In collaboration with Isabelle Garnerone, Editor-in-Chief, SQUA.RE Watches

The sideward gaze, swirls of smoke, the double-breasted jacket with top few buttons undone on impeccably tailored shirts, the white Repetto jazz shoes, the Breitling Navitimer watch, the Van Cleef and Arpels signature cologne and the unfailing stubble — the very name of Serge Gainsbourg conjures up such images of the stylish French icon.

Gainsbourg fascinated France and many parts of the world starting in the Swingin’ Sixties, continuing through the bell-bottomed days of the seventies and then, the flashy eighties. His death in 1991 at the age of 62 — at his home in Paris, just off of the Boulevard Saint-Germain in the Rive Gauche – was the only halt to his nicotine and alcohol-fueled genius that spanned decades.

He is also known for the beautiful women he was surrounded by: the exquisite French sex-symbol Brigitte Bardot, his one-time lover; the love of his life, Jane Birkin, namesake of the extremely coveted Hermès Birkin bag; and of course, his daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg, actress, musician, current muse of Nicolas Ghesquière, Creative Director of Balenciaga, and also the face of their fragrance.

Although there are several aspects of Gainsbourg’s timeless style that have been revisited surrounding the January release of Gainsbourg (vie héroïque), written and directed by Joann Sfar, we bring the focus today upon timepieces that can be considered quintessentially Gainsbourg. Equally as elegant as the Breitling Navitimer that Gainsbourg always wore, these strong time pieces have been carefully selected by Isabelle Garnerone, Editor-in-Chief, SQUA.RE Watches.

1. TAG Heuer – Caliber 1887
Named for the year that Edouard Heuer invented the renowned oscillating pinion, the Caliber 1887 with automatic chronograph movement was released during the brand’s 150th anniversary in December 2009. The brand has come a long way from its small Swiss workshop to a luxury brand known for its sports watches and professional sports timekeeping.  The Caliber 1887 has a 39-Jewel chronograph, which oscillates at 28,800 beats per hour, and a 50-hour power reserve.

2. Piaget – Altiplano Double Jeu
This limited edition release from Piaget features two is available in two versions: Gold Rose at approximately 525,200 Euros or White Gold at approximately 25,900 Euros, each equipped with a sapphire crystal on the top.  The elegant black crocodile leather strap and twin handwound ultra thin movements, including one with subseconds shows the perfect combination of aesthetics and functionality – a sublime culmination that Piaget is best known for.

3. IWC – Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph
IWC Schaffhausen brings a brand new twist to its classic Portuguese collection with the addition of the Yacht Club Chronograph. The Portuguese collection was originally created in 1930 at the request of navigators and seafarers and it has kept this essence throughout the decades since. The Yacht Club Chronograph is water resistant as expected, and features a calibre 89360, chronograph with an analog display of longer times, integral shock absorption system, date display, and small seconds hand with stop function. It is available in steel with a black or silver-plated dial, and in red gold with a slate-colored dial and black registers.