A small history of watches and several tips for buying the perfect watch. De Ville Tresor 125th Anniversary Edition, 40mm 18k yellow gold case, burgundy leather strap It’s a big year for Omega. The main event is the 50th anniversary of the moon landing — and, in turn, of the first watch on the moon, Omega’s Speedmaster — but there’s plenty more to celebrate. Such as Omega itself turning 125. For many, the most elegant of a series of watches marking the birthday will be the De Ville Tresor 125th Anniversary Edition. An exercise in understatement, the 40mm 18k yellow gold case houses a red enamel dial and a chronometer-certified, hand-wound Co-Axial Omega movement. On the reverse, where you might expect a sapphire case back, you find an 18K commemorative “medallion” emblazoned with a vintage Omega logo. The classic design follows the company’s iconic brand colour and extends to the burgundy leather strap with tone-on-tone stitching.
Let’s move on to the under 1000 USD category. Cases made from solid titanium — loved for its lightweight, durable and hypoallergenic properties — are not such a common site on sub-$150 watches, which is what makes the young U.S. watch brand Bertucci an enticing option. Similarly enticing is the classic field watch dial design, the Japanese quartz movement inside, and a 100-meter depth rating. You’d be forgiven for thinking Citizen’s entire lineup is made up of its quartz Eco-Drive watches, but the brand does, in fact, make some mechanicals. The NH8350, for instance, packs a Miyota 8200 automatic movement into a clean-cut stainless steel case and comes adorned with a shimmering, sunray blue dial. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better mechanical dress watch for less.
Certina, founded in Grenchen, Switzerland in 1888, has always been a rather low-key brand. You may not know, but they were innovators in shock protection and water resistance, which is nearly weapons-grade on this watch. The rotating ceramic diving bezel on this 41mm beauty, usually a hallmark of much more expensive pieces, is scratch resistant and nearly indestructible, and the handsome strap features a deployment clasp. Shinola watches, assembled in Detroit, have sparked a renaissance in the Motor City and for American watch brands in general. One of their latest editions of their most popular design, the Runwell, is a subtle version of what can be a busy style. This is destined to become a classic design that will no doubt age well with it’s stainless steel case and durable leather strap. With a clean ivory-colored face and luminous hands, wearing this watch makes a statement that you value good design, but don’t need an overly expensive timepiece to speak for you.
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