2013 Watch Favorites: JLC, Ulysse Nardin, Tudor

amanico · 2013-12-11T23:48:02Z

Explore amanico's top watch picks from 2013, featuring JLC, Ulysse Nardin, and Tudor. Discover community insights on breakthrough watches and independent masterpieces.

amanico

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

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Amanico's 2013 year-end review offers a fascinating look back at the luxury watch landscape, highlighting personal favorites and unexpected gems from SIHH and Baselworld. His reflections provide valuable context for understanding the trends and standout pieces that defined the year for discerning collectors.

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Was 2013 a good millesime? Some have raised this question, all along the year.

I must say that 2013 let me perplex.

Lange and Sohne, for example, let me a bit cold.

The Rattrapante, well, didn't impress me, as well as the Grande Complication.

Vacheron did offer more novelties for Ladies ( and why not, after all ) than for Men, with a Patrimony which received a new grey dial...

Panerai? Well, not a unforgettable year...

At the SIHH, the Watches which pleased me a lot were unveiled by JLC....

Especially two of them, the MUT 39 Jubilé, with a breathtaking case.

An example of Elegance.

And the Duometre Unique Travel Time ( unveiled in Paris, a few weeks before the SIHH, though, but which belongs to the 2013 collection ) :

Simply the most sophisticated Travel Watch, and I will dedicate a comparative article on that one, to fully explain my point of view.

I had to wait the Basel Fair to find something else which truly moved me.

Not Patek, nor Breguet...

Ulysse Nardin, with some great offers, a second breath I was expecting and hoping for some years, now, and which finally came, in a strong way.

The Skeleton Tourbillon, blending hororlogy and scupltural Art:

And the Stranger, of course! A summit of Poetry.

If only they could remove this " cheap " date at 6 o' clock!

Tudor is another brand which slowly but surely, impresses me a lot, year after year.

This year saw the birth of the 7169 Re Edition, and a pretty convincing one, in my opinion:

Here are my winners of this year.

A year which provided me some nice surprises in the Vintage world but that is another story.

And you, what was 2013, for you?

What were your favourite, this year?

Best,

Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2013-12-11 23:49:29

Key Points from the Discussion

2013 was an excellent year with breakthrough watches like the Swatch Sistem51, Urwerk EMC, and GP Constant Escapement, alongside impressive pieces such as the 1815 Rattrapante PC and Cartier Mysterious Double Tourbillon.
The Kari Voutilainen project watch, a three-year endeavor from conception to delivery, was a significant highlight, demonstrating the appeal of bespoke independent watchmaking.
The Audemars Piguet Ceramic Diver was a must-have for its distinct finishes and robust ceramic construction, making it a desirable addition to a collection already featuring ceramic watches like the Panerai 317K.
Several 'vintage look' watches stood out, including the Zenith Montre d'Aeronef Type 20 GMT (despite its size), the Maurice Lacroix Pontos S diver (preferable without a date), and the Alpina 130 Heritage pilot chronograph.
Notable watches for their technology and wearability included the Zenith Stratos Fly Back (if smaller), the wearable Zenith Montre d'Aeronef Type 20, and the Omega Seamaster AquaTerra 15,000 Gauss for its anti-magnetic innovation.
Independent watchmakers like Romain Gauthier with the Logical One, Vianney Halter with the Deep Space, and Kari Voutilainen with the Vingt-8 R, along with the Zenith Christoph Columbus Fusee and Harry Winston Opus 13, represented significant horological achievements.

The Discussion

nilomis

Dec 12, 2013

I agree that 2013 was not a "wow!" years but ...

Here are the ones that attracted my attention (only watches that I could buy): 1) Zenith Stratos Fly Back (If it was 42mm it could be a killer): 2) The Zenith Montre d'Aeronef Type 20 (the small and wearable one) 3) The Omega Seamaster AquaTerra 15,000 Gauss (I love the technology on this one) 4) Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 60th anniversary - Bathyscaphe Cheers, Nilo

amanico

Dec 12, 2013

Thanks for sharing your selection of the year, my friend.

You are a true Zenith Moderator. ;) Best, Nicolas

nilomis

Dec 12, 2013

Not as much you are the JLC Prince ...

But even brand moderators slips from time to time ... I didn't knew that my, truly, IWC Inge 3239 was a 2013 watch. Here is mine: (Samsung Galaxy S4 picture, believe it or not. 100% processed by the S4) Cheers, Nilo

amanico

Dec 12, 2013

This shot is impressively clean and neat. Wow! [nt]

Horology75

Dec 12, 2013

Agreed!

The JLC UT Jubilee PT is one of my favorite for the 2013 however i think Arnold & Son did a fantastic job with the Ultra Thin tourbilion in palladium limited to 50 pcs and i still think Lange did a great job with the Ratra Perpetual 1815 & GP's Constant Escapement Force deserves a good thumbs up ! Ovi

amanico

Dec 12, 2013

Yes, GPcame with two important watches.

The manual Chronograph, and the Constant escapement. Yes, you are right. As for the Chrono, I am still looking for a no date model, in white metal... Though. Thanks for your input! Best, Nicolas.