Six over the top watches best for the sophisticated

OK, we are generalising and being provocative. But some watches are just too loud and attention grabbing for the average watch collector. Here we take a fantasy tour, and suggest six over the top watches for the likes of rappers, footballers and gangsters.

Six over the top watches best for the sophisticated

We have run several lists on over the top watches (OTT) before. In 2020, we featured Six bling watch recommendations for Throwback Sundays.

But the difference in this new article is that for this list, we insist that the watch also feature serious complications. Most of them are gemset, thus the OTT theme, but the first one is not! This list is one for the sophisticated rapper, footballer, gangster, or your average sheik. Of course, this post and list is made with tongue firmly in cheek. As kind of a joke, so to speak. And with this, as they say, here goes nothing.

Jacob & Co Bugatti Chiron

Jacob & Co is, of course synonymous with over the top and humongous gemstones. After all Jacob Arabo began his career as a diamond merchant, and has crafted a larger than life personal which is not quite matched by any other brand owner. His recent party celebrating his love for the movie The Godfather is one such event which elevates him as the boss of OTT. But our pick is not from his outrageous Astronomia or the Twin Turbo, but the “new” Bugatti Chiron. The watch is so OTT that it does not need to be fully decked out in a suit of gemstones, though such a version is also available! It gets the OTT status by the fantastic feat of showcasing the 16 working cylinders of the Bugatti engine which is displayed on the dial crafted out of sapphire glass. And this show of bravado is purely for the visual spectacle just because they can, and to be more gangsta than the next one.

The replica of a Bugatti W16 engine is amazing. When activated by the right crown, the crankshaft turns and the 16 pistons pump up and down, just like a true internal combustion engine. Two “turbochargers” (down from four in the actual Chiron engine) on the side of the engine block spin while the engine runs, adding to the visual impact. If you are able to peel your eyes away from the mesmerising automaton, you’ll find that this watch also tells the time! 

Piaget Polo Skeleton WG Diamonds

This watch is exactly the same watch as the Polo Skeleton, same case design, shape, size, same dial hands, and same spectacularly skeletonized movement. But now with a case which is encrusted with 268 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 2.43 carats. The crown is also set with a brilliant cut diamond weighing approximately 0.05 carats. Even the bracelet, which is also in 18k white gold, is encrusted with 1478 brilliant cut diamonds weighing an approximately 10.04 carats. This is a brilliant, very attention seeking watch.

Quite an amazing watch. As we said in our conclusion of our review: “Don’t get us wrong, this is not a watch which we will wear on a daily basis, or even on special private occasions. But fully decked out and completely blinged out, it might be one we might conceivably rock to the red carpet of the Academy Awards, for example. Of course our chances of being on these events is zero.”

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Rainbow

Not to be outdone, the world’s largest luxury watchmaker makes it to this list. With the ultra desirable Daytona clad with rainbow gemstones.

What’s that to say about this Rolex? It is a Daytona win 18k Everose gold, with matching bracelet. And is adorned on with diamonds on the lugs and crown guards. But the most eye catching element is the gradation of hues made by the sapphires in gradations of colours of the around the bezel. And with 11 baguette-cut sapphire hour markers, each of which matches the colour of the corresponding point on the bezel. Rock up almost anywhere with this watch on your wrist, and you automatically become the fuse of the party!

H. Moser & Cie. Swiss Alp Watch on the Rocks

They say the Swiss are conservative and moderate folks. But this next watch is nothing but. Created originally from a base watch to poke fun at the Apple Watch – hence the shape, it gained over the top status with this iced version – appropriately dubbed by CEO Edouard Meylan as The Swiss Alp On the Rocks.

The dial on its own is a dazzling combination of jewelry prowess and craftsmanship, the watch is designed to mimic images of ice cubes cracking between the teeth. The hue of the cubes are chosen to mimick the fumé dials that Moser is known for, and comprise of some 32 baguette-cut sapphires and the rounded bezel and case set with baguette-cut diamonds. And the case is also fully encrusted in a further 420 baguette diamonds. Is that bling enough or over the top enough for you?

Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black

The fusion house of Hublot is no stranger to over the top. From its early days, they were the dare devils in the use of interesting materials. Like rubber for straps, and they were outrageous enough to infuse the rubber with scent, making some rather interesting smelling straps. But that was even before Jean-Claude Biver has put his magic finger on it. And ever since JCB breathed more live into it than ever. And the brand has maintained a strong interest in the likes of rappers, footballers, and gangsters. So they have many OTT watches to pick from. Like the Masterpiece 03 which is outrageous, but does not even need any gemstones to claim notoriety. Or as we are perhaps best described as conservative, our pick is the Murakami All Black.

The watch looks very attractive despite its all black color. The spinning dial with all 456 Black Diamonds, with Murakami’s signature petals rotating on a ball bearing system spins like a weighted rotor. And the contrasting satin-polished ceramic surfaces make for a highly reflective timepiece. 

Bovet 1822 Edouard Bovet Tourbillon

Bover 1822 is one of the established houses which are not the most frequently mentioned on the lips of the horology cognoscenti. Though, we are not quite sure why. Here is a small, independent maison, who are fully capable of ultra complicated watches, often featuring amazing movements and magnificent finishing. And sometimes with bit of bling. Like our subject watch. With a case size of some 46mm, it is “rather” large and imposing on the wrist…which qualifies it for this list!

But there is more! It not only has two dial faces, one in full bling as shown above, and the other side is somewhat a bit more subdued. And on top of that the entire case can be removed and used as a small table clock.

Concluding thoughts

So what do you think? What would you have chosen as watches which are over the top? Or as we put it, tongue firmly in cheek, for rappers, footballers and gansters.