Face Value

But, in fact, it is a superb complicated watch that sits well on the wrist and screams class instead of carats. We asked Southampton-based Blancpain watchmaker James Avery what he thought made this timepiece exceptional.

•Dial

The opaline dial is minimal with subtle lettering and simple demarcations.

Price: £35,590

Unlike many chronographs, the hands are slim, without any luminous inserts, which gives it an austere, classic look. Somewhat reminiscent of heritage pocketwatches.

Caseback: The transparent window showcases exceptional craftsmanship and finishing. Every element of the movement, including parts the average user will never see, is worked on by hand.

At 42mm in diameter and 8mm in thickness, the watch is perfectly proportioned for most wrists. The model shown has a simple, quintessentially Blancpain case with that extra element of luxury in the red gold metal, a colour popular with Asian markets.

•Buttons

The watch houses a split-seconds flyback chronograph, a complicated movement in itself. But here, the pusher for the split-seconds function is integrated into the crown. This retains the horizontal symmetry of the case.

sidin.v@livemint.com

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