The age old "Watches in the $$$ range recommendations" ask... But more of an answer to the ask.

We all too often see the posts here, and elsewhere onsocial media platforms... "Help we find a watch in my budget of X" While I find this completely a pointless ask as everyones preference and style is different, I too have made this self serving ask in the past. For this post, I simply aim to only share where I landed when I asked my collecting self the question... And to provide, somewhat of a generalized review of each time piece of course from my personal perspective and expectations. I don't wish to influence anyones decisions or impressions of these three watches or brands.. This is simply to start the discussion and hopefully you will share where you landed with me and the rest of us Crunchers. Well let's get on with it, shale we. I wanted to expand my collection but in the price point of $1000-1500 USD. Of which all three of these do. I had specific "specs" in mind, case size, design styles, intend purpose and a few others - which meant each watch fit into my "needs". Lets start in order of purchase. The Nomos, while a Special Edition, was purchased after several months of crowd sourced collaboration on the overall design. The needs were determined by a voting process, and while the dial was not my first choice I'm happy with it! I was able to get the serial number that aligned to my age that year and having been apart of the design process makes this one special to me. Also purchased it as a birthday present to myself. Yes it is true this watch is no longer available for purchase from Nomos, however a couple have come up on the second hand market from time to time. Nomos sells the 36mm Club Ref. 701.1 still and its priced at $1500 USD. The quality, finishing and accuracy are well above the price point in my humble opinion. The lume is lack luster, but black lume usually is.. The smooth crown and winding action is such a pleasure to wind daily! I purchased the Christopher Ward next. For this one I wanted a "sports watch" something that could be an everyday watch. The needs for this one were 100m + WR, steel on bracelet with on-the-fly adjustment clasp. Applied hour markers, lume (of course), a date complication and a colorful dial. I started fawning over this watch the moment it was released and was torn between the blue and cream dial originally. While not as nicely finished or decorated (movement) as the Nomos, this watch far exceeded my expectations. Accuracy is still very good, although not chronometer level like the Nomos that averages +1.5 sec/day! The crown threads are absolutely butter smooth and compare to my Omega Seamaster. The bracelet is very comfortable and balances the weight around the wrist perfectly for me. The basic Sellita movement is something that I would have loved to see be taken up a notch, but at this price point ($1095 or just over $1100 with bracelet sizing) is not expected. Furlan Marri's Ref 2161-A is still available and can be had for $1250 CHF. For this watch I was looking for a dress watch in that 37-39mm range, 37.5 is proving the perfect dimension. I wanted a classic design with unique lugs, and either a textured dial (guilloche) or heat blued hands. Movement decoration is always something that draws me in as well. I would love to have acquired a vintage Patek.. but alas they are not in that budget range... enter this Furlan Marri. The inspiration of vintage pateks and VCs is very apparent.. The swiss movement with extended run time, and decoration was great to see at this pricepoint. The finishing, qaulity even the packaging suprised me... The watch case is incredibly well made and practical. The whole package oozed vintage vibes. The included straps with dual finished buckle really are the best I've seen and are on par with the buckles and straps I received with my Nomos watches. The multi part case design means the dual finishing on the case is very clean and crisp. The crystal has proven great with glare and fingerprints thanks to their AR and Anti Finger print coatings. Under that crystal the curved and blued hands are beautiful and definitely of a vintage style. The dual drilled lugs make strap options near infinite, and I really enjoy the look with curved springbars! As Furlan Marri's tagline states [and very much lives up to] "Crafted with care. Designed for Details" this even has a vintage watch marketing vibe to me... this watch has become one of my favorite in my collection. While not COSC certified, mine has run +2 sec/day when regularly worn! If you've read this far, thanks for reading! Now share with the rest of us your journey to find a watch or watches that fit into a similar budget. definitely share pictures too!