Patek Philippe UAE? These two brands took lots of time throughout the history of the industry to perfect the art of watchmaking. There’s a reason they’re still in business after over 100 years in operation. Rolex prides itself on the accuracy and durability of their watches while Audemars Piguet is less focused on precision and more artistic about their craft. You can clearly see the difference between the two by comparing any of their movements. AP pays meticulous attention to every single detail in the movement and finishes them to perfection in a way that Rolex doesn’t even compare. Read even more details on Patek Philippe nautilus rose gold.
Although Patek Philippe has such a storied tradition, the manufacture is not bound to its past. On the one side, the company maintains the values of the traditional art of watchmaking while investing greatly in the use of new materials, technologies and production methods. The brand has also made a conscious choice to create new designs like the 2015 pilots’ watch, the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time (which we cover in detail here).
When Swatch launched the Sistem51 — an autonomously assembled automatic movement boasting a 90-hour power reserve — it was a revelation, but its plastic case limited its appeal. Now you can get the same movement cased up in stainless steel, making it a more versatile option for everyday wear. No list of dirt-cheap watches is complete without the Seiko 5. Originally launched in 1963, the 5 has cultivated a feverish following amongst watch fans for its utilitarian mechanical movement and the value it provides. The Seiko 5 comes in many iterations, and the “Sea Urchin” dive watch is one of our favorites. In addition to using Seiko’s workhorse 7S36 automatic movement, it comes adorned with a unidirectional countdown bezel and steel bracelet.
TAG Heuer, founded in 1860 by Edouard Heuer in St-Imier, Switzerland, and long a favorite of motorsports enthusiasts, is a name that commands instant respect in every watch-loving quarter. Only occasionally are any of their pieces attainable under the £1K mark — and when they are, you should definitely drop the coin. With a rubber strap and stainless steel case, this watch is ideal for rugged adventures. While it is not suited for scuba diving, it is capable of withstanding up to 660 ft of water. In addition, the iconic Formula 1 model has the distinction of having been worn by actual Formula 1 drivers. An updated pilot watch is a sharp style that adds something interesting to any watch collection, thanks to its intricate looking chronographs and large numbers you can read at the quickest of glances. Alpina is known for its pilot watches and movements, so if you are looking for one under £1,000, this is the brand to beat. This clean timepiece on a stainless steel bracelet also looks great with a T-shirt and jeans since it has been designed with the modern man’s movements in mind.
When it comes to wooden watches, the kind of wood that makes up a watch you want to buy is of utmost importance. Make sure that the watch material is sustainable wood. A good wooden watch should be carved from woods like sandalwood, Koa, Purpleheart, Ili-hai, or maple. Beware of steel, and plastic watches that have some pieces of wood glued on top of them. Additionally, orient on your preferences. It is of the utmost importance to choose a wooden watch that meets your needs. This timepiece should have the right color, durability, luster, grain pattern, and texture. Wooden watches come in different attributes and you should be able to choose the one that fascinates you in terms of these characteristics.
Santos-Dumont, 31.4mm stainless steel case, navy alligator leather strap. The Santos, Cartier’s style icon, was first introduced in 1904 and became not only a Cartier signature but also one of the defining wristwatch designs of the 20th century. The latest iteration takes the full Santos-Dumont moniker and steers the line in a new direction — thinner, smaller and more affordable. Key to that is its slimline quartz movement, which may offend the more mechanically minded, but in the flesh it barely registers because of the absence of the tell-tale ticking seconds hand of a quartz movement. It helps too that Cartier is claiming a punchy six-year battery life. The larger of the two models announced is only 31.4mm wide, although feels larger on the wrist, and is just 7mm thick. Mounted on a navy alligator hide strap, it’s chic, dressy and a lusty addition to the Santos canon. Discover more details at hmwatches.ae.