Swiss watches insider tips

« Under the radar and yet right on trend »

The fascination of the watch world lies in its incredible diversity. In addition to shining stars like the Rolex Submariner or Omega Speedmaster, there are thousands of exciting models that are not in the limelight, but perform impressively from a technical and visual perspective. Today we present six of our favorite Swiss watch insider tips that will make your wrist stand out from the crowd and are highly trendy in expert circles.

Oris Aquis Date Upcycle

Recycling is an important step towards preserving nature, is very much in vogue and is used in countless products. Recently also in timepieces, as evidenced by the Oris Aquis Date as Upcycle Ref. 01 733 7766 4150 set: The 41.5-millimeter, 300-meter water-resistant diver’s watch features a dial made of recycled PET plastic, making each one unique and remarkably stand out from the crowd. Red, blue, green, yellow – the color variety of the gemstone-like surface knows no bounds. Elegant contrasts are created by the gray ceramic bezel, while the power of the Swiss watches is generated by the automatic movement 733 (base: SW200-1). With the special edition, which is also available in a smaller version (36.6 millimeters), Oris makes a statement for marine conservation and processes plastic from the ocean.

Longines Spirit Collection

Although Longines offers a fascinating history and luxurious quality standards at a relatively affordable price, the traditional brand from Saint-Imier often remains under the radar. Unjustly so, as the Longines Spirit collection unveiled in 2020 demonstrates: Launched in honor of historic explorers such as pilot Amelia Earhart or polar explorer Paul-Emile Victor, it combines timeless elegance with state-of-the-art, chronometer-certified mechanics. A prime example is the Longines Spirit Automatic 42mm (Ref. L3.820.4.93.0): Decorated with five stars on the dial, representing maximum high quality in the Longines world, it combines deep blue beauty with a stylishly implemented chronograph function.

Their power is provided by the automatic movement L688.4 with a full 60-hour power reserve, column wheel and robust silicon balance spring. On the back, the Swiss watch secret tips have a screwed case back, which reinforces the massive impression of the 16.5 millimeter high and 42 millimeter large stainless steel body. Perfect for anyone who appreciates masculine power.

Fortis Flieger F-39 Midnight Blue

One of the biggest watch insider tips in Switzerland is the Fortis brand. Those who love robust toolwatches with ingenious functionality and rich aviation history should set their sights on the Flieger collection, first launched in 1987. The Fortis Flieger in the F-39 Midnight Blue series (Ref. F4220011) in particular has captured our hearts: while the 39-millimeter slim stainless steel case with 200-meter water resistance and bidirectional 12-hour bezel provides superior functionality, the dial of the Swiss watch secret shines with two brand-specific features. Between 11 and 1 o’clock runs the orange “Synchroline”, designed for the exact synchronization of two pilot watches in formation flight.

Those who don’t regularly sit in the cockpit will derive greater benefit from the “Brixtrack”, the external minute scale with applied blocks of Superluminova X1, a special luminous material with blue afterglow. Readability: first class. The aesthetic highlight is the vivid blue hue with vertical brushing, which harmonizes excellently with the orange contrasts. Inside, we don’t find any insider tips, but a solid automatic movement UW-30 with 38 hours of power reserve.

MIDO Multifort Patrimony

Among architects, Mido’s Swiss watches are no insider tips, but for most other enthusiasts, the manufacturer is more unknown than Swatch Group sister Tissot and other brands that stand for top quality in the triple-digit price range. Those who prefer distinguished retro design with an individual touch should take a closer look at the Multifort Patrimony (Ref. M040.407.16.060.00). Not only the classic pulsometer scale of the 40-millimeter dresswatch, but also its filigree second hand, the typography of the Arabic numerals and the segmented dial with color gradient convey a piece of that charm we know from pocket watches of the 19th century. The strong curvature of the sapphire crystal also marks a visual highlight of the Patrimony. From a technical point of view, the Swiss timepieces could not have arrived more clearly in the present: a whopping 80 hours of power reserve characterize the automatic movement of this and many other insider tips in the Mido product portfolio. For lovers of the portable time stop, we recommend the chronograph versions of the Multifort Patrimony, with an elegant bicompax layout.

Zenith Chronomaster Original

If you’re looking for mechanical excellence but don’t want to sacrifice the five-figure sums of Breguet, Audemars Piguet and other high-end manufacturers, you’ll find countless Swiss watch insider tips in Zenith’s portfolio. Often overshadowed by Rolex, Breitling and Omega, the luxury brand shows the latter celebrity brands their limits when it comes to chronograph technology. Introducing: The Zenith Chronomaster Original (Ref. 03.3200.3600/21.M3200), whose dream diameter of 38 millimeters is home to a spectacular El Primero caliber with the typical high frequency of five hertz (36,000 vibrations per hour). Stopping time the fast way.

The dial design of this watch insider tips also marks a highlight of the Chronomaster Original: Where black and white provide an expressive play of contrasts, the three totalizers of the technical wonder can be read flawlessly. A design with character. Connoisseurs are aware of the impressive history of the El Primero caliber and pay their well-deserved respect to the Chronomaster, but the general horological community has the chronograph pioneer only sporadically on its radar amidst the Submariners, Speedmasters and Navitimers.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique

The same goes for the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, for example, in the Automatique Ref. 5015 12B30 NABA, which, while not a cheap diver’s watch, does incredible things in its price range and effortlessly outshines almost all its competitors. This starts with the dominant presence of the 45-millimeter behemoth, which is not for the faint of heart and, with its sapphire crystal bezel, provides a foretaste of the exorbitant attention to detail that the beefy manufacture piece brings to the wrist. Manual work instead of machine production is the motto to which the mechanics of the 300-meter water-resistant titanium behemoth are also subjected: the in-house caliber 1315 has been given a full 120 hours of power reserve.

Anyone who can wear the size of the Fifty Fathoms will enrich their collection with an all-rounder in a class of its own, for whom no challenge seems impossible. On the NATO bracelet, the Swiss Zeitanzeiger Geheimtipps trade in a bit of their intimidating presence for a casual, modest touch that suits the Super Diver first class. If you want to take your passion for divers to a new level with an investment of 10,000 to 15,000 euros, you’ve come to the right place.