The Psychology of Wearing a Watch – Status, Statement, or Companion?

Why do people still wear mechanical watches when phones track time more precisely?

Status Symbol

For some, a watch signals achievement and confidence.
A Rolex Datejust or Audemars Piguet Royal Oak communicates stability, style, and a personal journey.

Statement Piece

Others express their personality with their watch.
A Hublot Classic Fusion represents modern boldness and progressive design, while a Longines DolceVita embodies timeless elegance and cultivated sophistication.

Companion

Many choose a watch like a lifelong partner.
The Omega Speedmaster embodies adventure and vision – and often stays on the wrist for decades.

A watch is not an object; it’s an extension of identity.

Personalities and Their Watches – Portraits in Miniature

The Collector – “Time as History”

He seeks stories, patina, authenticity.
His choices: Rolex Submariner, Patek Philippe Calatrava
His motivation: heritage, rarity, emotion.

The Artist – “Design as Language”

She values shape, colour, mood.
Her choices: Nomos Glashütte Metro, Junghans Max Bill
Her motivation: self-expression.

The Entrepreneur – “Clarity & Purpose”

He needs reliability and symbolism.
His choices: Tudor Black Bay 58, Grand Seiko Heritage
His motivation: precision, focus, understatement.

The Athlete – “Performance on the Wrist”

Strong, functional, dynamic.
His choices: Omega Seamaster Diver, TAG Heuer Monaco
His motivation: power & resilience.

The “Life Watch” – Why One Model Stays Forever

Most enthusiasts have one watch they never sell – and never want to.

Why?

• milestones

• identity

• emotional symbolism

• reliability

• a bond that deepens over time

Whether it’s a Tudor Ranger, Rolex Explorer, or Hublot Classic Fusions, some watches become part of the wearer’s story.

Watches Don’t Just Tell Time — They Tell Stories

A watch is one of the few objects that can grow with its wearer. It captures memories, reveals character, and expresses identity.

In a world that changes fast, a mechanical watch offers something profoundly human: emotional depth, connection, and the luxury of meaning.

Der Beitrag The Watch and Its Wearer: What Timepieces Reveal About Personality erschien zuerst auf Uhrinstinkt Magazine.

Watches as an Asset Class: A Market in Transformation

The secondary market for luxury watches has become one of the most transparent and sophisticated collector markets worldwide. Auction houses, specialist dealers, and digital platforms have introduced unprecedented access to price histories and global availability.

Models like the Rolex Daytona, Patek Philippe Nautilus, and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak continue to show strong long-term performance, yet the market as a whole is cyclical. After the record highs around 2021/22, prices normalized, which experts see as healthy rather than alarming.

Key Insight:
Mechanical watches perform best as long-term assets, not short-term speculation.

What Drives Long-Term Value?

Certain attributes consistently support value retention and appreciation:

Iconic status

Design icons with decades of history typically remain in high demand.

Controlled scarcity

Low production + high demand often equals strong value performance.

Strong brand identity

Independent, consistent brands with a clear DNA perform best over time.

Condition & originality

Especially in vintage:
Original parts + box & papers = value multiplier

Myths and Misconceptions – What Investors Should Know

Myth 1: “Every Rolex goes up in value.”

Not true. Many retain value well, but appreciation varies widely by model and reference.

Myth 2: “Watches are a fast investment.”

Returns improve significantly with time and patience.

Myth 3: “The market is risk-free.”

Like all collectible asset markets, watches are cyclical.

Risks and Trends

Risks:

• Market volatility

• Unrealistic expectations after previous highs

• Counterfeits and “Frankenwatches”

• Illiquidity of niche models

Trends:

• Increasing importance of transparent price data

• A professionalized vintage market

• Rising interest in craftsmanship over hype

• Growing demand for neo-vintage (1990–2010)

A Modern Blend of Lifestyle and Finance

Luxury watches remain compelling: emotionally, aesthetically, and financially. Yet success in this asset class requires knowledge, patience, and a passion for horology. For those who combine these qualities, the mechanical watch offers not just timeless beauty, but potentially timeless value.

Der Beitrag From Wrist to Investment: The New Economics of Luxury Watches erschien zuerst auf Uhrinstinkt Magazine.

Watches as an investment? Interesting, if you can stay realistic

If you choose the right timepieces, you can invest in watches without losing value and achieve high increases in value. They are the insider tip when it comes to investments – especially in times of crisis. Immediately afterwards, a list reveals which models from Rolex, Omega, Breitling & Co are guaranteed to be and remain in demand. Such promises carved in stone are as serious as the prophecies of a fortune teller at the fair. This is evidenced by a number of vintage watches that were praised to the skies and bought for adventurous prices, only to be hit by a loss in value soon afterwards.

Anyone who concludes from these findings that it is not worth buying luxury watches is just as out of touch with reality as the exaggerated visions of the future held by self-important financial experts. Rather, it is about taking a rational look at what is meant by investing in watches without losing value. If individual preferences are combined with objective considerations when choosing a model, most masterpieces will meet expectations – regardless of whether they come from Audemars Piguet, Chopard, Junghans or another renowned manufacturer.

Works of art for moments of happiness that are priceless

The Queen of Naples longed for a piece of jewelry that would tell the time beautifully on her wrist. Abraham-Louis Breguet fulfilled her wish in 1810 with the first wristwatch. Since then, more than 200 years have passed in which technical achievements have been made. The smartphone provides constant access to time data based on high-precision atomic clocks. Nevertheless, luxury watches with hand-wound or automatic movements have lost none of their fascination. After all, they are works of art created by hand with remarkable finesse. Such observations indicate that manufacture watches retain their ability to inspire and will never be affected by a complete loss of value.

Anyone who hoards their savings in an interest-free bank account for decades will be disappointed in any case. In the case of timelessly sought-after wristwatches, on the other hand, the chances are good that inflation will have less of an impact on their tangible value in the long term than on the banknotes in your savings stocking. If no buyer is found for it later, this is at least to be expected: The price of new luxury watches has risen significantly due to increased material and labor costs and is an argument against purchasing them. Fortunately, there is a favorite piece in the safe that you can now proudly put on for special occasions. When that time comes, you’ve already bought the watches without losing value and gained a lot, haven’t you?

Dream watch with potential to increase in value

This kind of thinking suggests investing in watches that are bound to increase in value in an idealistic sense. Smart watch fans therefore direct their interest towards manufactories and collections that appeal to their hearts. This ensures that they will enjoy the masterpieces. Only after the groundbreaking decision has been made is it worth considering which models will retain their value. A look at tips from watch experts is inspiring if you don’t overestimate them. After all, any prediction regarding loss or increase in value remains speculative.

Experience shows this: A pioneer is ahead of its time, in low demand and comparatively inexpensive. Later, a change in taste draws interest to the underestimated model, which ideally comes into the limelight due to a spectacular event or a famous wearer. The Cosmograph Daytona sports watch from Rolex and the Royal Oak from Audemars Piguet are successful examples of increases in value that watch enthusiasts would hardly have expected decades ago. They also illustrate that the tide can turn when the hype dies down. This is particularly true for investors who suddenly have to sell due to a financial crisis and are unable to give investment watches the peace of mind they need for attractive performance.

Bold speculation or proven investment – a question of type and budget

Color, material, diameter – the yellow Spirit of Big Bang from Hublot with rubber strap and 45 mm case is a rebel on the luxury watch scene. Anyone who puts one of these in their safe will need courage. According to the recommended retail price, the eccentric automatic watch breaks the 100,000 euro barrier. Logically, the number of potential buyers who are able and willing to invest the impressive price plus inflation rate when reselling the watch is limited. The risk of a loss in value seems high. The opposite is conceivable: A financially strong watch fan dreams of a Hublot with a strictly limited edition. He is prepared to spend three times the original retail price.

Those who cannot engage in such speculation tend to invest in tried and tested watches. The Omega Speedmaster has secured a permanent place in horological history because it was the first wristwatch on the moon. Humans will not stop exploring the universe. With every space mission that attracts media attention, it is inevitable that watch enthusiasts will remember the Moonwatch and want to treat themselves to a copy. This is why the Omega icon is considered to have a stable value and can be purchased in the classic version for around 5,000 euros or as an unusual edition for 50,000 euros, depending on your personal budget. Which model retains, loses or increases its value remains to be seen. In terms of adjusted profit, the classic model could win the race just as easily as the special edition.

Small investment, big impact – stylistically, ideally or financially

Max Bill was a creative all-rounder who was inspired by the Bauhaus era. The Weimar art school – founded by Walter Gropius – produced a design style that inspired at its debut, continues to inspire today and will probably never seem out of fashion. The award-winning Swiss designer’s most important works include dials that characterize a Junghans collection of the same name. The so-called architect’s watches are affordable compared to the timepieces of popular luxury brands such as Rolex, Chopard, Breguet or Breitling.

The artist’s birthday, the founding year of the Bauhaus school or key dates in watch history: many occasions in the coming decades can fuel the dream of owning an automatic watch in Bauhaus design. These occasions can be used to sell the watch without losing value. However, the chances are just as great that you will not want to part with the Black Forest design classic, which is and remains a style-conscious statement on the wrist regardless of the age. Can we give a guarantee for watches without loss of value? No, of course not. But you do get other guarantees with every watch at Uhrinstinkt. Such as authenticity and functionality.

Der Beitrag Which model? – The best chances of buying watches without depreciation erschien zuerst auf Uhrinstinkt Magazine.

There are plenty of expensive watch brands around the world. In top 10 rankings, the order changes depending on the comparison criterion. However, the top ranks are often occupied by the same manufacturers with many similarities: They love visionary ideas as much as traditional watchmaking craftsmanship and are mostly based in Switzerland.

Rolex – popular status symbol

When it comes to prestigious luxury, Rolex is intuitively accorded the top position in the list of watch brands. This is true even for people who neither know nor can identify with exclusive timepieces. This unparalleled popularity is based on the mix of tasteful aesthetics and practical added value to which the Geneva-based luxury brand has been committed since its entry in the commercial register in 1913.

Sometimes it took a Rolex newcomer to win hearts – for example, the stainless steel Daytona chronograph. It aroused little enthusiasm when it debuted in 1963 and was sold rather cheaply. Nowadays, it is among the models of the top 10 watch brands that are enormously popular. This was helped by an original by Paul Newman, which they auctioned off for around 16 million euros in 2017.

Avant-garde bestsellers from Le Brassus – Audemars Piguet

Soon after its foundation in 1875, Audemars Piguet was among the best watch brands, appreciated for masterpieces with precious decorations made of precious metals and stones. But the breakthrough came with the opposite: in 1972, the Royal Oak was among the first luxury watches with a decidedly sporty design: as revolutionary as the stainless steel manufacturing was the octagonal bezel with the same number of screws saucily seeking the limelight.

When it comes to expensive watch brands, Audemars Piguet is represented in the top 10 because the casual Royal Oak made design history. The company founded by Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward August Piguet is one of those watch labels whose luxury character is not obvious to many laymen. It is precisely this underlying exclusivity that appeals to many watch lovers.

Omega – the heavenly star among the top 10 watch labels

When adventurous people are asked to name expensive watch brands for the top 10 ranking, Omega lands far in front. Since the registration of the brand name in 1894, the timepieces have been appreciated for their technical sophistication. Early on, the manufacturer impressed with records related to precision. These advances gave the Masterpieces starring roles in expeditions that do not forgive any inaccuracies or material weaknesses.

For the Speedmaster Professional alone, selected by NASA for the first lunar expeditions, Omega has earned a regular place among the top 10 watch brands. Although other brand collections are just as noteworthy, the Moonwatch’s fan base is particularly large.

First choice of the French Emperor – Breguet

Napoleon Bonaparte treated himself to three pocket watches from the repertoire of the Breguet manufacture. Other expensive watch brands in the top 10 charts are green with envy at this vita. More significant than the celebrity clientele for watch lovers are the groundbreaking ideas with which Abraham Louis Breguet paved the way to the first functional wristwatch between 1780 and 1810.

Breguet hairspring, pare-chute shock protection or filigree hand with a circle at the tip: the inventions of the talented watchmaker still characterize handmade masterpieces from Breguet and other luxury brands. The sympathetic philosophy of the watch manufacture: it wants to preserve the time and be ahead of it – for example, with the Tradition collection, which invites the study of the movement on both sides.

Zenith – Top 10 timepieces with pioneering movements

If the focus is on the incessant pursuit of innovation, Zenith has to be counted among the top 10 watch brands. Ultra-flat, high-frequency, or accurate to a hundredth of a second: the timepieces from Le Locle contain movements that amaze experts.

Zenith achieved an international breakthrough in 1969 with a world first: the first automatic chronograph movement. In the meantime, high-frequency movements are a matter of course at the Swiss chronograph professional, which generally ranks among the best watch labels.

Top 10 jewelry watch design company – Chopard

Expensive watch brands in the top 10 league with jewelry aesthetics to fall in love with: If that’s what you’re looking for, Chopard is the place to go. Founded in 1860, the brand offers high-quality men’s watches, but is on top form when it comes to creating enchanting women’s watches.

The Happy Diamonds collection lives up to its name: from discreet to expressive, sparkling diamonds characterize the playfully designed timepieces. Chopard is one of the watch brands that interpret luxury in a passionate and diverse way. Necklaces or rings to match the cocktail watch? The noble brand fulfills such wishes with its multifaceted jewelry assortment.

Blancpain – underestimated top ten pioneer

Founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain, the manufacture should actually be one of the universally known top 10 watch brands. First self-winding wristwatch (1926), diving watch pioneer Fifty Fathoms (1953) or the smallest automatic movement for ladies’ dress watches Ladybird (1956): Often, the ambitious manufacturer passed the finish line at the same time or just ahead of its competitors in terms of groundbreaking innovations. Thus, when it comes to major watch labels, Blancpain cannot be missing from the list. This was the view not only of oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, but also of Marilyn Monroe.

Horological extravaganza from Lake Geneva – Hublot

If you prefer fancy accessories and expensive watch brands, a top 10 rank is reserved for Hublot. Since its debut in 1980, the bold mix of materials has characterized the brand’s signature design, as has the watch shape, which resembles a porthole. In 2005, the manufacturer debuted the Big Bang chronograph, whose look pops – literally. That goes for the material contrast richness and the extroverted decor, which sometimes seems a touch over the top. Does your heart beat for purist timepieces? Then Hublot is probably not one of your personal top watch brands.

Breitling – high-flyer from the Bernese Jura

Léon Breitling was interested in measuring instruments that performed professional tasks in scientific, sporting and industrial scenarios. His manufacture, founded in 1884, served up swift advances in watchmaking technology that impressed a major pilots’ association. It recommended the Navitimer as a pilot’s watch. On land, underwater, or in the air, Breitling is among the top 10 watch brands valued for brilliant engineering and sophisticated functionality.

Patek Philippe – masterfully complicated or simply beautiful

Patek Philippe’s passion for complicated timepieces ensures that it regularly takes first place in top watch brand rankings. Handcrafted decorations, refined reversible cases and 20 complications, some of which can be enjoyed acoustically: One look at the watchmaking sensation, auctioned in 2019 for more than 30 million Swiss francs, is enough to understand its reputation. In the meantime, the Grandmaster Chime ennobles the brand assortment in a strictly limited edition.

As desirable as the complicated watches are uncomplicated evergreens – for example, the ultra-flat Ellipse. The elegant evening watches only display hours and minutes, because more information seems superfluous in the evening savoir-vivre. Since its founding in 1839, the manufacture has created fewer watches than other luxury brands market each year. That’s why Patek Philippe is irresistibly beautiful, but hard to come by.

Der Beitrag Top 10 watch brands erschien zuerst auf Uhrinstinkt Magazine.

Stepping down after 30 years at the helm

Large corporations dominate the Swiss watch industry with an overwhelming superiority. Sometimes it feels like the most powerful players – Swatch Group, Richemont and LVMH – dominate the entire industry. The face of probably the most prominent exception has been one of the most influential women in Swiss industry for 30 years: Jasmine Audemars. Her retirement as Chairman of the Board of Directors, which will officially take place on November 11, 2022, marks a turning point in the nearly 150-year history of the high-end manufacture. From the very beginning in 1875, the company was owned by the two founding families, Piguet and Audemars, who passed on their leadership roles to the next generation as a matter of course.

In 1992, Jasmine Audemars took over the board of directors from her father Jacques-Louis Audemars, who brought the independent manufacturer the greatest success in the company’s history with the bold enforcement of the Royal Oak. The “grande dame of the Swiss watch industry,” as the press dubs the now 80-year-old and places her in the ranks of industry icons such as Jean-Claude Biver and Georges Kern, quickly developed into a resolute, forward-looking boss of the great house. The difference to her predecessors: Jasmine Audemars has no descendants.

From journalist to watch icon

In return, the passionate watchmaking personality, for whom the financial health and independence of her brand has always been a matter close to her heart, looks back on an impressive career. After studying social and economic history in Geneva, which gave her a close connection with the cosmopolitan Rhone metropolis that continues to this day, she worked at the daily newspaper Journal de Genève, gaining deep insights into the world of international trade relations. Knowledge that was to prove invaluable in her later management of the Group.

Jasmine Audemars devotes almost 25 years of her life to journalism and rises to the top of her daily newspaper in the 1980s. At this point, she becomes Switzerland’s first female editor-in-chief and loves her job more than anything, despite the daily pressures and the fact that editors-in-chief don’t just have friends in the world. Making decisions, meeting exciting people, learning from daily mistakes – while her father puts the manufactory on a previously unattained track to success, Jasmine pursues her own career.

The fact that she experienced an abrupt change of scene in 1992 and took over the president’s seat from Audemars Piguet did not bother her successor. On the contrary: the then 50-year-old identifies (to this day) 100 percent with her family’s watchmaking tradition, takes over the chairmanship with the same naturalness as her predecessors and is not afraid of the new task. The first big bang came just one year after she took the helm: in 1993, the brawny Royal Oak Offshore was launched, which over the next three decades became a huge success alongside the regular Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

Patience, discipline and responsibility

The fact that the businesswoman faces her challenges with patient composure is to pay off. In the midst of the 2008 financial crisis, the company’s healthy financial position made it possible to build a new manufactory to urgently expand capacity. And even in the second half of the 2010s, when many watch brands are struggling with falling sales, the manufacturer under Jasmine Audemars continues its success story without a break. From her journalistic work, the watch president is very familiar with international business and knows the benefits of good diversification. While other companies are expanding massively in China, the strategic leader is focusing on solid sales on all continents.

Like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore and other timepieces from the high-end brand, Jasmine is an exciting character with rough edges. As contradictory as the balance in the watch industry between the preservation of historical values and constant further development may seem, the impressions one gains from talking to the elegantly dressed businesswoman are equally contrasting. On the one hand passionate, enthusiastic about her profession and with sparkling eyes as soon as she is asked about her journalistic time, on the other calm, observant and above all disciplined. Jasmine Audemars considers discipline a luxury and punctuality a matter of course in her line of work.

Watch personality with own convictions

A watch representative who appears unpunctual? Not conceivable for the self-confident lady. In other respects, too, the outgoing mistress of Royal Oak and Co. is a woman with clear visions, who can answer complex questions briefly and questions things instead of simply accepting them. Smartwatches, for example, are not rejected per se by the grande dame of mechanical watchmaking, but she regards them as an interesting line of business alongside traditional watches, although they do not come close to the emotional impact of a genuine automatic movement. She places particular emphasis on local responsibility, stressing that many jobs and family histories depend on the well-being of the world-famous company, especially in its hometown of Le Brassus. And on the uncompromising quality of the top brand, which is not up for discussion for Jasmine Audemars.

The successor: brief portrait of Alessandro Bogliolo

Whether her successor will lead Audemars Piguet with the same aplomb remains to be seen. In any case, Alessandro Bogliolo’s CV sounds promising: the 57-year-old Italian, who lives in New York, was CEO of Tiffany & Co. from 2017 to 2021, after 16 years as CEO of the Italian fashion brand Diesel. This followed various managerial positions at Bulgari in the U.S., Singapore and Italy. In any case, Bogliolo does not lack experience in the luxury industry to follow in the big footsteps of his predecessor.

However, the previous era of the last watchmaker owned by the founding families does not end completely. After Jasmine’s departure, there will still be a leading family member in the company, 63-year-old Olivier Audemars, who took over the post of Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors from his aunt Paulette Piguet in 1997 and is a great-grandson of the second founder of the company, Edward Auguste Piguet.
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Image sources:

Title photo:
By Rama – Own work, CC BY-SA 2.0 fr, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1563549
Portrait Jules Audemars:
By Alexaube – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=108993844
Portrait Edward Piguet:
By Alexaube – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=108993980

Der Beitrag Watch personalities: Jasmine Audemars looks back on a great career erschien zuerst auf Uhrinstinkt Magazine.

They make the headlines, sometimes demand considerable waiting times, and are the talk of the town among enthusiasts: hype watches. The celebrities of the horological universe do not enjoy their popularity by chance, but have many highlights to offer, from historical significance to impressive technology. We show you the top 10 luxury models that have triggered watch hype in recent years and decades.

Rolex Datejust

Oyster case, cyclops loupe, fluted bezel: since its introduction in 1945, the Rolex Datejust has been regarded not only as the definition of a classic Rolex, but also of a timelessly elegant wristwatch in general. Since the turn of the millennium, watch hype surrounding the Datejust has been on a steady rise – the functional all-rounder is the dream watch of many enthusiasts and new designs are regularly added. Especially the new models from 2021 with palm tree or fluted patterns on the dial are currently highly trendy.

Omega Speedmaster

Moonwatch with unrivaled fame: Since the Omega Speedmaster accompanied the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, it has been one of the greatest legends in the watch world and regularly triggers watch hype when new editions of the icon are launched. 2021 was a big year for the Speedmaster, in which it was comprehensively modernized technically but left largely unchanged visually. Tachymeter scale, domed glass and white hands on a black background – the appearance of the Professional Moonwatch has an almost mythical status in the watch world. The compact Speedmaster 38 and the imposing ceramic editions of the “Dark Side of the Moon” also triggered hype in their respective classes.

Breitling Chronomat

Comeback in style: When Breitling brings back the Chronomat in 2020, the sporty pilot’s watch bristles with striking details. While the easy-grip rouleaux bracelet and the four horsemen on the bezel have been adopted from its historic ancestors, the renowned B01 chronograph movement is a new addition to the powerful collection. If you want to take the retro charm to the extreme, order a bicolor model in stainless steel and 18-karat rose gold. Also affected by the watch hype is the Super Chronomat, which brings 44 instead of 42 millimeters of diameter to the wrist and even has a four-year calendar if desired.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Eight corners, tapisserie dial, and hype matched only by Patek Philippe’s Nautilus in the high-end class: The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak has been playing in its own league for over 40 years. Immediate euphoria may not have spread when the world’s first luxury-class stainless steel watch was unveiled in 1972, but just a few years later, the Royal Oak was enjoying international fame. Ask enthusiasts about their absolute dream watch in the five-figure price range, and the name of the handcrafted work of art comes up more often than any other. With its large offshore variants, prestigious complications and numerous designs, the watch hype surrounding the Royal Oak will continue in the future.

Rolex Submariner

Supply and demand regulate the price: no watch model demonstrates the most important law of free markets more obviously than the Rolex Submariner. The world’s most famous diving watch transfers the timeless simplicity of the Datejust to the Diver format, causes a sensation with legendary color combinations such as “Pepsi” or “Hulk,” and demands years of waiting time from its owners. Those who don’t want to wait pay hefty surcharges at retailers. We are curious to see whether the biggest hype of the last decade will ever reach its end.

TAG Heuer Carrera

Hype watches with racing DNA: For many enthusiasts, the TAG Heuer Carrera is the flagship of the Swiss luxury brand and offers everything the horological heart desires, from the timeless sports watch to the technical gem with tourbillon and manufacture movement. In particular, the models with in-house automatic caliber HEUER 02 are a great success, which is due to 80 hours of power reserve and comprehensive skeletonization as well as the enhanced image that the manufacturer experiences due to its independent drives. In the summer of 2022, the hype watches will be expanded to include the Red Dial Limited Edition, which brings fiery temperament to the racing collection.

Nomos Tangente

When the young NOMOS Glashütte brand presented its first collections in 1992, one model in particular stood out: the Tangente. Despite all the additions to the product portfolio that the manufacturer has made over the past 30 years, it is still considered the epitome of the purist Bauhaus style for which Nomos is appreciated by all age groups. Clean lines, blued hands, and five numerals with unmistakable typography characterize the look of this all-rounder, while the manufacture Alpha movement ensures superior power. In the meantime, the NOMOS Tangente has grown into a proud family that includes neomatik editions and compact ladies’ watches with a diameter of 33 millimeters in addition to the classic hand-wound models.

Breitling Navitimer 8

The Breitling Navitimer undergoes a true revolution in 2018, when the iconic pilot’s watch collection is expanded in a striking way. This is because the Breitling Navitimer 8 does not feature a slide rule bezel, which has been the most striking visual detail of the pilot’s watch since its first introduction in 1952. The sporty, clean look of the newcomer appears in five variants, ranging from the noble Unitime with world time complication to the Navitimer 8 B01 with superior manufacture power. Later, the watch hype continues under the Aviator 8 designation, which remains part of the Breitling model family to this day and celebrates legendary aircraft such as the Curtiss Warhawk, P-51 Mustang or F4U Corsair with special editions.

Grand Seiko Heritage Collection

Perfect craftsmanship and technical super performance: Anyone who loves luxurious timepieces is either fascinated by Grand Seiko or at least pays their well-deserved respect to the Japanese high-end brand. Especially the Heritage Collection with legendary models like the SBGA211 “Snowflake” or the SBGJ201 “Mt. Iwate” is gaining increasing recognition on the German market, coupled with the uniqueness of its spring-drive system and the special shine of its Zaratsu polish. Quartz precision with mechanical winding – Grand Seiko’s decades-old drive system arouses the curiosity of both experienced and new enthusiasts, and meets good value for money in the face of sophisticated craftsmanship.

Tissot T-Classic PRX

If the case and bracelet form a unit, special watch shapes are guaranteed. Especially in the 1970s, the eye-catching tonneau cases broke with prevailing design ideas and transported icons like the Tissot PRX to the wrist. Since the modern form of the classic exists, there has been a real run on the affordable design piece. Quartz and automatic versions are available, all equipped with a whopping 100 meters of water resistance. The option to order an 18-karat gold bezel on the retro icon also marks a highlight of the price segment. We are big fans of the automatic variants, whose 80-hour power reserve provides an additional reason for the watch hype surrounding the Tissot PRX.

Der Beitrag Watch hype about hype watches erschien zuerst auf Uhrinstinkt Magazine.