Round-UpFive Most-Wanted Watches That Are Definitely Worth Your Time

The Watch World is full of endless treasures of Haute Horlogerie. Some include extravagant designs while others boast of grand complications. However, not all are worth your time and trouble. Buying a quality watch is not just about having a tool on your wrist that tells you what time it is. NO! Buying a proper watch is a veritable rite of passage every man goes through to proclaim to the world that you are longer content with your watch just telling the time.

From sporty watches to legendary ones, the world of luxury timepieces offers an innumerable array of superb watches. Some of these drool-worthy watches are produced for the sole purpose of inspiring jealousy and lust amongst watch aficionados. Choosing the best from the lot is a rather difficult, confusing and downright mind -boggling task. Which is why, The Watch Guide is here to guide you through the dense and thriving horology jungle. We have shortlisted five marvellous pieces of time that are among the most desirable and sought after watches in the world. The below-mentioned watches might not be the most expensive ones, but they sure are the best. So sit back, relax and enjoy these five fabulous watches that have earned their place (in random order) in The Watch Guide’s Five Most-Wanted Watches list.

Omega Seamaster Bullhead Co-Axial Chronograph

Omega went down memory lane and re-introduced the popular and enthusiastically requested Seamaster Bullhead. The original 1969 Seamaster Bullhead was an iconic chronograph that inspired and enthralled one and all. The reissued chronograph, like its predecessor, is distinctly designed making it easily identifiable. However, there some tweaks and changes made. It still retains the shield-shaped case which is the reason behind it being called the “bullhead”. The silvered “Rallye” dial is one of the most unique dials that have ever come out of the Omega workshop.

The “Rallye” dial houses the distinctive black 60-minute scale on its black bi-directional rotating inner bezel with two sub-dials at 12 (30-minute chrono-counter) and 6 o’clock (running seconds register) and a date display window at 3 o’clock. The watch is presented on a black perforated leather strap with red stitching complementing the use of the same colours on the dial. The case back is screwed in with the legendary Seamaster Seahorse engraving.

The most significant change made in the current version of the Bullhead is the movement. The “new” Bullhead is powered by an automatic Co-Axial calibre 3113 instead of the hand-wound calibre 930. Limited to just 669 pieces, the rarity of this watch makes it even more coveted.

Oris Chet Baker Limited Edition

Named after the famous American Jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and vocalist, Chet Baker, Oris offers a new limited edition model. Born in 1929, Mr Baker rose to fame in the 1950s when he was selected by Charlie Parker (a highly influential Jazz soloist) to play alongside him. After succumbing to drugs, he died in 1988 at the age of 58. The watch is especially inspired by Baker’s popular tune, “My Funny Valentine”, a tune he was closely associated with for the rest of his career.

So much so, that the watch even incorporates the first twelve bars of the song. It begins with a treble clef at 12 o’clock. As the first eight bars are repeated, there is also a double bar line at 8 o’ clock to signal the start of the new music notation. The other interesting aspect of the watch is the number of pieces manufactured. With just 1929 pieces, this limited edition number signals the year of Chet Baker’s birth.

The watch comes in a stainless steel case with a diameter of 40mm. The case includes a fixed bezel, polished to perfection with a screw down crown. The most interesting design detail of the dial is the musical staff present under the hour indexes. The dial also includes Chet Baker’s signature above the date window at 6 o’ clock. The case back hosts the trumpeter’s silhouette engraved together with the limited number of the watch.

Powered by the Oris Caliber 733 automatic movement, it boasts of a power reserve of up to 38 hours. The watch comes in a black crocodile-pattern leather strap with a steel folding clasp. Additional perks include a miniature metronome (a device that produces regular ticks which are usually used by musicians to help keep a steady tempo) that is included in the gift box.

Chopard Mille Miglia Race Edition

Let’s start off by explaining what exactly a “Mille Miglia” is. “A Thousand Miles” in Italian, the Mille Miglia is an open-road race that has been taking place in Italy since 1927. While it was stopped in 1957 due to major crashes, the racing event now has transformed into a vintage vehicle event with rules and regulations in place to avoid any mishaps. As the official timekeeper of the iconic race, Chopard unveiled the Mille Miglia chronograph as a homage to the racing event and the numerous historical cars that have participated. The 42mm stainless steel case houses the Swiss automatic ETA caliber 2894-2 that has a power reserve of up to 42 hours.

The off-white dial inculcates the three colours of the Italian flag – red, white and green (a pretty neat integration) and gives out a vintage feel of the automotive tools found in classic cars. The dial houses three sub-dials with a 12 hour and 30-minute counter at 6 and 9 o’clock respectively. The third sub-dial is located at 3 o’ clock which is a small seconds counter featuring the Mille Miglia logo in red. The date display window lies between 4 and 5 o’clock.

As mentioned previously, the use of colours on the dial is exemplary with the minute tracker in green and the tachymeter scale in red, which when used in combination with the red central chronograph hand, makes reading the speed very easy. The rich beige dial with the brown calfskin Barenia leather strap that has a steel pin buckle, gives off a sense of warmth and is reminiscent of a different time and era.

Limited to 2014 pieces, the Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 Race Model is the epitome of masculinity blended perfectly with a vintage appeal.

Frederique Constant Runabout Moonphase

To celebrate the renowned Runabout yachts showcased at the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance, Frederique Constant introduced the limited edition Frederique Constant timepiece called the “Runabout” Moonphase. As the Geneva-based brand is popular for its classical timepieces, the Runabout too inculcates all of the anticipated exceptional qualities. It features a 40mm case in stainless steel with an intricately designed dial. Without compromising on the readability of the watch, the dial includes a trio of sub-dials; with the month counter at 12 o’clock, date at 3 o’clock and day at 9 o’clock. It also features a moon phase aperture at 6 o’clock. The inner part of the dial which houses the silvered sub-dials, blends perfectly against the backdrop of a guilloche decoration with applied indices and hour markers.

Engraved with the flag of the Riva Historical Society (an organization which is dedicated to the preservation of classic wooden boats), the see-through sapphire crystal case-back displays the self-winding Caliber FC-365 movement which has a power reserve of up to 42-hours. The 2-O rings present on the winding crown enables the watch to resist water up to 50 meters. Strapped to a crococalf black leather strap, the watch also comes with a specially designed gift box which includes a wooden replica of a classic Runabout boat. Limited to just 2888 pieces, the Frederique Constant Moon phase is a rare gem to own and enjoy!

IWC Big Pilot Le Petit Prince

For a watch named “The Little Prince”, it has surely made a big impact on the watch world with its exquisite design and grand complications. Limited to just 250 pieces, the IWC Big Pilot Le Petit Prince is an astonishing timepiece that honours the great writer and pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The French aviator has time and again been the focus of IWC’s inspiration, the resultant of which have been some amazing timepieces since 2006, honouring the pioneering spirit of the French aristocrat. The IWC Big Pilot Le Petit Prince is the luxurious version of a classic pilot’s watch. It features the customary special engraving of the “Petit” prince on the case back of the 46mm 18k rose gold case.

The midnight blue sunburst dial features applied gold hour markers with a date display window at 6 o’clock and a 7-day power reserve display sub-dial at 3 o’clock. The solid 46mm 18k gold case houses the IWC calibre 51111 automatic movement and features a robust diamond-shaped screw-in crown.

Catering to a classic Pilot’s watch, the IWC Big Pilot Le Petit Prince comes in a thick, brown calfskin leather strap with quilted stitching. What’s also important to note is that this is not just a good-looking watch with amazing functionality, it is also a watch for a cause; all its proceedings go to the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Foundation. Owning one would not just look good on your wrist but it could also do some good in the world!

There you go, fellow watch lovers! The Watch Guide’s five most coveted timepieces for you. You can find all these spectacular watches at Ethoswatches.com.

Have something to add to our list? What does your “most-wanted watches” list entail? We are eternally interested. Let us know in the comments section below!