Round Brilliant Cut
Cushion Cut
Oval Cut
Princess Cut
The Watches of Our Dreams
By Amanda Evans | 5 minute read
We are incredibly lucky at the Watches of Switzerland Group to be immersed in a world of horological marvels. Our showrooms are a pleasure to walk through, with luxury timepieces to admire for a number of reasons, be it their incredible craftsmanship, functional capabilities, or exquisite beauty.
We are privileged to be able to gaze at iconic watches of the past; be impressed by new complications of present, and be excited by the newness of the future, as we glance in awe at new releases at the world’s infamous watch fairs. Being surrounded by timepieces crafted by the most skilled hands is the greatest of pleasures.
We invited our CEO, Brian Duffy, and members of our Senior Buying team to share their utmost favorite timepieces with our readers. Discover which timepieces they long for in the Watches of Our Dreams.
Brian Duffy, CEO of the Watches of Switzerland Group
The watch of my dreams? It's impossible to say really. I had the honor to be on the Jury of The Grand Prix D'Horlogerie De Genève for the first time this year and had the opportunity to examine and discuss some unusual pieces with watchmakers and true experts. I came away with several additions to my wish list, such as Octo Finissimo from Bulgari that scooped the Aiguille D’Or prize, and the Bernhardt Lederer Central Impulse Chronometer.
Some of these pieces will add to my more predictable list of the green dial Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin in platinum (GPHG winner). I would love to own an MB&F – probably a Legacy Machine…the green Aston Martin chrono from Gerrard Perregaux is a cracker and I will be buying the Watches of Switzerland Exclusive Breitling Endurance Pro. A Cartier Santos is also on my list, and I love everything that H. Moser is doing. What a great job I have!
Mark Toulson, Head of Watch Buying
At the moment there are lots of blue dialed watches on the market, and it's great for me as I love blue. I've realized though that I don't own a blue watch. I usually say that choice is the enemy of decision making but amongst the many blues out there, the recently launched Club Sport Neomatik is a real frontrunner. I love Nomos for their subtle quirkiness and excellent value for money. You get the novelty of their ingenious swing system escapement, 1,000ft of water resistance in a 42mm steel case and of course the aforementioned blue dial. With its bold, white Superluminova hands and markers providing a contrast to the deep blue dial, it's one cool looking and feature packed watch.
Faye Soteri, Senior Watch Buyer - International
I've always been a fan of Zenith and watched it over the years, I think it's fair to say it's been the underdog in the line-up of the luxury Swiss watch industry but its credibility over the El Primero movement has firmly given the brand its position amongst its peers. This sleeping giant has just been waiting for the right time to really impact upon the industry and watch enthusiasts. And now is that time, it's a brand with heritage and legacy, I've always loved authenticity and Zenith have maintained this and its loyalty to the movement which they are known for. I'm also a fan of vintage watches so the Chronometer Revival El Primero A3817 is winner for me. It speaks to all the strengths of the brand as it reaches into its archives introducing this model to a new generation.
Lisa Broun, Senior Watch Buyer
The trend of larger watches for ladies is on the rise and when Breitling first introduced the Ladies Chronomat, it went straight to the top of my wish list. The Chronomat was originally introduced by Ernest Schneider to meet the needs of the renowned Italian Frecce Tricolori Jet team that needed a chronograph for its pilots. Schneider did not want to offer an adaptation of an existing model and instead designed a bold piece to perfectly suit the Italian pilots’ desires. At the time, thin quartz movements were all the rage, so Breitling’s introduction of this bold mechanical timepiece was a huge statement from the brand – and it paved the way for the iconic Breitling spirit we all know and love today.
Fast forward to 2020 and Breitling introduced the 32mm and 36mm lines of the Chronomat that were dedicated to women, reminding us of Ernest Schneider’s original inspiration of a bold timepiece that was not an adaptation of an existing model. A new squad was introduced alongside the Chronomat models that highlighted three leading ladies in their own industry who are known for their fierce, boundary pushing nature.
Keeping design elements of the original but taking on several aesthetic and technical evolutions, my favorite timepiece in this collection must be this stainless steel automatic 36mm. It offers the perfect balance between a robust and technically innovative timepiece, yet with an elegant and androgynous design.
I love the simplistic colorway, and the added touch of the diamonds above the indices enhances the versatility of this timepiece. Subtle hints throughout this watch offer a mixed metal approach, without it overwhelming the entire piece, which for me is the perfect touch of understated femininity. Equipped with Breitling's Calibre 10, there is no compromise when it comes to the movement. I love that this watch represents Breitling’s philosophy and is perfect for the modern-day woman who is looking for a striking statement piece. A luxurious and bold piece that is ideal for every pursuit, there is no doubt that a Breitling Chronomat is next on my wishlist.
Discover the Watch of Your Dreams here at Mayors.
