If you are reading this blog, then you must be preparing to start your very own luxury watch collection. But while there are so many brands, price-tags and styles available in the horology market, you are pretty anxious and not sure where to begin.
Don’t fret, as this post will help you to choose the best luxury timepieces to kick-start your collection. So you might be concerned about the price tags of some watches you came across in the market. And it is entirely understandable.
What are Entry-Level Watches?
Watches produced by top-class brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe or Omega typically come with hefty price tags. However, there are also many affordable models out in the market.
The fact is that all watchmakers produce a line of models in different price ranges. While there are costly editions at one end, you will also find many affordable models at the other. However, the irony is that the term “affordable” in the luxury watch industry does not mean that you will find anything below the four-figure mark.
Top watchmakers like Rolex today enjoy unrivalled fame and reverence. But it is essential to keep in mind that they have achieved such a status through their compulsive dedication to watchmaking and watches of superior quality.
An entry-level timepiece may come with one zero or two less off the end of its asking price in comparison to the flagship models. But it does not signify that the watchmaker created it halfheartedly or with cheaper components.
These watches are designed and developed by the same brand, factory and also, same components as the ones costing thousands of pounds or more. If you take the Rolex Oyster Perpetual as an example, the watch bears the same aesthetic and precious components that characterise the brand. Like other Rolex’s flagship models, it also retains value with time.
If you search on the internet “sell Rolex Oyster Perpetual”, you will find plenty of buyers near you who are willing to buy your Rolex for top prices. So the fact is Rolex is a Rolex, no matter whether it is an entry-level model or a limited edition.
Continue reading to explore some of the best entry-level luxury watches, and you take the first step to start your very own watch collection with confidence.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual
The Oyster Perpetual exhibits the classic aesthetic and essence of the brand in many ways. However, the watch is named after Rolex’s two revolutionary innovations –
One is the Oyster case that was invented in 1926 and another, the self-winding perpetual movement, created in 1931.
Rolex created the Oyster Perpetual lineup for popularising wristwatch as a significant tool accessory that can be used regularly by both men and women.
However, except the Cellini collection, all Rolex watches today are an Oyster Perpetual technically. It signifies that they are powered by an automatic movement and also, water-resistant up to a depth of at least 100m.
So the full name of a Rolex Datejust is Oyster Perpetual Datejust. Similarly, a Submariner is Oyster Perpetual Submariner.
Rolex offers the Oyster Perpetual watches in a wide range of diameters – 41mm, 36mm, 34mm, 31mm, and 28mm.
Furthermore, they are also available in various dial designs. The brand’s entry-level model has everything to be considered as an excellent timepiece to start with, lasting for generations.
Omega Seamaster Professional 300M Diver
Omega introduced the first Seamaster Diver 300M series in 1994. The watch was undoubtedly very good –looking and durable. However, what offered an unparallel marketing boost is its blue version making an appearance in “GoldenEye” on the wrist of Pierce Brosnan.
Well, the Omega Seamaster Professional Diver comes in different varieties. The latest collection includes nearly twenty pieces.
However, the watchmaker does not offer this model in solid gold. But there are eye-catching dual-tone versions with Sedna or yellow gold at excellent prices. The Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M is indeed worthy of your attention.
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight
This most recent 2018 addition has become perhaps the most famous model in the Tudor’s Black Bay range. More significantly, the Black Bay Fifty-Eight is the least costly among other diver’s watches.
The watch features a 39mm case, red-triangle at the 12hour marker, and Snowflake-hands on the no-date gilt dial.
However, the elegant brushed steel case sports thick bevels and is framed by a matte aluminium-insert bezel. Tudor offers this Black Bay Fifty-Eight in two versions – a black bezel and dial edition and an all-blue model for 2020.
The bracelet choices include colour-matching nylon and leather straps or steel riveted bracelet. This watch is virtually matchless value for money.
