The difference between a great value watch and just another cheap timepiece may be difficult to spot at times, but these five watches on our shortlist represent the best bang for your buck we’ve seen all year.
All are fine examples of watchmakers making savvy use of materials and employing technical innovations to create pieces that are far more than the sum of their parts.
Meet the contenders for the Best Value Watch of 2018...
Baume et Mercier Clifton Baumatic
Swiss watch brand Baume et Mercier is well respected for its watches primed for everyday use, what is not renowned for is being a hotbed of industry leading innovation. But that’s exactly what we find inside the Clifton Baumatic, which leads to a timepiece capable of a five-day power reserve, anti-magnetism and a host of other sensible feature. At £2,150, that’s a heck of a lot of watch. baume-et-mercier.com
Christopher Ward Slim C5 Malvern 595
It’s not easy to take on the goliaths of Swiss watchmaking and come away victorious, but British brand Christopher Ward has managed just that with its Slim C5 Malvern 595. It’s an impressively svelte 5.95mm in thickness (perhaps not the right term), and boasts the kind of minimalist aesthetic credentials that are increasingly popular among watch fans - all for less than £600. christopherward.co.uk
Longines Master Collection Annual Calendar
The annual calendar is not an easy complication for watchmakers to get right, which is why it’s usually reserved for higher price points – where technical sophistication and lower production numbers are more prominent. Yet, Longines has somehow managed to whittle down the price of its new offering to less than £1,600. Forget the elegant simplicity of the design, that’s just plain impressive. longines.com
Panerai Luminor Due 38mm
Panerai make big watches for big wrists – this is a fact that was universally acknowledged until this year when the Italian watch brand surprised the industry by scaling down its popular Luminor Due model into a comparatively miniature 38mm. The new case hides a brand-new movement with a three-day power reserve, while a handy quick-release strap allows you to play with more than ten different colour options. panerai.com
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight
There are few brands who can beat Tudor when it comes to packing the most value into its timepieces – and the vintage-inspired Fifty-Eight dive watch is no exception. The gilt finishing and copper numerals on the bezel show a great attention to detail at this price point, while the new in-house movement provides a lengthy power reserve and 200m water resistance. tudorwatch.com
Which watch do you think should win the Best Value Award?
To vote on other categories, visit the Watch Awards Homepage
