We take a quick look at 2 options for well under £1000 Pounds

Do you ever add up the value of your watches?I have close to 50 and if they were all just £500 each ..well thats 25k unfortunately ( an oxymoron if i have heard one) 6 of them are Omega’s the cheapest is worth a £1000 the most expensive £5000 ..you do the math … this isn’t a brag, its a realisation how much money is tied up in something that i may not even see every day never mind wear. the watch “purists” will tell you that if each one of your collection didn’t cost at least 10k and have a brand beginning with “R” on the dial then it is a “shitter” .. those who do are not watch enthusiasts they are in the hobby to make money. If like myself you don’t care if it has “R” on the dial then you can buy a hell of a watch for under £1000 .well under. lets take look at a couple.

First up -the Christopher Ward Dune (with a White Sand coloured Dial) -is a field watch 38 mm case size 43.6 mm Lug To Lug and comes with the ever faithful Sellita sw200-1 mechanical movement. and on a camel canvas strap £750 .. with a bracelet option it’s still only £950.

And in the Red Corner, we have the Tissot PRX 40 mm Quartz.. this style is known as a sports watch. this always confuses me as i would describe it as a dress watch .. some may disagree but what we can settle on is how damn good this watch is for the little money it is. .. this model as shown is only £335. it is 40mm in diameter and has a 70’s style integrated strap that is quick-release. This quartz model is not available on a bracelet but can be retrofitted. i think the watch looks superb on the very comfy white rubber strap.

But this model also has a “party Trick” .. the dial is fully lumed and looks extremely funky. both these watches could be a “one and done” for anyone who isn’t obsessed with watches. and almost certainly would make a first “proper” watch for someone just getting into the hobby.

(Picture courtesy of Wallace Allen)

My advice is to buy what you love, don’t expect to make money on resale and if you do its a bonus. a decent great-looking Seiko can be had for as little as £150.