Inspired by watchmakers' heritage models, brands have revisited classics, and made homages to aviation and motor racing by updating legendary creations with contemporary details as unveiled at this year's edition of luxury watch fair. Here are five vintage pieces you should have your eye on.

1. Bell & Ross BR V2-92 Steel Heritage

Tatler Asia

Bell & Ross is celebrating its heritage and the firm's close links to the aviation world with the BR V2-92 Steel Heritage. In line with the vintage spirit of the Heritage collection, this new timepiece is inspired by aircraft instrument panels of the 1960s. The watch has a matte black dial and sand-coloured Arabic numerals. The case is updated with a 41mm size and the automatic movement ensures hours, minutes, central seconds and date functions. The watch comes with a satin-polished steel strap or a black rubber strap.

Visit bellross.com for more details.

2. RESERVOIR GT Tour Carbon

Tatler Asia

RESERVOIR is celebrating the golden age of motor racing with the GT Tour Carbon, which nods to the sport in several ways. This limited-series watch has a 43mm carbon case and a sandblast finish on the dial, recalling the surface coating of legendary racetracks. The matte black dial and red retrograde minutes hand echo dashboard dials, while the power reserve hand evokes a fuel or oil gauge. The watch comes with a leather strap.

Visit reservoir-watch.com for more details.

3. Mido Multifort Datometer

Tatler Asia

Mido is celebrating its 100th anniversary by reinterpreting one of its iconic watches, the Multifort Datometer, launched in 1939. While maintaining the aesthetics of the original model, the 2018 version sees its dimensions and mechanics updated. The watch has a 40mm stainless steel case with a satin-effect rose-gold PVD finish and a silver-coloured dial with a lightly sandblasted finish. It features a rose-gold-finished date hand with a red tip. The watch runs on the Calibre 80, an automatic movement with up to 80 hours' power reserve, comes with a brown calfskin strap and is limited to 1,918 editions.

Visit midowatches.com for more details. 

4. Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special 40mm

Tatler Asia

Zenith pays tribute to the aeronautical world, bringing a bronze case to its Pilot Type 20 Extra Special 40mm. With its vintage design, this watch stands out with its large fluted crown and big, luminous Arabic numerals. Here, it is modernized with a 40mm case. The watch uses the Zenith 679 Elite self-winding mechanical movement and has hours, minutes and central seconds functions.

Visit zenith-watches.com for more details. 

5. Alpina Startimer Pilot Chronograph

Tatler Asia

50 years ago, Alpina was the official supplier for military aviation watches to continental air forces. In 2018, the firm is paying homage to its past in aviation history with the "Startimer Pilot Chronograph." The watch has a stainless steel case and a dial available in several colours—beige, navy blue and black—with luminous indexes.

Straps come in blue or black nylon or in steel, depending on the version. The watch uses the AL-371 quartz chronograph movement and features hours, minutes, seconds, a chronograph, a date window and days of the week.

Visit alpinawatches.com for more details.

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