This article first appeared in the Nov/Dec 2012 issue of World Gaming magazine.
Time is a commodity to be spent freely, but timepieces are often a little pricier. WGM’s The Eagle picks out the top five watches a discerning gentleman should consider sporting.
For a gentlemen, his wrist watch is one of the few items of daily wear which, more than being simply functional, defines to the world his status, mood and wealth.
For years the king of watches, the Rolex, has been seen on the wrist of high rolling gamblers. Anyone who has spent more than a few hours in a VIP gaming room would be familiar with the Rolex being passed under the tables amongst players as security for that “temporary loan” to the punter down on his luck and in need of some chips for that one last hand or to double down and recover.
In recent times, the number of international watch brands available has expanded beyond the familiar Rolex, Seiko and Citizen that were icons of the 1970s and 1980s. In the gaming capitals of the world the rise of the prestige watch brand has transformed both casino retail complex and fashion high street alike. Whether purchasing at the airport duty free or at a dedicated boutique in the hotel or casino, the experience of buying a prestige timepiece can be as confusing as buying a new car.
The discerning gentleman is now spoilt for choice when deciding which timepiece to buy or should it more appropriately be said, invest in. Whether it is in celebration of a big win, a gift for someone special or the perfect accessory to match that new suit, even the most novice horologist should make an astute selection to reflect their personality. Here are my current top five prestige watch brands.
1. Cartier
What is even better than opening a signature blue box from Tiffany and Co? Opening an old school red box from the House of Cartier. Cartier watches have been commissioned for celebrity and royalty alike.
My favorite watch range is the Tank, available in 18-carat pink or white gold and inspired by the First World War tanks that were emerging on the battlefields of Europe when this classic design was first created in 1917.
All of Cartier’s elegant pieces are timeless and exhibit the class for which Cartier is renowned.
2. Breitling
A Breitling watch is more a marvel of engineering than a piece of jewelry. All watches produced by this luxury Swiss watch company are made to a rigorously high standard and are chronometers certified by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC). The brand has always been associated with speed and sport, from aviation to diving. Breitling make some incredibly striking looking watches and it is my brand of choice when making a statement about mobility, action and precision. A Breitling is a watch that makes the statement “this is a man on the move” loud and clear
3. Hublot
If you are looking for a big watch to make a big statement, look no further than Hublot. Having partnered with many sports and movie celebrities, Hublot watches associate the wearer with the most exciting happenings around. Another classy Swiss offering that is part of the LVMH stable, the watches have a distinctive presence. As official watch of the Formula 1 and associated with aspirational events, those wearing Hublot feel close to the convergence of sport, fashion and celebrity. They experience this feeling on a daily basis, even when far from a pit lane or red carpet.
4. Vacheron Constantin
One of the oldest watchmakers whose production has been uninterrupted since its inception date back in the 1700s, Napoleon Bonaparte, Pope Pius XI, the Duke of Windsor and Harry Truman have all owned one. No doubt more than a few of those crazy 18th century French aristocrats behind many of today’s casino games sported a Vacheron Constantin. The distinctive cross immediately evokes feelings of tradition and style in the wearer. The brand motto, “Do better if possible and that is always possible” epitomizes the history and the future of these luxury watches. Creator of the signature thin watch, VC timepieces, much like their motto, portray an owner who is always striving for excellence in an understated and humble way.
5. IWC Schaffhausen
Despite the name it was an American who created the International Watch Company from the Swiss town of Schaffhausen. From a desire to supply precision timepieces to a growing American market, IWC has been associated with many innovations and firsts in the watch-making world. My favorite is the Vintage Range although the Pilot’s Watch and the Da Vinci hold special appeal as well. A flash of an IWC demonstrates an owner who combines daring with sophistication and a sense of history.
No matter which brand appeals to you the most, my foremost tip would be to invest for the long term. As an item used daily, investing in quality will serve you well for generations