Signs of the times

Apart from jewelry, watches are the most popular heirloom pieces. They are cared for and stored with hopes of passing them on to the next generation; they are symbols of love and solidarity.

Uptown/Downtown gives you a peek at the most sought-after timepieces and asks Lucerne owner and Manila’s premier watch expert, Emerson Yao, to share a few tips.

Finding a timepiece that lasts

1. The history and reputation of the watch brand play a very important role in giving a watch its value.

2. A watch is a symbol of the wearer’s role in the community–whether a CEO, professional, sportsman, or enthusiast; a watch communicates a lifestyle, it is a statement of taste and power.

3. At present, only a few watch companies in Switzerland may be named "Manufacture," as these are companies which make 100 percent of the components needed in a watch. It is the brands that these companies produce that are most appealing to discriminating watch buyer. Brands like Patek Philippe, Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Zenith. Switzerland is still the leading "top-end" luxury watch-producing country. Although Germany has made big strides in the luxury watch sector, its volume remains small compared to that of the Swiss watch industry.

Environment also plays a big role in assembling small mechanical works of art. As each piece is hand-assembled, the tradition in which they are assembled remains unchanged from generation to generation.

Switzerland’s watch-making tradition dates back more than 200 years. Watch houses dating back several centuries created numerous patents and innovations. These achievements are something not easily copied by other watch-producing countries.

Current watch trends

What’s up with watches?

1. Watches are getting larger in size, both in diameter and thickness.

2. It is very sexy to see women wear men’s watches 36 to 40 mm. in diameter.

3. Complicated watches such as Chronographs are still very popular.

4. White metal (steel or white gold) is still the color of choice.

5. Sports watches fitted with black rubber straps are still hip.

6. Diamonds on steel and colored straps are still popular among ladies.

"A watch says much about a person’s personality," shares Yao. "At the end of the day, go for a timepiece that you feel expresses who you are. Yes, researching on the watch’s integrity and value is important. But just as important is the need to follow your instincts and your aesthetic sense. With these tips in mind, you can never go wrong!"