You think watches became to expensive recently? Yes, there are some that are out of reach for us mere mortals. But this selection of 18 incredible and brand new watches will open your eyes again and make you change your opinion …
If you ask me why only 18 or why 18, I don’t know. This is a selection that came into my mind this afternoon. So if you have other price breakers in mind, please let me know and will add them to this selection.
But first have a look at the 18 incredible watches I have been choosing for you.
You will find an interesting selection starting at 175 Euro including 20 % VAT. So please note all prices mentioned here are local prices in Euro in Austria. If you deduct 16.66 % you will have the net-price that makes the price comparable to the one in your country.
If you click on the pictures yo may enlarge them.
Have fun!
Please give me feedback!
Swatch “Irony SistemSoul”
The entry price level for a real cool and reliable mechanical Swiss-Made-wristwatch. For only 175 Euro you get the latest high-tech ETA/Swatch Group automatic calibre with 90 hours of power-reserve packed in a 316L-steel case. That´s only one out of six different “Sistem51 Irony”-models I am showing here.
Certina “DS-1 Powermatic 80 Himalaya Special Edition”
In the 40 mm steel case ticks one of the most modern ETA-calibres (Powermatic 80) with 80 hours power-reserve. 725 Euro
Longines “The Longines RailRoad”
A 40 mm reminiscence to the railroad watches once manufactured by Longines. Looks good and with its ETA 2892-A2 it offers you real value for the money. Sold for 1580 Euro.
Alpina “Alpiner 4 GMT”
So if you are looking for the ultimate GMT-watch here it is: 44 mm steel case, 100 meters waterproof, best readability. When traveling you can easily set the local time by the crown without loosing the correct time. The hour-hand will move in hour-steps, the minute- and second-hand are not influenced. Sold for 1795 Euro
Oris “Divers Sixty-Five 42 mm”
A cool & blue divers watch in the look of the 1960s with a nato-strap. 42 mm steel case, powered by a Sellita SW 200. Sold for 1850 Euro
Tudor “Heritage Black Bay Dark”
The black coated 41 mm steel-case houses Tudor´s in-house automatic-calibre with a silicon mainspring. The watch is delivered with two different straps. Sold for 3880 Euro
Mido “Ocean Star Captain Titan”
42,5 mm titanium case waterproof up to 200 meters and in size adjustable titanium bracelet ideal for divers. The watch is powered by the same ultramodern ETA-calibre with 80 hours of power-reserve as the Certina above. Sold for 1060 Euro
TAG Heuer Heuer “Aquaracer 300 m Caliber 5 Automatic”
Absolut cool watch in blue & black. The 43 mm black coated titanium-case houses an ETA-calibre. Available also in red/black and beige/black. Sold for 2500 Euro
Montblanc “Time Walker Urban Speed UTC eStrap”
You want to avoid buying an Apple Watch or something similar, stay with a mechanical wristwatch and still read your emails/WhatsApp/messages etc. and get notifications from your smartphone? This is the perfect combination for a traveller! UTC-watch and eStrap sold for 3790 Euro
Union “Belisar Pilot Power-Reserve Limited Edition Sachsen Classic”
Looks pretty cool this 45 mm steel-watch and shows that a pilot´s watch must not necessarily have a black dial. Although there is also a version with a black dial available. The Union watch is powered by a modified ETA-Calibre. Sold for 2550 Euro
Montblanc “Heritage Chronométrie Annual Calendar”
A very well executed and good looking annual calendar & moon-phase indication in a 40 mm steel case sold for 7150 Euro. Any questions?
Montblanc “Heritage Chronométrie Chronograph Annual Calendar”
A very well executed and good looking annual calendar & moon-phase indication, including a chronograph in a 42 mm steel case sold for 9500 Euro. Any questions?
Wempe Glashütte I/SA “Zeitmeister Annual Calendar”
The 42 mm steel cases houses an ETA 2892-A2 combined with a Dubois-Dépraz annual calendar module. Certified by DIN 8319 as “German Chronometer” . Limited to 100 pieces. Sold for 7975 Euro.
Omega “Globemaster Annual Calendar”
Who would have thought to see an Omega here? This annual calendar, certified as nonmagnetic (> 15.000 Gauss) Master-Chronometer, in a 41 mm steel case is sold for only 7800 Euro. What a good deal!!!
Montblanc “Heritage Spirit Perpetual Calendar”
A very well executed and good looking perpetual calendar & moon-phase indication in a 39 mm 18-carat-red-gold-case sold for 18.500 Euro. Also available in a steel case sold for 10.950 Euro. Any questions?
Frédérique Constant “Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture”
The price-breaker! Entirely designed and manufactured perpetual calendar & moon phase indication within the Frédérique Constant workshops in Geneva. The 42 mm steel case houses the in-house FC-Calibre 775. Sold for only 7995 Euro.
Frédérique Constant Calibre 775
Baume & Mercier “Clifton Perpetual Calendar”
The massive 42 mm 18-carat-red-gold-case houses a calibre with micro-rotor made by Vaucher Manufacture (belonging to the Parmigiani Group) combined with the “5100”-module from Dubois-Dépraz. An expensive watch for Baume & Mercier, but still a very good deal. Sold for 19.900 Euro.
TAG Heuer “Calibre Heuer 02 Tourbillon C.O.S.C. Black Titanium”
The sensation! The 45 mm titanium case houses an automatic chronograph and tourbillon mechanism officially certified as a Swiss Chronometer (COSC) designed and manufactured by TAG Heuer sold for only 14.300 Euro. Comparable calibres are normally sold for over 100.000 Euro. Just to have mentioned it: Montblanc sells something comparable for around 40.000 Euro and was so far the cheapest alternative.
Rolex ??
i like the sky dweller white gold with black leather strap or day date white gold with president strap … do you have an opinion on which is a better investment ?
I would go for the Sky Dweller! Pure understatement and a good investment!
Nice compilation.
Montblanc have become serious watchmaker during last few years and most of their watches are quite affordable.
I like a lot of them, but I’m missing one or two Nomos (Club, Zürich, Orion). Great watches for little money. Or what about Glycine or Louis Erard? Lovely brands too.
So true concerning the Nomos, but I have been reporting so often about them that I thought everybody knows that…
Nice list of time pieces. Lots of complications for fair prices. Some of them, even with their innovations are still getting pricey. How about a list of great values under 2500 euro? It might help newer collectors get in the game.
It is very interesting to see how annual and perpetual calendars became (relatively) affordable over the last few years. Maybe I should have a look at the Montblancs…
If you compare the prices you payed some years ago, these prices are simply incredible
Great post Alexander. A pleasure to read all your horological writings.
I just bought my second swatch irony . Awesome value for money.
You don’t have to go broke to buy nice pieces that give you pleasure.