Dress
The dress watch has a special place in any gentleman’s collection, yet it is often ignored or under-appreciated. That being said, there is a certain quiet confidence when one wears, a timepiece both steeped in tradition, but equally the embodiment of horological discretion.
Even within the seemingly limited category of dress watches, a large diversity of designs can be found and appreciated, from original lugs to beautifully textured dials. What is not immediately obvious is far more interesting, be it a champlevé enameled logo or something as simple as the effect of having elongated index markers. The dress watch certainly is a testament to, and a lesson in, subtle expression and confidence.
Dress
The dress watch has a special place in any gentleman’s collection, yet it is often ignored or under-appreciated. That being said, there is a certain quiet confidence when one wears, a timepiece both steeped in tradition, but equally the embodiment of horological discretion.
Even within the seemingly limited category of dress watches, a large diversity of designs can be found and appreciated, from original lugs to beautifully textured dials. What is not immediately obvious is far more interesting, be it a champlevé enameled logo or something as simple as the effect of having elongated index markers. The dress watch certainly is a testament to, and a lesson in, subtle expression and confidence.
What makes a transitional watch?
Evolutions in watchmaking are rarely quick or abrupt. Things evolve gradually, shifting from one state to another over an extended period of time. Because of this, it's sometimes possible to pinpoint watches that are arguably transitional in nature, marking those changes, in a subtle, but noticeable way.
A Collector’s Guide to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 14790
We have long been fascinated with mid-size executions of iconic designs, notably the Nautilus and the Royal Oak. Having recently had the opportunity to visit the archives at Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus, we thought this was the perfect opportunity for an in-depth Collector's Guide on the most distinctive of the mid-size Royal Oak references - the 14790.