Panerai Radiomir PAM00995; Bulgari Divas’ Dream; Oris Big Crown Pointer Date

A diver steeped in history, vintage style and colour, and a dazzling Italian diva.

Panerai Radiomir PAM00995. Picture: Supplied

PANERAI RADIOMIR PAM00995

The oversized undersea watches of Panerai are famous, and rightfully so. The distinctive cushion-cased shape is one of the few watch designs that you can spot from across a crowded room (or even deck) and recognise. They’re also watches rich in history – originally designed as precision instruments for naval combat divers. This military history is present in all Panerai watches, but the evocation here is a little more literal on this Panerai Radiomir, with its matt green dial inspired by the de rigueur wardrobe choice of armed forces around the world. The dial is far from drab though, with warm-toned hours and markers, as well as gold-toned hands. The case is well sized, at 45mm, and fitted with the P.4000 calibre, which is the Italian brand’s thinnest automatic movement due to its space-saving micro-rotor. And as with its predecessors, swimming is something this watch is comfortable with, thanks to its 100m of water resistance – though you may want to swap out the lovely ‘Ponte Vecchio’ calf strap for the included canvas option. RRP $15,700

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ORIS BIG CROWN POINTER DATE

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date.

Red is never the safe choice. It’s the colour of passion, power and love — and

it stirs up strong emotions. And on the dial of this charming vintage-inspired Oris Big Crown Pointer Date, that emotion is probably some form of desire. It’s a rich, deep lacquer that manages to stand out in an old-world way. And if the dial isn’t enough to win you over, there’s the ‘pointer’-style date — much more elegant than the more common date window — and the chamois deerskin strap, which amplifies the vintage appeal.

RRP $2200

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BULGARI DIVAS’ DREAM

Bulfari Divas’ Dream.

The jewellery house of Bulgari is no stranger to divas — the Roman-born brand has been famous for draping its elegant creations over the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Ingrid Bergman and their modern equivalents for decades. The Divas’ Dream watch pays tribute to this strength and personality with its idiosyncratic fan-like design. This version, with a hard stone dial crafted from a sliver of vivid malachite, is appropriately melodramatic: vivid, shimmering and mercurial. The diamonds on the dial form a dazzling suggestion as to how to best spend your time, and in case you don’t get the message, a row of brilliant-cut diamonds around the bezel, and at the edge of the end links, leaves no room for misunderstanding. Despite its petite dimensions, this 33mm diva is sure to make its presence felt.

RRP $25,400