Stainless steel sports watches have lately taken a backseat to more artistic expressions and elegant displays of timekeeping in the hearts and minds of many enthusiasts — and frankly, we’re 1000% behind the recent resurgence of appreciation for these long-ignored timepiece designs! Often executed with peculiar case shapes and precious metals, these timepieces were beautiful in every sense of the word — aesthetically and mechanically. One of the many overlooked brands whose back catalog runs rich with this ethos is Chaumet. Incepted in 1780, Chaumet has legitimate pedigree as a high-jeweler worthy of royalty, though it wasn’t until 1907, when Joseph Chaumet established a brick and mortar maision at 12 Vendôme - the very heart of Parisian style and luxury - that Chaumet began to receive wider appreciation. The brand is still headquartered there today. Though Chaumet's focus is more concentrated in jewelry, they have produced some stunning timepieces throughout their history. This example, a Reference 13A Date model dates to the 1990s and features a 36mm, 18K yellow gold case with a curved bezel, sapphire crystal and a solid gold crown. Its non-luminous white dial features printed, navy blue, quadrant indices, a tone-matching ‘railroad’ minute track, a date window at 3 o’clock and comes fitted with a blued steel obelisk handset. Framed by an exhibition sapphire caseback, this piece is powered by a self-winding movement that features a signed, yellow gold, winding rotor finished with Côtes de Genève. This piece is accompanied by a signed, black alligator leather strap with a signed, 18K gold pin buckle to complete what is indeed a graceful display of timekeeping. In fantastic condition throughout, this Chaumet is a simply fantastic design on the periphery of better-known Parisian houses and offers a compelling value proposition with elegant looks and legitimate history!
