It is the time of the year again, where the folks at Deployant make their Christmas wishlist – watch-related, of course.
With Stanley and Chester both having shared their wishlist, it is finally my turn to share my horological wishlist this Christmas. So, without any further ado, these are the three watches that I have chosen.
MB&F Horological Machine 3
The first watch on my list is the MB&F Horological Machine 3.
Regular readers would have known that I have selected the HM3 in the previous years as well. Some things just do not change, just like my love for Max’s quirky timepieces. There is something magical about MB&F watches, and the HM3 perhaps captures that the best – after all, this is the timepiece that introduced me into the wonderful world of independent watchmaking.
This particular variant featured in the picture above was produced in collaboration with the enigmatic Stepan Sarpaneva. It is basically the HM3 “Frog”, with an additional moonphase display that features Stepan’s signature moonphase motif. I feel that this piece truly captures the spirit of independent watchmaking, in the sense that creators have the freedom to produce something that speaks about themselves – and not what the management or shareholders want. And this is what makes MB&F watches a notch above the rest.
A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1
The A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 is the next watch on my list.
Having seen A. Lange & Söhne watches in person over the years, I am pretty much sold by the beauty and quality of their products. Now, here’s the question: Which timepiece to choose? For me, the Lange 1 is the standout amongst the repertoire of exquisite timepieces. The likes of the Saxonia and 1815 – which are very classy – are a tad boring for my liking. On the other end, the Datograph and Zeitwerk are pretty much out of reach. The Lange 1 therefore falls into this sweet spot – where it is still relatively realistically attainable (with some careful financial planning), and yet it is quirky and interesting enough to set itself apart from the other typical dress watches.
Aside from that, the Lange 1 is one of the most iconic timepieces from the maison. After all, the Lange 1 was one of the four watches that was introduced during the revival of the brand in 1994. If I can only own one timepiece from A. Lange & Söhne, I cannot think of a more perfect timepiece than the Lange 1.
Roger Dubuis Hommage La Placide
The last on my list is another aspiration piece: Roger Dubuis Hommage La Placide.
I have been a big fan of Roger Dubuis’ early timepieces, and the new 38mm timepiece is a beautiful homage (no pun intended) to the remarkable watches that the eponymous brand had produced almost three decades ago. This piece features the quirky design cues of Roger Dubuis, especially the exaggerated retrograde display that lends a fun touch to this watch, while maintaining an elegant undertone at the same time.
Aside from its good looks, the Hommage La Placide is not just a looker. The watch carries the Poinçon de Genève-certified calibre RD1472 – which is based on the brand’s first in-house automatic movement (RD14) that was introduced in 2004. The Poinçon de Genève looks at the entire timepiece – which also includes the movement, dial, and case – which is a testament to the quality of the entire timepiece. I genuinely love this piece, although its price point (and exclusivity) means this is somewhat of an incredibly distant dream.
Concluding Thoughts
For regular readers, I think my choices are kind of predictable. I tend to gravitate towards older watches, in between neo-vintage models and timepieces produced in the early 2010s. I think the selections that I have made today show this point very clearly.
I hope everyone is enjoying this series, and please take a look at my colleagues’ Christmas wishlist as well. And before I forget: Here’s wishing our dear readers a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year ahead!
