Perfect timing: Watch out for these
Chronographs, tourbillons, skeletons and other exotic watches worth the investment
1/5
Created more than 200 years ago by Abraham-Louis Breguet to compensate for the effects of gravity on a pocket watch, tourbillons remain as hypnotizing as ever. While the caged balance and escapement will not increase accuracy, the tourbillon now comes in a whirlwind of variations–including double and triple versions.
Clockwise from Left: Portugieser Tourbillon Hand-Wound in white gold by IWC ($61,000); MasterGraff Ultra Flat Tourbillon in platinum with diamonds by Graff (price upon request); Tourbillon Ottantasei in 18kt red gold by Bovet ($189,000); Tradition 7047 in platinum by Breguet ($189,700); El Primero Tourbillon in rose gold by Zenith ($86,500).
2/5
Skeleton watches reveal what truly makes a timepiece tick. The movements have been stripped down to display the inner workings and shed light on (and through) these mechanical marvels. Stare at one long enough and you can’t get a skeleton out of your skull.
Clockwise from top left: Villeret Squelette 8 Jours in white gold by Blancpain ($68,300); BR 03-94 AEROGT in stainless steel by Bell & Ross ($8,800); Octo Finissimo Skeleton Watch in 18kt pink gold by Bulgari ($26,600); Lo Scienziato Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT Titanio in titanium by Panerai ($143,000); Excalibur Automatic Skeleton Carbon by Roger Dubuis ($63,600); RL Automotive Skeleton in stainless steel by Ralph Lauren ($50,000).
3/5
Of all the complications, the chronograph—which measures elapsed time—has given rise to some of the most iconic watches in history, including the Rolex Daytona and Omega Speedmaster. They’re always sporty and handsome, but make no mistake–they have faces that can stop time.
Clockwise from left: Omega Speedmaster “CK2998″ limited edition in stainless steel by Omega ($6,500); Datograph Perpetual in platinum by A. Lange & Söhne (price upon request); Overseas Chronograph in stainless steel by Vacheron Constantin ($19,900); Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in stainless steel by Rolex ($12,400); Tiffany CT60 Chronograph in 18kt rose gold by Tiffany & Co. ($15,000); Royal Oak Chronograph in 18kt yellow gold by Audemars Piguet ($56,600); 2016 Monza Calibre 17 in titanium by TAG Heuer ($5,200).
4/5
Ladies’ watches have become increasingly complicated in the past few years—with dedicated in-house movements and features such as perpetual calendars and minute repeaters. And often they dial up old-fashioned elegance.
Clockwise from top left: Slim d’Hermès in stainless steel with diamonds by Hermès ($14,750); Clé de Cartier in pink gold by Cartier ($11,000); Reverso Classic Duetto (Christian Louboutin collection) in stainless steel by Jaeger-LeCoultre ($11,535); Harry Winston Emerald in 18kt white gold with diamonds by Harry Winston (price upon request); élégante in titanium with diamonds by F.P. Journe ($15,100); Calatrava Ref. 4897G-001 in white gold by Patek Philippe ($28,691). opposite: Cadenas Sertie in 18kt white gold with diamonds by Van Cleef & Arpels ($43,400). DVF Anais gown by Diane von Furstenberg ($1,198).
5/5
Look, no hands! Or one hand. Or … liquid? Let’s face it, knowing the exact minute isn’t always the first priority when wearing a timepiece. But as these exotic watches demonstrate, there are many old (think sundial) and new (picture a Ferrari engine) ways to tell time. And all of them can keep people talking for hours.
Clockwise from top left: Pangaea Day Date ref. PDD908 in stainless steel by MeisterSinger ($2,825); UR-105TA “Clockwork Orange” in titanium by Urwerk ($64,000); Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon in 18kt white gold by Ulysse Nardin ($280,000); H1 Iceberg in titanium by HYT ($62,000); MP-05 LaFerrari all black in titanium by Hublot ($345,000).
Style Director: Joseph DeAcetis
Style Associate: Juan Benson
Maye Musk photographed by David Needleman
Watches photographed by David Arky
Hair: Josue Perez
Makeup: Christian McCulloch
Set Design: Terry Lewis
More Photo Gallery
X