fiberglass mainspring and carbon crystal balance.
Drive de Cartier Flying Tourbillon.

To read an excellent article that goes into great depth about this transformation at Cartier. Since 2018, Cartier quartz models are outfitted with a high-autonomy quartz in-house movement. This movement is highly efficient and has an autonomy of 8 years.

This is twice the length of traditional quartz movements. Cartier resized and reworked the movement to reduce overall energy consumption. The new movement is combined with a new high-performance battery that is more water resistant and boasts a longer life. The new battery has 5% more capacity and discharges at half the rate of previous batteries.

The Cartier family controlled the company until 1964 when they sold the business. In 1872, a group of investors led by Robert Hocq purchased Cartier Paris and subsequently added Cartier London in 1974, and Cartier New York in 1976. It was during this period that Hocq coined the phrase “Le Must de Cartier.” When translated, becomes “Cartier, it’s a must”.

In other words, if you are a purveyor of luxury and taste then you must own a Cartier. The slogan has stuck and has become synonymous with the brand. Today, Cartier is owned by the vast conglomerate the Richemont Group which acquired it in 2012. One of Cartier’s most respected qualities is its commitment to giving back and its philanthropic endeavors. It is worth visiting the company website to review the many organizations that they partner with around the world.

Many countries in Africa, South America, and throughout the world have benefitted from Cartier’s generosity and desire to make a difference. Giving career and educational opportunities, and providing life-sustaining services to people who are considered “the least of these,” is the pinnacle of using their great success to give back and improve the human condition. Cartier is a classy brand with a big heart.

Cartier Tank vs. Omega Deville Prestige

The Cartier Tank is one of the most iconic watches in the brand’s treasury of timepieces. As mentioned the first Tank was created in 1919. Today’s model continues to be characterized by the original flat case design and distinctive crown topped with a synthetic or sapphire blue cabochon. The basic model in stainless steel strap is available in three sizes.

The smallest case measures 29.5 mm. X 22 mm. and is 6.6 mm. Thick. This is a women’s size case and comes in either a high autonomy quartz or a photovoltaic solar beat movement. The photovoltaic solar beat movement is a new innovation for Cartier. The movement receives light through the dial, particularly the Roman numerals feeding the photovoltaic cells.

It is estimated that the watch will last sixteen years before recommended servicing. Cartier wanted to introduce an elegant, easy-to-wear version of the Tank that needed minimal service and provided minimal environmental impact. Even the non-animal strap is made of scraps of apples grown for the food industry.
The Tank watch has a beaded crown with a synthetic cabochon-shaped spinel, silver dial, and blued steel hands.

The watch is water resistant to 30 meters and is completed with a black calfskin strap with a steel buckle on the high autonomy choice or a non-animal black, blue, or light green strap on the photovoltaic solar beat version. Each retails for approximately $2790.00. The next largest case selection measures 33.7 mm. X 25.5 mm. and also measures 6.6 mm. In thickness. All of the above attributes carry through as standard to the basic model and it is outfitted with a high autonomy quartz movement with a black leather strap.

The approximate retail price is $2930.00. The third Tank is the Large model and measures 41 mm. X 31 mm. and measures 6.6 mm. in height. This model varies from the others in that it has a mechanical automatic caliber 1847 MC movement and a calendar window at the 6 o’clock position. Approximate retail $4200.00 with a black calfskin strap with steel buckle. All three case sizes are also available with a stainless steel bracelet instead of a strap. The approximate retail prices of each model are as follows:

Tank Small – $3200.00
Tank Medium (referred to large on the website) – $3350.00
Tank Large – $4650.00

There are several other variations of the Cartier Tank available through the company in various dials, materials, and styles but I have limited my choice for comparison to the base model.

The Omega Deville Prestige is part of the Deville collection and numbers over 400 distinct models. There truly is something here for everyone to choose from. The basic Prestige Co-Axial Master Chronometer measures 40 mm. in diameter, 19 mm. between the lugs, and has a thickness of 9.9 mm. The case is made of stainless steel and is water resistant to 30 meters. The watch features a domed PVD dial with sun-brushed finishes. You may choose from five different dial colors:

Pine Green
Blue
Silver
Black with PVD SEDNA gold colored hands with alternating Roman numerals and cabochon indexes
Rhodium Gray with the same gold treatments available with the black dial

In addition, the outer edge of the dial features a railway minute track, enhancing the appearance of the dial, and a date window at the six o’clock position. The front sapphire crystal has been enhanced with anti-reflective treatment. There is a see-through crystal on the back of the case to view the beautiful movement.

At the heart of the watch is a Co-Axial caliber 8800 self-winding automatic movement. The movement features the Omega Co-Axial escapement, free-sprung balance with silicon balance spring, and auto winding capabilities in both directions.

The movement reflects rhodium-plated finishes with Geneve wave decorations. The movement vibrates at a frequency of 3.5 Hz and has a power reserve of 55 hours. The watch is also impervious to magnetic fields reaching 15,000 gauss.

The Deville Prestige will set you back about $4100.00. with an accompanying strap or $4400.00 with a stainless steel bracelet. Omega also offers a collection of women’s Deville Prestige models. They are available in a myriad of sizes. The basic model is available in a stainless steel case with a beautifully integrated steel bracelet. The watch has a diameter of 24.4 mm., a measurement between the lugs of 12 mm., and 6.6 mm. Thick.

It has a striking two-tone dial with Roman numerals at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 positions. A scratch-proof sapphire crystal protects the dial. The watch has an Omega caliber 1376 high precision quartz movement and the watch is water resistant to 30 meters.

The approximate retail price of this model is $2550.00. Along with the various choice in case sizes the women’s timepieces are available in steel and 18-carat gold, and all 18-carat yellow gold or red gold models with and without diamonds and options like mother-of-pearl dials.

Conclusion

In comparing the male models I would opt for the Omega on two counts. The number of features invested into the watch itself and secondly, its sleek and detailed dial and overall appearance. Don’t get me wrong, the Cartier Tank is a beautiful watch and after all, bears the Cartier name which carries its own special cache and sends a message of sophistication, but it is a simple and somewhat unexciting timepiece. At similar price points, either would make a great choice, but I would give the advantage to the Omega.

Omega Aqua Terra vs Cartier Santos

The Aqua Terra is part of the Omega Seamaster collection. These models are water resistant to 150m. (approximately 500 ft.). Cases are constructed of 316L stainless steel and available in either a 41mm. or a 38mm. case. They house a caliber 8900 self-winding (automatic) movement with a power reserve of 60 hours, a scratch-proof sapphire crystal, and a transparent case back. There is a date window at the six o’clock position.

The mechanical self-winding Omega caliber 8900 movements has a Co-Axial escapement, free-sprung balance with silicon balance spring, two barrels mounted in series, and automatic winding in both directions. It has a time zone function and the rotors and bridges reflect rhodium plating with Geneva wave finishes.

These watches are highly shock resistant and are tested with results that are equal to 5,000g (1g is equal to the force of gravity at the earth’s surface). Each Aqua Terra also benefits from the best antimagnetic resistant rating among all watches. Omega had set the new standard for this measure in a wristwatch. These watches are antimagnetic to fields reaching 15,000 gausses. A quick overview concerning this feature is as follows.

The International Standard (ISO769) defines basic magnetic resistance for watches as they must resist exposure to direct magnetic fields of 4,800 A/m (Amperes per meter). This is a minimal level and equivalent to about 60 gausses. Gauss is a measure of magnetic resistance that takes into consideration the magnetic permeability of the material being tested.

Technically, this is called magnetic flux density. The Aqua Terra is rated at 15,000 gausses (1.2 million A/m). To put that measure in perspective, it is the magnetic field given off by an MRI scanner. The Aqua Terra comes in an array of colors. Each is earmarked by a horizontal “teak pattern” fashioned after the decks found on luxury sailboats and yachts. The colors are as follows:

Silver with blackened hands and indexes filled with white Super-Luminova. There is an orange central seconds hand and the Seamaster wording is orange colored as well as the four-quarter markers on the minute track.
Green with a sun-brushed finish and rhodium-plated hands and indexes filled with white Super-Luminova.
Blue with rhodium-plated hands and indexes filled with white Super-Luminova.
Black with rhodium-plated hands and indexes filled with white Super-Luminova.
Gray with blued hands and indexes filled with white Super-Luminova.

The starting retail price for the Aqua Terra is $5400.00 for a strap model or $5700.00 for a model with a stainless steel bracelet. There are also several styles available for women starting at $5700.00.

The Cartier Santos Dumont is available as a base model in three sizes. The small case timepiece measures 38 mm. X 27.5 mm. and has a thickness of 7.3 mm. It is constructed of stainless steel and has a beaded crown set with a blue synthetic cabochon-shaped spinel. The dial is satin brushed silver with a sunray effect and features Roman numerals and blued steel hands.

A sapphire crystal protects the watch from scratches and it is water-resistant to 30 meters. It is powered by Cartier’s high-autonomy quartz movement. This model retails for approximately $3750.00. With a navy blue alligator strap with a steel buckle. The Large size Santos Dumont has a case measurement of 43.5 mm. X 31.4 mm. with a thickness of 7.3 mm.

It has all the same characteristics as the aforementioned, smaller, watch. This incarnation retails for approximately $4000.00. The extra-large Santos increases to a case size of 46.6 mm. X 33.9 mm. The watch is slightly thicker at 7.5 mm.

The one major difference is that this model has a hand-wound mechanical caliber 430 MC movement. All other features remain the same as the above models. The timepiece retails for about $6000.00

The Santos Dumont also comes in a completely stainless steel version. Here there are only two models to choose from. The medium-sized watch has a case width of 35.1 mm. and a height of 8.83 mm. The watch has a mechanical automatic caliber 1847 MC in-house movement and is water resistant to 100 meters. The crown is slightly different from the bracelet model.

The crown is seven-sided and set with a faceted synthetic spinel. The silvered opaline dial is accented with blued steel hands and black Roman numerals. A sapphire crystal protects the dial and the watch is completed with a rugged yet elegant stainless steel bracelet with a smart link adjustment system.

This watch will cost you approximately $6800.00. The large incarnation of this model measures 39.9 mm. overall and has a thickness of 9.38 mm. All technical aspects are the same as the medium-sized watch but will set you back around $7450.00.

Conclusion

I have personally come to a split decision concerning the better of the two models. I would own one of each if possible. Granted, the Santos Dumont in steel with a strap is not as exciting as perhaps one of the latest offerings in some of the rest of the collection, but for the price, there is a level of refinement and sophistication that makes this watch stand out.

It also is not a “sports watch” which would be a more applicable term applied to the Omega Aqua Terra. The Aqua Terra is a timepiece packed with features and ready for a trip to the office or a weekend of sports activities. It is also superior to the Santos in its water resistance. I believe each watch will appeal to a different potential client but both are worth a test drive at your watch store of choice.

FAQ’s

Is Omega better than Cartier?

With the advancements that Cartier has made in the past twenty years, bringing every aspect of the watchmaking process from conception to completion under one roof, I believe Cartier’s reputation as a watchmaker is well on its way to achieving greatness with the who’s who of the Swiss watchmaking community. Both are great brands with great histories of producing high-quality and innovative timepieces.

Do Cartier watches hold their value?

Over time a Cartier watch has the potential of depreciating less than other Swiss luxury brands. The Cartier name is so well regarded that there is always a secondary market for their watches.

Are Cartier watches worth the money?

This is a purely subjective determination you have to make. Given the labor and materials incorporated into many of the specialty or complicated watches, these are priced on par with similar highly sought-after luxury Swiss timepieces. There is much to be said about the craftsmanship and beauty of the Cartier collection coupled with its reputation for high fashion.

Does Omega have a better warranty?

Omega watches are warranted for five years. Cartier timepieces come with a two-year international warranty that may be extended to a total coverage of eight years if you register your purchase with “Cartier Care” and agree to certain caveats. The watch must be registered within the initial two years after the purchase period.

23 Best Minimalist Watches Without Numbers: A Focus on Design Over Function

William Boyd

October 15, 2022

Some of the most popular wristwatches have numbers on their dials. Most wristwatches and clocks have numbers for as long as you can remember. Some wristwatches do not come with numbers. Instead, you will find index markers on these timepieces.

But why would wristwatch brands decide not to use numbers in their designs? Not everyone loves numbers on their timepieces. Some people prefer the minimalist nature of their wristwatches. Hence, for more inclusiveness, some watch designers deliver minimalist timepieces for people that fancy them.

If you are a minimalist that loves watches without numbers, you are in the right place. Our article will consider the 22 best watches without numbers.

22 Outstanding Minimalist Watches to Consider in 2022

Without wasting any time further, we will look at the 22 most outstanding timepieces with minimalist designs in 2022. These wristwatches include

Mondaine Classic Swiss Railway
Bulova Classic 98A167 Ultra Thin Quartz
Muhle M1-40-72 Glashutte Panova
Stowa Antea Back to Bauhaus
Vacheron constantin Patrimony
Stowa Antea 1919
Junghans Max Bill 027/3701.04 Hand-Winding
A Lange & Sohne 201.026 Saxonia
Rolex Cellini 50509 Time
Bulgari Octo Finissimo
H. Moser & Cie Pioneer 3200-1214 Centre Seconds
Cartier Tank Louis
Grand Seiko SBGW259
JLC 397846J Reverse Tribute Small Seconds
IWC Purtugieser Automatic
JLC Master Ultra Thin
Zenith Elite
Glashutte Original Sixties
Rolex Oyster Perpetual
NOMOS Orion 301
Oris Art Blakey 01 733 7762 4081 Limited Edition
Meistersinger Nº 01

1. Mondaine Classic Swiss Railway

The Mondaine A66030314.16SBW Classic Swiss Railway is a unique timepiece for minimalists. This timepiece is legible, so you will not miss your way around the dial markings. Additionally, this classic collection has the purest form of minimalism with a simple, bold dial.

This timepiece spots the Quartz Rhonda 513 movement for efficiency. You can highly depend on this watch’s accuracy in time telling. Also, you can trust this watch’s dial window to remain unscathed since it has a mineral crystal window. The window protects the dial components from the external environment. Overall, this timepiece is one you must acquire.

Main Features

Case Size: 36mm
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Lug Width: 18mm
Bracelet Material: Silver-toned, stainless steel
Dial Window: Mineral
Display: Analog
Movement: Quartz Rhonda 513
Resistance: 30m
Reference: A660.30314.16SBW
Price: About $275

2. Bulova Classic 98A167 Ultra Thin Quartz

Another brand that has taken the initiative to create a watch without numbers is Bulova. As expected, Bulova makes an entire collection out of this minimalist design. One good thing about this watch is that you do not need tutorials on how to tell time on a watch without numbers. Once you own one, you can easily enjoy time-telling as though the wristwatch had numbers.

If you need quality, you cannot look past this wristwatch. The watch has a Quartz 9T22 movement that powers its accurate timekeeping. On top of that, you will find a mineral dial window protecting the dial and its elements. Overall, this timepiece fits the ideal minimalist’s mindset.

Main Features

Dial Color: Black
Bracelet: Black Leather
Reference: 98A167
Case Size: 40mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Water Resistance: 30m
Movement: Quartz 9T22
Dial Window: Mineral
Price: Around $187

3. Muhle M1-40-72 Glashutte Panova

If it’s not Muhle, it’s not classic enough. This brand always produces top-notch timepieces. It is not surprising that they have cheap minimalist watches you can patronize. One exciting thing about this model is that it is as rugged and minimalist as you would like.

Unlike other timepieces we have reviewed, this one has a water resistance rating of about 100m. Thus, you can use this wristwatch for light swimming activities and other water games. You cannot, however, use this wristwatch for deep diving. It is fair to say that this wristwatch is as good as they come considering its pricing. You can get this wristwatch for about $999.

Main Features

Dial Color: Dark Green
Display: Analog, Tri-hand
Case Diameter: 40mm
Lug-to-Lug: 47.5mm
Case Thickness: 10.4mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Movement: Automatic SW200-1
Crystal: Sapphire
Water Resistance: 100m
Price: About $999

4. Stowa Antea Back to Bauhaus

Stowa produces some of the best watches that tell time differently. The watches are products of Hartmut Esslinger, the inventor of the Apple design language and founder of the Frog Design. It is no surprise, then, why these timepieces have a certain level of elegance about them.

The watch also has several dial colors to allow for diversity. You can purchase either white, blue, black, green, pink, or brown dial-colored wristwatches. Also, the watch has a water resistance of 30m – 50m, depending on the type you pick. The sapphire crystal window also helps protect the wristwatch’s dial elements. Overall, this timepiece is one for those who love minimalist designs.

Main Features

Case Diameter: 35.5mm, 36.5mm, and 39mm
Case Thickness: 6.9mm to 9.2mm
Lug-to-Lug: 44.6mm to 47.8mm
Lug Width: 18mm and 20mm
Display: Analog
Movement: Manual or Automatic
Water Resistance Depth: 30m to 50m
Dial Window: Sapphire
Dial Color: Blue, White, Black, Green, Pink, or Brown
Price: About $1000

5. Vacheron Constantin Patrimony

This timepiece stands out when it comes to dressing watches. With its uniquely tailored design, the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony fits every outfit you wear. The dial has a white gold color with a uniquely designed pencil-style handset, which pleases the eyes.

With the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony, you enjoy a water resistance of 30m. Although this resistance depth is not enough for deep diving or serious water activity, it protects your watch from damage when it comes in contact with rain. Also, this timepiece has a manual VC 1400 movement that makes time-telling easier. Rest assured that the sapphire dial window will protect your wristwatch from external harm and absorb shock.

Main Features

Reference: 81180/000G-9117
Thickness: 6.79mm
Case Size: 40mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Water Resistance: 30m
Lug-to-Lug: 45.6mm
Movement: Manual VC 1400
Display: Analog, dual hand
Dial Window: Sapphire
Dial Color: White Gold
Price: About $18,100

6. Stowa Antea 1919

It is no mystery that Stowa’s Antea 1919 makes it to this list. Frankly, the timepiece has an elegant design that is hard to pass up when looking for minimalist watches. Interestingly, minimalist watch women and men can enjoy this timepiece since it has a somewhat unisex design.

Stowa allows you to choose between manual or automatic movement for your Antea 1919 wristwatch. The watch has a 39mm case size and a thickness of 8.2mm. Furthermore, the watch has a Lug-to-Lug of 47.80mm and a lug width of 20mm. Overall, this timepiece is a perfect choice for classic watch lovers.

Main Features

Reference: Antea 1919
Display: Tri-hand, Analog
Dial Color: White Matte
Dial Window: Sapphire
Case Size: 39mm
Case Thickness: 8.2mm
Lug-to-Lug: 47.80mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Water Resistance: 50m
Movement: Manual or Automatic
Price: About $800 to $900

7. Junghans Max Bill 027/3701.04 Hand-Winding

Dating back to 1861, this brand has become one of the best watchmakers in history. This Junghans timepiece speaks volumes about the brand. Interestingly, this brand has a minimalist design with bolder indexes and smaller numbers.

The watch features an ETA 2801-2 movement and has a Plexiglass dial window. The dial window protects the intricately designed dial from external forces. Also, this timepiece has a tri-hand analog display that matches the stainless steel watch case. Overall, everything about this timepiece speaks of class and style. If you love classics, this watch is one you must acquire.

Main Features

Reference: 027/3701.04
Dial Color: White
Display: Analog, Tri-hand
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Size: 34mm
Thickness: 9.0mm
Lug-to-Lug: 37mm
Lug Width: 18mm
Movement: ETA 2801-2
Water Resistance: 30m
Dial Window: Plexiglass
Strap: Leather, Brown
Price: About $795

8. Lange & Sohne 201.026 Saxonia

If you are a true watch lover, you must have heard of A Lange & Sohne. The brand produces some of the best luxury dress watches for its users. Priced at about $17,050, this timepiece is for small-wrist individuals with a case size of 35mm. The thickness is perfect at 7.3mm, and it has a lug width of 19mm.

Double indexes are at the three, six, nine, and twelve o’clock hour markers. The rest of the hour markers only have single indexes. Also, the wristwatch has a stainless steel case and a leather bracelet to improve your user experience.

Main Features

Reference: 201.026
Movement: Manual L941.1
Dial Color: White
Display: Analog, dual-hand
Water Resistance: 30m
Case Size: 35mm
Thickness: 7.3mm
Dial Window: Sapphire
Lug Width: 19mm
Strap: Black leather
Price: About $17,050

9. Rolex Cellini 50509 Time

This list wouldn’t be complete if we did not include the Rolex brand. Regarding moving units, you cannot ignore Rolex and its timepieces. Although Rolex is well known globally, some of its pieces, like this one, have not hit hard like others.

Rolex spares no expense on this watch. The wristwatch features an Auto Rolex 3132 movement with a sapphire crystal window to protect the dial elements beneath. If you need an elegant wristwatch to match your outfit, you must purchase the Rolex Cellini Time.

Main Features

Reference: 50509
Case Size: 39mm
Thickness: 11.2mm
Lug-to-Lug: 45.3mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Water Resistance: 30m
Movement: Auto Rolex 3132
Dial Color: White
Dial Material: Sapphire
Price: Around $15,200

10. Bulgari Octo Finissimo

Bulgari Octo Finissimo is a combination of minimalist and classic. If you are unsure whether you want a watch with no numbers or whether you don’t, you can go for this timepiece. The wristwatch has numbers at the six and twelve o’clock markers. Additionally, the watch has a mono-hand subdial at the seven o’clock marker.

With the Bulgari Octo Finissimo, you get a well-designed timepiece that tells time the way you want. Unlike the other timepieces we have reviewed, this one has an octagonal design. On top of that, this wristwatch once held the record for the thinnest automatic movement.

Bulgari uses titanium to make the bracelet, case, and dial of its Octo Finissimo. This watch is not only thin but also very light. Also, the timepieces’ movement is only 2.35mm thick and has a power reserve of 60 hours. The Bulgari Octo Finissimo has a frequency of 21,600vph.

Main Features

Reference: 102713
Case Size: 40mm
Thickness: 5.15mm
Water Resistance: 30m
Lug-to-Lug: 45.6mm
Movement: Auto BVL 138
Case Material: Titanium
Dial Window: Sapphire
Bracelet Material: Titanium
Price: About $13,900

11. H. Moser & Cie Pioneer 3200-1214 Centre Seconds

Watch lovers know how important this brand is in the Swiss watchmaker industry. H. Moser & Cie’s Pioneer Centre Seconds is one timepiece you cannot ignore. The watch fits individuals with big wrists since it has a case size of 42.8mm and a thickness of 14.2mm.

With this watch, you can enjoy swimming and other light water activities because it has a water resistance of 120m. While the design is beautiful, you will love the Automatic HMC 200 movement, which offers accuracy and precision. Also, the wristwatch has a sapphire crystal window to protect the delicate dial and its elements.

Main Features

Reference: 3200-1214
Price: About $12,900
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Size: 42.8m
Case Thickness: 14.2mm
Water Resistance Depth: 120m
Lug Width: 51mm
Movement: Automatic HMC 200
Dial Window: Sapphire
Display: Analog

12. Cartier Tank Louis

Price at about $12,400, the Cartier Tank Louis timepiece has a beautiful design that deserves recognition. The rectangular-shaped timepiece has a case size of 33.7mm by 25.5mm. Additionally, the wristwatch has a thickness of 6.6mm and a lug width of 18mm.

It is interesting to see how the Cartier Tank Louis dial places its markers. You will find Roman numerals lined up around the dial, with black-colored hour and minute hands in the middle of the dial. The watch also has a water resistance of 30m and uses a manual 8971MC movement. Also, the watch has a black leather bracelet that matches the dial design.

Main Features

Reference: WGTA0011
Display: Analog, Bi-hand
Case Dimension: 33.7mm x 25.5mm
Case Thickness: 6.6mm
Lug Width: 18mm
Movement: Manual 8971MC
Water Resistance: 30m
Price: About $12,400

13. Grand Seiko SBGW259

Grand Seiko is another popular name we must not ignore in this review. The brand has created something unique with its SBGW259 timepiece. The timepiece has a brilliant hard titanium case for a lightweight feel. Additionally, the watch has a symmetrical dial design, making it aesthetically pleasing.

The Grand Seiko SBGW259 has a case thickness of 10.9mm and a size of 38mm. Also, the watch features a lug-to-lug of 47mm and a water resistance of 30m. The watch also features a manual 9S64 movement and a sapphire crystal window. Overall, you will enjoy this minimalist design if you love multipurpose wristwatches.

Main Features

Reference: SBGW259
Price: About $8,000
Case Thickness: 10.9mm
Case Size: 38mm
Lug-to-Lug: 47mm
Movement: Manual 9S64
Water Resistance: 30m
Dial Window: Sapphire

14. JLC 397846J Reverse Tribute Small Seconds

The JLC 397846J Reverse Tribute Small Seconds is a timepiece for people with big wrists. The watch features a 45.6 x27.4mm case size and a thickness of 8.5mm. Also, the watch has a lug width of 20mm and a water resistance of 30m.

Patronize this watch if you want to enjoy manual movements at its best. The timepiece has a Manual 822/2 movement and a sapphire crystal window to protect the dial and its elements. Overall, this timepiece is worth it based on the design and pricing.

Main Features

Reference: 397846J
Case Diameter: 45.6mm x 27.4mm
Case Thickness: 8.5mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Movement: Manual 822/2
Water Resistance: 30m
Dial Window: Sapphire
Price: About $7,650

15. IWC Portugieser Automatic

The IWC Portugieser Automatic is an organized and symmetrical interpretation of reference 325 that made headlines in the 1930s. This timepiece only recently got introduced to the Portugieser collection for minimalists. IWC goes all out, flexing the horologic muscles of this watch. The Portugieser Automatic 40 is a superior horological dress watch designed for those with the sharpest eyes. This watch perfectly illustrates how good mainstream watch brands can do when they branch out.

Main Features

Case Size: 40mm
Case Height: 12mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Bracelet Material: Leather
Dial Window: Mineral
Display: Analog
Movement: IWC 82200
Resistance: 20m
Reference: IW358303
Price: About $5,218

16. JLC Master Ultra Thin

Jaeger LeCoultre Ultra Thin is one of the watches that come to mind when discussing the most elegant minimalist watches. The watch embeds a lot of style in a simple masterpiece design with an exquisite finish.

The Jaeger LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin is built around an in-house JLC caliber 925/1. Furthermore, the caliber delivers everything you’d expect from a high-end luxury watchmaker in technical terms. Made of 30 jewels, the watch movement is automatic and self-winding. The dial design is nothing short of perfection. The design is so good; it blends every complication and makes it one.

Main Features

Case Size: 39mm
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Leather
Display: Analog
Movement: Automatic, Self-Winding 925/1
Resistance: 50m
Price: About $10,000

17. Zenith Elite

Some watches are designed to take your breath away; Zenith Elite is one such watch. The minimal design is a timeless show of finesse and style that will catch any collector’s eye. Zenith Elite has very few models presently; however, nothing of class and style has many models.

The most noticeable feature of this watch is the lovely bronze dial that perfectly reflects a spotlight. The dial has a very fine grain sunray finish that radiates outward from the center of the dial. Also, the watch captures light rays perfectly and gives you that professional shine everywhere you go.

Main Features

Case Size: 41mm
Case Material: 18kt rose gold, Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Leather strap
Display: Analog
Movement: El Primero caliber 4069
Resistance: Enough for light poolside swimming
Reference: A660.30314.16SBW
Price: About $5122

18. Glashutte Original Sixties

The Glashutte Original Sixties has always been an annual watch collection enthusiasts looked forward to. Since the collection’s release in 2018, the watch has won the hearts of watch collectors worldwide. From the extravagant green in 2018 to the orange/red in 2019, the watch collection brings a new edge to the watch-making industry. The 2020 model of the collection brings a sublime elegance to the collection with a cool glacier blue. The coloring gives the collection a profound and impressive appearance.

Main Features of The 2020 Annual Edition

Case Size: 39mm
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Display: Analog
Movement: 39-52 automatic movement
Power Reserve: 40 hours
Frequency: 28,800vph
Resistance: 30m
Reference: 1-39-52-14-02-04
Price: About $10,500

19. Rolex Oyster Perpetual

Rolex is always a wonderful addition to the timepiece world. The Oyster Perpetual isn’t the most expensive of the Rolex collection but is quite formidable. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is a simple, sleek Rolex that comes with a smell of elegance. The Oyster Perpetual comes with a clean stainless-steel case that is incredibly beautiful. Rolex Oyster Perpetual is one of the most wearable watches from Rolex.

Main Features

Case Size: 36mm
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Lug Width: 20mm
Bracelet Material: Stainless steel
Display: Analog
Movement: Calibre 3230
Resistance: 300m
Reference: 124300
Price: About $5100

20. NOMOS Orion 301

Another outstanding timepiece with a fair price is the NOMOS Orion. If you love pieces with sentimental value, you will love this watch. The watch uses an Alpha Manual Caliber and complements it with a lovely white dial. Also, the watch has a symmetrical design with a tri-hand analog display.

Small-wrist individuals have something to look forward to when they purchase this timepiece. The design is so sleek that it allows you to wear it for long periods without discomfort. If you love your timepieces, classic yet simple, you must go for this watch.

Main Features

Reference: 301
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Size: 35mm
Thickness: 7.9mm
Lug-to-Lug: 44.8mm
Lug Width: 18mm
Water Resistance: 30m
Movement: NOMOS Alpha Manual
Dial Color: White
Dial Window: Sapphire
Price: About $2,020

21. Oris Art Blakely 01 733 7762 4081 Limited Edition

The Oris brand is one with a massive history. One interesting thing about this timepiece is how the brand arranges the indices on the dial. Although you might find it quite difficult to tell time as a newbie, minimalist lovers will enjoy everything about the design.

The watch has a 38mm case size and a thickness of 11.4mm. You will also find a lug width of 20mm and a lug-to-lug of 44mm. Also, this timepiece has an Auto SW 200-1 movement and a sapphire crystal window. Thus, you will enjoy pure.

Main Features

Reference: 01 733 7762 4081
Case Size: 38mm
Thickness: 11.4mm
Lug-to-Lug: 44mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Movement: Auto SW 200-1
Water Resistance: 30m

22. Meistersinger Nº 01

This timepiece is a classic one you cannot pass by. The first thing you will notice is that this wristwatch only has a single-hand function in contrast to the double and tri-hand displays we have reviewed. Additionally, the watch has a cream dial and a Manual 210 movement to complement its beautiful aesthetics.

The wristwatch features a water resistance of 50m and a case size of 40mm. Thus, people with moderate wrist sizes can use this timepiece. This watch is fairly priced at about $2,000 compared to other wristwatches we have reviewed.

Main Features

Reference: DM303
Case Size: 40m
Case Thickness: 11.5mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Movement: Manual SW210
Price: About $2,000

23. Baume & Mercier Classima 10780

If you’re looking for simplicity and style, the Classima series from Baume & Mercier is a good way to go. I’ve always been a fan of their approach to luxury and style, and this one fits the bill nicely.

On the surface, you can tell the design of the watch is inspired by fabric yet comes with a durable feel to the touch. At first, I wasn’t really sure about the watch by looks alone. Once I put it on, it didn’t take long before I was sold on its quality.

You get a quartz-powered movement with 5 years of reliable performance. My favorite feature of the watch is the deep blue dial. It really pops from its surroundings and looks great with many different kinds of straps.

It also looks more than professional enough for business casual, in addition to changing streetwear styles. If you’re looking to grab one for yourself, the Classima 10780 can be found retailing at $1,500.

Main Features

Reference: 10780
Case Size: 42m
Case Thickness: 6.0mm
Dial: Sun satin-finished blue
Movement: Quartz
Price: $1,500

Buying Guide

Minimalist wristwatches are quite different from conventional timepieces you find on the market. Hence, picking the best minimalist wristwatch that fits your perspective gets quite stressful. We have outlined a few things to help you pick the best minimalist wristwatch.

Wrist Size

The first thing you must consider before purchasing a minimalist watch is the case size. You must first check your wrist size to know if you have a small, moderate, or big wrist. Ensure to stick with watches that are for your wrist size. Wearing too big or too small wristwatches may make them seem out of place on your wrist.

Pricing

Another essential factor you must consider is the price. You must compare the watch and its offerings to the price. If the watch is not worth the price, you can look for another watch with excellent features and an affordable price. Ensure you do not buy a watch because it comes from a renowned brand. First, ensure that the watch has the features you desire.

Design

Minimalist wristwatches have different designs. It would be best to pick a design that makes you feel comfortable. Always ensure that the design is legible enough to allow you to tell time properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to tell time on a watch without numbers

Telling time on a watch without numbers is the same as telling time on a watch with numbers. Since we already know the position of the hour markers, it is quite easy to tell time on a numberless watch. The indices replace the numbers. Hence, you can use their positioning to tell time. If you have issues with telling time on a watch without numbers, it would be best to get a watch with numbers or obtain another less complicated design to help you tell the time properly.

What is a minimalist watch?

A minimalist watch has a simplified design. Such watches strip off the complicated features of complex wristwatches. Consequently, you will only find the basic features needed for time-telling.

How many watches should a minimalist have?

There is no particular number of watches a minimalist can have. You can have as many watches as you desire, provided you can afford them all. However, ensure that you do not use all your funds on watches.

Is there a watch that doesn’t tell time?

Yes. Some wristwatches do not tell time. Examples are the rubber ducky watches, the Haldimann H9 Reduction, and the rosin Jerome’s Day and Night Tourbillon.

Are there any Watches with no Letters or Numbers?

Of course. You can find several timepieces without letters or numbers in them. Instead, you will find indices in the place of letters or numbers. We have included some of these watches in our review. You can find examples by reading our review again.

Why don’t luxury watches have numbers?

Not all luxury watches don’t have numbers. The type of luxury watch you pick determines whether or not it will have numbers. You can also find luxury watches with numbers. Hence, you must pick those with numbers if that is what you desire.

What are watches without numbers called?

There is no particular name for watches without numbers. However, you can call it an analog watch since it is not digital. All digital watches have numbers on them.

ETA 2824 vs. 2836 Caliber SHOOTOUT (Comparing All Aspects)

William Boyd

September 24, 2022

The ETA 2824 and 2836 are two of the most popular watch movements in the watch-making industry. Did you know? Swiss ETA movements are the most popular watch movements in the world. Countless luxury and mid-range Swiss brands rely on this powerhouse’s movements to run their timepieces.

That’s how powerful and popular this Swiss brand is becoming. ETA calibers are durable, reliable, and easy to produce, making them ideal for mass production. In some cases, ETA movements have outperformed in-house calibers. For this reason, with its reliability, ETA is a top choice for most timepiece makers. ETA is also a top choice because it is easy to modify its products.

The ETA is an easy pick as one of the iconic automatic calibers of all time. Watchmakers around the world base their timepieces on ETA calibers. Since ETA produces movements in various grades, brands have numerous options.

You probably heard of ETA, Estimated Time of Arrival. The Swiss brand ETA has been around for more than 150 years. Hence its dominance in the watch-making industry. It is of little surprise the brand is the powerhouse it is today.

The brand’s origins date back to 1793, and very few brands can boast of being around for that long. All through the 20th century, the company has exchanged hands through various earners through mergers. But that hasn’t lost its touch in the caliber-making industry.

What’s the Difference Between the ETA 2836-2 and 2824-2?

Both movements are very similar as the ETA 2836-2 is an advancement of the ETA 2824-2. The two movements have a similar diameter of 25.6mm. The main difference between these two movements is that 2836 holds a day-date calendar complication while 2824 houses only the date complication. That stands to be the major difference between these two movements.

The frequency is also similar; time with central seconds, date with a corrector, and time stop are all the same. The chronometer grade for both movements is also the same. However, the ETA 2824-2 is the most popular among the two.

ETA 2836 Movement Review

The ETA 2836 is a caliber movement whose design is based on the ETA 2824. The ETA 2836 not only has a date function but also features a weekday indicator which 2824 doesn’t have. The most recent version of the 2836 houses a stop second device, and the movement can be upgraded to a GMT caliber with a second-time zone.

The ETA 2824 doesn’t feature a date display, creating 2836 to compensate for that. Most watches have groves for the date display; 2824 couldn’t deliver on that front. To keep up with the changing dynamics of the watch industry, the Swiss movement company released a more capable caliber.

However, some watches house the 2836-2 even though their dials don’t permit a weekday display. Watches like the Mildo Baroncelli and Chronometer Jubile fall under this category. The ETA 2836-2 allows for a quick adjustment of the day and date. Pulling the pin one click allows you to turn the crown counterclockwise to advance the day of the week.

Pulling the pin two clicks allows for time setting with hacking seconds. Point to note, to avoid damaging the movement. It is advised you don’t attempt to set the date when the hands are between 9 pm and 3 am. It takes a minimum of 27 winds of the crown to wind the ETA 2836-2 fully; converting that to hours would take a total of 38 hours. As of 2021, the official ETA website claims that this movement has a typical power reserve of 42 hours.

The ETA 2836-2 is popular among high-end luxury watches. Getting this movement from ETA is almost impossible as these movements are created and shipped to major watchmakers. However, if you want to replace a damaged part, you can get other replacements, just not from ETA.

Some such watches are the Swiss Legend Abyssos dive watch. The watch houses 25 jewels and comes with an Incabloc Novodiac shock absorber. You can also find the 2836-2 in a BALL Cleveland Express that also comes with an Incabloc shock absorber.

Is the ETA 2824 a Good Movement?

The timepiece-making community knows the ETA 2824 as an absolute workhorse. The movement is the first movement any watch collector should be familiar with. The ETA 2824-2 is an unusual movement and, if regulated correctly, can go head to head with the best movements in the world.

The 2824-2 was released decades ago, as far back as 1982. It is a second-generation Swiss automatic movement. The watch movement was designed years ago, but it still dominates every other watch movement in the industry. The design of the ETA 2824-2 is based on Eterna’s 1427 caliber.

The 2824-2 is a caliber with fairly standard dimensions. The movement provides a watch with its well-tuned central hours, minutes, and second functions. You can find the date complication in varying areas of the dial. The region of the date complication depends on where the window groove is located.

The ETA 2824-2 is equipped with an Etachron regulator that assists the movement to attain a beat frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The Swiss caliber utilizes a ball bearing rotor which allows the movement to rotate bidirectionally. This freedom in movement creates more energy for the caliber’s power reserve. And as such, when the ETA 2824-2 is fully wound, the movement can stay functional for up to 38 hours. The caliber comes with hacking sounds and manual winding, but you shouldn’t be inclined to use it since it is a self-winding caliber.

Like most famous ETA calibers, the ETA 2824-2 comes in different grades. The ETA 2824-2 comes in Standard, Elaborated, Top, and Chronometer. The Incabloc anti-shock system, which consists of 25 jewels, keeps the components of the ETA 2824-2 in place while reducing wear and tear.

The Standard grade has two adjustments and uses an anti-magnetic nickel-plated balance wheel. The ETA version also has a Nivarox hairspring and a Novodiac anti-shock system that houses 25 polyruby jewels. The Standard variant of the ETA 2824-2 has a precision rate of +/-12 to 13 seconds per day. The other grade, “Top,” allows for adjustments from five different positions.

The chronometer grade variant is similar to the Top grade in terms of components. It uses a Glucydur balance wheel, an Anachron hairspring, and an Incabloc anti-shock device. The movement comes with red rubies that serve as its pallet jewels.

The Top grade allows for an accuracy of +/- 4 to 15 seconds per day. However, the chronometer grade features precision and reliability that matches the standards of the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. The differences between these grades are the quality of the barrel spring, the balance wheel, its shock resistance capabilities, and pallet stones.

ETA 2824-2 and Its Clones

The ETA 2824-2 had an impressive run, but in 2003, the caliber’s design rights expired, and production ceased. Various companies developed clones to fill the gap left by the ETA 2824-2. The most popular of these clones is the Sellita SW200, considered the most prominent rival to the ETA 2824-2. However, you can still find watches with these movements.

Both movements are very similar in appearance. This similarity doesn’t mean that both movements are the same. The main difference between both movements is the design of their rotors and the number of jewels each movement has. The ETA 2824-2 contains 25 jewels, while the Sellita SW200 has 26.

Regarding working principles, both the ETA and Sellita have the same accuracy rates across all the varying grades. ETA 2824-2 also has other cones, including but not limited to Seagull ST21, the Hangzhou 6300, the STP-11, and the Valanvron VAL-24. Each clone produces a movement that is comparable to the ETA 2824-2

Who Makes the ETA 2824 Movement?

ETA SA, a Swiss movement manufacturer, has been developing and producing calibers for the timepiece industry since the 1790s. The company is focused on creating reliable and quality-assured products. The brand’s early venture into caliber production gave it an amazing edge over all other companies. The expertise gathered across centuries is the key fuel that made it one of the world’s largest manufacturers of watches and watch movements.

Every quartz and mechanical movement is created with world-class expertise. If you are wearing a luxurious watch that doesn’t have an in-house movement, chances are you are wearing an ETA product. Some brands even modify ETA products to suit their timepieces, which increases the chances even more. ETA mostly produces its movements for other brands as their in-house watches are quartz timepieces, not mechanical watches.

ETA has grown over the years to become one of the most prolific movement companies in the world. The brand owns a monopoly on the movement industry and has been this way for more than a century. This dominance sparked inquiries and investigations into the company’s mode of operation. The brand has been subject to numerous conspiracy theories that led to countless investigations by multiple governments.

No investigation, however, has produced any fruit so far. Most of the movements produced by ETA are used in mechanical and automatic watches. Despite the mass production of these movements, only high-end luxurious watch brands can afford to use one of these movements in their timepieces. These movements’ quality is considered too exceptional for anything less.

Thus, their sole control of the movement sector of the watch industry. Unfortunately, watch experts have widely scrutinized ETA for its mass production. The reason for this scrutiny is they believe that anything that is mass produced lacks quality and creativity. Most watch horologists prefer wearing watches that utilize in-house movements created by their manufacturers.

Some die-hard enthusiasts don’t value high-end luxury watches that use the ETA movement instead of creating their own. However, this is the opinion of a small section of enthusiasts. Many enthusiasts believe ETA watch movements are more reliable than newer movements produced by smaller or less experienced watchmakers. Chances are that they may not have an experienced quality control department.

Hence, many uneven edges slip through the cracks, leading to incorrect timing. Furthermore, many of these newer companies are in trial and error stages. Most enthusiasts prefer a company with a track record of accuracy and reliability whose products stand the test of time. And ETA fits the bill perfectly. As it stands, ETA won’t be going out of business soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section is dedicated to questions you may have after reading this article. The questions reflected in this article are the most common.

Why is ETA so popular?

ETA is one of the all-time greats in the movement-making industry. The company has produced some of the most iconic movements the world has ever seen. A few of the brand’s creations, like 2824, 2892, and 7750, are the most iconic of all movements.

However, the ETA 2824 is on another level. No brand has been close to beating ETA in the caliber game for centuries. The brand has been around for a very long time and has total control of the movement faction.

Which is the most popular movement from ETA

The ETA 2824 is known as a workhorse because the movement is everything you want in a top-notch caliber. It is accurate, reliable, and durable. The easy design makes the movement ideal for luxury watches that want to tinker around with it to suit the watch model. Most high-end luxury brands utilize this movement because it is an absolute beast.

Why has ETA 2824-2 been Replaced by ETA 2836-2

The ETA 2824 bests 2836, no doubt about that. However, the workhorse is gradually getting replaced by 2836. The ETA 2836 was created to compensate for the weekday feature 2824, which was missing.

That is the major difference between these two movements. In terms of working principles and quality, they are both similar. 2836 is a page right out of 2824’s design. Both movements are highly accurate and very reliable. It is of little wonder most Swiss luxury brands rush for these movements.

Conclusion: Which ETA movement is best?

Among ETA’s vast collection of movements, three movements stand out from the rest. 2824, 2892, and 7750 are the best movements produced by ETA and are widely accepted as the best. However, out of these three, the ETA 2824 is regarded as the best of the best from this brand. The movement is so iconic that it has been dubbed “the workhorse.”

The movement is highly valued for its reliability, accuracy, and durability. It is truly ETA’s prized jewel and comes with a 38-hour power reserve. High-end luxury watches like Tudor and Breitling make use of this iconic movement. At first glance, the ETA 2892 is quite similar to 2824. However, it has a thinner structure, making it more suited for chronograph models.

The ETAn2824 may be the brand’s workhorse, but the most famous movement from ETA is the 7750 Valjoux automatic chronograph movement. The 7750 Valjoux is a movement that uses a three-plane cam system instead of an intricate column wheel. IWC and Omega are the two luxury brands that often have this movement in their watches.

The movement is easily mass-produced and ideal for most mechanical chronographs. In some light, the movement is more creative, customized, and unique. But that doesn’t necessarily mean these movements are better. Some watch enthusiasts argue that the best watches are from brands that produce everything, including the movement in-house. As a result, the 7750 Valjoux is a unique design that fits chronographs because it is a superior option to the otherwise traditional movements.

Movements produced in-house don’t have the same quality control a mass-produced movement will. Many industry veterans attest to the performance of ETA movements worldwide. Regardless of your opinion, these movements are some of the best in the world. A movement is the heart of any watch, and ETA is widely accepted as the beat at the core of the Swiss luxury watch industry.

ETA is not just Switzerland’s largest movement maker; the company has also played a major part in shaping the movement sector and making it what it is today. Recent years have come with many stigmas placed on the brand and any watch that uses the brand’s movement. However, ETA is indispensable. No brand is yet to best ETA in movement creation and production.

It doesn’t go without saying that the Swiss watch-making industry wouldn’t be the luxurious brand we know today without the involvement of ETA. Many brands modify ETA designs to suit their requirements. Designing, developing, and manufacturing a watch movement is too expensive and time-consuming for watch brands to attempt, hence the dependence on ETA. On the other hand, modifying an ETA series is much more economical for watch-making companies.

How Many Watches Should a Man Own? [Let’s BUILD Your Collection!]

William Boyd

August 20, 2022

People wear watches to quickly tell the time or date and ensure they aren’t late for important meetings, appointments, meet friends, or call it a night.

Watches are also a fashionable and functional staple in any jewelry collection, and a great timepiece serves many functions.

It tells more than time and reflects a wearer’s style and interests, is part of specific milestones, tells an exciting story, and becomes a cherished heirloom.

The question remains, how many watches should a man own? With brands continuously pushing the pace for unique styles, finding the perfect watch to wear can be challenging and intimidating because of the variety of options available.

Our Top 3 Picks

Longines

The Master Collection Silver Dial 42mm L2.893.5.97.7

Stainless steel and 18 karat yellow gold cap 200
Automatic
42mm

View this Watch

Glashütte Original

Senator Automatic 1-39-59-01-02-04

Stainless Steel
Automatic
40mm

View this Watch

Omega

Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Blue 215.30.44.21.03.001

Steel
Automatic
43.5mm

View this Watch

How many watches should a man own?

An average man needs at least three types of watches because not only does a watch tell time, but it is a valuable piece of accessories too.

A man should have a dress, diving, and casual everyday watch. It is also good to have a tool watch for hobbyists, aside from the casual watch that is good for daily wear.

How many watches should you have in a collection?

An iconic watch can stop anyone in their tracks. Every collector is looking for the perfect companion, from classics to modern timekeeping marvels.

Whether it’s a timeless design, fine craftsmanship, premium materials, or incredible technology there are many things to consider when purchasing a watch.

Whether you beginning a collection, investing in your second or third watch or adding to an already impressive collection, selecting the right luxury watch is a milestone in life.

Although it tells time, it stands outside time and space to represent milestones in life forever.

There is no ironclad golden rule to collecting watches. The beginning of a robust collection relies on passion! Each watch aficionado will vary from the next. With many designs, brands, and functions available, you should be open-minded! You could start by picking a general area, lifestyle, and interests. Other ideas include themes, eras, periods, and materials.

If you like collecting vintage things, you should consider starting with modern watches first.

Many risks include finding Frankenwatches, which are primarily legit but have aftermarket hands.

At some point over its lifespan, someone unknowingly replaced a piece with one that would have never gone on the original watch.

Dress Watches

Everyman will eventually attend a formal gathering such as a party, business meeting, wedding, etc.

However, dress watches are versatile and aren’t limited to formal events, upscale dinners, and theatre.

Regardless of attire, it will complement it by adding a touch of class to it. Standard dress watches have a slim case and a slim dial.

Most are relatively thin, simplistic, and classy. The dial shouldn’t be too loud and has an appeal of its own. Typically paired with leather straps, but you may also wear a steel band occasionally.

When selecting a dress watch, you must appropriately proportion it to your wrist. A leather-banded watch to match your outfit should have a band that is the same color as your belt or shoes.

You’re looking for an elegant timepiece that isn’t gaudy but looks classy when those around you inevitably spot it. The detailing matters, including the choice of metal used in the case and fitted bracelet.

Here are a few hallmarks of the style:

Stainless steel or precious metal case
Diameter is typically smaller, from 34mm to 40mm max
Simple dial with indices, hour, minute, and second hand
Linear, fixed bezels
Most have leather bands though a metal link bracelet works too
Push-in crowns are more than sufficient
Light usage or no luminous paste
Hands are usually thin and elegant
They are flat or ultra-thin and have 10mm limit.
Smaller, sleeker, slimmer elongated lugs
Sober and elegant design with few elements distributed on the dial

Our recommendations

The Longines Master Collection Black Dial 42mm – Approx $2,575.00

The Longines Master Collection Black Dial 42mm It comes with a hand-stitched alligator strap with an 18k red gold pin buckle

42mm stainless steel case with sapphire crystal covers the black “barleycorn” guilloche pattern dial with contrasting silver Roman numerals and handset.

The moon phase display and date are at 6 o’clock. The exhibition case back displays the Caliber L899 that beats at 25’200 vibrations per hour with a power reserve of 72 hours.

It comes with an alligator bracelet strap, a triple safety folding clasp, and a push-piece opening mechanism.
It has 30m of water resistance.

Glashutte Original Senator Automatic 39-59-01-02-04 – Approx $6,300.00

40mm stainless steel case with anti-reflective sapphire crystal that covers a silver dial with contrasting blue handset and black Roman numerals.

An exhibition case back displays the hand-crafted automatic 39-59 caliber beats at 28,800 vph and has a 40-hour power reserve.

It has a 50m water resistance
It comes with an alligator strap with a logo-engraved pin buckle

H. Moser & Cie Endeavour Centre Seconds Fume Dial – Approx $21,900.00

40mm 18k red gold case with sapphire crystal that covers a fume dial with sunburst pattern with gradient color effect with contrasting silver hands.

An exhibition case back displays in-house automatic hmc 200 caliber beats at 21,600 vph and has a 72-hour power reserve.

It has a 30m water resistance.
It comes with a hand-stitched alligator strap with an 18k red gold pin buckle

Nomos Glashutte Orion Anthrazit – Approx $2,360.00

35mm stainless steel case with sapphire crystal that covers a galvanized almost black dial with polished, rhodium-plated silver-tone hands, small seconds sub-dial, and diamond-polished white galvanized anthracite stamped indexes.

An exhibition tripartite domed sapphire case back displays the manual 945 Alpha NOMOs caliber that beats 21,600 vph and has a 43-hour power reserve.

It has a 30m water resistance
It comes with an Horween Genuine Shell Cordovan black lug with a tang buckle

Diving watches

A popular style for men’s watches because they are exceptionally well made, rugged, masculine, and have utility.

They are versatile, sporty, comfortable, and a statement piece that commands compliments and respect.

Dive watches with a steel link bracelet; it’s the right balance between a dress watch and casual. It’s an excellent match for a more relaxed office dress code.

ISO 6425 Standard Characteristics include:

Legibility at a distance of 25cm in the dark
The hour and minute hands are distinguishable
Magnetic resistance
Shock resistance
Resistance to salt water
Strong strap or bracelet
Condensation test
Marked specifically for diving

Common features include:

High durability
Luminescent hands and indices
Rotating decent bezel
Stainless steel or titanium
40-46mm
Nylon, silicone, or stainless link bracelet
Pronounced hands and chapter ring markers
Screw-in crown

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Blue 215.30.44.21.03.001 – approx. $6,550.00

43.5mm stainless steel case with domed anti-reflective treatment sapphire crystal covers the blue dial, contrasting luminous indexes, and silver hands.

On top is a blue ceramic unidirectional bezel with an OMEGA Liquidmetal diving scale. The screw-in exhibition case back displays the Omega Master Chronometer self-winding 8900 caliber, which is resistant to magnetic fields reaching 15,000 gausses, beats 25,200 vph, and has 60 hours of power reserve.

It has 600m water resistance and a helium escape valve
It comes with a steel bracelet strap with a folding clasp

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 6000m Ultra Deep Blue Dial 45.5mm on bracelet – Approx. $11,600.00

45mm O-MEGASTEEL case with protuberant and domed anti-reflective treated sapphire crystal covers a lacquered blue gradient dial and contrasting 18k white gold hands and hour markers coated with white super-luminova.

A black ceramic bezel with a liquid metal diving scale sits on top. The alveol screw-in exhibition case back displays the Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer automatic Caliber 8912 that beats at 25,200 vph, resistant to 15,000 gausses, and has 60 hours of power reserve.

It meets ISO 6425:2018 standards
It has 600m water resistance
It comes with an O-MEGASTEEL bracelet with Omega’s patented extendable fold-over rack-and-pusher with complementary length adjustment and an extra diver extension folding clasp

Seiko Prospex SLA041 The 1975 Professional Diver’s 600M Re-creation – Approx. $4,500.00

52.4mm titanium with an ever-brilliant steel case, solid case back, screw-down crown, and sapphire crystal that covers the blue-grey dial lumibrite hands and dial markers and date aperture at 3 o’clock.

The unidirectional bezel is made from Ever-Brilliant Steel and has a white hue. The solid case back houses the automatic 10-beat 8L35 caliber that beats at 28,800 vph and has 50 hours of power reserve.

It meets ISO 6425:2018 standards
It has a 1,000m water resistance
It comes with an accordion-style strap Blue silicone strap

Ball Engineer Master II Diver Chronometer Classic Blue Rainbow on Bracelet – Approx. $2,599.00

42mm stainless steel case with sapphire crystal that covers a blue dial with contrasting hand, dial markers, and bi-directional rotating internal diving bezel with 36 micro-gas tubes for night readability and a magnified date aperture at 3 o’clock.

It has an automatic caliber Ball RR1101-C that beats at 28,800 vph and has a power reserve of 42 hours.

BALL’s patented Amortiser system absorbs energy created by external shocks and ensures every component stays intact in case of harsh impact.

It has 300m water resistance, 1,000 gauss anti-magnetic protection, and 5,000Gs of shock resistance
It comes with a stainless steel bracelet with a folding buckle or rubber strap with a pin buckle
Limited edition 1,000 pieces

Everyday watches

An everyday watch should reflect your lifestyle, career, and personal style. It also can be dressed up or down by swapping a perfect bracelet for a good strap and vice versa.

Men’s everyday watches are for jeans, a t-shirt, or meeting with clients. They are stylish and pose but aren’t attention-grabbing.

Versatility – looks excellent with various clothing options and other bracelets and straps. Stylish in all situations
Durable case material
Robustness and reliability are integral factors. A case material that withstands external challenges and is resistant to the elements and corrosion is crucial

Easy to wear a timepiece that’ll match almost all your outfits and be suitable for all your daily activities. It’s not over the top, never outrageous or sloppy. With the right blend of style, versatility, and quality, it’s not trendy and has a timeless design. Mostly subjective because it depends on one’s lifestyle, taste, wrist size, and budget.

Junghans Meister Mega 058/7800.00 – approx. $1,200.00

38.4mm rose gold pvd coated stainless steel with hard convex plexiglass coating for enhanced scratch resistance crystal covers a clean matt silver dial, contrasting rose gold indices and hands, and date aperture at 3 o’clock.

The hands are luminous for increased visibility. It has an in-house J101.65 with a 32.768 Hz frequency and two years power reserve.

This radio-controlled movement receives signals only in specific geographic locations. The movement automatically searches for transmissions with a “patented auto-scan” feature.

A wearer can use their smartphone and Junghans app to synchronize with atomic time.

“Intelligent time correction” checks the position of the second hand 1,440 times per day, about once per minute.

It also connects to atomic clocks, which ensures the watch remains as accurate as possible. It is helpful when clocks change or when traveling to different time zones.

It has a 50m water resistance
It has a horeskin strap with stainless steel buckle PVD coated with a buckle

Zodiac Olympos Automatic ZO9700 – approx. $895.00

37.5m manta ray-shaped stainless steel case with domed sapphire crystal that covers a black quarter dial finish with contrasting silver-tone indices and hands and date aperture at 3 o’clock.

It has a Swiss-made STP 3-13 automatic movement with a 28,800 bph frequency and 44-hour power reserve.

It has a 50m water resistance
It has a leather strap with a tang clasp

Longines 1832 – approx. $1,925.00

40mm stainless steel case with anti-reflective sapphire crystal that covers a beige dial with contrasting silver indices and silver polished, luminous hands, 3 o’clock date aperture.

The exhibition case back displays the self-winding mechanical caliber 1619/888 that beats at 25’200 vph and has a power reserve of 72 hours.

It has an alligator leather strap with a pin buckle
It has a 30m water resistance

Seiko Prospex SBDC059 Limited Edition – approx. $1,100.00

42.6mm stainless steel case with dia shield coating, curved sapphire crystal protects a sunray green dial with contrasting lumibrite hands and indexes, and date aperture at 3 o’clock.

It has a black rotating bezel on top. Powered by a 6R15 mechanical automatic caliber that beats at 26,000 vph and has a 50-hour power reserve.

It has a 200m water resistance
It has a stainless steel bracelet with a double-lock clasp with a push-button release

GMT – Tool Watch

They were initially developed for aviation to allow pilots to read two time zones from the dial of their watch with a single glance.

Presently, GMTs are popular as travel watches, as they enable the wearer to simultaneously see what time it is at home and its current location with a glance at the wrist.

A valuable complication for traveling, international business, and visiting family abroad, GMT is a prevalent complication.

A GMT is different from having a second timezone because it features a 24-hour scale, references the 24 hours a day, and completes one rotation.

Often confused for a GMT, a second timezone features a regular 12-hour scale and completes two rotations. The GMT makes it easier to remember day versus night hours.

Oris Aquis GMT Date – approx. $2,850.00

43.50mm rugged stainless steel with anti-reflective sapphire crystal that covers a blue dial, luminous hands, dial markers, and GMT central hand, date aperture at 3 o’clock, and laser engraved 24-hour time scale.

The Oris Aquis GMT Date can simultaneously display the time in three time zones. It has a bidirectional bezel for the third time zone.

Its exhibition mineral glass case back displays the Oris 798 automatic caliber that beats 28,800 vph and has a 42-hour power reserve
It has a 300m water resistance
It has a multi-piece stainless steel metal bracelet folding clasp with extension

Squale 30 Atmos Black GMT Ceramica – approx. $1,000.00

42mm stainless steel case with satin-brushed top and polished sides with a flat anti-reflective sapphire crystal covers a black dial with contrasting luminous hour markers, hands, and bezel, date aperture at 3 o’clock, and a red GMT hand gives the dial a slight pop of cool. The black ceramic is bi-directional with engraved 24-hour markers bezel.

The solid case back protects the ETA 2893-2, which beats at 28,800 vph and has a 38-hour power reserve
It has 300m of water resistance

Blancpain Leman GMT Alarm Date 2041-1130M-71 – approx. $23,600.00

40mm stainless steel case has a sapphire crystal that protects the rich lacquered black military dial, polished and skeletonized luminous hands, luminous Arabic numerals, seconds sub-dial, GMT and alarm functions, date aperture between 4 and 5 o’clock, sectors for the alarm power reserve and the on/off indication, 24 hours/2nd-time zone sub-dial.

The sapphire exhibition case back displays the 1241 caliber automatic that beats at 21,600 vph and has a power reserve of 45 hours.

It has a stainless steel bracelet with a steel deployment clasp
It has 100m of water resistance

Bremont H-4 Hercules Steel Limited Edition – approx. $11,895.00

It is limited to only 300 pieces. The percentage of proceeds go towards the preservation of the aircraft at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.

It salutes the iconic flying boat of the 1940s and contains original birchwood from the fuselage of the iconic silver flying boat.

43mm stainless steel Bremont Tri-Tick case sapphire crystal covers the matt black metal dial with polished applied indexes and nickel/rose gold hands with super-lumninova.

There is a 24-hour marked dial ring, brushed nickel calendar disc at 6 o’clock, 24-hour hand, and sub-seconds at 9 o’clock.

The flat crystal exhibition case back displays the Bremont BWC/02 automatic caliber with 28,800bph and a 50-hour power reserve.

It has a 100m water resistance
It has a vintage leather strap with stainless steel pin buckle and an additional grey vintage NATO strap

The Racing Watch

Designed for race cars and made to be as eye-catching as the cars they were driving. These tend to be flashier and bolder than any other category of watches.

Hallmarks of a race watch are a tachymeter on the outer bezel and a chronograph stopwatch. These mimic the dashboard of a sports car, but can also be used to calculate time and distance.

Oris Martini Racing Limited Edition – Approx. $3,100.00

50^th anniversary of the Martini Racing team. Features iconic dark blue, light blue and red stripes of Martini race cars on the dial case back carried Martini Racing’s 50^th anniversary logo. Only 500 pieces available. Tachymeter scale top ring.

44mm stainless steel case with flat anti-reflective sapphire crystal covering a black dial, contrasted with blue hands and indices that are filled with white super-luminova, and arabic numerals.

It also has 3 subsidiary dials for continuous seconds, 30 minutes, and 12 hours counter and a date window at 6 o’clock. The exhibition case back displays the Oris 774 caliber that beats at 28,800 vph and has 48 hours power reserve.

It has 100m water resistance
It has a black rubber strap or a stainless steel with folding clasp

Conclusion

Whether you are starting a collection or want to get the basic necessities, any of the watches mentioned above are great and will elevate your style.

Few watches will work with every outfit, and having three pieces will work in any situation. The watches in the article have unique characteristics to give you a versatile wardrobe and make you feel more confident! It’s essential to choose carefully.

No matter what type or brand of watch you select, it needs to complement your personal style because it will project a specific image.

Category: Watch Reviews

Patek Philippe Vs. Vacheron Constantin Watches [ALL Aspects]

Joseph Lama

November 30, 2022

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Brief History

Patek Phillipe

Vacheron Constantin

Why compare the Patek Philippe Chronograph 5170G-010 and The Vacheron Constantin Harmony Chronograph Cal.3300 watches?

Pricing

Design and Style

Size

Straps and clasp

Movement

Water resistance

Extra features and information

FAQs

Recap

Cartier Vs. Omega Watches (Value, Designs, Movements & More)

Mark Trenkler

November 30, 2022

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The Omega Watch Brand

Omega and the Olympic Games

The “Moon Watch”

Trademarked Specialty Alloys and Materials

METAS Certification

Cartier-Yesterday and Today

The Creation of the Santos

The Tank Watch is Born

Becoming a Swiss Watchmaking Powerhouse

Cartier Tank vs. Omega Deville Prestige

Conclusion

Omega Aqua Terra vs Cartier Santos

Conclusion

FAQ’s

23 Best Minimalist Watches Without Numbers: A Focus on Design Over Function

William Boyd

October 15, 2022

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22 Outstanding Minimalist Watches to Consider in 2022

1. Mondaine Classic Swiss Railway

Main Features

2. Bulova Classic 98A167 Ultra Thin Quartz

Main Features

3. Muhle M1-40-72 Glashutte Panova

Main Features

4. Stowa Antea Back to Bauhaus

Main Features

5. Vacheron Constantin Patrimony

Main Features

6. Stowa Antea 1919

Main Features

7. Junghans Max Bill 027/3701.04 Hand-Winding

Main Features

8. Lange & Sohne 201.026 Saxonia

Main Features

9. Rolex Cellini 50509 Time

Main Features

10. Bulgari Octo Finissimo

Main Features

11. H. Moser & Cie Pioneer 3200-1214 Centre Seconds

Main Features

12. Cartier Tank Louis

Main Features

13. Grand Seiko SBGW259

Main Features

14. JLC 397846J Reverse Tribute Small Seconds

Main Features

15. IWC Portugieser Automatic

Main Features

16. JLC Master Ultra Thin

Main Features

17. Zenith Elite

Main Features

18. Glashutte Original Sixties

Main Features of The 2020 Annual Edition

19. Rolex Oyster Perpetual

Main Features

20. NOMOS Orion 301

Selection of Grand
Seiko Watches