Overcoming adversity is one of the main ingredients that makes hip-hop such a highly popular genre. Many of the leading artists worked their way up from very modest beginnings, using their considerable talents to translate their struggles and experiences into music that inspires millions. They gave a voice to people who had none, and are a shining example that faith and hard work can make dreams come true. As they realized their own dreams, they also gained the ability to build impressive watch collections. Many of hip-hop's finest have shown that they have bold taste in watches, and combine this with a great understanding of quality and heritage, as the following four artists show:

Two or three hands that tell the time, sometimes with a date complication added to the mix; the majority of the watches produced these days follow this format. Nearly every brand has multiple models that follow this concept in their collection, which makes standing out, or even going a step further and making a mark on the industry, is challenging. The following four watches did, however, just that in 2019:

Gift-giving season is upon us and you know what’s better than unwrapping a luxury watch? Getting a coordinating pair of timepieces to share with your better half, of course! So if you agree that two is better than one, then read on for matching his and her watches to nail holiday shopping this year.

One can wonder if Patek Philippe would have known that when they launched their very first annual calendar in 1996 that it would have become such a popular complication. Today, its popularity even goes beyond Patek Philippe itself, as many other brands have developed watches that feature this complication. For Patek Philippe, it has become one of their signature complications, and many of the watches fitted with it, follow the classic dial design for calendar watches. There is however one exception, and that is reference 5235/50R.

Among all the trends threading through the luxury watch landscape today, there is one that is emerging as the most popular: stainless steel watches with blue dials. Even watch manufactures that have historically stayed away from this style are breaking from brand tradition and following suit. As day-to-day wardrobes get more casual and offices continue to embrace relaxed dress codes, it’s only natural that watch designs shadow the same sentiment by swapping out precious metals for hardier ones and opting for cooler colors. The vibe may be easy-going but the design, quality, and features of these four stainless steel luxury watches with blue dials are unmistakably top-tier.

Time flies when having fun, and this is most certainly the case as another year is coming close to an end. In the world of watches, 2019 was quite exciting. It was the year in which the stainless steel sports watch with Haute Horlogerie pedigree still ruled supreme, especially those with blue dials, and even welcomed some new members to the club, such as the A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus. The waiting list for some of these watches breaks records, but they are not the only stainless steel watches to do so, as just last weekend the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010, the only one ever to be made in steel, broke the record of most expensive wristwatch ever to be sold at auction when the hammer fell at CHF 31,000,000,-.

Records are there to be broken, but who would have thought that this would happen last weekend at Christies' in Geneva, Switzerland in such a spectacular way? There the biennial auction to support the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Only Watch, took place. It consisted out of 50 one-of-a-kind watches donated by the respective brands. The auction raised a very impressive CHF 38,593,000,- of which CHF 31,000,000,- was contributed by the sale of a single watch; the only stainless steel Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010.

Jean-Claude Biver is a man that needs no further introduction to even the most novice of watch collectors. In the more than 45 years of his life that he dedicated to the Swiss watch industry, he has played a vital role in the renaissance of mechanical watchmaking. Through knowledge, courage, and tenacity, he developed what seems to be a Midas touch and shaped the watchmaking landscape as we know it today.

Diamonds on a ladies' watch are not a necessity, but in most cases, they do add something special. Even when only a few are used, their fire and scintillation make such a watch, especially in certain light conditions, truly stand out. While some diamond set ladies watches take on the mantra, the more, the merrier, others are more restrained in their approach. Here are for of those watches that are truly fit for a dame

A display that tells the current phase of the moon is among one of the earliest complications that were added to a watch. In today's world, not many people have a particular need to know the exact phase of the moon, but in the past, it played a far more significant role in everyday life. While the importance of this complication has changed over the years, its appeal hasn't. Even on modern watches, a moon phase indicator is among one of the most popular complications, yet a vintage watch with this feature has an appeal of its own.

Becoming a 'gold standard' in the world of watches is something that only a few models will ever achieve. In a twist of irony have many of them accomplished this by being made not from this precious metal. However, that doesn't mean that even those don't look good in gold. Over the years have these four models proved their staying power and became the ones to which all the others are measured.

When it comes to watches, we tend to focus on the movement and its complications. While this is indeed often the reason why we buy a particular watch, a good bracelet, when it is of course fitted with one, can also have a substantial impact on how we enjoy it in day to day life. It should not only firmly yet comfortably secure the watch on our wrist, but it should also match its style. Designing and creating such a bracelet is not an easy task, yet these four brands nailed it.

Diamonds on men's watches; some people love them, others can't stand them. But even those who are counting themselves among the last category might be tempted to at least, adjust their opinion with the following four watches. They are either quite subtle or go all in, but all bring something very special to the table that makes them in one way or another too tempting to turn down.

Introduced at Baselworld 2019, the Patek Philippe 5172G takes over the previous ref. 5170 family as the company’s manual-wound chronograph model. And since the hand-wound chronograph sans other complications has become (after a lengthy absence between the late sixties and late nineties) one of Patek Philippe’s signature watches again, the ref. 5172G has some big shoes to fill. Let’s walk through the details.

Why do so many brands go all out and create watches that house several different complications into a single watch? Because they can and because we love it. While the research and development behind these watches often take long, and the production of them is as limited as it is complicated, their appeal is unmatched. They serve as a symbol of what can be achieved when you really want to, although that in what way they deliver this may differ as these four watches show.

It may be hard to believe, but we’re more than halfway through the year. From Moonwatches to automatic chronographs, 2019 is a big year for milestone anniversaries in the watch world. Yet, rather than reissues and commemorative timepieces, we looked back at the last six months to see what new luxury watch models and collections top timepiece brands have unveiled this year.