WATCHES reach the status of classic for many reasons – great design, outstanding precision and celebrity association among them. But it is possible to echo their style for less money without resorting to, as the charitable might term it, the “replica”. We are pleased to advise you of high-quality alternatives to a selection of classic watches.
ROLEX SUBMARINER v OMEGA SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN
THE quality and heritage of Rolex have combined to create any number of classics. For this article we have chosen the rugged simplicity of the Submariner. The classic, black and white dateless version is listed by Rolex at £5,450.
Omega has quality and heritage of its own and Seamaster 300 with a black dial stands alone as a fine watch. It is also very good value. Omega lists it at £2,900.
PATEK PHILIPPE NAUTILUS v AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK
The Nautilus, designed in the seventies, remains one of Patek Philippe’s most cherished watches. This year’s model, the 5711 Blue, is priced at £23,000 but they are in such demand they are already commanding £30,000 or more.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was designed by the same man as the Nautilus, Gerald Genta, a few years earlier. Both are fairly minimalist sports watches, and both have unusual shapes. Audemars Piguet lists its automatic steel models at £13,900.
IWC PORTUGIESER v HAMILTON JAZZMASTER MAESTRO
IWC’s Portugieser was designed for mariners in the late 1930s. To achieve the accuracy demanded by the seas, IWC housed a pocket watch movement in a wristwatch. At 43mm it was very large for the time but it is so popular it is still in production today. The classic white-face Portugieser is listed by IWC at £10,600.
Hamilton is a US brand famous for innovation, but it’s Jazzmaster Maestro is very similar in design to the Portugieser. Hamilton lists this model at £1,400
BREITLING NAVITIMER v ORIS BIG CROWN PROPILOT ALTIMETER
The Navitimer is the most famous of Breitling’s stable of aviation watches and is instantly recognisable. Designed in 1952 they have extremely complex bezels which can be used for calculating fuel consumption, rate of loss or gain of altitude and average speed. They also keep very good time. Breitling list Navitimers from £3,350-£17,950’
The Oris Big Crown Propilot Altimeter has the features of Breitling, great design and the company has heritage dating to 1906. Shop carefully and you will find one for around £2,000.
CARTIER TANK v BAUME AND MERCIER HAMPTON
Cartier may be a French company but it has always relied on the Swiss when it comes to movements. In the past they have used Patek Philippe, Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Jaeger-LeCoultre engineering but now they have established a headquarters in Switzerland to produce their watches from start to finish. The Tank is instantly recognisable. Designed in 1917, Cartier lists models from £4,000-£245,000.
Baume and Mercier is one of the longest established watchmakers having been established in Switzerland since 1830. Its square faced offering, the Hampton, is listed from £1,200.