5 Cool “Back to Work” Watches, To Make Office Life Easier

Beautiful beaches, barbecues, mojitos and sunshine… We don’t want to bring you down, but let’s face reality: summer is ending and very soon we’ll all be back at work. This doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the beauty of a watch anymore, however, it’s time to put your colourful dive watch back in the safe and to treat your wrist to something a bit classier. For this reason, we’ve selected 5 cool “Back to Work” watches that will complement your professional look and make you look serious. Let’s suit-up!

Frederique Constant Hybrid Manufacture

Truth told, connected watches are a thing. We know that many of you (and that includes us too) want to keep your watches as mechanical as possible, however, connected devices are all around us. Certainly, the Apple Watch isn’t such a bad option (after all, it is a great product… not a great watch though), but for those who want to avoid the “double-watch syndrome” – a mechanical one on the left wrist, a connected one on the right wrist – Frédérique Constant might have something for you: the Hybrid Manufacture. On one side, it is a true mechanical watch with an in-house movement. On the other side, it features a connected module paired with your smartphone. Admittedly, functionalities are still a bit limited for the moment, but it will evolve soon. The best of both worlds? We let you judge but Frédérique Constant certainly opened a door here, with something different and well-thought.

Quick facts: 42mm – stainless steel or rose gold-plated steel – in-house calibre FC-750 and In-house connected module – 42h power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds, date – 7-day battery for the connected module – leather strap with folding buckle – starting at EUR 3,250 – more details at frederiqueconstant.com.

Longines Master Collection Annual Calendar

If you want to: 1. look elegant 2. be discreet 3. have a watch complicated enough to impress at the coffee machine 4. don’t want to break your piggy bank, the Longines Master Collection Annual Calendar is certainly an option to consider. Certainly, the design is on the conservative side. However, it will easily pair with a casual chic attire or with a suit. It is the perfect business environment watch. On the other hand, it is also the most affordable annual calendar watch on the market currently, at under EUR 2,000 – and honestly, such a complication is already quite impressive and satisfying. Its month-date calendar will only require one adjustment a year, at the end of February (it does exactly the same as a 35k Patek Philippe). Not too bad, is it?

Quick facts: 40mm diameter – stainless steel – Longines L897 calibre (based on ETA A31.L81) – automatic – 64-hour power reserve – hours, minutes, central seconds and month-date annual calendar – alligator strap with folding safety clasp – EUR 1,960 (available in a few weeks) – More details on longines.com.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m

As we already mentioned, the Aqua Terra is one of the best examples of the “one-watch collection”. It does everything and it does it well. Facelifted in 2017, it is even better now than it was in the past. The case, discreet and sporty at the same time, with the signature lyre lugs, is now symmetrical and slightly smaller at 41mm. The dial has been redesigned with horizontal grooves for a more pronounced nautical theme. Finally, the movement is a Master Chronometer, Omega’s latest generation calibre, with all the recent technologies introduced by the brand. Worn on leather or steel, it is a watch for daily wear and, in most of the available colours, it will look classy and elegant, without being too serious. And with a starting price of just EUR 5,000, it is very competitive.

Quick facts: 41mm diameter – stainless steel – Calibre 8900, in-house – Master Chronometer METAS certification – automatic – co-axial escapement – 60h power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds, date – steel or leather or rubber – starting at EUR 5,000 – More details on omegawatches.com.

Rolex Datejust 41

Conservative, classic, iconic… Many things can be told about the Datejust, but whether you like it or not, one has to recognize that it is quite a serious watch. Not only the quality of the assembly/movement is just close to perfection but the design has been improved with the latest evolution. Slimmer, thinner, more elegant and refined, it goes back to right proportions and no more maxi case/dial. The 2017 model offers that extra class that was missing but doesn’t deny its sporty origins either. It is a definitive all-rounder. Apart from the new design, Rolex also equips the Datejust 41 with the new generation of movement, the 3235 – longer power reserve, better chronometry. Available in hundreds of versions, our favourite remains the classical blue dial/white gold fluted bezel on an Oyster bracelet (Jubilee also possible).

Quick facts: 41mm diameter – stainless steel – Calibre 3235 – automatic – 70h power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds and instantaneous date – Oyster steel bracelet – EUR 8,600 for this ref. 126334 – More details on rolex.com.

Seiko Presage Shippo Enamel SPB075

If you want to stand out from the crowd with a watch that combines great elegance with true Japenese handcrafts without having to sell one of your kidneys to pay the bill, you should definitely look at this Seiko Presage SPB075. This watch, already presented with opaline or white enamel dials, now comes close to perfection with a translucent blue enamel dial over a guilloché base. Usually the appanage of high-end Swiss watches, here it is featured on an (almost) affordable watch. Seiko obliges, the movement is manufactured in-house and the overall quality of the watch is impressive considering the price. This basic 3-hander has great presence and true originality. Also available with a power reserve and a date, under the reference SPB073.

Quick facts: 40mm diameter – stainless steel – handcrafted blue Shippo enamel dial – Calibre 6R15 – automatic – 50h power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds, date – blue crocodile strap with folding clasp – EUR 1,450 – limited edition 2,500 pieces – More details on www.seikowatches.com.