High-End bang for the buck?
Hello everyone!
What high end watch or watch brand in general would you consider to offer the best value? There are some discussions about good value pieces in general, but I found none especially looking at more exquisite ones. My first guess would be some microbrand, but I don't exactly have an answer.
I'd also be interested in what you consider to be high end in general. Excited to read your answers!
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Diy interested and young watch enthusiast from north-west Germany. @Unruhkloben on Instagram I'd love to get in touch :)
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“High-End” is pretty subjective but I’d say Omega or Grand Seiko - you’re getting a lot with either brand.
It all depends on budget. I know some people do not buy any watch that has no value retention or even ROI. Others do not buy anything that does not have a high end brand tag on it. People always put Grand Seiko on the bang for the buck for high end watches. In my opinion Seiko will always be the kings of low end to high end.
The Fact you can get this mechanical watch for under 100 that is not a straight rip off and inhouse movement
To somewhere in the middle for 1900 with Porcelain Dial
To high end Grand Seiko dials like this for 9k.
I also like Oris, Citizen, Alpina but they are not as influential as Seiko in the watch world.
“High-End” is pretty subjective but I’d say Omega or Grand Seiko - you’re getting a lot with either brand.
GS is definitely up there for me as well! What would be your choices if it came to hand finished movements?
It all depends on budget. I know some people do not buy any watch that has no value retention or even ROI. Others do not buy anything that does not have a high end brand tag on it. People always put Grand Seiko on the bang for the buck for high end watches. In my opinion Seiko will always be the kings of low end to high end.
The Fact you can get this mechanical watch for under 100 that is not a straight rip off and inhouse movement
To somewhere in the middle for 1900 with Porcelain Dial
To high end Grand Seiko dials like this for 9k.
I also like Oris, Citizen, Alpina but they are not as influential as Seiko in the watch world.
This just shows how much Seiko is really capable of. Thanks for sharing!
I would consider anything with more hand made components from a master watch maker to be high end. At this point i see kudoke and laine as high end with value for 9-10k usd with hand made dials and movement decoration. then ophion or benzinger or habring is slightly lower in term of beauty but even cheaper at 5k price range. a few lange and breguet at 10k are beautiful but less unique compared to the independents.
I would consider anything with more hand made components from a master watch maker to be high end. At this point i see kudoke and laine as high end with value for 9-10k usd with hand made dials and movement decoration. then ophion or benzinger or habring is slightly lower in term of beauty but even cheaper at 5k price range. a few lange and breguet at 10k are beautiful but less unique compared to the independents.
That's a good definition. I really like Kudoke and Laine, good choices! These high end microbrands are very attractive in my opinion.
Its hard to beat GS at the price point in terms of movements, finishing, etc.
If you're a movement geek, used JLC, particularly in precious metals, tend to trade at very substantial discounts to their retail prices which are in themselves, not unreasonable (well in watch terms anyway).
I think you can find prior gen annual calendars in gold for less than $10k from reputable sellers on Ebay/Chrono 24 (vs the $30k for a vacheron with the same movement).
Differences in finishing of course and you may dislike the layout of their dials (it's definitely an acquired taste), but for bang for buck higher end swiss, I'm not sure I've found anything that quite beats it.
it is hard to find popular high end watch without additional price from grey market. my choice would be a lange and sohne, jlc, brequet, glashutte original, and iwc
Have you considered a vintage Smiths?
Its hard to beat GS at the price point in terms of movements, finishing, etc.
If you're a movement geek, used JLC, particularly in precious metals, tend to trade at very substantial discounts to their retail prices which are in themselves, not unreasonable (well in watch terms anyway).
I think you can find prior gen annual calendars in gold for less than $10k from reputable sellers on Ebay/Chrono 24 (vs the $30k for a vacheron with the same movement).
Differences in finishing of course and you may dislike the layout of their dials (it's definitely an acquired taste), but for bang for buck higher end swiss, I'm not sure I've found anything that quite beats it.
Sounds great! JLC is definitely one of the best mainstream higher end brands in regards to value. Thanks for sharing!
it is hard to find popular high end watch without additional price from grey market. my choice would be a lange and sohne, jlc, brequet, glashutte original, and iwc
Cool brands! Popularity isn't a must have for me :)
Have you considered a vintage Smiths?
They look interesting. Thanks for sharing!
That's a good definition. I really like Kudoke and Laine, good choices! These high end microbrands are very attractive in my opinion.
I would pay more to know the watch maker behind the brand thus a kudoke is much nicer than a breguet of similar price. But breguet would come in a precious metal and long term warranty.
I would pay more to know the watch maker behind the brand thus a kudoke is much nicer than a breguet of similar price. But breguet would come in a precious metal and long term warranty.
You're right. Small watchmakers have some kind of romantic flair to them, while beeing unique and often cheaper than other brands, but the more popular ones are just safer in nearly any way. And that just matters for the majority of us who hasn't got endless money. However, my most expensive watch is from a microbrand nevertheless, sooo :D
It depends on your budget, but for a new watch I would say NOMOS; especially their handwound "Alpha" caliber watches. For $1500-$2500, you are getting a watch with an in-house movement, manufactured in Glashutte, Germany, with a nice level of machine finishing (3/4 plate, "Glashutte ribbon" decoration on the bridges, perlage on the mainplate, heat blued screws etc.) that's extra flat (only 2.6mm thick). Very high-end watchmaking for an accessible price.
It depends on your budget, but for a new watch I would say NOMOS; especially their handwound "Alpha" caliber watches. For $1500-$2500, you are getting a watch with an in-house movement, manufactured in Glashutte, Germany, with a nice level of machine finishing (3/4 plate, "Glashutte ribbon" decoration on the bridges, perlage on the mainplate, heat blued screws etc.) that's extra flat (only 2.6mm thick). Very high-end watchmaking for an accessible price.
Good option! Thanks for sharing! A Nomos is something I wanted and still want in my collection.
The problem with this discussion is first to define 'what is a high end brand' to begin with?
For some people only Patek, AP, Vacheron, etc. etc. qualify... For others Rolex is the top...For others a Seiko...
If you don't define this, then the whole dicusssion is just about your favorite watch brand....Which is OK to do of course, but for me it does not give insights.