Watches: can timepieces give us a sense of bravery and adventure?

What would life be like if we were never afraid? There would be definite advantages. With no fear of rejection you might finally write the groundbreaking novel that you’ve definitely got in you. Or with no nagging concerns you could reach a state of monklike nirvana and spend the rest of your life peacefully contemplating the wonders of the universe. Of course, it might not work out. Your book might be rubbish. Or you may wander blissfully in front of a bus.

We talk about fear as something to be conquered, to be overcome. But we don’t really know what we would do without it. People selling us watches and cars have long realised that people are drawn to fear. We are full of admiration for anyone who does brave things, like soldiers and racing drivers, and there is money to be made by the desire to be associated with anything that causes terror. Otherwise we wouldn’t be so fascinated by those viral videos of people flying down the side of mountains wearing cloth wings. If none of us had any fear, there would be no thrill for the people doing it or the people watching.

In the old days there was plenty to be afraid of, from wild beasts to warring tribes. But in the modern world most of us are so far removed from physical threats that we have busied ourselves inventing ever new ways to scare ourselves. Climbing, diving, racing and flying – we’ve pushed the envelope when it comes to dangerous stuff. All these activities come with their own perils, especially for early adopters, and new watches have been designed to suit every endeavour – to tell the time, but also as a vital part of the daredevil’s uniform. Even for the few that do truly scary things, like going into battle or blasting off into space, there is a specific wristwatch to serve as a trusty companion all the way.

The news and advertising industries get criticised for playing on our fears to make us consume content and buy products. Watch companies do not play on our fears, they embrace them. So when you look at your wrist, you don’t just see the time, you see a story of adventure, of a watch that can go to extreme places and do wild things. And the best part at all, you don’t actually have to go out and do those dangerous things yourself, but the knowledge that you could is reassuring. Fear is an important part of life, but sometimes just thinking about it is enough. 

TAG Heuer X Porsche Carrera

In the early Sixties both Porsche and Heuer (the TAG part came later) were inspired by the Carrera Panamericana – the Mille Miglia’s unhinged Mexican cousin, which in its five-year lifespan in the Fifties killed 27 people. The Heuer Carrera was a rugged, well priced chronograph designed for those who liked a little bit of speed. Porsche introduced the Carrera name at the same time, and both companies have made much of it ever since. TAG Heuer and Porsche announced the collaboration last year and the new limited edition watch celebrates the partnership. With 44mm DLC-coated stainless steel case and automatic movement. Water resistant to 100m. Limited to 500 pieces.

£5,850; tagheuer.com

Tudor Pelagos FXD

A professional diving watch developed in collaboration
with the French Navy, the Pelagos FXD has important little touches like a rotating bezel that is larger than the case, all the better to grip it and adjust it with your diving-gloved hand. With automatic movement and 42mm titanium case, water resistant to 200m.

£3,000; tudorwatch.com

Certina DS Action Diver

Great heights and great depths bring a lot of the same challenges. Certina developed its DS (double security) system of shock + water resistance for mountaineers in the late Fifties, but the same toughness is also very useful for divers. The Action Diver has an automatic movement and a 43mm stainless steel case, water resistant to 300m.

£845; certina.co.uk

Bulova Lunar Pilot

When Omega started supplying NASA astronauts, some weren’t happy that a Swiss company put watches on the wrists planting American flags on the moon. The US-born firm Bulova gave a watch to Dave Scott, who wore it on Apollo 15 in 1971. Quartz movement and 45mm case, water resistant to 50m.

£499; uk.bulova.com