Feature: 5 fashion house watches that aren’t rubbish
As a retailer of luxury watches, we get to see a whole host of big-name brands come through the door. Some of those brands include huge fashion houses better known for their perfume or handbags, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make some pretty impressive timepieces. With that said, let’s take a look at five watches from global fashion powerhouses that have earned the respect of the industry.
Gucci 25H
Gucci is perhaps best known for its luxury leather handbags and loafers worn by sock-avoiding Italian playboys. Thankfully its parent company, Kering—which also owns Girard-Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin—has helped give it some serious watch-making clout. Our favourite model so far is the Gerald Genta-style 25H tourbillon, a sport-luxe gem in platinum with a self-winding micro-rotor movement that’s visible through the exhibition caseback.
Chanel J12
Chanel’s most notable release is the white ceramic J-12, a ladies watch that has inspired countless cheap high street alternatives—much like many of the brand’s other goods. We reckon this men’s J-12 deserves the same amount of fanfare as its sister model, thanks to that stunning slate grey dial and ceramic and titanium case and bracelet. This is a classic watch from possibly the most famous fashion house in the world and something that’s suitable for every occasion.
Hermes Arceau
Hermes is one of the more respected fashion brands to join the watchmaking world, thanks to its clear appreciation of the art and its investment of tens of millions of Swiss francs into its movement-, case- and dial-making facilities. The Arceau range has been a part of Hermes’ catalogue for over 40 years, and we think it’s due a little more attention. Featuring a distinctive case with protruding lugs and fancy Arabic numerals on the dial, the Arceau is a staple Hermes timepiece suitable for everyday wear.
Ralph Lauren Automotive Tourbillon
Ralph Lauren’s eponymous founder is known for his exemplary taste in classic cars and watches, including an incredible stash of vintage Cartier Tanks. So it should come as no surprise that the brand makes stylish watches powered by high-quality Swiss movements. This tourbillon model, with its amboyna burl wood bezel, was inspired by the steering wheel of a 1938 Bugatti owned by Lauren himself. The movement was produced by none other than IWC.
Louis Vuitton Escale
Louis Vuitton acquired the Geneva-based haute horlogerie workshop, La Fabrique Du Temps, in 2011—a massive statement of intent. This has enabled it to produce mechanical timepieces like this Escale, with a 24-timezone movement and vibrant dial that puts the fun into luxury watchmaking. Despite launching its first watch back in 1988, a quartz model, Louis Vuitton only got serious about high-end watches around 20 years ago and now has the attention and respect of the industry—deservedly so.
