Brand ambassador Kylian Mbappé wearing the Hublot Big Bang E Gen3 Euro 2024 (Photo: courtesy of Hublot)
Cover Kylian Mbappé wearing the Hublot Big Bang E Gen3 Euro 2024, one of the more affordable watches from this year’s Watches and Wonders (Photo: courtesy of Hublot)

From Hermès to Chopard, here are some affordable watches from Watches and Wonders 2024 that you must bookmark

At the recently concluded Watches and Wonders 2024, opulent timepieces with intricate craftsmanship have received their fair share of spotlight and adulation. But of course, many of them come with eye-watering price tags. So, this year, we bring to you some affordable alternatives, which deliver on the design and innovation fronts, without necessarily breaking the bank.

From Chopard to Hermès, here are Tatler GMT’s pick of seven affordable watches that blend savings and style seamlessly.

Don’t miss: Watches and Wonders 2024: The editors pick their favourite watches

1. Chopard Happy Sport 30mm

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Chopard Happy Sport 30mm (Photo: courtesy of Chopard)
Above Chopard Happy Sport 30mm (Photo: courtesy of Chopard)

Chopard’s Happy Sport timepiece was first introduced in 1993, and it continues to captivate with its playful dancing diamonds, which seem to float above the stark, black-lacquered dial. The integration of ethical 18-karat rose gold and innovative Lucent Steel, made from at least 80 per cent recycled material, underscores Chopard’s commitment to sustainable luxury. The case, available in 30 or 36 mm, is elegantly complemented by a glossy black calfskin strap, enhancing the watch’s versatile glamour. 

Price of 30mm: HK$ 40,200

2. Hublot Big Bang E Gen3 Euro 2024

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Hublot Big Bang E Gen3 Euro 2024 (Photo: courtesy of Hublot)
Above Hublot Big Bang E Gen3 Euro 2024 (Photo: courtesy of Hublot)

Football fans, this one is for you. The Hublot Big Bang e Gen3 Euro 24 is not merely a watch; it’s a celebration of the game you love, bridging high-tech innovation with the sport. Crafted with a satin-finished and polished titanium case, this 44mm timepiece is robust, stylish and adorned with highly recognisable H-shaped screws. Its Amoled display is crisp, allowing for vibrant visibility of time and timely updates during UEFA Euro 2024. Enhanced with a Snapdragon Wear 4100+ processor, the watch supports numerous functions, including GPS and NFC payment options, ensuring it caters to the modern, mobile lifestyle of its wearer. As the star ambassador, Kylian Mbappé not only endorses but also wears this model, embodying the spirit of the game and the precision of Hublot on and off the pitch.

Price: HK$ 48,800

Read more: From Chinese antique pocket watches to Japanese incense clocks: Tracing Asia’s history of timekeeping

3. Montblanc Iced Sea Automatic Date

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Montblanc Iced Sea in red (Photo: courtesy of Montblanc)
Above Montblanc Iced Sea in red (Photo: courtesy of Montblanc)
Tatler Asia
Montblanc Iced Sea in bronze (Photo: courtesy of Montblanc)
Above Montblanc Iced Sea in bronze (Photo: courtesy of Montblanc)

Montblanc expands its Iced Sea Automatic Date collection with two captivating additions inspired by glacial landscapes. The bronze-tone variant features a black glacial pattern dial, while the stainless-steel version boasts a burgundy-tone glacial pattern dial. The timepieces are designed for active lifestyles, undergoing rigorous testing in the Montblanc laboratory. They offer shock resistance, magnetic resistance, temperature resistance and water resistance of approximately 30 bars. The glacier pattern dials and 3D caseback engravings demonstrate meticulous craftsmanship. The watches operate on automatic movements and provide hours, minutes, seconds and a date display. The collection combines stunning aesthetics with reliable performance for adventurous individuals.

Price of the Iced Sea Automatic Date in red: HK$ 26,800; price of the Iced Sea Automatic Date in bronze: HK$ 30,800

4. Hermès Cut

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Hermès Cut in steel (Photo: courtesy of Hermès)
Above Hermès Cut in steel (Photo: courtesy of Hermès)

Did you ever think the words Hermès and affordable could be strung together in one sentence? Well, the Hermès Cut is here to change things. The watch’s silhouette, dominated by a bevel-cut bezel and a round, clean-lined case, showcases a disciplined approach to design that emphasises geometric purity. The crown, uniquely positioned at 1:30 and adorned with an H, adds a quirky yet sophisticated touch. Underneath the surface, the Manufacture Hermès H1912 movement, visible through the sapphire caseback, promises precise mechanical performance. The dial, with its luminescent Arabic numerals and minimalist aesthetic, ensures readability and artistic flair. Versatility is further enhanced by the interchangeable straps available in vibrant Hermès colours.

Price for the 36mm steel version: HK$ 56,700

5. Tudor Black Bay

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Tudor Black Bay (Photo: courtesy of Tudor)
Above Tudor Black Bay (Photo: courtesy of Tudor)

The Tudor Black Bay’s latest iteration epitomises the harmonious blend of traditional aesthetics and modern watchmaking. Retaining the quintessential 41mm case, this model sports a monochrome palette that accentuates its sleek, understated elegance. The radial-brushed black dial and rhodium-plated markers exude a contemporary flair, while the iconic “Snowflake” hands pay homage to Tudor’s rich diving heritage. What sets this model apart is its Metas Master Chronometer certification, ensuring exceptional precision and magnetic resistance, a testament to Tudor’s relentless pursuit of watchmaking excellence. The “T-fit” clasp for rapid adjustment and a robust Manufacture Calibre MT5602-U with a 70-hour power reserve enhance both functionality and convenience.

Price for the 5-link bracelet: approx HK$ 35,657; price for the 3-link bracelet: approx HK$ 34,756; price for the black rubber strap: approx HK$ 33,110 

6. Tag Heuer Carrera Date

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Tag Heuer Carrera Date (Photo: courtesy of Tag Heuer)
Above Tag Heuer Carrera Date (Photo: courtesy of Tag Heuer)

The Tag Heuer Carrera Date series represents a combination of tradition and modern sophistication. In its latest iteration, the 36mm models are crafted with an eye for understated elegance, appealing to both aesthetic sensibility and practical functionality. The use of 18-karat 5N rose gold and diamonds accentuates the luxurious nature of the watches while still making it affordable, while the mother-of-pearl dials adds a touch of iridescent charm.

Price: HK$ 55,600

7. Nomos Glashütte Tangente 38 Date

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Photo 1 of 6 Nomos Glashütte Tangente 38 Date Bubblegum (Photo: courtesy of Nomos Glashütte)
Photo 2 of 6 Nomos Glashütte Tangente 38 Date Sportbunt (Photo: courtesy of Nomos Glashütte)
Photo 3 of 6 Nomos Glashütte Tangente 38 Date Kanari (Photo: courtesy of Nomos Glashütte)
Photo 4 of 6 Nomos Glashütte Tangente 38 Date Go (Photo: courtesy of Nomos Glashütte)
Photo 5 of 6 Nomos Glashütte Tangente 38 Date Zirkus (Photo: courtesy of Nomos Glashütte)
Photo 6 of 6 Nomos Glashütte Tangente 38 Date Love (Photo: courtesy of Nomos Glashütte)

With 31 limited editions, the Tangente 38 Date comes in 31 colourways, each named whimsically from Ariel to Zirkus. The Tangente, a model renowned for its minimalist design and precise German engineering is equipped this year with the DUW 4101 calibre, a hand-wound movement regulated to chronometer standards. Moreover, each variant features a colour-coordinated date mechanism, integrated around the movement for a spacious and harmonious dial display. The playful yet sophisticated colour schemes, such as the Sportbunt with its ’70s flair, demonstrate Nomos Glashütte’s commitment to blending traditional German craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetic diversity. Each piece, limited to 175, is a statement both of style and of the enduring legacy of Glashütte watchmaking.

Price: HK$ 18,000

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