Watches: six timepieces that blow the budget

Watchmakers in Glashütte once used bright colours to bring some spark to life behind the Iron Curtain. Glashütte Original celebrates those lean years with pride. Automatic movement in 40mm steel case, 100m water resistant.

glashuette-original.com

As partner of the modern, less frightening version of the Mille Miglia, Chopard makes a limited edition watch to mark each year. Automatic chronograph movement. The 44mm stainless steel case comes in either steel or two-tone steel and rose gold.

chopard.com

Panerai’s distinctive profile is easily recognised as the wartime Italian divers’ watch turned no-nonsense style statement. This new Verde Smeraldo (emerald green) version has automatic movement in a 44mm stainless steel case, water resistant to 300m.

panerai.com

Best known for watches that occupy a lot of wrist space, Hublot’s Classic Fusion line offers some different looks, like this sleek collaboration with French pop artist Richard Orlinski. In-house automatic movement in 40mm titanium case, water resistant to 50m.

hublot.com

Picture a Rolex – this probably isn’t it. The company has been deep into motorsport since it has existed, but this watch pays tribute instead to aviation – Rolexes were used to time pioneering flights in the Thirties. In-house automatic movement, 40mm steel case.

rolex.com

The Frenchman behind the brand likes cars as much as he likes his watches, so this Ferrari tie-in is a dream come true. This ultra thin watch is a technical masterpiece at just 1.75mm thick, but the price is ultra fat. Limited to 150.

richardmille.com