School’s out, and summer’s in! For some of the students, summer is a good time to take a break from the hectic semester and explore different places by backpacking. For the rest, like the author, they rather prefer to build experiences through internship experiences. So if one lands a dream summer internship at a top financial house, a massive MNC, or a reputable law firm, or looking to convert the internship into a full-time position, what are the watch recommendations for summer internship.
As watch geeks, some of us will actually buy a timepiece to celebrate a milestone. But bearing in mind that students have a lower budget, we will be recommending watches that are relatively more affordable, and yet suits the industry or organisation that one is doing his/her internship. So, what are the watches that we have selected? Let’s find out!
Orient Bambino Automatic
The Orient Bambino Automatic. A simple, and value-for-money dress watch.
We begin this week’s article with a timepiece that is relatively affordable for the masses: Orient Bambino Automatic.
Orient is a Japanese watch manufacturer and it is definitely no stranger to collectors from Asia. They are known for making very affordable and value-for-money timepieces, similar to Seiko. The Bambino is one of the collections in the repertoire – focusing on dressier and classy pieces. It is fitted with a decently produced automatic movement, with an additional date display function and a power reserve of around 40 hours.
Priced at approximately S$225, the 40.5mm timepiece is definitely a good-looking watch with an excellent value proposition. We highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for an affordable, yet dressy timepiece.
SEVENFRIDAY S-Series
The new SEVENFRIDAY S-series. A fun, yet affordable timepiece.
Life is not all about business. There should be some element of fun in it as well, which leads us to the new SEVENFRIDAY S-series.
SEVNFRIDAY is another brand that many collectors will recognise. Launched in 2012, the trend-setting watch manufacturer produces its now iconic rounded square watches, which is a hit with many collectors. What is also appealing is its industrial inspired aesthetics, as well as its relatively affordable price point.
The S-series is the latest iteration from the trendy watch manufacturer, and it seems to be an evolution from the original P-series. Powered by the Miyota 82S5 movement, the 47mm timepiece features an open balance wheel and a power reserve of around 40 hours. The watch is priced at S$1,915. The watch’s hip rep due to its heavy leverage on social media and digital platforms will appeal to those doing his/her internship in the creative or media industry.
Oris Chronoris Date
The Oris Chronoris Date, in three different strap options.
In the recent years, many watchmakers have caught the trend of producing homage watches that were made in the yesteryears. It was a brilliant move – considering the commercial successes of many watch producers, as well as the hype that it had generated over the last five years or so.
In this year’s Baselworld, Oris had decided to dig into their archives to produce another classic. The new Chronoris Date, which was based on an icon in the 70s, is a barrel-shaped timepiece with an interesting colour scheme. Unlike its predecessor that features a chronograph, the new timepiece is instead fitted with an inner rotating bezel. That function is adjusted and operated by the crown at the 4 o’clock position of the watch.
The 39mm timepiece is a nice tribute to an icon of the 70s, and we reckon this gorgeous timepiece might appeal to many collectors. The watch retail at S$2,300 onwards, with three different strap options that significantly different aesthetics of this timepiece.
Rado Hyperchrome Captain Cook
The Rado Hyperchrome Captain Cook combines classic aesthetic cues, with modern components such as the ceramic bezel.
Continuing with the vintage theme, we have another excellent alternative from Rado with the new Hyperchrome Captain Cook.
The Captain Cook is a timepiece that was inspired by the diver’s watch in the 60s. During that era, there are many manufacturers producing different interpretation of the diver’s watch with varying levels of success. Rado is one of them, and half a century later, the Lengnau-based watchmaker had decided to produce a modern iteration of the popular tool watch. The new model, which is fitted with the 11 1⁄2 ETA C07.611 movement, comes with modern touches. Several notable improvements include the 80 hour power reserve, as well as the use of a ceramic bezel.
What we particularly like about the new Hyperchrome Captain Cook is its case profile. The watch is sized nicely at 37mm, with a side profile of only 11.1mm. This is definitely a timepiece that ticks all the right boxes, combining classic looks with modern ingenuity. Priced at S$2,530, we reckon this might be an interesting piece for young collectors who are into vintage-inspired timepieces.
Staudt Praeludium
The Staudt Praeludium, by one of the latest kids on the block.
Following that, we take a look at one of the more interesting entrants into the horological world. Cue Yvo Staudt from the Netherlands – the brainchild behind Staudt Watches.
Yvo was interested in watches since young, and his passion for it proliferated when he was reading up on them when he was 14. He began experimenting with old watch movements, and he decided to eventually build his watches after he couldn’t find on that matches his budget and criteria. Eventually, he decided to focus full-time on watches in 2014, after his girlfriend had broken her back during an accident (and ditching his professional musical career in the process).
The Praeludium is one of the first collections in Staudt’s repertoire. It is a simple three-hand watch, featuring a hand-wound Unitas movement that is modified to his specifications. It is self-assembled, with three-quarter gold-plated bridge, enhanced beat rate (21,600 instead of 18,000, swan-neck regulator and the use of chatons, jewels, and blued screws. Every other component, such as the case, dial, and hands are also designed by Yvo himself.
The 42.5mm timepiece is not just any timepiece – it is an amalgamation of Yvo’s stories and passion, combined and crafted into a watch. The Praeludium is priced at €2,349 (approximately S$3,650), and we feel that it is perfect for someone who wishes to own a timepiece that is special and unique from the rest of the crowd. It is also very dressy and elegant, which is suitable for those who are interning in the corporate world.
NOMOS Zürich Weltzeit nachtblau
Nomos Zürich Weltzeit nachtblau. Photo by owner.
We end the article with one of our favourite watchmakers from Germany: NOMOS.
The Glashutte-based watch manufacturer had always impressed us thoroughly, with its simple Bauhaus-inspired design and exceptional in-house movements. But there was one watch in particular that had truly caught our attention. It is the Zürich Weltzeit nachtblau, or more commonly known as the NOMOS Worldtimer.
The first thing that had caught our attention, besides its stunning blue dial, is the watch’s simple design. We love how NOMOS have incorporated the minimalist look, without compromising on the functionality of the timepiece. In addition, the watch is powered by their in-house self-winding Calibre 5201 – which features its proprietary swing system and a decent power reserve of around 42 hours.
Priced at S$7,570, the Zürich Weltzeit nachtblau is a tad pricier than most of the watches that we have highlighted today. However, we feel that it offers collectors something different, with an excellent value proposition.
Concluding Thoughts
To be honest, besides the six watches that we have recommended, there are plenty of watches that an incoming summer intern can consider to reward themselves. These include the usual suspects, but certainly not limited to brands such as Tudor, Seiko, and Longines. There are many offerings out there that feature different styles and different price points. In short, there is definitely something for everyone.
So, what are some of the watches that you have purchased during your internship days? Do you agree with our selections? Let us know in the comments section below!
8 Comments
I still think this is a good premise for an article (which is why I have come back to it). It would be nice to see you guys re-visit this and lend your expertise to giving suggestions of affordable (actually affordable, in the generally accepted sense), watches that would allow an intern to not be completely out of place in a variety of work environments. And, if you’re thinking to yourselves, “we did that,”…. No. it was not done.
Yikes–I have to agree with many of the commenters here: this article, while showcasing some nice watches, seems to have a skewed sense of what the vast majority of summer interns are likely to pay for a watch. The AP and Lange that Peter Chong points to are simply exceptions that prove the rule. I suppose I’m saying that this article might have used a bit more imagination in drawing potential summer interns’ eyes to watches that might be interesting and more reasonable.
In reality, Daniel Wellington would most likely be spotted on an intern’s wrist and within the Budget of the majority of them.
Most of these are really not affordable for any interns – my New York law firm internship pays generously, and only the Bambino is something I’d really consider as an intern. Other Oris watches like the Artelier would have been better to put on the list – not as trendy as the Chronoris but more affordable and perhaps better suited to an office environment. Seiko’s SARBs or new Presage “Cocktail Time” watches would be great. Hamiltons are a common and easy pick for an intern. Tissot’s Heritage Visodate is a great choice as well, or their new Ballade. Frederique Constant is a great pick, especially for more formal office environments like law or finance. And of course you can move up to Longines or Tag Heuer, but even those are, besides a few base models or quartz models, pushing it for an intern to be buying on their own. By listing the Nomos Worldtimer, you’re essentially saying that an intern can afford and should buy a no-date Submariner (same price!), which is definitely beyond affordability and reasonableness for an intern.
As a college student going into an engineering internship this summer, I don’t know anyone (with a few rare exceptions who’s families are already quite wealthy) who could imagine paying more than about $500 for a watch. That’s a month of rent for many of us, on top of the huge amount of debt acquired by going to a four year university here in the US. I like the idea of the article, and it certainly mentions some lovely pieces, but I think this one missed the mark in terms of cohesion between the two.
You realize that interns work for free, right? The Orient Bambino nails it, then the article loses all perspective with watches that cost a month’s rent for the intern and his roommates. There are dressy looking Citizens and Seikos in the few hundred dollar range.
Thanks Daniel for your comment. Some interns are more equal than others. I have had interns wearing AP Royal Oak Offshore and Blancpain, and even Lange before. The world is not the same as it once was. When I was an intern, I wore a $50 Casio “Grand Complication”. 🙂
Wow, interns must me making some cash these days! I think the Bambino is the only thing on the list that’s within reach for an actual intern, actually interning. It’s a good general list of watches, though.