When your business starts to get traction, income comes rolling in. That means that you will now have the leeway to at least reward yourself with something substantial. For businessmen everywhere, having a trusty daily driver watch can prove to be more complicated of a process than necessary, but don’t worry, as in this article, we have listed down the best affordable luxury watches you can check out:
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Frederique Constant Classics Index
The watches from Frederique Constant have always leaned towards the dressier aesthetic. And the Classics Index does not veer too far away from that. It is a watch that you pull out of the box for special occasions, with classic styling and sophistication that jumps at anyone who gets a good look at it. The brand may not be a top-tier Swiss watchmaker, but it surely puts its contemporaries to shame when it comes to manufacturing dress watches for a fraction of the price.
Frederique Constant watches are cheap by any means. Quite the contrary, as in some areas around the world, these watches fetch mid-range Swiss watch prices. That means you could probably buy a Grand Seiko in exchange for one of Frederique Constant timepieces. The Classics Index boasts an FC-303 automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve (not the most impressive, but it will do), a date complication, and a whopping 26 jewels inside the complication.
There are four models in the collection, with the white dial clocking in at less than $1000 in some retailers. It is a great starter watch for any businessman because it looks the part without trying too hard. A Rolex for your first big business win may be overkill, not to mention overrated, but something like a Frederique Constant Classics Index would raise some eyebrows. It does not hurt that this watch is a handsome stunner!
Tissot Powermatic Ballade
Any affordable luxury watch list would not be complete without Tissot. The company is one of the few Swiss watch brands that chose the mall route in marketing their watches. In a world where Swiss watch brands choose to build their boutique in shopping districts around the world, Tissot is marketed as the approachable, entry-level, quality watchmaker that it is.
Search in your locality right now for a Tissot kiosk, and you will quickly find one in your nearest mall. Prices for a Tissot can vary, and while going for the automatic and self-winding options will set you back a couple of hundred dollars more, you will thank yourself in the long-run for this choice. So what do you get from Tissot?
The Powermatic Ballade is a great choice. It ticks all the checkboxes for a great watch: Swiss-made, automatic movement, classy presentation. You get a wristwatch with a design language that screams class and sophistication, a movement that has a power reserve of 80 hours (impressive at this price point!), and a water-resistance of 50 meters. Oh, and the build is completely stainless steel!
If you do not personally like what the Powermatic Ballade is offering, check out the classic Visodate instead. This collection’s vintage styling will complement the typical businessman get-up: polo shirt, dress pants, leather shoes. Both of the two collections are an excellent choice because they look serious enough for a man who is building an empire!
Oris Atelier Alarm
Another excellent Swiss watchmaker, Oris watches, has been part of the industry for quite some time now. From its inception, the brand has manufactured a plethora of collections, and today, it is one of few watchmakers worldwide that can be proud of their product line. If you like the Oris aesthetic, you will fall in love with the Atelier Alarm watches. These watches don’t apologize for what they look, and at 42mm, it can be on the bigger side for small to medium wrist sizes.
Looks-wise, the Atelier Alarm watches are some of the most attractive that the company has ever manufactured. The brushed and polished stainless steel case, the silver dial and choice of rose gold on the timepiece’s hands, and red rotor inside all come together to make this watch one for the books, as they say. The movement inside is a Swiss automatic self-winding movement, not a caliber, but should be enough for a reliable daily driver.
The watch is dressy enough to pair with formal clothes, and although the overall styling of the timepiece lends itself to a more sophisticated gentleman, getting one and pairing it with a more casual outfit should instantly elevate your style. It will impress the initiated, and even with people who don’t particularly know watches, they will still be impressed enough with the presentation to warrant a compliment.
Seiko SARB033
This list would not be complete without the brand that is heralded as the budget king when it comes to automatic watches. You may remember Seiko as the brand that started the quartz revolution, but its automatic watch arm has been a favorite among connoisseurs for forever. The Seiko 5 Sports has a cult following for a reason, and not just because it is affordable!
But veering away from the Seiko 5’s, another collection that also has a great following among fans of dress watches is the SARB line. This line is discontinued by the brand, replaced with the more modern Alpinist and Prospex, but you can still get brand new SARBs if you know where to look.
The SARB033, in particular, is a cut above its direct and indirect competitors. With an automatic movement that goes far and beyond what is offered at its price point. The dial styling leans toward casual sophistication, and honestly, if we are going by looks, the SARBs can be compared to top-of-the-line Swiss watch brands like Omega, Blancpain, etc. It is the perfect watch to start a collection that is rooted in the beauty of watch movements and not price points.
Takeaway
There you have it. These are your top choices when it comes to affordable luxury watches. As a businessman, you should always be on the lookout for tips on how to improve your style as you represent your brand wherever you go.