There’s no secret about it, we here at Esquire Middle East love ourselves some watches. In fact, we love them so much that we attend most watch fairs en mass to scope out which pieces should be next on our (and your) shopping lists. In Part 2, Esquire Middle East’s Deputy MD, Andrew Wingrove picks out which pieces from January’s SIHH watch fair in Geneva, make his best watches of 2016 list, so far.
Click here for Part 1
Click here for Part 3
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1. Cartier Drive
2015 was the year of the Cle. Its clever new shape was designed to appeal to both men and women. Well, men with a small wrist at least. This year, the brand has beefed it up and introduced what can only be described as the far more masculine and, for me, wearable Drive. At 40mm, the proportions are great. The look is classic and it sits beautifully on the wrist. As such, this watch will likely sell by the truck load, ticking all the boxes of style, dress and sophistication. It’s a welcome addition to any men’s watch collection.
2. Richard Mille RM 67-01
I am yet to be disappointed by Richard Mille, and at SIHH we saw the brand launch the RM S05, a pen with a watch complication that powers a very cool mechanically retractable nib. This innovative streak follows on from last summer’s RM 69 “Erotic” that provides an entire roller system for different pronouncements that would make the innocent blush. As someone who is slightly more conservative, my pick from this year is the RM 67-01, Mille’s first-ever extra flat, tonneau-shaped watch. It sits perfectly under your shirt and is very understated for an RM. It’s not often that happens, and is a factor that makes it one of my favourite pieces for craftsmanship and design.
3. Baume & Mercier Capeland Shelby Cobra
It was a tough choice between the Clifton Chrono Complete Calendar (a watch that packs its dial complications with a day and month display and a moonphase) and the updated Capeland Shelby Cobra. However, it is the racing model that just wins out for me. First launched last year in partnership with Shelby Automotive, this flyback classic has been pimped up for 2016 with a Cobra logo, dashboard counters and steering wheel inspired hours and minutes markers. It’s available in either polished stainless steel or black DLC. The latter being is my preferred option. These upgrades have firmed-up its collaboration with Shelby, which is a clever partnership. The Shelby business shares a similar DNA with B&M as the brand puts its cars together using other company’s parts in order to produce a high-performing vehicle. This is one to get the blood pumping and is my favourite sporty watch of SIHH.
4. Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Métrographe Abyss Blue
This was one of the first watches to grace my Instagram feed during SIHH. It is masculine, cool, unique, and comes in a beautiful blue. It helps that it is also made by one of the best independent watchmakers on the planet. Parmigiani doesn’t have a huge product line, but what it does do, it does it very well. Carrying a PF315 movement, this automatic chrono
has a power reserve of 42 hours and, at 40mm with a thickness of 11.7mm, is not for the delicate wrist. The brand also gave us a rare insight into the future with the creation of a new power reserve movement that, with the help of a new regulator, allows for lower energy consumption, which currently stands at a staggering 45 days!
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This article was originally published in the February 2016 issue of Esquire Middle East. To buy a copy, click here