![Closing Time: We bid farewell to some of 2018’s most wonderful watches](https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Wonderful-watches-of-2018.jpg)
Closing Time: We bid farewell to some of 2018’s most wonderful watches
From extraordinary extraterrestrial-oriented timepieces to the very nattiest nautical designs, 2018 has been quite a year in the world of high-end horology. With the nights rolling in and with many of us gradually growing befuddled at the thought of the festivities to come, what better than to take a timely trot through the final push of wonderful watches that made the Year of the Dog quite so great?
![2018's final push of wonderful watches](http://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2018s-final-push-of-wonderful-watches.jpg)
With the worlds of marine exploration and fine watchmaking sharing a long and intertwined history, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the tail-end of 2018 saw several renowned chronograph creators once again opt for a maritime motif. Taking point in this timepiece tsunami, of course, was Omega with its updated and upsized (42mm) Seamaster Diver 300M seen as glad tidings for all.
![Omega's Seamaster Diver 300M](http://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Omegas-Seamaster-Diver-300M.jpg)
Coming with a Master Chronometer Calibre 8800 movement – one fashioned entirely from non-ferrous materials in a bid to insulate its precision mechanism from any adverse magnetic influences – as standard, it also features an enhanced helium escape valve design, ensuring that it will remain fully waterproof up to 50m down even should the valve open accidentally.
![Superocean Heritage II Chronograph 44 Outerknown by Breitling](http://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Superocean-Heritage-II-Chronograph-44-Outerknown-by-Breitling.jpg)
Holding steady on our oceanic overview, the next maritime masterpiece came courtesy of never-less-than-breathtaking Breitling, with the all-new Superocean Heritage II Chronograph 44 Outerknown marking the marque’s first collaboration with Outerknown, the California-based sustainable outerwear manufacturer. In addition to its durable, eco-friendly straps, this unashamedly athletic timepiece features a striking DLC-coated black steel case housing a Breitling Calibre 13 mechanical movement. A deep blue dial, complete with Super-Luminova-coated hour and minute hands and a shock-resistant uni-directional bezel, round out its distinctive devil-may-care dive-watch design.
![Tag Heuer's Aquaracer Carbon](http://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Tag-Heuers-Aquaracer-Carbon.jpg)
Never one to be outdone, Tag Heuer’s own oceanic offering is equal parts H2O and 007, with its superspy stylings targetted more at a leisure-minded lagoon liquid luncher than a five-fathoms-down hardy ocean-bed explorer. Despite its aesthetic aspect, the watch – the Aquaracer Carbon – is still guaranteed to be water-resistant to a depth of 300m. With its black PVD-covered titanium case, carbon fibre bezel, fetching ‘carbon effect’ fascia and black textile straps, this is a watch to flaunt rather than to float about with.
![Happy Fish by Chopard](http://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Happy-Fish-by-Chopard.jpg)
In a timely reminder that all things maritime are not a solely male preserve, Chopard, meanwhile, fetchingly fused the very finest attributes of high-end jewellery and haute horology to fashion the limited-edition Happy Fish. With its delightfully dippy designation, its Happy Diamonds twirl atop an elegant deep blue mother-of-pearl dial, bedecked with a coruscating coral fish motif, making this a very savourable slice of ladylike luxury.
![Patek Philippe's Twenty~4 Automatic](http://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Patek-Philippes-Twenty4-Automatic.jpg)
Another traditionally macho marque looking to pique the interest of the burgeoning number of women watch collectors is Patek Philippe, with the latest expression of its iconic Twenty~4 model – the all-new Twenty~4 Automatic – said to be the first-ever diamond-set steel model manufactured with the madame in mind. In another first, this classic 36mm timepiece comes fitted with a self-winding movement, a sweeping second hand and a dominant date aperture at 6 o’clock. With a staggering 208 Top Wesselton Pure diamonds gracing its bezel and lugs, this is one clear statement accessory.
![Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days by IWC](http://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Portofino-Hand-Wound-Eight-Days-by-IWC.jpg)
For the more manly collectors on the lookout for a classic design, the latest iteration of IWC’s Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days surely merits serious consideration. For this decidedly regal revamp, the signature Portofino look has been refreshed with a slate grey fascia, which pairs compellingly with the brand’s debuting grey-suede straps. Undoubtedly the biggest plus though is its 59210 calibre movement, which twinkles enticingly beneath the transparent sapphire crystal caseback even as it delivers pin-point precision for up to eight days.
![Parrot Minute Repeater pocket watch by Jaquet Droz](http://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Parrot-Minute-Repeater-pocket-watch-by-Jaquet-Droz.jpg)
For a truly vintage look, though, discerning wanters of wonderful watches should check out Jaquet Droz’s new Parrot Minute Repeater. Exquisitely crafted in commemoration of the watchmaker’s 280th anniversary, this one-of-a-kind adornment boasts the brand’s signature Bird Repeater automaton in the form of gloriously-bejewelled macaws perched on its cover, both of which chirp and chime while winding. Blending time-honoured horological artisanship, including enamel inlaying and exquisite gemwork, with cutting-edge precision engineering, this peerless package has a US$1 million price tag – irresistible, though, if you want to end the year in true style.
Text: Tenzing Thondup