Cleanse your horological palate with watches that focus purely on the art of time-telling.
Cleanse your horological palate with watches that focus purely on the art of time-telling.
COLOUR OF NIGHT
The Saxonia is A. Lange & Sohne’s most minimalist model and, here, the automatic version gets subtly dressed up with a deep-blue dial, made of solid silver. Housed in a white gold case that ’s just 7.8mm thick and 38.5mm in diameter, this elegant time-teller features a seconds subdial that can be stopped during time-setting for greater accuracy.
FULL CIRCLE
So minimalist, it has only one hand: The Grande Heure by Jaquet Droz features a 24-hour track with 10- minute markings, and its single hour hand makes a full rotation around the dial each day. The 43mm steel model shown here has an inky-black ony x dial that gives the watch a cool austerity. Ideal for fans of clean design, and those who don’t need to know the time right down to the minute.
CONSTANT COMPANION
The Senator Excellence by Glashutte Original does one thing, and does it well. Presented in a 40mm red gold case, this three-hander will keep the time reliably, thanks to the brand’s automatic movement 36- 01. It might look serenely refined, but this is a tough one – these watches are tested for 24 days, under conditions that go beyond those of a chronometer test.
PEAK PERFORMANCE
This year, Montblanc celebrates 160 years of its high-end Minerva manufacture, which serves as the inspiration for its 1858 family of timepieces. The 1858 Automatic sees Montblanc combining the use of bronze ( bezel and crown) and steel (the 44mm case) for the first time to create a vintage-inspired look. On the caseback, you’ll find an engraving of the Minerva facility in Switzerland, set against the Jura Mountains.
GOOD AS GOLD
Even after half a century, the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse still cuts a dashing and distinctive figure in a horological world dominated by circular forms. It is powered by the ultra-thin automatic Calibre 240. The shape of this white gold watch – which measures 35.6mm in length and 33.7mm in width – is inspired by the Golden Section, a ratio discovered by mathematicians in ancient Greece that ’s supposed to give rise to harmonious, pleasing forms. We can’t disagree.
DEFINING DETAILS
The subtle qualities distinguishing the L .U.C XPS by Chopard make themselves known only on closer observation: These include the sunburst dial of this 40mm rose gold watch, its faceted arrow-shaped hour markers, and the solid-gold micro-rotor that can be seen through its display caseback. More than just a good looker, this automatic timepiece is also COSC-certified.
MARKS OF GREATNESS
If you’re a fan of Breguet ’s signature mix of dial-engraving styles, the Classique 7147 (Ref. 7147BR/12/9W U) offers a simpler way to enjoy it as compared to some of the brand’s other more elaborate styles. The central dial features a Clous de Paris guilloche pattern, while the off-centre seconds subdial is decorated by a basketweave motif. The automatic watch is housed in a 40mm rose gold case.
