Nothing says “I’ve made it” like a luxury watch. But what really says “I’ve made it” is when you have a luxury watch named after yourself. Here are a few of our favorite watches named after celebs:
Jean-Claude Killy Rolex Dato-Compax – Frenchman Jean-Claude Killy was unbeatable in alpine skiing in the late 1960s. He won all three downhill events at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France, and also won gold in the World Championships. As well as a Rolex, he’s had a ski area in the French Alps named after him. We think that’s pretty good.
“Paul Newman” Rolex Daytona - Paul Newman was a successful jack of all trades, as an actor, entrepreneur, film director, car racing buff, and humanitarian. His successes include winning an Academy Award for the Martin Scorsese film The Color of Money and co-founding the very delicious Newman’s Own range, which sends all profits to charity.
Steve McQueen Heuer Monaco – Steve McQueen was a pretty darn cool actor, and it makes sense that he was nicknamed “The King of Cool”. He starred in classics like The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape, and in 1974 he was the highest paid actor in all the world.
When I was six years old, I was presented with my very first wrist watch. I felt like I had truly become an adult; I could coolly check the time myself or tell passerbys the time if they happened to ask. The watch I was given was a Quartz; my mother, who wore a silver and gold Quartz herself, told me this was one of the best value, best quality, and most precise watches around. I remember my first Quartz well; it had a pink plastic rim and a comfortable cloth wrist band which was pink with multi-colored flowers on it. When I entered junior high, my parents gave me a delicate Quartz with a glossy dark brown crocodile-print wrist band, and I wore it throughout high school; it was my lucky charm. Now that I’m an adult, it’s no surprise that I’m still wearing a Quartz, one very much like the one my mother used to wear.
Watches are amazing devices which came about in the 15th century, evolving from spring driven clocks. A Mr Peter Henlein is credited with the invention of the first pocket watch in 1511.
People started wearing timepieces in the 16th century in Europe and they were weighty things: they were somewhere between the size of a regular clock and the size of today’s watches. These watches were generally fastened to clothing or worn around the neck. Did they have a glass cover? Nope. They were generally covered with a little brass door, which you had to open up to check the time, which was usually just marked with an hour hand and not overly accurate.
In the 1600s, men started wearing watches in their pockets, but women continued to use them as pendants on their clothing. In the late 1700s, in the age of the Enlightenment, watches developed in leaps and bounds as scientists gave them the attention they deserved. In the 20th century, watches become more and more standardized, and in 1969, the Quartz watch was born, revolutionizing watch technology.
I loved the original Knight Rider series when I was a kid in the 1980s, and have been talking to my watches ever since. I have yet to summon a sympathetic, listening Trans-Am by doing so, but that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped hoping. (KITT, if you’re out there…)
If you’re feeling nostalgic, Casio makes a couple of inexpensive calculator watches that take us back.
After I got my tax refund last week, I wanted to get myself something special. I’ve been eyeing this Cartier Santos 100 for a long time now, and finally decided to treat myself.
You might be thinking, out of all the watches you could get, why that one?
The Cartier Santos is constructed with incredible craftsmanship and watch know-how of Cartier watchmakers, so the unbeatable quality was a huge selling point for me. The flat watch has a square but rounded face, that isn’t too slim or too thick. It’s comfortable to wear and goes great with formal or casual styles. That was crucial for me.
Although I wanted a luxury watch, I didn’t want anything too crazy or gaudy.
The brown leather band paired with the gold watch face puts a unique and modern spin on the classic stainless steel combinations you get with most watches. It’s easy to wear and see even in the dimmest lit-rooms. Another thing I like is that the watch is incredibly durable. Although it’s not built on a sports chronograph, you can wear in the most rugged conditions.
Once you buy a Cartier Santos, you really won’t need another watch for daily wear, it can go with jeans and a T-shirt or your best suit.
Manufacturing only the best timepieces since 1839, Swiss watchmaster Patek Philippe knows a thing or two about fine watches.
Patek Philippe is the only manufacturer that crafts its watches to the stringent specifications of the Geneva Seal. These exquisitely constructed watches are made with the latest technologies and the old world know-how that only comes from generations of experience.
So when Patel Philippe introduces a new collection, we have it on our radar.
For ladies who are admire the casually elegant style of the classic men’s Nautilus watch, Patek Philippe has come out with a women’s Nautilus Collection. This latest interpretation of the feminine Nautilus watch comes in stunning white or rose gold, with a diamond set bezel and a charcoal or silvery white dial. This watch is perfect for the go-getter who admires classic structure and without compromising her femininity.
For men, the Calatrava Ref 5153J is a very rare officier’s-style case made with superior Patek Philippe craftsmanship. This new style features a rounded bezel, a sapphire-crystal back protected by a hinged dust cover, a unique turban style winding crown, set with a brown alligator leather band. This watch is the perfect balance of refinement and casual comfort. If you’re looking for a chic, sophisticated watch that still has a laid-back air to it, this is the perfect watch for you.
The thing that a lot of people don’t like about paying for insurance, is that it can sometimes be expensive, depending on the size of the box, weight of the item, and how much you insure it for. However, insuring an item (any item) ensures YOU of two things. First off, if the item gets lost somehow, and you have proof (receipt) of the item, in this case a watch, you can show it to them and they will reimburse you the full amount. It’s still going to be a pain in the butt to replace the item, but replacing it is much better than not getting anything back in return!
Second off, when you insure an item they will most likely give you a tracking or confirmation number. And the person will usually have to sign for the package as well – I believe the sign-age is optional though. Honestly, I think everyone should appreciate the benefits of the tracking/confirmation number and the sign option. This is going to truly allow you to see that A) the package or item got to the person and that B) they, the intended person, got the package.
I have had about three mishaps where I did NOT get insurance on a package and it somehow got lost and I lost everything and never got anything in return! Pay the few extra dollars and save yourself some major heart ache, money and time! This can be especially important if you are sending a relative or a friend a watch and it’s a little on the expensive side. I would think you would WANT to be protected!
If you’re looking to send a watch to a friend, family member, customer, or buyer, you need to keep in mind some guidelines before placing your timepiece in the mail.
First, if you are in the United States, consider shipping your watch through US Postal Service Express Mail. This might be a little more expensive, but your package will be taken care of and not thrown or jostled around.
After you’ve chosen a shipping method, begin by wrapping the watch in a soft cloth—these can be bought just about anywhere. This will protect the bracelet and case back. Next, place the watch in a zip lock bag to prevent water damage. To further cushion your timepiece, wrap it in an extra layer of bubble wrap before shipping.
For optimum protection, most seasoned watch shippers add even one more layer: an acrylic box that fits in your cardboard mailing box. Put your watch in the acrylic box, then tape it shut, surrounding it inside the cardboard box with a light layer of Styrofoam peanuts to keep the two boxes from banging together.
Congratulations, you’re watch is ready to be shipped!
Everyone knows watches allow their wearers to keep time, but what else have they got to offer? Let’s take a look.
One reason people wear watches is that, frankly, people have been wearing watches for centuries—why stop now? Some of the earliest timepieces were 16th century pocket watches, which were mostly functional but involved a level of fashion as well. Back then, if you had a pocket watch you would wear it on your buttonhole or waistcoat to flaunt your status, a style some men employ even today.
Second, a watch shows off its owner’s personality and style, be it sporty, funky, classic, elegant, rugged, or perhaps a combination of these. With so many different colors, sizes, brands, and makes, in addition to “build a watch” services, there’s really no limit to your customization. A lot of people like to mix diamond and gold cases with rubber straps, for example, to combine both edgy and timeless elements.
There’s certainly a watch out there for everyone. Into name brands? Try a Rolex. Sick of remembering which is the little hand? Go digital. Keep browsing and you’re sure to find the perfect timepiece!
While most watch buyers won’t come out and admit it, many people actually buy fakes on purpose. Fakes allow you to wear something that looks like the watch you want for a fraction of the cost. Of course, the authenticity, quality, craftsmanship, and in some cases even the design are generally as decreased as the price.
I can understand why this option might appeal to certain watch shoppers, but I’ve never wanted to buy a fake. I take quality and craftsmanship very seriously when buying a watch. If one watch costs $500 with a $50 fake available, that price difference is obviously there for a reason. Which watch do you think is going to last longer? Money money is on the real one, because it’s made from quality pieces.
But regardless of what they want to buy, many people don’t know how to tell a fake watch from the real thing. Or in this case, the real Rolex.
If you buy a watch online, the website is supposed to tell you whether its products are real or fake, but even if you find this information, you also have to make sure you can trust that what you’re reading is the truth. You can also look on the website’s “About Us” page for general product info, in addition to checking the watch’s description for a Certificate of Authentication—if it doesn’t have one, it’s probably a fake.
Another way to spot a fake is by comparing images on the store’s website to the ones on Rolex.com. If the colors or materials don’t exactly match, then you’re looking at a fake.
If you’re buying a watch in person, you can sometimes also tell by weighing it in your hand, since the quality materials in real watches are generally heavier than their cheaper counterparts.
Next time you’re shopping for watches, keep a couple of these tips in mind. When you’re shelling out the big bucks, you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
