If you got a bonus this year – lucky you – you may be struggling to maximize it (so many choices!). Whether your wallet just got a few hundred dollars thicker or your bank account is suddenly well above the FDIC insurance limit, a watch could be the best way to get the most enjoyment and value for your buck(s). This week’s newsletter has five superb reasons why a new timepiece is the perfect avenue to spend some (or all) of it. This article also features three luxury watches that may just be the one for your bonus.

Keep scrolling to see why your bonus is best spent on a watch!

In this week’s newsletter, check out:

This Week in Watches

• Looking to the Future: The inaugural Milano Watch Week will occur on October 4th-6th in Milan, Italy, at the iconic Terrazza Martini. Over 20 luxury brands have registered to attend the event, including MB&F, Parmigiani Fleurier, Singer Reimagined, and Trilobe. More coverage to come as the event gets closer!

• The Porsche Design X Hodinkee Chronograph collaboration we mentioned in last week’s article was officially released on July 13th. This sleek timepiece incorporates the “specifications of F. A. Porsche” into a “technically up-to-date” wristwatch, and production will be limited to only 350 pieces globally. One of these 350 can be yours for $9,650 while supplies last.

• Scratching the clasp or bracelet of your watch while you’re working is one of the worst feelings of watch ownership. Mitch Shulman & David Mostovoy recognized how frustrating those accidents can be, so they recently launched a company called 19th& to sell their solution: WatchPads. These Ultrasuede® pads adhere to your laptop (currently limited to MacBooks), protecting your watch (and computer) from scratches.

The Bonus Just Hit – What Should I Buy?

If you did manage to wrangle yourself some extra Benjamins recently, a watch is a great way to put them to use. From the potential investment value to the fashion statement that a luxury watch makes, a quality watch can take your money a long way no matter how much you have to spend.

With that in mind, keep reading for five reasons that completely, totally, and entirely justify spending your bonus on a watch.

1. Watch = Wardrobe Essential

If you don’t own a watch already, this is your sign to get one ASAP. Watches have been an essential component in fashion for decades, conveying status, wealth, and a sense of style. Whether you work in a professional setting, compete in time-evaluated sports, or want to complete your wardrobe, the right watch will do wonders for accomplishing any one of these goals.

If you often wear a suit, a dressier watch – something sleek and minimal is usually a safe bet – will completely bring your outfit together. On the other hand, if you generally go for more casual attire, a sporty watch with some bold design traits may suit you better. In either case, your watch is a key component of bringing everything together neatly.

Is this reason for buying a watch broad? Yes!

Is this reason for buying a watch valid? Double yes!

A watch is one of the basics for men’s fashion, so a bonus payment is the perfect excuse to check it off the shopping list, no matter how much you have to spend.

2. Potential for Appreciation

Depending on several factors, certain watches can appreciate in value – or will at least maintain a significant portion of their purchase price. Watches like the Patek Philippe Nautilus, for example, have been found to auction for more than their original asking price in some cases. Though the odds of your watch appreciating are not particularly high, investment potential is still a legitimate consideration for purchasing a watch. However, be sure to research many watches and prepare for the unfortunate reality that your choice may be worth less than or equal to what you paid.

Even if your watch isn’t likely to appreciate, it still may be a store of significant value. If you buy the right watch, you can wear it regularly for a few years and then sell it for a sizable percentage of what you spent on it initially, enabling you to re-pocket your bonus later or purchase another watch.

3. Long-Lasting Luxury

Quality watches can last for decades with the proper care and maintenance. The value the brand brings to the watch can last even longer. Brands like Blancpain, Vacheron Constantin, and Rolex have built a reputation for quality and luxury that exceeds the lifespan of almost any of their timepieces (and these watches last for quite some time!). Since watches like these are primarily owned by the world’s wealthiest and most influential, the brand carries as much weight as the quality of the watch itself.

Even if brand clout isn’t your thing, a quality watch is a relatively safe way to purchase a luxury good that delivers on functional and fashionable levels. Luxury watches, regardless of their brand, tend to look great on the wrist and often have a heft that cheaper watches lack. Many nice watches are also specifically designed to withstand progressively more extreme water pressure and provide essential features to the “action-takers” of the world. By buying a nice watch, you get access to a durable accessory built for regular use in situations that are likely far more extreme than the average person is likely to face.

Oh, and did we mention that a lot of luxury watches just tend to look nice?

4. One-and-Done Purchasing

Unlike a car, watches don’t often require hundreds or thousands of dollars in annual maintenance, ownership costs, and insurance. Even the most delicate and expensive watch should not break the bank to maintain. This Swiss Watch Expo article suggests that fully servicing a Rolex should cost between $800 and $2,000, depending on the movement and extent of the service. So while you may occasionally be responsible for an adjustment, repair, or other service, your watch won’t leave you stranded if a component goes awry.

This facet of watch ownership also opens the door for purchasing used watches. Though problems can arise when buying a used watch – especially a luxury piece – verifying the watch’s authenticity and purchasing from a reputable jeweler or retailer will help mitigate the risks.

Used watches often trade at a discount to their original price – even if they aren’t visibly damaged or significantly worn. So, if you want a Rolex but can’t buy one brand-new, there may be a well-kept used example trading at a price far lower than its sticker. Even if it does need a service, there’s a reasonable possibility that you won’t pay the full price as it was new.

5. Timeless Fashion Statement

From James Bond to American Psycho, watches have played iconic roles on and off the big screen, becoming fan favorites in some cases. Rolex, Omega, and Jaeger-LeCoultre – among many others – have become inextricably associated with the pieces that brought them on-screen fame. Such watches are often timelessly designed, featuring only fine details that would suggest the era in which they were envisioned. Otherwise, pieces like this look just as fashionable today as they did in the jewelry case.

If you have the right one, a quality wristwatch can take your entire wardrobe to the next level. Whether you prefer a vintage look, something simple and timeless, or a complex piece of modern art, such a wide variety of different manufacturers and styles to choose from means that you can find something that suits your tastes for almost any price.

💰 Magnets This Week

Before we dive into the watches from this week, it bears mentioning the dual purpose behind the choices on this list. Because this week is all about getting the most from your bonus, it felt important to show three watches from well-recognized luxury brands.  

It also seemed equally worthwhile to show visually comparable watches to emphasize that – regardless of the quantitative value of your bonus – you can buy a simple, fantastic-looking watch within your budget and make just about the same impression no matter how much money you spend.

So, with these two considerations presented, these three watches might be worthy candidates for some bonus-inspired retail therapy.

Price: $825

Overview: Not every bonus is tens of thousands of dollars (sadly), but as long as your bonus is more than $825, you can pick up this Tissot Gentleman Powermatic Silicium without dipping into other funds. This 40mm piece is crafted from stainless steel and powered by a Swiss Powermatic 80 automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve. The see-through case-back showcases a rotor intricately engraved with a “Waves of Time” decoration.

Despite its fine details, the piece is very simplistic and minimal. The silver-tone bracelet and black dial contrast nicely, and neutral colors enable this Tissot to be worn with most colors in casual and professional settings. Tissot also qualifies as a luxury brand in most eyes, giving you the opportunity to own a highly regarded timepiece for a fraction of the price of a Rolex or other ultra-luxury watch.

Price: $2,450

Overview: This sleek TAG Heuer incorporates top-tier timekeeping technology and legendary motorsport heritage into one elegant package. Like the Tissot described above and the Omega below, this Formula 1 features a steel bracelet in striking contrast with a black dial. A rotating black ceramic bezel accompanies the black dial, which has a brushed finish and features a date display. The watch is powered by a Calibre 5 automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve.

Quintessentially representative of TAG Heuer’s long-standing engagement with motorsport, the Formula 1 goes above and beyond the role of simple timekeeping – it is a defining conversation piece. Though in many ways just as minimal in design as the other two watches on this list, the motorsport connection and iconic association between TAG Heuer and Formula 1 give this watch something special beyond its construction and branding. So, if your bonus lands closer to the $2,500 mark (or more), the Formula 1 might be the perfect buy.

Price: $5,900

Overview: The Omega Seamaster model possesses a longer-lasting heritage than some watch brands. Initially introduced in 1993, the Seamaster developed a significant following and continues to be a fan favorite, receiving Omega’s latest and greatest timekeeping technology as it evolves. Like the other watches on the list, it is constructed from steel and features a sharp black dial that contrasts with the silver-toned bracelet and white accents. Powered by a self-winding Omega 8800 movement with a 55-hour reserve, this 42mm watch is water-resistant up to 1,000 feet deep and offers a unidirectional rotating bezel.

The Seamaster closely embraces its ocean-inspired roots, and this model features laser-engraved waves on the dial. Designed for form and function, this timepiece is the most versatile on the list, and it comes from a renowned brand with a track record of high-quality products. Though it may be the most expensive of the three, it should still be given serious consideration if your labor earned you a bonus large enough to buy one.

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