The luxury watchmaking industry is as saturated as one could imagine it to be. There are uncountable brand at work that do everything they can in order to achieve perfection via their watches. However, there are only a handful that have been able to make an irremovable mark. Today, in this blog, we will explore some of these brands and focus on a particular watch that has helped them do so. There is a lot to discuss so we will try and keep it as short as possible. The watch brands in question here are Cartier, Breitling, and Bvlgari.
Cartier
Cartier watches have been a part of the Swiss haute horlogerie culture since the time it was not even a proper industry. The brand has seen it all, done it all, and experienced it all. There is absolutely no doubt that Cartier is a true flagbearer of authentic Swiss watchmaking which is ironic because the brand’s roots go back to France. After all, Cartier is a French brand. But it was the luxury goods maker’s decision to enter high end watchmaking hat changed it all. Hublot watches are also elegant watches in demand now these days.
And all that started with the inception of the Santos watch. The timepiece was a ground-breaking development when it first saw the light. A major chunk for its popularity has to go to the popular celebrity inventor and aviator Alberto Santos Dumont. He was the man who requested for the watch in the first place. So, it is pretty obvious that the timepiece be named after him as well. Cartier Ballon Bleu is another famous collection in this brand.
The Santos watch was the first men’s wristwatch as well as the first pilots’ watch. The latter is obviously an unofficial title but watch enthusiasts like it that way. It is indeed a fascinating story considering that Cartier has never quite been the innovator.
Breitling
The Breitling Navitimer is a gem of a watch. It is special in many ways. The Navitimer was specially created for those who had a taste for aesthetics as well as function. Pilots and globetrotters who like to keep track of time as well as have a calculator handy in case they need it. The Navitimer is was essentially a reincarnation of the Chronomat.
It was a very important facelift that put the Breitling brand on the global map of quality watches. The watch’s unique selling proposition was the display at the top. It had a slide rule bezel on top that made all the difference. It might not be a big deal today, but back in the day it was nothing short of revolutionising. Longines brand is also famous for women and men.
Bvlgari
The Bvlgari Octo is not a watch, it is an expression. It is not just a time keeping device but it is a statement. The title of the most popular Bvlgari watch might go to the Bvlgari Serpenti but in terms of precision, quality, and mechanical ingenuity the crown has to go to the Octo collection. Time is quite the cruel mistress and many would agree as well. But that being established, it is also important to note that those who know how to use it to their advantage are always better off.
The Bvlgari Octo collection came at a time when the brand really needed to prove its mettle in the field of high end horology. It needed to prove to others that it is not to be taken lightly. The watchmaker combined functionality with aesthetics and beautiful with substance. It was also immensely helpful in displays the significance of Bvlgari as a true mechanical watchmaker.