Once again, we have come to the end of the year!
2021 has been a challenging year for sure, as we continue to deal with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we have seen how many have adapted, and have continued to strive amidst these trying conditions. Everyone certainly deserves a pat on the back!
Last chance to up your game for 2021: Six Watches to buy before the end of the year
As the year draws to a close, we thought that it might perhaps be a good idea to get a timepiece to round up the year. Or perhaps, for others, use up the remaining of the spare funds that have been set aside for the purpose of our horological hobby. Either way, it is a good way to reward oneself, and we are here to help.
In this week’s article, we will be rounding up a few watches that one can consider as their last purchase of the year, across various price points. What have we selected? Let us find out!
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
We begin our article with perhaps one of the most value-for-money watches that was launched this year. Cue the impressive Tissot PRX Powermatic 80.
The PRX Powermatic 80 is a timepiece that one will find it hard to fault with. The 40mm watch literally ticks all the right boxes, in terms of its design, movement, and versatility. The tapisserie dial and integrated bracelet is a joy to behold, and the Powermatic 80 movement is one of the best entry-level movements around with its incredible features. Coupled with its price point at S$950, this Tissot is surely a winner for us.
If one is looking for a beater, or simply a modest watch to wear out, the PRX Powermatic 80 is definitely one of our top picks. We are hard-pressed to find anything that offers so much, that costs so little relatively. This is a true gem.
Laco Leipzig
Laco is an intriguing brand, with a rather rich history. The Leipzig, which is based on the historical B-Uhr, is certainly a model that encapsulates that.
The Leipzig follows the B-Uhr closely, both in its form and the use of a hand-wound movement. The only major difference for the modern variant lies in its case size, which at 42mm is definitely much more palatable than the massive 55mm behemoth of the original variant.
Powering the Leipzig is the Sellita SW210, a movement that many should be familiar with. The watch is priced at €980 (approximately S$1,510), and we reckon it is perhaps one of the best options around if one is looking for a B-Uhr timepiece with a sterile dial.
Citizen Series 8 – 830 Mechanical
The Citizen Series 8 Mechanical is one of the latest entrants into the sports watch category, but it offers an interesting alternative in the otherwise crowded space.
This timepiece is Citizen’s latest debutant this year, with its take on modern mechanical timepieces. The watch follows a contemporary design, with clean straight lines and an uncluttered layout. Some notable features of the 40mm timepiece include the octagon case, as well as a sloped circular bezel and integrated bracelet. For us, the finishing on the watch is its key selling point – the different case components have different but highly quality polishing treatments which gives the watch additional depth and look.
Another point to make on the Series 8 is the movement. Citizen used the Series 8 as a platform to introduce the Caliber 0950 – an in-house automatic movement with a power reserve of 42 hours. With Citizen’s track record of building reliable movements with high quality, we do expect the same for the Caliber 0950 as well.
The price of the base Series 8 – 830 Mechanical begins at S$2,782 (inclusive of GST). We believe Citizen has made a compelling piece, and one that certainly gives the competitors a run for its money. It is certainly a brand to watch.
Tudor Pelagos FXD
The Tudor Pelagos FXD, which was launched late this year, is a timepiece that has attracted our attention.
Based on a similar model that was produced in collaboration with the Marine Nationale, the Pelagos FXD is – in our books – one of the most handsome Tudor that the Geneva-based manufacturer had produced over the last decade. We like the completeness of the new bezel insert, and the darker shade of blue that Tudor had used for both the bezel insert and dial. The omission of a date display is also something that we preferred as well.
The retail price of the new Pelagos FXD is S$5,370. The only drawback for the watch is its fixed lugs, which limits the timepiece to thinner nato straps. However, for collectors with a sizable collection, this should not be an issue – in fact, we like how different this Tudor is, and we reckon this is perhaps the best rendition of the Pelagos by a long mile.
IWC Portugieser Automatic 40
The Portugieser is a classic within the IWC line-up, and the new Automatic 40 offers collectors an iconic piece with modern creature comforts.
Launched last year, the new Automatic 40 is the only self-winding base Portugieser model since the Kleine Portugiesers that were launched more than two decades ago. In addition, the case size is now reduced to 40mm – a significant 4mm smaller than its predecessor. This makes the new timepiece a rather compelling piece indeed, especially if one is looking for a dressy watch for daily wear.
Priced at S$10,800 for the stainless steel model, the highly-attractive Portugieser Automatic 40 is a great piece to consider for the business executives and professionals.
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Micro-Rotor Steel
We round up the article with Parmigiani Fleurier’s Tonda PF Micro-Rotor Steel.
The 40mm Tonda PF is an extension to the Tonda collection, with a sportier profile that showcases the manufacturer’s prowess in producing fine timepieces. It features a rather clean design, with subtle details such as the fluted bezel, Guilloché Grain d’orge dial, and a myriad of polishing style that accentuates the quality of the maison.
Notably, the Tonda PF is fitted with the PF703 – a movement developed by sister brand Vaucher Manufacture. The self-winding caliber has a micro-rotor, as well as a date display and an autonomy of 48 hours. The finishing, as expected, is done rather superbly.
The watch is priced at CHF21,000 (approximately S$31,000). While the luxury sports watch category is rather competitive, Parmigiani has offered a brilliant timepiece that allows itself to stand out from the crowd.
Concluding Thoughts
We have selected a range of timepieces across different price points, with more pieces leaning towards the modestly priced category.
We hope that you have enjoyed this week’s article. Let us know if you have plans (or have made) to make a final horological purchase of 2021, in the comments section below.
Till we meet again next year. Ciao!
