What Separates The Cartier Tank From The Rest?

In the world of luxury watches, Cartier holds a special place. The brand has always represented the finest of Haute Horlogerie in the industry. Some of the most glorious watch families in the industry belong to this French origin Swiss watchmaker. One of these families is called the Cartier Tank, which is also the topic for this discussion. The Tank was conceived in 1917 and then presented to the public in 1918. However, it was not until 1919 that the Tank achieved a full-fledged production. Surprisingly, only six pieces were built that year.

But what makes this vintage looking mechanical watch so unique? Let us find out.

Inspired By Military Tanks

The watch was a product of the inspiration that Louis Cartier got from tanks used in the First World War. You need to understand that the Great War was a completely different time. Tanks were a privilege and not many people actually saw a tank in action. So, the awe from viewing one of the tanks in person is understandable. The shape of the Cartier Tank is exactly like that of the French and British tanks used between 1914 and 1919.

First Watch To Ever Work On the Style Factor

The Cartier Tank is special because out of all the watches in its era, it was the first one to highlight the importance of style in wristwatches. For instance, the use of leather straps in watches was a totally functional idea as it was seen as a way to hold the watch in place. This utilitarian approach was later changed by the introduction of fashion-forward leather straps. The same goes for the watch itself. Cartier did what was probably expected of it. It concocted fashion with form, and we have nothing to complain about. Thanks to Cartier watches for men, the timepieces we see today are the way they are. 

One Of The Most Re-Invented Watches

Cartier watches for women are known globally for their unapologetic beauty and grace. Now, the Cartier Tank is a different story altogether. The watch is one of the very few in history to be re-invented so many times. The watch was launched in 1919 and it is quite understandable that multiple renditions were bound to happen. Over the years, the watch has been relaunched in various forms. The most prominent ones are the Tank Americaine, the Tank Francaise, and the Tank Anglaise. Another mentionable version is the Tank Guichets which was launched in 1928. The timepiece only displayed the hours and the minutes in separate windows boxed inside a gold case with leather straps.

At the end of the day, the Cartier Tank watch is an ageless classic. It has been in constant production since the day it was unveiled to the public. Its popularity defied all odds and is somewhat mysterious. Despite the fading demand for vintage looking watches and the changing zeitgeist, the Tank has been able to hold its ground and maintain its image as one of the most desired watches in the world.

This Is Why Hublot Deserves The Same Respect As Other Swiss Luxury Watchmakers

In the world of horology, very few names get the privilege of being deemed as innovative. Sure, at the end of the day it is all about delivering a watch, but innovation does play a role when it comes to the bigger picture. The picture being, mastering the art of watchmaking. Hublot is a brand that has, since the beginning, been associated with breaking the rules. The brand came up with the world’s first gold and rubber watch which was insanely out of line if you ever asked a fine watch connoisseur at the time the watch debuted.

The brand has faced much backlash in the past for its choice of avant-garde materials and designs, but this means nothing for Hublot watches for women and men as they continue in their path to horological glory. Being relatively a newer name in the Haute Horlogerie scenario, there was additional pressure as well. Majority of its counterparts had been in business for over a century and were aware of every trick in the book. For Hublot, the primary hurdle was to catch up and make up for the titanic gap between its competitors and itself. But how exactly did it do it? 

Knowledge Is Power

Pretty sure, you have heard this line in Game of Thrones. Littlefinger’s witty and eerie voice lingers at the back while you do so. Hublot has been following this mantra long before the show even began. The idea of the art of fusion and the magnificent results it yielded are what made the brand the empire it is today. A great example of this would be the Hublot Classic Fusion family that aptly displays the art of fusion at its best.

Courage To Break the Rules

The Haute Horlogerie industry is a pretty conventional one. Although it does reward brave moves and out of the box thinking, the ratio is still slim. Add the fact that when Hublot watches introduced its first born at the 1980 Basel World show, the industry was at a very delicate position. With the oppression from the East in the form of the Quartz crisis, the decision of releasing an unorthodox combination was a pretty brave one. This pattern can also be seen in the Big Bang collection of Hublot watches for men and women  that made its debut under Jean Claud Biver's leadership.

No Background

As mentioned earlier, Hublot did not have a history like the Rolexes, Omegas, and the IWCs in the market. Instead, all it had was a knack for innovation and an iron will. It counterparts not only had a history in the industry that directly contributed to their levels of experience, but they also had designs that evolved from mere tool watches to the jewels of luxury watches. What Hublot had to do was start from scratch and deliver something that was worthy enough to be launched into the already established high-end watch market. 

These reasons mentioned above are all pre-Claude Biver. Biver definitely had a major role to play but none of the magic would have been possible if Hublot did not have the foundations for it.

IWC Portugieser: The Most Beautiful Chronograph In The Market

The Portugieser line of watches has a great amount of history. It is almost as if one would drown in this collection’s history if necessary precautions are not taken. On a serious note, the Portuguese collection was first introduced in the 1930s. The idea was to expand the horizons of the International Watch Co. The idea was fortified when two Portuguese businessmen met with IWC and asked for chronometers that can be used by men. The answer to this was the Portuguese ref. 325.  The watch was way ahead of its time and it did not disappoint. Although it could not impress the audience due to its large case size and futuristic design codes, it did leave an impression.

The Ref. IW371447 – A Dream Come True

IWC watches for women were kind of non-existent at this time so the entirety of the brand’s focus was on men’s wristwatches. The watch was surprisingly never shipped to Portugal until after three years of its launch. Instead, it was shipped to Russia first. After the inevitable discontinuation, the IWC Portugieser resurfaced in 1993 in the form of ref. 5441.

Features

All that being said, it is time to focus on the watch that is the topic for discussion, the ref. IW371447, one of the jewels of IWC watches for men. This blue dialled beauty is simply a piece of art. The modernistic design codes are fresh yet they hold a lot of similarities to the earlier references. In this sense, the ref. 3714 is extremely close to the watch in terms of design and structure. The watch displays a case size of 40.9mm and a case thickness of 12.6mm. The timepiece sports a sapphire crystal and water resistance of 30 meters. The Portugieser Chronograph features a small second's display at 6 o’clock and a chronograph spilt seconds display at 12 o’clock. It also offers a non-hacking central second’s hand and a serene blue dial.

Attention To Detailing

When it comes to detailing, the watch leaves no stones unturned. The time markers are in Arabic numerals and are in silver lacquer. At 3 o’clock, the users can see the IWC Schaffhausen moniker and at 9 o’clock the watch displays the wordings ‘Chronograph Automatic’.

Nothing about this watch is fancy and that is what makes it stand out. Its understated aesthetics and subtle architectural cues make it a masterpiece. Another thing that adds to the sumptuousness of the Ref. 371447 is the luxurious stainless steel case. There are other options available as well but the stainless steel version just speaks to you. Not to forget, the IWC watches price in steel is very aggressive.

The Silver Lining

There are, of course, a few factors that may be a big ‘no’ for many. This includes the lack of contrast between the dial and the hour markers. This may make it a tad bit difficult for people to tell the time when in darker spots. The movement is criticised as well. Instead of an in-house manufactured movement, the brand utilizes a modified Valjoux movement which is the 79350, a calibre that provides up to 40 hours of power reserve. Nothing wrong about it, but IWC could have done better.

Nevertheless, the IWC watch is a sight for sore eyes. It proudly carries with it the heritage of the IWC Portugieser family and reflects the watchmaker’s sheer expertise in the art of horology.

This Is Why The Omega Seamaster Should Be Your First Luxury Watch

Omega SA is a giant in the world of luxury watches with countless models that help define the very fabric of luxury. As an industry leader, Omega watches for women and men have earned their bragging rights with iconic timepieces and their respective iterations. Omega Seamaster is one such name that springs up when people talk about potential entry watches in the luxury goods market. The timepiece is a true technological marvel and perfectly represents the spirit of Omega watches that deserves to be your first luxury watch. Here is why:

A 42mm Beast

The watch boasts a beast of a design that stands at 42mm in diameter and 13.5mm in thickness. The timepiece displays a ceramic dial available in polished black or blue colour, and even in brushed chrome. The indices on the dial are inked with Superluminova, an illuminant used to make the dial legible even in the darkest of the ocean depths. The dial also exhibits a date display at 6 o’clock and has the iconic skeleton hands of Omega watches for men that have been mildly reshaped. The engraved 60-minute graduations on the dial in the earlier models of the Omega Seamaster are now filled with Ceragold. The result is an everlasting whiteness and a smooth surface.

Technologically Gifted 

The Omega Seamaster is as much of a masterpiece for the technologically inclined as it is a sight for sore eyes. The iconic helium escape valve in the watch is nothing short of a remarkable invention. The technology allows divers to take their watches in deep waters without getting them damaged. The valve is used to release helium gas from the watch in order to tackle the water pressure at depths up to 300 meters.

Marvellous Movement

The new generation of Omega Seamaster uses the Calibre 8800 movement which is basically an in-house manufactured self-winding movement developed by omega itself. The calibre makes use of Omega’s very own co-axial escapement. With a power reserve of about 55 hours and resistance to magnetic fields measuring up to 15,000 gauss, the timepiece is a certified master chronometer by METAS. METAS is the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology. Omega ended ties with the COSC and chose METAS to certify its watches based on accuracy and anti-magnetic properties.

A Fantastic Dress Watch (007 Approves)

The premise that the timepiece is an exceptional divers’ watch has already been established. But the interesting fact, as can be seen in the latest James Bond flicks, is that it also works perfectly as a classy dress watch. Omega Seamaster has graced the big silver screen several times now on the wrist of the beloved British secret agent.

As far as the fairer sex is concerned, Omega Seamaster has something in store for them as well. The brand offers a variety of Omega timepieces for women that feature a svelte 28mm design with an efficient Quartz movement. The timepieces boast a water resistance of up to 300 meters, consist of a date display, and don a screw in crown.

There are surely plenty of fishes in the sea but only a few stand out like the Omega Seamaster. Buying your first luxury watch can be a tricky task only if you allow it to be.

The Top Tissot Watches For Women

Tissot watches are among the most notable in the Swiss watch industry. Although the Swatch Group tags it as a non-luxury entry level Swiss brand, Tissot has attained a cult status in many countries. From a real-world perspective, buying a Tissot watch is as high as the roof can get for many. That being said, Tissot watches are definitely not to be underestimated. The watchmaker has time and again proved its mettle with sumptuous and functional timepieces. Today, we will discuss the top watch collections for woman fostered by the brand.

Tissot T-Classic For Women

The collection is arguably the most popular one under the Swiss watchmaker’s roof. The T-Classic watch family makes for a huge part of what Tissot is today, both in terms of sales figures and reputation. This simple yet elegantly complex collection of Tissot watches for women fosters some of the most exciting designs introduced by the brand. Watches in this collection feature Quartz as well as automatic calibres, they offer options between leather and steel bracelets with yellow gold and rose gold PVD, and regular as well as mother of pearl dials.

Tissot T-Lady

The watch is the best representation of the feminine persona. The Tissot T-Lady is bold, sturdy, and unapologetic. The collection features timepieces in the staple 316L stainless steel along with rose gold, and of course, yellow gold PVD. The T-Lady line of timepieces also features an option between automatic and Quartz movements. The Powermatic 80 series is the heart of this watch family with some of the most extravagant designs that suit the fairer sex. These watches are perfect for occasions like events, parties, and get-togethers.

Tissot T-Wave

The Tissot T-Wave is a line of rather robust watches that has recently become very popular among women. The watch perfectly defines a woman’s temperament and attitude. Being available in stainless steel with rose gold PVD coating, the watches come with an option between a leather strap and steel bracelet. The timepieces in this family are simply a class act. The movements are made by ETA that utilize a Renata 364 battery. The dial is a sheer spectacle that is made of mother of pearl and uses a sapphire crystal cover.

Tissot Heritage

When it comes to the Swiss brand’s line of watches, the Heritage collection hardly rings any bells when ladies’ watches are in question. But surprisingly, it does possess some of the most appealing designs in the Tissot watches for women segment. The Heritage Banana Centenary and the Heritage Visodate are the front runners here. The watches are as elegant as they can get. The collection makes use of movements like the ETA 11 ½ calibre with a 38-hour power reserve and the ETA 901.001 Quartz movement.

They are simple, sleek, and highly aesthetic watches that suit every occasion. That is Tissot watches for you. If you wish to know a little more about them, you better buy one and see it for yourself.

Why Makes Longines HydroConquest A Worthy Timepiece?

Longines watches may not be as famous as some of the more popular brands in the luxury watch industry, but they are definitely known for their quality and persistence. Having a history longer than most of us reading this, Longines is, without a doubt, a formidable brand with countless notable references under its wing. The watch in the discussion here is the Longines Hydro Conquest. The series was introduced in 2007 and since then there has been no looking back. Perhaps, the versatility of the watch is what made it immensely popular. Be it an underwater adventure or a dressed up event, Longines HydroConquest is up for the challenge.

Here is why the Longines watch for women and men is making noise in its segment.

Feature Frenzy

The Longines watch is full of eye catchy features that only make it more irresistible. The watch is available in case sizes 39mm or 41mm and in three-handed variants with automatic or Quartz movements. The brand has also launched the reference with a chronograph that comes either in a Quartz movement or an automatic calibre. The automatic calibre mentioned above is a different story altogether as it was designed by ETA exclusively for Longines.

Other interesting features include superior legibility, luminescent hour markers, and a subtle yet bold dial. The chronograph version does a wonderful job in highlighting the sundials with red dye. Last but definitely not least, the Longines watches for men and women offer an option between a steel bracelet and a black rubber strap, both of which perfectly complement the design.

A Fit For All

Be it Longines watches for women or men, the HydroConquest acts as a perfect fit for both the genders. Divers’ watches demand a specific set of features that the watch adheres to like a good violinist does to a symphony. HydroConquest was initially launched as a purpose-specific tool watch like many dive watches in the segment but unlike others, it found suitable roles in other domains as well. For instance, with a water resistance of 300 meters, the watch is obviously a perfect match for diving, but it is also adept at other water-associated sporting activities. Now, if we take water out of the equation, the timepiece also acts as a marvellous dress watch. It is considered a faux pas by many, but as we see in modern times, dive watches do just fine with a sharp suit.

A Worthy Companion

By now, it is pretty clear that the Longines HydroConquest is a multi-faceted piece of art that goes well with water sports as well as sleek business attire. The chronograph in the collection is more like a show stopper with its avant-garde display of subdials and classic dive watch aesthetics. If that does not impress you, apparently you did not know about the ceramic bezel that comes along with the watch. This not only makes it scratch resistant but also adds life to the colour of the bezel. This, combined with a scratch-proof sapphire crystal glass makes the Longines watch a worthy companion for your wrist.

As mentioned earlier, Longines watches may not be in the same league like the sea dwellers or the superoceans, but they are definitely contenders for being among the best watches available out there.