Timeless elegance amongst elegant timepieces
On the evening of September 26th I found myself somewhere I’d never normally venture, yet there I was stood outside the Watches of Switzerland flagship store, nestled in the opulent heart of Knightsbridge in the shadow of Harrods. The store, having opened in 2016 as part of the groups visionary Golden Triangle concept, alongside showrooms on Regent Street and Oxford Street in central London was chosen as the venue to celebrate their 100th year Anniversary event. Celebrating delivering a centenary of luxury and craftmanship, representing brands like Tag Heuer, Breitling, Omega, Panerai and so many more, many I wouldn’t even dare try to pronounce, let alone spell.
The event was immaculately presented as I joined the well turned out clientele to be greeted with a selection of finger foods prepared for the finest of pinkies and glasses of cocktails and prosecco in full flow. Normally I would be proud to show off my Casio calculator watch but never have I been happier to have left it in the top draw back home as rubbing wrists with just about anybody in attendance would need various levels of insurance paperwork to be completed, and no amount of being able to spell out 8008135 whilst still telling the time would have impressed anyone. The DJ set the tone and everyone was all smiles admiring the hundreds of timepieces on display with gloved hands making the selections for people to examine the specimens closer.
However, the main draw for me and I’m sure more than a few others was a collaboration that celebrated a smaller yet no less impressive milestone of 30 trips around the Sun. Downstairs on full display in all its beauty stood the 1994 Ducati 916, the road-going version of the WSBK championship winning model ridden by Carl Fogarty. A true classic, that much like the 996 and other Superbike models have become fantastic investment opportunities for savvy individuals and petrolheads alike. Kindly donated by a collector for the evening to emphasise the stunning partnership used as inspiration for the watch prepared by Gerald Charles, payinghomage to this 2-wheeled wonder: The Maestro 4.0 Ducati 30° Anniversario 916.
Now, Ducati and watches are no strangers, as evidenced by the myriad of chronographs and wristwear available from Ducati directly or other licenced partners – Gerald Charles takes this particular timepiece to a whole new level. Reading the specifications is almost akin to reading a modern motorcycle spec sheet with the use of lightweight materials, carbon and space age metals, all meticulously selected to aid in performance or for their exotic nature. The golden jumping hour disk even mirrors the motorcycle’s original three-spoke bronze alloy wheel, with black contours enhancing the colour contrast further. The price I hear you ask. Well, if you can afford to purchase an actual 916 at today’s collectors’ prices then you’ll be okay, if your budget is more, shall we say Monster then I’ve a fabulous Casio calculator watch we can talk about!
Whilst definitely one for a certain type of enthusiast this thoroughbred example of Swiss fine craftmanship certainly did not look out of place in the collection of premium watches on display and drew more than its fair share of attention – as did the display bike itself. Having spent a couple of hours appreciating the finery on display I headed out into the darkness of the ever-busy London streets.
Watches of Switzerland was still ticking away behind me and while I didn’t purchase anything I did find myself with a new appreciation for what people choose to adorn their wrists with as well as a realisation that the overlap with the premium bike market and the upper echelon of the watch world made more sense than I had previously considered. Both cater to a niche yet passionate fan base, value technology and the skilled crafting of materials to ever higher standards of performance. And perhaps, most importantly it’s not the cost of the finished product that matters, more so the value and experience of ownership, whether you are twisting your wrist to stain milliseconds off a lap time or casually flicking it to check what the time is.
Stay safe out there peeps.
Your ever-lovin’ blue-eyed Thing!