A watch with a hefty price tag might be expensive for a number of reasons. It may contain precious materials, it might be limited edition or a come from a collaboration between the watchmaker and a trendy designer. Yet we think the most exciting watches are those made with special features applicable to real life adventures.
Fortis Mars 500 Chronograph
Believe it or not, this watch is actually worn over the space suit of Mars cosmonauts. Fortis partnered with ESA and the Russian Institute of Biomedical Problems to produce this remarkable timepiece. It was worn on the Mars500 mission which began in 2011. The 250 day trip is a fully simulated Martian environment on earth. Produced in striking black and orange, it’s water resistant to 200m (perfect for exploring Martian lakes) and has a 42mm titanium case. This beautiful piece retails for £2,890.
Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Commando
This watch is made from a material that is actually indestructible. Well, not quite. But it can take a hell of a lot of abuse. The boxy, retro looking design emphasises the matt quality of the tough looking body of the watch. The design is actually inspired by the design of aircraft instruments. It’s available in either Black Steel or Blue Ceramic finishes. It’s an automatic movement watch that’s water resistant up to 100 metres.
Planet Ocean
The Planet Ocean is legendary as James Bond’s timepiece of choice. It’s dive resistant up to a bone-crushing 600m and even has a nifty helium valve in case your evil nemesis traps you in a deep sea compartment. Just in case you don’t have an evil nemesis to outwit, this gorgeous watch will go nicely with all of your business and casual attire. It’s also endorsed by several celebrities, as well as being released in a special edition to tie in with the latest Bond movie Skyfall. You can pick up one of your own at http://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/.
Nite MX10 Watch
The idea that you have to push a separate button to see the backlit display is pretty retro. Not in a good way, but in an annoying way. The major plus point of this watch is that the surface of the watch is covered in little phosphorous bulbs. You don’t have to do a damn thing in dim lighting conditions. You can see the time, hooray! The marketing copy on the Nite website whispers that this watch is ‘issued to Special Forces’. Spooky.
Ok, so it’s unlikely that you’ll need any of these features, but we still think they’re pretty cool! These watches appeal to our fantasies of exciting other lives where we are astronauts, deep sea divers and special agents on secret missions. Having a cool watch on your wrist might just create that aura of mystery around you that you are looking for.
Jaimie Prince is a watch enthusiast from Croydon. She still hopes to qualify for a space programme one day.
