Time pieces that make a statement

In 1485, Leonardo da Vinci sketched a fusee for a clock, setting the pace for the great invention of watches.

In 1504, Peter Henlein invented what was to be the first pocket watch. Come the 1500s and clock-watches became fashionable, fastened on clothing or worn around the neck. These watches had four hands, not two, and always lost time (unsurprisingly).

Then in 1675, the waistcoat became all the rage and the watch was redesigned to go with this dapper look. Thus the pocket-watches were born, to be slipped into those little, funny waistcoat pockets.

The minute hand was only introduced in Britain in 1680 and it’s not until 1868 that Patek Phillipe made the first wristwatch, according to the website, A Blog to Watch.

In 1880, watches became commercialised (previously they were a preserve of the privileged) after the German, Constant Girard, developed about 2,000 watches for German naval officers.

Watches have evolved from the days of the Second World War when soldiers realised that smaller watches were easier to keep in the trenches. The post-war cool came after the war, when men wore watches to emulate their war heroes.

Today, watches are more than just post-war nostalgia. They are a status symbol, an investment and sometimes an acquisition to be handed down to the next generation, as Patek Philippe’s brand tag line proclaims.

But, of course, the kind of watches that esquires would strap on their wrist are more than just watches. They are time pieces, a colloquial that separates the men from the boys. They do more than just tell the time; they define a time, a period, an ideal and largely underscore a tenet.

Signs of a quality watch

Weight - A good watch needs quality components and weight. It should not feel like a toy.

The movement - It’s also called the Sweep. Good watches don’t tick and tock loudly. They are silent with a well-tuned internal mechanism.

The name - Means a lot. According to The Art of Manliness website, during the second World War, captured British officers had their wristwatches confiscated. When Rolex founder Hans Wildorf discovered this, he offered watches to Allied prisoners on an order-now, pay-when-you-win-the-war basis.

The following are some of the most popular time pieces in the market today.

TAG HEUER
Take the Tag Heuer Carrera Jack Heuer 80 Edition watch, realised in 2012. It was in honour of Jack Heuer, the grandson of the founder, Edouard Heuer.

Only 3,000 pieces were made and every piece quickly sold out at a whopping Sh500,000. Even the media sample was sold on demand. The Swiss company that makes this brand is known for sailing, racing and active sports.

PATEK PHILIPPE
Another Swiss luxury watch manufacturer called the “King of Watches”. In 2008, their Sky Moon Tourbillion set a world record as the most expensive modern wristwatch after it sold at a Hong Kong auction for Sh122 million. Philippe’s clientele include Princess Louise of Denmark, the King of Italy and Duke of Savoy and a number of Hollywood stars.

Their Patek Philippe Celestial model is going for Sh17 million. For that you get to have a sky chart that shows the moon’s phases, lunar orbit, meridian passage and star progression. And yes, it also tells the time, in case you are wondering.

ROLEX
Good old Rolex. Nothing says power and status better than a Rolex. It’s also a classic. It was founded in 1905 in England, but moved to Switzerland in 1919. They were the first watch company to produce the first effective waterproof watch. James Bond wore one. If you are keen, you could try their James Bond 1973 Rolex that is going for Sh39 million.

HUBLOT
Founded in 1976 by Italian Carlo Crocco, it’s the official watch for FIFA, FIFA World Cup and Formula 1. Then there is the Bing Bang, their 2005 model that saved the once ailing company. Bing Bang King goes for some Sh21 million. And loose change. But before you go embarrassing yourself, first get the pronunciation right. It’s “Ooblo”.

BREITLING

They are not watches. They are instruments for professionals. And they look it. They are technical watches for technical men and have played a crucial role in the development of the wrist chronograph.

Their website proclaims that they are a leader in “complication”. Now how about that? And because of this, the company has conquered the skies with their watches. A man with a Breitling is a man who knows his true North, as owners of this timepiece usually proclaim.

IWC

Not to be confused with International Whaling Commission. This is International Watch Company, based in Switzerland. An understated, exquisite brand, IWC is known for its peerless craftsmanship, blending stunning design and precision engineering.

The company just released the Portuguese Sidérale Scafusia their most complicated watch so far according to A Blog to Watch. It took 10 years to develop and can be acquired only on custom order. That is, if you have Sh65 million to spare.

CARTIER

It’s by a French designer, and a large fashion icon status. The difference between Cartier and other watches is that they are known for keeping their purchase value; the more recent the model, the greater the demand.

OMEGA

There is something about the Omega. Forget the elegant craftsmanship, or the fact that its pioneering spirit has seen it go to the moon (Buzz Aldrin, the first man on the moon, wore the Omega Speedmaster) and plumbed the depths of the sea. Or the fact that no watch company holds more records on accuracy than the Omega. There’s just something about the Omega that you can’t quite put your wrist on.

Some Kenyans with great time pieces

UHURU KENYATTA
President of Kenya
What he wears: Classic Rolex
Price: Approx: Sh600,000.

BOB COLLYMORE
CEO, Safaricom
What he wears: Breitling.
Montblanc. Longines. Armani.
Price: Total approx. Sh1.6 million

JEFF KOINANGE
Media personality
What he wears: Breitling for Bentley.
Price: From Sh400,000.

PETER NDUATI
CEO, Resolution Health
What he wears: Classic Baume & Mercier. Frederique Constant
Price: Total approx. Sh246,500.

SANJIV SHAH
CEO, RAM Group
What he wears: RADO FLORENCE.
Price: Approx. Sh600,000

JOSHUA OIGARA
CEO, KCB Bank
What he wears: MONTBLANC
Price: Approx. Sh438,000

EVANS MONARI
Partner, Daly Figgis
What he wears: Longines.
Price: Approx. Sh280,000

KEN OYOLA
Global Head of Marketing Activation –Microsoft
What he wears: TAG HEUER
Price: Approx. Sh380,000.

And of course the Nigerians…

ALIKO DANGOTE
Tycoon
What he wears: Diamond encrusted Audemars Piquet
Price: Sh21.9 million

This article was first published in the Business Daily