Borna Bosniak
The holiday season is here again. This is as good an excuse as ever to buy a new watch, whether it’s as a gift to yourself or to a family member, friend, or special someone in your life. To make your life easier, we’ve excerpted this year’s best watches from NOW Magazine issue 9’s buying guide. However, it hasn’t gotten any worse since then, so I’ve also left my selection from the previous buying guide. You can find our favorite watches for under $1,000, under $5,000, under $10,000, and under $50,000, so no matter your budget or your special someone, there’s a perfect watch somewhere for that special someone. You can be sure of that. teeth.
Casio G-Shock GA-2300 series
The G-Shock has a lot to offer, but it’s not a strap monster and often requires an aftermarket adapter set. Casio clearly thought it was time to change that. The new GA-2300 features regular, albeit much wider, 24mm lugs for easy strap replacement, and also features pre-drilled holes to make swapping even easier. The overall look is reminiscent of CasiOak, with a more symmetrical anadigi layout and a strange cross-shaped resin case. Price: $200
Hertz Watch HZ.01
What attributes do you need in a Go Anywhere Do anything (GADA) watch?Melbourne-based Hz Watches thinks the idea has worked. The HZ.01 is a 38.5mm titanium watch with a sapphire crystal and Swiss quartz movement that is much cheaper than the Moonswatch. These are very attractive specs under any circumstances, but especially considering this idea came from a fellow watch enthusiast who was simply looking to fill a gap in his personal collection. Price: $230
Orient Bambino 38 Small Seconds
If you go to a watch forum and ask about entry-level dress watches, you’re more likely to buy an Orient Bambino. Long revered for its style and affordability, the Bambino added a small seconds display this year and kept the 38mm case that was popular among enthusiasts. And if that’s important to you, it goes without saying that in-house movements are available for less than $300. Price: $290
Erebus Origin 38
Who better to start an Australian microbrand than someone whose job is to review brands? The Origin 38 was created by Jody Musgrove of Just One More Watch and combines all the elements we believe make for a great everyday diver at an affordable price. That means a highly legible dial with many color variations, a high-quality H-link bracelet with a tool-free fine-adjustment system, and a Seiko-like flagship movement to power it. Price: $299
Swatch x Omega Moon Swatch’s Moon Phase Mission to the Full Moon
We’ve all read the rumors: Snoopy is finally on the MoonSwatch dial. But this time around, it’s more than just a new colorway or central seconds hand pattern, as Swatch is introducing an entirely new complication. In a nod to the many Omega Speedmaster models that drew inspiration from NASA’s Silver Snoopy Award, a beagle snoozes atop the crescent of the moonphase mechanism. Price: $310
Boldr Supply Co. Venture Blue Fuel
Singaporean microbrand Boldr Supply Co. makes a serious case for the most valuable watches. The Venture Blue Fuel is a titanium field watch powered by a Seiko automatic movement, featuring incredible brilliance and attention to detail. The date wheel is boldly colored to match the blue dial. This is rarely seen on watches many times the price. Light and durable, this whole package is a great value at this price point. Price: US$339, available from T+T shop
Baltic HMS 003
Like its chronograph sibling, the new Baltic HMS 003 stands out for its subtly revised design and affordable price. But to narrow it down to just that would be to undermine its well-finished case and intricate dial, as well as its carefully executed design. If you have a smaller wrist and want a modern watch with a vintage feel and wear, this is it. Price: €360 (~US$380)
Casio G-Shock Master of G-Land Madman
All G-Shocks are tough, but the Master of G-Madman might be the toughest of them all. Equipped with a dual-layer LCD, numerous sensors that provide altitude, heading, temperature, barometric pressure data, and solar charging, the only thing that might detract from the Madman’s appeal is its massive size. However, the Madman mole is engraved on the case back, making it a cute must-have item. Price: $380
Autodromo Group C Digital Sports Chronograph
If you’re looking for the perfect watch for motorsport enthusiasts, look no further than Autodromo. At the risk of sounding like a sales pitch, the brand has truly captured the hearts of racing fans with each release, including the digital Group C. Inspired by the iconic racing livery of the Group C Endurance era and the cars that raced it. The insanely fast Sauber C9 and the overwhelming Porsche 962. Price: USD 475 (on sale for USD 399 at time of writing)
Casio Casiotron 50th Anniversary Revival
More than just an important watchmaker, Casio has become something of a cultural icon. And this is where it all started in 1974: the Casiotron. Well, it’s not perfect, but to celebrate the brand’s 50th anniversary, Casio has done its best to bring back all the distinctive features of its first release and the Casio Tron, including the revolutionary calendar function. However, we also added Bluetooth pairing and wireless signal calibration features. Price: $500
