What are some “stealth wealth” watches?

is this term related to the "old money" style? lol

On top of my head,

Grand Seiko, IWC, JLC, Credor, Montblanc.

I think these are luxury watch brands that non-watch people wouldn’t recognise.

Something like this from Patek fits that for me.

It’s quite small with no precious stones and made of stainless steel instead of white gold so it’s not shouting but those of us who know a little about watches can tell that it’s expensive.

I nominate the JLC Polaris. From a distance a non-watch person might be forgiven if they thought it was a Citizen of some sort. A watch person would bring respect bordering on fawning.

Stealth wealth is about being low key. No labels.

H.Moser for me...

Or one of the high end boutique Swiss microbrands.

The Eichi II from Seiko's Credor brand is definitely up there for a stealth wealth pick. A very restrained unassuming watch at a glance that's made with a fanatical level of attention to detail.

JLC Master Control series. If you know, you know.

Almost anything non-Rolex (or bedazzled in jeweles) is stealth wealth and would only be recognized by fellow watch folks.

Not many people I rub shoulders with look close enough to read brand names. If the design/appearance looks expensive, I think most assume it is and vice versa. Off bracelet, my Speedy looks much more restrained than my Seiko Skyliner.

Platinum Cartier Tank

Laurent Ferrier is so simple, thin, clean. All business in the front...

But, party in the back! Surprise! A tourbillon.

Love it, but the beautiful sunburst, fume, or vantablack dials give it away!

Or how about the Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second? Looks very simple and it ticks like a quartz (but has a dead beat seconds movement).

Breguet 7147BB in White gold, Micro rotor and Dial in “Grand Feu” enamel.

Or A Patek Minute Repeater …

This . . . Most people don’t even know what the hell Grand Seiko is. The only other brands that might get an eyebrow raise is Cartier . . . Any of the holy trinity is unknown for the most part by normal people.

Also, why the hell do you (not just you specifically . . . talking to the masses here) care what people think about your wealth based on a watch? That’s kind of . . . I dunno . . . I get that people like to flex their wealth in weird ways but the wealthiest people I know tend not to behave that way . . . Bc they don’t have to. I’d just rather wear what I want vs living in a mindset of thinking of being a stealth status symbol.

Honestly, if I saw someone wearing a non-Rolex or anything other than some mass distributed and marketed brand like Omega or Breitling? Or any watch not associated with larger luxury brands like Cartier? I'd get excited. Hell, I'd still get excited if I saw someone wearing a Speedmaster in real life . . . I think we take for granted here just how rare it is to see even common collector watches on wrists in reality. I'd want to strike up a conversation with someone wearing a Nomos, an Oris Big Crown . . . I'd chase someone down the street yelling "Kurono!" . . . Point is . . . I don't really care what the watch is or what it says about wealth. I don't like to pigeon hole people that way or make assumptions. Someone might have been gifted/inherited a cool/luxury watch but might have a very different life than you'd think.

I've seen several threads on Watch Crunch that seem to equate the watches you collect/wear with your personal wealth, which seems wrongheaded whether you're collecting more affordable watches or happen to have some higher end pieces. There's a lot of other factors at play. This may be a pet peeve, I guess haha.

Here are some I would add to the list...

IWC. If you don’t know watches (or racing) you wouldn’t know it at all but their “entry level” watch is $5050 retail usd

It was said that Grand Seiko was stealth luxury, back in the days when Seiko was the predominate label on the dial. Why? Because everybody thought it was simply a pedestrian Seiko but the wearer knew different.

Lange for me.

RGM of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Their Pennsylvania Tourbillon is a MASTERPIECE.

It's my (unattainable) grail watch!

EDIT: P.S. It's "stealthy" because it looks like any ol' skeleton watch that you find on AliExpress, but it's considerably better quality, and MUCH HIGHER priced! 🤣

Woow I just felt in love with this beauty. Thank you mate

Up might not want to thank me when you see the price. 😳

Lol I'm a sub 500€ watch guy, anything more than 3000 is so much out of my league that I am not even sad or jealous, it just looks like an existing dream. So no worries about that mate ! 🍻

Great attitude! I like to look at these pieces and dream a little to.

I have to argue that the Platinum and White Gold offerings surely qualify - or even vintage pieces...

Moser isn't my personal favorite, but I strongly agree with this choice!

If I had to pick one for myself, I'd probably get some type of Patek or Journe, as austere and simple as possible visually - on a very plain or casual calfskin strap.

The case metal has to be white gold or platinum for sure :)

Edit: A more grounded choice might be a very plain Grand Seiko - particularly the models that didn't feature the word "Grand" on their dials

isn't that watch hard to read with the black hands? or does the AR coat handle that?

Under normal light conditions this watch is quite legible, when it's getting darker: no chance. 😂 That said, it's equipped with "dark lume" which delivers a hint of a glow.

Stealth wealth is knowing you can afford any watch you want and wearing a seiko 5 or a g shock. 🤣