3 Watches For Your Consideration This Royal Ascot

It was Queen Anne who first saw the potential of a racecourse for Ascot, which in those days was known as East Cote. Whilst out riding she came across an area of open heath, not far from Windsor Castle, that looked an ideal place for “horses to gallop at full stretch.” The first race meeting ever held at Ascot occurred on Saturday, August 11, 1711. Her Majesty’s Plate, worth 100 guineas was the inaugural event, open to any horse, mare or gelding over the age of six. Each horse was required to carry a weight of 12st and seven runners took part. The contest bore little resemblance to racing seen at Ascot today which takes place between the 18th–22 June 2024. It is a formal affair, with men in morning suits and women in long dresses with beautiful headwear. Ultimately what this means is that we can’t mess around with our watch game. It has to meet the quintessential and much-debated “definitive dress watch criteria”. Which in simple terms means hours and minutes. Nothing else. The purest form of watchmaking.

Here are three models from three of the very best for your consideration: 

A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin 

First up, the Saxonia Thin from our German friends A. Lange & Söhne. Know for fine watchmaking, it’s a maker for the insider. The Saxonia Thin is the manufacture’s thinnest watch so far. It focuses on the essential functions of a mechanical timepiece: the display of hours and minutes. The reduced dial features long baton appliques in solid gold which emphasises the elegant personality of this two-hand watch. First presented in 2011, the watch is by now available in two case diameters of 37 or 39 millimetres (I would suggest go for the 37mm). Often with dials with little fuss / complexity they were bigger.  I would also go for the rose gold to add a touch of warmth. This model will slip under the cuff effortlessly. 

Chopard L.U.C QUATTRO SPIRIT 25

Next up is something from Chopard. In fact, something new from Chopard! A model launched just a few months ago and one that caught us all off guard. Now, Chopard has been flying as of late. Its 1860 collection of top notch finishing and haute horology offerings have been particularly exciting. This model is a 40mm white gold Jump Hour (you can see the hour in the window at 6 o’clock). It is limited to 100-pieces and has a black Grand Feu enamel dial hand-crafted by Chopard Manufacture's enamel artisan. The watch is a twist on a classic and may not appeal to all – but that’s design for you. As a final note, the watch also bares the prestigious Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark, which only makers like Vacheron Cosntantin can match. 

Breguet Classique 5177

And last but absolutely not least, a dress watch from Breguet. A name you will likely be familiar with. At 38mm this white gold, enamel dial model may not technically qualify if we take the rules of what a dress watch is to its very core. The model does have a central running seconds and a date at 3 o’clock. But I’m ok with that! It's so well integrated into the design, that this would look majestic with any well-cut suit. I have a particular soft spot for the painted Breguet numerals here… The definition of understated elegance. 

Three models, three makers – one day out. One thing is for sure – you simply can’t go wrong with these three.