The chronograph is without a doubt one of the most popular and sought-after types of watches. While it’s a pretty useful complication, the chronograph is also among the most complex mechanisms to design and manufacture. We have picked 5 time-stoppers of 2017 that will be perfect for both daily wear and special occasions – and that won’t kill your savings because they are all priced under 10,000 Euros!
Let’s agree on one fact: in the world of watches, 10,000 USD/Euro is a perfect median budget. It allows access to most of the luxury brands, including the most coveted ones, to benefit from proper Swiss quality (and by that I mean watches that really are Swiss Made) and finally, you can access to what drives the passion for watches: in-house or exclusive movements. If 10,000 USD/Euro is already a strong budget, trust us, it’s probably the best money-spent/pleasure ratio possible. Here are 5 watches launched in 2017 priced around the “10k psychological price point” and that won’t make you feel like you have lost your money (Oh and in fact, we have 6 watches…)
This year marks the 15th anniversary of one of the most discreet yet desirable collections of Omega, the Seamaster Aqua Terra. In order to celebrate, Omega slightly refreshed the classical model (3-hand and date version), by giving it some more modern details, new Master Chronometer movements and new dial variations. Yet, this 2017 collection will also include a more complex and highly luxurious piece, with an unprecedented complication for the Biel-based brand; a Worldtimer – and this Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer debuts in a highly limited solid platinum edition…
Part of the history of the Omega Speedmaster was the Moon landing and the qualification as official NASA watch for astronauts. Thanks to this heritage, the Speedy became the perfect play field for the Biel-based brand to create multiple limited editions, as tribute to Apollo missions or to Snoopy Awards. While many watch enthusiasts might not understand the point of all these special editions, it is clear that Speedmaster collectors love them, and they will be happy to know that a new one is about to land, the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 17 45th Anniversary ‘Tribute to Gene Cernan’.
The James Bond 007 and Omega Watches connection doesn’t need to be explained anymore – and if you need more about it, check our in-depth article. For now over 20 years, the Swiss watchmaker provides the world’s most famous secret agent with Seamaster watches, and managed to give this accessory an important status, becoming a movie character on its own. This year, inspired by Bond’s rank and regalia, Omega has created the Seamaster Diver 300m “Commander’s Watch”.
None of them need an introduction anymore. On one side is the most famous special agent in the world. On the other side is one of the most respected Swiss watch brands. And their collaboration is as explosive as the movies. While in most films, watches are only doing short screen appearances, with James Bond 007, this accessory has gained a totally different status, becoming a character on its own. Here is an exhaustive retrospective of all Omega watches used in James Bond movies, from 1995 Goldeneye to 2015 Spectre.
The idea sprouted some 40 years ago in the genius mind of a British master craftsman, who worked his way up to become one of the greatest watchmakers of the 20th century. Following numerous attempts to find an escapement that would perform better than the century-old lever escapement, George Daniels eventually designed the “Co-Axial”. This superlative escapement is now at the heart of the vast majority of Omega’s watches and a key element in meeting the remarkable quality requirements set by the brand.
Since its inception in 2003, the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra has been a cornerstone collection for Omega. Indeed, it is both an entry-level watch, yet including most of the recent technologies, and an all-rounder, being sporty, but not a sports watch. It is also a watch focused on the essential and a nice representation of what Omega stands for. At Baselworld 2017, this now-classic daily-beater receives a visually discreet facelift, linked to mechanical improvements, just to keep it perfectly up-to-date. Here is the 2017 Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Master Chronometer.
Last month I had the distinct privilege of attending the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Omega Speedmaster. While I am usually rather skeptical about anniversaries of watches, I have no problem whatsoever with celebrating the 60th anniversary of the first watch on the moon. As part of the celebrations, two gentlemen who were present during the …
What an unexpected but refreshing surprise… Clearly, dress watches are not Omega’s specialty – chronographs and dive watches are, but in terms of elegant and dress timepieces, their offer is short. However, Omega has decided to prove us wrong, with an extremely elegant, perfectly proportioned and true-to-the-past watch, the new Seamaster Edizione Venezia, to be sold exclusively in Venice, Italy – a perfect excuse to bring your “bella ragazza” around the floating city.