Guides
The icons
Some designs outlive the seasons that produced them. A Kelly from the 1960s and a Kelly made last year are recognisably the same bag. A Datejust from the 1950s would not look out of place on a wrist today. These guides look at those designs one at a time: where they came from, how they have changed, the sizes and materials you will meet, and how to care for them so they continue to be worn.
Bags
- Chanel Classic Flap
- Chanel Boy bag
- Hermès Birkin
- Hermès Kelly
- Hermès Constance
- Hermès Kelly To Go
- Louis Vuitton Speedy
- Louis Vuitton Neverfull
- Gucci GG Marmont
Watches
Jewellery
How to use these guides
Start with the key-facts table if you are comparing two pieces. It sets out sizes, materials and hardware side by side with other models. Read the history if you are choosing between eras, because many icons have changed in small ways that matter to the people who wear them: a different clasp, a revised case, a new leather. The care notes at the end of each guide are what we would tell a friend.
Where we currently have a piece in the shop, the guide links to it. Where we do not, the guide is still written to be useful, and our client team can tell you when one arrives.
Encore Luxe is not affiliated with any house featured.
All guides in this section
- The Balenciaga Hourglass
The Balenciaga Hourglass explained: the curved base inspired by couture tailoring, the B hardware, sizes from XS to small and how to care for one. - The Bottega Veneta Cassette
The Bottega Veneta Cassette explained: the house's intrecciato weave, the padded version, how it is carried crossbody and how to care for woven leather. - Cartier Love and Juste un Clou bracelet sizing
How Cartier Love and Juste un Clou bracelets are sized, how to measure your wrist at home, classic versus small models and how each should fit. - Hermès Birkin vs Kelly
Birkin or Kelly? How the two Hermès icons differ in handles, closure, sizes, construction and everyday wear, and how to choose between them. - The Hublot Classic Fusion
The Hublot Classic Fusion explained: Carlo Crocco's porthole case and rubber strap, the art of fusion, sizes, materials and how to care for one. - The Loewe Basket bag
The Loewe Basket bag explained: woven palm leaf and calfskin, Loewe's 1846 Madrid heritage, sizes from small to large, how to carry it and how to care for it. - The Messika Move collection
The Messika Move collection explained: Valérie Messika's moving diamonds, Move Uno and Move Classique, pavé settings, wearing and caring for them. - The Mulberry Alexa
The Mulberry Alexa explained: the 2010 satchel named after Alexa Chung, its postman's lock, Somerset craftsmanship, Oak and buffalo leathers and care. - The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
The Omega Aqua Terra explained: its 2002 launch, teak-pattern dials, sizes from 28 to 41 mm, quartz and Co-Axial versions and who it suits. - The Omega Seamaster Ploprof
The Omega Ploprof explained: the 1970 600m professional diver, the 1200m revival, its monobloc case, locking bezel, helium valve and how to wear one. - Rolex Datejust references explained
A plain guide to Rolex Datejust reference numbers: what the digits mean, the main generations from the 1601 to today, and what changed in each. - The TAG Heuer Carrera
The TAG Heuer Carrera explained: Jack Heuer's 1963 design, the Carrera Panamericana name, chronographs and three-hand automatics, dials and sizes. - The Tiffany Setting
The Tiffany Setting explained: the 1886 six-prong design, why it lifts the diamond, platinum, ring sizing in the UK and pairing it with a wedding band. - Rolex Air-King: history, references and buying guide
A guide to the Rolex Air-King: its pilot origins, the 5500, 14000, 14010, 114200, 116900 and 126900 references, sizes, movements and what to check pre-owned. - Rolex Oyster Perpetual: history, references and buying guide
A guide to the Rolex Oyster Perpetual: the 1926 Oyster case, the 1931 Perpetual rotor, vintage and modern references, sizes, and what to check pre-owned. - Omega Constellation: history, designs and buying guide
A guide to the Omega Constellation: the 1952 chronometer line, pie-pan dials, the observatory medallion, C-shape cases, the 1982 Manhattan and buying pre-owned. - Omega De Ville: history, collections and buying guide
A guide to the Omega De Ville: its 1960 origins as the Seamaster De Ville, independence in 1967, the Prestige, the 1999 Co-Axial and buying pre-owned. - Vintage Omega Genève: history and buying guide
A guide to the vintage Omega Genève: its 1950s origins, the 1967 to 1979 collection, automatic and manual models, dials, cases and what to check when buying. - TAG Heuer Aquaracer: history, references and buying guide
A guide to the TAG Heuer Aquaracer: the 2000 Series and Kirium before it, the 2004 Aquaracer, the 2021 Professional 300, the 2022 Solargraph and buying pre-owned. - Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra: sizes, materials and buying guide
A guide to the Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra: the 1968 four-leaf clover, Vintage, Sweet and Magic sizes, stones, bracelets and necklaces, and buying pre-owned. - Chopard Happy Diamonds: history, watches and jewellery
A guide to Chopard Happy Diamonds: the 1976 moving-diamond design by Ronald Kurowski, Happy Sport from 1993, pendants, earrings and rings, and buying pre-owned. - Celine Triomphe: the emblem, the bag and buying guide
A guide to the Celine Triomphe: the house emblem, the Triomphe shoulder bag revived under Hedi Slimane, sizes, leathers, Triomphe canvas and buying pre-owned. - Prada Re-Edition 2000 and 2005: guide to the nylon bags
A guide to Prada Re-Edition bags: the original 2000 and 2005 nylon bags, their 2019 reissues, how they differ, sizes, straps, Re-Nylon and buying pre-owned. - Moncler Maya: guide to the classic laqué down jacket
A guide to the Moncler Maya: the short laqué down jacket with detachable hood, colours and finishes, how it fits, sizing and what to check when buying pre-owned. - Valentino Rockstud: history, shoes, trainers and bags
A guide to the Valentino Garavani Rockstud: the 2010 pyramid-stud design, heels, flats, Rockrunner trainers and bags, sizing and what to check pre-owned. - Vivienne Westwood Pirate boots: history and buying guide
Vivienne Westwood Pirate boots: origins in the 1981 Pirate collection, the slouchy buckled design, versions, materials, sizing and buying pre-owned.
Questions we’re often asked
- What does a model guide include?
Each model guide includes a key-facts table, a short history, the sizes and materials you are likely to meet, notes on how the design has changed, and advice on care.
- Do model guides cover authentication?
They mention the features that define a genuine piece, and link to a separate authentication guide where we have one. Authentication should always be carried out by a specialist in person.
- Can I ask about a model that is not listed?
Of course. Our client team is happy to answer questions, and we use them to decide which models to cover next.