For most people, the watch on their wrists is simply a timekeeper, so as not to be late for appointments. Some people dream of an exclusive chronograph for the rest of their lives, others wear a perpetual calendar worth a condo on their arms, and the fascinated watch enthusiast prefers to treat himself to the long awaited tourbillion before buying the long overdue new car. Collectors are fascinated by history and technical precision and may even keep their complications for the next generation – just as Patek Philippe promises in advertising. Investors see their new Rolex as a solid investment and the trendsetters and lifestyle fans see their Audemars Piguet, Panerai or Hublot with sporty rubber strap as the casual summer accessory on the Côte d’Azur.
The luxury watch dealer Horando has taken this as an opportunity to determine its Top 10 most sought-after watches in 2016. Although the Swiss luxury brand Rolex has of course been a leader here for many years and decades, the demand for other high-quality wristwatches is constantly increasing. At Horando, Rolex with its evergreen – Rolex Submariner Date – is the undisputed number one and is closely followed by the Rolex GMT Master II with blue / black bezel. Omega secured third place with its Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch with sapphire crystal.
1st place:
Rolex Submariner Date (116610LN)
Horando’s opinion:
“Rolex sports models are extremely popular worldwide and the Submariner is the classic. Customers like to choose it because the watch has a timeless design and can be worn casually with jeans as well as with a suit. The robust case and the scratch-resistant ceramic bezel are perfectly suited for everyday use. The price stability of a Rolex is a key factor in many buyers’ purchasing decisions.
2nd place:
Rolex GMT Master II Ref. 116710BLNR
Horando’s opinion:
“The GMT with blue – black Lünette quickly developed into a classic and was already a top seller before it was presented at Baselworld in 2014. Many Käufer were already fascinated by the Vorgängermodell, the PEPSI GMT in blue / red – and möchten have the successor natürlich in their collection. Wunderschönes Rolex GMT sports model with great history (GMT with second time zone was developed für the pilots of PanAm Airways).
3rd place:
Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Ref. 311.30.42.40.01.006
Horando’s opinion:
“A sporty chronograph that has certainly been one of Omega’s top sellers for years. The Speedmaster Moonwatch was already launched by Gemini 3 pilot Ed White when he wore it on his wrist on his first space exit in 1965. Customers vary between the version with Hesalit or sapphire glass, in 2016 we had the version with scratch-resistant sapphire glass”.
4th place:
Breitling Navitimer 01 Ref. AB012012.BB01.436X.A20D.1
Horando’s opinion:
“„Ho one Breitling, most watch fans probably have the face of a Navitimer before their eyes. The look with a dial full of numbers and scales makes the watch a full-fledged aeronautical instrument and so it is not surprising that the international community of pilots and aircraft owners (AOPA) recommends the Navitimer as the official pilot’s watch. Natürlich also für all those who prefer to stay on the ground a “great watch”.
5th place:
Frederique Constant Classics Moonphase Date Ref. FC-335MC4P6
Horando’s opinion:
“A watch from Frederique Constant stands for Swiss precision and elegant design at a very good price-performance ratio. The Classics Moonphase Date offers its owner a direct view of the movement through a partially open worked dial and offers with automatic movement, moon phase display much watch for a price of 1.575 EUR. Great entry-level model with a very timeless design.”
6th place:
IWC Portuguese Chronograph Automatic Ref. IW371446
Horando’s opinion:
“With the Portugieser, IWC was already 75 years ago one of the pioneers in a large masculine watch form. The classic design is in great demand and we have many buyers who buy the IWC Portugieser as the first expensive luxury watch because they are enthusiastic about history and design”.
7th place:
Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea D-Blue Ref. 116660 D-Blue
Horando’s opinion:
“We were able to deliver the Deepsea D-BLUE in 2016 without long waiting times and make many customers happy. The special edition of the Challenge 3D film by James Cameron was one of the most coveted models among Rolex enthusiasts and impresses with the D-BLUE dial with a transition from deep blue to darkest black and poison green DEEPSEA lettering. Exceptional watch with a special design and certainly a good investment.”
8th place:
Tag Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 Automatic Chronograph ref. CAW211P.FC6356
Horando’s opinion:
“Racing is life. Everything before or after is just waiting,” says racing legend Steve McQueen. We avoided long waiting times in 2016 and were also able to deliver the Mc Queen Monaco with the crown on the left. The watch was bought mainly by Heuer and Tag Heuer enthusiasts to complement the existing collection.”
9th place:
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 Ref. 114300 (A)
Horando’s opinion:
“The new edition of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual has a larger diameter of 39 millimetres. The models in rhodium with blue dots or with blue dial and green dots were in great demand. However, our model in rhodium was a top seller. The entire model series was certainly one of the most sought-after unisex series last year.”
10th place:
Frederique Constant Classics Business Timer Ref. FC-270SW4P6
Horando’s opinion:
“Frederique Constant’s Business Timer was our bestseller in the entry-level sector. Customers can expect a classically elegant watch with date display, moon phase and weekday and calendar week display for 825 euros. Excellent price-performance ratio.”
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