For the reason that finish of the 12 months 2021 is quick approaching and following our latest shopping for guides, we proceed to take a look at the very best watches launched this 12 months in most classes. After the very best chronographs, our favorite watches by unbiased watchmakers or the highest dive watches, it’s time for us to go elegant and dressy. However, MONOCHROME being MONOCHROME, we needed to do it with a twist. Elegant doesn’t essentially imply formal or basic. Lengthy is gone the time when the costume watch was solely outlined by the Calatrava. Watchmakers have understood that magnificence may be mixed with boldness and originality. And listed here are our favorite elegant, costume watches of the 12 months, and all have one thing fairly distinctive to showcase.
Editor’s notice: this listing displays the preferences of MONCHROME’s editorial group and outcomes from an inside vote. This listing is, in fact, non-exhaustive and stays subjective. If there are different time-only, elegant costume watches launched in 2021 that made an impression on you, be happy to share your ideas with us within the remark part.
Armin Strom Tribute 1
As stated, we’re not essentially wanting right here for the basic costume watch… Working example, this beautiful new watch by unbiased watchmaker Armin Strom. A model that has lengthy been specializing in daring designs and openworked (in-house) actions, a few of them with out-of-this-world regulators, this 12 months the duo behind the model has determined to launch their very own imaginative and prescient of a compact, elegant time-only watch. And the Tribute 1 is, on this occasion, fairly fascinating. It manages to mix a restrained look and dimensions with modernity and character. The case, at solely 38mm, is refined but up to date. Similar goes for the dial, which showcases a number of the mechanics. And inside is a robust in-house hand-wound motion that’s on par with the remainder of the watch – which is also probably the most “accessible” mannequin of the model. Extra particulars about the Armin Strom Tribute 1 in our hands-on right here.
Fast info: 38mm diameter – stainless-steel case – grained dial in blue or black with seen barrel and white gold hand-finished bridge – calibre AMW21, in-house, hand-wound, 3.5Hz and 100h energy reserve – alligator strap – restricted to 100 items per color – CHF 13,900
Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Leaping Hour
Refined however complicated, minimalistic however filled with character, supremely elegant but unique. Chopard is a model that is aware of easy methods to create elegant watches, however this Quattro Spirit 25 Leaping Hour is clearly subsequent degree. Standing out with clear graphics and stylish minimalism, the primary leaping hour watch throughout the Chopard collections signifies the hours in digital format by way of an aperture in its pure white Grand Feu enamel dial. The design and ending are excellent, the general magnificence plain. And whenever you flip the watch over, you possibly can see an ultra-powerful motion with no fewer than 4 barrels for 8 days of energy reserve – and naturally a excessive degree of ornament. All the small print in our evaluate right here.
Fast info: 40mm diameter – moral 18k rose gold case – Grand Feu enamel dial on moral 18k rose gold base, with black transferred Grand Feu enamel indications – Chopard calibre L.U.C 98.06-L, in-house, hallmark of Geneva, hand-wound, 4Hz and 8-day energy reserve – matte brown alligator strap – restricted version of 100 items – EUR 44,500
Grand Seiko Magnificence Europe Version SBGW267
We’ve stated it already, however the Grand Seiko SBGW231 is definitely top-of-the-line examples of a time-only, Calatrava-style watches to not be produced in Switzerland. An ideal “sleeper” watch… However in its basic kind, it’s additionally a bit too shy and will reside with a bit extra boldness. Downside solved this 12 months with this SBGW267, a Europe-exclusive version that provides textures and casualness, through the use of real Japanese affect. The primary replace considerations the dial, which receives a texture impressed by structure – conventional Japanese paper referred to as washi to be extra exact. Additionally, it will get a barely hotter silvery color and is worn, for a extra informal look, on a light-weight brown calfskin strap. Inside is the basic however {powerful} hand-wound calibre 9S64. It additionally exists with a darkish brown dial beneath the reference SBGW269. Extra particulars about this duo of Europe-exclusive fashions right here.
Fast info: 37.3mm diameter – stainless-steel case – curved dial with fibre-like ‘washi’ sample in silver color (additionally accessible in darkish brown) – Grand Seiko manufacture calibre 9S64, hand-wound, 4Hz and 72h energy reserve – gentle brown calfskin strap – accessible from Europe-based boutiques and retailers – EUR 4,800
Laurent Ferrier Sq. Micro-Rotor Retro
It’s no shock to see Laurent Ferrier being a part of this listing of our favorite costume watches… The unbiased watchmaker has, for a number of years already, demonstrated its savoir-faire in relation to making elegant watches. The model has at all times centered on an understated, clean design that embodied plain retro inspirations, largely from the Nineteen Twenties to the Nineteen Fifties. And the brand new Sq. Micro-Rotor Retro is bringing this aptitude once more, with a theme impressed by the late Thirties. Particularly, the metal and silver dial mannequin with its geometric rigour, minimalism and graphic stylisation is an indication of experience… And beneath the sapphire caseback is the good-looking, fantastically embellished automated micro-rotor motion with silicon escapement that includes a double direct impulse on the steadiness. All the small print in our hands-on article.
Fast info: 41mm x 41mm – stainless-steel case – Opaline silvery-white dial with round satin-brushed hour circle – Calibre FBN 229.01, proprietary, automated micro-rotor, double direct impulse pure escapement, 3Hz and 72h energy reserve – khaki velvet alligator strap – CHF 45,000
Longines Silver Arrow
Transferring on to one thing barely extra accessible, we’ve been pretty impressed by the brand new Silver Arrow re-edition launched by Longines earlier this 12 months. A basic of the model, with magnificence but a twist, it made a exceptional comeback in a devoted, compact but modernized method. Longines is understood for being top-of-the-line manufacturers in relation to heritage fashions, and this new Silver Arrow is not any exception to the rule. If the case feels easy at first, it exhibits good, discreet particulars resembling the sharp lugs and aspects. Transferring on to the dial, there’s as soon as once more nice consideration to element, with these complicated and unique utilized, striated markers giving the watch quite a lot of character. Inside is a contemporary motion, with elongated energy reserve and antimagnetic properties. The very best of each worlds. A reasonably spectacular bundle for a watch priced beneath the 2K mark. Extra particulars on this article right here.
Fast info: 38.50mm diameter – stainless-steel case – domed silver dial with opaline end and striated/polished indexes – Calibre L888.5 (base ETA A31.L11), automated, 3.5Hz and 72h energy reserve – brown matte calfskin leather-based strap – EUR 1,950
Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 40mm
The Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921, a singular cushion-shaped mannequin with a diagonal show, celebrates its centennial in 2021. And this 12 months, it got here again in a barely extra refined, extra discreet apparel, with a white gold case however nonetheless the identical sense of originality and dandy magnificence. What doesn’t change is the general look of the watch, with this mix of old-school driver’s inspiration, the diagonal structure, the outsized Breguet numerals, and this oddly enticing design that makes this watch so fascinating. Powering its quirky show is the in-house, hand-wound calibre 4400 AS with high-end ornament, as attested by the Poinçon de Genève hallmark. Extra particulars in our evaluate right here.
Fast info: 40mm diameter – 18k white gold case with crown at 1 o’clock – grained silver-tone dial with black painted Arabic numerals and railway minutes monitor – calibre 4400 AS, in-house, hallmark of Geneva, hand-wound, 4Hz and 65h energy reserve – darkish brown calfskin leather-based strap made by Serapian – EUR 36,100
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