The Most Coveted Watches in the UK

Here at Watches World, we delve into a list of luxury men’s watches coveted by collectors in the UK right now.

It’s a very well-known fact that the British love luxury watches. Not only did sales surge after lockdown as more people purchased luxury items, but sales have continued to rise ever since. That’s not to say that luxury watch collecting is a new phenomenon in the UK. Watchmaking has been a part of its heritage since the 1500s. But while England may not have a watch-crafting reputation as good as Switzerland, the love of a mechanical timepiece is as popular there as it is anywhere in the world. In this article, we’ve created a list of watches that are popular in the UK right now. The choices range from the iconic Nautilus watch created by Patek Philippe to the trusty Omega Seamaster and even the classic Rolex Daytona. Before we start, let’s look at why investing in luxury watches is still such a popular hobby.

Why collect luxury watches?

Collecting watches became a popular trend after the First World War. Having survived the challenges faced when the quartz movement came along, the most forceful inventors within the mechanical watch industry came back stronger than ever. Horological masterpieces were reborn, embracing extreme craftsmanship and tradition. A watch does much more than just tell the time; it’s a symbol of success or an expression of wealth that can appreciate over time. While some communicate extravagance and boldness, others evoke a hint of danger, sport and adventure. Back in the UK, watch trends are as important as ever. Here are ten best watches to own in the UK at the moment.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Reference: 210.30.42.20.01.001

Omega is the proud manufacturer of one of the largest ranges of luxury dive watches on the entire planet. The diverse range offers everything from a classic model to wear whilst exploring the British coasts, to the most water-resistant tool for deep-sea explorations. The Seamaster Diver 300M, as its name suggests, is water resistant to 300 meters and has a strong sapphire crystal glass front and a screw-down crown to uphold this promise when underwater. The 42mm dive watch is powered by Omega’s Calibre 8800. The movement is chronometer-rated and has an autonomy of 55 hours once fully wound. This means it will keep perfect time for you whilst away from the wrist. This Omega Seamaster watch is a great collectors piece and includes a legible dial with luminous material on the hands and hour markers. Its steel case is strong and offers a unidirectional rotating bezel that enables you to measure elapsed time.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Reference: 210.30.42.20.03.001

This time, dressed in blue, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M captures the captivating tones of the ocean with its legible deep blue dial. Its high gloss blue zirconium oxide ceramic dial presents a laser engraved wave design and luminous-filled hour markers. The arrow-shaped hand and accompanying hour hand are skeletonised but also filled with a luminous tip, whilst the zero marker on the bezel glows in green emissions at night. If you’re planning on investing in a luxury dive watch and you’re reading this UK list of best watches to buy this year, you can trust a design like the Seamaster 300M. Its unidirectional rotating bezel is designed to move only in the clockwise direction to ensure that when you’re underwater, you won’t accidentally extend your remaining dive time. The 42mm steel model can withstand depths of up to 300 meters. It’s also powered by that same Calibre 8800 to ensure unfaltering accuracy.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Reference: 215.33.44.21.01.001

The nice thing about the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M watch is that its design has been paying homage to Omega’s heritage since 2005. As a result, its innovative design stands at the forefront of dive watch manufacture, with an impressive 600-meter water resistance and advanced features such as a sapphire crystal glass exhibition caseback and a ceramic bezel. Chosen for its scratch-resistant properties, the ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel is completed in black to match its stealthy yet visible dial. The omega Calibre 8900, which lies at the heart of its stainless steel case, powers a set of luminous-filled hands around the dial, keeping accurate time whether underwater or on dry land. The 43.5mm dive watch is slightly larger than the previous two dive watches featured in our guide to the best UK luxury watches, creating a bold and confident presence on the wrist. The chronometer-certified automatic movement fitted to this Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M watch can produce 60 hours of power and beats to the rhythm of 25,200 oscillations per hour.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Reference: 215.32.44.21.01.001

Even larger in size, this Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M measures a daring diameter of 43.5mm and presents itself in bold, sporty tones of black and zesty orange accents. In many dive watches, old and new, the decision to use a vibrant orange colour has always proven key to promoting legibility in dark conditions. It is one of the very few colours to stand out against the deep blue depths of the ocean, but also looks incredibly cool when used in sports watches. With a staggering 600-meter water resistance, this Omega dive watch certainly won’t let you down in the water. Its arrow-tipped hands point to an hour track filled with luminous material and three Arabic numerals in a matching orange colour at 6, 9 and 12 o’clock. The diving scale on the bezel, crafted from LiquidMetal is also designed to stand out, as is the first fifteen minutes of dive time, identified in orange. Driven by the Master Chronometer calibre 8900, this engine can be admired through a sapphire crystal glass caseback and secures ergonomically to the wrist with an orange-lined black rubber strap. You also get a helium escape valve at 10 o’clock that prevents the build-up of this harmful gas inside the case.

Richard Mille RM35-03 Reference: RM35-03 CA FQ

If you fancy splashing out, there is no better brand to invest your money in than a technically sophisticated watch from Richard Mille. The RM35-03 is a sporty-inspired mechanical timepiece driven by an automatic movement that is exposed through a skeletonised design. The Richard Mille Rafael Nadal watch is primed for endurance sports and built for professionals, as well as those with a passion for Richard Mille watches in general. The model is inspired by the original collection of RM-027 Tourbillon watches worn by the famous tennis player and is geared towards watch enthusiasts that don’t want to compromise on accuracy, quality or performance. The Richard Mille RM 035-03 watch is presented in accents of vibrant blue and features a baseplate and bridges crafted in grade 5 titanium, as well as a butterfly rotor that can be varied by the wearer according to their sports activities. The case, manufactured from Carbon TPT and Quartz TPT, combines rare materials that are only developed by Richard Mille, plus you also get to enjoy a 50-meter water-resistant capability and a rubber strap in blue that dries quickly when in and out of water.

Richard Mille RM11-02 Automatic Flyback Chronograph Reference: RM011 AO CA-TZP

Touted by Richard Mille as being the most useful traveller’s companion, the RM-011 watch combines a useful dual time zone function with an innovative flyback chronograph feature. Its GMT function is tracked by a red hand against a 24-hour scale, travelling over a trio of chronograph sub-counters located at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. Meanwhile, the dial is also skeletonised, showing off the extra special finishes of the automatic movement secured inside its 50-meter water-resistant black carbon case. Its broad 50mm size is fitted on a black rubber strap with a DLC-coated titanium clasp that keeps the watch looking stealthy enough for any chosen attire. Of course, the handy flyback function enables you to activate the chronograph timings with just one button. In the same instance, you can keep track of home and local time with this multifunctional Richard Mille design.

Patek Philippe Nautilus Reference: 5711/1R-001

If you’re a keen on collecting watches, you’ll already know that the Patek Philipp Nautilus is one of the world’s most coveted luxury watches in the entire world. It can also make a great investment. Patek has made many iterations available over the years. This stunning ref 5711/1R-001, presented in 18ct rose gold, features a chocolate brown dial to enhance the iconic porthole design of the 1970s. Celebrating everything great about the sports watch era, this indulgent rose gold model is powered by the Calibre 26-330 S C. Impressively, it provides a 45-hour power reserve. It also features a stunning 18ct rose gold integrated bracelet, luminous hands and markers, and a strong sapphire crystal glass front. This feature protects the surface of the dial, executed in a horizontal ribbed finish.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date Reference: 228235-0045

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date watch captures the essence of the brand’s iconic case design, with a crown screwed against the main body. This innovative design set benchmarks decades ago with its impressive 100 meter water resistant design. The watch also features a date cyclops and a day window in an arc at 12 o’clock. Both features are dressed against a white background to enhance legibility.  This Rolex Day-Date watch measures 40mm and has been crafted from the brand’s proprietary Everose gold. It also features a mesmerising eisenkiesel, diamond-set dial. The display, showcasing a delicately veined quartz surface, creates the perfect backdrop for a set of luminous baton hour markers and hands.

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Reference: 116519LN-0027

The Rolex Chronograph Daytona watch has its roots in motorsport and has become one of the most collectable luxury watches in history, especially after it was sported on the wrist of the legendary Paul Newman. The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona features a silver dial with black-filled chronograph counters, surrounded by a tachymeter bezel that measures speed based on distance. The bezel, perfect for measuring speed based on distance, is a faithful hallmark of the Daytona. This sporty chronograph had to make it to our UK’s top ten watch guide. The watch is crafted from stainless steel, measuring a 40mm diameter. It’s also equipped with 100-meter water resistance and comes fitted on a stylish Oysterflex bracelet. The mechanism is accompanied by patented flexible metal blades and an Oysterlock clasp.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Reference: 26239OR.OO.D315CR.01

During the 1970s, the sports watch craze was taking over the industry. Watches like the Royal Oak were formidable. This model, crafted from 18ct rose gold, features the instantly recognisable octagonal-shaped bezel bolted down by 8 industrial-inspired screws. These screws frame a deep blue dial in this design, executed in the Grande Tapisserie pattern. A matching deep blue alligator leather strap secures with a rose gold buckle, matching the golden chronograph sub-counters. These sub-dials offer a 12-hour totaliser, a small seconds function and a 30-minute feature. The 41mm Royal Oak Chronograph watch is sure to appeal to those who like their choice of watch to get noticed. The iconic design of the Royal Oak is available in many versions and the collection is still going strong today, but we think this exuberant blue and rose gold iteration is one of the most stylish yet.

We hope you enjoyed our list of top ten watches in the UK. If you’d like more information on any of the models we’ve featured in this article, our Watches World is available to you around the globe!