If we speak about tendencies in watchmaking, then classic has been one of many most important sources of inspiration for manufacturers since round 2010. And but, in any case these years, re-editions of superb fashions of the previous and vintage-inspired watches are nonetheless a scorching matter in 2023. Retro-styled watches, classic reissues and old-school design language are nonetheless staples in model collections throughout the board. Nonetheless, discovering the suitable steadiness between trendy watchmaking and retro design language isn’t as simple because it appears. And for these causes, deciding on our 5 favorite vintage-inspired watches of 2023 has been a bit extra difficult than it appears…
Observe: make sure that to share your favorite vintage-inspired fashions of 2023 within the remark part on the finish of this text. Once more, there have been so many retro-styled watches this 12 months that you just’ll most likely have a distinct opinion than us.
Angelus x Massena LAB Chronographe Médical
We begin this choice with a barely sudden model, Angelus… A traditionally vital identify, Angelus was lately revived, nevertheless, with trendy, high-tech and sophisticated watches. It took the intervention of business veteran William Massena (founding father of Massena LAB) and the launch of the “La Fabrique” assortment by Angelus to see this identify printed on the dial of a retro-inspired watch. The outcome, but now bought out, is a gem, a comparatively compact and characterful physician’s chronograph with an authentic show, modelled after a Sixties watch. What issues most are the 2 scales, a pulsometer and an asthmometer. After which there’s the motion… Inside is a hand-wound column wheel chronograph with conventional structure, the Angelus Calibre A5000. And it’s truly an improve of a motion as soon as accomplished by THA and Journe, housed as an illustration within the case of the sensible Cartier CPCP Tortue Monopoussoir.
For extra particulars concerning the Angelus x Massena LAB Chronographe Médical, please seek the advice of our hands-on article right here.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms seventieth Anniversary Act 3 Bronze-Gold
This 12 months, in accordance with Blancpain, its emblematic Fifty Fathoms dive watch was celebrating its seventieth anniversary. Following Act 1 (a modern-ish 42mm mannequin) and Act 2 (a correct device developed for closed-circuit rebreather diving), Act 3 is the mannequin that made the strongest impression on us as a copy of classic MIL-SPEC fashions made in German silver, with the moisture indicator on the dial. In an effort to retain the appeal and originality of the fabric as soon as utilized by navy forces, this Fifty Fathoms seventieth Anniversary Act 3 is offered in a bronze-gold alloy. The 41.30mm case captures the sensation of the unique fashions of the Nineteen Fifties, and feels extremely totally different from most trendy Fifty Fathoms watches. Supplies and mechanics are, as you’d anticipate, trendy and much more high-end than previously. And so is the worth…
For extra particulars concerning the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms seventieth Anniversary Act 3, please seek the advice of our first look article right here.
Longines Legend Diver 39mm
A cornerstone mannequin within the model’s heritage assortment for greater than 15 years, the Longines Legend Diver or LLD has all the time been an awesome instance of what to do in classic re-editions. Modelled after a 1959 watch, the trendy model retains many of the appeal of the unique but with a modernized development (the compressor case was gone, for instance). However, it’s lengthy been a fan’s favorite, which is coming again this 12 months in a revised model… And with sturdy arguments: smaller 39mm case, shorter lugs, cool beads-of-rice bracelet, enhanced consolation, no-date show and upgraded motion. Altogether, Longines has managed to positively replace considered one of its most emblematic trendy watches. It nonetheless seems to be improbable and now’s extra nice to put on than ever. What’s to not love right here?
For extra particulars concerning the Longines Legend Diver 39mm, please seek the advice of our first look article right here.
Seiko 5 Sports activities SRPK17 fifty fifth Anniversary Restricted Version
Whereas Seiko is well-known for its numerous watches impressed by the previous, this one is a bit totally different, being a re-edition of the very first Seiko 5 Sports activities from 1968. A extremely vital assortment for Seiko, it was launched in 1963, with the beefier Seiko 5 Sports activities following in 1968. For the fifty fifth anniversary of this mannequin, the SRPK17 was launched and it feels as shut as potential to the unique watch. Fully totally different from different fashions within the 5 Sports activities assortment, this watch has a tonneau-shaped design with shrouded lugs, a bidirectional bezel and a hidden crown. It’s even fairly compact at 39.5mm and solely 43mm L2L. Dial-wise, similar story with an nearly 1-to-1 copy of the unique watch. The mechanics inside are extra trendy however the 20mm flat-link bracelet is all about retro appeal. It’s restricted to fifteen,555 items (no typo…) and comes at a particularly reasonable worth, as all the time with this assortment.
For extra particulars concerning the Seiko 5 Sports activities SRPK17 fifty fifth Anniversary Restricted Version, please seek the advice of our hands-on article right here.
TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper
As indicated within the title of this text, we’re speaking right here about vintage-inspired watches, not essentially about pure re-editions. With its Carrera Skipper, TAG Heuer is bringing precisely that; a watch that evokes the previous with trendy development behind it. Mainly, this watch is an evolution of the profitable Carrera Glassbox offered earlier this 12 months, with a distinct dial – one which makes fairly a distinction… Impressed by one particular watch from 1968, the Skipper was devoted to regatta races with a 15-minute regatta pre-start counter separated into three, five-minute segments. All of those options are again in 2023 with a darkish blue dial and the all-important modified 15-minute counter in Intrepid teal, Lagoon Inexperienced and Regatta Orange. And you then’ll have all of the greatness of the Carrera Glassbox itself, that means a beautiful bezel-less case, a comparatively compact watch on the wrist and a contemporary motion inside.
For extra particulars concerning the TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper, please seek the advice of our hands-on article right here.
