Sun, 22 Dec 2002

Wristwatches make timely gifts

Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

One's choice on wristwatch has always been based on a very personal taste. A gift of a watch is always poignant as well as a discerning decision.

Like women, who have a great love of jewelry, men consider wristwatch collection far from just a functional chronometer. In fact, a watch has gone perpetually along with the fashion mode.

To wrap up this year, several renown wristwatch makers have issued their latest men's watch collections which would be suitable as gifts for the loved ones.

Wristwatch has definitely fulfilled three main reasons as a gift as it has the function, the value and the style.

One of the world's oldest wristwatch makers TAG Heuer issued the array of Christmas collection classics (Monza, Carrera, Monaco and Targo Florio) and Christmas collection gold and jewelry (Alter Ego, Link Diamond, 2000 Exclusive Gold both for men and women, Monaco Gold and Monza Yellow Gold).

The glamorous look from the golds and diamonds still could not wipe away the sporty TAG Heuer's pattern in its Christmas collection gold and jewelry.

Straps (for Monza and Monaco series) were either from metal, gold or leathers with colors selection ranging from black, dark brown and dark blue.

The collections ultimately marked the 142nd years spirit of Edourard Heuer when he founded his workshop in Sant-Imier, a tiny village perched in Swiss. His ambition was a perfection in wristwatch making.

An inspired visionary, Heuer had guessed as early as 1860 that competitive sports would experience a spectacular boom in which watchmaking technology would inevitably be associated.

Another noted wristwatch maker Piaget presents two unique power-reserve models in limited pieces: The Protocole XL power- reserve type and the Upstream power-reserve.

The Protocole, which is only produced for 200 pieces, is claimed to be for virtuoso only as it was distinguished by the size of its case and the quality of its finishing touches; curved, cut-off angles, alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces.

The type was available in yellow or white gold with a satin- brushed dial in matching tones.

Protocole was also available in white gold with Polynesian mother-of-pearl dial and slate-gray crocodile strap or in yellow gold with white mother-of-pearl dial and brown crocodile leather strap.

Piaget broke its own tradition in the creation of the Upstream model, only a privileged circle of 300 would be able to wear this watch. For this model the watchmaker created a folding bezel which opened at noon and to ennoble steel which was fashioned like gold.

As it is unfolded, the bezel revealed the inscription "limited edition" along with the series number of the watch.

Other Upstream model is in pink gold with silvered dial and leather strap was available in an even more limited edition, only 100 pieces.

The limited editions, of any kind of products, would surely an ideal item for a gift for special ones. So make up your choice before it is too late.