Going by their size and serious looks, the watches here would traditionally be considered more of a guy thing. Going by their versatility when it comes to expressing personal style, do such conventions really matter?
Since its debut in the year 2000, the J12 has become a mega hit for Chanel. Its slick, monotone ceramic finish made the highly resistant material fashionable to wear on one’s wrist, while its refined sporty look (it’s named after the 12-metre J-class racing yachts of the ’30s) is meant to appeal to both men and women. Featured here is its chronograph model that is one of its biggest at 41mm-wide and also one of the most in-demand since it was launched two decades ago.
As a horology master, Cartier has made a name for birthing inimitable, unusually playful shapes. Case in point: the Pasha de Cartier, which boasted a square seconds track within its round dial when it was revealed in 1985, creating an intriguing graphic effect. The latest model, the Pasha de Cartier Grid, takes that concept to the next level. Encasing the dial is a hand-polished gold grille – a sophisticated window pane-like design that draws from the archives and is available on a range of sizes spanning 30mm to the 41mm you see here. And, if you’re wondering, the grille is removable without any tools needed so one can easily switch up its look.
The Santos de Cartier was created by Louis Cartier in 1904 for the legendary aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. Its square case, which came up at a time when most watches were round, along with its intentionally visible screws, made it the first modern wristwatch and – given that it’s still highly sought-after today – a true classic. Playing with a cool blue marine hue, the brand has recently introduced models that are equal parts industrial chic and polished, with the colour applied to an L-sized Santos (that’s 47.5mm by 39.8mm) on the bezel and dial; as well as all over.
It’s hard to believe sometimes that Bulgari’s beloved and technically astounding Octo Finissimo family was only launched in 2012. The line is known for its suave, sporty-luxe design and ultra-thin architecture (this year saw the launch of the limited-edition Octo Finissimo Ultra, which at 1.80mm-thick, earns it the title of the world’s thinnest watch as of press time). The Octo Finissimo Chrono GMT model featured here packs a lot into its 42mm-wide, 6.9mm-thick case, combining a chronograph as well as GMT functions.
The Arceau family of watches from Hermes boasts some of the brand’s most complex complications, and this year’s whimsy-filled model is no different. Its name, Arceau Le Temps Voyageur, translates to “travelling time” and it’s essentially one fun spin on a world timer. The main dial features an engraving of an imaginary map inspired by the design of an archival silk scarf. Floating above it is a sub-dial that tells the time of other destinations with a click (simply press the pusher on the left until the pointer attached to said sub-dial arrives at the place of choice along the watch’s city ring). Revealed in April, it comes in a 41mm style with a matte black platinum case, and this still-sizable 38mm blue version in steel.
Text & Coordination Keng Yang Shuen Photography Phyllicia Wang Art Direction & Styling Jonathan Chia
This article first appeared in the June 2022 Male Edit of FEMALE