Hong_Kong_Tatler_September_2017

1976

STYLE |^ WATCHES

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

In 1972, Audemars Piguet introduced

a revolutionary Gérald Genta-designed

luxury sports watch in stainless steel with

an integrated bracelet that caused some

controversy. After much scrutiny at its launch,

the watch, which we now know as the Royal

Oak, enjoyed huge international success

and has become one of the most iconic

timepieces of all time.

Corum Feather Watch

The Feather Watch was introduced in 1970 with a

beautifully engraved rectangular case in yellow gold.

Corum paid tribute to the vintage piece in 2015 by

releasing three Feather Watches in 39mm round cases

with dials decorated with blue jay feathers, all of which

belong to the brand’s Heritage collection.

Chopard Happy Diamonds

The first Happy Diamonds watch was created in 1976 for

men and came with a cushion-shaped case and a black

dial to highlight the moving diamonds. Later iterations were

made with a round case, but when the model turned 40

last year, Chopard revisited its original case shape and

matched it with a mother-of-pearl dial.

1970

1972

2016

2015

2017

While the 1970s are not fondly remembered in Swiss watchmaking circles

because of the quartz crisis, when the industry virtually collapsed as quartz

technology challenged mechanical movements, the decade nonetheless

ushered in a number of memorable watch designs distinguished by daring case

shapes and the use of unconventional materials. Charlene Co highlights some

of the decade’s most iconic models that endure to this day

THAT SHOW

142 hong kong tatler. september 2017