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Old is the new black, 8 of the best heritage watches of 2018 Old is the new black, 8 of the best heritage watches of 2018

Old is the new black, 8 of the best heritage watches of 2018

Nick Kenyon

While orange might be the new black, another obvious trend in the contemporary watch market is the lean towards heritage styling. This has been a consistent motif across the industry for a number of years now, but 2018 was a year when the number of heritage watches almost eclipsed those with more contemporary design. In the spirit of people loving old stuff better than new stuff, I wanted to shine the spotlight on a few pieces that are some of the best heritage watches of 2018.

 

HAMILTON KHAKI FIELD MECHANICAL

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical

Sometimes we come across watches that present such a good value proposition, it’s almost a no-brainer. The Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical is one of those watches. And it’s not just the price that makes it a real winner either, but rather what it gets you. A 38mm, manual-wound watch with an ultra-spartan dial, the right proportions, all wrapped up in a historically relevant design that pays tribute to Hamilton’s rich military heritage. You can have our money, Hamilton.

Ref No. H69429931, Case size 38mm, Case material Steel, Movement ETA 2801-2, Price $475 USD

 

TISSOT HERITAGE PETITE SECONDE

Tissot Heritage Petite Seconds

Every year Tissot nail it with their heritage-inspired releases. The plaudits for at least one reissue are as regular as clockwork. And this one – a tribute to a 1943 model – is the latest. Based on historic ‘Antimagnetique’ watches, this contemporary take brings all the vintage charm and uses a much loved hand-wound movement, the ETA 6498-1. At the base of its brushed silvery dial is a small seconds subdial, and traditional text above pays homage to its inspiration.

Ref No. T1194051603701, Case size 42mm, Case material Steel, Movement ETA 6498-1, Price $1425

 

DOXA SUB 300T DIVINGSTAR “POSEIDON EDITION”

DOXA SUB 300T DIVINGSTAR “POSEIDON EDITION”

The 1970s were a golden age for scuba diving, thanks to advancements in technology, which made it safer and more accessible. It was a time when every diver needed a dive watch, and one of the most trusted makers was Doxa. The brand made watches like the incredibly rare yellow-dialled 1970s SUB 300T Divingstar and a rarer still version that was made with Swedish dive equipment company Poseidon. Doxa pay faithful tribute to that collaboration here with this modern reissue.

Case size 42.7mm, Case material Steel, Movement ETA 2824-2, Price $2490 USD

 

LONGINES MILITARY WATCH

Longines Heritage Military

With a history that stretches back over 185 years, it should come as no surprise that Longines has some solid historical designs to draw from. Their latest takes its vintage inspiration to a whole new level. Tracing its roots to a watch that was supplied to the British RAF during WWII, each cream-coloured dial is randomly speckled with spots of faux patina, with no two dials looking alike.

Ref No. L2.819.4.93.2, Case size 38.5mm, Case material Steel, Movement L888.2, Price $2775

 

TAG HEUER MONACO CALIBRE 11 GULF SPECIAL EDITION

TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf

Few watches have as fabled a story, or are as recognisable on the wrist, as the Heuer Monaco. Earning cult-like status after it was worn by Steve McQueen as he sped around the racetrack in his Gulf Oil-sponsored Porsche 917 in the 1971 film Le Mans, this latest special edition pays tribute to its silver screen origins with Gulf’s distinctive livery of blue and orange stripes.

Ref No. CAW211R.FC6401, Case size 39mm x 39mm, Case material Steel, Movement Calibre 11, Price $7650

 

MONTBLANC 1858 GEOSPHERE

Montblanc 1858 GEOSPHERE

Capturing a mountaineering sense of adventure, Montblanc’s 1858 Geosphere pays tribute to the holy grail of climbers’ challenges, the Seven Summits. It combines a simple dual-time display with a pair of rotating globes that display all the world’s local times at once, with each hemisphere rotating in opposite directions over a 24-hour period. Red dots mark each of the summits on their corresponding sides of the globe, and an aged leather Bund strap completes the alpine look.

Ref No. 117838, Case size 42mm, Case material Steel, Movement Calibre MB 29.25, Price $7970

 

OMEGA SEAMASTER 1948 SMALL SECONDS

Omega Seamaster 1948 Small Seconds - best heritage watches of 2018

Launched in 1948, the Seamaster collection was Omega’s first family of watches. Released during a time when the world was still reeling from World War II, these original Seamasters were the civilian answer to the kind of battle-proven technology Omega had produced for the British Ministry of Defence. Honouring that original design, Omega have released a pair of pitch-perfect vintage-inspired limited editions, including this small seconds masterpiece.

Ref No. 511.12.38.20.02.001, Case size 38mm, Case material Steel, Movement Calibre 8804, Price $9000

 

PATEK PHILIPPE PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH 5270P

PATEK PHILIPPE PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH 5270P

A salmon-coloured dial is a rarity in the world of Patek Philippe. Usually reserved for custom-made models – like those owned by prominent collector Mr Eric Clapton – Patek answered the calls of many and introduced the golden opaline colour to the classical ref. 5270, cased in platinum.

Ref No. 5270P, Case size 41mm, Case material Platinum, Movement CH 29-535 PS Q, Price $242,250

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