How about some props for this OTHER nautically inspired Rolex? I love how the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42, powered by the new-gen Calibre 3235 with 14 patents, exudes stealthy confidence and class despite its relative youth. Its 18K white gold case, sized at 42mm, lends regal heft. Meanwhile, the suitably pared-down black dial, bidirectional Cerachrom bezel insert in matte black with raised and polished indexes and numerals, and Oysterflex bracelet accord quiet, yet assertive nonchalance. At a time when Rolex’s sports models are occupying collectors’ thoughts, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 adds a delightful conundrum.

While Lange is known for its classically elegant timepieces, the Zeitwerk has always been a bit of a rebel since its birth in 2009. The 2019 edition sees an added date function, brilliantly incorporated into the dial as a ring around it, thus circumventing the issue of symmetry. There’s also a new energy-efficient movement along with a clutch-enabled inverse activation system for the pushers. Packed with innovative technology to both double the power reserve and give the watch the thinnest Zeitwerk movement ever, the Zeitwerk Date is a veritable force to be reckoned with and, in my opinion, worthy of every accolade it receives.

Blue dials are the new norm, and the one shown here is a particularly fine example. The Captain Cook is inspired by the 1962 original and uses all the cutting-edge materials for which Rado is known, from durable, high-tech ceramic to scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. But what makes this timepiece truly great is its mélange of vintage and modern aesthetics, reinvigorated with a timeless nuance.

The Speedmaster has a special place in my heart. More than just an icon, it is part of mankind’s greatest achievement in space. The Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Limited Edition is an incredibly handsome timepiece with a dial and bezel in my favourite colour, black! This watch is made even more special with the laser-engraved image of Buzz Aldrin climbing down from the Eagle, marking the very first time the watch was worn on the moon. The number ‘11’ is distinct from the rest of the baton indexes and pays tribute to the Apollo 11 mission, while the astronaut’s footprint on the caseback is paired with Neil Armstrong’s famous quote, ‘That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind’. A very nostalgic and significant timepiece indeed.

I love minimalist beauties that display just the essentials – hours, minutes and seconds – without superfluous design distractions. The Calibre 0100 expresses the beauty of individual seconds in its purest form, while representing Citizen’s bold direction to “pursue the true essence of a watch”. Excessive adornments have been minimised for sheer simplicity. The unerring geometric symmetry of the dial; the beautiful finishing on the hour markers; the perfect alignment of an extra-long and slightly curved seconds hand meeting the indexes at each tick, all contribute to the sublime and subtle beauty of this gorgeous timepiece.