Round-UpBack to back – 4 watches under 4 lakh

“We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle.” Just so, we all deserve to have the stellar watches we love (or at least nurture that dream). There is no such thing as too many watches. There are however, some watches that we can only ever aspire to get, and then there are those that we actually buy because, apart from all their great functions, they fall within our budget! And if your bank allows you to spend about 4 lakh then here are the 4 watches under 4 lakh you should most definitely be considering.

Breitling Avenger Blackbird

If you fancy mean machines, high pressure conditions are your playground and timing is key to your profession, this 48mm Avenger Blackbird is right up your alley. Amongst the boldest looking timepieces we have come across, this Breitling makes a statement by virtue of both performance and structure. Built to endure the demands of extreme environments, the Blackbird is a fine investment within the under 4 lakh bracket.

At 48mm, this instrument for professionals is imposing in more ways than one. When you look at it, the first thing that strikes you about the watch is its solid black titanium case. When a watch has a titanium case, it excels in strength and toughness, while also pulling ahead a high strength steel case in terms of lightness (a case in titanium would be half the weight for the same strength of a stainless steel case).

Since the brand has always been indispensable to aviation (overtime it has effortlessly come to be titled the “official supplier to world aviation”), an undeterred focus on creating sturdy, high-performance watches that are top notch in terms of precision and reliability, has been a natural progression for Breitling ever since the early 1930s. It is in fact one of the few major watch brands to give all its models chronometer-certified movements, which by the way, validates the ultimate level of precision.

Coming back to why this watch is a super choice, the Avenger Blackbird has all the qualities that certify it as an instrument for professionals. The case is light and sturdy, the dial is ultra-legible and the fit is exceptionally comfortable thanks to the military-type fabric strap. The Breitling 17 self-winding mechanical movement (chronometer-certified) equips the watch with a technically advanced and extremely powerful mechanism. Some of its notable tech specs include a unidirectional ratcheted rotating bezel, a screw-locked crown, cambered sapphire crystal – glare proofed on both sides, a screwed-in back, minimum 40 hours power reserve and water resistance to 300 m (1000 ft).

TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph

Another bold runner in the under 4 lakh bucket, the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 is a powerhouse. The chronograph was introduced as part of the Carrera’s 50^th anniversary commemorations. If you’re inclined towards chronographs and iconic racing watches in particular, you would already be familiar with the clout that the Carrera enjoys in this segment, and the black version in focus here is amongst the outstanding performers within the collection.

The ‘all black’ Carrera Calibre 1887 is representative of a more contemporary design sensibility within the Carrera range. An apt tribute to the legendary watch, it incorporates fresh elements within the iconic design, making it quite novel. A classic reborn, the black and red combination makes it visually striking.  The 43mm case is crafted from the tough Grade 2 titanium, which is coated with titanium carbide. The ultra-resistant black ceramic bezel features a tachymeter scale. The red chronograph hands and the red stitching on the “soft touch” alligator strap contrast well with the overall black look. For any racing watch, readability is of supreme importance and keeping In line with its DNA, the Calibre 1887 has a well laid out dial with large numbers. The minute and hour hands are polished and have luminescent markers.

The automatic Calibre 1887 movement says enough about the precision and reliability of the timepiece (the 1887 is one of TAG Heuer’s most celebrated movements). The 1887 movement equips this Carrera with a frequency of 28.800 vibrations per hour and a power reserve of about 50 hours (about 40 hours when the chronograph is engaging). Rest assured, this is one watch that won’t crack under pressure!

IWC Aquatimer Automatic

Another watch to reckon with is the IWC Aquatimer Automatic, and if your budget allows you to stretch up to 4 lakh then you’re lucky that this watch falls within your range. The very fact that this watch is a product of IWC Schaffhausen, already establishes a great deal about its performance levels. You know a brand is sure to succeed when it is constantly reinventing its iconic pieces, or collections for that matter. This is in fact, the case for any evolutionary process – your best chances of survival are when you’re most ready to adapt. In this sense, the IWC Aquatimer Automatic is exceptionally promising. The new introductions within the collection are more developed – design wise and from a technological standpoint – they have more elegant forms and have considerably higher pressure-resistance. Clearly more superior than the predecessors.

Investing in the new Aquatimer Automatic by IWC would be a smart choice. On reviewing the watch, what immediately stands out is that the new external/internal rotating bezel gives it a more sophisticated look and feel over the previous version. The dial has a purist design and is silver-plated. The external bezel is slim and chamfered with rounded and recessed grips. Powered by the 30120 caliber, the Aquatimer Automatic has a case measuring 42mm. In the dark or conditions where visibility is poor, such as under water, the multiple Super-LumiNova® coats glow in two colours thus lending superlative legibility. One particularly practical addition to the new generation of Aquatimers is the patented IWC bracelet quick-change system, making all the new Aquatimer wristbands compatible with each other.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300 m Co-axial Chronograph 44 mm

And then there was Omega! A favourite among watch enthusiasts the world over and quite literally a part of most watch related ‘bucket-lists’, Omega has always been a frontrunner when it comes to choosing a watch. However deep your pockets may be, there will always be an Omega to fit your budget. One of the most popular collections from the brand continues to be the Seamaster. Whether it’s James Bond himself or his many admirers, everyone wants a piece of this one!

With its cool blue exterior and compelling features, the Seamaster Diver 300M is quite the underwater icon. A single glance at the watch and you know you’ll be one happy owner when the card swipes. The lacquered blue dial is equipped with white skeletonised central hour and minute hands, a red central chronograph hand as well as red hands on the 30-minute recorder at 3 o’clock and 12-hour recorder at 6 o’clock. The 44 mm watch has a stainless steel case and is powered by the Co-Axial calibre 3330. The unidirectional bezel in blue ceramic adds to the maritime theme of the watch, which is also water resistant to 300 metres / 1000 feet. Just the right complement to any wardrobe, or wet suit!