Do you know what you would buy if you had $60,000 to spend on a watch? This is one of the most popular topics watch enthusiasts like to discuss. The real question is whether you would buy just one or several timepieces. To create some sense of direction and not make this a discussion of endless possibilities, I’ll take you through some of my personal thoughts and preferences of what I would do if I had $60,000 to spend on watches. I’ve used Chrono24 as my reference point for current market prices. So, let’s see what’s out there!
Purchasing One Watch
One obvious option is to spend all your cash on a single stunning timepiece. Many people would turn to the stainless steel Patek Philippe Nautilus (ref. 5711/1A) or the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin (ref. 15202ST). The only bad news is that the Nautilus will set you back more than $60,000. Prices for the Royal Oak, on the other hand, start around $48,500. I think I would prefer to go vintage and try to find an iconic Royal Oak Jumbo ref. 5402ST. After all, it’s the original reference – and it’s just about possible within the budget.
A more personal option would be to purchase my grail watch, an A. Lange & Söhne. While the list price for the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph in rose gold with a black dial is well over budget, there are currently listings on Chrono24 for watches in like-new condition priced at $55,000 – brilliant!
Just because you can’t get a steel Nautilus doesn’t mean you should rule out all Patek Philippes. Another stunning piece is their yellow gold 5170J chronograph. That being said, there are plenty of other options from this prestigious Genevan brand. Make sure you take a thorough look to find your personal favorite.
Let’s move on to something a bit more modern and extravagant. I really love independent brands that push the envelope when it comes to design and technology. The frontrunner for me in this field is, without a doubt, MB&F. If I had $60,000 on hand, I would definitely take a look at their Horological Machine No. 3; perhaps the brilliant Chocolate Frog HM3.
A final single watch option would hit closer to home for me – literally. I was born and raised in the Dutch city of Oldenzaal, which also happens to be the home of the Grönefeld boutique and workshop. The Grönefeld brothers are also from the city. I found a Grönefeld One Hertz on Chrono24 for just under $60,000. It would be amazing to wear one of their brilliant watches from my hometown.
Purchasing Two Watches
Buying two watches with $60,000 gives you an almost unlimited number of possibilities. Would you prefer something modern or vintage? When it comes to two watches, it might be a good idea to start thinking about themes. Perhaps you could choose one dress and one sports watch? Or two Rolexes? Or a Patek Philippe and an Audemars Piguet? There are so many different things to consider when building your perfect two-watch collection. Here are some of my picks.
To start, I’d consider combining a vintage and a modern Rolex. You can create plenty of Rolex combinations with a $60,000 budget. I’d be interested in buying both a modern and a vintage Submariner – after all, it’s the most iconic diving watch ever. My first pick would be the recently introduced Submariner ref. 124060, and the second would be the iconic Rolex Submariner ref. 5512. With the new Submariner priced just over $12k, you should have more than enough left for a ref. 5512 in good condition.
Now, let’s look at a couple of modern sports watches. One stunning combination would be a stainless steel Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph with a panda dial (ref. 26331ST) and a Rolex Yacht-Master (ref. 126655) in Everose gold on a black Oysterflex bracelet. This is the perfect pairing of two modern sports watches, one in steel and one in rose gold. And guess what… The rose gold Rolex is significantly cheaper than the steel Royal Oak!
These are just two options that I might consider. There are obviously countless others that would also work and make for a great combo.
Purchasing Multiple Watches
What goes when purchasing two watches also goes for multiple watches. It’s probably wise to think of a theme for the watches you would like to purchase. You could certainly buy a nice small collection of watches within this budget. Once again, let’s take a look at two of my preferred options.
My top option would be to start a collection of Omega Speedmaster Professionals. There are so many different Speedmasters out there that this can be a journey on its own. A Speedmaster Professional ref. 145.022-76from my birth year (1977), a new Speedmaster 321 “Ed White,” a vintage Speedmaster 105.003 with straight lugs, and the new Moonwatch with the caliber 3861 are definitely on my list. Finding the right set of Speedmasters for you is an exciting adventure in itself, let alone owning and wearing them. The Speedmaster legacy is simply brilliant.
While the classic trilogy of original Gérald Genta designs (Royal Oak, Nautilus, and Ingenieur) is way too expensive for this budget, there is another trio out there. If you love good design, you could opt for three more modern sports watches. I would really enjoy seeing a combination of the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo, the Czapek Antarctique, and the Moser & Cie Streamliner Centre Seconds. These three modern sports watches from smaller brands have the potential to become future icons. The set just about fits within our budget and would allow you to have a great trilogy of daily wearers.
There are so many possible options for how to best spend 60k. It’s fun to see where your heart goes in this type of hypothetical situation. So, what would I choose at the end of the day? I would always go for multiple watches because there is simply more to enjoy. Do you know what you would do?
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