Watches

I think for under $5k it would be the Black Bay 58.

Off the beaten path here, but my top picks are: Accutron Spaceview 2020, Ball Engineer Bronze/Silver Star, Hamilton Intra-matic American Classic Chronograph.

I’ve recently become a bit obsessed with:

• Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39mm with blue dial

• Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph (aka Glassbox)

Possibly both a bit more than 5k in USD as they’re about that in GBP (albeit pre-owned for the Rolex) but same ballpark and gorgeous watches. The Rolex is similar to the Omega Aqua Terra some have already suggested, albeit I prefer the Rolex personally.

Baume & Mercier Clifton 10552 AUTOMATIC WATCH, MOON PHASE DATE - 42 MM

Cartier Ronde Must de Cartier Ref. WSRN0035

Frederique Constant Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture

IWC Portofino Automatic IW3565-17

GRAND SEIKO Spring Drive Heritage Collection Soko Special Edition (blue) SBGA471

GRAND SEIKO Spring Drive Heritage Collection Soko Special Edition 'Light' (green hands) SBGA427 39mm

Grand Seiko Heritage Spring Drive Soko 'Shadow' SBGA429

GRAND SEIKO Spring Drive SBGA469

Baume & Mercier Riviera 10682 Moon Phase 43mm

Oris ProPilot X Calibre 400 Laser

My pick would be either an Oris Big Crown Pointer Date in Bronze or the Omega Seamaster 300M Automatic. Those are top notch in my book 👍

Part of me wants to say a CW Bel Canto. I also love the GS Snowflake.

Moonwatch

Base Panerai (000,112,etc)

It really depends on what style you want. There are lots of great options.

Tudor ceramic black bay. By far my favorite piece. Makes me feel bad about owning other watches because they haven't seen much wrist time since I've gotten it 😭

The Tudor Pelagos 39 is pretty hard to beat at that price.

The ZRC GF3000 😍

Pre owned my first grail and my favorite watch I own. So much watch for the price. Zenith captain Winsor annual calendar. El Primero movement with annual calendar module designed by the brilliant Ludwig oechslin. Btw multiple dial options available.

https://preview.redd.it/69o88posh21c1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=201c44780a521e18c072bcc44b5b8c5270a2bedb

Longines legend diver

Definitely like the watches from the electricianz

Omega Aqua Terra used mint condition.

Lorier Neptune and Baltic Aquascaphe / Hermetique.

Cartier Tank, or an IWC Spitfire or Pilot Mark XX. Need to try the IWC’s on to check they aren’t too big.

Omega Skywalker

Oris Pointer Date

If you can get past having “Seiko” on your dial for ~$5k, GS is easily the winner. So many different styles to choose from plus if you can get Spring Drive, it’s not really even a comparison to other brands.

Japan. All. Day.

Maybe something from the Grand Seiko Elegance lineup. The SBGW283 is my personal favourite.

62MAS, Job done and mission complete

Bb58

Since when is 5k "not-crazy expensive" ?

I've fallen hard for the new Oris propilot x with the laser face

As a student, I can hardly see myself spending much more than $1k any time soon, so my realistic grails are Hamilton Khaki, Field Auto 38mm and Junghans Max Bill manual no-date with Arabics. The Junghans particularly feels like a luxury, because I don't mind spending more on durable things, but the Max Bill is quite fragile compared to other watches (mainly, the crystal scratches very easily).

Beyond that, I've had my eyes on a few watches, like some Aqua Terra and Grand Seiko models, but I've never handled them IRL and I don't know whether they would be the right size for me. Especially thickness can be a deal breaker, so I'll have to see, but those are many years away from me anyways.

I'm not telling

I’ve had my eye on examples of the dirty dozen set. 5k in solid shape could be close.

In all fairness, capital M usually denotes thousands.

Lowercase m is million, whereas MM denotes million.

Back to the topic at hand, I'd probably get a seamaster 300 blue dial

Oris Big Crown. Laco Munster Bronze

Cartier Tank Must Large Automatic. Job done!

Here are my picks.

• used Seamaster 300M
• used Speedmaster Moonwatch - either haselite or sapphire
• new Longines Hydro Conquest GMT - my pick if you want to buy brand new
• new Rado Captain Cook - green/blue dials look the best

14270 Explorer, GS Taisetsu or my current GS Shunbun.

I'd say Rolex Explorer 36mm is a good grail for most people. But my personal pick would be the Nomos World Timer. Both can be found <$5k grey or used.

Cartier Tank Must

Planning on saving up for the Tudor Pelagos 39 in the next couple of years. I’d love a Ranger too, but I could never justify more than one +£500 watch.

Omega aqua terra

White/cream linen dial 16xxx rolex datejust on a leather strap with light stitching.

Dude posted that setup on the Rolex subthread a while back and its the single classiest, most handsome watch Ive ever seen.