Watch Spotlight: Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date Automatic

Whenever I go scouting to find deals on attainable watches, I look for watches that are bargains compared to other watches in their genre. Every luxury brand has watches that are unique, cool looking, and not the most celebrated in the watch press and blogosphere. If you find one that appeals to you, you'll end up with a watch that can be a real conversation starter. I think the Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date Automatic might be a great example.  Everyone in the press celebrates the Maurice Lacroix Aikon which is a fantastic watch costing around $2000. But, the Pontos comes in at just less than half of that price.  At a glance, you can fall in love with its elegantly casual style, unique dial design, and rich calfskin leather strap secured by a push button deployant clasp.

The watch is a great size at 41mm in diameter and 12mm thick. It has a transparent caseback that reveals the Sellita 220-1 automatic movement with 38-hour power reserve. It's a great looking business casual watch with solid specifications and it's half the price of an Aikon. It communicates class without flaunting it in the latest, greatest, shiniest package.  

Is this watch a bit beyond what I normally aspire to own? Absolutely. But, it's not impossible to raise $900. If you'd like to attain it, you can see this Maurice Lacroix here using my Amazon-affiliate link.

Pierre Richardson: A Vacheron Constantin Alternative?

With all the economic uncertainty for those of us in the tech sector, it can be difficult to justify the purchase of a full-fledged luxury watch. But, Christmas is right around the corner and it might be nice to add something to the watch box. There are three Asian-made brands that I'm currently keeping an eye on that might scratch the luxury itch without causing financial distress.  These brands are Pierre Richardson, Roberto Marino, and Cristiano Aillen. As far as I can tell, these are all names created for marketing purposes. But, when it comes to watches selling for less than $150, quality, functionality, and looks are the real keys. In this post, let's examine the Pierre Richardson PR4311.

Pierre Richardson PR4311 (Amazon photo)

The first watch to check out is the Pierre Richardson PR4311. This brand is a creation of the Israeli company, Orlando Watches.  This model has a 42mm diameter case and a Japanese quartz movement.  Looking at the bezel and dial, this watch appears to be an homage to the famed Vacheron Constantin Overseas. However, the Overseas has an integrated bracelet and it looks like the Pierre Richardson has a bracelet that can be conventionally changed.  

Pierre Richardson PR4311 Back and Bracelet (Amazon photo)

For this reason alone, the Pierre has a decisive advantage over the Vacheron Constantin. Plus, for those of you who are financially focused, you can save an easy $30,000. The Pierre Richardson comes in at about $150 and there are coupons on Amazon that can knock that price down substantially.  There are currently three color combinations for this watch on Amazon (silver, gold, and black).  You can start with this stainless look for this Pierre Richardson watch here at my Amazon affiliate link.

Trusted Luxury Watch Brands for Every Man

A Gift Givers Guide to Men's Luxury Watches

When it come to horological endeavors, you'll find no match for the peerless quality, artistry, and engineering prowess of the well-known European brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin. 

A Rolex Sea Dweller at the Unclaimed Baggage Store

These are the watches of substantial men with wealth, taste, and far larger bank accounts than the rest of us.  Sooooo....

LET'S GET SERIOUS!!!

Trusted Middle Class Luxury Watch Brands

Christmas is right around the corner and people need watch brands that they can trust at prices they can afford. In this post, let's look at luxury watch brands that sensible middle class people can afford. To me, that means that all watches that typically cost thousands of dollars are right out. Fortunately, there are still a few luxury brands that I can afford and that I've come to trust. 

When it comes to luxury watch brands that are well-known and  reasonably attainable, I'll go with four popular brands: Bulova, Movado, Seiko, and Tissot. Each of them has plenty of models that can be found at middle class price ranges from $300 to $1200. These are serious prices for serious timepieces.  They are also attainable luxury for nearly everyone.

A Bulova Precisionist Quartz Watch

Bulova Luxury Watches for Men

Bulova is owned by Seiko, but is headquartered in New York. The company has a rich history as part of American life. Generally, a Bulova watch for men will run $300 to $1500. I currently have four Bulova watches. If you shop sales, you can get great prices on high quality watches. Here is a link to Bulova Men's Watches on Amazon.

A Movado Museum Classic Quartz watch for men

Movado Luxury Watches for Men

Movado watches are another American brand with a long history of manufacturing high quality watches in Switzerland. They are best known for their iconic Museum watches which feature a gold disc in the 12 o'clock position and minimalist dials. Movado watches can be quite expensive. Some Movado watches can be up to $3000, but with smart shopping, you should be able to get a nice one in the $300 to $1000 range. A quartz Museum Classic can be found for $700 and a mechanical one for around $1000. The brand has also experimented with their classic styles to present them in more youthful formats and they can be found in the $300 to $500 range. I don't have a Movado watch yet, but eventually I will get one. Here is a link to Movado Men's Watches on Amazon.

A Seiko Presage Automatic

Seiko Luxury Watches for Men

Seiko is one of Japan's best known and most respected watch brands. They aren't cheap. Grand Seiko and King Seiko models cost thousands of dollars and compete with the best Europe has to offer. When you visit the brand on Amazon, you'll have to scroll down a bit to find regular Seiko models that cost around $1000, from there you can also find many popular models in the $400 to $500 price range that is a sweet spot for many purchasers. For luxury, you might check out the Seiko Presage Automatic Cocktail series of watches.  Here is a link to Seiko Men's Watches on Amazon.

A Tissot Carson Powermatic 80 Automatic Watch

Tissot Luxury Watches for Men

Tissot is a respected Swiss brand that is owned by the Swatch group.  Established in 1853, Tissot provides a wide variety of watches starting at prices as low as $140 on Amazon. The brands watches top out at around $1300 on the popular e-commerce site with plenty falling into the $400 to $500 sweet spot. My first Tissot was the Tissot Carson Powermatic 80 Automatic. It brings old world charm to my wrist and a Swiss movement with a long power reserve. Visit this link to see Tissot Watches for Men on Amazon.

Each of these watch brands brings a unique sense of style and luxury to the wearer.  In the Christmas gift giving season, the quality and expense of each of these brands also signifies the giver's esteem for the recipient. These watches are serious, high quality, gifts. 

Watch Sighting: Armitron Watch with Sub-dials at Walmart

Watches are one of the few fashion accessories men enjoy.  They are a practical means of self-expression.  They also convey a perception of social status.  Thus, when it comes to watches, a luxury look and feel can be just as important as practical function.  That's why this Armitron analog watch with tachymeter markings and sub-dials caught my eye on a recent stroll through Walmart.  It has the look of a luxury brand timepiece.

When I see an Armitron watch like this with a great look, nice features, and an affordable price tag, it really makes me wonder what the advantages of a more prestigious name brand would really be.