Angelus Vodka Stinger watch (©Angelus)
By Jennifer McKee
We’ve all heard of Rolex and Bulgari, but there are many more upscale watch brands that deserve your attention. Read on to discover luxe new offerings from these tried-and-true and watchmakers that may become new favorites.
Angelus U23
Fine watchmaking meets mixology in Angelus’ new U23 line, inspired by the love of a good cocktail. Available in eight “flavors” such as Vodka Stinger, Tequila Sunrise and Negroni, the watches’ colored bridges are screwed into a main plate, both made of Carbon Thin Ply material. In this advancement, hundreds of layers of carbon are piled into successive layers and fused together with resin, making for a lightweight, hypoallergenic watch.
Rudis Sylva RS14 Titane
Rudis Sylva traces its origins back to 1384, to the heart of the Swiss Jura, the historic birthplace of the Swiss watchmaking industry. The artisan-made pieces are known for their flawless attention to detail and unique designs; the RS14, for example, is hand-engraved with grand feu enamel with a real alligator strap and a harmonious oscillator that’s 100 percent accurate. BeauGeste Luxury is its authorized USA agent.
Bulgari Aluminum Chrono
Considered unorthodox when it first launch its line of aluminum timepieces in the 1990s, Bulgari has released three high contrast black and white styles for the season, two three-hand models and one panda motif. The sporty, unisex watches are crafted in rubber and aluminum, offering a dramatic new update for 2020.
Tockr D-Day C-47
History buffs will find watches with an even more storied history in Tockr’s D-Day C-47 collection. It teamed up with the Commemorative Air Force to create a series of watches made from rescued aluminum from “That’s All Brother,” the aircraft that led America’s D-Day invasion. The brand, known for its aviation watches, worked with watch designer Emmanuel Gueit so that the salvaged material could live on.
Urwerk UR-100 Gold Edition
For the ultimate collector’s piece and conversation starter, look to Urwerk’s designs. Co-founder Martin Frei, inspired by science fiction and his father’s history in engineering, looked to “Star Wars’” Millennial Falcon in designing this slim, satellite-geared watch; it’s cut from a solid block of 2N gold, satin-finished to the shine of the movie series’ C-3PO. It’s a piece of true luxury.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual DateJust 31
Iconic watch brand Rolex has released four covetable new white Rolesor models in the DateJust line that combine Oystersteel and 18-karat white gold. We adore the aubergine piece; its bezel is set with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds and the sunray-finish dial has a diamond-set Roman VI. The three additional watches come in mint green, white lacquer and dark gray. They’re all equipped with caliber 2236 movement, a development in the forefront of watchmaking technology.
Breguet Tradition Quantieme Retrograde 7597
Since 1775, Breguet timepieces have been crafted according to the values set forth by founder A.-L. Breguet: beauty, elegance and understated design, matched with a mastery of complex horology. The Tradition line draws its inspiration directly from the caliber of the subscription watch created by Breguet in the late 18th century; the new model has an open view of the movement—a stunning way to showcase its architectural elements.
