2016 is not going to be an easy year for the watch industry. Many markets are in the doldrums—particularly China and Europe. However, the U.S is still strong, seeking out good quality for money, as represented here:
Carl F Bucherer Manero Peripheral:
Carl F. Bucherer introduced the Manero Peripheral, featuring the brand’s second in-house movement. This new movement uses a peripheral rotor, allowing it to be slim and elegant. Usually an in-house movement means a big price increase, but the Manero Peripheral comes in at $7,200. Carl-f-bucherer.com
Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition:
Bronze was a theme, and one of the best was the Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition. Dedicated to the life and career of the U.S. Navy’s first African-American master diver Carl Brashear, this unique diving timepiece uses bronze as a nod to the material of the first diving suits. A portion of the proceeds from the sale goes to the Carl Brashear Foundation. $2,800, Oris.ch
Hamilton Jazzmaster Thinline Gold:
The new Hamilton Jazzmaster Thinline Gold is a solid 18K rose gold piece that retails for $5,295—a price that makes it almost impossible for other companies in the industry to compete. Available in an exclusive limited edition of 1892 pieces (in tribute to the year Hamilton was founded), Hamilton is offering a watch that will never go out of style at a hard-to-believe price. Hamiltonwatch.com
Glashütte Original Senator Excellence:
Power reserve is increasingly a topic of concern for watch lovers. If you own more than one mechanical timepiece, keeping them all running is a priority and longer power reserves make this possible. German brand Glashütte Original addressed this with the new Senator Excellence, offering 100 hours of power reserve with all the quality touches (precision, finishing, classic design) that the brand is known for, for the reasonable price of $9,700. Glashuette-original.com
Meistersinger Circularis:
Meistersinger, unique because of its single timekeeping hand, is becoming more and more popular. The brand introduced new colors in the hand-wound Circularis line (recipient of a Red Dot Design Award), including the pictured dark green. $5,995, Meistersinger.net
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Aero GT:
Bell & Ross is known for its bold watches inspired by the world of aviation. A few years ago, the brand partnered with Shaw Harley-Davidson in the U.K. to develop a custom motorcycle and watch duo. This year, Bell & Ross is tapping into the automotive world, introducing the Aero GT concept car and watch combination. The skeletonized BR03-92 Aero GT, pictured here, is a limited edition of 500 pieces, retailing for $5,500.
Jacob & Co. Astronomia Sky:
The Jacob & Co. Astronomia Sky stood out this year. A miniature planetarium with an ever-changing, rotating combination of complications, the Astronomia Sky showcases a triple-axis tourbillon, a rotating sidereal time display, a 3-D oval sky indicator and a 24-hour day and night display—oh, and you can read the hour and minutes, too. No price has been set, but the model on which this watch is based, the Astronomia Triple Axis Gravitational Tourbillon, retailed for $548,000 without diamonds (over $1 million for the baguette version). Jacobandco.com
