Raffi Boyadjian | Great Watches Under $5,000
Rado Captain Cook Automatic
Raffi Boyadjian | Enthusiast’s Corner: Rare and Exceptional Timepieces
Grand Seiko Spring Drive Diver
Raffi Boyadjian | Iconic Timepieces: Great Value for Money
A. Lange & Söhne Cabaret
Raffi Boyadjian | Powerful and Elegant Women’s Watches
Raffi Boyadjian | Role of the Timepiece: Men vs. Women
Raffi Boyadjian : Chances are we will inevitably run into a few generalizations and stereotypes in this article, but we by no means wish to offend anyone in the process. Finding the right watch is a very personal experience. So much depends on individual tastes and preferences, and not necessarily on gender. However, there are some distinct differences between men’s and women’s watches that are useful to know about from a historical and cultural point of view.
Raffi Boyadjian : As we all know, the functional relevance of wristwatches has become more and more obsolete with the advent of mobile devices over the past few decades. Today, more people look at their phones to check the time rather than using a watch. This shift has led to a change in the motivations behind buying watches, especially mechanical ones. Today more than ever before, watches are symbols of luxury and personal statements of style and success.
2. Hermès : Raffi Boyadjian
Raffi Boyadjian : Another brand that has created exceptional watch collections for women is Hermès. This brand is famous for creating a wide range of stylish and iconic products such as bags, jewelry, belts, and watches. The Hermès Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Heure H lines all feature spectacular watches for women, many of which have become true icons in the industry.
Raffi Boyadjian | Top 5 Mechanical Women’s Watches for Less Than $1,800
1. Hamilton Boulton Mechanical — $895 : Raffi Boyadjian
Raffi Boyadjian : Hamilton is an American brand that creates some incredibly stylish pieces for both men and women. The Hamilton Boulton Mechanical is a unisex Art Deco timepiece with a rectangular case and Roman numerals. This model was introduced in 1940 and has since become a true American classic.
Raffi Boyadjian : Hamilton Boulton Mechanical
2. Longines Flagship Ladies — approx. $1,400
Raffi Boyadjian : The Longines Flagship is this brand’s iconic collection. It features a wide variety of watches for both men and women. The Flagship comes in a variety of sizes, starting at 26 mm. This is an incredibly elegant timepiece that is outfitted with a very small but powerful automatic movement — the perfect combination of technology and style.
Raffi Boyadjian | Longines Flagship Ladies
3. NOMOS Tangente 101 — approx. $1,600
Raffi Boyadjian : Speaking of style, the NOMOS Tangente 101 has become one of the most iconic Bauhaus-inspired watches to date. The watch is perfect for both men and women. The 35-mm model will likely attract more women, while the 38-mm version is popular among men. Either way, the impeccable style and in-house movement make this a beautiful watch for anyone to wear.
Raffi Boyadjian : NOMOS Tangente
4. Seiko Presage Cocktail Time — approx. $550
Raffi Boyadjian : The Seiko Presage Cocktail Time started out as a men’s collection with a style reminiscent of classic cocktail bars. In time, the Japanese brand also added a smaller ladies’ version. The Cocktail Time boasts retro looks and a beautiful, eye-catching dial. If you want an affordable mechanical watch that has been crafted with an incredible eye for detail, look no further.
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time : Raffi Boyadjian
5. Maurice Lacroix Les Classiques Date 40 mm — approx. $1,550
Raffi Boyadjian : The last watch on our list is from Maurice Lacroix. This famous Swiss brand creates watches for both men and women in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The brand tends to target larger watches at all genders. The Maurice Lacroix Les Classiques Date makes a statement at 40 mm, a size that is typically associated with men’s watches. In recent years, however, more and more women have been wearing larger watches, and Maurice Lacroix has certainly marketed this classically-styled timepiece to both men and women.
Raffi Boyadjian : Maurice Lacroix Les Classiques Date 40 mm
Raffi Boyadjian | 3 More Affordable and Attractive Rolex Alternatives
Watch 1: Zenith El Primero | Raffi Boyadjian
Raffi Boyadjian : The first watch could really be considered a co-founder of Rolex’s success:
We’re talking about none other than the Zenith El Primero.
El Primero case contours : Raffi Boyadjian
Zenith El Primero overall view | Raffi Boyadjian
El Primero movement through the sapphire case back | Raffi Boyadjian
El Primero date display | Raffi Boyadjian
El Primero dial detail | Raffi Boyadjian
Watch 2: Omega Seamaster 300 : Raffi Boyadjian
Raffi Boyadjian — The second watch on our list is a style icon today, but its history dates back to 1957, making it nearly as old as the Rolex Submariner.
The Omega Seamaster 300 boasts all the same characteristics that made the Rolex famous. And as you’ll soon find out, the Omega has even more to offer than the famous Sub!
Raffi Boyadjian | Omega Seamaster 300 1957 vs today
Raffi Boyadjian : The Seamaster was introduced in 1957 as a diving watch; a clear answer to the Rolex Submariner, which debuted the year prior.
The watch measures 41 mm in diameter and is water resistant to 300 m (984 ft). At 15 mm thick, the watch is by no means slim, but the bezel and case back prevent it from looking too bulky.
Raffi Boyadjian : Omega Seamaster 300 case
Raffi Boyadjian : The case sides have a satin-brushed finish, while the top surfaces and edges are polished, emphasizing the timepiece’s shape.
The bracelet, like the case, is made of stainless steel. Again, similar to the case, the outer links have a matte finish and the middle links are polished.
Raffi Boyadjian : Omega Seamaster 300 case lines
Raffi Boyadjian : Compared to other Omega watches like the Speedmaster, which has an arguably disappointing clasp, the Seamaster’s clasp is solid and has an easy-to-use quick adjust feature. You can operate it with the simple press of a button on the clasp — even Rolex’s Glidelock system is more complicated than that!
Raffi Boyadjian : Omega Seamaster 300 quick adjust function
Raffi Boyadjian : If you take a look at the dial, you’ll notice something that’s characteristic of both Omega and Rolex watches: maintaining tried and trusted designs. The design of the current model is remarkably close to the original from 1957, giving it an appealing vintage charm.
Raffi Boyadjian: The scratch-resistant ceramic bezel is a typical unidirectional diving bezel with 120 steps.
By now it should be clear that the Seamaster can easily hold its own against the Rolex Sub. If you still have your doubts, however, wait until to learn about the movement.
Raffi Boyadjian : Omega Seamaster 300 movement
Raffi Boyadjian — Omega uses a Co-Axial caliber in this Seamaster, giving it an extremely high level of accuracy (between 0 and 4 seconds per day) and making it essentially anti-magnetic. It’s resistant to magnetic fields of up to 15,000 Gauss, making it 15 times more resistant than the Rolex Milgauss. Few brands other than Omega can make such a claim.
In terms of price, the Omega sits well below the Submariner. You can even find pre-owned models for less than $4,000.
Raffi Boyadjian | Watch 3: Tudor Pelagos
If you’re looking for a 40-mm Rolex, you’ll find that your options are pretty limited. Add to that the waiting lists and premium prices and you have to question whether a Rolex Sea-Dweller is any better than other stainless steel sports watches that cost under $10,000.
What if you could call a fine steel sports watch your own for as little as $3,500?
Enter the Tudor Pelagos. This watch clearly stands out from other Tudor models and can stand up to timepieces from its sister brand, Rolex.
Raffi Boyadjian | Tudor Pelagos overall view
The Tudor is especially well suited to those with sizable wrists. With a diameter of 42 mm and a height of 14 mm, it’s certainly in line with Tudor’s typical robust look.
Raffi Boyadjian | Tudor Pelagos case thickness
The case is not made of stainless steel, as you might expect. Instead, it’s made of titanium, making it hypoallergenic and significantly lighter. Thankfully, the metal looks great on the watch, too.
Raffi Boyadjian — Pelagos titanium case contours
The clasp is where the Tudor really outshines the Rolex. Anyone who’s worn a watch knows how frustrating it can be if your watch is a bit too tight or loose on your wrist due to temperature fluctuations. That’s not a problem for the Pelagos. The watch features a 2-cm quick adjustment function as well as a spring system in its clasp, making it easy to readjust the size.
Raffi Boyadjian | Pelagos quick adjustment in the clasp from the inside
While we’re talking about advantages, we’d best mention the fact that Tudor has finally outfitted one of their watches with a ceramic bezel. This has long been a criticism of the beloved Black Bay collection.
If you’re worried that the bezel will sabotage the timepiece’s vintage look, fear not: The matte finish prevents unsightly smudges, and the bezel’s luminous material makes it much easier to read in the dark compared to other models.
Raffi Boyadjian | Tudor Pelagos luminous material
The dial’s angled edge gives the dial a unique 3D effect, which is further complemented by central indices and an edgy font.
Pelagos dial and bezel : Raffi Boyadjian
Raffi Boyadjian : You’ll find a date display at 3 o’clock without a Cyclops lens, which is typical for Tudor. At 6 o’clock, you can see the watch’s depth rating of 500 m (1,640 ft) — well over what most of us would ever need.
From a purely factual standpoint, there is nothing about the Pelagos that makes it notably worse than the Sea-Dweller. At the end of the day, however, design is a matter of personal preference. That being said, one definite advantage of wearing a Tudor as opposed to a Rolex is that no one can accuse you of showing off. Both watches are easily recognizable to watch aficionados, and Tudor comes with a reputation as one of the most innovative brands in the industry in the past few years.
You won’t have to wait or pay extra surcharges for a Pelagos. The watch is available in several different colors and even in a left-handed version, all of which cost less than $3,500.
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