Editor's Pick, Time

5 classic-inspired watches

 
5 classic-inspired watches

Montblanc

One of the two new Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronographs presents a combination of a red gold and anthracite aesthetic, while the other one comes in stainless-steel with an anthracite dial. They incorporate the very recognisable two rotating, horizontally-aligned, discs on the watches’ dial, which turn below a fixed double index just like on the original device. Both the counters and the off-centred hours and minutes ring are domed to give the watches a 3-D effect. Powered by calibre MB R200 Manufacture monopusher chronograph movement with automatic winding and column-wheel mechanism, they are as powerful as they look with matching anthracite Sfumato alligator straps made at the Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence.

 

Corum

Exhibiting natural linear effect as well as arches and bents, the art deco-inspired Corum Golden Bridge Stream plays with clean-cut edges, sharp horns and a curved crystal to create a unique architecture. The watch comes in a rectangular rose gold case with a thickness of merely 14.70mm, making it an ideal choice as a dress watch. One thing is for sure, you won’t be able to miss the remarkable baguette-shaped automatic movement, forming a symbolic bridge that features a lattice microstructure inspired by the red tresses of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. There are two versions available: one in a full rose gold movement including the bridge structure and the other with the rose gold bridge structure coated in a red lacquer.

 

 Rado       

Aesthetically speaking, the Rado Tradition Captain Cook MKII is quite a departure from the firstCaptain Cook model. The latest generation features a hooded case with dual crowns and, a red and white rotating bezel with Super-LumiNova dots. The metallised anchor in the matte black dial and sleek rhodium coloured dial sits within a sapphire crystal. The stainless steel case is water resistance to 220 metres, so have fun diving with this one strapped to the wrist. Then there’s the band. The easy-to-change strap system allows the wearer to alter between the seven-link bracelet and the black NATO strap in a matter of seconds. At the heart of the watch is a quality Swiss automatic movement with up to 80 hours of power reserve.

 

Breitling

 

Continuing its association with the world of aviation, Breitling releases three watches commemorating a partnership with the creator of the iconic P-40 Warhawk airplane Curtiss Wright. We particularly like the Aviator 8 Chronograph 43 Curtiss Warhawk. The chronograph features a military green dial with a matte finish and a tone-on-tone subdials – 12-hour and 30-minute chronograph counters and a small second subdial. The black nickel-plated hour and minute hands, as well as the Arabic numerals on the dial are coated with Super-LumiNova, so they are legible even in the most challenging of lighting conditions. Equipped with the Breitling Calibre 13 – a mechanical movement famed for its stability and performance – the idiosyncratic caseback is engraved with a Curtiss inscription and an image of a P-40 Warhawk with the dramatic shark’s mouth paintwork.

 

IWC Schaffhausen

Since launching the Top Gun line in 2007, Swiss watchmaker IWC has been designing watches with the toughest of materials such as ceramic and titanium. The IWC Double Chronograph IW371815 is the first IWC Pilot’s Watch made from Ceratanium – a patented material that is as lightweight and unbreakable as titanium and at the same time as hard and scratch-resistant as ceramic. Powered by IWC’s mechanical chronograph movement, the 44mm case – surrounded by soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields – features a full matte black finish with a matching stealth treatment to the dial, hands, and rubber strap. Looking for more than just a capable mechanical pilot’s watch? This should land high on the list, we reckon.