Best value in Swiss watches?
I'm sure there are plenty of options out there but my choice would be Hamilton. I paid a little over $400 years ago. This watch does not cut corners. It has a mixture of polished and brushed on the case. Applied indices, and an exhibition case back. They also included a pretty nice leather strap with deployment clasp. While this isn't my main dress watch, it does quite well fitting in my casual dressy wear.
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Chris
Hello everyone I have been collecting watches for over 25 years now, I have way too many but I honestly love them all no matter what brand they are. I've recently left social media and now find myself...
San Francisco, CA, USA
Member since
Last active: 1 hr ago
7.25” / 18.42 cm
Glycine, sure Invicta bought them but the Swiss not only said we’re not cutting quality control they upped their QC.
Glycine, sure Invicta bought them but the Swiss not only said we’re not cutting quality control they upped their QC.
I agree but I see them mostly make divers watches. Definitely a brand I would get.
Very nice Hami, elegant and dressy
I... don't know. Really depends on your definition of "value."
For example, my currently most cherished watch is a Horage (an independent brand). It has in-house movement with silicon hairspring and big date, titanium case (quite well finished), and a price tag of 3,500CHF. Is that good value? Personally, I would say yes, on the ground of the movement, the usability, the comfort, and so on. But if you don't care whether the movement is "special" or "inhouse," my statement of value makes exactly zero sense.
Or take Oris (full disclosure: I don't own one; I only handle then briefly at AD). These are significantly more expensive. But they are, in a sense, rather similar to Hamilton: generic movement in their designed cases. They command higher prices on the ground of their finishing and packaging of their watches. Obviously, Hamilton is anything but shabby. But Oris has more. Does that make a difference for you? Do you care? If you don't, clearly Oris isn't "good value." But if you do, Hamilton is inadequate and so not that good of a value.
This goes down the ladder. Some Swiss made "fashion watches" have capable movements (worth pointing out that quartz is more resilient and accurate than mechanical, and battery changes are cheaper than service of mechanical movement) and handsome design. If you don't care about movements and whatnot, well, a Hamilton is an overpriced watch with worse accuracy and fussy servicing requirements. I should know: my own wife throws that line at me on semi regular basis.
Back to your point. Is Hamilton "best value"? Well... what's valuable to you?
I... don't know. Really depends on your definition of "value."
For example, my currently most cherished watch is a Horage (an independent brand). It has in-house movement with silicon hairspring and big date, titanium case (quite well finished), and a price tag of 3,500CHF. Is that good value? Personally, I would say yes, on the ground of the movement, the usability, the comfort, and so on. But if you don't care whether the movement is "special" or "inhouse," my statement of value makes exactly zero sense.
Or take Oris (full disclosure: I don't own one; I only handle then briefly at AD). These are significantly more expensive. But they are, in a sense, rather similar to Hamilton: generic movement in their designed cases. They command higher prices on the ground of their finishing and packaging of their watches. Obviously, Hamilton is anything but shabby. But Oris has more. Does that make a difference for you? Do you care? If you don't, clearly Oris isn't "good value." But if you do, Hamilton is inadequate and so not that good of a value.
This goes down the ladder. Some Swiss made "fashion watches" have capable movements (worth pointing out that quartz is more resilient and accurate than mechanical, and battery changes are cheaper than service of mechanical movement) and handsome design. If you don't care about movements and whatnot, well, a Hamilton is an overpriced watch with worse accuracy and fussy servicing requirements. I should know: my own wife throws that line at me on semi regular basis.
Back to your point. Is Hamilton "best value"? Well... what's valuable to you?
Great points! I'm gonna have a look at that horage brand.
Value is pretty subjective. I find Sinn watches to be fairly affordable still and have an excellent reputation.
Value is pretty subjective. I find Sinn watches to be fairly affordable still and have an excellent reputation.
Yes! But are they Swiss made or German made? Either way totally awesome brand!
I... don't know. Really depends on your definition of "value."
For example, my currently most cherished watch is a Horage (an independent brand). It has in-house movement with silicon hairspring and big date, titanium case (quite well finished), and a price tag of 3,500CHF. Is that good value? Personally, I would say yes, on the ground of the movement, the usability, the comfort, and so on. But if you don't care whether the movement is "special" or "inhouse," my statement of value makes exactly zero sense.
Or take Oris (full disclosure: I don't own one; I only handle then briefly at AD). These are significantly more expensive. But they are, in a sense, rather similar to Hamilton: generic movement in their designed cases. They command higher prices on the ground of their finishing and packaging of their watches. Obviously, Hamilton is anything but shabby. But Oris has more. Does that make a difference for you? Do you care? If you don't, clearly Oris isn't "good value." But if you do, Hamilton is inadequate and so not that good of a value.
This goes down the ladder. Some Swiss made "fashion watches" have capable movements (worth pointing out that quartz is more resilient and accurate than mechanical, and battery changes are cheaper than service of mechanical movement) and handsome design. If you don't care about movements and whatnot, well, a Hamilton is an overpriced watch with worse accuracy and fussy servicing requirements. I should know: my own wife throws that line at me on semi regular basis.
Back to your point. Is Hamilton "best value"? Well... what's valuable to you?
Cool watches! I like the lensman 2!
Value is pretty subjective. I find Sinn watches to be fairly affordable still and have an excellent reputation.
To be fair, there is a term: "Glashütte effect." Effectively, German labor is cheaper than Swiss labor (even among rich countries of Europe, Switzerland is very expensive place), so German brands are able to put more labor intensive processes at competitive price.
Sinn, Glashütte Original, Nomos, and so one do bring excellent values to the table.
That said, OP said "best Swiss value," and Sinn isn't Swiss.
Yes! But are they Swiss made or German made? Either way totally awesome brand!
They are German. I didn’t read the OP post close enough.
Any of the swatch group brands. Because of the scale they can offer a very good quality product with good prices.
I agree but I see them mostly make divers watches. Definitely a brand I would get.
What about the entire Airman line?
I couldn’t agree more my friend. I’ve had this watch for. Many years it’s a great watch.
I’d have to agree Hamilton. I have 2. I also like PSR, Murph, several other variants of khaki field, Boulton, Navy Scuba, Navy Frogman….. No other brand has so many appealing (and relatively affordable) models I’d say.
Classy
Nice! Stainless steel or plated? I think you have a real winner.
Stainless
Longines is in a higher price bracket but offers so much in its Master collection. This one has a textured dial, auto movement, 66hr PR at 28,800, moonphase, 12hr chronograph, 24hr indicator, day-date-month calendar. Full retail £3.5k, usually marked at £3.3k, but you can usually find one at £2.8k less if you put some effort in.
Oh ya those are on a different level
Seiko? 😎
Seiko does definitely have a excellent value for the money unfortunately we're looking at Swiss made watches
I almost bought this watch.
Seiko does definitely have a excellent value for the money unfortunately we're looking at Swiss made watches
I am aware, it was a joke….
Looking good on your wrist
Wow 😍
I would definitely be proud to own your Hamilton model. It’s punching far above its weight. Stainless steel, clean, beautifully styled & textured dial. Is the case bolstered on the crown side to give it protection?
I would definitely be proud to own your Hamilton model. It’s punching far above its weight. Stainless steel, clean, beautifully styled & textured dial. Is the case bolstered on the crown side to give it protection?
When I was first introduced to the Jazz Master I was put off by the logo above Hamilton. Your watch doesn’t have that & is all the more stylish for it. I must admit I’m currently looking carefully at the Seiko Enamel dial 110th anniversary. This watch has great potential with lasting value for me. Thank you for sharing it.
Longines is in a higher price bracket but offers so much in its Master collection. This one has a textured dial, auto movement, 66hr PR at 28,800, moonphase, 12hr chronograph, 24hr indicator, day-date-month calendar. Full retail £3.5k, usually marked at £3.3k, but you can usually find one at £2.8k less if you put some effort in.
I found this model new for $2300. Can’t beat that.
I would definitely be proud to own your Hamilton model. It’s punching far above its weight. Stainless steel, clean, beautifully styled & textured dial. Is the case bolstered on the crown side to give it protection?
There are little crown guards on it
There are little crown guards on it
That’s a nice touch and unique to the model.
Glycine, sure Invicta bought them but the Swiss not only said we’re not cutting quality control they upped their QC.
Seconded!
Swatch group seems to be the “go to” for value Swiss brands. I love Hamilton, but I think Mido and Certina have the edge over Tissot and Hamilton in overall quality, especially Mido. But it seems like everything overlaps a little with SG. You can find some older, ultra thin Longine Conquest quartz models (VHP as well) on eBay for under $300 as well. FC is another brand I think can offer a great value with a lot of their models.
Oris is my favorite because it offers independent watchmaking (outside of the swatch group) at a relatively affordable price point. I prefer them to the traditional answers of Tissot and Hamilton even though they're a bit more expensive because of their uniqueness.
Shorter lugs would make it more appealing though