HIP TO BE SQUARE

Watches come in all shapes and sizes, and the square watch has plenty of celeb endorsement

- Richard Holt

What do three of Hollywood’s best known Toms – Cruise, Hiddleston and Holland – have in common with late celebrity trio Muhammad Ali, Andy Warhol and Lady Di? All are lovers of the square watch. And if you assume an angular case is a fancy take on the OG round watch, think again. Square got there first, and it was all thanks to a couple of celebs from a different age. Most people have heard of the Wright brothers, but who did what in the race to get one over on gravity is a matter of some dispute. In some parts of the world the true aviation pioneer is believed to be Alberto Santos-Dumont. The son of wealthy Brazilian coffee growers, he was fascinated by everything mechanical from a young age. He started off racing motorised tricycles before turning his hand to aircraft.