The Bite Magazine Issue 17

bite watches collection has a more angular appear- ance and features lugs that stick out from the dial. The Paris offering resem- bles the Berlin slightly but has a thinner bezel and sharper curve to the lugs that creates a more elegant appearance. If you prefer boxier cases, (although both have curved lines), the square- shaped Sao Paulo based on old divers’ watches and the more rectangular London series will be more to your taste. Other than a small logo on the dial and ring round the crown, the signature orange accents that appear throughout the collection are rarely used the same way twice. The colour scheme is mainly orange, black, and blue with shades of brown. Silver/grey is also quite common with occasional flashes of other bright colours in the detailing pushing the level of variety just that bit further. Since they affect the look of every part of a watch, the many colours and how they’re com- bined are the primary reason BOSS Orange watches can span so many different styles so effortlessly in each collection. Dial design is a good example of this; colours are used in varying amounts, from details on the minute hand all the way to a whole clock face, with varying degrees of contrast to create bolder or subtler designs. The nylon and silicone bands are lightweight, wear resist- ant and provide maximum comfort so are well suited to athletic lifestyles. They are used more often with bright colours in casual and sporty designs to create vividly eye-catching statement pieces. Leather straps require the most care (it’s recommended not to wear the same one two days in a row, apply treatments regularly and avoid getting wet) but provide more versatility of style includ- ing some rather nice classic/vintage looks. The quality of metal bracelets is apparent in their weight and they’re definitely the dressiest option. They are also the most stable and easy to care for and (although more limited than the other materials) are available in a sur- prising number of different shades. Each material has a different practical and aesthetic quality so ‘what’s best’ is com- pletely down to personal preference. With diameters ranging from 44-50mm, most lying at the upper end of the scale, and with widths of 12-13mm, the Orange series definitely falls into the large and extra-large categories of watches. This fairly modern trend has seen the average diameter of men’s watches (historically closer to 35mm) increase drastically since the mid-1990s and actually origi- nated from large sports watches seen in the 1970s, which seems appropriate given the BOSS Orange’s brand image. With such a wide range of styles avail- able in each collection (unless you’re not a fan of the over-sized style or you absolutely can’t stand orange), I’m sure that whatever your personal preferences are when it comes to watches, BOSS Orange will be a brand worth looking at. Although the designs are mainly sporty and casual it’s easy to see them up-styled to smart-casual, some could even work with formal outfits. Between the variety of dial designs, straps and colours you’re spoilt for choice visually and there’s a fair few options when it comes to technical features too. All models have a water resistance of either three or five bars, with Japanese quartz movement renowned for its accuracy, and a various combinations of special features such as chronographs, date/ day/24 hour dials and tachometers are available in different multifunction models. Combine all these BOSS Orange design factors with the high-quality man- ufacturing and expert craftsmanship of Movado and a fairly reasonable price tag, what you get is this fantastic range of affordable luxury-casual watches. www.hugoboss.com/uk