2010 Annual Watch Trade Shows Reveal the Top 10 Designer Watches of the Year

From Patek Philippe and Chopard to Breitling and Audemars Piguet, it’s usually important for most watch enthusiasts to have one of these popular brands of luxury designer watches. Luxury watch fanatics everywhere should know that the Swiss watch shows in Basel and Geneva, Switzerland revealed the top 10 luxury watches of 2010. The rankings are based on the following criteria: technological advances, timepiece designs and new collections. Here is the list of the 2010 top 10 designer watches of the year…

1. Audemars Piguet – With only 500 pieces released, the Audemars Piguet Quincy Jones Limited Edition watch features a 45 x 40mm oval blackened stainless steel case, automatic movement, an engraved Quincy Jones signature on the caseback, and an off-center inner oblong black circle, which is typical for the series. If that’s not enough, the Quincy Jones Limited Edition watch comes with an alligator strap and a stainless steel folding clasp.

Omega - Seamaster 007 James Bond Watch

2. Breitling – Breitling’s high-end diving watch, Superocean, has in-house Calibre 17 automatic movement and a unidirectional ratcheted diver's bezel. Additionally, the dials are available in Abyss Black, Abyss Silver, Abyss Blue, Abyss Red and Abyss Yellow.

3. Cartier – Cartier’s first luxury timepiece dedicated to men, the Calibre de Cartier, has new in-house 1904-PS MC self-winding movement and a crown featuring a synthetic spinel cabochon. This watch is available in two-tone stainless steel and 18K rose gold, and also has an alligator strap with a stainless steel folding clasp.

4. Chanel – Chanel’s sporty J12 White Ceramic women's watch is perfect for diving. This durable and reliable luxury watch sports a white ceramic case and a stainless steel bezel with blue indicators. It also has a white dial with blue hands, and a white rubber strap.

5. Chopard – Boasting a robust design with a sophisticated stainless steel case, automatic chronograph movement, and a black rubber strap, Chopard’s Superfast Chrono racing watch is one of the hottest items in today’s market. It has a black dial with date display and black rubber pushers and crown.

6. Omega – The 09 Collection of Omega features quartz precision movement with a rhodium plated finish, a 32-month power reserve, and a brown mother-of-pearl dial with an embossed 'Supernova' pattern. Also with diamond bezel and hour markers, Omega’s 09 Collection has an 18K red gold and stainless steel bracelet.

7. Panerai – The Panerai Radiomir Composite Marina Military 8 Day has an aluminum-based composite case, Manifattura movements, a rugged brown dial and a vintage leather strap.

Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph 5960R

8. Patek Philippe – The Swiss maker’s Annual Calendar watch, which was first introduced in 2006, now has a larger 19k white gold case in 40mm, self-winding movement and a two-tone rhodium/silver gray dial with 18k white gold hour markers.

9. Tag Heuer – The Tag Heuer Silverstone Chronograph Limited Edition watch was re-issued to celebrate Tag Heuer’s 150th anniversary. There are only 1500 pieces released. Featuring in-house Calibre 11 automatic movement and a perforated alligator strap, each Silverstone piece is numbered and engraved with “150th Anniversary 1860-2010”.

10. TW Steel – TW Steel’s large and elegant CEO TECH has a 48mm rose gold PVD case and a black tachymeter chronograph dial with a black rubber strap.

Patek Philippe for the Ladies

There are countless of luxury watches that suit any man’s lifestyle – from business to sports – and a man’s decision on a timepiece is dependent on his way of life.

For a woman, it is an entirely different story. Luxury watches are not dependent on her lifestyle. They are as precious and as valuable as her diamonds. For her, luxury watches are accessories that instantly add class and elegance to her style.

Though much has been said and written about Patek Philippe men’s watches, this world-renowned watchmaker from the apex of Swiss watch making industry has never forgotten all about the ladies.

Patek Philippe Twenty~4 Ladies Watch 4908-11R

Take for example the Patek Philippe Twenty~4 ladies watch. It is a watch meticulously designed for the active yet refined contemporary woman. The Patek Philippe Twenty~4 watch accompanies a woman through every style and occasion – from high-fashion daywear to an elegant evening dress. From the case, bezel, and/or bracelet adorned with the fiery magnificence of Top Wesselton diamonds, down to the crown studded with an onyx or diamond solitaire, the Patek Philippe Twenty~4 watch is a work of art embodied in a timepiece. The subtly curved silhouette of the case embraces the delicate feminine wrist tenderly, reflecting perfection in its craftsmanship.

Patek Philippe has done it again – outdoing itself in every meticulously created timepiece. A Patek Philippe watch becomes an extension of the lady herself, instantaneously adding charisma and grace to her already elegant style. For whatever gender, Patek Philippe always carries with it a commemorative and lasting value.

True luxury begins online. Chong Hing Jewelers carries the Patek Philippe Twenty~4 ladies watch, other Patek classics, as well as other luxury watch brands.

Patek Philippe Through History

Although they can admittedly be a bit lavish and extravagant, those same qualities are part of what make up the glamour of a Patek Philippe watch. Each Patek Philippe watch is a masterpiece; a legendary craft enlightened by a rich history and advanced watch-making technology. Because of the unique charisma a Patek Philippe carries, they have been and still are the timepiece of choice for many of history’s most notable figures.

As far back as 1851, the Patek Philippe Company held a close relationship with Queen Victoria and began to supply luxury watches to both her and the royal court. This gesture set ablaze the fervor for Patek Philippe timepieces in European roylty. Since then, the exquisite timepieces from this Geneva-based manufacturer have been a symbol of dignity and royalty, making a Patek Philippe watch almost a necessity.

Other notable people in history whose wrists have been adorned by a Patek Philippe watch include Pope Pius IX, the King and Queen Christian IX and Louise of Denmark, the king of Italy, the Duke of Savoy Victor-Emanuel III, and the Sultan of Egypt Hussein Kamel.

Today, a Patek Philippe watch is the top choice for collectors, luxury watch enthusiasts, and remains so for many prominent figures. Among the famous people who have been spotted with a discriminating Patek Philippe timepiece are Vladimir Putin of Russia, King Juan Carlos of Spain, Prince Charles of Wales, and Hollywood celebrities like Michael Douglas and Nicholas Cage.

A Patek Philippe watch is truly in a league of its own. Valuable because of their lasting value, they are remarkable timepieces that provide extreme loyalty, not only from past owners to present ones, but to future owners as well. 

Luxury Timepieces 101: The Basics of Patek Philippe, Omega, and Other Fine Watches

Watch lovers are more than willing to invest in the wristwatch of their choice. Swiss watchmakers such as Patek Philippe, IWC, and Breguet are top choices for luxury watches because of the movement, techniques, and aesthetic value they offer. From diamonds to chronographs, Patek Philippe watches and other luxury timekeeping accessory makers ensure that they manufacture only the best for their satisfied customers.

For those who are just beginning to indulge themselves in luxury watches like Patek Philippe, a few basics have to be covered. First, internet purchases have become a trend in owning luxury timepieces. Because of the prices of these timepieces, customers may have doubts on buying online. However, Swiss watchmakers often authorize reputable luxury watch retailers that customers can browse to from their website. This helps build reputation, and as a result, more future customers for luxury watch retailers.

Secondly, because Patek Philippe luxury timepieces are more intricate than mass-produced watches, they require care than only a licensed jeweler can give. It is never safe to try fixing broken watches on your own, as the movement can be potentially ruined. Licensed jewelers will only charge a few dollars for fixing your fine watch, a price well worth it especially considering the alternative of ruining a perfectly made watch.

Thirdly, watch batteries on luxury watches like Patek Philippe last for approximately 2-5 years. This is an approximation for fine watches with basic features only. Watches that are more complicated are bound to use more battery quickly because of their sizes, functions, and extra functions.

Finally, water-resistant luxury timepieces sometimes do not indicate water depth or high pressure. However, they must still meet the needs NIHS 92-10 standard which corresponds to international standard, ISO 2281. They are designed for everyday usage but cannot be used for deep sea diving. Patek Philippe, Gucci, Longines, and Maurice Lacroix offer water-resistant fine watches for the everyday man.

Elle Magazine Names Top Eight Diamond Watches for 2010

Diamond watches are predicted to be huge this year. Patek Philippe, Montblanc, and Piaget are just some of the well-known Swiss manufacturers of luxury watches that offer fine timepieces encased in diamonds. The more shine and sparkle they have, the more value these Patek Philippe luxury watches hold. Recently, top fashion magazine Elle named the top eight picks diamond watches horologists and watchlovers should look out for during 2010.

• Montblanc’s stainless steel watch with diamond markers is Elle’s top choice and costs $2,055. Available from Montblanc, the Star Mini Automatic Diamonds features a white mother-of-pearl dial set with 10 diamonds and a black alligator-skin strap with triple-folding clasp.
• Patek Philippe’s white gold watch with diamonds comes second. Featuring diamonds in a pave setting, this women’s watch boasts of a white gold strap encrusted with 18k diamonds.
• Van Cleef and Arpels places third with their white gold watch with diamonds. The Cadenas S luxury watch for women presents a non-traditional way of viewing time with the clasp and case, both in steel, embodying the twin notions of Buckle and Playful Functionality.
• Cartier’s white gold watch in diamond bezel comes in fourth place while Audemars Piguet’s diamond encrusted watch in white gold comes fifth.
• Swiss manufacturer Piaget’s Miss Protocole XL white gold and diamond watch comes in sixth while the Happy Sport stainless steel watch with white gold and diamond bezel and floating diamonds from Chopard rank in seventh.
• Finally, the $2500 stainless steel watch with diamond dial from Dior Timepieces clocks in at the 8^th place.

Diamonds are perfect embellishments to any timekeeping device. Not only do they add glamour and shine, but also diamonds exude elegance no other gemstone can compare to. With these top picks to help you decide on the perfect diamond luxury watch for you, Patek Philippe, Montblanc, Piaget, and Chopard timepieces will definitely be the latest luxury watch you can add to your watch collection.