Watchmaking is a mysterious artform, the secrets of which often only seem accessible to a clandestine club of timepiece aficionados. Thankfully, craftsmanship has always ranked at the top of Ettinger’s interests so we are proud to present you with our five favourite watches to fill your Ettinger watch roll.
BREITLING NAVITIMER REF. 806 1959 RE-EDITION
Back in the 1950s, in addition to just the dashboard, aircraft pilots relied on watches to make crucial calculations while airborne. Breitling’s Navitimber, with its signature three scales, was a literal lifesaver, and the 1959 Navitimer model became a cult piece. 70 years on, Breitling has reissued this classic design in the form of the Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition.
Image by Monochrome-Watches.
ROLEX SUBMARINER
A top five watch list wouldn’t be credible without the Rolex Submariner – probably the world’s most famous watch. In addition to being a reputable piece of diving kit, this mid-century classic soared to fame as the timepiece of choice for Sean Connery’s James Bond, in Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, and Thunderball, before having a buzz saw added to it by Q to save Roger Moore’s Bond from a sticky hostage situation in Live and Let Die.
Image by Time and Watches.
BREMONT H4 HERCULES
The founders of British owned-watchmakers, Bremont, Nick and Giles English, have been pushing the boundaries of military-grade watchmaking since their launch in 2012. Now, inspired by their love of flying, they have created a timepiece, the H4 Hercules using the very same birchwood used on the Hughes H-4 Hercules – an early airlift flying boat. When we say, ‘very same,’ we mean that they sourced the wood from the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Ore., where the Hercules has rested since 1993. That’s authenticity for you.
Image by Bremont.
APPLE WATCH
It would be remiss of us not to include a more technologically advanced time piece. Apple’s latest smartwatch is in a league of its own if you want ergonomic enjoyment, exquisite design and all the health and fitness features you could want. The Series 9 come in an array of clean and sophisticated colours and shapes, and you can, of course, change your watchband to upgrade your look whenever the mood takes you.
Image by Apple.
THE VACHERON CONSTANTIN TRADITIONNELLE TWIN BEAT PERPETUAL CALENDAR
We have saved the very best for last: The Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Collection really does reimagine what can be done with a simple round watch face and a leather strap. Genevan Haute Horlogerie doesn’t come much more illustriously intricate than the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar, an incredible play on technology V heritage.
Image by Oracle Time.
Whichever timepieces take you fancy, make sure to keep them safe when traveling with our Capra Watch Rolls. They come in three different sizes and five colours to accommodate your style and collection size. Featuring a soft suede interior and a divider, these rolls will keep your timepieces secure and pristine during all your journeys.