Classic Watches: A Classic Never Dies

Ever since soldiers were given watches when heading off to fight in the wars of the 20th century, the wristwatch has come to carry much meaning. It is not only a fashion item but rather also carries and implies status.

The wristwatch has never really gone out of fashion and has not lost its charm down the generations. Even with all the hi-tech Apple watches coming out on the market, convenience only goes so far.

Here are some of the best latest versions of classic wristwatches to help you if you are searching for that perfect classic vintage wristwatch.

	Patek Philippe – Chronograph À Quantième Annuel Price: €64.840 The new PATEK PHILIPPE – CHRONOGRAPHE À QUANTIÈME ANNUEL marks a further step forward in the evolution of Patek Philippe’s Annual Calendar Chronographs: thanks to creative fine-tuning, it has a clearly distinctive new look. The manifestly elegant model with the blue dial comes with matching navy blue strap. A matt black alligator strap complements the version with the black dial. Both straps are secured with a platinum 950 prong buckle.
	Tissot – Everytime Small Price: €195 As its names indicate, this watch will be the winner every time, for any occasion. A classic, timeless design, the sleek and clean face of the Tissot every time singles it out as a very modern watch. The cool minimalism of the face leaves room for some fun experimentation with the bracelet.
	Longines – Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935 Price: €4750 Longines takes us back in time with its new Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935, to the 1930s to be exact. The 41mm steel model stands out for its dial angled at 40°which enabled pilots to see the display. The model was also commissioned by the US army in 1935. The polished white lacquer dial on the Avigation Watch Type A-7 1935 is seriously retro with oversize honey-coloured Arabic numerals and blue pear shape hands. The mono-pusher chronograph has a central seconds hand, 30 minute counter at 12 and date display at 6. The watch is waterproof to depths of 30m.
	IWC – Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 Price: €3900 Pilot watches have an instantly recognisable design: large size, big Arabic numerals, chunky hands, protruding crown and minimalist dial. Although highly popular with watch enthusiasts, some criticise the case size and depth for comfort or design reasons. This year IWC has designed a smaller and slimmer Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 which, has a 36mm steel case. The self-winding 3511 calibre powers the time and date functions along with the 42-hour power reserve.
	Cartier – Drive Extra-Flat Price: €13.700 Despite campaigns strongly aimed at men, this watch would adorn a woman’s wrist as much as a man’s. For this year Cartier has designed a slim, pure version simply baptised Drive Extra-Flat. Its cushion-shaped case is 38mm by 39mm and under 7mm thick and is available in white gold (limited to 200 pieces) or pink gold. The case contains the 430 MC calibre, a manual winding movement driving the hours and minutes while providing a power reserve of about 40 hours.
	Emile Chouriet – Heritier Lady Price: €980 Héritier Lady is a classic little watch of perfect proportions for those who like the hour to be discreet and unfussy. As classic simplicity dictates, the dial of the Héritier Lady is coated in immaculate snow-white lacquer. The disc with its porcelain pallor holds an hour rim made up of Roman numerals and long markers as well as a fine minute track, In the centre, two spear-shaped steel hands, completed by a baton-shaped seconds hand, count down the hours, the minutes and the seconds.
	Girard – Perregaux Laureato 42 Price: €10.000 Thirty different watches have been added to the Girard-Perregaux catalogue in the Laureato range. But the watch that seems to have had the most impact is the Laureato 42, which suit both women and men, maintaining its strong identity since the 1970s. The setting carved out of steel or titanium is topped by the famous octagonal crown with rounded angles. The crown enhances the watch face that comes in three colours (silver, slate grey or blue) The date is displayed in white on a background matching the watch face in a window at 3 o’clock.
	Omega – Speedmaster Price: €8740 For the beginning of the year, Omega has released a preview version of two Speedmaster watches, with this being the second. This new Speedmaster 38mm, affectionately nicknamed the “Cappuccino“ because of its soft colours, is driven by the Omega 3330 calibre. This self-winding movement, certified as a chronometer by the COSC and fitted with a Co-Axial escapement and a silicon spiral, drives the hour, calendar and chronograph functions while providing over 50 hours of power reserve.
	Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Gold Price: €28.400 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Watch. 41mm x 10.80mm 18K pink gold case, screw-locked crown, glare-proofed sapphire crystal, black dial with Grande Tapisserie pattern, pink gold applied hour markers, and pink gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating, self-winding Audemars Piguet Calibre 2385 movement with chronograph, date, and small seconds, approximately 40 hours of power reserve, hand-stitched large square scale black crocodile strap with 18K pink gold folding buckle. Water resistant to 50 meters.