Steal the Style: NYT Style Magazine Must Have Watches

T Magazine’s Must Have Watches (3rd slide) W/ Affordable Alternatives

The 2010 T Magazine Men’s fashion issue has been out for about a month.  Maybe you caught their feature on designer sweatpants.  Not nearly as ridiculous but just as over-the-top expensive is their list of “Must have” watches.  They’re obviously targeting the six, seven, or eight figure a year making Manhattan professionals, so although their picks look fantastic, they’re completely unrealistic.  Except for the Timex for J. Crew, which has reared it’s not-ugly-at-all but certainly overpriced head yet again.

Steal all the style of these watches, at a fraction of the price.  Here’s some affordable alternatives in case you don’t own a 4 bedroom condo overlooking Central Park.  (Moving from left to right and then top to bottom when it comes to the middle stack of three)
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T Mag: Bulgari Blue Dial Chrono – $6,450 | Alternative: Citizen Blue Dial Chrono – $240.00

Three words:  Replace the band.  It’s probably a very nice brown leather band.  But take it to any watch mall kiosk (or just do it yourself if you have the tools) and swap out the brown leather band for a black croc embossed one. White stitching is your call.  Done.  The dial is already a perfect dark blue, and after 63 Amazon reviews, it’s still sitting at an unbelievable 4.5 stars.
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T Mag: Rolex Datejust II – $7,525 | Alternative: Seiko 5 Automatic – $93.00

Both of these are just not my style.  Light dial, silver-tone band, and a case that’s circular across the front and slides into a rectangular frame.  The Seiko has a wallet friendly price of under $100.
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T Mag: Piaget Altiplano – $15,200 | Alternative:  Bulova 96B120 – $119.00 (reg. $199)

Sure it doesn’t have the cocked off to one side smaller dial, but the Bulova 96B120 could be the best looking watch Bulova makes.  It’s sleek, it’s clean, it’s sharp, and it’s the perfect match for a suit.  Not a bad price at just under $200 at any number of department stores, but Amazon is selling these direct for a paltry $120.
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T Mag: Jaeger LeCoultre Tank – $6,250 | Alternative: ESQ by Movado Filmore – $250.00

Too easy.  The ESQ by Movado line first came to light here on Dappered a few months back, and their tank is a high quality low price dead ringer for the more expensive rectangular case timepieces.  There seem to be some complaints online about the wristbands being too short.  That’s an easy fix.
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T Mag: J. Crew Timex 1600 – $195 | Alternative: Guess Ivory Tone Dial – $85.00

Somebody fire up the Muytjens-ometer.  The fact that J. Crew is unabashedly selling a Timex for $200 is mind-blowing.  Especially when the alternative from Guess costs $110 less.  Not a bad looking piece either.
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T Mag: Cartier Roadster S – $4,600 | Alternative: EA Tank – $245 | EA Round – $245

Unlike the Cartier Tank, the Cartier Roadster tonneau/not quite square case is pretty unique.  Especially if you’re going for high contrast on the Roman numerals.  Either of these from Emporio Armani are a somewhat close match.  If they made one that blended these two styles together, it’d be a direct tribute to the Roadster.
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Tag Heuer Silverstone – $6,500 | Alternative: Tissot Quadrato Chrono – $339.99

Sorry guys… finding a square, blue dial, perforated leather strap watch that’s not completely obnoxious seems to be downright impossible.  The Tissot is about as close as it gets… and it ain’t close at all.  The Tag Heurer Silverstone looks to be the grown up big brother of their classic Monaco.  And if you buy the Monaco?  Hey, at least you’re saving a few thousand… right??

Seriously, if you find a similar watch to the Tag Silverstone, drop it in the comments section below.
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