For $4,550, Buy a Premium Watch or an Affordable Watch Collection?

WIRED compares the merits of a single high-end timepiece versus an assortment of quality affordable watches.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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WIRED set a $4,550 budget to determine whether it's better to buy a single premium 'go-anywhere, do-anything' (GADA) watch like the Tudor Black Bay GMT, or to assemble a varied collection of affordable but quality timepieces that can cover different needs and occasions. The article weighs the pros and cons of each approach, ultimately leaving the decision up to the reader.

Why it matters

This story taps into the ongoing debate among watch enthusiasts about the merits of owning a single versatile luxury watch versus building a diverse collection of more affordable timepieces. It highlights how personal preferences, budgets, and lifestyle needs factor into these decisions around watch collecting.

The details

WIRED considered a Tudor Black Bay GMT as the 'one-watch' GADA option, praising its features, quality, and versatility for $4,550. As an alternative, they assembled a collection of four watches - a dive watch (Baltic Aquascaphe), a dress watch (Dennison Midnight Aventurine), an everyday watch (Hamilton Khaki Field 'Murph'), and a travel watch (Mido Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer) - plus a chronograph (Brew Super Metric) for a total of $4,380, leaving room for a watch case and extra straps. The article lays out the pros and cons of each approach, ultimately leaving the decision up to the reader's personal preferences.

  • The article was published on February 8, 2026.

The players

Tudor

A Swiss luxury watch brand known for its high-quality, versatile timepieces like the Black Bay GMT.

Baltic

A French microbrand that produces stylish and affordable dive watches like the Aquascaphe.

Dennison

A watch brand focused on creating elegant and affordable dress watches.

Hamilton

A Swiss watch brand owned by the Swatch Group, known for its classic and affordable field watches like the Khaki Field 'Murph'.

Mido

A Swiss watch brand also owned by the Swatch Group, known for its high-value timepieces like the Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer.

Brew

A New York-based microbrand that produces unique hybrid mecha-quartz chronograph watches.

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The takeaway

This story highlights the ongoing debate among watch enthusiasts about the merits of owning a single versatile luxury watch versus building a diverse collection of more affordable timepieces. It shows how personal preferences, budgets, and lifestyle needs factor into these decisions around watch collecting.