A great universal truth is that everyone loves holidays, but no one likes to pack. Of course, generalising isn’t fair, we know, but we’re sure that a large majority of our readers find a big hassle in sorting, folding and organising clothes and accessories for a week away from home. If you’re about to head off for some carefree days on the slopes, fear not: we’re here to help! Here’s our selection of watches for the skiing week!
The choice was not easy for us either: we could have opted for a single timepiece, an ‘all-rounder’ that could be worn with serenity while skiing but would not disfigure at an elegant dinner party, but would we really be able to go a whole week without ever changing our watches? On the other hand, it would be exaggerated to carry too many watches, with the risk of being unable to use them all and perhaps wasting precious space in the suitcase. In short, with a little effort we have found an excellent balance, selecting 3 + 1 watches that will allow you (and your better half…) to never look out of place, whatever you do on your mountain holiday!
Richard Mille RM-010
Skiing is an elegant and flowing sport, fun and spectacular for those watching you hurtle nimbly down snowy slopes. But it is also a very physical activity, with not inconsiderable stress and where bumps and jolts are often not lacking. Briefly, if you want to wear a mechanical timepiece, you’d better make sure it really is shock-proof! Nothing better, then, than the sports watch par excellance, a Richard Mille RM-010, which combines a precious white gold case with one of the most refined movements conceived in recent years. And to give it that extra touch of colour, perhaps combined with a helmet or skis, we opted for a bright orange strap: your wrist will certainly not go unnoticed at the mountain hut or on the cable car!
AP Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
After a day’s skiing, who doesn’t love aprés ski? Whether it’s a lively party with music and bombardino on tap, or a relaxing hot chocolate with a slice of cake in the most famous café on the main street, it’s the right time to show off those leather boots and Tyrolean jacket you bought with enthusiasm in the city only to realise that in the centre of Milan they look just a little out of place. But don’t worry, you are now in the right spot, and you can even enhance the outfit with a watch to match! Since, fortunately, the ski resorts still remain happy oases where you can wear any watch with serenity, we suggest a piece de resistance: an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak perpetual calendar, in the rare reference 25829ST in steel, produced in less than 400 pieces!
Piaget “Rectangle à l’Ancienne”
In the mountains, the occasions for wearing a dinner jacket are more than you can imagine. Gala dinners, parties in hotel lounges, impromptu invitations to a friend’s house that impose a very strict dress code… better not to be caught unprepared: that’s why you should pack this beautiful Piaget 14101, the rare ‘Rectangle à l’Ancienne’! A shapely timepiece from the early 1970s, it was one of the first watches – and undoubtedly one of the most refined – to incorporate the ultra-precise Beta-21 calibre, the answer to Japanese quartz watches developed by a joint venture of Swiss maisons including Patek, Rolex and, indeed, Piaget!
Rolex Day-Date Oysterquartz
If you will be in the company of a better half this holiday, it would be selfish not to think about her tastes. Admittedly, all the watches in this selection are potentially unisex (and we suggest you pay particular attention to the Piaget, whose onyx dial seems to have an irresistible hold over the ladies…), but why not dedicate at least one space in the watch case to your companion? We then suggest one of the rarest and most fascinating Rolexes ever, a beautiful Day-Date Oysterquartz in yellow gold with a briar dial and diamonds on the bezel, dial and bracelet! The configuration of this ref. 19148 is potentially unique, making it the ideal piece to satisfy even the most discerning of tastes!
Unlike boots and a Tyrolean jacket, these watches can easily be worn anywhere and all year round. Even if holiday time is over for this year, why not add one to the collection, perhaps in view of the next skiing week?
Do not hesitate to contact us: we will be happy to show you a selection of our best pieces!
written by Alvise Mori