We're back with another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we're tackling a timely subject (no pun intended). With prices up over the last five years, we discuss watches that offer the best value at various price points. Oh, but there's a caveat: the pieces we discuss are actually available. For the benefit of our listeners, our watch talk begins approximately 15 minutes after the start.
Two episodes ago, we conversed about the best watches for new collectors. That seemed to resonate with our listeners. This week, we continue down a similar yet different path. Collectively, we've witnessed incessant price hikes in our favorite hobby. It's enough to scare away some fans, but not us! We're out to find the watches that offer the best value in this tough market. Yes, the watches are more expensive than in the past, but we still think each carries its weight.
Watches with the best value
Our rules for choosing watches with the best value were simple. The watches must be available to buy at retail today, without waiting lists or markups. Also, resale value wasn't a factor in the selection process. We didn't restrict ourselves to large brands, yet we tended toward brands with in-house movements. Finally, we didn't restrict ourselves to price limits, but we coincidentally huddled around three levels. Below €1,000, €1,000–5,000, and above €5,000 were our criteria.
Balazs is always earning extra credit
Balazs supposedly got mixed up with the assignment, but perhaps he was looking to outduel Mike again. He chose three winning watches but also gave many honorable mentions. In the lower-cost section, he named the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Forged Carbon, the Baltic Hermétique, and the Dennison ALD Dual Time. His winner, though, is the Timex Tide-Temp-Compass for just €279. In the middle category, he mentioned the Tudor Pelagos 39, various Albishorn chronographs, and the Grand Seiko SBGR257. His champion is the €1,890 Yema Superman CMM.10 with an in-house automatic movement. Finally, in the high-cost category, the Ming 57.04 Iris and the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Skipper made the list. Balazs's ultimate winner is the €8,800 Omega Speedmaster Professional in white.
Mike's picks
Mike stuck to the supposed brief and named three watches he thought offered the best value. On the affordable side, the €440 Seiko Prospex SRPE93 Turtle is a watch that makes no apologies. It's a simple diver with timeless looks and rock-solid build quality. In the mid-range, the choice is relatively predictable but hard to beat. The €4,150 Tudor Black Bay 58 is a chronometer-certified dive watch that can be dressed up or down. In fact, it's one of the best "only watches" on the planet. For the final category, Mike chose the €10,600 Zenith Chronomaster Original as his favorite piece. The mighty El Primero movement, the A386 case profile, and a legendary dial design make it his favorite luxury automatic chronograph.