The watch world is often about superlatives – thinnest, biggest, smallest, most expensive, most complicated. It’s to be expected, after all, luxury watches have long symbolised opulence, craftsmanship and tradition. But many enthusiasts and collectors are looking for something different. They’re looking for a different kind of superlative – the perfect watch for daily wear, a timepiece that’s as comfortable in the office as it is on the beach. The ideal daily watch balances comfort, versatility and durability. It should signal your interest in horology, without forcing you to carry your life savings on your wrist.
We examine four contenders for the title. These models cater to seasoned collectors and first-time buyers, offering enduring design and practicality, as well as exceptional craftsmanship.
For versatility and value: Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra is a go-to choice for those seeking understated sophistication. With its 41mm case, distinctive teak-patterned dial, and 150-metre water resistance, it balances presence and comfort with ease. The Master Chronometer certification ensures precision and its anti-magnetic properties make it ideal for everyday challenges, from office electronics to outdoor adventures.
Whether paired with a tailored suit or casual weekend attire, the Aqua Terra’s versatility shines. It’s an all-rounder, blending technical excellence with subtle luxury – perfect for someone who wants refinement without ostentation. Starting at an accessible price point for a luxury watch, it’s a gateway into the world of high horology.
For bold innovation: Oris Big Crown ProPilot X Calibre 400
The Oris Big Crown ProPilot X isn’t for the faint-hearted. Its bold, industrial design, lightweight titanium case and open-worked dial create a contemporary aesthetic that sets it apart from the more traditional options on offer. Powered by the in-house Calibre 400 movement with a five-day power reserve, this timepiece is as practical as it is innovative.
With anti-magnetic properties, robust construction and a 10-year warranty, the Oris Big Crown Propilot X Calibre 400 is built for resilience. The striking timepiece appeals to adventurous spirits who value cutting-edge engineering and bold style over classic conformity. It’s certainly a daily watch that sparks conversation, ideal for anyone who fancies themselves a bit of an outdoorsman.
For heritage and design: Rolex GMT-Master II
Few watches are as instantly recognisable as the Rolex GMT-Master II. Affectionately nicknamed “Pepsi” due to its blue and red Cerachrom bezel, it has become a staple for those dressing for success. Originally designed as a tool for pilots, its dual-time functionality remains practical for global travellers. Crafted in a 40mm Oystersteel case, the GMT-Master II is as durable as it is elegant. The Jubilee bracelet ensures comfort for daily wear, while its robust design makes it suitable for everything from business meetings to being beachside.
However, the GMT’s scarcity adds an extra layer of allure. With demand far exceeding supply, owning one is as much a testament to patience and connections as it is to taste. For those lucky enough to secure one, it’s the epitome of a luxurious and versatile daily.
For understated luxury: Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167A
The Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167A is outside the realm of the daily price wise, but its sturdiness in the face of daily life is what gets this timepiece a spot in this list. While Patek is synonymous with haute horology, the Aquanaut’s sporty aesthetic ensures it remains modern and practical.
With features such as 120-metre water resistance, durable construction, and the automatic Calibre 324 S C movement, this timepiece blends form and function like few others. Exclusivity is both a strength and a challenge for the Aquanaut. Its premium price and limited availability position it as aspirational, but for those who can justify the investment, this piece offers bragging rights to those in the know.
The verdict
So what’s the final verdict? That’s completely up to you. In cities such as London, where subtlety often speaks louder than extravagance, timepieces from understated brands such as Omega excel by offering quiet confidence.
In vibrant – and safer – places, including Dubai, watches from brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe feel more at home, showcasing a more refined and expressive sense of the finer things in life. Ultimately, the best daily watch reflects the wearer’s personality and lifestyle. It’s a tool, a statement and a companion, elevating everyday moments.
For the discerning enthusiast, the real joy lies in finding that perfect balance – and in the world of horology, few rewards are greater than wearing a timepiece that feels as indispensable as the hours it keeps.
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
RESULT
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 0 Al Ain 6
Al Ain: Caio (5', 73'), El Shahat (10'), Berg (65'), Khalil (83'), Al Ahbabi (90' 2)
Mubalada World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule
Thursday December 27
Men's quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm
Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm
Women's exhibition
Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm
Friday December 28
5th place play-off 3pm
Men's semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm
Saturday December 29
3rd place play-off 5pm
Men's final 7pm
LAST-16 EUROPA LEAGUE FIXTURES
Wednesday (Kick-offs UAE)
FC Copenhagen (0) v Istanbul Basaksehir (1) 8.55pm
Shakhtar Donetsk (2) v Wolfsburg (1) 8.55pm
Inter Milan v Getafe (one leg only) 11pm
Manchester United (5) v LASK (0) 11pm
Thursday
Bayer Leverkusen (3) v Rangers (1) 8.55pm
Sevilla v Roma (one leg only) 8.55pm
FC Basel (3) v Eintracht Frankfurt (0) 11pm
Wolves (1) Olympiakos (1) 11pm
MATCH INFO
Schalke 0
Werder Bremen 1 (Bittencourt 32')
Man of the match Leonardo Bittencourt (Werder Bremen)
WHAT ARE NFTs?
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are tokens that represent ownership of unique items. They allow the tokenisation of things such as art, collectibles and even real estate.
An NFT can have only one official owner at one time. And since they're minted and secured on the Ethereum blockchain, no one can modify the record of ownership, not even copy-paste it into a new one.
This means NFTs are not interchangeable and cannot be exchanged with other items. In contrast, fungible items, such as fiat currencies, can be exchanged because their value defines them rather than their unique properties.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
MATCH INFO
Newcastle 2-2 Manchester City
Burnley 0-2 Crystal Palace
Chelsea 0-1 West Ham
Liverpool 2-1 Brighton
Tottenham 3-2 Bournemouth
Southampton v Watford (late)
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20Profile
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Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
SPECS
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday
AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)
Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)
Benevento v Parma (5pm)
Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)
Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)
Lazio v Spezia (5pm)
Napoli v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)
Torino v Juventus (8pm)
Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)