Affordable Watches by WatchTime

Five Affordable Zenith Watches for New Collectors. They are known for their El Primero movement. They had early aviator watches. Leon Morane wore a Zenith when he flew faster than 100km/hour. The French Air Force during WWII chose Zenith’s Montre d’Aeronef Type 20. The Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special is someone that one could consider. It comes on a 45mm case with an oversized crown. The Captain line started in 1952. The Captain Power Reserve has a 40mm and a power reserve indicator and 50 hours of power-reserve. It also uses an in-house caliber. It has a very classical and dress watch look. The Pilot Big Date Special runs with the 5Hz movement and has 50 hour-power reserve. It is a chronograph watch in a 42mm case and there are only 2 counters. The first El Primero chronograph was launched in 1969. The El Primero Original is a remake of the classic one in 1969. The case size is 38mm and there are 3 dials. If you prefer a 42mm case, consider getting the El Primero 36,000 VPH as it also has the tri-compax look, similar to the El Primero Original.

Five Affordable Rolex Watches for New Collectors. Rolex is one of the most renowned brands in the world. The Oyster Perpetual 36mm range is the entry point into the brand. Rolex also uses 904L high grade stainless steel. It has a patented Twinlock clasp and has a sapphire crystal. Their movements are all chronometer grade and also contain the blue Parachrom hairspring. There is also a free-sprung balance. The Rolex Explorer is a rugged timepiece and comes in a modern 39mm. It uses the caliber 3132 and has blue Chromalight hour markers. The Rolex DateJust II fits about any outfit. The DateJust II in 41mm was launched in 2009. The watch features a cyclops lens for the date and some of them feature a fluted bezel. Rolex Submariner, in 40mm, is one of the most iconic watches around. It was the first watch to hit a 100m water resistance in 1953. It was essentially a tool watch. The watch comes with the Triplock crown and has a rotatable 60-min bezel. The clasp has the glidelock system. The Rolex Milgauss, in 40mm, was created in 1956 for engineers and technicians. It is renowned for its magnetic shielding and the watch can withstand up to 1000 gauss. In 2007, the orange second-hand were introduced. Some of the latest models come with the green sapphire crystal.

Three Affordable Omega Watches for New Collectors. The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional was introduced in 1957. It is iconic, in 42mm, and has a black dial with a hesalite crystal. It is a 3 dial hand-wound chronograph, with no-date. The Constellation series was launched in 1952. Omega is known for their chronometric achievements. In 2007, the Co-Axial calibres were introduced. These movements had better chronometric performance over time and are COSC certified. Consider getting the 38mm Omega Constellation Co-Axial. The Seamaster Aqua Terra has 150m water resistance. The 41.5mm one has the 8500 calibre and can withstand up to 15,000 gauss. It also has a transparent case-back.

Five Affordable Montblanc Watches Under $5,000 (SGD 7,000). Montblanc is a master of fine watch-making. The first wristwatch was launched in 1997. The Montblanc Star Traditional Collection Date Automatic comes in 39mm and has a classic style. The dial has an intricate spiral guilloche pattern. Next, consider the TimeWalker Collection Voyager UTC in 42mm. It has a GMT feature for keeping track of a second time zone. This is a good watch for travelers. The Meisterstuck Heritage Moonphase comes with sun-burst dials and both polished/satin surfaces on their 39mm case. It has the moon-phase complication. It has a very classic styling. Next, consider getting the World-Time GMT Automatic. All displays are set via the crown only. It comes on a 42mm case. Lastly, do consider getting the TimeWalker World-Time Hemisphere in 42mm. The mechanics behind it is phenomenal.

Five Affordable Luxury Watches from SIHH 2014. There are affordable watches with a price range between SGD 8,390 to SGD 16,780 that were released. The first is the IWC Aquatimer Automatic in 42mm with an internal rotating bezel. It comes with 300m water resistance. Panerai launched the Luminor Base 8 Days Acciaio in 44mm. It uses the 8 day movement P.5000. It has a 44mm case and the classic crown-protection system and the sandwich dial. There is also an exhibition caseback. The Calibre de Cartier Diver received a lot of attention at SIHH. It is ISO 6425 certified and has 300m water resistance. Very few dive watches have met this certification. JLC launched their 38mm Master Ultra Thin. It is only 7.58mm thick and is available in steel. Montblanc released their Meisterstuck Heritage Perpetual Calendar in 39mm. It is a huge bargain for a watch with so many features.

Watches by Rick Sapp

History of Watches

Was there a beginning of time? Is time a problem? We need to keep track of time. Sometimes, we complain that time is passing too quickly and that it is flying by. Moon phases are important for farmers. In the past, the Egyptians also invented the sundial to measure time. Sticks and stones were placed in the sand. The day and night were eventually dissected into smaller and mechanical elements. A day was divided into 24 hours, with 60 minutes per hour. In 725AD, a monk managed to build a mechanical clock. China was the inventor of giant clocks. Some of the clocks were powered by dripping water from a chain drive. Sailors and policemen needed to monitor time. The personal watch was invented. Nowadays, watches are a fashion statement. By the 16^th century, pocket watches were common in nature. The modern watch had already taken shape during that period. The mainspring was invented in the 1500s and it helped to power the watch. Watch making is an art that is passed down from one generation to the next. It was a challenge to keep the internal components lubricated. In 1704, jewels were used as these helped to reduce friction. It is common for the number of jewels to be advertised at the back of a watch. In general, most watches had at least 17 jewels. In 1750, enamelled dials enabled the watch to be seen at night. The first self-winding watch was invented in 1780 by Abraham-Louis Perrelet. By the 19^th century, chronometers and second hands were introduced. Sapphire crystals are harder than hardened quartz. In 1884, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) was adopted. It is fundamental for international schedules. Various alloys were invented in the 1900s and some of them are resistant to shock and temperature variations. A watch strapped to the wrist was easier to review than a pocket watch. In 1914, Eterna invented the alarm watch. In 1926, Rolex invented the first water-proof Oyster case. The Hamilton’s Electric 500 was the first electronic watch and was produced in 1957. Electronic watches are way more accurate than mechanical watches. Modern electronic automatic quartz watches were invented by Casio. The first GPS watch was invented by Casio in 1999. Are watches dead with the advent of modern technology?

It is simply human nature that people want what they cannot have, and the wealthier someone is, the more willing they are to invest in the work of craftsmen. – Rick Sapp

The watch, regardless of its form, will survive the test of time because of Man’s need to control his destiny, to count his accomplishments, to cram a lot of activities into a single day or night. Time stands still for no one. The watch is the messenger. – Rick Sapp

Armand Nicolet – Swiss luxury watch brand. Everything is developed in-house and the company was founded in 1902.

Ball – Webb C. Ball was appointed as chief time inspector of American railroads in 1891. He created strict guidelines for timepieces and ensured that the timepieces kept to these guidelines.

Baume and Mercier – Created in 1918. In 1919, they were awarded the Geneva Hallmark for fine watch-making.

Blancpain – Founded in 1735. It is one of the oldest watch manufacturer’s around.

Breguet – They are known for complications like the Brequet overcoiled hairspring, tourbillion, minute repeater etc.

Breil – The watches blend art and technology. It originated from Italy. Many of the watches are chunky and bold.

Breitling – founded in 1884. Specializes in chronographs and timers. The first independent chronograph pushpiece was invented in 1915. The first self-winding chronograph was invented in 1969.

Bulova – This is actually an America company, but has Swiss manufactured watches. The Accutron collection was involved in the first Moon landing. There are also quartz variations.

Bvlgari – It was originated from Greece. The watches make up 29% of total revenue. They have manufactured their own in-house movements lately.

Carl F. Bucherer – Over 90 years of experience. Known for their elegant design and quality. The brand was re-launched in 2001.

Cartier – Founded in Paris in 1847. The first watches were introduced in the late 1800s. The popular ‘Tank’ watch was launched in 1919.

Chopard – Founded in 1860. The watches were introduced in Europe during the industrial revolution. It is also well known for their jewellery.

Corum – Founded in 1955. Every year, limited editions are released. They are known for high-quality, expensive watches.

Davudoff – Zino Davidoff focused on quality and travelled the world extensively for ideas in watch-making. He knows the meaning of dedication and craftsmanship etc.

Fendi – An Italian brand founded in 1925 that was known for their leather goods. All their watches use ETA movements. The production is now licensed to Taramax.

Frederique Constant – It is established in 1988. End to end involvement, from initial design to final assembly. The mission is to apply the values of ‘Design’; ‘Quality’ and ‘Innovation’. The slogan is to ‘Live your passion’.

Girard-Perregaux – Founded in 1791. It became a subsidiary of PPR in 2011.

Gucci – In 1921, it was selling leather goods and luggage. The goal is to marry sensibility with craftsmanship. The ‘green-red-green’ design is reminiscent in the 1950s.

Hamilton – founded in the US in 1892. They are known for their eye-catching shapes, materials and designs. Their watches have appeared in movies and they have an aviation heritage. Now, it is a member of the Swatch group.

Harry Winston – The first collection was introduced in 1989. They are known for their modern complications.

Hermes – It began as a saddle shop in 1837. It started producing watches and jewelry in 1950/1960s. The antique pieces are very valuable indeed.

Hublot – It was founded in 1980. Their ‘Big Bang’ looks like a huge porthole. It was later purchased by LVMH.

IWC Schaffhausen – It was founded in 1868 by F.A. Jones. Their famous watch collections are the Pilot’s Watches, Portguese, Ingenieur, Aquatimer, Da Vinci, Portofino etc. Some of their watches feature a pocket watch sized movement.

Longines – The first watches were produced in 1867. It is now a member of the Swatch group.

Montblanc – Started in 1906 and sold pens. It entered watchmaking only in 1997.

Movado – Their famous models are the Calendomatic and the Digital series.

Omega – It was founded by Louis Brandt in 1848. They are well known and they produced a Speedmaster which was eventually taken on the moon.

Oris – Founded in 1904. Their movement 601 is very popular even today. They supply watches to the BMW Williams F1 team.

Patek Philippe – Founded in 1851. In-house manufacture and the master of complications. Fetches high prices at auctions.

Piaget – In 1960, they developed the thinnest automatic movement of 2.3mm. It also has the thinnest tourbillion movement of 3.5mm. They are known for their ultra-thin watches.

Rado – First collection was launched in 1957. Now, it is housed under the Swatch Group. Their watches contain hardmetals like tungsten, carbide, ceramics etc. Their watches have won many international awards.

Raymond Weil – Founded in 1976. They are known for their novel concept and design. Their watches are cultural icons. The Tango and Don Giovanni Cosi Grande watches are very classy.

Rolex – The name was registered in 1915. Their watch was awarded Class A precision in 1914, better than marine chronometers. The name was finally changed to Rolex SA.

Seiko – Founded in 1881. They created the first quartz chronograph. They are the official timer for sporting events and they have the higher class ‘Credor’; ‘King Seiko’ or ‘Grand Seiko’ line.

Tag Heuer – It has its roots from 1860. They created the micrograph, which was accurate to 1/100 of a second. Their watches are usually associated with racing and driving.

Tissot – Founded in 1853. They produced their first anti-magnetic watch in 1930. Some of their watches are made from plastic. It is a member of the Swatch group. They are known for their touch sensitive technology.

Ulysse Nardin – Founded in 1846. Known for marine chronometers. However, they produce complicated timepieces now.

Victorinox – Known as a knife manufacturer. It acquired Wenger in 2005 and supplies multi-purpose knives to the Swiss army.

Wenger – Founded in 1893. Started producing military watches in 1988.

Zenith – High end luxury Swiss watch manufacturer. They are known for their quality and precision. They produce their movements in-house. The El Primero movement has a high-beat of 5 Hz. It was purchased by LVMH in 1999.