Great Watches Under $5,000
Jaeger-LeCoultre Réserve de Marche
Class is priceless, but some dressy timepieces are available at relatively affordable prices. Just take this beautiful Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Réserve de Marche, for example. Its elegance and exciting design highlight the watch’s complications, while its 39-mm steel case is the perfect size for a dress watch if you ask me. The steel harmonizes beautifully with the white dial, leather strap, and bracelet. However, what makes the Master Réserve de Marche such an incredible piece is its dial layout and features. There’s a subdial at 2 o’clock for the date display. Across from that, you have the watch’s power reserve indicator at 10 o’clock – something as useful as the date complication on an automatic watch. Balancing out the look is a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. You can wear this watch with a casual shirt and chinos or to a formal occasion in a suit and tie. The Master Réserve de Marche is undoubtedly a great choice for just about any occasion.
Enthusiast’s Corner: Rare and Exceptional Timepieces
Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar Montre Écol
The great Laurent Ferrier is not only a living industry legend; he’s also a renaissance man who worked at Patek Philippe for decades, including with other industry giants like Gérald Genta. Following that, Ferrier launched his own brand, achieving extraordinary success with it. But did you know that he also took 3rd place at the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing right behind Paul Newman? Along with his success on the racetrack, he’s responsible for creating a handful of brilliant watches, including the Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar Montre École. This is a timepiece that, despite having a design rooted in the past, is still very modern in every way. Along with the trademark Ferrier hands, some of the classiest you’ll find anywhere, this timepiece features a 40-mm case, manual movement, and triple date display on the dial. The face of the Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar Montre École is harmonious, easy to read, and a delight for the eyes. Any wearer will be proud to have this beautifully designed piece of watchmaking art on the wrist.
Iconic Timepieces: Great Value for Money
IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph
You may have already read about IWC pilot chronographs and how much we love them in previous Editors’ Picks. If aviators still used a wrist-top chronograph for their flights today, there’s a good chance that many would go with an IWC Pilot’s Watch. They boast classic design, fantastic readability, and functions that are easy to use thanks to the large pushers and case size. The IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph is for those who enjoy a complicated chronograph and love the IWC design. Watch enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the sophistication of a double (or rattrapante) chronograph complication. “Flyback!” you might say. But no, not really. This timepiece’s double chronograph is more complex than that. The IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph is a wonderful example of an intricate, well-balanced timepiece. It looks great and wears remarkably well. What’s more, it sells for prices that are almost unheard of for watches with this complication. Already an iconic watch, The IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph is a timepiece that I’m confident will continue to solidify its legendary status in the years to come.
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Editors’ Picks of the Week: Longines, Chronoswiss, and Audemars Piguet
Editors’ Picks of the Week: Hublot, A. Lange & Söhne, and Patek Philippe
