« Understatement as a Statement – Gentleman's Watches »
The way Richard Gere, as Edward Lewis, woos Julia Roberts in her role as Vivian Ward, looks after her and slowly wins her heart in the process: that is how many people picture a true gentleman. The word "gentle" comes from English and means soft or mild. Well into the 19th century, "gentle" was a synonym for noble and refined. The original root comes from Latin, where "gens" denotes the family, the clan. A gentleman in the original British sense was a nobleman – yet as early as Shakespeare's day, a commoner could also be called one, provided he dressed and behaved accordingly. Distinctive attire, tactful manners and impeccable courtesy still define a true gentleman today. He could check the time on his smartphone, but he prefers to wear a stylish gentleman's watch and a well-fitting suit, and he carries himself quietly – true understatement, in other words. He has nothing left to prove; he has achieved what he set out to achieve.
Stylish and Discreet: The Watch on the Wrist
For the true gentleman, understatement suits him well. That also applies to his choice of watch, which draws attention to itself only very subtly. Less is often more. These watches are worn just above the wrist; they look classic and timeless, yet despite their purist lines they have an immediate presence. Especially for men who travel on business in formal attire, a watch offers the perfect way to express their individual personality. Below, we have put together the collections and models we consider the most beautiful:
The Speedmaster Moonwatch Co-Axial Chronograph Series by Omega
Selected by NASA, the Omega Speedmaster was worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the Moon: ever since, these watches have been entitled to bear the name "Moonwatch." Since the Omega Speedmaster was introduced, more than 260 different models and reissues have been produced. Many celebrities have worn this watch on their wrist, including Daniel Craig and George Clooney. Even Reinhold Messner took an Omega Speedmaster with him on his 1989 expedition to the South Pole. Robust, reliable and precise, Omega's chronograph – one of the classics of its kind – impresses with its clean design. The dials in white, blue and black lend a sporty touch, while the leather or stainless steel bracelet hugs the wrist perfectly. Narrow and wider markers indicate the hours, and with its small subdials, such as the small seconds or the date, it looks a little like a dependable cockpit instrument you could navigate by with confidence.
The Eliros Collection by Maurice Lacroix
The watches in Maurice Lacroix's Eliros collection are ideally suited to a true gentleman's understatement. The discreet "M" on the leather strap reveals them to those in the know. The high-quality Swiss quartz movement ensures precision, the sapphire crystal naturally features an anti-reflective coating, and the range of variants is well thought out. Like all other Maurice Lacroix watches, the Eliros collection is made in the Swiss canton of Jura, and this timeless collection breathes a hint of retro chic. Maurice Lacroix watches testify to the wearer's exceptional taste and show that he knows how to enjoy life. In every version, the dial is clearly laid out, making the time exceptionally easy to read. The date at 12 o'clock on the chronographs is a distinctive touch, yet it blends skillfully into the clean lines of the Eliros line. Here, beautiful simplicity takes on a new dimension.
The Max Bill by Junghans
Max Bill, a student of legendary Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius, applied clear proportions and the constructive clarity typical of that era to all of his work: he was an architect, sculptor and painter – and he designed a series of watches for Junghans that the company still produces almost unchanged today. In the Max Bill by Junghans wristwatches, form follows function, very much in the Bauhaus tradition. The clean dial design makes it easy for the gentleman to see what time it is. The ultra-fine minute markers and elegant hands let you read the time to the second at a single glance. Thanks to the slim case, the dial looks larger than it actually is. True gentlemanly understatement, in other words. Long since established as a timeless classic, the Max Bill by Junghans is available in many variations, so every gentleman will find the perfect gentleman's watch among them.
The Transocean Day & Date by Breitling
Hardly any watch embodies the boundless feeling of being "above the clouds" quite like the Transocean Day & Date by Breitling. The beveled bezel on the purist case conveys clean functionality and pure beauty, just as befits a true gentleman's understatement. The clearly laid-out dial, divided into quarters by a subtle cross, comes in either black or silver, with minute markers of varying widths. On Breitling's Day & Date, the date appears in the classic 3 o'clock position, while a curved window at 12 o'clock displays the day of the week. The delicate cross-shaped motif is a nod to Breitling's first Transocean, released in 1958 – at a time when the first intercontinental flights were set to connect Europe with America and flying was far more luxurious than it is today. For a gentleman, the purist elegance of a Breitling Transocean Day & Date is as timeless as his entire appearance.
The Cellini Collection by Rolex
While the day draws to a close far away, the sun rises on the horizon here. The Cellini Dual Time by Rolex lets the gentleman read two different time zones at a glance on its clean dial. At 9 o'clock, either a small sun or a moon appears, showing whether it is day or night for loved ones far away. When the time zone is reset, this automatic watch remains just as precise as before. With the name Cellini for this watch collection, Rolex honors the sculptor Benvenuto Cellini, who lived from 1500 to 1571 and, as papal goldsmith and sculptor, created unforgettable works such as Perseus with the Head of Medusa. Rolex casts the Cellini cases in white and Everose gold. With a diameter of 39 mm, these watches are elegant, classic companions for any gentleman. The double bezel and high-polish finish do the Rolex crown proud and make these models true gentleman's watches.
True Gentleman's Watches
The watch a gentleman wears is not just any watch. Even though it is a wonderful way to express distinguished understatement, it is both a piece of jewelry and a timepiece in one. It perfectly complements a carefully chosen outfit. While sporty chronographs go well with a relaxed casual look, there are also elegant watches to match a formal evening suit. The gentleman chooses his watch to suit the occasion and the outfit, just as he does his shoes. Manufacturers such as Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Maurice Lacroix and Junghans are just a few of the renowned watchmakers that can often look back on a long tradition of watchmaking and know how to capture the "gentleman principle" in ever new and wonderful creations.
