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The 5 most baller watches from our NOW buying guide including Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Hublot and Louis Vuitton The 5 most baller watches from our NOW buying guide including Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Hublot and Louis Vuitton

The 5 most baller watches from our NOW buying guide including Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Hublot and Louis Vuitton

Thor Svaboe

According to the Urban Dictionary, the definition of a baller is: “A person that makes shit happen. Without additional context, ‘baller’ typically is assumed to imply demonstrated ability in generating prodigious amounts of cash money, and/or a proficiency with creating frequent and mind-blowing sexual opportunities (note the non-gender specific reference, implying that ballers can be men or women, gay or straight — it is a matter of perspective).”

If this be you, finding your wrist-match in our NOW magazine is a joyful experience, as even the smallest picture of any of these sparkly wrist-jewels will induce a Cheshire Cat grin. I’ll even start by cheekily suggesting a “womens” watch as an introduction as gender specifications are dying out, and frankly I want this particular AP for myself. Here are five killers from Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Hublot and Louis Vuitton

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Frosted Gold Flying Tourbillon

Truth be told, if the glittering delight of the frosted gold and the nine-word designation of this tour de force from Audemars Piguet didn’t captivate you, we’ll book you an appointment with a psychiatrist. With its stippled gold surface and multi-tiered sunburst blue dial, this women’s Royal Oak Concept was nothing short of hypnotic before you even notice the diamond-studded tourbillon. While the Royal Oak character is preserved in the octagonal bezel and nut-style crown, the touch of femininity gives this watch fantastical elegance, without ruling it out as a blingy contender for men. Matching his and hers pieces for that anniversary perhaps?  Price $159,000 USD

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra Thin

When a blue laquer dial meets a pink gold case it’s invariably an horological love story. Here, Vacheron has upped the romance to an almost mawkish level by furnishing their watch with a solid gold bracelet to boot. It’s just as impressive inside with the perpetual calendar complication driven by the ultra-slim QP movement. The recognisable Overseas case with its recognizable Maltese Cross clues in the bezel and bracelet links is one of the strongest contenders for the integrated bracelet crown. Price $122,000 AUD

Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Green Saxem

Hublot

You don’t need gold or precious stones to be a baller, just try going unnoticed with the sparkle of emerald green sapphire strapped to your wrist. Hublot once again knocks us for six with a transformation of the Spirit of Big Bang, as seen in our story here. The brilliance of this case derives from the use of a new material to watchmaking. Aluminium Oxide, a basic component of sapphire, is mixed with other rare elements to create this extraordinary hue that delivers a uniform green tone regardless of how the light hits it. The almost liquid lucidity of the transparent green case is close to otherwordly. When you then consider Hublot’s high-beat movement, you have a watch that would, frankly, make anyone green with envy. Price $ 162,000 AUD

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph limited edition

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Limited Edition in 18k white gold

Kapow! This powder blue dial hits you with the freshness of a handful of Extra Strong mints. It’s a colour that syncs neatly with the pale gleam of the 18K white gold case, but also serves to highlight the textured detail of the Grande Tapisserie dial. Neatly sized at 39mm and limited to just 100 pieces, it’s chronograph that’s  as inviting as a cool breeze on a muggy day. I have the feeling there might not be many pieces left in stock of this perky take on the Royal Oak, but it’s well worth seeking out. Price $59,000 USD

Louis Vuitton Tambour Curve Flying Tourbillon Poincon de Geneve

If Darth Vader was a Baller, he’d stick to monochrome, and the pure audacity of the Tambour Curve Flying Tourbillon doesn’t need gold to pop on the wrist. The tourbillon is still perceived as the summit of technical watchmaking, but what Louis Vuitton does here is make one look totally bad-ass. The Blade Runner vibes come from a futuristic case made of a carbon fibre composite. Looming out of the bridgework of the skeletonized movement, the brand’s initials take the stage, desperately trying to outshine the presence of the tourbillon at 9 o’clock. Price $258,000 USD