Building the Perfect Watch Collection Under £5,000

If I had £5,000 and I was limited to that, how would I build a complete watch collection? Normally, I’d be negotiating discounts, leaning on 0% finance, and working every angle I could. But today, we’re not doing any of that.

This is a straight £5,000 budget, no finance, no discounts. All the watches are brand-new, readily available mainline releases—so no vintage, no rare limited editions, no fantasy pricing. Some models might require you to wait for a drop window to open, but everything here is genuinely buyable.

The challenge: four watches that cover the bases—a diver, a GADA (go-anywhere-do-anything), a dress watch, and a chronograph. Then, if there’s money left over, we’ll see what else can sneak into the box.

So, £5,000, four watches. Locked in. Let’s go.

When you start building a collection, the obvious place to begin is with a dive watch. It’s how I started mine, and it feels like the natural foundation.

Last time I tackled a budget challenge, I went with a quartz Eco-Drive Citizen. This time, I’m stepping it up with Seiko. Specifically, the Seiko Prospex SPB453J1—a 1965 Diver’s Revival with a 3-day power reserve and 300m water resistance.

It’s a clean black diver (yes, I’m basic when it comes to colour choices) and an easy daily wear. RRP is £1,200, and while you could haggle for less in-store, we’re sticking to the rules.

Cost: £1,200
Running total: £1,200
Remaining budget: £3,800

Next up: the GADA. This is trickier in the price range because you want versatility without blowing the budget. I’d aim to spend around £1,000 here, maybe a touch more.

Farer immediately comes to mind. I’ve handled plenty of their pieces at shows, and the one that really stands out is the Discovery Black Velvet 36mm. Many of you know I’m a big fan of the Rolex Explorer in 36mm, and this is one of the closest affordable alternatives I’ve worn.

It’s got pipette hands, an arrow seconds hand, and Explorer-style Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12. Inside is the excellent La Joux-Perret G101 with a 68-hour power reserve and sapphire glass. The only compromise is 50m water resistance—but otherwise, it’s spot on.

Price? £895. But for a true GADA, it needs a bracelet. That’s another £170, bringing the total to £1,065.

Cost: £1,065
Running total: £2,265
Remaining budget: £2,735

Now, time to splurge a little. For me, that means Nomos. They make some of the best modern dress watches around.

The square Tetra is tempting at £1,960, but that would leave things a bit tight. Instead, I’m going for the Tangente in 35mm. It’s beautifully proportioned, has a crisp white dial, and carries all the Bauhaus charm Nomos is known for. The only shame is the solid caseback—you don’t get to admire the movement. But still, at £1,780, it’s a brilliant choice. Locked in.

Cost: £1,780
Running total: £4,045
Remaining budget: £955

I tried Maen, Longines and Lorier for this one. A chronograph is always a tricky pick on a tight budget, but fortunately there’s Studio Underd0g. Their 01 series is already an icon in the indie watch space, and the Watermel0n is the one to have.

The new Gen 3 version is slimmer, with a black back plate framing the Seagull movement. Fun, distinctive, mechanical, and affordable. You would have to wait for the next drop but it’s £550 on the nose. Locked in.

Cost: £550
Running total: £4,595
Remaining budget: £405

Every collection needs a proper beater—a watch you can wear without a second thought. Enter the Casio G-Shock GBM 2100A1A3.

This one comes in a lovely green with a metal case, resin strap, Bluetooth, and solar charging. It only has mineral glass which feels like a compromise but it’s a modern classic G-Shock with just enough tech to keep it interesting. RRP: £229. Locked in.

Cost: £229
Running total: £4,824
Remaining budget: £176

With the last of the budget, I’m going practical. WatchGecko’s Octopod buckle is a clever deployant-style NATO system, and it’s £85 well spent. To go with it, nine Ridge straps at £10 each. That’s a rainbow of options—yellow, green, orange, grey, black, blue, and more.

And because I still had £1 left, I topped things off with two Freddos at 45p each. Don’t say I don’t think of the essentials.

Cost: £175
Running total: £4,999
Remaining budget: £1

• Dive watch: Seiko Prospex 1965 Revival – £1,200
• GADA: Farer Discovery Black Velvet 36mm – (£895 + £170 bracelet)
• Dress watch: Nomos Tangente 35mm – £1,780
• Chronograph: Studio Underdog 01 Watermelon Gen 3 – £550
• Beater: Casio G-Shock GBM 2100 – £229
• Straps: WatchGecko Octopod buckle + 9 Ridge straps – £175
• Snacks: Two Freddos – 90p

Total: £4,999.90

That’s five watches, nine straps, and two chocolate bars. Great success.

So, what do you think? Did I make smart picks, or am I completely insane? Let me know in the comments.