It’s impossible to ignore the incessant march of vintage watches across the stands of every major watchmaker - old school is very much the new school, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
But not all watches inspired by a heritage design are created equal. Delving into a brand’s archives or adding a rustique patina to a watch doesn’t always result in a marketable watch.
The watches that get it right may be inspired by a unique solution to a problem in the brand’s history (the Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox, for example) or it may just faithfully reimagine a stunning design from its past for today’s wearers.
Meet the contenders for the Heritage Watch of the Year below:
IWC Tribute to Pallweber
Josef Pallweber may not be a household name these days but he was responsible for some of the most iconic pocket watches of the 19th century. To celebrate 150 years of IWC, the brand has dug deep into its archives to honour Pallweber with a wrist watch version of one of his greatest designs. Its unusual complication - a double jumping display that shows both the hours and minutes digitally - is one of the most striking watches to be released this year. iwc.com
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox
The Polaris Memovox, first released 50 years ago, started life as a clever solution to a tricky problem: how do you alert divers it’s time to resurface without the need for them to stare at their watch? The answer was an alarm function – and a nautical icon was born. This tribute model lovingly pays homage to the original, including the addition of a modernised version of the alarm movement. jaeger-lecoultre.com
Omega Seamaster 1948 Small Seconds
Seventy years ago, one of the most iconic watch models came into being – the Seamaster. To celebrate this landmark, Omega has released two models directly inspired by the very first designs. But this is old school blended with the new school, so inside the utilitarian case you’ll find one of the best automatic movements on the market right now in the shape of the Master Chronometer-certified Caliber 8804. omegawatches.com
Tissot Heritage Petite Seconde
We’re going back to 1943 for Tissot’s latest addition to its aptly named Heritage collection. The Petite Seconde is a dressy take on an old-school design and features tonnes of pleasing details like the silver dial with vertically brushed finish, delicate leaf-shaped hands and the fine Arabic numerals. Stamped with Tissot’s old logo, this is a watch that feels right at home in the brand’s new line up - and shows what happens when a brand pitches a vintage-inspired watch just right. tissotwatches.com
Vacheron Constantin FiftySix Self-Winding
The FiftySix, inspired by the Vacheron Constantin’s reference 6073 design from 1956, is a new collection which sees the watchmaker offer its timepieces in steel for the first time. That means a more accessible price tag for watches like the FiftySix Self-Winding – a watch that features Vacheron’s usual attention to detail and a new automatic self-winding movement. vacheron-constantin.com
Which watch do you believe should win the Heritage Award?
To vote on other categories, visit the Watch Awards Homepage
