Although many would argue that we live in a digital age, there is no denying the appeal of flipping through the timeworn pages of your favorite book. The papery texture on your fingertips brings back memories of days gone by, evoking a cozy blanket and a soft armchair in which you can recline and transport yourself to another world.
Like physical books, luxury wrist watches have similarly stood the test of time. While there are plenty of other ways to tell time – glancing at your cell phone, the digital clock on your microwave, or your smart watch, to name a few – analog timepieces remain desirable. Why? They stand as a testament to the legacy and longevity of horology. They carry with them stories and memories for generations, just like a good book.
We’d make the case that those who love a great wrist watch probably also appreciate the allure of a tale as old as time. So today, let’s take a look at some of our generation’s greatest written works and some watches that evoke the same atmosphere of these memorable stories.
The Best Books (and the Best Watches) of the Century
Now, how does one possibly determine the best books of our time? We left the grunt work to the pros and looked toward The New York Times and their list of “The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century.” Let’s dive into some of the most incredible reads on the list. Find your favorite read, and you’ll discover a watch that you just might fall in love with, too!
If You Loved “Demon Copperhead,” You’ll Love the Patek Philippe Aquanaut
Demon Copperhead, a 2022 novel by Barbara Kingsolver, topped the Times’ list of readers’ picks for the best books of the 21st century – and it also made the newspaper’s top books list as chosen by critics, coming in at #61. Kingsolver reinvents Charles Dickens’ 1849 serial novel David Copperfield, transporting the action from Victorian England to modern-day Appalachia. In doing so, she not only revitalizes a classic but also reminds us that some stories ring true throughout the centuries, and age-old lessons never go out of style.
If you loved Demon Copperhead, consider a watch that similarly takes an old classic and makes it new again. Our top pick? The Patek Philippe Aquanaut, a watch that helped the Swiss brand reinvent what some might call its hallmark piece: the Nautilus. The original stainless steel dress watch premiered in the 1970s as a response to the “quartz crisis” (Japanese watch manufacturers were selling quartz watches at prices much more accessible to the average consumer and threatening the Swiss watch industry).
In 1997, the brand launched a follow-up: the Aquanaut, a more rugged and durable take on the Nautilus, designed to appeal to a sportier, younger crowd. The Aquanaut has remained popular in the decades since its launch, and provides a more cost-effective and versatile alternative to the famed Nautilus line with its smaller faces and rubber straps. Still, it maintains the integrity and aesthetic of the original Gerald Genta design and is immediately recognizable as a striking creation from the hallowed Swiss watch house of Patek Philippe.
If You Loved “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow,” You’ll Love Richard Mille Watches
Coming in at #7 on the list of best books of the 21st century, Gabrielle Zevin’s novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is equal parts breathtaking and heartbreaking. The book is about video games – on the surface, anyway. When you look deeper, you will find yourself drawn into themes of art, ambition, love, and friendship. The title takes its name from Shakespeare’s MacBeth, and while the book is set in the present day (or at least the foreseeable future), the scope of the narrative and emotional draw of the story is eternal.
If you loved Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, then you most likely appreciate unfettered creativity, innovation, and pushing boundaries. If that sounds like you, then you are sure to appreciate the watch brand Richard Mille in equal measure. Richard Mille watches are renowned for their technological prowess, premium materials, and inventive complications. They offer a futuristic yet aesthetic appearance, and many reveal their inner workings through coveted skeletonized dials.
One of our current favorite Richard Mille timepieces? This gorgeous RM 030 “Japan Red” edition, which is a limited edition run of just 50 pieces. The titanium case, ceramic bezel, and rubber strap are both durable and wearable, and the white hues of this watch make it eye-catching in every sense of the word. The 50-hour power reserve is just the cherry on top of this incredibly precise and well-crafted timepiece.
If You Loved “My Brilliant Friend,” You’ll Love Panerai Watches
Unlike the majority of works on The New York Times list of top books in the 21st century, Elena Ferrante’s novel My Brilliant Friend was translated from another language into English – translated from Italian, that is. Coming in at #1 on the critics’ choice list and #8 on the readers’ choice list, My Brilliant Friend tells the story of two young women who grow up as close friends, complete with jealousies, rivalries, and unspoken competition. It takes place in a working-class neighborhood in Naples, Italy.
The Italian setting of My Brilliant Friend inspired our watch choice for this read. When considering Italian watches, we would be remiss not to mention Panerai. The brand has two lines: the Panerai Radiomir and the Panerai Luminor. The Radiomir offers a classic look while the Luminor is often seen as the sportier of the two branches.
We’re loving this limited edition Panerai Radiomir, which boasts a substantial 47 mm face with a fixed, steel bezel. The dark leather bracelet with statement stitching makes this a versatile timepiece that can be easily dressed up or down. On the bezel, you’ll find the Panerai brand’s signature engraving. A favorite of Italian actor Sylvester Stallone, Panerai watches are classics that transcend trends and changes – just like Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend.
If You Loved “Never Let Me Go,” You’ll Love the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59
Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2005 novel has captured the hearts of millions of readers, as evidenced by its #9 placement on both the critics’ choice and readers’ choice lists provided by The New York Times. Why? Never Let Me Go encapsulates the best of dystopian fiction as a piece set in the near future that starts off warm and familiar but quickly takes a dissonant turn. It is futuristic yet all too believable, funny yet chilling, and incredibly well-awarded. Ishiguro was granted the Nobel Prize in Literature for his work on the book in 2017, and Never Let Me Go won TIME Magazine’s 2005 Novel of the Year award, along with many, many other accolades.
A well-awarded book needs a well-awarded watch, of course. And in this case, both the book and the timepiece deserve all the recognition they have gotten. Our watch pick for Never Let Me Go lovers is the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59, a collection that Audemars Piguet launched in 2019 at the SIHH event, a major meet-up in the watch world. The Code 11.59 departs from the brand’s prior creations, which primarily leaned on the roots of the Gerald Genta Royal Oak design, showcasing a round face and sleek look that perfectly marries tradition and innovation.
In 2023, the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Ultra-Complication Universelle RD #4 was awarded the coveted Aiguille D’Or prize at the GPHG Watch Awards – which are virtually the Oscars for the world of horology. This prize is the top award at the whole show, and roughly translates to “best in show.” It is not part of the ceremony’s categories, but rather is made to honor the timepiece that best represents innovation and accomplishment in the industry as a whole. If Never Let Me Go represents the best in books in the 21st century, then it’s safe to say that the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 represents the best in watches.
Find Watches That Move You at Avi & Co.
You’ve explored the best reads of the 21st century, now explore the best watches. At our three Avi & Co. stores, we are focused on helping our customers access the world’s most coveted timepieces. When you shop with trusted secondary market sellers like our knowledgeable team, you can get the watch you want when you want it.
Our boutiques are located in Aspen, New York City, and Miami… So wherever you call home, there is an Avi & Co. store near you. Schedule an appointment today, and get ready to feel welcomed into the Avi & Co. family from the moment you walk through the front door. We can’t wait to meet you!
