Business Class
by Jackie Rogers
The latest timepieces offer value and style.
REACTOR WATCH
Guys craving a rugged timepiece look to Reactor Watch Co. for performance sports watches that are stylish, durable and wearable from workweek to weekend. The Proton World Time features marine-grade stainless steel, Superluminova dial markings and hands. The World Time bezel can show local time in any time zone and, with a simple twist, even accounts for daylight-saving time. Shown in gun metal, $650 from Coffrin Jewelers.
ROLEX
Big watches are in, but let’s face it, they can overpower. Rolex, one of the most recognizable watches at a glance, offers a mid-size 31mm perfectly suited for a woman’s wrist. The Oyster Perpetual Datejust was designed to be precise, reliable, waterproof and functional with a timeless elegance that can be worn in any circumstance. $8,350 from The Diamond Vault.
OFFICINE PANERAI
Watch enthusiasts are drawn to Officine Panerai watches for their blend of Italian design and Swiss technology. Designed for the Royal Italian Navy in the early 1900s to withstand rigorous missions in deep-water conditions, this watch reflects the original, and limited editions drive a loyal following of collectors. Panerai Luminor Marina, limited edition $8,250 from The Diamond Vault.
SHINOLA
The Shinola Brakeman offers both classic style and a great American story. Headquartered in the former General Motors Argonite Building in the heart of Detroit, Shinola is breathing economic life into the city. Named for the steel-nerved locomotive brakemen of the early 1900s, this watch is hand-built using Swiss components for high-accuracy quartz movement. Shinola Brakeman, 46mm, $775 from Saks Fifth Avenue.
GUCCI
Women who prefer a nontraditional timepiece can look to Gucci for out-of-the-ordinary style and design. For more than 70 years, Gucci has incorporated natural bamboo into its designs; today, The Bamboo Collection timepiece is designed with inlaid natural bamboo around the bezel and Gucci’s signature horse bit motif to create a watch with quiet sophistication. 33mm stainless steel case, quartz Swiss movement, $1,090 from McCarver & Moser.
APPLE WATCH
Apple Watch provides a whole new way to interact with technology, all with a turn of the wrist. Among the many exciting features, three stand out: the talk-to-text function that is not only convenient, but also simple and accurate; the gentle wrist tap alerting you of an appointment or incoming call without the noise of a chime; and the activity tracker that monitors your every move and reports everything from your heart rate to calories burned. Durable, sleek and minimalist design, available in two sizes. 42mm Stainless Case with Milanese Loop, $699 from Apple.com.