Hamilton Ventura, Timeless Timepiece

In 1957, the Hamilton Watch company gave me a present and didn't even know it. They developed and sold the Hamilton Ventura watch. Stylish and full of technological innovations, it remains 50 years later at the pinnacle of timepiece design.

It was the first electric watch, years ahead of its time. Its look is timeless. Though copied many times since (it's still in production in some forms), the originals can readily be found on the vintage watch market, selling for around $1,500-$,2500. (New ones are roughly $650.)

For all you'd want to know about its history, look to Rene Rondeau, one of the world's experts on the subject.

As if that weren't enough, there's even a chronograph version.

Please avoid drooling on the watch, admittedly difficult.

Iconoclasts everywhere are grateful to designer Richard Arbib and the Hamilton Watch company.