PRECISION WINTER 2021
ROLEX
If you’ve given up hope of buying a new Rolex Submariner or Cosmograph in steel due to the waiting lists for both, take a look at the more easily attainable Explorer II, which is 50 this year. The model was originally aimed at cavers (believe it or not) on the basis that its rotating, 24-hour bezel and bright orange secondary hour hand enable the wearer to keep track of whether it is night or day underground. The latest features an improved movement and other technical upgrades but retains the classic look. Early versions, incidentally, became known as ‘Steve McQueens’ after the actor was erroneously said to have worn one. £6800, rolex.com
BRISTON
Briston has established itself as a popular name in motor sport, with emerging Australian-Irish racing driver Bart Horsten attracting its sponsorship as he makes his way in F3. Horsten wears a Clubmaster Traveller Worldtime. Powered by a Swiss automatic movement, it comes in steel or acetate tortoiseshell, centre, right, cases. Just 500 will be made. £1250, briston-watches.com
JAEGER-LECOULTRE
In 2006, Jaeger-LeCoultre marked the 75th anniversary of its signature Reverso with a haute-horlogerie version called the Triptyque that wowed watch fans by having three dials driven by the same movement. Now, to celebrate 90 years of the celebrated flip-case, the historic brand has unveiled the £1.14m Quadriptyque, bottom, left, the world’s first watch to feature four functioning faces. The 11 complications include a perpetual calendar, minute repeater and three displays of lunar information that, says the maker, enable this micro mechanical marvel to predict events such as supermoons and eclipses. jaeger-lecoultre.com