Updated 3rd Feb 2024 by Craig Gibson

Chronograph watches are some of our biggest sellers here in Australia, and it is not hard to see why!

There is something undeniably unique (and vintage) about the overall look and feel of a ‘chrono’, from the detailed dials and pushers, to a history firmly rooted in astronomy, motor racing, aviation and even a trip to the moon. No wonder that many of them have a special place in horological history, most notably the five we profile here today: the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional ‘Moonwatch’ or ‘Speedie’, Rolex’s Cosmograph Daytona, Zenith’s El Primero, TAG Heuer’s Monaco and Breitling’s Navitimer. 

Before we dive in and profile each classic chronograph, let’s first understand what a chronograph watch is, and how they evolved to become the ultimate tool watch. You can also read all about the best luxury dive watches, if that is more your style choice.

What is a chronograph, and how do they work?

How do you know you are looking at a chronograph watch? 

Chronographs are visually distinctive and unique in that they have a number of sub-dials on the main dial, as well as two pushers (see below for a visual breakdown). The, two or three, sub-dials are set on the main dial and display/record seconds, minutes and hours.

If the watch has two sub-dials it is known as a bi-compax or twin-register chronograph, or with three it is a tri-compax or triple register chronograph. 

The two pushers are usually at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock. One starts and stops the timer, while the other resets it.

Another clue you are looking at a modern chronograph is the tachymeter scale on the bezel of some models – notably the Omega Speedmaster Professional and Rolex’s Daytona. This reflects their origins in racing, as a tachymeter allows you to calculate the speed of a moving object, like a car, over a set distance – using the main second hand on the dial.

And if you are wondering about the term ‘chronograph’, it comes from the Greek: ‘chronos’ = time, and ‘graphos’ = to write, so a watch that can literally ‘write time’, just like a stopwatch. 

There are also a few variations on the ‘standard’ chrono, in the form of rattrapante or split-second/double chronographs and flyback chronographs – which add a little more functionality. With a flyback chronograph you can reset the stopwatch to zero with a single press of the second pusher, without stopping what you are timing. Release the pusher and the timer restarts again.

A rattrapante or split-second chronograph gives you the ability to measure intervals, using one of the second dials for this function. You may also come across a monopusher chronograph, like Panerai’s Luminor 1950 Ceramic 8 Days Chrono Monopulsante GMT, with all functions controlled by one pusher. The downside is you can’t do interval timing with a monopusher, though it looks ‘cleaner’ – this is an exception to the chrono ‘rule’.

We also mustn’t confuse a chronograph with a chronometer rated watch.

What is the difference between a chronograph and a chronometer?

A watch that carries chronometer certification has been tested for accuracy and precision by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres or COSC – the Swiss time keeping geeks. To qualify for this accreditation a movement must be within certain limits or ‘tolerances’ – in terms of how much time it gains or loses over 24 hours. Over the years three brands – Rolex, Omega and Breitling – consistently top the list for the most certificates awarded by COSC.

Let’s now look at how chronographs evolved, and some key moments in their history.

Chronograph watch history and key milestones

We can trace the first chronograph back to 1816, which was developed for use in the
field of astronomical equipment by Louis Moinet, with the first chronograph going on sale in 1821. Fast forward to 1933, and Breitling was the first watchmaker to actually patent a chronograph with separate start/stop and reset pushers. They perfected this in the form of the Breitling Navitimer (1952), which was developed with the input of pilots. 

It’s OMEGA’s turn next (1957), with the release of the Omega Speedmaster, originally aimed at racing drivers, but which caught NASA’s attention (1965) as a robust tool watch to survive the rigours of space. Four years later the watch lands on the moon strapped to Buzz Aldrin’s wrist, and a legend is born. You can call the late 60’s and 70’s as the peak era of the chronograph, as they emerged in this timeframe, and soon gained the attention of the watch buying public.

Let’s not forget Rolex, whose Cosmograph Daytona (1963) is inseparable from motor racing and a certain Mr Paul Newman, but more on that later. The brand actually used Zenith’s El Primero movement for many years, examples which today are much sought after by collectors. Zenith’s movement was the world’s first automatic chronograph (1969), and also the world’s fastest beating chronograph at 36,000 bph. 

Another brand closely linked to racing and Formula 1 is TAG Heuer, whose founder Jack Heuer was a petrol head. He had the foresight to sponsor the Ferrari team in 1971, whose drivers started to wear their watches – with the brand’s Carrera chronograph getting crucial exposure in the process. 

5 classic chronographs to start your collection

Let’s now look at these 5 classic chronographs in more detail, and we’ll leave it to you to decide which is your pick!

Breitling Navitimer: Top Gun Pilot’s Chronograph

Key feature: The extremely detailed dial and bezel, and doing calculations with that slide rule!

3 things to know about the Breitling Navitimer…

1. The Navimitmer was the first chronograph to go to space, when astronaut Scott Carpenter wore the watch on the Aurora 7 spacecraft in May 1962.
2. You can do some basic calculations with this watch, including multiplication, division and working out speed and distance.
3. Famous Navitimer fans include John Travolta (who is an aviator), Jerry Seinfeld and fellow comedian Dave Chapelle.

Model to buy: The classic Breitling Navitimer B01 AB0127 Black Dial Chronograph Stainless Steel 43mm, which is a lot of watch for your money! If you are wondering about Breitling Navitimer prices in Australia, these range from $8.5k to $10k depending on the model, condition and if the watch has a box and papers.

If you think there is a lot happening on the dial and rotating bezel of a Breitling Navitimer, that is exactly what appeals to pilots and other tool watch geeks. What can you calculate with a Navitimer and its rotating bezel? You can do some basic calculations, including multiplication, division speed and distance – with many handy tutorials available on YouTube or Breitling’s own website. 

Breitling was the first watchmaker to actually patent a chronograph (1933) with separate start, stop and reset pushers. In fact, Gaston Breitling, son of founder Léon, suggested adding a single pusher to control the chronograph functions, with a second reset pusher added a few years later. This separated the functions to two buttons and other brands producing chronographs soon followed the design. This became the iconic Breitling Navitimer, originally released in 1952 and developed with the input of pilots and aviators. The model’s name combines two crucial elements pilot’s need access to: ‘navigation’ and ‘time’. It has since become the pilot’s watch, with the distinctive slide rule bezel its key feature. 

Since 2009 the brand moved to an in-house movement, and the Navitimer is now powered by the rock solid in-house B01 caliber. The original case size of the Navitimer is 41 mm, but there are now models for men and women, ranging from 35 mm to 43 mm. The Navitimer also comes in a wide range of materials and designs, though expect to pay more for models with the B01 modern movement, with the Breitling 13 caliber more affordable. Collectors also pay top dollar for Navitimer’s powered by the legendary automatic Caliber 1 movement, developed in conjunction with Jack Heuer’s emerging brand. This was one of the first self-winding chronographs, released in 1969 around the same time as Zenith’s iconic El Primero.

OMEGA Speedmaster Professional: To the moon (and back)

Key features: Iconic design, bombproof and been to the moon!

3 things to know about the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional…

1.  An OMEGA Speedmaster Professional was used by Apollo astronauts to time a critical manoeuvre that helped the Apollo 13 crew to return safely home to earth.
2. The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional is the only watch certified by NASA for space walks.
3. The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional was the only piece of equipment that went to space totally unmodified by NASA.

Model to buy: Omega Speedmaster Professional Master Chronometer, featuring the excellent caliber 3861 movement, step dial and Dot-Over-Ninety bezel. With modern internals and design cues that acknowledge earlier models, this model covers all the bases! If you are wondering about the price of the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch in Australia, these range from $7,600 to $10,800 depending on the model, condition and if it has paperwork and a box.

If you want a chronograph with history (and then some) look no further than the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional – otherwise known as the Moonwatch or just ‘Speedie’. Thanks to NASA, who trialled a few watches from different manufacturers, before selecting the Speedmaster for the first manned mission to the moon. It was the only timepiece that survived the stringent tests they put it through, including shock, and extremes of heat and cold. And so on July 1969, it became the first watch on the Moon – and gave OMEGA an amazing store of marketing collateral. You can buy endless versions of this model, including the much in-demand Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary, versions in 18ct gold and platinum as well as the 44.25mm Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon and vintage inspired Speedmaster ’57.

Recent versions come with either a Hesalite crystal or stainless steel caseback and the modern caliber 1861 movement, or the updated Moonwatch which has the METAS-certified OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861. If you find an original vintage ‘Ed White’ Speedie with a 321 movement be prepared to pay for it, though OMEGA has also revived it in their updated Heritage line.

Rolex Daytona Cosmograph: The ultimate sports watch?

Key features: Classic sports chronograph design, with modern versions spotting striking inverse subdials, with contrasting colours. 

3 things to know about the Rolex Daytona Cosmograph…

1. The Daytona is named after the famous Daytona International Speedway track in Daytona Beach, Florida.
2. Actor and petrolhead Paul Newman played a big part in popularising the Daytona, after receiving  a reference 6239 as a lucky charm gift from his wife Joanne Woodward.
3. The Rolex Daytona, released in 1988, used a modified Zenith ‘El Primero’ automatic movement, which replaced the manual movement used from 1963 until then.

Model to buy:  The stainless steel Rolex Daytona ref. 116500LN2016 with a Cerachrom (ceramic) bezel, released in 2016 – but be prepared to pay for the privilege! Available in white and black dial, with the white dial marginally more popular. If you are looking for a ballpark Rolex Daytona price for Australia, expect to pay in the region of $76,000 for the stainless steel version.

Is the Rolex Daytona Cosmograph the ultimate sports chronograph? Many people think so, especially when you throw in a heritage that includes motor racing – notably the 24 hour endurance race that takes place at the famous Daytona International Speedway track in Daytona Beach, Florida. This is also where the model gets its name, though it only became popular thanks to an early owner – a certain Mr. Paul Newman! Lucky Newman, who was a petrol head, was gifted the watch by his wife, actress Joanne Woodward – and the rest is history – including the astronomical price his watch fetched at auction. In October 2017, his model Rolex Daytona 6239 sold for US$17.75 million, though this figure included the auction house’s cut (12.5%). The watch itself attracted a winning bid for a cool $15.5 million.

Other hints to its sporting heritage include the tachymeter scale on the bezel, which can be used to measure speed over a set distance. Daytonas are available in a number of versions, including stainless steel, gold, platinum, as well as a two-tone stainless steel/gold model. You will often pay less for the gold/stainless steel ref. 116523 – which is not logical as it contains 18 karat yellow gold, but everyone wants the steel model.

TAG Heuer Monaco: Cool to be square

Key feature: That square 38mm case design, obviously! 

3 things to know about the TAG Heuer Monaco…

1. The TAG Heuer Monaco was one of the world’s first automatic chronographs, and the first water-resistant chronograph with a square case.
2. There were 6 TAG Heuer Monaco’s on the set of Le Mans that Steve McQueen wore during filming. One went missing on set, and the remaining five have all since gone to auction, with the last of these selling for US$2,208,000 in 2020. The seller was McQueen’s personal mechanic on the film set, Haig Alltounian. 
3. Heuer’s decision to place the crown on the left side of the original Monaco’s case was a first for chronograph watch design.

Model to buy: TAG Heuer’s Monaco ref. CW2111 with a black dial is the most affordable entry into this model, though the new TAG Heuer Monaco with Calibre 11 movement and original spec ‘leftie’ crown is also a great buy. Expect to pay in the region of $7,800 to $8,750 for a TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 in Australia, depending on condition and if it has papers and a box.

If there is a theme here for brands, it is that it helps if a celebrity wears your watch (or it goes to the moon) – a lot! Like Rolex and Paul Newman, TAG Heuer got endless exposure for its association with actor Steve McQueen, after he chose to wear the Monaco in the 1971 film Le Mans. The original reference 1133 was unique, and different from modern versions, as it had pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock, and the first  crown at 9 (on the left), and counters at 9 and 3. Modern models, which were reintroduced in 1997, differ in that they have moved the crown to the right of the case, and some have also introduced a third, hour recorder sub-dial.

There are numerous modern versions of the now- iconic Monaco, including white, black and green dials – though the original blue with leather rally strap is the one we would want in our collection. There is also a Gulf branded model, from the brand’s association with Gulf Oil International, who used to sponsor motorsport in the 1960’s and 70’s. 

Zenith El Primero: The High-Beat Movement

Key feature: That high-beat movement!

3 things to know about the Zenith El Primero…

1. The El Primero movement is the world’s fastest beating – or high-beat – chronograph at 36,000 bph.
2. Zenith was shut down in 1975 after quartz driven watches took the world by storm, but was leter resurrected in 1984.
3. Zenith supplied modified El Primero movements to Rolex, specifically for the Daytona ref. 16520 which was released in 1988.

Model to buy: The Zenith Chronomaster Revival El Primero ref. A384 is a modern take on the original reference, with the classic case shape and iconic movement. You can expect to pay anywhere from $10,500 to $13,500, assuming mint condition and papers are present.

Last but not least, Zenith’s El Primero (the first) movement was the world’s first automatic chronograph (1969), and also can claim the title for the world’s fastest beating – or high-beat – chronograph at 36,000 bph. And we are lucky to have this piece of high-end engineering with us today, after all the El Primero and mechanical movements were nearly destroyed at the height of the Quartz Crisis in the 1970’s. 

Thanks to one Charles Vermot, an employee of the company, who squirrelled away all the critical blueprints and tools necessary to make the El Primero – which helped resurrect the brand in 1984. The brand continues to innovate the movement, producing the Zenith El Primero 21 in 2017, which featured a 1/100th of a second chronograph.

Updated 2nd Feb 2024

Craig Gibson

You have probably heard of Rolex, OMEGA, Breitling, TAG Heuer and a handful of other luxury watch brands, but what about Zenith, Vacheron Constantin, Grand Seiko, Arnold & Son or A. Lange & Söhne?

These smaller, lower profile brands tend to get left in the shade when it comes to luxury watches in Australia. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider them for your first purchase or to diversify your collection. They all have top-notch craftsmanship, use high-quality materials, and in some cases have designs and innovative complications that have set the standard across the industry.

Let’s jump straight into it and discover 7 luxury watch brands you need to shortlist.

1. A. Lange & Söhne watches

Buy A. Lange & Söhne for: Highly intricate complications and elegant dress watches – like the A. Lange and Sohne Lange 1 above.

Thought the Swiss had a monopoly on high end watchmaking? Think again. Hailing from the town of Glashütte, in what was once East Germany, A. Lange & Söhne – pronounced AY Lan-ge und Zhuh-ne – is proof that “Made in Germany” can do high end, premium watchmaking and then some. A. Lange & Söhne watches are not well represented or well known in Australia, but the brand has a lot going for it!

Founded in 1845 by Ferdinand Adolph Lange, and originally making pocket watches, the Söhne (son in German) was added to the brand name when his son Richard joined the business. Lange got the initial funding for his business from a local Saxon government grant, with the objective of matching the Swiss at their game. This gave birth to the German watchmaking industry, centred in the village of Glashütte.

The brand was nationalised for nearly five decades under communism, but was resurrected in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall – thanks to help from IWC (International Watch Company). It picked up where it left off, crafting timepieces with a focus on simple elegance and technical engineering.

3 things to know…

1. A. Lange & Söhne have a very limited annual production run, as little as 5,000 watches a year by some estimates. 
2. A. Lange & Söhne is now part of the Swiss luxury goods brand, Richemont group (Compagnie Financière Richemont S.A), which also owns Cartier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Officine Panerai, Piaget, and Vacheron Constantin.
3. Each A. Lange & Söhne watch is assembled, taken apart and then rebuilt again – call it the Germanic approach to excellence!

Popular Lange & Söhne models: Lange 1, Datograph, Saxonia, 1815 Chronograph and  Zeitwerk Date.

2. Arnold & Son watches

Buy Arnold & Son for: Arnold & Son are best known for producing complicated movements with a high level of finish and accuracy, having developed the first pocket chronometer in 1779. 

Arnold & Son watches are a boutique brand that takes its name from John Arnold, an innovative 18th Century English watchmaker known for his technical skill, with chronometers a particular speciality.  In 1779 he produced his most famous timepiece, his so-called pocket watch No. 1/36. Though the brand has British roots, today all components are manufactured in Switzerland at La Chaux-de-Fonds, the home of the Swiss watchmaking industry. 

An 18th Century English watchmaker who initially plied his trade on London’s Strand, John Arnold got his big break when he produced a watch for King George III. He then made a name for himself designing marine chronometers, with three accompanying  James Cook’s voyages in the early 1770’s. In 1779 he produced his most famous timepiece, his so-called pocket watch No. 1/36.

His son, also John, apprenticed to his father and also went to Paris to study under famed French watchmaker Abraham Louis Breguet. Today Arnold & Son are owned by Japanese global watch brand Citizen, who recognised the value and expertise on offer.

3 things to know…

1. Arnold & Son timepieces feature intricately designed dials, and open-worked, complex movements – producing around 600 watches a year.
2. All Arnold & Son watches, movements and components are manufactured in-house in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
3. The brand’s watches are strongly associated with exploration, having accompanied expeditions by Dr David Livingstone and Captain James Cook. 

Popular Arnold & Son models: Arnold & Son HM Perpetual Moon, Arnold & Son Globetrotter, Arnold & Son DBG Skeleton.

3. Blancpain watches

Buy Blancpain for: The history, superb in-house craftsmanship, and with limited production runs you won’t see many Blancpain’s around.

Blancpain watches are another brand with a low profile in Australia. Founded in 1735 in Villeret, Switzerland by Jehan-Jaques Blancpain – this makes Blancpain the oldest watchmaker in the world still operating. This, together with their commitment to traditional Swiss watchmaking continues to make Blancpain watches the ultimate prestige timepiece, and a top tier watchmaker for true connoisseurs.

Its most notable watch is the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, which was designed for the French navy and released in 1953, a full year before the iconic Submariner landed from Rolex. The Fifty Fathoms was  subsequently adopted by other navies across the globe, including the US Navy. Its design has helped define what modern sport diving watches look like, with a chunky 45mm case, luminous markings, a rotating bezel and elapsed time scale. 

3 things to know…

1. Blancpain is the world’s oldest operating watchmaker, founded in 1735.
2. Blancpain declared it would never produce a quartz/battery powered watch, ever!
3. Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms dive watch came out a year before (1953) Rolex’s Submariner. 

Popular Blancpain models: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms (ref. 5015 12B40 98), Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscape (ref. 5100B-1110-B52A), Blancpain Villeret (ref. 6668-1127-55B) and Blancpain Leman Flyman Chronograph (ref. 2185F-1130-71).

4. Grand Seiko watches

Buy Grand Seiko for: Simple, classic design, with sophisticated movements and technology inside. Also for the ‘bang for yen’ you get – with many Grand Seiko models selling for under $10k.  Top-notch build quality, equal to anything out of Switzerland, something the Japanese are quite famous for.

Most people will have heard of Seiko, the Japanese brand that makes millions of value-oriented automatic watches a year, but Grand Seiko watches fly under the radar in Australia. Think of Grand Seiko as the Lexus to the parent brand Seiko’s Toyota, with mechanical complications replacing the mass produced quartz movements. The most famous of these is the high-frequency Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36,000, which offers superior precision. 

Grand Seiko’s watches are manufactured with higher quality materials and are put together by watchmakers as opposed to an assembly line, with annual production in the low thousands. We know of one watchmaker who swears by them and is proud to show off his GS daily wear.

3 things to know…

1. Every Grand Seiko timepiece is assembled by hand and has to pass the rigorous Grand Seiko Test – higher standards than the benchmark Swiss COSC test (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres).
2. Seiko’s Spring Drive calibre uses mechanical and quartz components for the best of both worlds – precision and the smooth glide of the second hand!
3. Grand Seiko’s Hi-Beat movement beats 36,000 times an hour, for superior accuracy and precision.

Popular Grand Seiko models: Grand Seiko Automatic Hi-Beat 36000 (ref. SBGH005), Spring Drive Snowflake (Ref. SBGA211), Elegance GMT (Ref. SBGM221), Sport GMT (Ref. SBGM245) and the Grand Seiko Sport Professional Diver’s 600M. 

5. Jaeger Le-Coultre watches

Buy it for: Style with a capital S, and for intricate, classic movements featuring minute repeaters, perpetual calendars and tourbillons.

Jaeger Le-Coultre watches, pronounced: Jeh-jair Luh-cool-truha, is a Swiss brand known for top-notch craftsmanship, and one of a small and exclusive club of brands that produces its own movements. They are renowned for manufacturing elegant dress watches with a slim profile – most notably the Master Ultra Thin range, which has a case of just 8.1mm!

The Reverso is Jaeger Le-Coultre’s most iconic watch, with a reversible case that can be rotated so the crystal is face down. Originally designed for polo players in colonial India, the rear case is often personalised, with an inscription, engraving or even a painting.

3 things to know… 

1. The Art Deco inspired Reverso is Jaeger Le-Coultre’s most iconic watch, with a unique swivelling case originally designed to protect the crystal. 
2. Jaeger Le-Coultre holds the record for producing the smallest movement in the world, the caliber 101.
3. Originally called LeCoultre et Cie, the brand changed its name after watchmaker Edmond Jaeger came on board.

Popular Jaeger Le-Coultre models: Jaeger Le-Coultre Reverso, Jaeger Le-Coultre Grand Reverso, Jaeger Le-Coultre Master Ultra Thin.

6. Vacheron Constantin watches

Buy it for: Superb in-house craftsmanship and limited production runs means you won’t see many Vacheron Constantin watches in Australia.

Vacheron Constantin, pronounced Vah-sheh-ROHN Kohn-stahn-tahn, is recognised as a top tier watchmaker in the grand Swiss tradition. In fact, alongside Patek Philippe watches and Audemars Piguet they are recognised as part of the unofficial ‘Big Three’ or ‘Holy Trinity” in the world of Swiss watchmaking.  Despite this it makes far fewer watches than the other two brands, producing approximately 25,000 pieces a year. 

Vacheron is also the world’s oldest continuously operating watch manufacturer (1755), while Blancpain holds the claim to the oldest brand still operating, though it hasn’t operated over its entire existence. In terms of watchmaking, the brand is known for producing complex movements, including moon phase display, a split-seconds chronograph, minute repeater, and a lunar calendar. It also produced the world’s first horological complication way back in 1770 – how is that for a history of innovation!

3 things to know… 

1. Many Vacheron Constantin watches carry the Geneva Seal, an indication they were produced in the canton of Geneva, and meet exceptional standards in terms of quality materials utilised and craftsmanship.
2. Famous Vacheron Constantin watch owners include Napoleon Bonaparte, model Christie Brinkley, Charlie Sheen, Larry King and method actor supremo, Marlon Brando.
3. Vacheron Constantin’s logo is the Maltese Cross, also known as the Amalfi Cross.
   

Popular Vacheron Constantin models: Vacheron Constantin Overseas (sport), Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 (dress), Vacheron Constantin Patrimony FiftySix (formal + minimalist) and Métiers d’Art (engraved dials).

7. Zenith watches

Buy it for: The iconic El Primero movement, and for a watch truly made in-house – with all components manufactured by the brand. 

Zenith watches are also relatively unknown in Australia, though internationally they are highly sought after by collectors. This is largely down to the renowned and iconic El Primero (the first) movement. Released in 1969, this was the first automatic chronograph movement,  with a high-beat 36,000 vibrations per hour (vph) ensuring high precision timekeeping. Founded in 1865, the brand is still based in Le Locle (Canton of Neuchâtel), though it was acquired by the LVMH Group in 2000, which also owns watch brands Bulgari, TAG Heuer and Hublot.

3 things to know… 

1. A watchmaker hid the company’s machinery when the brand went to quartz movements in 1975, returning it in 1984 when demand for mechanical watches rose again. 
2. Zenith holds the trademark for the ‘Pilot’ name, meaning no other watchmaker can use this term on the dial of their watches. 
3. Founder Georges Favre got involved in watchmaking at age 9, and started his first watch brand at age 22 – though it only became Zenith in 1911.

Popular Zenith models: Zenith El Primero, Zenith Chronomaster Sport El Primero, Zenith Pilot Type 20 GMT, Zenith Defy Zero G.

4 reasons why you should look beyond the big watch brands

Need some reasons to cast your eyes beyond the big brands? Here are four you should know about:

1. You are unlikely to run into somebody with the same watch on their wrist – and we all know how powerful exclusivity is to human psychology!
   
2. Beyond the prestige of buying one of the big brands, opting for something a little more ‘exotic’ that flies under the radar has its own attraction – and is likely to be a conversation starter in its own right.
   
3. If you already have a watch, or even a few, from the big guns – lesser known brands can help you diversify and add some interest and depth to your watch collection.
   
4. Buy a lesser known brand and you get access to much smaller production runs, often in the thousands, hundreds and sometimes less.

We have an extensive range of new and pre-owned watches, with stock updated daily. Want to view a watch? It’s as easy as getting in touch to arrange a private appointment. We have showrooms in Melbourne and Sydney, where we can help you choose the right watch for you.