Hours and days of gazing at watches takes a certain amount of stamina, but fortunately for flagging jewellery editors, there are some well-honed men's watches to keep spirits up. Here is my selection of watches that would make any man proud to flash his wrist. Here is my selection of the most masculine of men's watches on offer at the Salon de Haute Horlogerie 2012, or SIHH for those in the know.
I love Panerai's clever play with just two case shapes: the Luminor and Radiomir. A graciously executed study in style that reminds us that for all the tinkering, bells and whistles, sprinkles and clever add-ons, good design reigns supreme, and more importantly, endures. The TuttoNero, which slips the Luminor into an all black ceramic guise is a twist so deft that only an Italian could have carried off. Montblanc goes for the monochromatic look with the Timewalker GreyTech and the result is cool and restrained.
Jean Richard's Diverscope, another classic of Italian good taste, gets a little face lift that takes its self-confident look into a new era. IWC with all engines burning, crosses the Atlantic and brings the spirit of the San Diego Top Gun pilots to the Miramar with its khaki dial and strap. But perhaps the biggest surprise for men is Cartier's brand new Tank Anglaise, that after the original Tank Francaise and Tank Americaine, herald the age of the English gentleman - and about time too.
