Exploring Three Watches To Show Off Your Dark Side!
We all have a dark side. For some it’s present in the extreme, unapologetically upfront and true. Whilst for others, it’s more subtle, maybe even sublime, and yet rarely sees the light of day. Whatever your shade, you’ll be sure to find a bold timepiece to suit.
Breitling unmask masculinity with the Avenger Hurricane Military. For a military-inspired watch, Breitling have cleverly kept tradition at its core, and modernised it without compromise. With its all-black avant-garde case in Beitlight®, an exclusive high-tech material more than 3 times lighter than titanium and almost 6 times lighter than steel, you get a harder, more scratch-resistant exterior. The dial, also black, is bought to life by the 24-hour numerals present in stencil-form. Yellow-beige in colour, they add a vintage feel to the watch, highlighting the brand’s heritage in military aviation. Such raw and rigorous qualities are emitted throughout, from the non-slip grip of the pushers and crown, down to then highly resistant texture fibre of the khaki, rubber lined strap. The ultra-light and ultra-sturdy timepiece is powered by Manufacture Breitling Calibre B12, a self-winding chronograph movement, which is chronometer-certified by COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) for superior precision. Water resistant to 100 m with 70 hour power reserve, this dark Breitling is robust enough to be put through its paces.
If sleek sophistication resonates with you, then the Panerai LAB-ID Luminor 1950 Carbotech will surely allure. Taking technology to another level, the suave LAB-ID achieves its blackness by way of various carbon applications. The case, 49mm in diameter, is produced from a composite material based on carbon fibre, which Panarai refer to as Carbotech. Thin sheets of carbon fibres are compressed at a controlled temperature under high pressure with a polymer called PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone). It has a dense, uneven blackness which varies with the cut of the material, meaning no two pieces are alike. Taking carbon even further, we take a dive into the dial details. Covered with carbon nanotubes, which serve to absorb light, a whole new dimension of black is reached. So deep is the black, it beautifully contrasts with the blue coloured Super-LumiNova® hour markers and hands, ensuring excellent visibility and legibility. The inside of the watch runs just as smooth, with the materials engineered to allow for dry-lubricating properties; from the tantalum-based ceramic plates and bridges, to the DLC-coated silicon escape wheel. Technically advanced and contemporary in design, Panarai skilfully embed mystery to a seemingly simplistic watch.
Complete black-out is what you get with the Graff Eclipse Tourbillion. An elegant execution, the timepiece makes a confident statement on the wrist. The 43mm scratch-resistant titanium black DLC case weighing in at just 45 grams makes it light-wear for everyday use. Although extremely matte throughout, its features are delicately pronounced, almost hiding in plain sight, as can be seen with the textured dial, faceted bezel and hour markers, and diamond-topped crown. The movement is a tourbillon automatic with a peripheral rotor; its functions, hours and minutes. Teamed with an all-black alligator strap, this Graff watch proves its versatility and can be worn in a casual set-up, as well as with formal-wear. As the saying goes, “black goes with everything”.
