While 2,500 euros is not a small amount, working with this budget is quite challenging - or so I thought.
Initially, I believed that with such a budget, I would always be buying vintage or pre-owned watches. For example, you could get a good vintage Longines, Omega, IWC, Breitling, or Jaeger-LeCoultre for it. But after consulting with our editor-in-chief Nacho, I was tasked with compiling a selection of new watches. Diving into the study of watches available within this budget pleasantly surprised me. I found several worthy watches from both microbrands and larger, well-known brands.
We have previously suggested combined watches in this price range, such as the Aquastar Deepstar II, Nivada Grenchen Racing Chrono, Straum Jan Mayen, Oris Divers Sixty-Five, and RZE Resolute Pro. This is a popular price segment where you can find a variety of styles and quality items with good mechanisms, beautiful dials and hands, interesting case shapes, etc. The only thing is, bracelets often take a back seat. I considered this when selecting watches for this review. After all, the bracelet is a significant part of the watch, not only in terms of material volume but also in terms of comfort and wearing sensation.
Fortis Flieger F-39
The Fortis Flieger F-39 model is an example of how the bracelet is definitely not secondary. The brand's Block bracelet is well-made, properly finished, and very comfortable to wear. Yes, Fortis produces large, bulky, and robust watches, but this is simply the brand's position, and its representatives are proud of it. The Flieger F-39 is a very functional watch with excellent readability, a date, and a 12-hour bezel.
With these Fortis watches, you become part of the crowd that loves - no, adores - this brand. People from Fortis host cool parties and events and feel like part of the watch community themselves. The fact that Fortis CEO Jupp Philipp was a collector and watch enthusiast before acquiring the brand in 2017 speaks for itself.
Nowadays, Flieger watches are available in different colors, but I prefer the original version with a black dial, green lume (Brixtrack by Fortis), and orange accents. The bezel, case, and bracelet made of matte stainless steel make these watches a non-flashy tool. Inside is a movement based on the Sellita SW200-1 with a 38-hour power reserve. The Fortis Flieger F-39 is an unpretentious watch with a 39 mm diameter, 50 mm lug-to-lug length, and 12.5 mm thickness. The watch is water-resistant up to 200 meters, and its retail price is 2,400 euros.
Oris Aquis Date Upcycle
In Hölstein, Switzerland, Oris employees love to help make the world a better place. For example, their beach cleanup initiatives are a great effort (and fun to participate in). However, purchasing an Oris Aquis watch with a recycled PET plastic dial requires less effort from you. Will this change the world for the better? Probably not radically, but it's a great reminder of what changes we can make in our daily lives to make the world better. Rest assured, most of the steel used in the industry is already recycled, and with reliable mechanical watches, you are already dealing with something sustainable and durable compared to (single-use) quartz watches.
Moreover, the Upcycle dial looks cool, and each piece is unique. The new Aquis Date Upcycle model is available in two versions. The model priced at 3,750 euros features the signature caliber 400 and a bracelet with a quick-release system and a smart adjustable clasp. The model presented here, priced at 2,450 euros, operates on the Sellita-based caliber 733 and lacks such fancy elements on the bracelet. However, the case is the same updated version, and the dial features new typography.
I tried the new Oris Aquis during the Watches and Wonders exhibition, and the updates to the case (such as shortened lugs and updated crown) and bracelet significantly improved the design and comfort. The 43.5 mm version fits perfectly on my 18 cm wrist. This Upcycle version is only available in a 43.5 mm size, but regular Oris Aquis are also available in smaller diameters (39.5 and 41.5 mm). The Oris Aquis Date watches are also water-resistant up to 300 meters.
Tissot PR516 Mechanical Chronograph
Tissot has many offerings priced below 2,500 euros. I chose the PR516 Mechanical Chronograph, which sells for just under 2,000 euros. This is already a higher price point in Tissot's market segment. I have a Tissot PRX chronograph with a similar price tag, but for this review, I chose something entirely different. Would I make a different choice today when buying Tissot for this price? No, it depends on which watches are already in your collection. The PR516 has a more standard case shape, while the PRX is more bold. However, what I like about these PR516 is the dial color and the black-and-white bezel.
In the history of PR516, you can even find it on James Bond's wrist (played by Roger Moore) in the film "Live and Let Die." The colors of the new PR516 model remind of the colors of the first chronograph of this line, released in 1968.
While the new PR516 model is a very modern watch, it's nice that the collection has a significant history dating back to 1965 (it started as a three-hander). Let's take a closer look at today's PR516 model. These are 41 mm stainless steel watches with a lug-to-lug length of 49 mm and a thickness of 14 mm. They are not thin or small watches, but despite this, they wear quite well. These are sporty watches at a fairly affordable price, so a 14 mm thickness is quite acceptable. Inside is the hand-wound ETA A05.291 movement based on the Valjoux 7753, providing a 68-hour power reserve. The retail price of the Tissot PR516 Mechanical Chronograph is 1,975 euros. PR516 models with quartz movements start at a very modest price of €545.
Sinn 103 St Pilot Chronograph
Of course, the 103 model is not the most interesting, but it is a very classic Sinn watch that will never go out of style. It's boring but good, as my colleague Artem likes to say. You can dress it up with a nice leather strap, but the stainless steel bracelet is also an excellent choice. This model has been in the Sinn catalog for several decades, but only the movement inside has changed. Instead of the classic ETA/Valjoux 7750, Sinn now uses the Concepto C99001.
Sinn has offered the Flieger (Pilot) 103 chronograph in many versions, but this 103 St is simply the most classic. Sinn also offers special versions or limited editions, such as the 103 St Diapal with a proprietary lubricant-free escapement, Ar-Dehumidifying technology, and an additional 12-hour hand. Unfortunately, we didn't make it within the budget this time, but the classic 103 St remains an excellent watch.
The diameter of the Sinn 103 St is 41 mm, the thickness is 15.9 mm, and the water resistance is 200 meters. The crystal is acrylic (plexiglass), and the case back is solid stainless steel. Sapphire crystals on one or both sides can be ordered for 500 euros for the front and 100 euros for the back cover. Sinn also allows you to choose between a German or English day wheel. In any case, I would choose "classic" - acrylic glass and a fully steel case back. With a stainless steel bracelet, these watches are priced at 2,500 euros. If you buy the watch on a leather strap, the price will be 2,150 euros.
Raymond Weil Millesime Salmon Dial
It's difficult to find good watches on such a budget unless you go for pre-owned or vintage. Longines and Raymond Weil produce very similar watches, but I decided to choose the Millesime rather than the Longines Heritage Classic with a sector dial. The 700-euro price difference was certainly the reason I chose the Raymond Weil Millesime for 1,950 euros. In addition, the salmon dial makes the watch more interesting. The thickness of these 39.5 mm watches is only 9.5 mm (the Longines thickness is 11 mm), and the water resistance is 50 meters.
Inside the Millesime is the RW4200 caliber from Raymond Weil and an automatic winding mechanism from Sellita (SW200-1). The mechanism is visible through the case back, which is very convenient for those just getting acquainted with watches. More experienced collectors or enthusiasts have probably seen their share of Sellita and ETA calibers. I prefer a solid metal case back with a beautiful engraving or medallion rather than a view of the almost ubiquitous movement. However, I understand that case backs attract many watch enthusiasts.
Raymond Weil Millesime is an attractive watch with dials in various colors, but I prefer the salmon-pink. This color pairs well with a gray calf leather strap with a pin buckle. As you can see, various types of finishes are applied to the dial, creating depth. Black hands and hour markers contrast with the salmon dial and provide good readability. Finally, the box-shaped sapphire crystal is anti-reflective on both sides.
What are your options under 2,500 euros?
These are my five options for new watches priced under 2,500 euros. It would be difficult for me to choose just one of these five watches, and it all depends on whether it would be my only watch or an addition to an existing collection. I would probably choose Oris or Fortis if it were an everyday watch.
Which watches under 2,500 euros would you choose? Let me know in the Telegram channel.