The Best Watches of 2023, Patek Philippe, Jaeger LeCoultre, Longines, Universal Genève
As the year comes to an end, it is important to reflect. Think back to this time last year. It sometimes can feel like life is passing by so quickly and so consciously reflection can be healthy. Of course if you are reading this, you likely have enjoyed watches this year. Of course you have likely been around for some of the watches covered on Life on the Wrist. Here are some of our favourites from the year.
The pocket watch is an 18k yellow gold cased, 47mm in diameter time-only pocket watch. On the surface, the watch is fairly simple. It has hours, minutes, and seconds on the dial and is about 10mm thick. But looking a bit closer, you will instantly fall in love. The watch has a beautifully clean white dial that has a slight hue of patina to it. For hour markers, Patek Philippe applied the most beautiful Arabic numerals in gold with beautiful dots around the outside of the dial. It has a sub-second indicator at 6 o’clock that is slightly sunken into the dial. Even cooler is that leaf hands, which is something many collectors absolutely adore on Patek Philippe watches like the famous references 96, 565, 570, and 5196P.
Stainless steel watches from the 60’s are sometimes described as the perfect watch. During this time period, precious metal watches were really top of mind for most watch wearers. But many companies who produced exceptional quality watches also produced watches in steel. The watch dates to 1961 and is in great condition. The 33mm stainless steel case has sharp edges and very little signs of polishing. The white, cream dial is in great condition with gold applied hour markers that match the gold hours, minutes and seconds hands. The stainless steel caseback has a hand-engraved dedication “1961 D Tracey, Over 40 Years with C.S. Milne & Co Ltd.”. The inscription likely points to the sale and gifting of the watch in 1961 to D Tracey for 40 years of service with a company located in Deptford, South London, United Kingdom.
Complete with an interesting rectangular case, fancy lugs, and domed crystal, the reference 700 is a perfect representation of the quality Longines produced throughout its history. In a 10k gold filled case, the watch dates to 1954, is seemingly rare, and is in great condition. The 26mm watch shows little signs of polishing. The silver dial features a crossed-pattern, with gold hour markers, hands, and sub-seconds. The watch houses the work-horse 9LT movement, the upgraded version of the 9L movement and is finished to exquisite standards.
The competition to make the worlds thinnest automatic movement was fierce. Universal Genève was victorious with this model. The watch dates to 1965. The 18k solid gold case has been lightly polished, but the hallmark and serial number are still strong and visible. The dial is well preserved and shows sign of its age. The lugs are long and sharp. The watch houses the caliber 66 movement which was the thinnest automatic movement when created, equipped with a micro-rotor.
As we close up 2023, we wanted to wish our readers and viewers a happy New Year - here’s to what 2024 has in store for us all.
Enjoy!
