How the digital age has brought back expensive watches

Figures show the watch market itself is heading towards more expensive watches: smart devices are eroding sales at lower levels; sophisticated sports watches from the likes of Rolex and Patek Philippe are stealing the lion's share at the top Joining Oris with new releases are Chopard and Bell & Ross, who've likewise seen an opportunity in the prestige sports category Chopard has zeroed in on the prestige sports market with the Alpine Eagle, priced about $17,000 for the 41mm men's version.

Chopard's Alpine Eagle is that brand's first contemporary sports watch and reprises a model designed by Chopard's co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele in the 1980s While still a classic design, what sets it apart is a striking galvanic dial treatment and sleek integrated bracelet, that for once doesn't look like a Rolex knock-off Famed for its cockpit-style, squared-off wristwear, Bell & Ross has taken a different route with the 05, giving it a round dial set within a rounded square case mounted on an integrated bracelet that's faintly reminiscent of Patek's Nautilus.

Sufficiently unlike anything else to warrant a second look, especially with prices around $7000. . Source