VIDEO: The top watches of 2021 $5K-$10K

Fergus Nash

So you’ve spent COVID wisely, treading the path of financial caution and peeking at your savings account once in a blue moon to see it ripening. Now, it’s not like the pandemic is over, but maybe it’s stretched on further than you could have predicted, and you feel like you deserve to crack open that piggy bank? If so, here are some of the best options from this year between $5000-$10,000.

1. Bremont Supermarine S302

If you interpret the word Supermarine literally, you wind up with “above the ocean”, so it makes perfect sense that Bremont’s Supermarine S302 combines the best elements of classic pilot’s watches with a well-proportioned do-it-all diver. The parchment-orange of the GMT hand lovingly compliments the two-tone crown, which screws down to secure 300M of water resistance. Bremont also choose a creamy beige for the details, giving the dial plenty of vintage flair. Read more

2. Omega Moonwatch Professional Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph 42mm

The Moonwatch needs little introduction, but the newest generation from Omega continues the indisputably iconic design with a slew of modern bells and whistles. The Calibre 3861 is a manually-wound co-axial chronograph movement, certified by METAS to Master Chronometer standards. The delightful Hesalite crystal warmly diffuses the light across the highly legible dial, and the redesigned five-link bracelet hones in on a slightly more retro vibe, without alienating the watch from its timeless appeal. Read more

3. Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic

With Rado being known for their enormous catalogue of ceramic watches as well as their Captain Cook range of retro-style divers, it was only a matter of time before those two worlds collided. Coming in at a beefy yet wearable 43mm, the four variations are each as adventure-capable as each other, with the scratch-resistant material a great choice for the line. The smoked sapphire dial reveals the 80-hour movement beneath, contributing to the high-tech name. Read more

4. Longines Legend Diver Bronze

This is a pitch-perfect vintage diver that, despite offering the functionality of a 300m depth rating, feels sufficiently refined on the calf leather strap to pass muster in all but the most formal situations. The compressor case is hewn from warm bronze that marries gorgeously with the dégradé finish of the forest green dial that fades from almost black around the inner bezel to a glossy pine in the centre. Read more

5. Baume & Mercier Riviera Line

The Riviera is an evocative name to give a line of watches, which Baume & Mercier have earned. It’s incredibly easy to imagine yourself sailing along the Spanish coast with one of these modernised sports watches on your wrist, no matter which model you prefer. Available with the impressive in-house Baumatic movement and a translucent dial, or a more affordable Sellita or quartz Ronda, the 42mm and 36mm references are sure to cover a lot of bases. Read more

6. Grand Seiko SBGM245 and SBGM247

Grand Seiko’s unique GMTs are some of the most refreshing watch designs of recent years, honing in on a robust masculinity without relying on decades of tropes. The SBGM245 and 247 are  handsome examples in a placid blue and khaki olive green. The liquid-smooth ceramic bezel looks sophisticated alongside the sunburst dial, and the 40.5mm size is a wonderful compromise between sporty and classy. Consider the Spring Drive movement and 200m diving capability, these versatile watches are serious value. Read more