Luxury Watches: Horology is defined as the science of measuring time and the art of making instruments to measure time. So, makes perfect sense that people skilled in the practice or theory of horology are called horologists. Folk interested in owning the finest timepieces made are defined as our refined luxury-loving readers.
Whether the love of
great watches stems from the perspective of a collector or a lover of jewellery,
there are various upscale sources from which to select.
Many vaulted
manufacturers of wristwatches are with histories preceding the 18th century.
However, there are relatively new firms. But they too are steep with
experience, as one does not ascend to being a master watchmaker overnight.
There are various limited-edition wristwatches available meriting a look-see.
Here is a dozen of the best we have encountered over the past year. As our list
expands, we will update our findings and report those to you on a timely basis.
The Presence of Richard Mille
Richard Mille has
wonderful gift solutions when the plan involves buying for two. For the couple
inextricably linked, Richard Mille offers limited-edition wristwatches of
extraordinary quality for both sexes that are appreciatively masculine and
feminine, respectively. Let's add a femme twist to chivalry and begin with the
men's item.
Ebel Rings the Bell
Most women don't
want to be associated in any way with a whale...unless they're eating caviar or
wearing an Ebel watch. The Beluga line represents, ironically, a graceful and
uncompromising interpretation of seductive elegance.
The Reign of Blancpain Marches On
Blancpain has
produced haute timepieces for men and women since 1735. Yearly the prominent
Switzerland-based watch manufacturer puts up a one-off wristwatch for auction
to benefit the Monaco Association of Muscular Dystrophy (Association Monegasque
contre la Myopathie) during the Monaco Yacht Show. This year's selected
timepiece for the Only One auction was Le Brassus. Its suggested retail price
is $135,000. The results of the auction have not yet been officially announced.
Roger Dubuis, Indeed
There is luxury and
then there is luxury-luxury. Generally, when something comes our way that is
viewed as an upper-echelon item, we report it to our luxury-loving readers and
that's that. We write about vehicles that cost up to and over $1 million and
single-family residences costing over $100 million. So, sticker shock rarely
affects anyone here. However, these wristwatches by Roger Dubuis, priced as
high as $250,000, definitely piqued our attention.
Maurice Lacroix
You may think
astrology is a bunch of nonsense or you may not leave the house until you've
consulted with your personal astrologist. Either way, we predict that owning a
Lune Retrograde watch by Maurice Lacroix is a great way to make the right
impression. After all, the watch you wear is as telling as how much you leave
for a tip.
The Racy Parmigiani Fleurier's
Bugatti Type 370
Parmigiani
Fleurier's Bugatti Type 370 wristwatch draws from the automotive world for its
innovative craftsmanship and intricate design. At first glance, it strongly
resembles an engine block strapped onto a wrist. Albeit its unique look alone
is quite captivating, it is what is under its hood that is setting off the
alarms of haute horologists worldwide. Until now wristwatches were built on a
vertical axis. This is the first wristwatch ever to be built on a horizontal
axis. Its revolutionary transversal movement is set over five separate plates.
Role of the Rolex
Acceptation that
Rolex is more than an elite maker of timepieces is commonplace. Its
nomenclature is oft used as a synonym to describe excellence, brilliance,
first-rate, superiority, distinction, or quality. Suffice it to say that most
luxury, upscale horologists would welcome comparisons. Rolex wears the diadem
of the industry with panache and ornate gracefulness.
The Majestic Carl F. Bucherer
Recently, we touted
Carl F. Bucherer's single-copy Queen's Watch as a splashy testimony to his
firm's exquisite craftsmanship and outrageously divine opulence. However, being
the fair-minded purveyor of luxury living we are at Luxe, we deemed it
appropriate to also bare Carl F. Bucherer's masculine side with the Patravi
collection. Because, after all, kings have needs too. And the Patravi
Chronograph GMT series addresses those needs royally.
The Watch Workshop of Speake-Marin
Peter Speake-Marin,
the founder of The Watch Workshop, is an extraordinary horologist who produces
collectible, limited-edition Swiss-manufactured wristwatches that fit into the
modern- and classical era of timepieces perfunctorily. Aside from the entire
collection's subtly classy appearance and meticulous tooling, there is a
loftiness of elevated self-worth to its wearers that is as desirable as these
watches are attainable. It is a limited feeling reserved only for collectors of
Speake-Marin's omnipotent jewelled masterpieces.
Elegance for All by Zenith Swiss
Watch
Baby Star Open Love
is the latest addition to the Star collection for the ladies. With its case
reduced to 32mm, it is smaller than preceding Stars but equally eloquent
displaying the new Elite 68 automatic movement. The boys get the Class
collection to add to their assemblage of horologes. For the man in search of
discreet luxury, its simple design coupled with unchallengeable precision makes
this latest release an instant classic.
Classic Gevril
Perhaps Father
Time's real name is Jacques Gevril, the founder of the Gevril Swiss Timepiece
Company. Mr. Gevril, a pioneer of Swiss horology, began his career in the
mid-1700s. He is the inventor of the repetition dial and the first exporter of
Swiss watches. In 1758 Mr. Gevril was commissioned to make a timepiece for the
king of Spain. The king was so impressed by Gevril's craftsmanship that he
appointed Jacques the watchmaker to the crown. Nearly 250 years later, the
timepiece company earnestly retains its noble status under the watchful eye of
owner Samuel Friedmann. Today Gevril watches remain a natural fit with
society's modern-day royalty, adorning the wrists of prominent personalities
worldwide.
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