Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, modern tastes in watches have changed as larger and larger case sizes for men and women have become increasingly popular.

Woman in particular have eschewed the past’s standard (26-29mm) and mini-watch sizes (23-25mm) and opted for weightier and more impressive-looking timepieces in the 34-36mm range. Meanwhile, men’s watches have crept upwards to 45mm and more. Today, women, in turn, are wearing traditionally “men’s” watches—classified as such because of their larger sizes—for an over-sized and on-trend look.

We rounded up five watches that were originally designed for men but look just as stylish and trendy when worn by a woman.

Rolex DateJust 
The elegantly timeless design of the Rolex DateJust resonates with male and female fans. Since its debut in 1945, the Rolex DateJust has been released in a wide variety of sizes, color, metal and stone combinations so any wearer can pseudo-customize it to suit their personal style. Rolex even offers the DateJust in a petite case size dubbed the, “Lady-DateJust 28.” However, women today are more likely to reach for the DateJust in a larger size like 34 or 36mm.

Cartier Tank Anglaise Large 
The Cartier Tank Watch has been a smashing success since its debut after World War II. And throughout the 1950s and 1960s, it accrued a fair number of male and female celebrity fans including Jackie O., Andy Warhol, and Grace Kelly.

Like the Rolex DateJust, the Cartier Tank has been re-released in a variety of updated sizes and materials and modified designs, including the Cartier Tank Anglaise Watch collection. The Cartier Tank Anglaise features three different sizes: small, medium, and large. And while the small size falls more in step with what have been classically defined as “women’s sizes,” women have opted for the over-sized look of the Cartier Tank Anglaise Large which beautifully showcases the iconic Cartier Tank watch face.

Omega DeVille 
The Omega brand is widely recognized as the pioneer of the diving watch. Since the Omega Seamaster’s debut in 1948, Omega has successfully remained a forerunner in diving watch technology. In turn, Omega’s designs cater foremost to the watch’s recreational use, resulting in designs with a sporty and robust feel. In 1967, Omega departed from their usual aesthetic with the debut of their dress watch, the DeVille. The Omega DeVille boasts a sophisticated look that is still durable and houses Omega’s advanced movement technology. And as modern style preferences have gravitated towards sleek and minimalist timepieces, the Omega DeVille is an attractive option for women and men alike. Omega offers the DeVille Prestige Ladies’ Collection which includes sizes that range from 24.4 mm up to 36.8mm. However, the Omega DeVille Gents Collection—in spite of its name—still appeals to women’s tastes, notably for its large and clean dials.

IWC Portuguese Chronograph 
IWC has largely distanced itself from its former tagline, “Engineered for Men.” Instead, the Swiss watchmaker has taken a more inclusionary approach and effectively blurred the lines between men’s and women’s styles and sizes. IWC has expanded their women’s collections from exclusively jewelry watches to updates on IWC’s traditionally masculine timepieces. That said, women are still reaching for the “men’s” versions of their favorite styles including the Portuguese Chronograph. The iconic IWC Portuguese Chronograph boasts a beautifully uncluttered face that echoes the brand’s original 1930s design.

Patek Philippe Calatrava 
The understated Calatrava watch is Patek Philippe’s signature model. Its unmistakable dial was inspired by the early 20th century Bauhaus design movement, a revolutionary approach to art and architecture in which form follows function. Today, Patek Philippe offers a collection of Calatrava watches for women which include ornate and diamond-encrusted cases and bezels. However, women are still drawn to the no-frills look of the original Patek Philippe Calatrava which are still largely marketed as men’s watches.

Featured Image by The Viva Luxury Blog

Breitling watches are of an elite class, best known for their superior technical details and craftsmanship—and watches of this caliber carry a hefty price tag. But, if you’re looking to expand your watch collection with a Breitling, there are a handful of affordable models for every level of collector.

1. Breitling Colt Automatic
The rugged and large Breitling Colt debuted in the 1980s and was originally intended for the armed forces but grew in popularity amongst civilians as well. It’s a no-frills design that still incorporates the trademark details that make a Breitling a Breitling: a stain-brushed unidirectional rotating bezel with four rider tabs. This wallet-friendly, quintessentially Breitling watch is an ideal starter watch for any new collector or a foundational watch for any seasoned collector.

2. Breitling Superocean II
The original Breitling Superocean debuted in 1957 and was a triumph for the Breitling brand: it was the aviation-minded brand’s first bold foray into the diving watch competitive market. Since then, Breitling has fine-tuned the Superocean’s original mechanics (it can now dive to depths of 1,500 meters) and refined its design for modern tastes. In 2015, Breitling introduced the revamped Superocean II. The updated design features an internal circle of 24-hour indexes, a thinner case, and that busy-but-legible dial that Breitling is so well-known for. The Breitling Superocean II is available in a wide variety of sizes and color combinations. The Superocean II is a great way to buy in to the heritage of the original Superocean without spending the same amount.

3. Breitling Superocean Heritage II
In step with the Breitling Superocean II, the Breitling Superocean Heritage II harkens back to the original Superocean of 1957. But the Superocean Heritage II more closely resembles the original and it takes a skilled eye to really pick out the differences at first glance: a more defined diamond-shaped minute hand, a steel partition in the head of the hour hand, and a ceramic ring around the minute track in lieu of the original steel one. This modernized watch is a smart way to invest in the vintage look and style of the Breitling Superocean, without having to invest big bucks in a true vintage Breitling.

4. Breitling Aerospace Evo
During the Quartz Crisis of the 1980s, when quartz movements largely replaced mechanical watches and caused industry-wide economic upheaval, Breitling managed to weather the downturn by using a quartz movement in their own watches, a sort of if-you-can’t-beat-‘em-join-‘em style move. In 1985, Breitling introduced the Aerospace Evo which became the de facto representative for Breitling’s SuperQuartz-powered timepieces which was 10 times more accurate than the standard quartz oscillator which, it is worth noting, was already near-perfect. The Aerospace Evo has a unique position in the history of the Breitling brand. For modern collectors, this watch features an economically-efficient movement, under the illustrious Breitling brand name.

5. Breitling Avenger II GMT
The 2013 Avenger II GMT is an incredibly practical watch. It features an easy-to-read 24-hour second time zone display, a bidirectional rotating bezel, and its ultra-sturdy case is water-resistant up to 300 meters. Even the crown boasts a non-slip grip. The durable Breitling Avenger II GMT is made to be worn, making it a great watch for collectors who want to enjoy their investment timepieces without having to worry about treating it with kid gloves.

Pearls are incredibly delicate. Many everyday products—from your hand lotion and perfume to your dish detergent—can dehydrate and discolor pearls, leaving you with a dull string of cracking pearls. To protect your strands of pearls, here are our six best tips to care, clean, and safely store your pearl jewelry.

Wear your pearl jewelry.
It may seem counter-intuitive but wearing your pearl jewelry out and about is actually better for it than leaving it packed away in a jewelry box. When pearls are stored for a long period of time, it causes the pearls to dehydrate and become brittle and crack. Exposing your pearl jewelry to fresh air will keep them in better condition.

… But remove your jewelry before the shower.
Extreme temperatures, humidity and direct sunlight are quite harmful to pearls. Heat and sun will turn your lustrous pearls brown and cause them to dry out and crack. So remember to take out your pearl stud earrings before you jump in the shower, dive into the pool, lay out at the beach or unwind in the sauna.

Wipe down your pearl jewelry before storing it.
Moisturizers, cosmetics, hair spray and perfume and even perspiration can harm your pearl’s luster. Gently wipe down your pearl jewelry with a soft cloth before storing it every night. This will remove any potentially harmful material residue. Also, vinegar, fruit juices, and laundry detergents are particularly harmful to pearls. Should you accidentally splash some lemonade on your pearl ring, immediately wipe it down with a clean cloth.

Store your pearl jewelry separately.
Although pearls are resilient, they are prone to scratches, especially when they brush against much harder gemstones (think a diamond ring). To protect your pearl jewelry, store it in separate and preferably individual jewelry box compartments. And do not use plastic jewelry bags to store individual pieces. Plastic baggies emit a chemical that will deteriorate the surface of the pearl. Reach for silk or suede jewelry pouches instead.

Let the professionals clean your pearls.
Pearl cleaning is a delicate process. Never put your pearl jewelry in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. And, if you don’t have a pearl-safe cleaning agent, skip the at-home cleaning and DIY soaks. Bring your pearl jewelry to a professional jeweler who will carefully clean your necklace.

Restring your pearl necklace every year.
Pearl necklaces are typically strung with a silk thread. Silk is durable but everyday wear and especially any exposure to water will stretch and weaken the thread. To keep your necklace from breaking—and spilling pearl beads all over—have it professionally restrung every year.

Engagement ring shopping is a daunting task and, even if you have a vision or mental picture of your dream ring, it can be hard to exactly articulate it to a jeweler. To help you weed through the confusing terminology and zero in on the exact style ring you’d like, we organized a comprehensive guide to engagement ring styles and settings. We also included the most popular styles by your favorite luxury designer brands including Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston and Cartier.

Click the image below enlarge the full (and printer-friendly) guide.

From bezel to tourbillon, the key timepiece definitions you need to know…

Automatic Movement: A type of mechanical watch movement that does not require manual winding. Instead, the rotor (or part of the automatic mechanism) is pulled by gravity which effectively winds the mainspring with every movement of your hand. This is also called a self-winding movement.

Automatic Watch: A watch with a mainspring that is wound by every movement of your hand throughout the day. This type of movement is also referred to as an automatic or self-winding movement.

Bezel: The outer ring that surrounds the watch face.

Caliber: The number and letter assigned to a watch model type.

Case: The outer covering of metal that encloses the inner-workings of the watch.

Caseback: The underside of the watch case that rests on your wrist.

Chronograph: A specific type of stopwatch with a sweeping second hand that can start, stop and reset with a push of the stem. Modern watches with this feature are frequently called chronographs themselves.

Chronometer: A special designation for a precision watch that has met the rigorous accuracy standards at varying temperatures and positions set by an official institute in Switzerland.

Complication: A watch with additional non-timekeeping functions. Examples of complications include a chronograph, tourbillon, perpetual calendar.

Crown: The knob on the outside watch case that is used to set the time and date. For mechanical watches, the crown is also used to wind the watch’s mainspring. The crown may also be referred to as the stem, pin, winder or winding stem.

Dial: The watch face that displays the time. A dial can also be simply called the face.

Flyback Hand: The second hand of the chronograph that can be used to time laps or multiple competitors in a race. This flyback complication allows you to reset the time on the stopwatch without having to stop the chronograph.

Jewels: Synthetic rubies or sapphires that function as bearings inside a mechanical watch to reduce internal friction and wear and increase accuracy.

Key Set: An early style of watch that was set with a small key instead of a crown.

Mainspring: The power source of a mechanical watch made of a tightly coiled (usually steel) spring. A watch effectively stores its energy in the mainspring which slowly unwinds as the clock’s wheels turn.

Manual Wind: A watch that must be wound by hand (via the crown) every day.

Mechanical Movement: A watch movement that relies on a mainspring (and not a quartz crystal) as its power source. The mainspring can be wound by hand (manual wind) or with the wearer’s natural motion as in an automatic movement.

Moon-phase: A watch face window that displays the moon’s current phase in the sky.

Movement: The watch’s inner mechanics that collectively keep time. Two main classifications of movements are mechanical and quartz.

Perpetual Calendar: A calendar display that accounts for months with varying lengths and the leap year.

Power Reserve: The amount of energy the watch has cached until it stops running.

Power Reserve Indicator: A small gauge on the dial that measures how much longer the watch can run before needing to be wound again.

Quartz Crystal: A synthetic piece of quartz that steadily oscillates at a rate of 32.768 times per second and is used within quartz movements to power the watch.

Quartz Movement: A watch movement that uses a battery and tiny piece of synthetic quartz crystal in lieu of a mainspring. When an electric current passes through quartz, the crystal oscillates with near-perfect frequency and becomes the ideal constant to measure time against.

Rotating Bezel: A bezel (or the outer ring that surrounds the watch face) that spins to perform different functions like measuring elapsed time or calculating distance and speed.

Rotor: A flat, semi-circular piece of metal, attached to a winding mechanism, inside an automatic watch that winds the mainspring as the wearer moves throughout the day.

Screw-Lock Crown: A special crown that fully screws into the watch case to make the watch water-tight.

Skeleton Case: Also called a skeleton watch, this is a watch with a transparent case (either the front or back) to showcase the watch’s movement.

Subdial or Subsidiary Dial: Refers to the small dials on the watch face that can serve a variety of purposes including keeping track of seconds, elapsed time, moon phases or, as on calendar watches, the month, date or day of the week.

Tourbillon: Depending on the position of a watch, gravity can accelerate or slow the rotation of the watch’s wheel and alter its accuracy. The highly complicated tourbillon is a mechanical watch device designed to nullify gravity’s effects by mounting the escapement (or time-keeping element like a pendulum) and balance wheel in a rotating cage.

Winding: The operation by which the mainspring of a watch is tightened. A watch can be wound manually by turning the crown or, in the case of automatic watches, via a rotor which swings as the wearer’s arm moves throughout the day.

Maybe it’s your first clunker of a car, your first apartment or that first hard earned paycheck, many of us hold a warm nostalgia for those personal landmark firsts. For TrueFacet founder Tirath Kamdar and A Blog to Watch editor Ariel Adams, their most significant “first”? Their first watches.

“There are a lot of people who will resell their watches, but they will never resell the first watch they got. It is a very emotional experience to buy and sell watches,” explains Kamdar. Avid and recreational collectors alike oftentimes feel that initial purchase is inextricably tied to a greater story—be it their own journey or a brand’s historic legacy. “It’s amazing that [a] brand is still able to offer this type of emotional experience, even before you buy the watch. So you have a certain sense of sentimentality prior to you ever even putting it on your wrist,” adds Adams.

Like many other collectors, Kamdar’s interest in timepieces began when he was 22 years old with a Movado watch he bought for himself to mark his one-year anniversary working in the banking industry. The black and rectangular-faced Movado was a commemorative and conversation piece for Kamdar and, although Kamdar has since made a business of re-selling and trading up watches, he admits, “I still have [that first watch] at home somewhere in Chicago, sitting in a box.” Fast forward through years of working in marketing and delving deeper into watch history, Kamdar founded TrueFacet in 2014 to share his passion and help enable more potential watch collectors find authentic and affordable timepieces.

Meanwhile, Adams’s journey to watch-aficionado status had a very unassuming origin. “I had Casio watches up until I was 18 years old and then I bought a Citizen watch. [… But] the first Swiss mechanical watch I ever bought was from a very small German company called Marcello C.,” says Adams. “I had to go out and I had to discover this brand.” Jump cut to Adams logging countless hours researching watches, learning the ins and outs of their mechanics and styles, and ultimately launching one of the most-read watch blogs, A Blog to Watch.

Today Kamdar and Adams remain avid watch collectors and were brought together through this shared passion. Check out the video below for a candid conversation between these two friends and watch enthusiasts as they reminisce about some of their all-time favorite timepieces and share how their passion for fine watches has evolved.

If you’re new to collecting watches, consider this your cheat sheet to jumpstart a respectable collection. And veteran watch collectors can take a little trip down Memory Lane to their first watch styles—and double-check they have all their bases covered today.

The 5 Watches Every Collector Must Own
1. The Required Chronograph
Baseline collections need a chronograph. The two most desired chronographs are the Omega Speedmaster Chronograph 3510 and a Rolex Daytona 116520. Which you choose may come down to budget, but you cannot go wrong with adding either to your collection’s foundation.

2. The Everyday Rolex
Of course it’s not enough to simply own a bunch of fine watches, you actually want to wear them in public. To that end, a stainless steel Rolex Submariner, GMT or DateJust is a must-have. Fondly referred to as “beaters,” they are sleek but durable enough to take a hit, scratch, or nick every now and then.

3. The Elegant Evening Watch
Even if you prefer metal bracelets, you need a nice black or brown leather strap watch. These are the kinds of watches you’d wear to a formal event like a posh wedding, a swanky cocktail party, or a fancy fundraiser. Our most-loved styles for these spiffy watches are the Cartier Santos XL, IWC Portuguese and the Panerai Luminor.

4. The Conversation Piece
This is the watch you can gush over and even non-watch devotees’ interest will be piqued. This watch should hold a personal value to you: maybe it connects you to a value system (like the American-made Shinola watches); is affiliated with a specific sport you play or love (like Tag Heuer’s Formula One watches), or was worn by one of your personal heroes, as is the case of TrueFacet’s founder Tirath Kamdar and his Omega Seamaster 300 Spectre watch which pays homage to James Bond. Regardless, it’s a watch that you introduce as, “Oh this old thing? Well, actually, now that you ask, it’s really cool because…”

5. The Dream Watch
Consider this watch to be your White Whale, the rare and perhaps out of reach watch that you always have your eye on. Rather than remaining content with your amassed collection, keeping tabs on your own dream watch will motivate you to remain an active part of the watch collecting community: staying sharp on the latest releases, keeping tabs on auctions and networking with fellow watch lovers. Our dream watch? The Patek Nautilus 5711 with a blue dial. It’s considered by most to be the Holy Grail of watches.

Want extra help building your watch collection? On the hunt for the must-have addition? Our personalized and complimentary concierge can help you track down exactly what you’re looking for. Contact a representative here.

In the early 20th century, Van Cleef & Arpels stunned the world with their perfected gem-setting method: The Mystery Setting

The Mystery Setting is a laborious and mystifying jewelry technique that gives the allusion that colorful and brilliant gems (like rubies and sapphires) are suspended in an ornate shape, free of any prongs or visible settings. While other brands like Cartier have patented similar settings, Van Cleef & Arpels firmly remains the leading master, employing it more extensively than any other brand.

Read on as we delve into how this stunning (and perhaps confounding) setting works…

The Origins of the Mystery Setting
In December 1933, Van Cleef & Arpels were granted the French patent for their Serti Mysterieux or Mystery Setting. This revolutionary and mind-bending setting was originally used to decorate miniaudieres, or small evening clutches.

The Mystery Set was however limited to only flat surfaces until May 1938 when Van Cleef & Arpels patented a new technique which allowed for the invisible setting to curve and twist into three-dimensional pieces of art.

How the Mystery Setting Works
The elaborate faceting technique does not rely upon traditional prongs to hold the stone. Each faceted stone is meticulously set on nearly imperceptible gold rails that are less than two-tenths of a millimeter (0.2mm) thick. (To compare, that is about the same thickness as two pieces of printer paper.) The result is a breath-taking, uninterrupted cascade of gems that appear to be entirely free-standing. These seemingly floating gems beautifully mask the elaborate framework of rails beneath them.

Any Van Cleef & Arpels piece that employs the Mystery Set takes no less than 300 hours to produce. Because of this painstaking labor, only a handful of these exquisite pieces are produced each year.

Van Cleef & Arpels’ Mystery Setting at Auction
In November 2013, a Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond “Magnolia Brooch” went onto the Christie’s auction block. The sweet flower blossom brooch features a detachable diamond stem and leaves. The winning bid for the piece was a staggering $371,280 USD.