By: David H.
Submitted: 2009-07-30 15:46:33 | Word Count: 605
People always refer to watches for time. But it has now exceeded its primary use of telling the time. They are also considered a collector’s item.
One characteristic of a classic wristwatch is that it is never forgotten. It will always be valuable long after its production have run its course. Users develop a deep attachment to it for a variety of reasons. Perhaps to them it represents something in the past that they like to remember or because its style and design attributes set it apart from others.
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In this sense a classic wristwatch does not only refer to the age of its creation but to its ability to express a distinctive character. This is either because of its unique and elegant design, functionality or employment of a state of art and innovative technology. There are always a few stretches in the watchmakers’ timeline that are highlighted to remind them when the timepieces were actually produced. The highlighted portion can be recent or it can date back ages ago, depending on its history.
Getting a reliable and accurate timepiece is no longer the main consideration when people buy them. A lot of modern and cheap wristwatches can do the job just as well. For them it is an investment, a conversation piece, a status symbol or a gift to a valued friend or mate. These vintage wristwatches go beyond the main purpose of telling the time.
Other people are attracted to classic wristwatches not for investment or sentimental reasons but because of the quality of make. They go for a very durable and multifunctional piece. Some manufacturers would celebrate important periods in their history by coming out with limited production of specially designed and crafted wristwatches. It often commemorates anniversaries of the company.
There are many classic wristwatch makers. The more popular ones include Omega, Patek Philippe and Cartier as well as Rolex, Movado, Carter, Hamilton, Longines and Elgin among others. These companies make classic watches for both men and women.
There are also classic sports watches made to withstand the rigors of the extensive physical activity of the owner as well as the special demands made onto it (by the sport). People who are into diving, track and field, racing, exploration and others expect their wristwatches to have these qualities.
One notable maker of classic sports watches is Rolex. This brand is trusted for more than a hundred years now. Their classic designs and durability exceeds their popularity, making their watches not only timeless but very expensive as well. This is why only the super rich can afford such time pieces.
Wristwatches that can be considered a classic because of the advanced technologies employed are the Rolex Explorer II and GMT Master II. The Rolex Explorer II, launched last 1971, is particularly helpful to people who explore the innards of caves, where in, there is no light for days and there is no way of telling whether it is day or night. The Explorer II uses a 24 hour hand and fixed bezel, featuring a 24 hour track which assists the explorer in determining whether it is PM or AM already.
On the other hand, the GMT Master II, which came out in 1983, is very useful to pilots who have to travel through several time zones. The GMT Master II features a 24 hour hand and a rotating bezel to show the time of two distinct time zones simultaneously.
Thus, Longines is a watch maker with a distinguished history in making elegant ladies classic wristwatches. Most of its models are of elegant quality and are already considered as very expensive and timeless classic watches like Rolex.
