We’re throwing affordability out the window in this installment of our Watch Hunting roundup. We chatted with Justin Tse, the British Columbia-based content creator who’s made a name for himself through his successful tech channel on YouTube, and his investment mindset. As a relative newcomer to watches with a healthy budget, the conversation focused on famous hype watches and their less famous (and often overlooked) alternatives.
Great Watches Under $5,000
Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch “Dark Side of the Moon”
We’re cheating right out of the gate, since the Omega Speedmaster “Dark Side of the Moon” will run you approximately $10,000 on average. To be fair, Justin’s dream watch of choice is the Richard Mille RM005, so we offered this as a (much) more approachable alternative that still checks a lot of the same boxes: skeletonized dial, colorful accents, significant wrist presence, and creative materials.
Enthusiast’s Corner: Rare and Exceptional Timepieces
Rolex Yacht-Master 126655
There aren’t many sleeper hits in the Rolex catalog, but the rose gold Yacht-Master is one of them. The more novel a watch is, the more likely it’ll appreciate over time. So keep this on your radar. The 126655 (and its 37-mm counterpart) sneak a luxurious rose gold watch inside a matte black shell. It’s stealth luxury with a line of red text for an added bonus.
Iconic Timepieces: Great Value for the Money
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual Time 26120OR
If you want to stay true to the spirit of the first luxury sports watch, a 15400ST is always a strong choice. For the best of both worlds, look for the obscure reference of an established model. Justin, like many of us, is an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak fan. We saw his classic, steel, time-and-date 15400ST, and we raised him a 26120OR, a rose gold Royal Oak Dual Time that’s more niche, more elegant, and more complicated than your typical RO.
