wrist watches collectibles the 50 best watches to wear

THE 50 BEST WATCHES TO WEAR

1

FULLY RESTORED 1933 VINTAGE ROLEX

This past week saw the unveiling of a grand new joint-venture between Watches of Switzerland and the globally renowned vintage- watch restoring expert, Solmo Antiques. The New Bond Street store is offering important collector's pieces from the big three houses - Rolex, Patek Philippe and Cartier - painstakingly restored by Solmo, to a finer condition than on the day they were made. This 1933 Rolex is as precious as a flawless Old Master drawing (and almost as expensive).

Where from: Watches of Switzerland, 16 New Bond Street, London W1 (020-7493 5916). How much: pounds 8,900.

2

DIESEL YELLOW SPORTS WATCH

Brace yourselves, because banana-yellow is one of the rogue colour trends this season. Do not, I repeat, do not even think about buying any yellow garments. You will look like a children's TV presenter. A neat pair of yellow patent-leather stilettos, however, could look cute - as does Diesel's bright, rubber-duck-yellow sports watch. It's cheap enough to be a seasonal buy and then, when the sight of anything lemon- hued starts to make you feel nauseous, you can consign it to the charity shop.

Where from: Diesel stockists nationwide: 01908 220311.
Advertisement

How much: pounds 69.

3

NAUTICA CHRONOGRAPH

If you're into wearing a high-tech watch, then you might as well go the whole nine yards, and buy one that looks as though it's powerful enough to launch weapons of mass destruction. Nautica's nifty little black-faced Chrono has more buttons, bevels and dials than are strictly necessary for everyday use, and the flashes of orange detail on the face make it look dangerously racy.

Where from? Nautica stockists nationwide: 01604 678 940. How much: pounds 295.

4

CHRISTIAN DIOR 66 LATEST BLONDE

The red leather strap of Dior's "Latest Blonde" snakes round the wrist like Salome's charm bracelet. It is the latest, greatest hit of the John Galliano-designed label's high-fashion watch collection. Dior's watches are fashion moments and definitely not for classicists. Whether one can justify three-figures for a seasonal buy is between you and your accountant. A tip, though: tell him the value will double on the vintage market come 2005.

Where from: Christian Dior stockists nationwide: 0800 0379 657. How much: pounds 450.

5

OASIS DIAMANTe WATCH

Tonight, Matthew, this pounds 25 dress watch, brought to you by the high-street boutique Oasis, is going to be... Cartier! OK, so the "diamonds" surrounding its oval face are imitation, and the spindly, black-leather strap should technically be rendered in satin, but I'd defy anyone to spot that you're faking it on a darkened ballroom floor. Rather like Denise Van Outen, this diamante dress watch is classy yet adorably cheap at the same time.

Where from: Oasis stockists nationwide: 0870-752 0880. How much: pounds 25.

6

SWATCH DROPLINE

Swatch earns its three mentions in our nifty fifty for the ingenuity and breadth of its design (and for its prices, which would make a miser grin). I'd call this chocolate-brown Dropline style a modern classic, rather than a sports watch, because it wouldn't put my Burberry choc suit to shame, were I to pair them. With vintage Vivienne Westwood Swatches changing hands for four figures on Ebay, you're also buying into an international collector's cult.

Where from: Swatch stockists nationwide: 0870 780 5965.

How much: pounds 50.

7

BEN SHERMAN SPORTS WATCH

The purveyors of geezer style, Ben Sherman, have delivered a pleasant surprise with this blank-faced, navy-blue, sports watch, with quietly elegant silver-and-white hands, set on a steel bracelet. Mark my words, navy-blue is poised for the mother of all comebacks in menswear this year, and Ben Sherman is right on to the trend, faster than most.

Where from: Ben Sherman stockists nationwide: 0870 752 0880.

How much: pounds 40.

8

LALIQUE STARTER QUARTZ

The house of Lalique is known for its elegant, decorative glass, so it's surprising to find in their spring watch collection a high- tech quartz chronograph with stainless-steel face and scratchproof sapphire crystal window. The Starter is made with a black, silver or anthracite face, but I lean towards the matt-silver on black leather strap. The Starter is a faux-tech watch for men who like to look 21st- century, with multiple dials, but only pay attention to what the

big and little hand are doing.

Where from: Lalique stockists nationwide: 020-7499 8228.

How much: pounds 1,300.

9

CALVIN KLEIN DRESS LIZARD CUFF

Not since Nancy Cunard was immortalised by the fashion photographer Cecil Beaton, wearing her chunky ebony and ivory bracelets from wrist to elbow, has the cuff been so chic. Calvin's raspberry, lizard-look

leather cuff is divinely decadent with its steel-framed square face. This piece does come in a shade of cream that's typically Calvin Klein, but I rather like the upbeat, energetic, sock-in-the- eye red model.

James Sherwood

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20040221/ai_n12765796