A little history of watches and a few tips for purchasing the perfect watch. 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition, 42mm bronze case, dark green woven fabric Nato strap. If you’re jaded with watch cases in brushed steel, white/rose/red gold, titanium, ceramic, carbon fibre et al, take a look at this adventurous offering from Montblanc in bronze. Inspired by the spirit of early 20th century mountaineering, the 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition is dedicated to the Seven Summits climbing challenge to conquer Earth’s highest peaks; and only 1,858 of this model will be manufactured. Beneath its rose gold hands, the outdoors-friendly khaki dial displays the date, a second time zone and two rotating globes representing the Northern and Southern Hemisphere’s 24-hour time zones with day and night depicted in contrasting colours. The rugged khaki woven Nato strap further enhances its explorer credentials — how far you venture with it is your call.
Let’s move on to the under 1000 USD category. When Swatch launched the Sistem51 — an autonomously assembled automatic movement boasting a 90-hour power reserve — it was a revelation, but its plastic case limited its appeal. Now you can get the same movement cased up in stainless steel, making it a more versatile option for everyday wear. No list of dirt-cheap watches is complete without the Seiko 5. Originally launched in 1963, the 5 has cultivated a feverish following amongst watch fans for its utilitarian mechanical movement and the value it provides. The Seiko 5 comes in many iterations, and the “Sea Urchin” dive watch is one of our favorites. In addition to using Seiko’s workhorse 7S36 automatic movement, it comes adorned with a unidirectional countdown bezel and steel bracelet.
Based in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, Longines was founded in 1832 and its winged hourglass logo is the oldest registered trademark of any watch brand. The HydroConquest is as serious a diving watch as it sounds, water resistant to 1,000 feet, making it a reliable companion underwater. The steel band gives it heft and durability, and overall it’s designed to be the perfect combination of style and technical innovation complete with an automatic movement. No distinguished gentleman should be without a Movado watch. What other way to showcase your sub-luxury wealth and style than with this timeless chronograph model, which draws inspiration from the brand’s fashion-forward ‘50s collection? The Calendoplan is masterfully designed, from the luminous hands and markers to the black, blue, and gold colorway, which is eye-catching yet neutral enough to pair with most outfits.
WatchNerd was born from a desire of a group of watch nerds to educate and connect with fellow watch lovers. Tired of seeing watch enthusiasts make buying mistakes, and frustrated by the lack of an easy way to research watches, they saw an opportunity to create an ultimate resource for their community. Our mission is to help watch lovers make the most informed decision possible, saving them unnecessary mistakes, time, and effort in their search for their perfect watch. No hidden agendas, no tricks up their sleeves — just a genuine desire to serve, educate, and connect with the community we belong to and love. See extra details on Watch Enthusiasts Blog.
