6 of the Best Affordable Watches of Baselworld 2018

A good watch doesn’t have to break the bank. As Baselworld 2018 just ended, we have put together a selection of wallet-friendly watches proving that great things can come in affordable packages. Vintage-inspired, sporty, modern, complicated or just nicely designed… We have selected 6 different watches, all with a strong personality and mainly, great value for the money.

Mido Multifort Datometer Limited Edition

Created to celebrate the brand’s anniversary, the Mido Multifort Datometer is an alluring dress watch with vintage flair. Revisiting one of the brand’s flagship model from 1939, it features a central hand showing the date on a softly curved dial. The case is 40 mm and made of steel with a gold PVD coating. It is powered by the automatic caliber 80, an ETA-based movement boasting a solid 80-hour power reserve. A limited edition of 1,918 pieces, it retails for EUR 1,110. A solid gold version with a black dial is also available at EUR 4,600 (which again is quite impressive, to say the least).

Quick facts: 40mm PVD-coated steel case – water resistant to 50m – automatic movement caliber 80 with hours, minutes, seconds and date – Calfskin strap with pin buckle – EUR 1,110 – For more information, visit www.midowatches.com.

Rado Tradition 1965

With the Tradition 1965, Rado rebirths one of its 1960s classics – then called “Manhattan”. This stylish rectangular three-hander is powered by an automatic ETA 2671 encased in a polished steel case. The sun-brushed silver dial features striking geometric hour markers and Rado’s red anchor at 9. It is paired with baton style hands. A cognac color leather strap sets the final touch. Clearly, a strong and resolutely bold design.

Quick facts: 35mm x 35mm x 10.6mm polished steel case – water resistant to 50m – automatic movement ETA 2671 with hours, minutes, seconds and date. Calfskin strap with pin buckle – USD 1,950 – For more information, visit www.rado.com.

Longines Master Collection Annual Calendar

Launched in 2005, the Longines Master collection brings together classic design and automatic movements offered at affordable prices. The introduction of an annual calendar (that needs to be adjusted only once a year, at the end of February) retailing at just CHF 2,100 was definitely one of the highlights of the brand at Baselworld. The 40mm steel case has an exhibition case back. Several dial options are offered. The watch comes on bracelet or leather strap.

Quick facts: 40mm steel case – water resistant to 50m – automatic L897 movement with hours, minutes, seconds and day-date annual calendar. Leather strap with folding buckle – CHF 2,110 – For more information, visit www.longines.com.

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Steel

At Baselworld 2018, Oris offered several new variations of their cool Big Crown Pointer Date. The 40mm steel version features a screw-down crown, a distinctive notched bezel, a curved profile and a domed sapphire crystal. The cathedral hands and dial bring a vintage touch. The automatic movement is visible through the sapphire crystal and the display, with the central date, is very pleasant. As usual with Oris, the price is competitive.

Quick facts: 40mm steel case – water resistant to 50m – automatic Oris 754 movement (base Sellita SW-200) with hours, minutes, seconds and date. Leather strap with pin buckle – CHF 1,550 on leather – For more information, visit www.oris.ch.

Seiko Presage Shippo Enamel Limited Edition SPB075

Since it was first presented in 2016, the Presage collection has been featured with nice “artistic crafts” dials, which includes enamel. For Baselworld 2018, the Seiko adds a new version, with a “Shippo Enamel” dial, where the wave pattern of the base is covered by hand-applied and hand-polished translucent blue porcelain enamel. This dial, encased in an elegant 40mm 3-hand automatic watch, is just superb. And the best is that this ref. SPB075 is priced at only EUR 1,450 – but limited to 2,500 pieces.

Quick facts: 40mm steel case – water resistant to 100m – automatic calibre 6R15 with hours, minutes, seconds and date. Leather strap with folding clasp – CHF 1,450 – For more information, visit www.seikowatches.com.

Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic

With the mechanical versions of its Aikon, Maurice Lacroix convincingly enters the market of the Luxury Sport watches with integrated bracelets, but here offered at an affordable price. The Aikon automatic is 42 mm, relatively thin, pleasant on the wrist, nicely designed and powered by the automatic ML 115 caliber. A quick release spring bar system allows you to change the watch band / bracelet easily. A strong package for quite an impressive price.

Quick facts: 42mm x11mm steel case – water resistant to 200m – automatic ML 115 movement (base Sellita SW-200) with hours, minutes, seconds and date. Leather strap or steel bracelet with folding buckle – as of CHF 1,590 on leather (CHF 1,750 on steel bracelet) – For more information, visit www.mauricelacroix.com.