The Smart Money
Nomos Club Campus
In all honesty, every watch on the ‘Smart Money’ list could be another Nomos as the brand is able to bring a dizzying amount of quality to even their most basic watches. No watch exemplifies this better than the Club Campus which is such good value for money pick that it feels that Nomos is paying you to take it. With the latest in-house movement from the brand inside, and an option of a personalized engraving on the caseback, this one is a no brainer. $1650
Junghans Form A
Junghans knows the value of minimalist design more than most, and their Form A pairs Bauhaus simplicity with affordable luxury. The ultra-minimal dial, made up of nothing but thin lines and sunken squares, shows that a great design is greater than the sum of its parts. The clean design and thin profile makes this a perfect choice for anyone wanting to buy a dependable and stylish timepiece without breaking the bank. $924
Oris Chronoris Date
Other than just being a really fun name to say over and over again, the Oris Chronoris Date is another example of a heritage inspired watch done right. The brushed, tourneau case, the funky red accents and double crowns evoke the best of 70s design without coming across as dated. The 39mm case is a great size for anyone looking for a sleek, but funky, sports watch and the price isn’t half bad either. $1750
Glashutte Original Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date
When it comes to Christmas songs, my guilty pleasure song is “Dear Santa (Bring me a Man This Christmas)” by the Weather Girls, but when it comes to watches, my guilt pleasure is seventies watches. The weird and oddly shaped cases, the intergrated straps and unique dial gimmicks all add up to make unique, if peculiar looking, watches. The Glashutte Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date is one of the best choices around if you’re looking for a watch that will stand out from the crowd. Where else will you find a power reserve indicator inside a chronograph register, or a smiley faced date window? $14900
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date
Jaeger-LeCoultre may be called the watchmaker’s watchmaker, but its never usually associated with being a ‘smart money’ pick. That is, until the release of the Master Control Date earlier this year. The beautiful sector dial, with its opaline center and satin outer section, is a joy to look at, almost as much as the beautiful hand-finished caliber visible through the sapphire crystal. If you’ve ever wanted to get into Jaeger-LeCoultre but thought that they were out of your price range, then this may be the watch for you. $5700
Tuxedo Attire
Christopher Ward C1 Grand Malvern 5 Day Automatic
Whilst rules are meant to be broken, there are a few that should be kept in mind when choosing a watch to wear with a Tuxedo. Ideally they should be slim dress watches with little more on the dial than hour markers, two or three hands and maybe a date window. The Christopher Ward 5 Day Automatic fits the bill perfectly and will look sharp on leather or a stainless steel milanese bracelet. The opaline dial is crisp and sophisticated and will pair well with a white dinner jacket, red carnation and a terrible Sean Connery Impression. $1740
Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 5227G-010
Whatever the occasion is, you’re bound to make an impression as a connoisseur when you turn up wearing a self-winding Patek Philippe Calatrava. Some may find the inclusion of a date window needless on such a formal watch, but don’t worry, you can dazzle them with the hinged case back, the solid yellow gold rotor finished with Geneva seal and a pair of matching gold cuff-links. $32,900
Vacheron Constantin Geneve Patrimony Ref. 111OU/OOOG-B086
If Patek Philippe is just ‘too mainstream’ for you, then I think the Vacheron Constant Patrimony will be right up your alley as this slim, manual winding watch (7.65mm thick) is simplicity defined, yet still manages to effortlessly exude character, charm and class. Just like the Patek Philippe, this movement is signed with the Hallmark of Geneva which is an industry leading standard of quality when it comes to hand-finishing of movements. $20,000
Omega De Ville Tresor
This one may be difficult to find, but I think the search will be well worth it as the Tresor is one of Omega’s hidden gems. Released several years ago and promptly forgotten about, the Tresor is a stunning watch with a jaw-dropping honeycomb dial and an equally beautiful hand-wound variation of the Omega Co-Axial caliber. It’s available in rose, white and yellow gold with my personal favorite being the timeless yellow gold case. $13,800
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPC03
Who said that you had to spend a fortune to get a nice looking watch? Yes, Seiko may be better known for chunky dive and sports watches, but their ‘Cocktail Time’ dress watch is a classic in its own right. Sure, it may lack the horological perfection of its bigger brother, the Grand Seiko, but for a 10th of the price it’s hard to quibble all that much. There are 4 different color dials available with my personal favorite being the silver/ice blue that pairs well with a martini. $425
