My job as an editor means that my life is ruled by strict time boundaries and imminent deadlines, so I spend a lot of time looking at my watch. I imagine this happens to many of you and your partners, so I thought you may be interested in introducing a bit of variety into the watch collection of your beloved, so this St Valentine’s you give them – metaphorically – the gift of time.
I’ll start with a very original piece, the new Hamilton Jazzmaster Face-2-Face III, which re-interpretates the idea of a rotating case design. The third edition of this remarkable watch is limited to 999 pieces and comes in a round rotating 44mm case, which pivots at the crown on one side and at a screw on the other. The double-sided dial offers a time-telling face with date and chronograph functions and the other features measurement scales and an exhibition movement.
The third iteration of the Hamilton Face-2-Face balances tradition, innovation and elegance at an unbeatable retail price: just £2,595.
Powering the new Face-2-Face we find their H-41 automatic chronograph movement with 60 hours power reserve. This is the kind of statement piece perfect for adventurer types and those who like being noticed. Retail price £2,595. Find it HERE.
My second choice is a watch that is sure to put a big smile on the face of retro-design lovers, the Rado DiaStar Original collection. This vintage-looking timepiece comes with several dial variations, all in 38mm cases and rhodium-coloured hands with Super-LumiNova®. I have chosen the green-brushed model (£1,320) as I think the colour really stands out against the super-shiny and scratch-resistant Ceramos™ coiffe and the monochrome stainless-steel case and bracelet. The date display matches the colour of the dial. The in-house R764 automatic movement with antimagnetic Nivachron™ offers 80 hours of power reserve. Find it HERE.
The case of the most recent Diastar Original remains faithful to the very first model from 1962. It features an unusual parallel-stripe faceted crystal that beautifully complements its slightly conic profile.
Another contemporary piece with a vintage flavour is the minimalist Tonda PF Automatic by Parmigiani, winner of the “ladies” category at the GPHG 2022 (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève). I have chosen the model in 18kt rose gold with Deep Ruby Grain d’Orge guilloché dial (£45,600), which, combined with the knurled bezel and an integrated bracelet, looks the most elegant on the wrist. All versions come with a 36mm case and on the dial, invisibly set baguette-cut diamonds mark the hours.
The Tonda PF Automatic is powered by the Maison’s new calibre PF770 with a 60-hour power reserve. Its 22kt rose gold, skeletonized oscillating weight case is adorned with the PF logo, floating in the centre of a sapphire plate. Find it HERE.
For the truly romantic, what best than to include a private message on the watch that you give to your beloved? The truth is that the back of a mechanical watch is often a beautiful thing… hardly ever seen by anyone but the owner and the watchmaker. In the case of Nomos Glashütte, depending on the model, the casebacks are elegantly sloped, made of sapphire crystal or stainless steel. They bear a limited-edition inscription and number, and one can add a personal, private engraving, to make the watch an extra special gift.
Love message engraved on the back of a Nomos Orion, a refined and discreet watch for every day of your life.
Engravings are possible with almost all their models except special editions, their high-end gold watches Lux and Lambda as well as the Tetra with sapphire glass back. In watches with a steel caseback, there is normally space for up to 22 characters; in the case of glass, it differs. It takes no more than five working days and in Campus models, just three. This is a complimentary service by Nomos Glashütte. Find out more HERE.
Design nerds with a bit of nostalgia for the ‘80s will most definitely appreciate the new Bell & Ross x Alain Silberstein black ceramic watches. Known for his love of geometrical forms and primary colours, Silberstein is no stranger to collaborating with watch brands. With Bell & Ross, he has developed three models based on their iconic BR 03, inspired by aviation cockpit instruments.
All Bell&Ross x Alain Silberstein black ceramic trilogy watches (Grail Watch 4) are individually numbered. Watches 1 to 50 will be sold exclusively in a box set of all three timepieces (£14,000).
There is a time-only version with date (BR 03-92 Klub 22) priced at £3,700 and limited to 200 units; a diving watch (BR 03-92 Marine 22) at £4,700 of which only 100 examples will be made; and a chronograph (BR 03-94 Krono 22), also limited to 100 pieces and priced at £5,600. Find them HERE.
Before we live the ‘80s, let me introduce you to the watch that stole my heart when it launched in 1980, Hublot. I was a little kid but already very fond of watches. I fell in love with its minimalistic look: the simple black dial, gold case, bezel with titanium screws inspired by a ship’s porthole (“hublot” in French) and a rubber strap that smelled of vanilla. The idea by founder Carlo Crocco was to create a practical watch that could resist the elements. It became an immediate classic.
Hublot’s Classic Fusion Original brings back the sports watch that shook conventions in the ‘80s by pairing precious gold with rubber.
The original design evolved to become the Classic Fusion family which has just grown with three new members, brought together in the Hublot Classic Fussion Original collection. The very first Hublot from 1980 was set in a 36mm case, while the new ones are available in three sizes (33, 38 and 42mm) and three materials (titanium, ceramic and gold). Like the seals, the iconic screws place their hallmark on the bezels and their sapphire casebacks reveal the mechanical parts. Find them HERE.
Since we have moved into classics, I’d like to finish my selection of watches for this coming St Valentine’s with this new timepiece from the Longines Master Collection. A 34mm case hosts a new champagne-coloured sun ray dial featuring diamonds as hour markers and silver-polished hands with the date showing at 3 o’clock.
The Master Collection brings together the classical elegance and excellent quality of Longines in a wide range of models with many special features.
The heart of this timeless watch beats at the pace of the L888 automatic self-winding movement, with a power reserve of 72 hours. It is available with a leather strap or with a stainless-steel bracelet equipped with a triple safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism. Both versions are priced at £2,050. Find it HERE.
Words: Julia Pasarón
Opening picture by Jordan Benton
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