It’s time to conclude our series on the best watches under 10,000 euros. And I have the honor of concluding this latest series. Doubling your budget from 5,000 euros opens up a lot of possibilities. Today, I want to make the most of them, even if it means getting a little creative. That said, whereas last time I settled on three watches in my price range, this time I was able to choose five. Looking back now, I see that a slightly discordant group of great watches have come together to form a collection that I’m glad to own.
Now, 10,000 euros is a respectable amount for most people. It is definitely more than I have ever spent on a single watch. It is therefore worth noting that these selections are my aspirational favourites. For me, these are the “best” in this price range, but it is not necessarily because of their specifications, construction or materials (although they certainly play a role), but rather because they are watches that resonate with me on an aesthetic and functional level. So, keep in mind that this is a completely subjective draft and opinions may differ. After all, as we have advised many times, you should always buy what you like, not what other people tell you you should like. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at my first selection.
Best Watch Under 10,000 Euros: Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Ceramic ref. 210.92.44.20.01.001
We start with what is essentially a classic watch with a twist (or two). At first glance, you can tell it’s an Omega Seamaster Diver 300M model. But after a few seconds, you’ll notice a few details that set it apart from other watches. Some are obvious, others are very subtle. You’ll probably notice the black ceramic case and the contrasting titanium bezel edges, crown, and HEV. Stare at it for a few more seconds and you’ll notice the matte dial and the lack of a date window. Finally, although this is only apparent if you’re looking at the steel version up close, you might notice that the case width is slightly larger at 43.5mm. On my wrist (17.5cm), I can confirm that this is not noticeable as the black case makes the watch look smaller.
I don’t usually like ceramic watches. I don’t like the idea of a material that will shatter into pieces rather than deform. But this Seamaster looks so good that I can’t help but feel guilty about it. Plus, I already own the best steel Seamaster reference (2254.50.00), so a more exotic alternative might be nice. I also really like the stealthy monochrome look and the dateless symmetry. Other than that, it’s the winning Seamaster formula we all know and love. At 9,900 euros with a rubber strap, it’s just under the 10,000 euro limit and maxes out the allowed budget. For more information on this ceramic Seamaster, check out Jorg’s hands-on review.
Zenith Chronomaster EP Original ref. 03.3200.3600/21.C903
A great collection needs a great chronograph. While it might have made sense to go with a classic Speedmaster, I went for something a little different: the Zenith Chronomaster EP Original. This 38mm chronograph is powered by the brand’s signature high-frequency El Primero chronograph movement, and to me, it’s the jewel of the Zenith collection. It’s quirky yet cool, retro yet timeless. The cluttered dial is certainly not for the faint of heart, but I love the harmony that exists amongst a chaotic collection of purposeful scales and markings. I’m not usually one to enjoy faux-tina, but the slight hint of color offered here breaks up the monotony in just the right way.
Now, you may have noticed that I am only showing you the version with a leather strap, and that is not a coincidence. When I spoke earlier about “sophistication”, this is exactly what I was referring to. The Zenith Chronomaster EP Original comes on a beautiful flat-link steel bracelet for 10,400 euros. Is this my go-to? Of course. But to stay within my budget, I opt for the leather strap, which brings the price down to 9,900 euros. I can honestly say that this watch is one of the most attractive chronographs on the market right now, and therefore, deserves to be on this (or any) list of the best watches under 10,000 euros.
Panerai Luminor 8 Giorni Ref. PAM00914
I included Panerai on this list for a few reasons. First, the brand’s heritage and history of making watches designed for military divers, and the unique design born from a problem-solving process to make a watch that is both legible and waterproof. Second, after owning the PAM00055 for a few months last year, I still feel like I’m not done with the brand. Before owning it, I thought of Panerai watches as oversized, overcompensated, or worn on the wrists of overpowered idiots (probably because Schwarzenegger and Stallone loved the brand). This may be the prologue to a recent chapter in the brand’s history, but it would be unfair to sum it up as just that. Read on and you’ll quickly find yourself falling in love with the brand and what it once represented.
It was an eye-opening experience to put this on my wrist, but it ended halfway through. But if I were to return to the brand, the Luminor 8 Giorni (PAM00914) would be a great way to do so. This watch has all the signature features that make Panerai unique, from the large 44mm case and crown lock mechanism to the highly legible luminous sandwich dial. Just like the Zenith, it has a vintage finish and a faux patina vibe, but somehow it works. The warm tones of the luminous stand out beautifully from the grainy black dial, giving it an extra warmth. I would be just as happy with the base logo, but given the budget of this list, it makes sense to go for the manual-wound 8-day model. For 7,200 euros, you get a piece of military diver watch history on your wrist and a perfect PAM.
Cartier Tank Americaine Large Ref. WSTA0083
Moving away from sporty interests, let’s take a look at the dress watches I chose for my list of the best watches under 10,000 euros. Now, 99% of the time, I wear a stainless steel or titanium sports watch. But when the mood strikes, I pull out something smaller and dressier from my watch box. Usually, it’s a quartz Cartier Tank Solo. But, despite my fondness for the Solo, my interest in the Tank has ebbed and I’ve recently been eyeing the Tank Américaine. This is entirely down to my fellow watch journalist Christian Hagen. When I saw him wearing a white gold ref. 1741 on a NATO strap, I made the decision to buy one. If I were to make room for a second Tank in my “garage”, it would have to be an Américaine.
As you can see, I’ve decided to limit my selection to watches that are currently available to buy new at retail. The stainless steel WSTA0083 can certainly be purchased from Cartier for €6,800. However, I’ll give you a piece of advice that I consider wise: choose a pre-owned 1741. These are widely available on Chrono24 for roughly the same price as the current 24.4. × 44.4mm Stainless steel model (or slightly premium). However, considering the subtle flex of the white gold case and the somewhat large dimensions of 26 x 45 mm, Guilloche dial and It makes sense. Some might argue that the newer two-hand, no-date version is a bit more understated, but at roughly the same price, the good news is that you really can’t go wrong with either one.
Breitling Superocean Automatic 46 Superdiver ref. E10379D31L1 or E10379351B1E1
To be honest, I thought about taking this last choice off the list. It has two other diver watches alongside the Seamaster, and size-wise it overlaps a bit with the PAM00914 already featured here. But the fact that it’s made in titanium and available on a bracelet convinced me to pass. Also, it felt right to have five options at a price just under five figures. Now, you might still be thinking that I’m crazy to put a 46mm diver watch on my list. I would have thought the same as you if I hadn’t actually seen and tried this watch. But, while it’s definitely a big watch on the wrist, it doesn’t feel intrusive or unwearable. Would I have preferred a 44mm or 42mm version? Of course! But considering the price, I’m sticking with this titanium behemoth.
I wasn’t too enamoured by this latest vintage-inspired Superocean version. But when Breitling introduced this camouflage dial model earlier this year, I found it truly appealing. It strikes the right balance between modern and retro with a hint of playfulness. The 46mm SuperDiver is also the brand’s most serious diver’s watch to date. It’s water resistant to 1,000 meters and comes equipped with a helium escape valve and copious amounts of lume. If you can live with the size and fairly basic movement, you’ll pay 6,800 euros for this rugged diver’s watch with a green or black dial and matching titanium bracelet.
lastly
As I wrote this article and spent the past few hours daydreaming about the best watches under 10,000 euros (including some that I considered but didn’t choose), I realized how many great options there are in this price range. But that’s not surprising, considering that for many of us, this is a significant amount of money to spend not just on watches but on pretty much anything. That being said, it’s good to have an eye on the 5,000-10,000 euro price range, because with a little saving and consolidation, it can become an attainable aspiration. Considering that you can also find Rolex Submariners and Omega Speedmasters in this price range, it’s clear that if you have 10 bands in your pocket, you can choose from some of the most respected watches.
What do you think of my picks? What’s your pick in the sub-10,000 euro price range? Let me know in the comments below!