Great Watches Under $5,000
IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire IW326801
IWC has a rich history when it comes to military timepieces. While true vintage watches are scarce collector’s items and hard to come by, the brand offers the next best thing: modern watches heavily inspired by those of a bygone era. Take this IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire IW326801, for example, which pays tribute to the navigation watches used by the Royal Air Force during World War II. It has all the external features of a watch that has survived the trenches. The 39-mm steel case has a brushed finish so as not to draw the enemy’s attention by reflecting the sun. Large indices and Arabic numerals provide clear legibility. This, paired with the wide, lume-filled sword-style hands and unmistakable triangle at the 12 o’clock position, creates a timepiece that is super easy to use. The olive green NATO strap finishes off the military look. Nevertheless, the IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire is as modern as it gets. Sapphire crystal protects the dial, and inside beats the IWC 32110 caliber, an ETA-based movement with a 72-hour power reserve. This is a great everyday piece with a story to tell.
Enthusiast’s Corner: Rare and Exceptional Timepieces
Rolex Milgauss 116400GV
When the Rolex Milgauss hit the market, it was a rather polarizing watch. Many considered it outside of the company’s wheelhouse. One could even say that the Rolex Milgauss was a love it or hate it timepiece. Over the years, it grew in popularity, in part due to the fact that the flagship steel sports models became scarcer than hen’s teeth. Regardless, the watch is now well-loved and often searched for on our platform. There are hundreds of offers to choose from. The latest ref. 116400GV (“glace verte” or green glass) comes in two iterations. We picked the black dial version because its colorful glass is more obvious. The watch comes with a black dial and two types of indices: thicker beige luminous markers at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock and shorter bright luminous markers at the other positions. The 60-minute scale is orange, as is the lightning-shaped seconds hand and the model name at 12 o’clock. The dial is covered by a domed green crystal, hence the GV in its reference. This is a Rolex that largely still flies under the radar.
Iconic Timepieces: Great Value for Money
Moser & Cie. Venturer Big Date
Moser & Cie. is becoming a powerhouse in the independent hautehorlogeriescene. The brand continues to release innovative and forward-thinking models at an incredible pace. They stick to what they know best and execute it perfectly, namely creating beautiful, highly-functional future-classic timepieces. The H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Big Date is a clean and astonishingly well-balanced watch. The larger 41-mm case has a thin bezel and dark blue dial, which makes the watch look much smaller. The only complication, the date, is located at the 3 o’clock position. The date aperture is larger than most, but the large dial offers plenty of space for it. The big date is not the only element that helps legibility; the long white gold leaf hands contrast nicely against the dial and work well with the thin white gold indices. The seconds subdial at the 6 o’clock position adds a touch of elegance to the otherwise contemporary timepiece.
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