“Watch is a man’s most precious jewel” This quote stated by an unknown legend signifies the importance of watches. The craze and passion for watches isn’t a new culture or fashion. Watches have been sold throughout the world for a very long time. Culturally, watches are the same. The Rolex strap, for example, has always been a premium aspect of the Rolex watches we have always loved.
Let us look at the most iconic watches that changed the watch industry and raised its level. Watches in the 20th century were made manually and had the highest quality of leather. Though they are not in competition with the latest watches,, quality-wise, they were very reliable and faithful once. The watches which set the tone in the 20th century are:
1. Rolex Datejust:
Rolex is responsible for bringing many technological advances in watch history, and this watch can be the perfect example of this fact. Rolex had been known for its Rolex rubber strap, which is the finest of all. But, Datejust brought a new chapter in the watch industry. Datejust had a small box on the dial showing date in it. Though this is very common in today’s world, it was a game-changer in 1945.
2. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak:
Royal Oak is that success story of Audemars Piguet that every watchmaker has heard of. In the circle of horology, Royal Oak is regarded as a life-saver and revolutionary timepiece. In the 1970s, when Asia’s cheap quartz watches were ruling over the world, all other premium watches had gone out of demand. At that, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak came with the idea of Royal Oak, and a luxury sports watch made entirely of steel.
3. Rolex Submariner:
At the time when Rolex rubber strap watches were in great demand, the submariner was introduced in the market. In 1954, Rolex came with a watch that was only manufactured for the naval divers and wasn’t intended to be a luxury watch. But, after today, after more than 6 decades, Rolex Submariner is one of the finest luxury watches with the same durability and reliability it had earlier.
4. Breitling Navitimer:
Breitling Navitimer has revolutionized the significance of watches in aviation history. Thus it made to this list. Navitimer looked like a premium watch but had a revolutionary feature of an extremely precise chronograph and its side-rule bezel. Pilots used the Navitimer to perform calculations relating to navigation during flight. Surprisingly it is still widely demanded.
5. IWC Portugieser:
The IWC Portugieser is iconic in its way. This watch was made on particular demand of some Portuguese sailors who asked the Swiss company to make a durable watch as a stationary clock. Made in the 1930s, this watch is still a player among customers.
The above-discussed watches have their historical importance, and it’s incredible to see their world-wide demand even today. From Rolex rubber strap watches to Navitimer, these watches made their name in the Horology world. So, if you are a watch enthusiast, it’s about time that you buy any of these watches.
