This year, the watch industry took a beating from the already dwindling interest in luxury watches and the pandemic. People weren’t allowed to go out for a few months, employees were retrenched, and companies went bankrupt. As the avenue for online shopping and deliveries became a major stronghold for businesses to continually prosper, the watch industry has learned that people still want watches amidst difficult times.
So if you’re one of those people who finally saved up for their dream watch and got it this year, congratulations! As you enjoy your new timepiece, let’s take a look at some watches you need to check out before the year ends. You never know, maybe one of these eye-candies will be your next happy purchase:
Chopard Imperiale
If there’s one thing that’s true about Chopard as a brand, it is that they can’t resist making sumptuous jewelry watches. Arguably the brand to go when you want high-end Swiss-made jewelry and watches, Chopard has been in the business for so long that it’s rightfully considered an icon. Getting a Chopard for the ladies may be the equivalent of getting a Rolex for men.
So among the excellent product lines that the company has, which one to get? For the ladies, the Chopard Imperiale is a cut above its contemporaries, not just in looks but in quality as well. The line has several stunning watches under its belt, but the 36mm rose gold stainless steel combo is quite the looker. The kicker? It has diamonds too! What more can you ask for really?
Baume et Mercier Clifton Baumatic Chronograph
Baume et Mercier is a brand that’s comfortably sitting in the mid-tier category for luxury timepieces. It doesn’t have the popularity of Longines but toe-to-toe, its watches are up there with the best luxury watches on the planet. If you are looking for the perfect daily beater that doesn’t scream obvious, the Clifton Baumatic chronograph should be right up your alley.
Automatic chronographs have a special place in the watch industry. These revered watches have proven that mechanical and automatic movements are some of the most advanced movements there are. And that’s including the new smartwatches! A perfect starter luxury timepiece for men, the Clifton Baumatic has a range that can interest even the most hardcore of horological fan!
But if you’re buying for someone, look no further than the 10549. This watch is the quintessential classic dress watch that looks sharp with any outfit. The white dial contrasted with a blue leather band, with a moon phase complication featured on the 6-o’clock position screams of subtle sophistication. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with this watch!
Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope
Another excellent automatic chronograph watch that won’t break the bank is Junghans’ Max Bill Chronoscope. With an aesthetic inspired by the Bauhaus movement, this line is reminiscent of Nomos’ minimalist approach to dials. Junghans is a German watch manufacturer that can compete with the best Swiss watches, so you need not worry about shortchanging yourself by going for this brand!
The star among the line-up is the white-dialed number with a day-date complication. The thin lumes, the uncluttered positioning of the elements inside the dial, and the use of white space all combine to create not just a good-looking watch, but a scene-stealer as well. For those initiated, the movement inside was inspired by the Valjoux 7750 – arguably the best automatic chronograph movement ever made!
Seiko Sports 5
If you haven’t gotten yourself a Seiko Sports 5 yet, then where have you been? Seriously, this Japanese starter watch is sort of a legend amongst purists and connoisseurs for its dedication to providing the best bang for your buck for an automatic watch. The newest iteration of the Sports 5 is the brand’s best yet, with one or two watches a true steal!
The model number SRPD55K2 is arguably the best budget-friendly automatic watch on the planet with Seiko’s own 4R36 movement. It has a 10 bar water resistance (roughly translates to 100m), a power reserve of 41 hours, and a unidirectional rotating bezel. You get Seiko’s hardlex for crystal, plus a silicone band that’s iconic!
Takeaway
These featured watches are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the number of watches you should be looking out for before the year ends! Next year, the watch industry will expectedly go all out with new releases, so you might want to make the most of that when the time comes!
