Weekends – we all live for it, don’t we? It is probably a well-deserved break that we all need, after five days’ worth of late-nights and corporate slogging. As watch lovers, first thing on our minds when we knock off on Friday? Weekend watches!
When we swap our corporate attire for our casual weekend wear, the same should be done for the watches too. Don’t you think that it’s strange to wear a dress watch, like say the A. Lange & Söhne 1815, with a pair of shorts and t-shirt? Perhaps not, but we make our point of a weekend watch.
In this installment of Throwback Sundays, we will be curating six watches that we think are casual, or should go well with your casual weekend wear. Let’s go!
Breitling Emergency II
The Breitling Emergency II. A watch that one should have, if they are out for an adventure.
For some of us, the weekends are meant for us to do the things we love. And well, who doesn’t love a good adventure, or a relaxing day out on a yacht?
The Breitling Emergency II, now enhanced with several upgrades from its predecessor, is perhaps the one of the best companions for the thrill-seekers. Armed with the new dual antenna transmitter, the watch is able to convey the area’s coordinates accurately and seek for assistance when the function is deployed during an emergency. Besides that, the watch also features some other useful functions, such as the 1/100th second chronograph, as well as a second timezone indicator. Notably, it is fitted with a SuperQuartz™ movement, which is said to be ten times more accurate than standard quartz and chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute).
The 51mm timepiece is cased in titanium, and it retails at S$ 21,000. While the Emergency II is not exactly an inexpensive timepiece, the novelty and coolness surely makes up for the premium price tag.
Bulgari Octo Velocissimo
The Bulgari Octo Velocissimo, featuring the iconic octagon bezel.
Next up, we have a novelty from Bulgari’s iconic Octo collection – the Velocissimo.
The Velocissimo, true to its origins, features the classic Octo DNA with a little twist. The 41mm watch is cased in two materials: 18k pink gold and DLC steel. The combination, together with its stunning black lacquered dial, makes the timepiece rather chic and elegant.
The watch is powered by the Caliber BVL 328, a high frequency movement based on the Zenith El Primero. It features a date indicator at the 4:30 position, as well as a chronograph function. The finishing, which consists of circular-graining, Côtes de Genève and chamfering, is done reasonably well too.
Priced at CHF 12,950 (approximately S$ 17,720), the Octo Velocissimo is a timepiece for collectors who wants to remain fashionable and cool during the weekends. Well, we have to admit that this is a rather good-looking timepiece after all…
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph Deep Blue.
The rise in popularity for Audemars Piguet, especially its Royal Oak Offshore collection, has been phenomenal. The appeal lies in its chunky 42mm case, as well as its bold design cues that appeals and bode well with the younger vibrant crowd who likes their watches to be massive and casual.
The Diver Chronograph is one of the latest additions to the Offshore family. This is the first time that a complication has been added to the Diver Collection, and we feel that Audemars Piguet had done a great job for this one. The watch is now more functional, yet it still retains a simple and legible dial layout. In addition, the dual counter chronograph is powered by the in-house AP Caliber 3124/3841, although jsome critics might argue that the lack of a date counter, we think it looks fine.
The watch comes with four different colour combinations, each with a fancy coloured dial and rubber strap. The above-mentioned example, which comes with a blue dial, is our favourite among the quartet. It is priced at S$ 31,900, and we feel that it is a must-have for collectors who are die-hard AP collectors.
Panerai Luminor
The Luminor “Black Seal” edition, featuring a DLC coated case.
Following the Diver Chronograph, we have yet another iconic timepiece that is rather popular with collectors for its casual style. Cue the Panerai Luminor.
Originally designed for the Italian Frogmen, the demand for Panerai watches remains very strong. The Luminor collection, in particular, is a favourite among collectors. This is all thanks to its instantly recognizable design, which features a massive case and the unique crown guard. More importantly, the popularity of the watch is partly due to the immense choice of strap options. There are many alternative strap designs and materials for Panerai watches, which allow collectors to change their straps to match their style. The versatility is superb, and it is definitely appealing to collectors who want to customise the watches to their attire.
The Luminor collection varies in terms of pricing, from around S$ 6,500 for a basic time-only model, to S$ 204,500 for the Lo Scienziato Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT Titanio.
Rolex Air-King
The new Rolex Air-King, featuring a design that is much more casual and less serious than its usual offerings.
The Air-King offers something different from the usual Rolex watches.
The dial design of the Air-King is unusual. This particular release features design cues from the instruments that were used in the Rolex Bloodhound SSC, in which the indices combine both the minute and hour numerals on the same dial itself. On top of that, the details – such as the green Rolex fonts and the yellow Rolex logo – add a colourful touch to the tool watch.
The Air-King is a Rolex through and through. The watch comes with the robust Oyster case and bracelet, and it is fitted with a workhorse movement (the Calibre 3131, in this case). It even comes with a five year warranty!
Priced at CHF 5,900 (approximately S$ 8,070), the 40mm Air-King is certainly another great watch to have in the collection, and the cheapest entry to a anti-magnetic Rolex. We reckon it will pair nicely with casual clothing, though it will dress up too.
Swatch Sistem51
A wrist full of Sistem51!
Last but not least, we have the Swatch Sistem51.
The name Swatch, which is a contraction for “Second Watch”, is probably the go-to watch for people who just want something that is fun to wear during the weekends. The Sistem51 fits in perfectly. The watch, with its revolutionary mechanical movement and a variety of funky and interesting designs, should appeal to many collectors.
Moreover, the watch is relatively affordable at S$ 207. It is certainly something cool to have in a collection, and one that will surely make the collectors feel young at heart again.
Concluding Thoughts
When it comes to watches for the weekend, we reckon that it should be something that is fun, and yet robust enough to withstand any impact or “torture” that the watch might undergo when the owner wears it to carry out his or her activities.
What are some of the criteria that you will look at, when you are selecting your weekend watch? Do you share the same sentiments as us? Or do you think that we have left o some of the watches in this list? Let us know in the comments section below.
Once again, we hope you enjoyed this installment of Throwback Sundays. Till the next article, cheers!
