SHOW CASE
THE FIRST AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH TO HAVE A FULLY INTEGRATED MOVEMENT. THIS WAS SO GOOD THAT ROLEX BOUGHT IT TO POWER ITS OWN DAYTONA MODEL.
Zenith El Primero 1969
Patek Philippe Nautilus 1976 The refined Patek Philippe company surprised the market when it unveiled its first sporty model, the Nautilus. Drawing inspiration from ships' portholes, the unmistakeably 1970s design sensibilities of the watch, which upgraded the style of many diver’s watches, made it an instant classic. The mid-1970s saw the rise in popularity of steel luxury watches. Founded in 1844, Patek Philippe had the heritage to back its move into this new market. The original model was the Ref. 3700/1 in steel, with only a date. Its octagonal bezel was a pleasing variation of the usual circular option. Today white gold and rose gold watches,
diamond-studded versions and all manner of complications have found their way into the Nautilus range. The 1976 interpretation remains the desirable elegant classic, proving that less really can give more.
IWC Big Pilot's Watch 2002 IWC’s superb and much-copied watch was inspired by the original pilot’s watches the Swiss firm first produced in 1936. Legibility and ease of operating the crown in gloved hands were always major considerations. In 1940 IWC supplied to the German Luftwaffe a reported 1,000 watches that boasted a case diameter of 55mm, a height of 16.5mm and a weight of 183g. A Big Pilot’s Watch indeed. While the 2002 revival had a more modest but still impressive 46.2mm diameter, it set a benchmark for other aviators and fuelled the market for oversized dials. Legibility comes from its size and its pristine dial of simple minute markers and large numerals. The huge onion crown is unmistakeable. This stunning watch is powered by the in- house Calibre 51111, one of the largest automatic movements. The Big Pilot’s Watch looks impressive in steel or white gold and should only be worn with a buffalo leather strap, with folding clasp.
IWC’S SUPERB AND MUCH-
COPIED WATCH WAS INSPIRED BY THE ORIGINAL PILOT’S WATCHES THE SWISS FIRM FIRST PRODUCED IN 1936. IWC Big Pilot's Watch 2002
Zenith El Primero 1969 A notable example of a watch remembered for its movement as much as its good looks, the Zenith El Primero was the first automatic chronograph to have a fully integrated movement. This was so good that Rolex bought it to power its own Daytona model. The El Primero movement, which today is available in 23 versions, is able to measure short periods of time with 1/10th of a second accuracy, thanks to a balance that oscillates at 36,000 vibrations per hour, or 10 tics per second. The compact arrangement of the classically constructed movement where the chrono-functions are integrated and steered by a column-wheel is a marvel.
This Swiss watch represents a fine balance between a sports chronometer and a dress watch. A 40th-anniversary edition of the original Zenith El Primero watch was released in 2009 in steel, rose gold and black titanium versions. El Primero means “first” or “best” in Spanish.
THE REFINED PATEK PHILIPPE COMPANY SURPRISED THE MARKET WHEN IT UNVEILED ITS FIRST SPORTY MODEL, THE NAUTILUS.
Patek Philippe Nautilus 1976
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