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What makes a stealth timepiece
Jun 11, 2020,08:18 AM
Stealth is about evading detection. There are many ways to which this is achieved:
- Camouflage
- Small size
- Thinness
- Being signature-less
- Does not have an easily found price-tag
- Being from a brand people perceive as being "cheap"
- Looking old and crappy
On my journey, I have encountered a few pieces which brought to mind the definition of the word. Here are my top 5 picks:
1. Citizen Chronomaster
Photo credits: Gear Patrol
This is one piece which can escape detection even from your wife. They would just think it is just a regular quartz piece. You could tell them it costs $300 and they would believe you.
Price: USD$3-4k
2. H Moser & Cie Swiss Alp Watch
This watch employs deception, much like a shape-shifting octopus mimicking a poisonous fish, or a Leaf Insect which looks like a leaf.
Price: USD $27,000 (limited series)
3. FP Journe Octa S in blackened titanium
Photo credits: The Key Stone
This watch employs thinness, being of a matt black tone, and an obscure brand to non-WIS. Who would even expect the price? I did not include the chronometre bleu because the novel material tantalum and it's vibrant blue dial is too eye-catching even if it is thin and small.
Price: USD$34,000 (back in 2014)
4. Patek Philippe Calatrava 5522A
Photo credits: Hodinkee
This Patek employs deception too, from being similar to the sea of pilots watches out there. From afar, I would have easily mistaken this for a Hamilton or Laco pilot. It is made in stainless steel. Who would have expected a Patek to disguise itself as a pilot's watch?
Price: USD22,000 (back in 2017, limited edition of 600 pieces). At the moment, trading at USD75,000.
5. JLC Dirty Dozen Pieces
Photo Credits: Art Kameletdin at Timekeepers Club
This piece definitely looks old, so old that people would probably think the wearer is a WWI/II enthusiast or got it from a junk store in Vietnam. The only give-away is the brand on the dial.
Price: USD8000 upwards, depending on condition