This limited-edition JeanRichard 2TimeZones Zirconium (ref. 68130-33-11C-AA6D) is one of the coolest-looking cushion-shaped GMT watches on the market. Successfully combining its massive body and crowns with generously proportioned elements of the dial, the timepiece is not only elegant enough for you to wear it with a formal dress but is also easy to read thanks to its wide hands and a finely executed second time-zone aperture with jumping hours.
Previously available in much larger cases, the 2009 Panerai Radiomir PAM 336 has become both smaller and thinner. At just 42 millimeters in diameter (well, actually in width since the gadget sports the brand's traditional cushion-shaped body) and just 12.5 millimeters high, the new timekeeper doesn't look like an expensive metal hamburger stuck to your wrist. Instead, you get a jewelry item that, while still being massive, is at the same time elegant and even refined, in a restrained, masculine way. Thank the in-house P.999 caliber for that!
The 2009 Gerald Genta Octo Tourbillon Sunray (ref. OTR.Y.20.925.CN.BD) brings you an unusually styled yellow gold case combined with a complicated automatic caliber featuring a finely executed tourbillon escapement. Of course, the most interesting part of this watch is neither its brutal body nor the mechanism (although the tourbillon does look like a real piece of art), it is the dial with its two squares (one for hours and the other for minutes) and an octagon that gets the lion's share of attention here. Looking like an ancient puzzle box, the part makes a strong, almost (vaguely) frightening impression when the first time you see it.
The Ulysse Nardin Monaco YS Maxi Marine offers you a cool combination of DLC treated stainless steel, black ceramic and, of course, 18-karat rose gold. As usual, the manufacturer did not limit the alloy to only some elements of its grim dial: it also decorates its trademark bezel with the usual "waves" pattern and the number plaque at 9 o'clock on a side of the body. And, thanks to its official water resistance rating of 200 meters (20 bars), you can use it for some serious diving!
While doing my research on another great affordable timepiece from this manufacturer, the M108 automatic model, I came across this beautiful Marvin M109.54.43.64 with a trendy open-heart design. While I still plan to write a small review of the M108, I just can't help to stop for a moment or two and make a piece regarding this affordable, yet expensive-looking model.
The Glycine Combat 6 (Ref. 3890.19AT-LB9) comes in a mid-sized 43 mm case and, with its traditional layout, offers superb readability in any lighting scenario. Combine this with almost unrivaled reliability and robustness of the famous ETA 2824-2 Swiss-made movement (they prefer to list it as Caliber GL 224 in some of their ads) and an affordable price, and you get yourself an absolutely gorgeous "entry-level" pilot's (sort of) timekeeper for a person looking for his or her first "real" Swiss watch.
Black is the new black, you know, and the new Raymond Weil Nabucco Rivoluzione (ref. RW-7810-BSF-05207) automatic chronograph is among the best ways to prove this.
If you have a body (or at least wrists) of heroic proportions and are not willing to pay thousands of dollars for ridiculously overpriced timepieces like, say, IWC Doppel-Chronograph Top Gun, then you may want to check out the vintage-styled Archimede Pilot XL , which is both ruggedly-classy and, priced well below the €500 mark, surprisingly affordable.
