By Walid Samaha
People once thought of watches as an accessory, a way to add a little flourish to an outfit. That’s an outdated way of thinking, my friend. These days the right fine-crafted luxury timepiece is the star of the show. To keep us in the loop when it comes to horology, we asked Walid Samaha to share some of his favorite pieces with us.
Patek Philippe
Tiffany Nautilus
Tiffany & Co. and Patek Philippe celebrated 170 years of collaboration with this coveted 5711, the final edition of the beloved line. It’s been seen on the likes of LeBron James and the Pope, so you’re in good company if you manage to snag one. patek.com
Rolex
Green Daytona
The Rolex Green Daytona received its fame and nickname after watch enthusiast John Mayer spoke highly of the watch. Back in the 1980s, this timepiece gave birth to the sports chronograph craze and was THE very watch to engender that controversial phenomenon known as the waiting list. rolex.com
Audemars Piguet
Frosted skeleton rainbow
This watch is an absolute showstopper. With a spectacular 18-carat frosted gold case and bracelet and a bezel set with 32 rainbow-colored sapphires, this is one of the most beautiful watches Audemars Piguet has produced. The rhodium-toned openworked dial shows off the gorgeous inner workings. audemarspiguet.com
Patek Philippe
Nautilus Minute Repeater
The 5712/1R-001 Nautilus is famous throughout the watch world, and for good reason. The iconic Nautilus design is tremendously elegant, with the octagonal bezel as well as the highly legible and immediately recognizable face. www.patek.com
De Bethune
GS Grand Bleu
De Bethune’s first sports watch, the Grand Bleu, bears all the emblems of a traditional sports watch with a high horology twist. Featuring a screw-down crown, 100m water resistance, and a unidirectional rotating bezel, the sportiness of the Grand Bleu is paired with a finely crafter openworked dial as well as De Bethune’s characteristic floating lugs and futuristic design language. www.debethune.ch
Bulgari
Serpenti Misteriosi Ref. 103559
This watch holds a secret. The head of the serpent opens to reveal Piccolissimo, one of the smallest mechanical movements to date and a true jewel of microtechnology. The timepiece’s rose gold case and bracelet coil sinuously around the wearer’s wrist. Two pear-cit diamonds serve as the serpent’s eyes and the dial is crafter of mother-of-pearl. When combined, these features put Bulgari’s decorative excellence and spectacular craftsmanship on full display. www.bulgari.com
Chanel
Red Edition Collection
Chanel’s Boy-Friend Skeleton Red Edition Watch (left) features an 18k beige gold case and a matching bezel set with 38 baguette-cut rubies. Its ruby alligator-pattern calfskin strap is accented with an 18k beige gold triple-folding buckle set with 23 baguette-cut rubies. The J12 X-Ray Red Edition Watch 3.1 (right) is crafted with a sapphire case and an 18k white gold fixed bezel set with 46 baguette-cut rubies. Chanel.com
Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak Tourbillon
When the Royal Oak debuted the nearly 50 years ago it set the watch world ablaze. With each subsequent innovation, the watch maintains its intrigue. This is the second all-ceramic watch from Audemars Piguet, which makes it ultra light and incredibly comfortable. If it weren’t for all the compliments, you wouldn’t even realize it was there. audemarspiguet.com
