6 most macho luxury watches of 2022: from IWC’s Top Gun pilot’s timepiece to Breitling’s Cathay partnership and an Omega Speedmaster … that measures the time on Mars
- Air, land or sea? Rugged timepieces made to withstand the elements defined the early efforts of many luxury watchmakers – and they won’t let us forget that heritage today
- A new Ulysse Nardin Freak S is inspired by space travel, while Panerai teamed up with games company Razer for a special edition of the Luminor Quaranta
Mechanical and functional timepieces have followed and supported us through history to the ends of the earth and the depths of the sea. They have followed us as we broke records in speed, set records above water and in the air, and followed us as we soared ever higher, even into space.
Though technology has caught up with the times and watches are no longer the sole piece of precision equipment used to break such records, maisons have found ever more creative ways to remind us of just how crucial a precise functional watch can be. Here are our team’s picks for the best watches in 2022 to remind us of our adventurous spirits and the edges of human achievement that watches have seen us towards.
1. IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition Woodland
IWC celebrates the cultural success (and long overdue return) of Top Gun with a series of pilot chronographs that are built to withstand the worst of the elements – through and through the maverick’s timepiece.
2. Panerai X Razer Luminor Quaranta Special Edition
Watches have helped us explore the ends of the earth – now Panerai and gaming technology company Razer collaborate to do their bit to preserve it with this sustainably built piece.
3. Glashütte Original Seaq Chronograph
Underplaying overt references to the sea, this deep blue chronograph from Glashütte Original comes with a synthetic strap and peacefully evokes calming ocean depths.