Thoughts: The Perfect GADA Watch Part Two ($ 2000-$ 3000)
Picking up where we left out in our first series, the watches are going to be even more competitive than before with many great watches to select from in the range and under 3000 dollars. Pretty much the toughest price bracket to compete in if you ask me. So, without further ado, let’s dive right into it.
Perfect Gada Between $2000-$3000
I had a few watches in my mind, but the allure of Tudor Black Bay just wins my heart every time. Not the one you’re expecting, which falls out of the price range but it is the at the top end of the price range. The Black Bay 36 on bracelet at $2,900 and the Black Bay 41 right on the $3,000 mark. Something with the clean dial and bezel just grabs my attention!
Similar to the Black Bays with rotating bezel, this version still retains the same case build with polished side case and fine beveling on the lugs and brushed lugs. The bracelet is brushed, matching the top of the lugs to provide an utilitarian look, but the bezel is polished, providing refined feel. The watch is rated to 150M of water resistance and from what I have seen on social media, can be easily swapped with leather strap to dress up or using a NATO for the beach or even leaving it on the bracelet.
The movement beating inside is the ETA 2824, so servicing shouldn’t be any issue from any watch makers. And as of this year, Tudor introduced a few more variations with a blue dial and gold dial in 32, 36, and 41mm case diameters, providing more options to choose from. However, in my pick for this category, the original Black Bay 36 in black gets my vote.
Silver Medalist
Now, before we go, I want to provide my runner up…. My second choice for this category was the Sinn 356 Flieger Sa. The watch provides a dressy chronograph with a nice black dial and yet provides 100 meters of water resistance!
The 38.5mm case should work on most wrist sizes and even though the case is brushed, when you pair it with a leather strap, it can be dressed up quite well. I think perhaps it is due to the nature of pilot watches, I find them to be able to dress up rather easy.
Sinn uses a top grade SW500 movement, which is equivalent to the robust ETA7750, you can see the blued screws and the perlage from the see thru case back! On the brushed bracelet from Sinn, this watch is currently $2,490 making this a solid runner up choice to the Black Bay.
Bronze Medalist
My third choice for this category is the Oris Aquis Date, the watch comes with a 39.5mm case and with 300 meters of water resistance, you can definitely take it to the beach and then some.
There are many dial versions of this watch, the ones that have caught my eyes are the blue dial versions, especially the new Save the Ocean Limited Edition. However, my only knock against this watch is the choice of third party strap choices as the watch has a different lug system, so finding a nice leather strap to dress it up will be difficult.
The watch on bracelet retails for $2,000 and the Save the Ocean Limited Edition retails for $2,200, both are great value for the price.
Interesting list Jeff! Agreed that the BB36 is really tough to beat in this category, arguably the most difficult to make a top three from.
Totally agree! And you’re right about the Aquis and limitations on the strap. Strong brand love from Oris, though!
That Sinn is so perfectly executed, I really should get a Sinn added to the collection one of these days
Is there anything in this range that exists with in-house movement and falls in the GADA category? Asking for a friend