Grooming -- 2 days ago
Words: Charlie Thomas
Apple have shocked the tech world once again; not with the actual unveiling of its much talked-about smartwatch, but with how much it will cost. The basic, rubber-strapped Apple Watch Sport starts at £299 which, by Apple standards, doesn’t seem too unreasonable. It’s the ‘higher-end’ pieces that have caused a few people to recoil with disbelief though. The 18k gold Apple Watch Edition costs upwards of a mind-bending £13,500, with the general consensus being that that’s a preposterous sum.
There are numerous reasons as to why the Apple Watch is overpriced. For our sanity and to save your time though, these are the two that concern us the most. One; this time next year there will be a new Apple Watch, with better features and a new design, meaning the current one will be obsolete. Two; the gold Apple Watch Edition costs over £10,000 more than the entry level Sport, yet there are NO technical differences between the two. Again, preposterous.
In light of the big unveiling, we thought it would be interesting to highlight what else you could get for your money. Got £10,000+ to spend on a watch? We suggest you buy a real one…
THE APPLE WATCH:
APPLE WATCH EDITION – From £8,000 – £13,500
, 42mm 18-Carat Yellow Gold Case with Black Classic Buckle, £12,000 from Apple
THE ALTERNATIVES:
BAUME & MERCIER CLIFTON
Made from 18k red gold, this is one of Baume & Mercier’s most expensive pieces. A contemporary dress watch, it features a manually-wound mechanical movement, which delivers an impressive 90-hour power reserve, far better then the Apple Watch’s meek 18 hour battery life.
Baume & Mercier Clifton 10060, £9,850
MONTBLANC NICOLAS RIEUSSEC MONOPUSHER CHRONOGRAPH
Montblanc’s expansive collection of watches is one of the finest on the market today. This rather eccentric model pays homage to the inventor of the chronograph, and with its mono pusher crown, second time zone and day/night display visible on its intricately designed dial, it serves him rather well.
Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph, £8,500
VACHERON CONSTANTIN OVERSEAS
Vacheron are known for their exquisite dress watches, yet their Overseas line rivals some of the best sports pieces around. This one is constructed from stainless steel and is water resistant to 150 meters. That’s 150m more than the Apple Watch.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas, £9,750
ROLEX SEA-DWELLER DEEPSEA D-BLUE
For well under the cost of the most expensive Apple Watch, you could bag yourself a Rolex. A smart investment, the D-Blue was only released last year yet they have all sold out, and prices are already starting to increase. We doubt you could say the same of the Apple Watch in a year’s time.
Rolex Deepsea D-Blue, £9,495
IWC PORTUGIESER HAND WOUND
This stunning Portugieser boasts the rare combination of a slate dial, 18k rose gold case and black alligator strap. Elegant in every way, its applied gold hour numbers, matching slim hands and tapered lugs ensure it will remain en vouge for decades to come. It will hold value and due to its timeless nature, it’s the ideal heirloom for those with money and sense.
IWC Portugieser Hand Wound, £12,500 from Watches of Switzerland
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