Stauer's Octavia reprises an era when clients could expect the sun and the moon from watchmakers

In an age when global trade and technological advances are redefining notions of "luxury" and "cutting edge" almost daily, it's difficult to imagine a time when watches and jewelry were dadas of the monied classes. Master jewelers enjoyed such lofty status, they received commissions from the royal houses of Europe. Of course, service and quality were second to none. But the trade's guild-driven exclusivity also kept prices high and limited innovations in functionality and design.

Fortunately, Stauer clients are in the enviable position of having the best of both watchmaking worlds! Our very affordable Octavia puts an old-timey face on a 19-jewel movement, manual-wind watch that's destined to become a modern-day classic. The stainless steel tonneau watchcase-whose distinctive shape was considered very avant garde when it debuted in France in 1906-frames a guilloché dial the color of antique parchment with a red and blue numeral palette. The visible flywheel balance window and vintage-inspired sun and moon faces (day/night indicators) and open back lend further heirloom catchet. These early 1900s hallmarks belie such contemporary features as water resistance up to 3 ATM's and luminous hands. All this functionality and elegance, plus we throw in the sun and the moon for free! Have them wrapped in silver (stainless steel case with black alligator embossed leather band); or gold (gold-fused stainless steel case with chestnut brown alligator embossed leather band.