We kick things off with a tie-up that just makes so much sense. Both British brands, Bremont and Belstaff already play in very much the same pool – a pool of appreciation for engineering, adventure, the great outdoors. And both make products that are designed to take on the elements. A classic field watch, brought up to date with Bremont’s new in-house movement and hard-as-nails case construction, merged with Belstaff leather or waxed cotton (maybe a “bund” strap?) and in Bremont’s usual style, maybe an insert for the automatic rotor. Tell us you can’t see it right now.

This is another hypothetical match that, to our eyes, has everything going for it. If you’re drawn to the clean, geometric lines, minimalist dials and simple, sans serif typography of NOMOS Glashütte, no doubt you’d find the same qualities appealing in a sneaker. Both brands are best known for a muted colour palette, but have no trouble occasionally flirting with bolder shades. And how can you look at the gold foil lettering on the side of Common Projects shoe and not think of the glittering hour markers on, say, a NOMOS Orion? Both brands even run their design studios out of a global epicentre of cool – Berlin and New York, respectively – and combine that with craftsmanship from traditional sources: Glashütte, the home of German watchmaking, and Italy.

Have we lost our minds? (Have we, though?) Could a pairing between Belgium’s avant-garde, uber-minimalist, future-proof watchmaker and LA’s luxe-streetwear king really pan out? It’s certainly the boldest suggestion on this list, but we reckon it’s got potential. Both are young brands with a contemporary focus, concerned primarily with the future while respectful of the past. Rhude founder Mr Rhuigi Villaseñor is an avid watch collector (as we found out when we met him). And while Ressence’s aesthetic is usually pigeonholed as restrained and minimal, it has a track record of making more daring limited editions, such as its all-red piece for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the recent collaboration with wildcard designer Mr Alain Silberstein.

Bell & Ross’ overarching inspiration has always been aviation instruments, and by extension, military and tool watch staples. But crucially, it approaches this well-trodden path with a knowing sense of playful whimsy, and – particularly in the BR 05, but also evident in several BR 03 limited editions – a certain chic metropolitan style. This is where Paul Smith comes in. Bell & Ross is no stranger to colour – check out the Multimeter, the Red Radar or the Coastguard-spec BR-V2 – and we think the meeting of minds between Messrs Carlos Rosillo, Bruno Belamich and Sir Paul Smith could deliver something fun, functional and immediately recognisable. Sir Paul’s signature stripes are the obvious starting point, but it needn’t be too on the nose. Maybe a subtle motif around the edge of the dial, on the crown or just on the keeper of the strap.

Far be it for us to blow our own trumpets. So let’s just say that we think Oris occupies a sweet spot in the luxury watch market, offering staple, everyday designs that are elevated either through their choice of material or some other thoughtful, innovative touch. The Divers Sixty-Five, Aquis Calibre 400 and Big Crown Pointer Date are all perfect examples – types of watch that have been around for ever, finessed and delivered with personality. If that sounds like a certain range of men’s luxury clothing, well, it really isn’t for us to comment.