For $4,550, Would You Buy a Single Premium Watch or a Swarm of Affordable Ones?

To be a viable various to our GADA Tudor, the worth assortment has to incorporate a travel-time watch. We checked out Farer’s 36-mm Lander IV, with its preppy coloration scheme and distinctive character, however finally we went for an additional cult favourite from the inexpensive finish of the Swatch Group secure.

The Mido Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer prices $5 lower than the Farer, at $1,490, and brings its personal eye-catching dial to the desk, in addition to a 200-meter water resistance ranking and a model of the identical 80-hour motion as within the Hamilton. Maybe the clincher was the world-time bezel, which shouldn’t be confused with a true mechanical world-time complication, however does give at-a-glance timekeeping all over the world.

Up to now we’ve spent $3,905, which suggests we nonetheless have $645 burning a gap in our pocket. The plain hole on this assortment is a chronograph of some variety. It could give us the decisive edge over the Black Bay, however for this funds most mechanical chronographs are out of attain. We may purchase a MoonSwatch—in actual fact, at $285 we may purchase two and have sufficient left for the Uber residence—however we’re on our mission to seek out one thing extra substantial, extra attention-grabbing, and (let’s face it) extra more likely to stand the take a look at of time.

And that one thing is the Brew Tremendous Metric ($475), a hybrid mecha-quartz chrono from a New York microbrand with extra character than each MoonSwatch put collectively. The unashamedly loud retro styling isn’t for everybody, however we expect that the cushion-shaped case and metal bracelet assist broaden our stylistic choices, and though it’s not a pedigree mechanical chronograph, it prices lower than $500 whereas feeling and looking like nobody’s concept of a compromise.

That brings the challengers to a grand whole of $4,380, which suggests we’d be capable to purchase a six-watch case to maintain our assortment in (of course it’s received area for yet one more …) and perhaps even a couple of spare straps.

There’s little question the Tudor is in a totally different league, however may a crack squad of specialists tempt you to half with $4,550? Or will the lure of singular luxe show too tempting? Over to you. It is choice time.