There are two kinds of people: those who see watches as accessories, and those who deem watches as an investment.

It’s common knowledge that some popular watches can be much harder to procure than others – the Pepsi, the Root Beer, emblematic designs bearing Gerald Genta’s legacy and so on. Beyond the apparent, there is a kaleidoscope of brands waiting to be discovered, each with its own strengths and appeal. 

Though they may fly under the radar at times, especially when the utmost consideration is about value appreciation (that the buyer would rather keep their prized investment pristine in the safe than to tangibly enjoy the ownership by wearing it), there is no doubting that these brands are similarly well made. But if my recent research proved anything, it is that there were worthy contenders that would have ticked the “asset” column.  

So here is the first part of a long list of popular watches, from the ever-green sports models, to ultra-limited editions, to special commemorative or collaborative pieces, all bound by one commonality – sold out in Malaysia. Whether your intention is to invest or to luxuriate, pay attention to these brands and get your credit cards ready the next time something along the line pops up.  

Bovet

With all of its timepieces (the man who owns the maison forbids the use of the word “watches” to describe their handiwork) entirely handmade and an annual production count of only 800 pieces, it can only mean inherently each model is produced in a miniscule quantity. Thanks to this next-level exclusivity, Bovet timepieces can only be arranged for private viewing in Malaysia, conducted by a brand ambassadress. The new Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter Two Sunshine, of which there were 7 produced, is arrayed with a fully hand-engraved movement and an eye-catching yellow dome-shaped dial, hand-coated by in-house artisans. I hear on the grapevine that all pieces have been sold.

Find out from the brand ambassadress on what other phenomenal timepieces are available: ziling.lim@bovet.com.

Girard-Perregaux 

The Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges – Aston Martin Edition is a symbiosis of horology and motorsport. The first eventuality of their partnership announced early this year, the watch is a nod to Girard-Perregaux’s savoir-faire in high watchmaking, as evident in the complex yet beautiful skeletonised movement, and Aston Martin’s state-of-the-art, avant-garde design. No more than 18 pieces were produced and none is available for sale globally anymore.  

Find out what other Three Bridges are still available.

Hublot 

Limited to 200 pieces worldwide, the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black marks Hublot’s maiden collaboration with Japanese pop art extraordinaire Takashi Murakami. The watch is most notable for the rotating petals of the smiling flower – an iconic Murakami design – set with 456 black diamonds. Ludicrous rumours have it that the watch sold out globally faster than the petals could make a full rotation. Two other models no longer available locally are the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire 45mm and the Big Bang Sang Bleu II Ceramic.  

See what other watches Hublot has in store.

Omega 

When you think of Omega, the first thing that springs to mind likely is its contribution to space flights and moon landing. No surprise then that pieces celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission unveiled in 2019 have all found their buyers. But as we await James Bond to belatedly make his on-screen return in ‘No Time to Die’, the Diver 300m Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42mm James Bond Limited Edition Set (capped at 257 units globally) and the Diver 300m Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42mm James Bond Limited Edition sans the exquisite Globe-Trotter suitcase of the limited-edition set (limited to 7,007 pieces worldwide) reserved for Malaysia are such popular watches in demand, that they have all been snapped up. 

Find your perfect Omega companion.

Rado 

You don’t always have to look too far up the price list for a well-received watch. Case in point is the True Thinline Deep Web. A collaboration between Rado and award-winning Austrian fashion designer Flora Miranda, the watch redefines legibility and the mechanism of timekeeping. What you will soon learn is that two transparent discs decorated with a metallic-coloured cobweb overlap to create the illusion of the hour and minute hands. But there are of course no actual watch hands involved. A limited edition of 1,001 pieces, the allocation for Malaysia has all been seized.  

Find out what other collaborations Rado has embarked on.

TAG Heuer 

In honour of Jack Heuer, great-grandson of the brand’s founder, former TAG Heuer CEO and current honorary chairman, who turned 88 years old in 2020, the Carrera Chronograph Gold Jack Heuer’s Birthday edition is inspired by Jack’s favourite Heuer watch – the iconic vintage Heuer Carrera 1158CHN. Made of 18k rose gold, the watch is a nod to Jack’s preferred material. So much so that he would confer deserved racing drivers a watch in this precious material as a token of good luck. Limited to 188 pieces worldwide, it is no longer available at local retail outlets. 

Get acquainted with other TAG Heuer limited editions.

Ulysse Nardin 

The X has been a leitmotif of Ulysse Nardin for the past couple of years and judging by the availability – or a lack thereof – it has caught on with connoisseurs who are after dive watches with flair and out-of-the-box aesthetics. The Diver X Skeleton 44mm limited to 175 pieces worldwide is sold out. The quirky UFO table clock, an extravagant interpretation of the marine chronometer, too has seen all 75 units snapped up. As for the Blast Hourstriker 45mm, it is said that while you can still place an order, the earliest you can expect delivery is next year.  

Enquire about the Blast Hourstriker 45mm.

Casio

A nod to legendary martial artist Bruce Lee, the MRG-G2000BL model, part of Casio’s top-of-the-line MR-G family, commemorates what would have been Lee’s 80th birthday. The black and yellow of the case and band of this model are wholly inspired by the palette of Lee’s iconic track suit. On the dial, at 3 o’clock is Lee’s signature bearing his Chinese name, while the bezel and back cover are engraved with 12 Chinese characters referencing the main tenets of Jeet Kune Do: “Using no way as way. Having no limitation as limitation.” 300 pieces were available globally, while the units meant for Malaysia were sold out in the proverbial blink of an eye.  

Learn more about other limited MR-G editions here.

(Main and featured image: Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire 45mm; all other images courtesy of respective brands)

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia KL.