A watch can make for a thoughtful gift. Not only are they able to reflect the wearer's character and lifestyle, watches also tend to be durable enough to be passed down from one generation to another. It's perhaps not surprising then that watches are created as tributes to significant people whose spirit and achievements have stood the test of time.
IWC has released the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Jacques-Yves Cousteau (above; HK$49,000) to mark the 100th anniversary of the late oceanographer's birth. Its 44mm stainless-steel case is pressure-resistant to 12 bar and is equipped with a chunky rotating external bezel. The bezel's 4mm-wide sapphire glass ring has six coatings of luminescent Super-LumiNova, guaranteeing legibility, even during night dives. On the slate-coloured dial is Cousteau's signature and engraved on the back of the case are his portrait and the words 'A Tribute to J.Y. Cousteau 1910-2010'.
To celebrate what would have been Elvis Presley's 75th birthday, Hamilton has released two models of the shield-shaped Ventura watch (inquiries: 2510 5218) worn by 'the King' in the 1961 film, Blue Hawaii: the Ventura Elvis and the Ventura Elvis XXL - a replica of the 1950s model and an extra-large version, respectively.
Available with a silver stainless- steel or yellow-gold-coated finish, the Ventura Elvis (right) can be fitted with a metallic flex bracelet or a two-colour leather strap - in black with either gold or silver, to match the case. The black dial and the embossed dots that end all digit markings are reminiscent of 50s wall clocks.
The XXL version will be produced this year only. An angular crown is integrated into the gun-metal-coloured stainless-steel case, its tip indicating three o'clock. Details such as the red tip of the second hands and the red marking stretching from 12 to three o'clock make for a stylish timepiece.
Zenith's Christophe Colomb (left; HK$1.48 million) pays tribute to the 15th-century explorer. The silver dial is adorned with a barleycorn guilloche motif and features off-set hours and minutes at the 12 o'clock position, seconds at nine o'clock, a power-reserve display at three o'clock and a unique gyroscope at six o'clock. The gyroscope, enclosed in a protruding sapphire crystal 'dome', is inspired by the Cardan suspension system, which wasn't invented until after Columbus' death. It addresses a key issue Columbus faced by ensuring perfect horizontal positioning of the watch's regulating organ, independent of its wearer's movements. The 45mm-case comes in white or rose gold and is fitted with a black crocodile leather strap with silky calfskin lining and a case-matching, triple-folding clasp.