It is the time of the year again, when the festive season kicks in. As per the usual Deployant tradition, our editorial team will be selecting a few novelties from this year for our Christmas wishlist. Let’s hope that Santa will read this article and grant us our wishes this year!
We will each be selecting three watches from three different categories. These categories are included in the following order:
- Below $8,000
- Between $8,001 to $50,000
- If money is no object
So, without any further ado, let us kick-start our Christmas wishlist!
Below $8,000: Longines Pulsometer Chronograph
The Longines Pulsometer Chronograph. A monopusher column wheel chronograph with a vintage design, under $8,000? Hell yeah!
The first watch that we have in our Christmas wishlist is the Longines Pulsometer Chronograph. At the first glance, it would not be difficult to see why we have selected this timepiece. The aesthetics, which was inspired by the “Doctor’s Watch” of the 1920s, is an amazing sight to behold. The combination of the red and black painted numerals contrast beautifully with the lacquered white dial. In addition, the blued steel hands make the watch even more tantalizing. But this timepiece is definitely more than just a pretty face.
One of the main highlights of this timepiece, as its name suggests, is the chronograph. The watch features a monopusher, which means that all the chronograph functions are controlled by a single actuator. This actuator is found at the crown, and it makes the watch much more minimalist and user-friendly. On top of that, it features a column wheel movement that is specially made by ETA for Longines. This automatic movement also features a date indicator and have a power reserve of approximately 54 hours. The watch does sound pretty impressive on paper.
Overall, we believe that the Longines Pulsometer Chronograph is a value-for-money timepiece. At 40mm watch is rather elegant and looks stunning. At S$6,360, you can’t really go wrong with this one.
Between $8K to $50K: H. Moser & Cie Endeavor Concept Watch
The H. Moser & Cie Endeavor Concept Watch. It is the epitome of minimalism; it does not have anything else on the dial, such as its maker or the country of origin.
Imagine yourself wearing a watch that is stripped off of anything excessive, and leaving just the bare essential to carry out its most basic and fundamental function: to tell time. Hard to fathom, isn’t it? The lack of identity, or even the elimination of branding or namesake, might be disconcerting for some. And that is where the Endeavor Concept Watch comes in to challenge the norms.
The principle behind the Endeavor Concept Watch is simple: it is to create a timepiece that is completely devoid of anything else but the bare minimal. This means that the watch is there to do one thing, and that is to tell time. Nothing else. There is no hint of branding, or anything unnecessary, on the dial. The only hint of decadence on surface is perhaps its gold case, and the lovely fumé sunburst dials that H. Moser & Cie is well-known for. Having said that, the finishing on the movement (the HMC 343) is still done rather beautifully, as per most of the H. Moser & Cie’s watches in their repertoire.
Admittedly, the Endeavor Concept Watch may not be everyone’s cup of tea. As mentioned, some people cannot justify paying the asking price of CHF 22,000 (approx S$30,200) for a watch that is seemingly so simple and subtle. However, we absolutely love the ethos and idea behind this timepiece. It is an interesting take on watches, as well as the industry itself. And of course, it is not just a simple watch that tells time. It is a statement piece, and one that conveys a deep and significant message for everyone to ponder over.
If Money Is No Object: Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Ultra-thin Minute Repeater
The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Ultra-thin Minute Repeater in platinum. Classical elegance.
We round up this writer’s wishlist with the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Ultra-thin Minute Repeater, in platinum. Retail price: S$633,400. Although the Patrimony Ultra-thin Minute Repeater has been around since 2013, but it was only in this year’s Watches and Wonders that they launched this gorgeous timepiece in platinum.
What caught our attention, besides its subtle and elegant good looks, is its minute repeater sonics. According to our Editorial Director, the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Ultra-thin Minute Repeater is one of the best sounding repeaters that he had ever heard. The clarity, tone, and timing of the repeater is simply spot on. It gave us goose bumps. And this is not simply a stroke of luck that enabled them to create minute repeaters with such quality. It simply boils down to their great attention to detail. We have written extensively about it in our review article of this timepiece, and we highly recommend our readers to take a look at it.
The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Ultra-thin Minute Repeater, in our opinion, is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It looks so deceptively simple on the surface, and yet it features such a highly complicated and exquisite complication. On top of that, the watch measures only 3.9mm in thickness. This is, without a shadow of doubt, a masterpiece. And an alluring one at that.
Writer’s Note: This is the first installment of our Christmas Feature, and our fellow writers and editors will be sharing their Christmas Wishlist in time to come. Once again, thank you for your support, and may we wish you a very Bless Christmas!
1 Comment
Hi Robin, since you have done a “want” list for Christmas, I think you have to do 12 watches for the 12 days of Christmas.