While not widely known by the general public, watches with complications are highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts of rare timepieces.
Accurate timekeeping. But that’s not all.
These watches are true works of art that stand out from traditional timepieces, which simply tell the time. There are many different complications, and the movement can be hand-wound, self-winding or quartz.
Thus, the information displayed on the dial may be of an astronomical nature, such as moon phases and tides, sunrise and sunset times, and lunar phases. It may also be practical, such as alarms, chimes and calendars. Alternatively, the complication may be purely technical, such as a tourbillon — a mechanism designed to enhance the watch’s accuracy by counteracting the effects of gravity.
The intended use of the watch is also a factor: diving watches are water-resistant, some chronographs can time multiple laps and certain models can display the time in different time zones.
The complexity of the mechanisms
These high-end models are special because of the complexity of their mechanisms. Watchmakers must be highly skilled, as there are many intricate details that make their design and assembly a painstaking process. Furthermore, like any high-precision mechanical object, these watches require special care and maintenance.
All the major luxury watch brands have timepieces with complications in their collections: These include Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, IWC and Breitling.
Some particularly complicated brands…
Some watchmakers specialise in complicated watches. These are particularly popular among enthusiasts of fine watchmaking. Examples include A. Lange & Söhne, MB&F, and Breguet.
However, the benchmark model remains the incredible ‘Aeternitas Mega 4’, which was crafted in Geneva by the watchmaker Franck Muller. With 36 complications, a record for a wristwatch, the Aeternitas is the epitome of fine watchmaking.
