People sometimes ask me on Instagram and in person which watch they should buy.
They often expect me to suggest watches from well-known brands like Rolex, Cartier, and Omega. Yes, these brands produce and offer excellent watches, but they are also quite expensive for most people. In this series, we will look at our favorite watches priced under 2,500 euros. This time, I wanted to find watches that I would buy if I were starting to get into watches today. Here are some of my genuine recommendations.
Of course, there are many watches sold at this price. However, this price range is somewhat intermediate. I feel like people either look at watches priced under 1,000 euros or make a big leap and buy something around 5,000 euros. However, if you've never spent more than a couple of hundred euros on a watch, the 2,000-2,500 euro range is a good step up. That's how I started with my Oris Art Blakey. I'm still happy with that decision, and I still very much enjoy wearing those watches. So, I thought, "Why not start my recommendations with the same watch?"
Oris Artelier S
I looked on the Oris website and couldn't find the Art Blakey model anymore. It was released as a limited edition of 1,000 pieces and might already be sold out. You might still find them in boutiques, but since I prefer to talk about easily accessible watches, I will now point you to the Oris Artelier S model. Essentially, these are the same watches as the Art Blakey, only they are not a limited edition and feature a black or green dial with a very fine "sunburst" finish.
These are watches from the "old" Oris with an automatic Sellita SW200 movement, sold for a very reasonable 1,900 euros. The case is fully polished, and the sapphire crystal has a beautiful double dome. The pebble-like shape sometimes seems a bit vintage, but the minimalist dial and straight hands give the watch a more modern look. On the standard leather strap, the Artelier S looks very much like a dress watch. But if you put them, for example, on a Bonklip bracelet, they become much more versatile.
If you prefer something more sporty, Oris also has several good options under €2,500 in the Aquis and Divers Sixty-Five collections. And if you don't like Oris at all, my next recommendations might suit you better.
Mido Ocean Star GMT Special Edition
These watches were recently released by Mido. It slightly exceeds today's budget, but I still think it's worth mentioning. I've been looking for the "perfect" affordable GMT watch for quite some time. I think these Mido Ocean Star GMT Special Edition are dangerously close to that description. For 1,440 euros, it offers a sleek 40.5-millimeter stainless steel case with a flyer-style GMT movement. A 12-hour hand with independent adjustment allows you to quickly set local time when traveling.
These watches are certainly vintage in style, especially on the 11-row bracelet. The blue tone of the bezel insert and dial pairs beautifully with the red GMT accents. I like the applied shark tooth indices. I also appreciate the matte chapter ring with relief and an additional 24-hour scale, allowing you to track time in three time zones. Inside is the Mido Powermatic 80 movement with a comfortable 80-hour power reserve. Overall, I think the Ocean Star GMT Special Edition offers a value that's pretty hard to beat.
Polo Ralph Lauren Vintage 67
The third recommendation is my favorite, and I was happy to include it in the list, as its price is 2,460 euros. I think the Polo Ralph Lauren Vintage 67 is one of the most beautiful and original watches you can buy for just under 2,500 euros. Sure, the Polo branding might be a bit bold, but at least it doesn't feature a polo player on his horse. The 40-millimeter case with wire lugs is only 9.1 mm thick, and it comes with an additional Bund strap. But what I love most are the bold numerals on the dial.
The large onion crown operates the hand-wound La Joux-Perret 7380 movement inside. This caliber has a respectable 90-hour power reserve and is beautifully decorated with Côtes de Genève and perlage. All of this is visible through the exhibition case back. I know many enthusiasts frown upon fashion brand watches, but in my opinion, this Vintage 67 model from Polo Ralph Lauren is a great example of why you shouldn't dismiss them outright. With 50-meter water resistance, these watches can withstand some splashes and water exposure.
Honorable Mentions
When compiling the list for this article, I also included a few good diving watches. I thought it would be nice to mention them here. First, there's the second iteration of the Méraud Bonaire model. Yes, its design may be very close to the Blancpain Bathyscaphe MC4, but this green version is simply irresistible. Like the Polo Ralph Lauren Vintage 67, these watches feature a movement from La Joux-Perret. For about 1,240 euros, you can get these watches on a bracelet with real rivets, and I think it's an absolute steal.
A bit more expensive, just under 1,600 euros, you can get the new 39-millimeter Doxa Sub 200T watches. The watches come in a wide range of colors and provide the classic Doxa look on the wrist. My favorite here is the Searambler with a silver sunburst dial. Finally, I would like to add the Airain Sous-Marine Re-Edition to this list. Who can resist the 37.5-millimeter case with the signature "DNA strand" seconds hand for 1,750 euros?
There you have it! These are my recommendations for watches priced under 2,500 euros. What do you think of these options? Do you have other recommendations? Let me know in the Telegram channel.