Articles and Guides

The Watch that Made AliExpress Homages Cool

When it comes to provenance, nothing has less of it than an AliExpress homage. On this online platform based in China that sells inexpensive Chinese products, there are plenty of watch brands (or should I say manufacturers?) offering copycat versions of watches with actual provenance. Selling everything from look-alike Seiko Turtles to Omega Seamasters, these brands specialize in affordable (often in the $100 to $300 dollar range) versions of popular watches.

The Watch I Didn’t Buy: Crossing Financial Thresholds

Watch budgeting is a funny thing. For most collectors, it involves a significant amount of mental gymnastics as money is moved in and out of an imaginary bank. We say things like “sorry, no funds in the watch bank” when our friends are selling a watch we don’t want to buy. But when Jomashop is offering a deal on that Seiko we’ve been lusting over, funds are magically ready for immediate withdrawal. Sometimes this is because we’ve recently sold some watches and actually have a positive balance in the watch bank. But often, we buy that new Seiko on “credit” with a self-promise to liquidate the current collection to restore financial balance.

2024’s Best Swiss Watch Brands | All Are Not Created Equal

Swiss watch brands are generally synonymous with luxury, fine craftsmanship, and status. But there are two issues everyone must consider when evaluating these brands: (1) “Swiss Made” is a very specific designation that is government-regulated; and (2) not all Swiss watch brands are created equal…

Oceaneva Watches: Commemorating Five Years of Excellence, Resilience, and Unmatched Style

A new brand is carving its niche in the world of affordable luxury timepieces. Established in 2019, Oceaneva has swiftly garnered acclaim, delivering a fusion of craftsmanship, innovation, and adventure. As the brand marks its fifth anniversary this year, we invite you to delve into their steadfast commitment to excellence and our relentless quest for perfection.

Cheapest Rolex Watches: The Most Bang For Your Buck Choices

When we’re talking about the hunt for the cheapest Rolex, that’s something that needs to be put into context. Being budget-friendly and “cheap” when we’re talking about Rolex watches is not the same as most other budget-based discussions. Rolex is a luxury watch brand—there are no affordable options in the Rolex collection. In this context “cheap” means “cheap for a Rolex,” which at the time of this article, is between $4,000 and $9,000.

Best Bronze Watches | Our Favorite Models For 2024

In a hobby where most people intend to preserve the look of their watch from the day they receive it, bronze is an interesting choice of material to use. It’s inevitable that it will darken and patina over time, which some watch wearers will love and some will hate. The look is polarizing, and if you would like to return it close to its original, beautiful, gold-like shimmer, you’ll need a counter-top chemistry lab utilizing lemon juice and baking soda. 

Glashütte, Nomos, and Buying A Watch Abroad

My wife and I had been planning a trip to Germany for the better part of a year. I blame it on Atomic Blonde, the 2017 movie featuring Charlize Theron that takes place just before the Berlin Wall fell, or maybe it was Bridge of Spies? Either way, we were headed to Germany. Around the time we started planning, I started scheming. You see, there are watches in Germany. German-made watches…

Best Minimalist Watches | Our Top Picks For 2024

With a focus on function, minimalist watches keep everything you need to tell the time and get rid of almost everything else. You won’t find complications besides a date. Even then those examples are few and far between. Sometimes, they will even lack a seconds hand…

Best Military and Tactical Watches of 2024

If you’ve been around the watch collecting game for a bit, you’ve probably stumbled on the significant military history tied into the very existence of wristwatches. The deeper you dig, the more you find that the essential need for a wristwatch sprung up some time during World War I and the emergence of this period’s archetypal trench warfare—long before the wristwatch was even mainstream.