Buyer’s Guide: $25,000 to $30,000
Navigating the secondary market of luxury watches can be a daunting task. With many luxury brands offering countless models and variations, first time buyers can often feel overwhelmed or anxious when selecting the right timepiece. We’ve compiled a short guide of what luxury watches you can expect to find for a mid-range price of $25,000 to 30,000, so you don’t have to.
Rolex Blue Face Skydweller
Since its first release in 1956, the Sky-dweller has caused quite a stir in the world of watches. Arguably one of the most mechanically complex Rolexes (beaten only by the Yacht-Master II) the Sky-dweller boasts 14 patents and incorporates an annual calendar with a dual time-zone. Its in-house Caliber 9001 remains the most complex that Rolex has produced, promising accuracy, reliability and practicality. For a more in-depth exploration of the Sky-dweller’s mechanics, click here.
In terms of design, the Sky-dweller departs from the sportier designs of the GMT-Master II and evokes the sleek design of the Day-Date. With the electric blue dial and white gold Ring Commander bezel, it’s clear that Rolex designed the Sky-dweller as a display of affluence - but with such technical complexity, the display is wholly justified.
The Sky-dweller is more than a good-looking watch: over the past few years, it has been steadily increasing in value, rendering it an asset as much as an accessory.
IWC Top Gun Perpetual Calendar Big Pilot
If Rolex are the masters of the dive watch, then the IWC are the masters of the pilot watch. A visual contrast to other luxury watches, this timepiece stands in a league of its own in terms of visual legibility. The white inscriptions on the electric blue/black dial create a strong and confident contrast - a hallmark of modern IWC design.
With its black calfskin strap and matte black base, the Big Pilot offers no-frills luxury and comfort which can be dressed up or down. The dial displays the date, day of the week, month, year in four digits and perpetual moon phase for the northern and southern hemisphere. Additionally, the sapphire-glass is anti-reflective and secures the timepiece against displacement by drop in air pressure.
The Big Pilot is an elegant and practical eye-popper which sits more on the prestigious end of the IWC spectrum, and its investment value is likely to creep up every year.
Cartier Santos De Cartier Skeleton
While some may argue that the price tag on this unique chronograph is steep, the Cartier Santos De Cartier Skeleton is one of the few watches which looks more expensive than what it actually is (many other popular skeletonized watches such as the RM 35-01 Raphael Nadael or the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5180/1R retail at prices in the hundreds of thousands.)
Upon a first glance, this timepiece is sleek, stealthy and positively intimidating. In terms of wearability, the Cartier Skeleton is a far more practical watch than those mentioned above: the stainless steel strap of this timepiece features a SmartLink system which allows for tool-free strap changing and bracelet adjustment. It’s slightly less legible than the Big Pilot and Sky-Dweller, but it's powerful Caliber 9611MC has a mighty 72 hours power reserve which promises precise and reliable time-keeping.
The beauty of the skeletonized watch is that it’s refined down to its very bones, leaving behind only the most essential parts. The result is a captivating display of horological mastery, likely to grab the attention of anybody who looks at it.
Our Take
All three watches emanate prestige and aesthetics, but it’s important to keep in mind what your goals are when making your watch purchase. While the Rolex is most likely to increase investment value, the IWC or Cartier are likely more comfortable on the wrist. To find out more or to view our stock, visit our Instagram page @Chrono_DXB.