Fratello Talks: Horological Hidden Gems Under €5K
Are rising watch prices getting you down? Well, we’ve got good news for you. In this week’s episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho, Timo, and RJ take a look at some horological hidden gems under €5K. These are watches you can buy either new or pre-owned that offer something truly interesting for the price. If you want to get the most for your money, these nine options are perfect ways to go. We’ve got a little bit of everything, from big-brand bangers at a fraction of their current-day equivalent prices to under-the-radar watches currently available at prices that won’t stay low for long. But before we take a look at the lineup, let’s see what’s on the guys’ wrists this week.
Wrist check
We start with Timo, who is wearing his Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Monoface on a Casa Fagliano leather strap. A true classic from JLC, the Reverso is the brand’s indisputable icon and a watch with a rich and interesting history. Originally conceived as a sports watch for polo players, the reversing function was put in place to protect the watch from impacts that could take place during a match. Later on, it opened up the possibility of having a watch with more than one face and function. But Timo is sticking with the classic.
RJ got the memo and is also wearing his Jaeger-LeCoultre. A totally different watch to Timo’s Reverso, this early Master-Quartz model is one funky number. It’s a reference 1326021 from the early ’70s. Inside its 38mm stainless steel case is a Girard-Perregaux 352 quartz movement. It’s certainly not what your mind might jump to when you think of a JLC watch, but it’s an undeniably cool piece. For those curious, the strap is a gray nubuck one from the Fratello Shop.
On Nacho’s wrist this week is his trusty Omega Seamaster Professional 300M reference 2254.50.00. He’s wearing it on the steel bracelet for which he finally acquired an additional half link for a perfect fit. This early 2000s reference pays tribute to the military timepieces produced by Omega in the 1960s; with its sword hands, large lume markers, and oversized numerals on the bezel, it’s a looker for sure. And thanks to its slim 41mm stainless steel case, it’s far more wearable than modern Seamaster divers. You’ll find Nacho’s article here if you want to read more about this one.
Horological hidden gems under €5K
The challenge? Find three watches (each) that pack a ton of value for less than €5,000. The results? Actually, a rather varied spread of interesting watches that would be a worthy addition to anyone’s collection. They may not all be to everyone’s taste, but it’s hard to deny that these nine watches are interesting options far from the obvious picks you see daily. Thanks to their flying under the radar, they also come with the advantage of prices that have not been over-inflated by the recent trend of price increases. I won’t give the game away here (other than with a picture or two), so be sure to tune in to see all nine watches.
In the meantime, be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below. What watches do you think are hidden gems under €5K?
Tune in next week for a new episode of Fratello Talks.
