Christmas Buying Guide – Our Top 5 Accessible Watches of 2015

After our first Christmas Buying Guide focused on our Top 5 Dress Watches of 2015, it’s time to go back on earth and to talk about real people’s watches. Let’s be honest, most of us can’t afford these sumptuous watches priced over 30,000 Euros (and more). Lucky those who can, really! However, we have to keep in mind that a watch is a huge investment and this is the raison d’être of this new Christmas Buying Guide, that this time will look at our Top 5 Accessible Watches of 2015, with watches from 629 Euros to 4,950 Euros (we said accessible, not cheap and of course you’re at Monochrome, meaning that it will only be mechanical timepieces).

Seiko Prospex Automatic Diver 200m ‘Baby Tuna’ 4R36 in blue (ref. SRP653K1)

Entering the Prospex family means a lot for Seiko addicts. Prospex, which stands for “professional specifications“, is synonym of beautifully crafted watches, strong resistance, use of high-quality materials and a strong focus on the utility of the watch, not as a piece of adornment for the wrist but as a proper tool. Well, this definition also suggests higher prices, which is true for the Seiko Marinemaster 1000m Emperor Tuna (3,450 Euros) or the Seiko Marinemaster 300m (around 2,000 Euros).

However, there’s a cheaper way to experience that quality, with the newly introduced Seiko Prospex Automatic Diver 200m ‘Baby Tuna’ with 4R36 calibre (basically, one the best quality / price ratio available and a durability that is… unbeatable). With its shape inspired by the iconic Seiko Tuna Can, it will please collectors with a lower budget, without being disappointing once on the wrist. We encourage you to go for the blue edition (ref. SRP653K1), for the fun of it. It also exists in black (ref. SRP655K1). All the details about this cool and cheaper watch here. Price: 629 Euros (including taxes, quality, box, papers, smile of a nice salesgirl…).

Oris Divers Sixty Five

Should we really introduce to you what could be THE coolest watch of 2015? The Oris Divers Sixty Five has been one of the most discussed watches of Baselworld 2015, together with the Patek Philippe Pilot Watch. And clearly, the “65” deserves this status. Meaning that you don’t have to be über-expensive to feel like being the star of the show.

This Oris is all about its design, being a very faithful re-issue of an almost forgotten dive watch of the brand, launched in 1965. Of course, the size and the materials have been improved, but it is still very reasonable at 40mm. The glossy domed dial, the faux-patina indexes and hands (that for once, we like) and the overall shape are all superb. It has a Swiss mechanical self-winding movement that will work for years and it costs only 1,700 Euros. Also exists in grey and blue. All the details to be found here, in our review.

Nomos Minimatik with the new DUW 3001 in-house movement

There’s something special about the Nomos watches, a certain uniqueness in the design, a certain touch of eccentricity that only comes after a deeper look. A Nomos is all about small details, the coloured indexes, the shape of the hands, all included in a rather strict German / Bauhaus design. And that’s why these watches are so desirable.

The latest edition, the Minimatik, is a small (35.5mm), round, rather clean watch with funky bites of yellow, blue and red, which give the originality. The most important features remains of course the new DUW 3001 in-house movement, all designed, manufactured and assembled in Glashutte, Germany. It’s a very slim automatic calibre (3.2mm) and it has a really nice finish. And all of that can be yours (or your lovely lady) for 2,770 Euros. All the details here in our review. Also exists with champagne dial.

Tudor North Flag with the new in-house movement

The Tudor North Flag is an extremely important watch for the brand, and for two reasons. First, it comes with an in-house movement (visible through the sapphire caseback!!!). This goes against what you always thought about Tudor, that used to be Rolex watches with third-parties’ movements. Not anymore, as the North Flag introduces the Calibre MT5621, with 70 hours power reserve, a power reserve indicator, a specific finish… This is promising for the future.

The North Flag is also important because of its design. Not only Tudor flies on its own for the mechanics, but this is now also true for the design. Don’t expect the future Tudor watches to be cheaper Rolex watches anymore. They will have their own identity and style. As a massive break in the strategy, it’s a watch to consider. The best is that Tudor doesn’t really increase the prices, even with their own movement inside. And the quality is still top-notch. Price: 3,360 Euros on leather and 3,460 euros on steel bracelet. All the details in our review.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39mm Ref. 114300

Rolex and accessible are two notions that, for some, are difficult to put one next to each other. However, here is the most affordable Rolex of them all. With the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39mm Ref. 114300, you’ll have the chance to enjoy everything a Rolex is: superlative quality of the case, great comfort of the bracelet, timeless look, unbeatable robustness… This Oyster Perpetual is an entry-level, not a discounted Rolex.

It has the in-house calibre 3132, the 904L stainless steel case and bracelet, applied indexes, a sun-ray dial… It’s 100% Rolex and you’ll feel it once strapped on your wrist. The novelty comes from the colours chosen for the dials: apart from this rather classical grey edition, there’s also a red grape version and a vivd blue edition. And all feature some bright coloured indexes. Eccentricity, according to Rolex… The required budget is reasonable, considering the name stamped on the dial and the overall quality: 4,950 Euros. All the details in our review here.