Chris Mann, founder of the Time 4A Pint event and podcast, shows us some of his favorite watches: an affordable NOMOS, an iconic Omega, and a legendary Vulcain 50s.
Great Watches Under $5,000
NOMOS Club Neomatik 744
For many, especially the non-watch-addicted, $5,000 can be a lot to spend on something that tells time. Luckily, you can cover all your essentials for less than half that amount. One of Chris Mann’s favorites in this category is the NOMOS Club Neomatik 744. The in-house DUW 3001 automatic movement is dressed up in a 37-mm case that’s water-resistant to 200 m (approx. 656 ft) and less than 10 mm thick, even with the display case back. The 744 is formal but fun, sleek but durable, and offers a lot of horological chops for the money.
Enthusiast’s Corner: Rare and Exceptional Timepieces
Omega Flightmaster 145.026
Not for the faint of heart, the Omega Flightmaster 145.026 is the crazy uncle at the Omega family dinner. If you want something unique, consider this combination of a UFO case, racing-style seconds track, orange chronograph hands, and best of all, a space shuttle GMT hand. The Flightmaster’s dials turn beautifully tropical over time, and this model even sells for less than your standard Speedmaster. Need another endorsement? Well, the Time 4A Pint host happens to own four different versions of this watch.
Iconic Timepieces: Great Value for the Money
Vulcain 50s Presidents
If you know, you know. And if you know vintages watches, then you know Vulcain. Many presidents owned the brand’s Cricket timepiece before the company, like many of its contemporaries, shut its gates in the wake of the quartz crisis. Now revived for the modern era, Vulcain is producing well-crafted, complicated watches like this Vulcain 50s Presidents triple calendar moon phase in blue, silver, or dark gray. This model balances layers of functionality and is rooted in one of horological history’s best-kept secrets.
