15 tough luxury watches

Luxury watches aren’t always delicate novelties – these tough timepieces are built to survive

 

Jaeger Lecoultre Reverso Squadra Chrono GMT

 

A sporty take on the timeless classic, this handsome watch gives the Reverso strong masculine lines and a bolder presence on the wrist. We love the big date and the oversized pushers; the 24-hour dial at 6 o’clock could have been bigger, though.

 

Hermes Dressage

 

The luxury giant, long reliant on other manufacturers for movements for its timepieces, unveiled its first in-house caliber this year to power watches in its main collection: the Dressage.

 

Longines St. Imier Chronograph

 

An homage to the pilot’s timepieces the brand is famous for, this chronograph boasts a steel and rose gold case and an exclusive ETA column-wheel movement.

 

Hublot Chukker Bang

 

A special limited-edition watch made for the Polo Gold Cup Gstaad in Switzerland, the Chukker is one of the first to feature a titanium grille that can help it survive the rigours of the game. Among other features is a counter that matches the length of one period in a polo match (a “chukka”).

 

Piaget Polo FourtyFive

 

The Polo FortyFive is a titanium-and-steel timepiece that, at 45mm, is among the largest made by the manufacturer. Piaget did to the chrono what it does best – paired it with the ultra-slim P automatic movement to create one of the thinnest chronos on offer today.

 

IWC Portuguese Yatch Club Chronograph

 

A pedigreed nautical timepiece, the Yacht Club Chronograph is a tribute to one of IWC’s best-selling models from the Sixties and Seventies. It features a long 68-hour power reserve, luminescent hands and indices, and a flyback function, making it an ideal watch for everyday use.

 

Baume and Mercier Capeland

 

The Capeland is among the most desirable (and affordable) mechanical chronos in the world, thanks to a superb styling, a reliable movement and exquisite build quality.

 

Ulysse Nardin Black Ocean 

 

Limited to 1,846 numbered pieces worldwide, the Black Ocean is a special version of UN’s excellent Maxi Marine Diver range. The certified chronometer has a black-on-black design that gives it an ominous aura.

 

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph

 

The Overseas range is Vacheron’s first attempt at a sporty timepiece aimed at a younger audience. The chronograph is set in a 42 mm steel case and is powered by a Piguet 1137 movement.

 

Louis Vuitton Tambour Regatta Automatic America’s Cup

 

This striking timepiece, designed for yacht racers, is part of LV’s brilliant new collection. Among other things, it has luminescent hands, a black PVD case, a 30-minute chrono and, for the start of a regatta, a five-minute countdown timer.

 

Tag Heuer Mikrotimer Flying 1000

 

First showcased at Basel in 2011, the Mikrotimer was the world’s first mechanical chronograph accurate to 1/1000th of a second – an astonishing achievement. Though only a concept, TAG is working towards implementing this technology in its main collection.

 

Franck Muller Conquistador Grand Prix

 

Though the black-and-red motif and grandness of the Conquistador Grand Prix are enough to make it a compelling buy, we like Franck’s watches for their most unique of offerings: a touch of madness.

 

Breitling Bentley Supersport Light Body

 

The Swiss watchmaker created an ultralight version of its mainstream Supersports watch after its partner, Bentley, set a new world speed record on ice in 2011. The giant 49mm case is made of titanium, and includes a rotating slide rule bezel.

 

Blancpain Villeret Singlepusher Chronograph

 

The innocuous white dial, serpentine date indicator and beautifully simple 18k rose gold case make this annual calendar one of the most elegant timepieces in Blancpain’s stunning Villeret collection.

 

Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969

 

There are few movements as legendary and enduring as Zenith’s 1969 El Primero. This classic reissue carries the colours of the original El Primero, and for the first time, has an openworked dial that allows a glimpse of the famous movement.