Need a watch that makes a statement? This week’s edition of The Cultivated Wrist has you covered with some serious hardware sure to raise a an eyebrow or two. Whether it’s with a dial that breaks from the predictable, or a movement that’ll bring grown men to tears – these watches are guaranteed to leave an impression. Bust out the Black Card and let’s dive in.
Rolex Introduced the Sky-Dweller in 2012, making it the youngest collection under the crown. When it was released, the Sky-Dweller was offered only in precious metals, similar to the Day-Date, keeping the price of entry quite high. Unlike the Day-Date, the Sky-Dweller is sized at 42mm and features a very unique application of the annual calendar and dual time zone complications. Each are set by a single crown thanks to the “ring command” system, which uses the bezel a means to swap between setting functions of the crown. For maximum effect, we suggest this Everose variant, which currently has an Ask listed at $38,000.
The Piaget Altiplano is an understated dress watch that’s as classy as they come, so what’s it doing on this list? This variant features an exquisite skeleton dial, revealing much of the movement’s inner working lurking below. Furthermore, the Altiplano is exceptionally thin, as in just 5mm in height. Openworked dials are seldom done right, there is no hiding any second rate areas of the movement. The Altiplano houses Piaget’s own caliber 1200P, the thinnest automatic skeleton movement in existence. It’s a lot of watch stuffed into a very svelte package. There’s an Ask listed at $44,000 for this example.
Lange & Sohne Datograph 403.035
The Datograph has quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest chronographs in existence. A. Lange & Sohne designed the entire movement to be high-end, with no off the shelf modules or ebauches in sight. A glance at the back of the watch reveals a veritable wonderland of finishing, engraving, and engineering. The bridges and plates and constructed from German silver, which has a warm quality to it, making the view that much more unique and unforgettable. Flip this thing over at a party and you’ll quickly become the center of attention. There’s a current Ask listed at $54,410 on this Datograph.
Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon 311.92.44.51.01.005
The Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon (DSOM) is a series inspired by, well, the dark side of the moon, and this variant, the Black-Black takes that inspiration literally. The case is black ceramic, and the dial is completely blacked out, including the sub-dials, hour indices, hands, and date window. Practicality be damned, the DSOM makes a statement visually, and has some proper watchmaking on display around back with Omega’s own caliber 9300. There’s an Ask currently listed at $9,000 for this example.
IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar IW502308
The IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar is an horological tour-de-force packed into a 44mm steel case. As you’ve ascertained from the name, this Portuguese gets an easy to read perpetual calendar complication, meaning you get the day, date, month, and year – and best of all, you don’t have to worry about adjusting for those pesky leap years. As an added bonus, you’ll find a lovely moonphase aperture at 12 o’clock. There’s an Ask listed at $28,933 on this example.
