Creating a versatile three-watch collection is a great way to ensure you have the right timepiece for every occasion. For this collection, we’re focusing on three key categories:
- Dress Watch – A refined and elegant watch suited for formal occasions.
- Sports Watch – A durable, functional watch, often a dive or field watch, that can withstand rugged activities.
- Casual Everyday Watch – A versatile, comfortable watch that’s ideal for day-to-day wear.
We’ll explore three price levels – $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000 – and stick with three brands known for their quality and reliability: Bulova, Citizen, and Seiko. Here’s a look at some carefully selected watches that will complete each collection and fit every budget.
1. Entry-Level Collection – Total Budget: $1,000
This budget provides a solid selection of well-built, stylish watches that look great and offer good functionality. Quartz and entry-level automatics dominate this tier.
Dress Watch: Bulova Sutton 96A187
- Description: The Bulova Sutton offers a classic dress watch look with a skeleton dial that shows off its automatic movement. It’s polished and elegant, with a stainless-steel case and gold-tone accents that make it suitable for formal occasions.
- MSRP: $395
- Movement: Automatic (Open-heart design)
- Features: Skeleton dial, stainless steel case, exhibition case back.
Sports Watch: Citizen Promaster Diver BN0150-28E
- Description: Known for its durability and eco-friendly design, this Citizen Promaster Diver is a fantastic entry-level dive watch. The Eco-Drive technology eliminates the need for battery changes, making it highly convenient for everyday wear.
- MSRP: $350
- Movement: Eco-Drive (solar-powered quartz)
- Features: 200m water resistance, unidirectional rotating bezel, screw-down crown.
Casual Everyday Watch: Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55
- Description: The Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55 is an affordable automatic with a sporty yet versatile look. It features a black dial and stainless steel bracelet, and it’s robust enough for everyday use.
- MSRP: $295
- Movement: Automatic (Seiko Caliber 4R36)
- Features: Day-date display, 100m water resistance, Hardlex crystal.
Total: $1,040
2. Mid-Range Collection – Total Budget: $2,500
With a mid-range budget, you can start including higher-quality materials, upgraded water resistance, and more refined automatic movements.
Dress Watch: Citizen Series 8 NB6010-81E
- Description: The Citizen Series 8 is a sophisticated and minimalist dress watch featuring an automatic movement. The clean black dial and polished stainless steel case make it an elegant choice for formal occasions.
- MSRP: $1,000
- Movement: Automatic (Citizen Caliber 0950)
- Features: 100m water resistance, sapphire crystal, exhibition case back.
Sports Watch: Seiko Prospex Samurai SRPB51
- Description: The Seiko “Samurai” is a highly respected dive watch with robust construction and striking design. This automatic dive watch is water-resistant to 200m and offers the reliability and durability expected from Seiko’s Prospex line.
- MSRP: $525
- Movement: Automatic (Seiko Caliber 4R35)
- Features: 200m water resistance, unidirectional rotating bezel, screw-down crown.
Casual Everyday Watch: Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph 96B251
- Description: Inspired by the Bulova watch worn on the moon by astronaut Dave Scott, the Lunar Pilot is a stylish and functional chronograph that’s well-suited for daily wear. It’s a quartz piece but adds historical charm and chronograph functionality to the collection.
- MSRP: $795
- Movement: High-performance quartz (262 kHz frequency)
- Features: Chronograph, tachymeter scale, anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
Total: $2,320
3. Premium Collection – Total Budget: $5,000
A $5,000 budget allows for some luxury picks with top-tier materials and more sophisticated automatic movements. This tier also opens the door to more refined designs and higher-grade features.
Dress Watch: Grand Seiko SBGX261
- Description: For a refined dress watch, the Grand Seiko SBGX261 is a top choice. Known for its high level of craftsmanship, Grand Seiko’s quartz movement is among the most accurate and reliable in the world. The classic design and exceptional finishing make it perfect for formal occasions.
- MSRP: $2,200
- Movement: 9F Quartz (high-accuracy)
- Features: Stainless steel case, sapphire crystal, fine finishing on the hands and markers.
Sports Watch: Seiko Prospex “Sumo” SPB103
- Description: The Seiko Prospex “Sumo” SPB103 is a rugged dive watch that’s loved for its robustness and quality automatic movement. It offers a 200m water resistance and features a large, easily readable dial. This watch is as suitable for underwater as it is on land.
- MSRP: $900
- Movement: Automatic (Seiko Caliber 6R35)
- Features: 200m water resistance, unidirectional rotating bezel, sapphire crystal.
Casual Everyday Watch: Citizen Promaster Skyhawk AT JY8078-52L
- Description: The Citizen Promaster Skyhawk AT is a multi-functional aviation watch that runs on solar power and offers atomic timekeeping. It’s ideal for daily wear, with a modern design and features that make it both useful and stylish.
- MSRP: $695
- Movement: Eco-Drive (solar-powered quartz with atomic timekeeping)
- Features: Multi-band atomic timekeeping, chronograph, dual time, alarm, perpetual calendar.
Total: $3,795
Conclusion
A three-watch collection is a great way to ensure you’re prepared for any occasion. With a combination of a dress watch, a sports watch, and an everyday casual watch, you can have style, functionality, and versatility on your wrist. From a budget-friendly $1,000 collection to a more premium $5,000 trio, Bulova, Citizen, and Seiko offer quality timepieces for every budget.
No matter the collection you choose, each of these watches brings its own charm and utility, allowing you to enjoy the best of horology at any price point. Whether you're attending a formal event, exploring the outdoors, or handling your day-to-day, these watches will have you covered
