There are many watches out there, but only a handful of timepieces a real gentleman needs. Le Monsieur introduces his five favorite pieces. Including Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Cartier and Jaeger-LeCoultre.
Let’s start with the ultimate classic. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner. It’s a line of sports watches designed for diving and known for their resistance to water and corrosion. In 1954 Rolex introduced the first Submariner to the public at Baselworld.
The Rolex Submariner has appeared in a number of James Bond movies as well. Especially in the old ones with Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton. In the movies the watch was used with a leather strape, a Nato type nylon band or with the original oyster bracelet.
The latest version of the icon references the number 114060 and was introduced in 2012. The watch comes with a newer Maxi Case with Chromalight hour markers, ceramic bezel, blue Parachrom hairspring and a bracelet with Glidelock extension system. The case size of the Submariner is 40 mm diameter. The watch is water resistant to 300 m.
In 1972 Audemars Piguet introduced the original Royal Oak. Designed by famous Swiss jewellery designer Gérald Genta. The watch set a new standard for luxury. Only available in steel, it shocked the market with its luxury finishing and pricing as well as the large size. In comparison to other watches, the 39 mm case of the Royal Oak was much larger. This earned the watch the nickname ‘Jumbo’. The original Reference 5402 was also extremely thin, measuring just 7 mm thick. Thanks to the thickness of the case and the well integrated steel bracelet it was very comfortable to wear.
In 2000 Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ Extra Thin Ref. #15202ST.OO.1240ST.01. A reissue of the original one. The case size of the 15202 is 39 mm diameter and the case thickness is 8.3 mm. The watch is water resistant to 50 m.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus was another one of Gérald Genta’s original designs. Introduced in 1976, this legendary sports watch excited by its combination of luxury and stainless steel. The design of the Nautilus is inspired by the shape of portholes.
The Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A has a case of 40 mm diameter, a screwed caseback with sapphire crystal window and a screw-in crown. The case of the new 5711, introduced in 2006, is one millimeter more than the original model. This Reference is also extremely thin, measuring just 8.3 mm thick. The watch is water resistant to 120 m.
Number four is the Cartier Tank Louis. It was created by Louis Cartier in 1917, inspired by the new Renault Tanks which he saw in use on the Western Front.
The watch was introduced in 1918 and entered full production in 1919, when a total of six pieces were built. As you can see, the Tank is the oldest one of the five watches. Its lines and proportions are similar to those of tanks found on First World War battlefields. The case is both a square and a rectangle and its strap is seamlessly integrated into vertical sidebars called “brancards”.
The Tank has become one of the most highly coveted and copied wristwatches of all time, and has been worn by Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, and Yves Saint Laurent.
Last but not least the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic. Its name inspired by the Latin “I turn around”. In 1931, the Reverso was created as a watch capable of surviving the hard knocks of a polo game: the case can be swivelled in its carrier to protect the watch glass. Considered a classic of Art Deco design.
The case dimensions are 45.6 x 27.4 mm, measuring just 8.5 mm thick.
Type: Dress watch Price: 6.200 Euro
‘THE FIVE’ Watches
These are ‘THE FIVE’ watches every gentleman should own in his life. To be honest the perfect entry watch will be the Rolex Submariner. With its very robust housing you can carry it without worries. Your second choice should be between the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15202 or the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. Both are perfect, elegant dress watches. To complete your watch collection you should add the Cartier Tank Louis or the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic.
There are many watches out there, but only a handful of timepieces a real gentleman needs. Le Monsieur introduces his five favorite pieces. Including Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Cartier and Jaeger-LeCoultre.
Rolex Submariner
copyright THEHOROKEE
Let’s start with the ultimate classic. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner. It’s a line of sports watches designed for diving and known for their resistance to water and corrosion. In 1954 Rolex introduced the first Submariner to the public at Baselworld.
The Rolex Submariner has appeared in a number of James Bond movies as well. Especially in the old ones with Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton. In the movies the watch was used with a leather strape, a Nato type nylon band or with the original oyster bracelet.
The latest version of the icon references the number 114060 and was introduced in 2012. The watch comes with a newer Maxi Case with Chromalight hour markers, ceramic bezel, blue Parachrom hairspring and a bracelet with Glidelock extension system. The case size of the Submariner is 40 mm diameter. The watch is water resistant to 300 m.
Type: Sports watch
Price: 6.800 Euro
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15202
copyright THEHOROKEE
In 1972 Audemars Piguet introduced the original Royal Oak. Designed by famous Swiss jewellery designer Gérald Genta. The watch set a new standard for luxury. Only available in steel, it shocked the market with its luxury finishing and pricing as well as the large size. In comparison to other watches, the 39 mm case of the Royal Oak was much larger. This earned the watch the nickname ‘Jumbo’. The original Reference 5402 was also extremely thin, measuring just 7 mm thick. Thanks to the thickness of the case and the well integrated steel bracelet it was very comfortable to wear.
In 2000 Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ Extra Thin Ref. #15202ST.OO.1240ST.01. A reissue of the original one. The case size of the 15202 is 39 mm diameter and the case thickness is 8.3 mm. The watch is water resistant to 50 m.
Type: Dress watch
Price: 23.300 Euro
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711
copyright THEHOROKEE
The Patek Philippe Nautilus was another one of Gérald Genta’s original designs. Introduced in 1976, this legendary sports watch excited by its combination of luxury and stainless steel. The design of the Nautilus is inspired by the shape of portholes.
The Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A has a case of 40 mm diameter, a screwed caseback with sapphire crystal window and a screw-in crown. The case of the new 5711, introduced in 2006, is one millimeter more than the original model. This Reference is also extremely thin, measuring just 8.3 mm thick. The watch is water resistant to 120 m.
Type: Sports & dress watch
Price: 26.810 Euro
Cartier Tank Louis
copyright THEHOROKEE
Number four is the Cartier Tank Louis. It was created by Louis Cartier in 1917, inspired by the new Renault Tanks which he saw in use on the Western Front.
The watch was introduced in 1918 and entered full production in 1919, when a total of six pieces were built. As you can see, the Tank is the oldest one of the five watches. Its lines and proportions are similar to those of tanks found on First World War battlefields. The case is both a square and a rectangle and its strap is seamlessly integrated into vertical sidebars called “brancards”.
The Tank has become one of the most highly coveted and copied wristwatches of all time, and has been worn by Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, and Yves Saint Laurent.
Type: Dress watch
Price: 13.500 Euro
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic
copyright THEHOROKEE
Last but not least the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic. Its name inspired by the Latin “I turn around”. In 1931, the Reverso was created as a watch capable of surviving the hard knocks of a polo game: the case can be swivelled in its carrier to protect the watch glass. Considered a classic of Art Deco design.
The case dimensions are 45.6 x 27.4 mm, measuring just 8.5 mm thick.
Type: Dress watch
Price: 6.200 Euro
‘THE FIVE’ Watches
These are ‘THE FIVE’ watches every gentleman should own in his life. To be honest the perfect entry watch will be the Rolex Submariner. With its very robust housing you can carry it without worries. Your second choice should be between the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15202 or the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. Both are perfect, elegant dress watches. To complete your watch collection you should add the Cartier Tank Louis or the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic.
Also check out Ben Clymer’s stunning watch collection and how he became a watch collector.