Collection Review: Colorful Steel and Titanium Sports Watches
I had made a pact with myself: no more purchases of steel sports watches. It's not that my passion for them had dwindled; quite the opposite, actually. I find myself reaching for steel sports watches more often than dress watches. They are my companions on trips, hikes, and swims, never letting me down. However, I reached a stage where I felt my collection had attained enough diversity to meet all my needs. In fact, I have these watches in six distinct colors. In this mini-review, I'd love to share with you these favorites of mine.
Silver: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding 41mm Ref. 15510ST.OO.1320ST.08
I acquired this watch exactly one year ago after pursuing a Royal Oak for four years. Eventually, I was introduced to a sales associate at an Audemars Piguet boutique who was a genuine watch enthusiast and could see my passion as well. I chose the silver dial after trying on a friend's Royal Oak with a silver face. The silvery "Grande Tapisserie" dial is beautiful and pairs elegantly with the stainless steel case and bracelet.
This model is the same as the 2022 "50th Anniversary" edition, with the only difference being the rotor design. It features Audemars Piguet's state-of-the-art Caliber 4302. Comfortable to wear and incredibly photogenic, this watch ensures there are no unflattering wrist shots.
Blue: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time 41mm Ref. 7900V/110A-B334
I am a sucker for dual-time travel watches. It's truly amazing to see the various dial designs that facilitate the dual-time function. Personally, I find the 12-hour format for the second time zone more appealing than the 24-hour one. The elegant design seamlessly conceals the second hour hand when not in use. Among the Overseas' range of dial colors, the vibrant and mesmerizing hue of blue stands out as the clear winner. Therefore, when presented with the opportunity to trade for this 7900V with a friend, I didn't hesitate for a moment.
The Vacheron Constantin Overseas is renowned for its interchangeable bracelet system, providing effortless style changes. The newer 7920V further refines the bracelet, elevating its appeal. In my opinion, it ranks among the finest dual-time travel watches available.
Green: Lang & Heyne Hektor 33 Limited Edition
It's surprising that 2.5 years after the unveiling of the Hektor, Lang & Heyne's sports watch collection, the follow-on models still haven't been announced. The initial release of 99 pieces in three colors - blue, gray, and green - along with 15 salmon dials specifically for Japan, proved to be highly successful. Despite 1.5 years of declining secondary prices for all watches, the Hektor continues to command a significant premium above its list price.
It's a watch with character. I am particularly drawn to the deep green and the watch's overall muscular yet elegant design. The UWD movement is simply stunning, although perhaps not as refined as Lang & Heyne's dress watches at much higher prices. Some folks may not like a manual-wind for a sports watch, but I don’t mind. With a 48 hour power reserve, I just need to wind it once every two days. The trade-off of viewing a beautiful movement unblocked seems good to me!
Salmon: Chopard Alpine Eagle XPS with L.U.C Movement
Chopard is a prestigious high horology brand boasting a strong following. Within its Alpine Eagle sports line, there are many dial colors to select from. However, it's worth noting that only the salmon dial XPS features the very thin L.U.C movement. This results in a significantly slimmer watch, ensuring a snugger fit around the wrist. It stands as my sole timepiece with a micro-rotor, a feature I deeply admire.
Given the limited production, sightings of this model in the wild are rare. Nevertheless, it never fails to garner compliments from fellow watch lovers.
Black: Sinn U50 Mother-of-Pearl Dial
It may seem unconventional to adorn a German tool watch with mother-of-pearl, but for my swim watch, it's absolutely perfect. Launched in 2021 as a limited edition of 500 pieces, sales in the US were delayed due to the CITES paperwork required for materials like mother-of-pearl and exotic leather. Not wanting to wait, I opted to purchase it from a German dealer.
The quality is exceptional for the price point. Its robust construction makes it resilient to outdoor activities, whether in or out of the water. Sinn continues to introduce exciting new U50 models, presenting enthusiasts with a plethora of enticing options.
Yellow: F.P. Journe Linesport Automatique Réserve ARS2 in Titanium
Since 2020, I've had my sights set on this piece. Patiently, I worked with the F.P. Journe Boutique to secure an allocation, and as they say, good things come to those who wait!
The first Linesport Automatique Réserve ARS made its debut back in 2012, responding to the desires of collectors leading active lifestyles. A significant update, the ARS2, arrived in 2018, introducing a vibrant yellow dial and various improvements. The ARS2 looks so different than other Journe dress watches, yet still retaining the aesthetic DNAs. This is one of the reasons why I find it so intriguing.
The dial showcases a large instantaneous date, power reserve indicator, day/night display, and a seconds sub-dial resembling an instrument, all set against a striking yellow backdrop. Various red accents punctuate the dial, adding visual contrast. Powered by the caliber 1300.3 automatic movement, known as the "Octa”, the watch provides an impressive 160-hour power reserve. The titanium case and bracelet, together with the aluminum movement, contribute to the timepiece's overall lightness.
It is a very recent addition and I’m sure this will be a long honeymoon. I will come back soon to report on the overall experience.