Are you interested in living as long and healthy a life as possible? Good habits are critical to meeting your goal, and working out to stay fit is one of the important habits you need to develop.

If you’re not bursting with excitement when your scheduled workout time arrives, fitness watches will change your life by providing the motivation you need to get off the couch and get moving.

Reality Strikes

It would be fair to say that marketing for most fitness products is primarily based on illusion.

That photo of a woman jogging in full makeup, with 0.00001 percent body fat and not a drop of sweat showing, is obviously a misrepresentation of real life.

For many of us, getting fit is something we need to do but not something we want to do – at least, not every day.

That’s because it’s difficult to get motivated. It is nearly impossible to continually find reasons to “want” to exercise.

Sure, you can force yourself to do it today or even for a few weeks, but setting and sticking to a consistent workout schedule over time can be very tough, even for professional athletes.

Consider pro hockey player Mike Richards of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. He risked being cut by his team because he was in poor physical shape after an offseason spent fishing and drinking adult beverages, instead of running and working out.

Richards is paid in excess of $5 million a year. If a professional athlete making that kind of money has motivation issues, then it should be no surprise that the rest of us do as well.

Spicing Things Up

If you find motivation an issue, there are accessories which can spice things up and get you excited about getting off the couch.

And some of the best accessories are fitness watches.

Fitness watches are of particular use to runners, because they can provide an amazing amount of information which can be used to track performance and provide inspiration.

When you use one, you can not only monitor day-to-day improvements in your times, but can also see how much your health is improving.

For most people, the ability to track their performance is really the key.

You’re finally home after a long day at work, and you are supposed to knock out a five-mile run? Ugh. The temptation to plop down in a comfortable chair and watch your favorite show can be overwhelming.

But – what if you’ve been trying for months to lower your time for that five-mile run and are closing in on your goal?

It may sound like a small thing, but this little bit of extra motivation can make all the difference when you’re deciding between working out and vegging out.

But there’s more to it than that.

Ultimately, fitness watches are a must-have for anyone making a commitment to getting fit.

They will provide you with real-time measurements ranging from the distance you cover on a run, to your pace, to the number of calories you’ve burned.

All of these factors can turn a boring exercise session into a competition; since humans are naturally competitive, you are far more likely to stick to your exercise regimen if you’re regularly checking your fitness watch.

For a healthy, productive life you need to exercise regularly.

It will keep your heart in optimal condition while keeping your weight down as well. Fitness watches are a great way to make sure you stick to your workout plan and personal development schedule, and as silly as it might sound at first, they really can change your life.

7 Myths Uncovered About Sports Watches

Sports watches are a crucial accessory for anyone trying to get fit through exercise. However, there are thousands of them on the market, many promising benefits they can’t possibly deliver. With this in mind, let’s look at seven myths about sports watches.

1. Sports Watches Make You Fit

Sports and fitness watches are similar to any other type of exercise equipment or accessory. Will they help you get fit and remain in great shape? Yes, but only if you actually wear them and use them properly. If you buy a sports watch but then just stick it on a shelf or wear it as a normal, everyday watch, you are going to be disappointed with your results. And you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.

2. All Watches Are All The Same

There seems to be a general impression that all sports watches are interchangeable. This is a myth of the highest order. Quality sports watches are designed for specific tasks. Most will do the job for casual walkers and runners, but far fewer are useful for competitive runners or for use in a triathlon when you need to track stats for running, biking and swimming. Always take the time to determine realistically what you need the watch to track, and then make sure to pick models which provide that functionality. If your sport is unusual, you might just need an unusual watch to match.

3. Sports Watches Are Waterproof

Many assume that “sports watch” means “waterproof,” but that’s simply not the case. It’s an easy assumption to make, since a waterproof watch would seem to be a requirement for use by runners. After all, most people don’t let a bit of rain or fog deter them from a run – and if they’re going to be exercising, they’re probably also going to be sweating. But it’s a myth that all sports watches are waterproof. As with most items, you get what you pay for; make sure the one you buy is waterproof, or you are just wasting money.

4. They Have A Long Battery Life

Another myth is that every sports watch comes with a long battery life. Battery life may not be a major concern if you run just a couple of miles a few times a week, but it’s crucial if you’re a serious runner and do ten miles a day (or more). A sports watch actually works harder and requires more power than a regular watch, since it’s not just telling the time, it’s also measuring data. And if you are in the middle of a 15 mile run and your watch goes dead, it’s useless. Always check the manufacturer’s specs on battery life before buying a sports watch; certain Garmin models, in particular, are known for short battery life.

5. All Sport Watches Can Upload Data

No, not every sports watch will upload workout data to a computer. This functionality is important to people who wish to track their performance over time to see if they are improving, and even more important if they have health issues which need to be monitored. However, most sports watches do not have the ability to upload data. If you need this functionality, you need to look for it specifically and should expect to pay a good bit more for it.

6. These watches Accurately Measure Distance

The common belief is that all sports watches are essentially accurate. This is simply not true. The problem usually isn’t the watch itself, but the software used in the device. A low-cost sports watch is going to have very basic software which only records movement and predicts pace in very general terms. This often leads to wild inaccuracies, leaving runners in half-marathons to wonder why the distance shown on their watch does not even come close to the length of the actual race. With high-end sports watches you get better software and better monitoring, giving you a true indication of the distance you’ve traveled and your pace. Offerings such as Footpod, Polar V800 and Garman 205 watches are considered very accurate. Of course, you’ll pay more for that accuracy.

7. Bigger is Better

It doesn’t matter whether you’re from Texas, Tennessee or Tahiti – most people believe that bigger is always better. That’s a complete myth when it comes to sports watches, though. Smaller sports watches can provide the exact same functionality as larger ones if you’re choosing quality products and brands. And do you really want to be wearing a monster-sized watch (with a monster-sized “sweat profile”) when you hit the last hard mile of your run? With sports watches, smaller is better as long as you have the functionality you need, and smaller watches are even coming back into vogue.

Just as with all workout gear, it’s easy to believe the myths everyone repeats over and over – but that will only lead to wasted money. Ignore the common misconceptions about sports watches. Instead, determine exactly what you need and then focus on the specifications of each watch you’re considering.  If you focus on doing this your new fitness watch really could change your life!

How to Guide – Luxury Mechanical Watch Service, Maintenance and Care

It’s a terrific feeling to buy something that’s brand new.

Whether you’ve made a major purchase like an automobile or a smaller one like a food processor, nothing’s better than using it for the first time. The car’s smooth pickup as you pull out of the dealership is exhilarating; the first pesto you make in the Cuisinart may not be as exhilarating, but it’s certainly rewarding and delicious.

But after a while, the new car smell goes away and the food processor may start making strange noises.

That’s when the joy of buying turns into the hassle of maintenance and repairs, and you may even start questioning the wisdom of your purchase. At the very least, you may regret having ignored the simple but necessary task of routine maintenance.

Mechanical watches have many moving parts, and high-end models are precision instruments. Even a low-end quartz watch has as many as 100 different small parts inside, while a luxury timepiece has at least twice that many.

There is an average of 220 moving parts in a Rolex, for example, and watches with extremely intricate complications may have many more.

That’s a prescription for eventual disaster – if the luxury mechanical watch hasn’t been serviced and maintained properly.

You’re probably well aware that these timepieces can easily cost between $5,000 and $50,000.

Whether you’ve purchased a designer watch for its appearance, its ability to make an immediate personal or fashion statement, or as a treasured keepsake to keep in the family, a luxury timepiece is a major investment. Proper maintenance doesn’t simply avoid annoying and expensive repairs down the road. It ensures the integrity of your valuable property for decades to come.

The good news is that servicing and maintaining a luxury timepiece isn’t difficult. It just requires some common sense on your part, and a professional “tune-up” every so often.

Groom+Style will deal with the issue of servicing first.

Does My Mechanical Watch Really Need to Be Serviced?

All luxury watch manufacturers recommend a regular interval for professional servicing.

You can ignore their recommendation, naturally, but that will void any warranty that may still be in effect.

Generally speaking, high-end timepieces should be serviced every three to five years.

A few examples: Raymond Weil recommends a three-year interval, Breitling suggests a tune-up every four to six years, and Rolex recently changed their position drastically, increasing their recommended time frame from three years all the way up to ten. You should check the owner’s manual for your watch to determine how often the manufacturer thinks you should have your watch looked at by a professional.

Investing in a watch winder (a box with a motor that moves your watch when you are not wearing it to ensure the mechanical interior does not get stuck) can delay the need for a service slightly, but will not remove it completely.

There are two approaches you can take when it’s time to service your luxury timepiece; you can send it back to the factory or you can take it to a third-party. There are even services where you can send your watch by post such as this bespoke Rolex watch service. Each has its pros and cons.

Sending your watch back to the brand for service guarantees that the work will be done by professional horologists, who have the knowledge and experience to properly handle your specific watch model. It also ensures that any replacement parts will be branded and original, and that guarantees will be extended.

However, there is almost always a long wait for factory service, so your watch could be out of your hands (and off your wrist) for as long as several months (you could always invest in another watch for your collection to get around this issue).

It can also be much more expensive to send your timepiece for service at the brand, because standard operating procedures of some high-end brands call for the automatic replacement of a number of parts which may still be in good repair.

Many local watchmakers will be happy to service your timepiece.

Unfortunately, a good number of them have little-to-no experience with high-end watches; many more will have no acquaintance with your particular make or model. That makes it imperative to find a qualified watch repair professional familiar with and certified by the brand of watch that you own.

It’s not a well-known fact, but many brands won’t allow local watchmakers access to their proprietary repair manuals and parts unless they’ve first passed difficult certification exams.

For some brands of watch, very specialized equipment is also necessary to do anything other than general cleanings. Even in that case, though, many branded parts are difficult for local shops to find and many third-party services substitute generic replacements.

Those parts can work fine, but they may void your warranty or lower the value of your timepiece.

An experienced local watchmaker certified by your brand – if you can find one – will likely be able to do the work more quickly and for a lower price. Do your research and find a service that specializes in, and is certified, for your brand of watch.

What’s Involved in a Watch Servicing?

The horologist or technician servicing your watch will always inspect, lubricate, clean, polish and test the timepiece.

That’s more difficult than it sounds, since at least some of the movement will have to be dismantled in order to lubricate the parts.

It’s easy to understand why you should only trust someone experienced with your brand to take your timepiece apart – and more importantly, put it back together properly.

Dismantling the works is important for another reason. Any watch that’s been in use for years will have at least some metal-on-metal wear, so it’s pretty much a given that there will be at least some parts which need to be replaced during a scheduled servicing.

You might wonder “I’ve maintained it properly, so why are the parts wearing down?” but consider your car’s brakes.

After a certain amount of driving, the brake pads or linings will need replacement; that’s not because you’ve done anything wrong, but simply due to normal use and wear.

The story is similar with your watch. Some parts will become worn and need replacement over the years – and if they’re not replaced, internal damage can get much worse. If your watch has suffered damage to its case, strap or crown those will also be repaired or replaced during a servicing (at an additional cost, of course).

Bear in mind that we’re discussing routine, scheduled service for your luxury timepiece. Should your watch suffer damage or begin acting erratically, you should bring or send it for service as soon as possible, just as you would do with your car if it starts acting up. The longer you wait, the higher the repair bill will be.

Maintaining Your Luxury Timepiece

High-end watches are designed to last a lifetime, but only if you care for them properly.

That’s not hard to do, but it’s easy to become forgetful or neglectful. Here are a few tips to help you keep your valuable watch in the best-possible condition.

– Keep Your Watch Clean: Dirt and grime has a way of infiltrating even the finest mechanical timepieces. Cleaning and polishing yours regularly with a jewelry microfiber cloth will not only help it look its best, but will ensure that it won’t tarnish or build up problematic layers of dirt. Avoid chemicals and don’t use just any jewelry polish on your watch; check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations.

– Don’t Leave the Crown Open: Many people understandably forget to close the crown after setting the date or time, but that’s an opening where dust, dirt or water can get in. Always take a moment to be certain the crown is closed.

– Store Your Watch Properly: After a day of avoiding contact between their watch and furniture or sharp objects, many people then drop it into their jewelry case or a nightstand where it can easily be scratched by other accessories. Use a jewelry cloth or organizer to cushion or wrap your watch when you put it away for the night. Don’t store the watch in direct sunlight or hot temperatures; find a cool, dry spot for it.

– Pay Attention to the Band: Leather straps are particularly susceptible to damage. Keep them dry (if you have a waterproof timepiece, dry out the band after it’s immersed), away from excess sun and humidity if possible, and don’t over-tighten the strap on your wrist (which can lead to cracking). Whether the band is leather or metal, always apply any cologne or perfume before putting the band on your wrist to avoid unnecessary exposure which can cause damage or corrosion.

– Avoid Water Exposure: Non-waterproof luxury timepieces should be kept far away from water and even waterproof models should only be submerged when necessary (and wearing the watch in the shower, of course, isn’t necessary). Don’t wear waterproof watches in salt water or in the spa, since salt is a major cause of corrosion and the heat of a spa can do additional damage above and beyond anything water could cause. Dry waterproof watches as soon as possible after they’re immersed, and bring your watch in for a check if you notice any condensation under the crystal.

– Avoid Magnetic Fields: Magnetism can do serious damage to the works inside a mechanical timepiece. Appliances and electronics like refrigerators, speakers, hand-held devices and security scanners can magnetize a watch (you can check for this by holding the timepiece next to a compass). This issue calls for an immediate visit to a qualified technician.

The proper servicing and maintenance of a luxury timepiece will protect your major investment in a high-end watch.

It should even allow the timepiece to function long after you’re gone, and your children or grandchildren are impressing their acquaintances with the keepsake vintage luxury watch they’ve inherited.

Now that you have all the information you need to service and maintain your mechanical watch you can proceed with confidence to add to your luxury watch collection:

Top 10 Best Luxury Watches for Women

Top 10 Best Luxury Watches for Men

Few people need a watch to tell the time anymore. At home, at work there are digital watches on appliances, on electronic equipment and in the corners of our computer screens.

When we’re out in the “real world,” a quick glance at our smartphones tells us not only the time, but also the temperature, what’s happening in the ballgame and whether one of the Kardashians has done something we don’t really need to know about.

That means the primary purpose of a watch in the 21^st century is as an accessory, and luxury watches are the ultimate accessories. The proper high-end watch completes an outfit; more importantly it conveys elegance and style, and makes a distinct personal statement.

Vintage and antique timepieces, passed down through generations of families, may have special meaning to the owner and become a conversation piece when worn in public, even if they weren’t manufactured by a well-known watchmaker.

“Necessity watches” that some people wear because they’re not regularly near clocks – or simply out of habit – are virtually invisible.

Wearing a luxury watch sends a powerful message to colleagues, employees, clients, social acquaintances and even potential employers. It is a sign that you are living a good life and that you care about making a good impression.

It can be as confusing and difficult to choose the right watch as it is to buy a new car. Their specifications, functions and features are important, but the most crucial factor is whether the timepiece just seems right for you.

The car-buying process is often tricky and fraught with peril. Unfortunately, the luxury watch buying process can be as frustrating and treacherous as a trip to the auto dealership if you don’t know what to expect, what to look for or who to trust.

Groom+Style don’t want you to go into the trenches unarmed; here’s a look at the good, the bad and the ugly of buying luxury watches.

What Is A Luxury Watch, Anyway?

It’s probably a good idea to start with a quick definition. A luxury watch is usually defined by three factors: its designer or manufacturer, its internal workings, and its price.

The brand name attached to a timepiece often immediately qualifies it as a luxury watch.

Venerable watchmakers such as Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe are revered for their complicated movements, outstanding craftsmanship and impeccable design, and any watch produced by one of those companies is automatically assumed to be a luxury watch.

High-end manufacturers such as Rolex and Cartier sit on a slightly lower tier but are immediately identified with “luxury” because of their iconic brand names.

To understand the inner workings of a luxury timepiece, you have to know a little about how they’re built. Watches can have two types of operating systems, known as movements.

Lower-end quartz timepieces use an internal oscillator and are powered by batteries. If manufactured well, they are extremely accurate and relatively inexpensive to produce – but not considered luxury watches.

You can normally tell a quartz watch by the “tick-tick-tick” of the second hand.

Mechanical movements are quite different.

They utilize energy that’s stored in a spring to power the gears inside the watch and must be painstakingly created by hand, with the highest-quality “complications” requiring an inordinate amount of work to perfect.

This method of operation can make a watch slightly less accurate, which is why the best Swiss mechanical movements are certified for accuracy by independent authorities. The “telltale sign” of a mechanical watch is a second hand that sweeps instead of ticks.

Luxury watches for women will feature mechanical movements, with the best timepieces boasting prestigious certifications for accuracy.

You may be asking why a watch subject to accuracy questions would be more valuable and desirable than a quartz watch; it’s for the same reason that a Porsche 911 is a luxury automobile while a Ford Focus isn’t.

The Focus may reliably get you where you want to go, but a Porsche – well, you don’t have to be told the difference.

Finally, price plays a major role in defining a luxury watch.

The finest brand-name luxury timepieces available to the public (that is, not limited-edition or special order watches) often cost well above the $10,000 price level, sometimes approaching or even exceeding the $100,000 mark. What could say “luxury” more than that?

Buying Luxury Watches: The Good

Quite simply, a luxury watch makes a first impression that might otherwise take you minutes, days or months to convey. The right timepiece can send messages like “success,” “style” or “judgment” with just one flash of the wrist. 

Wearing a luxury watch that isn’t as commonly-seen as a Rolex or Patek can send additional messages like “exclusive,” “discriminating” or simply “very wealthy.”

The finest luxury timepieces will have the ability to keep near-perfect time as well, thanks to their finely-crafted mechanical complications lovingly created by skilled artisans.

They may also have features impossible to find on more mundane watches, such as aeronautical gauges or staying waterproof up to 100 meters.

The high quality of a luxury watch can also ensure that you’ll own your timepiece for many trouble-free years.  Romain Jerome even have a collection of watches made with parts from the titanic.

Purchasing a high-end designer watch can be a pleasure instead a nightmare, if you deal with a reputable boutique or dealer specializing in luxury timepieces.

When you choose the proper vendor you’ll receive the perks of being a valued buyer, from solicitous advice and white-glove treatment to outstanding customer service; these dealers consider you a client, not just a customer.

There are some sellers who are less trustworthy, however, and we’ll deal with them when we discuss the “ugly” of buying luxury watches.

There’s certainly no guarantee that a luxury watch will hold its value forever, let alone appreciate.

Yet many top brand-name timepieces do indeed retain much of their worth over time, and some do appreciate in value as they age; for that reason, some purchasers see their purchase of a luxury watch as an investment.

On the other hand, previously-owned designer watches are easy to find on secondary markets.

Many which have not grown in value can be acquired at prices substantially below the cost of a brand-new luxury watch – allowing buyers to own and wear a statement watch they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. You also might want to keep current trends and new designs in mind.

Then, of course, there’s the obvious. A luxury watch adds a look of sophistication and style to a man’s appearance, and can give a woman’s outfit the appropriate finishing touch of elegance, flash or glamour.

Dazzling necklaces, rings, pendants and other accessories are obvious and sometimes gaudy symbols of wealth, but high-end timepieces are subtle and often more effective in making an impressive personal statement.

Buying Luxury Watches: The Bad

Groom+Style have one word for you: price. You would naturally expect to pay quite a bit more for any luxury goods, but designer watches carry high price tags that might surprise first-time buyers.

After all, it just goes on your wrist and tells time; how much can any watch cost?

A lot.

The world’s most expensive luxury timepieces sell for more than a million dollars, and you’d be hard pressed to find “ordinary” high-end watches for less than four figures.

The designer watches that are often used as examples of luxury pieces regularly sell for anywhere between $10,000 and $50,000. That’s not necessarily “bad” if you can afford to spend that much on a fine watch, but price is the number-one drawback for most would-be buyers.

If you’re looking for more affordable options, this list of watches under 200 might be the better choice for you.

The other drawback is the potential for depreciation.

Most watches do lose at least some of their value over their lifetime, so buying luxury timepieces as investment vehicles is not a game for the novice. If you’re purchasing a high-end watch for its many attributes or to pass down through your family over time – rather than as an attractive lottery ticket – its expected depreciation isn’t really “bad” at all.

It’s simply what you should expect when making any purchase.

You also have to plan for the “unexpected” accessories that you will need to invest in, that no one really talks about, to care and maintain your watch at home – such as mechanical watch winders.  

As the name suggestions, these are boxes with motors that keep your watch moving to stop the oil within them drying up.

Buying Luxury Watches: The Ugly

There are bad people in the world. Some have found that there’s big money to be made by producing counterfeit luxury watches and selling them to unsuspecting customers.

It’s illegal for any number of reasons including trademark and copyright infringement, and fraud. It costs legitimate manufacturers billions of dollars per year.

The market for fake high-end watches has given rise to many snake-oil salesmen, both in stores and online, who try to pawn off counterfeit watches as the real thing.

The scammers have gotten so good at reproducing luxury timepieces that even many jewelers and dealers can’t tell the difference. If you’re not patronizing a reputable dealer or online vendor, you could be among those paying big money for fake goods.

Not every seller is trying to scam thousands of dollars on each watch.

Many of these counterfeits are sold for prices far below the market price of the genuine article so it’s easy to tell that you’re purchasing a fake; you’re not going to be able to buy a legitimate Jaeger-LeCoultre for $400. Some websites even tell you up front that the merchandise is a “replica.”

It’s very tempting to grab a timepiece which appears at first glance to be a Rolex, in order to impress those you meet casually or in business or social settings.

But that harms the industry, and if it’s not immediately obvious to others that you’re wearing a counterfeit watch, they’re likely to discover it sooner or later and think less of you for it.

There is also a so-called “grey market” for luxury watches, where you can purchase a legitimate piece at a lower price.

Whether or not these timepieces have been acquired through honest means, they won’t have a factory warranty or be eligible for any sort of luxury mechanical watch servicing. Be aware before you buy.

Should You Buy A Luxury Watch?

If you can’t afford it, of course not.

If you can, and you’re searching for an accessory which will make the ultimate statement about your fashion sense, your sophistication and your style, a luxury watch will provide greater personal satisfaction and rewards than almost anything else you can purchase – except, perhaps, that Jaguar 911.  Follow the links below to find Groom+Style’s pick of the top 10 best luxury watches for men and women.

Top 10 Best Luxury Watches for Women

Top 10 Best Luxury Watches for Men

New vs. Traditional Luxury Watchmakers – Top 13 Pieces to be Aware of in 2024

Luxury watches, whether sport-focused, otherwise-focused, or those created with a limited budget in mind, help discretely keep us on time while looking like stylish pieces of art.

They offer us reassurance with their beautiful simplicity or their elegant complexity, allowing us to keep our lives in order while they act as excellent accessories.

They can offer us peace of mind as we have a piece of art integrated into our style and life patterns. Further still, they influence the much less expensive options down the line.

A lot of terms go into the craft of appreciating luxury watches and the mechanical properties of clockwork.

For watch enthusiasts, these specs offer a deeper degree of customization and appreciation.

Nonetheless, the casual hobbyist appreciates finding a piece that appeals to them on both a functional and aesthetic level.

Each of the following watchmakers are innovators, as they move this analog artform into the future with smart features, flawless self-winding mechanic, recycled resources, natural materials, and perpetual timekeeping.

Alternatively, they have taken the liberty of introducing new, original “takes” into horology.

We know that even if watchmaking is a pretty traditional activity, several new companies have cropped up recently to inject their perspective regarding the whole business, which is sometimes completely innovative. And at least one of these brands come from the core tradition of the groups which form the backbone of high-end and luxury Swiss horology.

This means that- even if we acknowledge the return to very old designs and shapes,  there is a constant attention to innovation and the needs of the emerging buyers who are needing exactly that: some new, fresh proposals which are outside what has already been seen.

The Six New Trends of Watchmaking

The new year started in January with the SIHH – the International Fair of High Horology.

This venue marks the start of the year in watchmaking and sets the pace of the industry, showing the most recent trends of the business. These trends were quite different from what the users were accustomed to so let us examine them together so we can know what to expect in the near future:

1) It’s Not a Man’s World Anymore

Traditionally, horology was always divided into two separate field which were generally separated: men’s watches and women’s watches. Men’s watches were strong, muscular, and assertive. Women’s watches were light, blingy, and sophisticated.

Not anymore. The evolution of the styles have caused this trend to change substantially, as lots of ladies have, with the change of their role in society, embraced a much more active role in business and the industry. This results in them wearing men’s watches, which are less of a bracelet and more of a different, and authoritative, ornament.

2) Big Is Out for Good

Until today, we have seen a constant growth in the size of the average wristwatch. The elegant watches of the fifties ranged from 30-38 mm, and didn’t get much bigger than that. Yet now, with the excesses inspired by a hypertrophic market, some models and brands are nearly unwearable.

Yet this progression has finally stopped. The reason might be different, but we suspect that the influx of Asian customers plays a big part in this reversal. Even the brand which embodied the trend for growth, Panerai, has presented a “small” version of its Luminor Due model in a size of just 38 mm.

3) Pretty in Pink? Definitely

If you have a passing interest in color trends, you know that the Pantone company, which is quite famous for presenting in autumn the color of the following year, has decided that 2019 will be the year of “Living Coral.”

This is essentially a shade of warm pink. And the watch industry has not been immune to this influx, because the powdery colors of pink in its various hues fit very well with the return to the moods of the 40s and 50s.

4) From Art Deco to Modernism

Some of the modern timepieces are avant-garde and futuristic, but others are very retro-inspired. Lots of companies are reissuing their classic models as “Heritage” series. They are also revisiting the old solutions for cases, which get out of the traditionally round shape to delve into tonneau and squarish ones, along with some modern interpreting to explore new variations.

5) Playing on Materials and Finishings

The timepieces we have seen presented in the SIHH put much more attention into finishing and details than before. For example, most dials show some guilloché decoration, suitably enhanced by the applications of other crafts, like the use of enamel grand feu and porcelain, with a modern twist.

6) Manufacture Movements Are the New Black

We has predicted it in the past, and we were spot-on: the market is overflowing with new releases of manufacture movements enriched by dazzling complication. It is like being transported into horologist’s heaven, only to get them we need to pass through the cashier first.

A Roundup of Wrist Stars

We have included a selection of watch companies, both traditional and innovative, with very different styles and price levels. There should be something for everyone here.

Some are new entires while others are old pals, but all are noteworthy in one aspect or another.

The New Notable Watchmakers

1) Baume

Everybody who is even a little bit inside watchmaking knows Baume et Mercier, right? Well, the issue is that there is no “et Mercier” here.

The Richemont Group, which contains some of the top brands of Swiss horology amd where we find the venerable Baume et Mercier, has introduced recently (2018) a new brand simply called  Baume, marketed towards Millennials.

And after a (most probably) long inception, this rather innovative brand has debuted, featuring some quirky, but well-chosen features, which create a sort of middle ground between fashion watches and true horology.

We can’t be certain as to the results, but this is an unusual and very interesting development in the horology industry. And the watches, let me tell you, are lovely. Here are a few more notable aspects:

• The distribution of the watches is directly made by the company through their e-commerce website: the watch is assembled for you and then sent to your home directly in a couple weeks time
• At least one line of the watches is entirely customizable through an online configurator, resulting in over 2,000 possible combinations. This is a watch that is “unique” for its wearer (and can be engraved on the back – a service which is included in the list price).
• The style of the watches is somewhat unusual. You do not get this on the “regular” market, as the watches uniformly offer a post-industrial mood which appealing to Millennials.
• The materials used for the watches and the wristbands are 100 percent recycled/natural/sustainable: Baume watches feature such unique materials as natural cork, cotton, and linen.
• This sustainable trend is the underlying philosophy of the brand. For example, while nowadays the watches are assembled in one location only (the Netherlands), there is a plan to creare a set of assembly workshops around the globe to reduce the carbon footprint required for shipping them.
• The prices, while not exactly low, are more or less affordable and very well tailored to suit the niche.

Water Resistance: 3-5 ATM/30-50 meters
Movement: Quartz and Mechanical, based on Miyota movements
Type: Mechanical and Quartz based
Case: Stainless Steel
Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Straps: Wide array of options, all upcycled, recycled and natural
Where to Buy:

• Shop Online

2) REC Watches

REC stands for Recover, Recycle, Reclaim. This process defines REC watches and sets them apart from the rest. Founded by two Danish long-time friends, REC Watches makes it their mission to identify and recover salvaged icons from automobiles and mechanical crafts around the world. Their watches tell a story, since the recycling process makes each piece unique.

REC watches are made with the highest grade components so that they will last a lifetime without any issues. Perhaps most known for their P-51 collection, which have features recycled from classic Ford Mustangs, REC Watches are for the mechanically-inspired. Their distressed look and recycled patina makes them great for any occasion.

Water Resistance: 3-5 ATM/30-50 meters
Movement: Quartz, Miyota 9-series movement with rotor decoration
Frequency: 28,800 VPH (4.0 hz)
Power reserve: 40-48 hours
Type: Mechanical, Self-winding
Case: Stainless Steel
Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Straps: Wide array of options, including calf leather, stainless steel mesh, canvas, amd denim
Top Timepieces:

• The Mark I Collection – Recycled from Mini Coopers
• The RJM Collection – Recycled from a historic Spitfire aircraft
• The P-51 Collection – Recycled from Ford Mustangs

Warranty: 2 years
Where to Buy:

• Shop Online

3) Analog Watch Co. (Vegan Watches)

Analog Watch Co. is a sustainability-minded American watch company. They work with natural materials to make timepieces that allow wearers to adjust their clock to the Earth’s natural movements. Their materials recycle wood and marble, as well as preserving flowers and moss. Their designs have been developed as a response to studies that specify how nature and close proximity to plants and flowers can help improve one’s mental health and life satisfaction.

Their watches offer self-expression through minimalist design and the use of timeless materials often taken for granted. Each model in their new Botanist collection is a work of art, carried in the best museums around the country. Analog Watch Co. partners with Trees for the Future, a tree-planting non-profit, Earthworks, which protects communities and the environment from mineral and energy development, and the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. Their designs are 80 percent biodegradable.

Water Resistance: Depending on model, most are water resistant but not waterproof
Movement: Citizen Miyota 1L45, Swiss parts movement
Case: Wood, Marble, Resin
Straps: Leather available, as well as leather alternative vegan bands and wood
Top Timepieces:

• The Classic Collection – wood or marble face offerings
• The Botanist Collection – preserved real flowers and moss
• The Carpenter Collection – all-wood watches

Warranty: 1 year
Where to Buy:

• Shop Online
• Find a Retailer

4) Vortic

For far too long the American traditional manufacturing of great watches has been forgotten in favour of the sheer force of numbers, as entities like the Fossil group have amply demonstrated.

Yet even if companies which are still cherished by the vintage lovers, like Waltham and Elgin, have closed, there is indeed a centuries old tradition still lingering. As such, there was a space for a bold and innovative company to step in there and “revive” this amazing legacy.

And Vortic saw the opportunity to. The company harvests original, scrapped movements made by American watch companies, which were used in pocket watches, and after a careful reconstruction and servicing refits them into new cases, creating wristwatches that show the amazing level of workmanship achieved in the US.

One of the key features of American watchmaking was the extremely high sophistication in the decorations of the surfaces – and Vortic watches play this feature to their advantage, by offering original dials and sapphire glass backs which show the magnificence of the movements and their relentless work.

The cases are instead modernly milled and finished pieces of fine machinery, made in modern metals and alloys, perfectly suited to host the vintage movements, and finished to perfection to confer them this retro-industrial look that makes them seem like the offspring of a cyberpunk era.

Also, if you have an old movement you want to convert into a wristwatch, the company does it. Impeccably, we might add.

Water Resistance: 1 ATM/10 Meters
Movement: Mechanical
Type: Mechanical, vintage
Case: Various material, between which Stainless Steel and Titanium
Glass: Gorilla-glass – reinforced Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Straps: Wide array of options in old-style calf leather
Top Timepieces:

• American Artisan Series
• Railroad Edition
• Red Rocks Edition

Where to Buy:

• Shop Online

5) Ochs und Junior

Ochs und Junior innovates new mechanical ways of tracking time horizons with a technical elegance that allows their timepieces to show alternate calendars. Many Ochs und Junior watches track the length of day and night, as well as the positions of the sun and moon in the sky for a selected location. Some watches track moon phases while others have a perpetual calendar on the clock face.

Their watches have a very limited production, only manufacturing about 130 watches per year. This allows them to work toward simple perfection. The models aren’t designated with a logo, instead relying on intricate designs. This makes buying a watch a personal experience.

Water Resistance: 3-10 ATM
Movement: Ulysses Nardin, ETA 2824-2
Power reserve: 38-60 hours
Type: Self-winding mechanical movement
Case: Sterling Silver, Titanium
Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Straps: Naturally Waterproof Sturgeon, Leather, Suede, or Rubber
Top Timepieces:

• Day/Night – prioritizes tracking the position of the sun and moon in the sky with elegant icons
• Perpetual Calendar – requires no adjustment to accurately display time and day of the year and week until the year 2100
• Two Time Zones –  elegantly displays two time zones at once

Warranty: 2-year guarantee
Where to Buy:

• Shop Online

6) LIV Watches

LIV is an American watch company that produces Swiss watches that complement an extreme lifestyle. Many of their recent products have started on Kickstarter through crowdsourcing. They offer their customers direct interaction with their brand and have an ongoing conversation with the needs and desires of their customer base.

Many of the features developed into the design of LIV watches are meant to make advanced mechanical systems less expensive and analog watches more user-friendly for traveling and sporting. This includes easy release buckles and large easy to grasp knobs.

Water Resistance: 300 m
Movement: RONDA startech Caliber 5040.D
Type: Quartz or Automatic, Mechanical Movement
Case: Steel
Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Straps: Steel
Top Timepieces

• LIV GX1 The Panda (Steel|White) – sturdy and strong to complement an active lifestyle
• LIV GX1-A COBALT (Gray|Blue) – built for durability and deep water resistance
• LIV GX-AC Signature Orange (Black|Orange) – a limited edition automatic mechanical sports wristwatch

Warranty: 5 years
Where to Buy:

• Shop Online

7) Beijing Watch Company

If you have always thought that Chinese manufacturers can only make copies, you are living in the wrong century. The Beijing Watch Company – one of the oldest in China, hailing back to 1958 – is proof that the Chinese have a strong tradition in watchmaking and work tirelessly to innovate and develop their products, obtaining some amazing results.

The Beijing Watch Factory was one of the main developers of the Chinese Standard Movement: and their watch model based on the movement, designated ZB-1 (or SZB-1) and with 17 jewels, began production in 1972. The Shuangling brand was adopted soon after for export markets. At the beginning of the production of the ZB-1, the factory developed a 40 jewelry automatic version known as SZB-1C, which was the first standard Chinese automatic movement in production.

In the 1990s, the factory continued to export complete watches as well as movements to foreign manufacturers. By the end of the decade, they were also manufacturing complete OEM watches for outside customers. As with many other factories, Beijing created a skeletonized version of their standard movement – so it began the development of new, complicated movements, between which we find some different tourbillons.

The company offers a wide watch assortment, and we would like to put the spotlight on the Silk Whisper, a Ladies watch line with dials made with traditional Suzhou embroidery techniques; the Bladelegant, offering a selection of flying tourbillons decorated with a distinctive Asian flair; and the Beihai, an exercise of classic elegance in dress watches, featuring a swan neck fine regulator and a small seconds dial at six.

Water Resistance: 3 ATM/30 Meters
Movement: Mechanical and quartz
Type: Mens’ and Ladies’
Case: Steel and several metal-plated versions
Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Straps: Wide array of options in leather
Top Timepieces:

• Silk Whisper
• Bladelegant
• Beihai

Where to Buy:

• Shop Online

8) Vector Smartwatch

Vector Smart Watches are fashionable, casual for everyday wear, and programmed with the Fitbit technology. Vector requires less charging than most smartwatches and only needs to be plugged in once a month. The feature set of the vector watch is deliberately reduced from what you would get from an Apple Watch or similar smartwatch, which helps it stay on target for what you need a watch to do.

Vector’s face looks convincingly analog. Unlike many in the market, it’s not a touch screen. Instead, it’s controlled with buttons and accelerometer, giving a more authentic watch experience. Vector can sync with a smartphone and applications include social media, calorie counters, Nest, Uber, and Evernote. Vector is taking an open-source approach that looks forward to compatibility with pared-down productivity and health applications in the future.

Basic Features:

• Step and sleep tracking
• Discrete notifications that you can see and dismiss with a flick of your wrist
• World time
• Alarms
• Contacts

Compatibility: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Battery Life: 30 Days
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Type:Digital watch with Bluetooth Syncing
Case: Black, Steel, Rose Gold, Champagne Gold
Straps: Leather, Silicone, Crocodile Leather, Rose Gold, Steel
Top Timepieces:

• Vector Luna Smartwatch Collection – a round-faced traditional-looking timepiece with elegant lines
• Rose Gold with Black Croco Strap Luna Smart Watch
• Vector Meridian Smart Watch Collection – a modern rectangular watch that’s as sporty as it is stylish

Warranty: 2 years, limited
Where to Buy:

• Find a Retailer

9) Einstoffen

Based in Switzerland, Einstoffen is a lifestyle brand that prioritizes innovation and style while designing products that bring us closer bring nature with our daily carry. Einstoffen makes Swiss watches that are inspired by natural materials, including wood and Italian leather. These watches are designed for simple elegance with quartz-movement. Einstoffen’s wooden watches keep you close to natural materials while emphasizing the simplicity of lines and clear timekeeping to declutter your relationships with time.

A wide range of extra straps are available to help seamlessly transition between different your different looks and styles. Their straps are skin-friendly, and the leather is sourced from environmentally sustainable and low-emission livestock farming and production in Italy. Their vegan options are metal mesh in black or gold with seamless adjustability.

Water Resistance: 5 ATM
Movement: Swiss quartz – Ronda Z50
Case: Wood, Stainless steel
Glass: Sapphire Crystal
Straps: Italian leather, Fine metal mesh
Top Timepieces:

• Surselva Gold – light gold simple luxury with a leather band
• Aescher – a minimalist everyday watch with a stylish and iconic face
• Cauma IP Gold – a delicate metal mesh watch that pairs steel and wood

Where to Buy:

• Find a Retailer
• Shop Online

Veteran Luxury Watchmakers

1) Pro Hunter

Pro Hunter is a high-quality customization of Rolex’s sports watches dedicated to bringing rugged luxury to the casual everyday. Pro Hunter offers personalized, limited editions, steel sports watches, developed for hunting. The models are designed from Rolex’s style and history, including Rolex’s vintage models.

Each Pro Hunter model is a limited edition, sometimes being one of only a hundred. Pro Hunter innovates by collaborating with their design. This includes their Inkadelic line, which is a product of their collaboration with tattoo artist Neil Ahern.

Water Resistance: Waterproof up to 100 meters
Type: Mechanical self-winding
Case: Steel with multiple finishes, including stealth
Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Straps: 904L steel, Nylon NATO, Rubber, and Exotic leather
Top Timepieces

• Pro Hunter World Time Collection – displays 24-hour time zones to keep track of everywhere at once.
• Pro Hunter Yacht-Master II Collection – includes a 10-minute countdown timer
• Pro Hunter Daytona Collection – a customization of the Rolex Daytona offering accurate time to 1/8 a second

Warranty: 5 years with extended warranty options
Where to Buy:

• Find a Retailer
• Shop Online

2) Frederique Constant

Frederique Constant is a Swiss watchmaker with a long legacy. They handmake their timepieces with careful design and conception. They also manufacture and machine their pieces in-house, including their proprietary state of the art movements. They seek traditional and timeless elegance on the face with innovation and creativity powering the inside of the watch. Frederique Constant was among the first watchmakers to show the heartbeat of a timepiece’s movement through the watch face to display their mechanics.

The idea driving Frederique Constant’s designs is accessible luxury so that more people may enjoy exquisite craftsmanship and beauty. Their elegant designs remain innovative with tourbillon perpetual calendars and moonphase trackers. Additionally, they emphasize charitable giving through their company.

Frederique Constant have developed an analog smartwatch option, linked to a corresponding smartphone application. Features include activity tracking, sleep monitoring, call and text notifications, and cloud backup that are integrated into a truly analog watch. With the smartphone features, vibration and the watch hands discretely alert wearers to a call or message. Furthermore, Frederique Constant’s E-Strap can add smart functionality to existing analog watches to track activity, monitor sleep cycles, and give alerts.

Water Resistance: 3 ATM
Movement: Heart Beat Manufacture Movements, 700 Series Movements
Frequency: 28,800 alt/h (4Hz)
Power reserve: 42-48 hours
Type: Mechanical Self-Winding
Case: Steel
Glass: Sapphire Crystal
Straps: Metal, Leather, and Alligator Leather
Top Timepieces

• Slimline Perpetual Calendar – elegant and easy to ready with a movement that tracks to the date, month, year, and moonphase
• Hybrid Manufacture – a Swiss Mechanical timepiece with connected smartwatch functionalities, inspired by renewable energy and development
• Horological Smartwatch – Notify collections connect to a smartphone application to help you track you day and night, while also keeping your style elegantly analog

Warranty: 2 years
Where to Buy:

• Find a Retailer
• Shop Online

3) Girard Perregaux

Girard-Perregaux is a Swiss watchmaker dating back to 1971. They have been set apart due to their design which embraces new technologies in their movements and innovative designs, such as their perpetual calendar. Their designs are often inspired by architecture with bold contrasts and strong lines.

A leader in technological innovations, Girard-Perregaux’s Constant Escapement LM has been a technological revolution in the watch industry since 2013. Girard-Perregaux has also implemented a modern sustainability program committed to environmental and social sustainability, including ethical diamonds and gold as well as urban beekeeping.

Water Resistance: 3-10 ATM
Movement: Proprietary
Power reserve: 46-60 hours
Type: Self-winding mechanical movement
Case: Steel, Titanium
Glass: Sapphire crystal
Straps: Steel, Alligator Leather
Top Timepieces:

• Laureato Perpetual Calendar, which does not need to be adjusted until 2100, and the Laureato Collection
• Cat’s Eye Celestial, which displays moon phases in a complete 59 day rotation, and the Cat’s Eye Collection
• Planetarium Tri-Axial Tourbillon, which features a planetarium 24-hour rotating globe, and the Bridges Collection

Warranty: Guaranteed periodic maintenance
Where to Buy:

• Find a Retailer

4) Christophe Claret

Christophe Claret is a passion project by an innovative master watchmaker who, for years prior, had developed designs and movements for major watch brands. Christophe Claret has launched his own brand, basing production in Switzerland. His pieces are intended as rare and offbeat artwork among the traditional Swiss watch community. He develops pieces with a playful creativity, drawing on the traditional as well as the new.

In addition to making unique art pieces, Christophe Claret also creates stable collections. His fascination with the history and function of watchmaking drives him to display the mechanical function of the clockwork. The individual craftsmanship and playful designs are extremely limited in production.

Water Resistance: 3 ATM/30 meters
Movement: Proprietary Specifically Developed
Frequency: 14,400vph (2Hz)-28,400 vph (4Hz)
Power reserve: 48-168 hours
Type: Mechanical self-winding, Mechanical hand-wound
Case: Gold, Steel, Titanium, Platinum, and Anthracite
Straps: Alligator leather, Stingray leather
Top Timepieces:

• X-Trem-1 – features retrograde hours and minutes display along with magnetized spheres to emphasize the mysteries of time and physics
• Soprano – This elegant timepiece strikes a Westminster chime with cathedral gongs and hammers
• Marguerite – This piece hides a personalized secret message

Warranty: 2 years
Where to Buy:

• Find a Retailer
• Shop Online

Conclusion

In conclusion, the debate between new and traditional luxury watchmakers is multifaceted, with each side offering unique advantages and appeal. While traditional luxury watchmakers boast a rich heritage, meticulous craftsmanship, and time-honoured techniques, new luxury watchmakers bring innovation, contemporary designs, and a fresh perspective to the industry.

Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preferences, style preferences, and desired brand attributes. Regardless of the path chosen, one aspect that holds importance for both new and traditional luxury watchmakers is the watch band. Whether it be a classic leather strap, a robust stainless steel bracelet, or a trendy rubber band, the watch band serves as a defining element of the timepiece, enhancing its overall aesthetics and comfort.

It is through the fusion of artistry, innovation, and attention to detail, including the choice of watch band, that luxury watchmakers continue to captivate enthusiasts and collectors alike, ensuring that the timeless allure of luxury watches endures for generations to come.

About the Author: Franz Rivoira is a Chartered Journalist and Marcomm Professional operating internationally in the world of high-end and luxury products, mainly watches and design objects.

He lives in Italy, but frequently travels the world, especially to Asia. He is a regular contributor to www.ddnblog.it, a reference for everything design-oriented. He is also very active on Quora, the most read Q&A portal in the world, where he has been nominated as one of the Top Writers for 2018.