Tuesday 6 September 2011

The World 50 Best Watches

From a vintage Rolex to the cheerful Cheapo, Eliisa Markin clocks the finest timepieces for all who want the best.

Zadig and Voltaire



It is still relatively unknown in most countries but the edgy French label Zadig and Voltaire is rapidly expanding, gaining cult status in rock'n'roll circles. A new store has just opened in north London and two more are due inNovember. They have created a hip collection of chunky, metal watches. Choose from elegant, fallen-angel designs to sinister skull and cross-bone numbers

Toy Watch




Toy Watch was launched in Milan in 2006 by the designer Marco Mavilla. The ironic "antiluxury", Day-Glo, lightweight, oversized, plastic creations have since become must-have items and Clive Owen, Johnny Knoxville and Leonardo DiCaprio can be listed among their many fans.

Guess




It may not be to everyone's taste, but teens who like bold accessories won't be disappointed with this season's collection of Guesswatches. This blingtastic City Lights purple watch is ideal for girls who like to experiment with colour and clothes.

Rolex




Really stand out from the crowd with a vintage Rolex. The Vintage Watch Company specialises in rare collectables and classic designs dating as far back as 1910. This delicate number is a rare 1920s watch. It's probably not one for wearing poolside, but for thosewho have 17 grand spare, it's an irreplaceable and beautiful investment piece.

Paul Smith




Not every man can successfully pull off a gold watch with a bright pink face. Those who can, however, will look great in this perky number by Paul Smith, a designer well known for his love of bold colour.

Anna Lou




The playful jewellery designer Anna Lou has branched out and launched a kitsch and colourful collection of seven watches. They have been designed with partying in mind. This diamante-rimmed poster-paint red watch is made from chunky, durable plastic. It is also handily water resistant, so a spilt drink won't equal the end

Puma




There are few watches more practical than Puma's Viga digital watch, a lightweight plastic number. The supple plastic strap is extremely comfortable and the rather chic, unexpected flash of red along the sides is an attractive bonus.

Marc by Marc Jacobs




Last year Marc Jacobs's cute, fruit-shaped pendant watches started a huge trend in pendant clocks and a whole host of imitations. The classic pear and apple designs are still available, but Marc Jacobs has moved on to launch a quirky range of wrist watches and newpendant designs like this elegant, ringpull version.

Cheapo



Too lazy to bother with reading the time? Love gadgets? The charmingly named Cheapo watch company has created one that will tell you exactly what time it is at the press of a button. A bargain at £20 and guaranteed to impress friends in the playground.

Casio




I love the Eighties charm of Casio. The G-Shock and Baby G were originally sold on their shock and water resistance, although the punchy futuristic design and range of colours meant that they quickly became cult watches. This limited-edition white version is one of a select range to celebrate 25 years of the G-Shock.

De Beers




I love this diamond heavy watch from Debeers. Supremely decadent without looking tacky it is paved with round diamonds and set centrally with one rough, unpolished diamond. Who needs a ring when you could wear this many diamonds on your wrist?

Breguet




Breguet has designed a watch for perfectionists. The Tourbillon was invented with the aim to negate the effect of gravity on thewheels of the watch mechanism. By doing so they claim to have made it painfully accurate, and more beautiful as you can see the innards working.

Video Watch




Keep the children entertained at all times with this amazingly nifty and well-priced watch. Not only does it tell the time but it also plays movies, music and even displays photos on its 1.5 inch screen. The only problem is that you may find yourself borrowing it for days when long board meetings are looming.

Georg Jensen at Selfridges




The Scandinavian designer Georg Jensen produces a number of collections that range from cutlery to jewellery. This supremely elegant bangle watch is a chic and timeless signature piece, which seems to look eternally modern.

Omega




Omega's Speedmaster Alaska Project watch was originally created in 1970 as a prototype for Nasa, although it never went into production. It has been designed to withstand extreme temperatures, ranging from the dark side of the Moon to the full glare of the Sun. Even if you don?t intend to travel quite that far afield, it is still a great watch and a collector's piece -only 1,970 have been produced worldwide

Chanel




There are few women who don't have a Chanel watch on their wish list. This chic, little oblong-faced watch is extremely wearable and the delicate leather strap is intertwined with a hardwearing steel chain. It is also available in white.

D&G




This Codename watch is a really fun wearable timepiece from D&G. There is a choice of a colourful and more serious version, but both are equally practical with dual dials, timer and water resistance as far as 50m - should you fancy taking it diving.

Flik Flak




Swatch's Flik Flak probably has the largest selection of all the children?s ranges. Football- loving boys will be especially pleased with this sporty design, which comes with the bonus of a football game for all the family to enjoy.

De Grisogono




Weighing in at just under £30,000, this diamond- heavy Boule necklace watch probably isn't one for wearing everyday. It is lavishly beautiful, though, and unsurprisingly a favourite among the A-list. Even if you are not planning on buying one of their watches this week, I would highly recommend visiting De Grisogono's magnificently luxurious website - it is quite an experience

Adidas




Adidas has created a colourful range of sporty watches for this season. The collection comes in a number of punchy colours and they act as the perfect way to brighten up serious sportswear.

Tiffanys




It may not entirely transform you into Audrey Hepburn, but this Woven vintage style watch will definitely take you one step closer. I love the timeless feminine design. Perfect for both 18 and 80-year-olds. A real heirloom and an investment you are unlikely to regret.

Breil




I love this sporty Manta blue and black watch from Breil. Not only does it look fun and flash but it is water resistant with dual dials. A great practical buy for a modern man.

Dior




Rarely a label to opt for the understated, this sparkling blue diamond-studded watch is a classic example of Dior's more-is-more approach to accessories. If blue isn't your colour, never fear, there is also a fuschia-red and crisp-white version available.

Citizen




The Calibre 2100 is a very classy watch with dual alarm, retrograde calendar showing month, day and date and - phew - it is water resistant. It has the added bonus of being a battery-free design as well as looking very chic indeed.

Umbro




Sporty kids will love this nifty little plastic watch from Umbro. It is hard-wearing with techy features, including a timer that is perfect for active children who have a tendency to put their belongings through more wear and tear than most.

Van Cleef & Arpels




Looking for a little bit of good luck? Van Cleef and Arpels has created an elegant Alhambra vintage bracelet watch with its signature four-leaf clover logo. The yellow, gold and onyx design is the perfect way to keep superstitious tendencies at bay.

Mr Jones




Each hour, Mr Jones's Mantra watch alternates from revealing a positive statement ("you are amazing") to a negative ("nobody likes you"). Inspired by the psychological theories of Emile Coue, the idea behind it is that over time an arrogant person becomes more humble while someone lacking in confidence becomes more positive.

Casio




You may still have your brother's original tucked away in a drawer somewhere, but if not then head to Urban Outfitters to pick up awatch with boyish retro charm. This classic Casio is right on trend, an elegant step back in time.

Seiko




This Velatura Yachting timer is a serious seafaring watch. It is designed specifically for the yachtsman with a yachting timer, split-time measure and 100m water resistance. It is appropriate for both professional and recreational sailors, but still looks good worn on dry land when you don't have your sea legs.

Sekonda




Sekonda has a huge range of children's watches. This is a very pretty pink watch from the inspired animated range. The image on the dial changes from a lipstick to a kiss mark as you move. Great for little girls who like dressing up

Suunto




There is much more to this sporty olive green watch than simply telling the time. It is from a new collection by Suunto that also counts calories and measures heart rate during training. It is designed with a supersoft wrist-strap to remain comfortable while you work out.

ASOS




Image-conscious chaps looking for an über-modern watch will love this futuristic barcode watch from Tokyo Flash. It tells the time via barcode dots, but more importantly it looks extremely slick.

Yunus & Eliza




This hauntingly beautiful bespoke hanging timepiece is from Yunus and Eliza's quirky, poetic range of jewellery. Their collection ranges from surreal pendant watches to bold rings with miniature busts of Nelson and Poseidon. This twisted-angel design is ideal for those who find traditional wrist watches unromantic.

Dior




The frosty-blue metal gives this dial watch a very elegant look. A great option for those looking for a sophisticated modern twist on a traditionally macho design.

Nooka




Nooka has created a range of unusual watches that tell the time with dots and a minutes bar, including this gold Vdot model. There is also a cheaper, less flashy, version in coloured plastic if the gold is too flash for your everyday wardrobe.

Black Dice




Black Dice has created an urban range of watches that combine retro features and modern technology. The Duo is a great dual-faced watch with an unusual Sixties-style face, alongside a clean digital timer.

Sekonda




Help your children learn to read the time with this practically marked-out schooling watch. A perfect first watch that maps out the hands to show minutes and hours, along with colour-coding the times.

Swatch




There are few of us who haven't owned a Swatch watch at some point in our lives. Go back to basics with this classic, minimalist design in practical, black rubber. The perfect watch for those who like to keep things simple.

Emporio Armani




This is a very grown-up, brown leather watch. The traditional design looks great worn with a suit or a classic polo shirt-and-slacks combination. The perfect watch for a man with classically sophisticated tastes.

Fat Face




This is a rather lady-like watch for girls with refined tastes. The practical, soft-pink suede strap is easily adjustable and offers a comfortable fit for kids or teens.

Storm




The fashion watch and accessories brand Storm launched in London in the late 1980s and has been massively popular with teens and the young trend-conscious since. This slick, black, circular-faced watch is one of their more sophisticated designs. It is a great modern watch that would look good on a woman of any age and works just aswell worn at the office as on an evening out.

Tateossian




If you prefer not to break the line of your cuff with a wrist watch then these inspired clock-faced cufflinks from Tateossian are a splendid idea. They also make a great gift for the man who has everything.

IWC




This is a nice idea for boys who want to be just like their fathers. These Schaffhausen father-and-son watches are certainly not cheap, but the Pilot design with rhodium-plated dial, cockpit design and crocodile-leather straps are classic creations. The only real difference is that while the adult version is platinum, the son's is made from resistant stainless steel.

Hermes




Hermes always stocks a classic range of effortlessly chic wrist watches. This H Heure Oxford watch is a wonderful cream and orange number, with a slightly sporting look. It would particularly look at home worn on the golf course or playing tennis. A really fresh, summery design.

Rado




Contemporary design fans will love this sleek Ceramica chronograph watch by Rado. The modern design moves beyond the classy exterior into high-tech black ceramic body, with polished, sapphire crystal and quartz, chronograph movement.

Bvlgari




Never let a full moon take you by surprise again. This beautiful 18kt pink gold and sapphire design is a joy to wear and, in addition to the time, handily measures the weekday, the date and the phases of the moon. Get in quick, though, there are only a limited 350 available.

Swatch




Tartan is a massive trend on this season's catwalk and fashion-loving boys will look great in this fun version of the simple plastic Swatch watch. The website is definitely worth a good browse as there is a huge range of styles available.

Timex Time-teacher watch




This is a very decorative version of the classic time-teaching watch. It cleverly combines fun, colourful looks with the practically mapped-out face to make telling the time easier for first-timers.

Rolex




Another Rolex, this time the classic Cosmograph Daytona. Itwas first launched in the 1960s and new versions of the increasingly popular watch continue to be launched. This particular version is Kate Moss's watch and as it is one of the rarer designs it is also rather pricey.

IWC




Practically, this Aquatimer split timer is a watch for divers. It is designed to deal with difficult conditions and benefits from a self-winding feature, timer and dual-function button, along with numerous other features that techno-lovers will enjoy.

CLICK FOR CHOICE OF BEST WATCH>>>


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