Buying a watch under HK$50,000

A guide to watches and jewellery

The sky's the limit when it comes to buying quality watches, especially when you consider complex limited-edition styles with prices that can set you back anywhere from hundreds of thousands for a perpetual calendar to millions for a tourbillion or minute repeater.

What can you get with a modest budget of HK$50,000? Be warned: choices are substantially limited on a budget. Automatic watches tend to be more affordable than mechanical styles, but are often seen as less covetable by connoisseurs.

Experts suggest making the most of your budget by opting for a mechanical watch if possible - in stainless steel or with a gold dial and leather bracelet - from a reputable watchmaker. Priority should be given to the movement rather than the material it's made from; in other words, connoisseurs would rather get a mechanical watch in stainless steel than a quartz watch with a gold dial or diamonds.

Noel Wong Ying-fei, deputy director of Sotheby's watches department, suggests choosing reputable brands such as Rolex and Cartier, although materials are likely to be limited to stainless steel, unless it's a leather strap watch with a gold dial. Titanium has appeared in a few models, but is not ideal as experts say it's easily scratched.

Many sporty styles also fall within this price range and are a good alternative. Tim Bourne, international co-head of watches at Christie's, suggests going for a stainless steel chronograph from a quality watchmaker, such as Panerai, IWC or Breitling. 'These are styles that represent the sporty and hip lifestyle that's quite a big trend these days.'