Audemars Piguet - Royal Oak
Introduced by Audemars Piguet in 1972, the Royal Oak was designed by Swiss visionary watchmaker and designer Gerald Genta (1931–2011). The Royal Oak was the first stainless steel sport watch with integrated bracelet and an innovative design which has remained unchanged since 1972. It is said that Gerald Genta drew inspiration from the shape of a diving helmet with an eight bolts octagonal shape and that the name Royal Oak is a reference to the Oak behind which King of England Charles II found refuge when he was being chased by Cronwell’s troops.
Jaeger LeCoultre - Reverso
Introduced by Jaeger LeCoultre in 1931, it is said that the Reverso was created to withstand the rigors of polo matches and protect the dial and crystal from rough play. Its subtle Art Deco lines, rectangular geometry, functional elegance and unique pioneering reversible case — able to rotate completely on itself by sliding in its own support — have made it one of the world’s most recognisable watches and a classic of 20th century design.
Breitling - Navitimer Cosmonaute
Introduced by Breitling in the 50s, the Navitimer is a classic pilot’s chronograph and, with its innovative circular slide rule that can be used for performing inflight calculation, it represents the first wristwatch dedicated to civil aviation. The first Navitimer was created in response to a request from the US Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). The Navitimer Cosmonaute became the first Swiss wrist-worn chronograph in space on May 24, 1962 when astronaut Scott Carpenter orbited the Earth three times on board the Mercury-Atlas 7 spacecraft.
Tag Heuer - Monaco
Introduced by Tag Heuer (then Heuer) in 1969, the Monaco was the first water-resistant square-cased automatic chronograph. Together with its metallic blue dial and red second-hand and domed glass, the Monaco broke with conventional watch design codes of the time, became a trend-setter and it is still today an instantly recognizable watch. The watch became popular in 1970 when actor Steve McQueen wore the Monaco in several scenes of the film Le Mans.
Rolex - Oyster Perpetual Submariner
Introduced by Rolex in 1954, the Submariner was the first watch to be waterproof up to 100m. Its design has little changed since 1954 and is today instantly recognizable and the most emulated watch in the market. The Submariner combined two of Rolex earlier innovations, the waterproof “Oyster” case in 1926 and t
he self-winding “Perpetual” movement in 1931. The Submariner was seen on the wrist of actor Sean Connery in the first James Bond movie Dr. No in 1962. The watch also appeared in seven other James Bond movies.
