India Luxury Market
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This wedding season, we bring you the hottest combos to scorch the ‘Mandap’. A quick look at our pick of best watches to gift men, grooms-to-be . Even better, we’ve done some very expensive mix and match for you!
The brand’s iconic presidential bracelet gets an overhaul with an ice blue dial in the new Day-Date 40. The chronometer, armed with a self-winding mechanical movement of 3255 calibre, has a power reserve of an impressive 70 hours. A smooth bezel in 950 platinum offsets the hue of the etched crosshatch motif on the dial. The hour marks are fashioned from 18-carat white gold. The semi-circular three-piece links, first created in 1956 for the bracelet of the Rolex blue dial watch Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, adds to the luminosity of the piece. The Cyclops lens over the date is a nod to the piece’s legacyit is the first model to indicate the day of the week spelt out. To do justice to this stunner, try the grey ensemble from Shantanu and Nikhil’s ‘Mahal’ collection. It’s refreshingly edgy and reminiscent of Arabesque glamour. Creating a contrast of textures, the folds of the grey kurta are offset by the fitted waistcoat. The unusual silhouette rendered in a muted shade of mauve blended with grey works for the strong, silent type.
Tag Heuer’s Carrera Calibre 18 is a ruggedly clever take on vintage charm. At a modest 39 mm, the chronograph has two anthracite counters—the most familiar feature on the dial. A silver sunray finish on the dial causes a sheen of silver that pales into a hint of gold depending on light available. A telemeter scale around the dial doubles as a snazzy rangefinder. Originally intended to measure one’s distance from enemy artillery, the chronograph can now be used to measure your distance from a thunderstorm. Feel free to bask in a glow of pride from owning a contraption of such value, while we demonstrate why it’s such a looker. It has a sapphire crystal glassbox, black gold hands on the counters and an angled date window at 6 o’clock. The black perforated leather strap adds to its understated elegance. To go with this formidable piece, get the floral look from Varun Bahl’s Aurum collection. Layering in the form of a shorter embellished kurta over a cream achkan creates an illusion of depth. The short kurta paired with a patiala pant is not regular groom fare, but the waistcoat elevates it to glam couture. Its crisp lines supplemented by pale embroidery makes it a good bet for the groom who wants to stand out from a crowd.
The Omega co-axial master chronometer 39 mm may be a mouthful to pronounce but is a joy to flaunt. With a movement of 8901 calibre, it is resolutely anti-magnetic and has some Sedna gold elements to boot. The simple design is accentuated by clean lines in true Globemaster series fashion. The fluted bezel and date counter complement the pie-pan shape of the dial, a feature taken from the original Omega Constellation watches. It offers automatic winding in both directions to reduce winding time. The alligator leather strap is a sporty accompaniment to an otherwise conventional timepiece. We recommend it on the day of mehendi or sangeet. It’s about the bride, but you can try and steal the show (unless she’s also in a statement Tarun Tahiliani piece). Slip into Tarun Tahiliani’s simple yet smart bundi with a fitted waistcoat. It’s got a classic feel with the kurta hitting just below the knees. The pale yellow waistcoat adds a touch of effortless glam. Pair it with bespoke jutis to bask in an aura of admiration.
The Hublot Classic Fusion Aeromoon spins on the logic of pure power, evidenced in a breathtakingly beautiful skeleton dial. The only Hublot watch to have a traditional moon-phase complication, it has a King Gold shellthe brand’s propietary alloy that it uses to maximum effect. A partially frosted sub-dial that obscures the moon’s passage appears at 6 o’clock. The self-winding Moonphase movement of HUB1131 calibre runs on 25 jewels to power the Hublot Rose gold watch. The faceted baton hands for hours, minutes and date are juxtaposed on the trendily skeletonised calendar display. The signature Hublot logo on the seconds hand is a deft touch of vanity. Alligator leather sewn onto rubber makes a hardy strap. Ruggedness begets more style in Sabyasachi’s soft, draped silhouettes. The designer’s inspiration for the line is consistent with Hublot’s Classic Fusion model. Premised on dark, dangerous and glamorous lifestyles of men who get an adrenaline rush from royal hunts, these are sinfully seductive outlines that do justice to the metal-edged male physique. The sombre colour palate is relieved by crimson and oxblooda contrast that works beautifully on your wedding day. To carry off the baroque lining on that shawl, you’d have to be seriously sexy and vice versa.
Royal Oak Self-Winding by Audemars Piguet is finesse personified. Steel and 18-carat rose gold is a combination that works well. Here it’s used to craft magnificence that fits snugly on your wrist at all of 41 mm. The silver-toned dial has a ‘Grande Tapisserie’ pattern set within an octagonal bezel. Pink gold applied hour-markers and a screw-locked crown add the finishing touches. With a total of 40 jewels and a movement of 3120 calibre, it packs a punch in its stainless steel case. The pink gold links on the stainless steel bracelet of AP dual tone watch, elevates it to a jewellery piece, rendered in gorgeously masculine detailing. To do justice to this beauty, opt for Sabyasachi’s forest-inspired piece. The fitted achkan has colour blocking on a miniature level creating a sumptuously brooding look. Churidar, by contrast, combines snatches of tan and copper to stand out against the green. The accompanying stole adds a layer of panache. Green isn’t a usual choice for your wedding day, but this outfit steals the show with Audemars Piguet Dual Tone watch that the groom can keep for a lifetime!
Shilpa is a world renowned journalist and an expert in decoding India and Asia’s luxury markets for global readers. Her original, in-depth reports and analysis are frequently featured in prestigious international titles across the UK, China, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and Oman.
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