Musings on couple watches: six of our best recommendations

This week, we take a look at the case for the couple watch. We include the traditional definition of two watches, usually one large, one smaller. But we are also thinking of watches which can be shared by a couple.

The couple watch: six of our best recommendations

Treacherous territory? Perhaps. But allow us to first set some ground rules.

• We are defining the couple in the traditional male-female sense. A “His and Hers” recommendation, if you will. While we do understand and appreciate that other unions are possible, we want to keep the discussion to this classical unit.
• With this assumption, we nominally define the male watch as the larger of the two.
• The watches, if there are two, may or may not be designated by the maison to be a couple watch. But they should have some elements which tie them together. Like real life couples, the two individuals may be as different as chalk and cheese.

So with tongue firmly in cheek, here we go!

Vacheron Constantin Overseas: technical vs demure

The VC Overseas collection offers a wide selection of watches for both sexes. A sporty offering from this grand old maison, the Overseas collection is versatile. Our picks would be the Quartz Overseas for the ladies in a 33mm diameter 5N red gold case for madame and the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon in Titanium for sir.

Here we go making more assumptions again…but as we said in a reply to a comment earlier…our list our rules…so we make them as we go. The male choice is a highly technical watch – touribllon escapement in a titanium case and bracelet, while the female pick is a demure, petite red gold number with a quartz movement.

We think this is a nice pairing. Perfect for the power couple. Mainly as the pair of watches will set one back quite a bit. The Overseas Tourbillon in Titanium is listed as POA on the VC website, while the Quartz ladies in red gold lists at SGD 74k. We figure a budget of about SGD 300k should be sufficient.

Ba111od Chapter 4 with Chapter 6: matchy matchy

Swinging from the high end budget to a more modest one, and our attention turns to one of our favourite brands: Ba111od. Always the disruptor, the small independent, headed by Thomas Baillod is making waves for their modestly (very) priced Swiss made tourbillon. The maison has several options for the tourbillon. All of them which will fit the bill quite nicely. The watch which was our first encounter with the brand – the Chapter 4.1 is still an excellent choice. But as we have to pick one, our choice is the latest Chapter 4.8 GMT Tourbillon Greenwich Limited Edition.

And for the ladies, Ba111od offers their Chapter 6. The series is offered with a total of 5 models at launch. All in 36mm steel cases, with two with additional gold PVD coating. The watches are released in 5 different colour options for the dial. All feature the crown at 4 o’clock, which is a Ba111od signature. Our pick would be the model in matching green.

The Chapter 6 ladies watch features a Soprod movement, while the Chapter 4 for the gentlemen uses the much desired tourbillon movement by Olivier Mory. The pair of watches should set the couple back less than CHF 10k. Not bad for two nearly matching watches, and one being a Swiss made tourbillon.

Parmigiani Tonda PF: sporty vs sublime

The reinvention of the Parmigiani Tonda began with the Tonda collection. The changes that Guido Terreni made when he on-boarded the maison is revolutionary in impact, though the aesthetics have only undergone subtle but significant, evolutionary changes. Our pick for the couple watch is to go for the basic time only watches.

The Tonda PF Sport Chronograph for the gentleman, and the Tonda PF 36 for the ladies. As mentioned in the review, our pick is the model in Artic Grey, shown above. The colour palette injects a younger and livelier atmosphere to the watch. Though named grey, the hue is more a pale, almost pastel blue which exudes a quiet charm. And coupled with the matching light blue rubber strap, it looks fresher, less serious and perhaps more suitable for the younger crowd. Pair this with the Tonda PF 36 in red gold with sand dial, which comes with a matching red gold bracelet for the elegant and classy look.

Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Refs. 7234R & 5524R: same same, not different

Patek Philippe makes sublime watches. And they actually offer their Calatrava Pilot Travel Time in two size variants, and suggest these as a couple watch. The Ref. 7234R and Ref. 5524R are for the jet setting duo. Both watches share the same design, same layout. Even the movement powering the Refs. 7234R and 5524R is the same: the in-house manufactured, 294-part Calibre 324 S C FUS.

The only difference between them is merely the size. Both are crafted in rose gold, with the Ref. 5524G being 42.00 mm x 10.78 mm and the smaller Ref. 7234R being 4.50mm smaller in diameter at 37.50 mm.

The proportions are so well selected, that without the two watches side by side, they seem identical. And we suspect that many gentlemen will be happy with the smaller Ref. 7234R as well. So perhaps the value oriented may opt to share the smaller watch instead of buying two. So with this in mind, perhaps we pivot and our next two considerations will be a single watch to be shared by both.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grand Taille: one watch for both

Next up, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. Though the collection has options which are large-small for the His-Hers style doublet, we think for the Reverso, maybe a single watch to be shared might be the ticket. The Grand Taille was considered a large watch when it was launched in 1993, but these days, the rectangular 26m x 42 mm case dimensions is now a unisex size, suitable for both the wrist of the fairer sex or the intended male one. Our pick is the Reverso Classic Medium Duoface Small Seconds. But any of the Grand Taille Reversos will fit the bill quite nicely.

The design is sober and thoughtful. The two sides of the Reverso makes it very versatile. A quick change from the contemporary black dial to the silver guilloché one is as straightforward as flipping the case. Going from office to bar is as easy as changing outfits from masculine suit/tie to feminine dress and t-shirt with jeans. The design is iconic, and for a luxury watch, great value for money. The Reverso Classic range, including the Duoface, is the perfect place for anyone to start their first foray into fine watches. And even for the veterans, a watch as timeless as it will always have a place in a collection of any calibre.

Cartier Santos Dumont Rewind: another unisex choice

Released only earlier this year, we are still drooling over this magnificent Cartier. One watch for the two of us. One which appeals to both sexes. After all, this is a Cartier, and which sane woman would deny herself of a Cartier? What more one with that gorgeous vermillion gradient dial.

But it also offers a bit more to those looking for a more technical timepiece. Take a second look at the watch, and the Rewind moniker becomes clear. The hour and minute hands traverse the dial in reverse. A little trick up its sleeve. The watch’s 43.5 mm x 31.4 mm is perhaps a tad on the larger side, but this is one watch the smaller feminine wrist will carry off as well as a larger masculine one. The platinum case does have a bit of heft to it, but at USD 38k, we dare say, it represents good value. Especially as it is limited to just 200 pieces.

Concluding thoughts

There you have it. What do you think of our picks? Would you and your significant other go for one of our recommended watches? Or have you chosen something else. Let us know!