The watch industry is a big industry, with lots of popular and revered brands at the top, original manufacturers with the latest technology nipping on their heels, the mid-range brands in between, and the nameless brands that usually deal cheap quartz watches for mass consumption at the bottom. Among these brands, a significant number goes under the radar.
The reasons for this range are from not enough marketing and down to lack of better customer support. But the truth of the matter is, these underrated brands have consistently churned out excellent watches for their product portfolios, and most enthusiasts will buy specific models from the brand just for the sake of it. In this article, we’ve listed down some underrated brands and their corresponding models to make your collection more impressive:
Gaga Milano
If you’ve never heard of Gaga Milano, then you are not alone. Most people don’t recognize the brand, but since its conception in 2004, the Italian watchmaker has seen some success locally and internationally. The elements in Gaga Milano’s timepieces are taken from vintage stopwatches, so expect whimsical numerals, unorthodox dials, and refined construction.
The Slimline is a great introduction to the wristwatches from the brand – they’re a little more out there in terms of aesthetic as you can expect, but they’re nonetheless great-looking watches. The Neymar Jr. is seriously one of a kind, a watch that’s so out there in terms of looks that you would only wear it with certain outfits and occasions.
Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope
A chronograph watch is a necessity for any collector, and watchmakers worldwide know how to attract customers to get their chronograph watch from them. Every reputable watch brand has a chronograph offering, but Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope watch is one of the best options out there. Junghans is a German brand that has years of heritage in the industry.
Under the hood of this seriously stunning watch, you get a mechanical self-winding movement with a chronograph complication, a Bauhaus-inspired dial with thin lumes, and a minimalist approach to presentation. The result is a watch that has all the makings of becoming a classic. The kicker? The Max Bill Chronograph isn’t priced like its Swiss counterparts, so you won’t have to shell out thousands of dollars for it!
Hublot Big Bang
Let’s get one thing straight: Hublot’s Big Bang is a daring watch. You can spot a Big Bang anywhere, a contemporary design that revolutionized some of its predecessors and inspired competitors. There are eight lines under the Big Bang collection, and if you have the capital for it, we say get one from each. But for starters, the Partnerships line, specifically the Millennial Pink, is easily an iconic timepiece for any wearer.
The anodized aluminum has a satin finish, with a default velcro strap that completes the presentation’s modernness approach. Under the hood, you get a self-winding chronograph flyback movement with a power reserve of 72 hours. It’s water-resistant for 100 meters, so you can use it poolside or on a light dip on beach days. Oh, and the dial is a complementary gray and pink skeleton as well!
Movado Face Watch
If you’re looking for an extremely minimalist watch, then look no further than the Movado Face Watch. With an all-black dial that’s both elegant and subtle, and watch’s fingers also in the same treatment and color, the result is a dial that’s matte black all over. The watch is powered by a Swiss quartz movement, a crystal K1 for glass, and paired with a black leather strap.
At 41mm, it wears well on small to average, even bigger-sized wrists, and it’s a great watch to get for days you want something really sleek yet understated. The concave dot on the dial is decidedly Movado, and while it doesn’t have the water-resistance of cheaper mechanical watches, you can still take it to a pool party or on the beach without worrying about it being soaked!
A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon
A. Lange and Sohne is a luxury German watchmaker. This a brand that has been in the business for quite some time, and it’s one of the few that can compete toe-to-toe with the likes of IWC, Blancpain, Patek, etc—getting an A. Lange and Sohne watch can be extremely expensive: we’re talking tens of thousands of dollars, but the pay off from having the timepiece is certainly worth it.
The perpetual tourbillon from the watchmaker is one of the best in its field. Only two models are made on this line, and both are manual-winding. Trust us when we say that having this on your wrist will get the right nods of approval.
You get a flyback chronograph, a perpetual moon-phase display, and a tourbillon complication under the hood. The black in platinum looks classy, but the white gold with pink gold dial is delicious and more likely to be a collector’s item.
Takeaway
Turn your watch collection into an interesting loot with these great choices! Some of these timepieces will set you back a couple of thousands of dollars, but some will be friendlier to your pockets!