If you were a child of the Sixties, or perhaps even the Seventies, then hearing the term Glam Rock would probably bring back memories of hazardously high platform shoes, over-the-top makeup (men and women) and unconventional hairstyles, championed by the likes of David Bowie and T.Rex. It was as much a fashion as it was a musical genre, mixing an abundance of unusual elements such as Hollywood glamour, cabaret, science fiction and androgyny. Add the suffix ‘swiss-made watches’ however and you’ll come up with a manufacturer popular with celebrities and the fashion elite due to its mostly unapologetically gaudy – but beautifully so – offerings.
There are a couple of elements that make Glam Rock watches stand out from the bling-tastic competition, not least the fact that they can only be obtained from the world’s most prominent watch, jewellery and department stores. Finely handcrafted accessories are comprised of specially selected materials and leathers; interchangeable case covers – such as diamond studded, tachymeter, metallic, and sunburst – that protect the stainless steel case, and replaceable straps of genuine alligator, lizard and python skins. One basic watch model can take on another persona just by switching the components, which themselves have descriptive titles. It is no wonder then that key markets have been established in the USA, Asia and Middle East, with more and more aspiring fashionistas wanting a piece of the innovation and charisma that Glam Rock provides.
Yellow Gold Stainless Steel
The Miami collection is as glitzy as it sounds, and perhaps the most eye-catching character in the crowd is the gleaming Yellow Gold Stainless Steel watch. At first glance it appears to be completely fashioned from solid gold, but you’ll soon notice the markings of the fine gold-coloured saffiano leather on the case cover and watch strap; a rough cross-hatch pattern helpfully deters scratches and scuffs and ensures long-life leather. The strap is also accentuated with a delicate daisy-like cut-out flower design that helps break up the sheer gilded glow of the overall piece. The dial, of course, is gold – gold mother of pearl, that is – and possesses a luxurious creaminess that frames three white sub-dials, crowned by a yellow-gold ‘12’. The remaining indices are christened with diamonds, with a date window at 4 o’ clock.
Stainless Steel Mirror
At the other end of the metallic scale is the Stainless Steel Mirror, boasting a more virginal look with the omission of leather on the case cover and surrounding elements. That’s not to say it doesn’t attract attention; the strap is high-shine patent mirror leather, and the case follows suit in polished stainless steel with four-screw detailing for added texture. Natural-coloured mother of pearl compliments the silver well, sitting gracefully within the dial that houses the three sub-dials and stainless steel ‘12’, along with 10 diamonds on the indices and the 4 o’clock date window.
Yellow Gold Stainless Steel Brown Woven Strap
The Yellow Stainless Steel Brown Woven Strap succeeds at being both contemporary and old-fashioned. The chocolate leather of the case cover and beautifully braided strap flatter the yellow gold case and surrounding adornments, and is partly reminiscent of luxury leather seating in a perennially upmarket bar adorned with gleaming gold fixtures. The leather here is nappa – made from kid, sheep or lamb skin – and is buttery-soft, aiding the mobility of the tightly woven strap. The dial is a glossy white enamel that advances from its brown leather encasement, and contains the three standard sub-dials with an understated ‘12’ and white diamond indices, this time with the date window placed between 4 and 5 o’clock.
