Oh man… I can’t seem to divert my attention elsewhere but this over-the-top gorgeous Perrelet Turbine. I was obsessed with the black and orange version but this stainless steel version is just bad bad-ass. This version is USD850 cheaper than the black and orange version I featured before but at USD5,000 before discounts, it will still take some time for me to splurge on this baby.
Image is courtesy of Perrelet
Ralph Lauren is the most recent big fashion designer who ventured into the world of high-end watches. It is indeed not exactly a big surprise seeing how well Chanel, Dior, Fendi, Gucci and Ferragamo have been doing with their watch collections over the years. And so, Ralph dived in too.
My favorite thing about Ralph Lauren is his ability to inject the classic American touch into something new and it becomes an instant classic. The Stirrup collection is, IMO, the most distinct among the three collections Ralph launched in his premier. This is simply due to its equestrian equipment shape, something Ralph Lauren (the brand) has always been closely associated with.
Contrary to the stigma that watches from fashion designers are just nice packaging with cheap off-the-rack ETA movement inside, Ralph Lauren watches run on either Piaget or Jaeger-LeCoultre house movements so it is really something worth looking into. Prices start from USD8,800.
Image is courtesy of Ralph Lauren
Ladies mostly appreciate watches more from its aesthetic point-of-view but watches from A. Lange & Sohne were made to serve beyond that so one of the best watches you could get for that most important woman in your life (if money were never an issue) will be this gorgeous baby. The reason? It is a watch that a Queen might be caught wearing. Everything screams “Royal” about this watch; from its royally blue color, the diamonds, exotic stingray skin strap and blue mother of pearl dial to the “magical” details that make the hands move and provide the basic duty a watch is supposed to. This piece of art costs USD52,000 before discounts. I said if money were never an issue, didn’t I?
Image is courtesy of A. Lange & Sohne
Another very well respected watch makers out there is Jaeger LeCoultre, which Reverso watches have been a must-have for the wealthy who play Polo. The classic version makes an excellent contender for a handsome man dress watch. At USD6,250 before discounts, this baby is making me itchy. Decision…decision…
Image is courtesy of Jaeger LeCoultre
Hi There
Would you buy a non Swiss Made watch that costs as much as a Swiss Made?
Tommy
Hi Tommy
I assume you mean “real” time pieces, not any watches like Swatch or Timex? The answer is YES, if it is from either Germany and MAYBE, if it is from Japan.
Japan’s Grand Seiko and some high-end Seiko pieces are considered comparable to Swiss made watches while German made watches from A. Lange & Sohne and Glashutte Original are widely considered to be on a par with those from Patek, Audemars, Vacheron and Rolex, Omega respectively.
Look at the Glashutte Panorama Date with Moonphase above (retailing at USD10,000 before discounts). Isn’t it handsome and looks way better than most Rolexes?
J Purseholic
Write to us at askme@purseholic.com
I have been growing fond of rubber strap watches lately. Besides Bell & Ross and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, Perrelet Turbine emerges to be a front runner should I decide to get one, I think. Perrelet is a relatively young watch company setup in 2004, reviving the legacy of Abraham-Louis Perrelet, a Swiss watchmaker who invented a self-winding mechanism in 1770 for pocket watches. Perrelet is thus widely acknowledged as the inventor of the basic movement known as ‘automatic’ today but it is important to note that unlike Patek, Audemars, Vacheron or A. Lange & Söhne, this brand is not older than a century old. Nevertheless, the company still makes pretty respectable watches and they look awesome too, don’t they? I am hooked up with this Turbine watch, which is priced at USD5,850 before discounts. I know it is pretty steep but like they say, ” aim for the stars and you might end up buying a Perrelet in no time”. *Wink*
Image is courtesy of Perrelet
Hi Purseholic
I am buying a gift for my wife’s 37th birthday. We have been married for 12 years now and I am looking for something rather expensive and special. I am torn between a watch and a handbag. My wife wears a Seiko watch which I bought for her 5 years ago. She also owns three designer handbags from Gucci. Coach and Prada. My budget is S$3000 for a handbag and up to S$5000 for a watch. I don’t think she has any preference in particular but in your opinion, which one will a woman prefer? A watch or a handbag?
Alvin, Singapore
Hello Alvin
I am not very sure which one your wife would prefer but generally speaking, the art of horology is not something that the fairer sex would appreciate. Even if they do, it would be more for its looks rather than the mechanism that runs inside the watch.
In your case however, I am leaning more towards a watch for your wife as she has already own three designer bags and only one watch. Nevertheless, I am going to give you recommendation for both and you make the final call yourself.
Seiko is a decent watch and it runs for years but a Swiss made timepiece is a different thing altogether. For SGD5,000 or less, you could get a Tag Heuer. My sis just recently purchased a diamond-paved Tag and is very happy with it. Choose from one of the Tag Heuer Aquaracer watches above. They are fine watches, water resistant up to 300m and obviously versatile enough to be worn from day to eve. These watches are indeed running on Quartz rather than Automatic, then again, she would not mind. The brushed stainless steel version with diamond-paved bezel costs around SGD5,000 (left) while the stainless steel and yellow gold version costs around SGD3,000 (middle) or SGD4,000 for extra diamonds (right).
Now for handbags, I am thinking either a Louis Vuitton Brea GM in Epi Leather (around SGD2,500) or the classic Loewe Amazona 36 (around SGD2,500) would make a good addition to her small collection.
Trust me when I say that all the Tags and bags above are rarely seen in Singapore hence pretty special.
J Purseholic
Write to us at askme@purseholic.com
Images are courtesy of Tag Heuer, Louis Vuitton and Loewe