Apple are a company renowned for their blockbuster launches; when a new product reaches stores, aficionados of the brand often camp out overnight in order to be the first through the doors. However, when the Apple Watch was released to stores in Switzerland last week, they found a somewhat cooler than average reception. Of course, being the home of luxury watches, the Swiss do have a certain standard for their timepieces, and in many ways a smart watch simply cannot compare with traditional craftsmanship.
So, if you were to put the price of an Apple Watch towards a more traditional timepiece from a Swiss watchmaker, what could you get for your money?
At the lowest end of the range, the Apple Watch Sport retails for £299 for the 38mm version, and £339 for the 42mm version.
For a comparable price, you could instead choose from a range of Tissot watches; founded in 1853, Tissot has a reputation for accuracy and provide official timekeeping for a number of sports, including ice hockey, basketball and MotoGP. For the ladies, the Tissot T-Trend Cera Ladies Quartz Watch is an aesthetically pleasing and practical choice, with quartz movements and a stylish combination of ceramic and stainless steel, priced at an attractive £295. For the gents, the Tissot T-Sport V8 Chronograph Quartz Watch retails at £310, with dashboard-inspired racing counters, tachymeter bezel and classic stainless steel bracelet.
The standard edition of the Apple Watch retails at £479 for the 38mm version, and £519 for the 42mm version.
For £475, you could invest instead in the striking Rotary Les Originales Gents Rose Gold Case Watch – a beautiful piece with a half skeleton dial, complemented by rose gold hands. What’s more, it has an automatic movement, so it’s powered by the motion of your wrist – giving you far more reliable performance than a smart watch battery! Although based in the UK today, Rotary Watches were founded in Switzerland in 1895 and are rightfully proud of their Swiss heritage, remaining a significant Swiss brand.
Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil also offers a tempting selection in this price range, particularly since Banks Lyon are currently able to offer certain pieces at an attractive discount. The Raymond Weil Tango Diamond Ladies Watch, which usually retails at £775, is currently available at £500 or at 24 monthly payments of £21.22 and a 10% deposit under our generous 12.9% APR finance option. This beautiful piece features a mother of pearl face with stainless steel case and bracelet, diamond set numerals and a quartz movement.
There is a considerable price gap between the Apple Watch and the Apple Watch Edition; this retails at £8,000 for the 38mm version, and £9,500 for the 42mm version.
At this price range, you can choose from a fantastic range of luxury timepieces; so many that you may find your choice quite difficult.
The Breitling Transocean Chronograph Unitime watch retails at £8,060, or is available on 0% finance at 36 monthly payments of £179.11 and a 20% deposit. This rare and sophisticated chronograph is available in steel or red gold, and provides a “universal time” model thanks to its double disk, which allows you to read the time in all 24 time-zones.
Our final choice, unveiled at Baselworld earlier this year and available in August at a retail price of £9,495, is the stunning Omega Dark Side of the Moon “Sedna Black” watch. Combining their innovative ceramic technology with their exclusive “Sedna” rose gold alloy, this certified chronometer features a brushed ceramic black case and 18ct Sedna gold bezel ring, with matching markers and hands providing a stunning contrast to the matt grey dial face, all powered with automatic movement.
Whilst there are certain attractions to the digital smart watch, we feel that in terms of craftsmanship, aesthetic value and indeed prestige the traditional Swiss watchmakers have little to fear; we certainly know which we would prefer to wear!
If you would like to invest in a luxury Swiss watch, why not visit our store to see our extensive range of Tissot, Rotary, Raymond Weil, Breitling and Omega watches? Alternatively, you can contact us online, or call us on 01524 38 48 58 to speak to our friendly team.
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