The watch industry is a billion-dollar industry. But it’s becoming more and more difficult to stay these days afloat because of recession and general dislike for mechanical watches. Smartwatches are the next big thing in the industry, and new players like Apple are making waves. In this article, though, we’ve listed down some of the most elegant watches to diversify your collection or start a new one!
Bvlgari Diagono
If you’ve ever had one chance, or at least the capital to get a top of the line watch from a luxury fashion brand, get the Bvlgari Diagono. It’s one of those classic watches that doesn’t need to be introduced. Plus points if you find an online repository for it because the production of the Diagono has been suspended. If you can, scour for deals on the Octo Finissimo Extra Thin Automatic.
Omega Seamaster
Arguably the ultimate diver’s watch, the Seamaster is in a class of its own amongst its peers, including the Rolex Seadweller. And that’s not because the Seamaster is the watch of choice by James Bond! The Seamaster has had quite the iterations, but if you should only get one, then the Planet Ocean should be the best choice! You can choose between 600m to 1,200m water-resistance, but if you aren’t a true blue diver, the former should be more than enough!
IWC Portofino
The Portofino from IWC, or International Watch Company, is the quintessential dress watch. It may be one of the steeper in price among its peers, but you’ll sure to get glances and attract the right attention with it. It pairs nicely with a three-piece suit, and it can even be used on a casual outfit for a dinner night out. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the watch has all the bells and whistles of a luxury Swiss-made watch.
Hublot Big Bang
Hublot’s Big Bang isn’t a watch that’s afraid to be itself, so if you think you’re not cool or refined enough to sport it, then you probably aren’t. There is no better way to describe the Hublot Big Bang than unique. The watch is unique in build as well as in its aesthetic, and it doesn’t shy away from unorthodox styling choices. You can purchase the Big Bang just for the reason of adding it to your collection, but it should be worn at least once for flair.
Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope
One of the most important things about watch collecting is getting the right chronograph watch. And there are numerous options for it. Quite the extensive list to be honest. But to diverge from the tradition, instead of getting a watch with a chronograph complication from Swiss brands in astronomic prices, check out German watch manufacturer Junghans instead.
The Max Bill Chronoscope is Bauhaus styling in a minimalist approach, with a price tag that’s at most 90% cheaper than its contemporaries. You get an automatic movement under the hood, and the classic leather strap perfectly complements the overall look and feel of the timepiece.
Rolex Daytona
Ah, a Rolex. People who are just starting their watch collection will undergo the “Rolex fever”, where every watch is compared to a Rolex alternative. Most people who start to collect will be shocked to learn that there are watches more expensive than Rolex, and will soon realize that Rolex is quite overrated. But the fact of the matter is, the exclusivity, build, and brand recognition of Rolex is enough to be revered.
So what do you buy from the most popular luxury watch brand in the world? Well, if we only have to recommend one, it’s the Daytona. There’s a Cosmograph Daytona, so if you have an in on that timepiece, go ahead and buy it. Every enthusiast worth their salt in self-winding movement will tell you that the Daytona Cosmograph is a beloved timepiece through and through!
Omega Speedmaster
This is another entry from Omega, but the brand is quite the workhorse in terms of producing quality timepieces. Any watch collector knows that the Speedmaster is the watch to get from the brand, and there isn’t a watch out there right now that has more bragging rights than the Speedmaster. It’s the first and only watch that’s NASA-flight certified, plus it has a long heritage of space use!
Seiko SARB
No list of basic watch collections is complete without a Seiko in it. While there is quite a list of product lines from the Japanese brand, the SARB line is the one to get. These are watches with all the basics of a great dress watch, and in some cases, SARB’s are as good a sports watch as any!
In A Nutshell
There you have it. These are the watches you need to look out for when starting a watch collection. You can even use this list for research on the next watch you can add to your existing ones! Bear in mind that these watches will require lots of capital, so you better find deals both online and offline!