Round-UpTop 5 Legendary Watches That You Have Forgotten About
Refresh your memory and dive into the past with these forgotten legends of the watch world
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In the age of shorter attention spans, marketing agencies strive to capture a person’s attention for a longer period of time (and for most parts, fail miserably!). We are constantly bombarded with information all around us, and forgetting something, even legends, has almost become second nature.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines legendary as something or someone “very famous and admired or spoken about”. With the latest trend of “short-attention spans”, legends are created and forgotten as easily, with a condescending equivalence to viral posts and videos.
However, I (the optimist one) am still taking this minuscule opportunity to refresh your memory on the forgotten legends from the world of watches. Today we are not talking about the obvious ones like the Rolex Submariner, the Omega Speedmaster and Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, but, classic timepieces of the world of watches that are the “forgotten” legends; the five watches that made a huge impact in the world of Haute Horlogerie during their inception but have long been forgotten or replaced. Today, The Watch Guide brings you a list of the top 5 legendary watches, that is not just a reminder of the bygone legends but a revival of the obliterated classics.
1. Omega Seamaster Diver
Apart from being one of the most iconic watches of its time, the Omega Seamaster Diver was also very popular for being adorned on the wrist of the famous British spy- James Bond. Launched first in 1948, the birth of the Omega Seamaster Diver coincided with the brand’s 100th anniversary. Initially intended for the British military, the Omega Seamaster gradually garnered universal accreditation for its robustness, accuracy and reliability. Since its inception, the Seamaster Diver has always been the preferred choice of famous explorers and divers pushing boundaries in the field of underwater study and exploration.
“The Seamaster Diver 300M is water-resistant to 30 bars (300 metres/ 1000 feet) – ready for adventure at any depth.”
The Omega Seamaster Diver (ref no. 212.30.36.20.03.001) features a reliable chronometer with a date display at 3 o’ clock. The unidirectional ceramic bezel bears the same classic, distinctive blue colour of the dial. The steel case is designed to perfection with an accurate and precise combination of specific sections dedicated to brushed and polished finishes respectively. With a water resistance of up to 300 metres/1000 feet, the legendary timepiece is powered by a Calibre Omega 2500 self-winding chronometer with a signature co-axial escapement movement. The 36mm case diameter is perfect for any wrist size and feels very comfortable.
With excellent readability, day or night, the watch is the perfect accessory. Available in a stainless steel bracelet, the watch embodies a combination of timeless aesthetics with a sporty persona. The Omega Seamaster Diver might have been a forgotten legend till now but a classic watch like this is still very much worthy to be recalled and admired all over again.
2. TAG Heuer Formula 1
TAG Heuer’s Formula 1 collection is one of the most popular series ever manufactured by the brand. It will always hold a very special page in the brand’s history and our hearts. And why not? It was one of the very first collections released after the merger of Heuer and Techniques d’Avant Garde (“TAG”) in 1986. TAG Heuer launched the Formula 1 collection using a simple ideology including bright colours, low-cost movement and a synthetic case. It was definitely a great idea because the first Formula 1 hit a huge sales success. Amongst the numeral amounts of TAG Heuer Formula 1 watches, the one we are going to feature here is the 42mm TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph(ref no: CAU1115.BA0869).
The USP of this particular watch is the greyish tone, which is so unique. The anthracite dial with a “sunray” effect combines perfectly with the dual-toned fine brushed bracelet. The watch has a very different look and feel. Again, unique in comparison to the other models from the Formula 1 collection. The dial is the magnum opus- apart from the anthracite “sunray” effect dial, it also includes three black counters with “azurage”. The three counters offer a 1/10th of a second, an hour chronograph, minute and running seconds counter at 6 o’ clock, 9 o’ clock and 3 o’ clock, respectively. The “TAG HEUER FORMULA 1” lettering adds an extra touch of authenticity and uniqueness to the watch. The sand-blasted, polished steel and fine-brushed black ceramic bezel includes a tachymeter with silver scale engraving, complementing the silver and blackish grey tone of the watch. Housing a quartz movement, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 in steel and ceramic is manufactured specially for racing enthusiasts and is a must have for the one, who (like us) admires the Formula 1 collection.
3. Bell & Ross BR 123 Heritage
If anyone as much as mentions Bell & Ross, I automatically get a mental image of their iconic square case watch. Over a short span of time, Bell & Ross have mastered the art of manufacturing aviation watches, loved and admired by pilots and aviation enthusiasts. However, the watch in question is not your Bell & Ross trademark timepiece but a legendary watch nonetheless! The Bell & Ross BR123 Heritage has a circular dial with a very vintage feel to it. The dial design resembles a vintage cockpit of an aircraft with the tan leather strap adding an element of class and sturdiness to the watch.
The aircraft instrument themed watch has a carbon coloured black dial that works perfectly with the tan leather strap and sand-colored, photo-luminescent coated numerals, indexes, and hands. The brand’s passion for period watches has given rise to the Heritage collection, which has revived the authenticity of the passing of time. Incorporating the distinctive colouring of period watches adds a sense of character and belonging to the already classic looking watch. The Bell & Ross Heritage is comfortable on the wrist irrespective of the 41mm bold dial and the vintage styled curved sapphire crystal.
4. Rado D-Star
DiaStar 1 was the very first scratch-resistant watch from Rado. Taking inspiration from the original, Rado launched the updated version of the watch, the D-Star, back in 2011. Since then, the overall design has seen numerous upgrades and still follows up on the scratch-resistant feature of the original legend.
The oval-shaped bezel of the watch has always been an eye-catching detail, and Rado continues the traditional design with the newest version of the D-Star:
The bezel placed around the dial is incorporated in a playful manner adding an interesting aspect to the legendary watch. The use of the latest innovations along with the highest quality of materials makes this particular D-Star an iconic timepiece that cannot and will not be forgotten easily. The black ceramic used for the dial and case of the watch is of exceptional quality. The combination of luminous gold-tone hands set against the backdrop of a black dial makes it the perfect companion for any formal event.
The inner circle of the dial houses a wave-like pattern that adds dimension and style to the already sleek looking watch. The 42mm case sits perfectly on the wrist and definitely, deserves a second glance from across the room. Powered by a Swiss automatic movement, the Rado D-Star is a watch that will last you a lifetime, powering through generations like a classic timepiece. The see-through case ensures you witness the magnificence of the intricate workings of the Swiss movement. A signature avant-garde watch from Rado, the D-Star has definitely made a name for itself in the connoisseur circle. Now ask yourself how you overlooked this watch when it launched!
5. Carl F. Bucherer Manero AutoDate
The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Autodate is the kind of watch that is clean, classic and fully functional. It has everything that one would want in a watch. Unfussy would be the perfect word to describe a classic timepiece like the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Autodate. Elegant and refined, the watch represents the rich family tradition that Carl F. Bucherer is famous for. A purely conventional watch, the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Autodate launched in the 1960s and has stood the test of time and managed to influence trends in the world of watches.
The Manero collection is an epitome of a dressy watch. Representing the trending watch design of the 60s, the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Autodate still holds a place in our hearts, and I can guarantee will have the same effect on the future generation as well. Housing an automatic CFB 1965 caliber, the Manero Autodate clocks in a power reserve of 42 hours. A clean black dial with stainless steel hands and indexes are a match made in heaven. An iconic watch with a legendary design, the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Autodate is a definite keeper for all eternity!
What are your favourite forgotten legends? Have we missed something that you like? We are interested. Let us know in the comments section below!
Costly watches. But they look awesome!