Let's spend our summer bonuses on watches! Writer Shinichi Sato selects 5 recommended models in the 50 yen range.

This time, we've carefully selected attractive watches that you can purchase for around 500,000 yen using your summer bonus. All of our picks are three-hand models, but we've tried to choose them so that their styles and appeal ranges don't overlap as much as possible. Each one is unique, practical, and has a great design, making them highly refined and appealing. After reading this feature, we encourage you to check them out in stores.

We've carefully selected and introduced some masterpieces with different tastes that you'll want to buy with your summer bonus.

　A summer bonus with no set purpose. It holds endless possibilities. Faced with a bonus that has slipped through the cracks of necessary durable goods, some people browse watch magazines and online media, daydreaming about themselves wearing the models featured there.

　When choosing a watch, it's important to imagine the situations in which you'll wear it. If you're buying a watch with a bonus that reflects your hard work, I would argue that it's best to choose a model that will be useful in many situations. With that in mind, I've carefully selected five high-quality three-hand models, each with a different style and range of uses, all priced around 500,000 yen, and would like to introduce them to you. I hope you will consider them in light of your own lifestyle and needs.

The Citizen "Eco-Drive Eco-Drive 50th Anniversary Limited Edition" Ref. AQ4091-56W

　The first watch we'll pick is The Citizen, which possesses the charm of a classic informal watch. This model was planned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Citizen's Eco-Drive light-powered technology, and while retaining the high practicality and appearance quality of previous models, it is combined with a special dial created specifically for this commemorative model.

　Generally, solar watches have solar cells positioned beneath the dial. To improve the efficiency of light generation and ensure practicality, these solar cells must either be exposed or light must be transmitted through the dial to reach them. The former is a mismatch for luxury watches from a design and aesthetic standpoint, while the latter severely limits the expression of the dial, which is also a disadvantage for luxury watches. The Citizen, however, is characterized by its use of washi paper for the dial, which allows light to pass through while exhibiting a uniquely soft texture. Furthermore, this has evolved into the release of models that bring out the charm of traditional washi paper, as well as models with unique dyeing techniques.

　The dial featured in this article uses "Chitose-midori," a traditional Japanese color that symbolizes permanence, derived from the pine needles that retain their green color even in winter. Citizen experimented extensively to achieve this attractive green color, eventually arriving at a technique of layering blue and yellow dyes. However, finding the ideal yellow dye to produce Chitose-midori proved extremely difficult. The final solution they found was "Ibuki-kariyasu," a perennial grass of the Miscanthus genus, which has records of being used as a dye in Heian period texts.

　The finished dial, with its chic green hue, gold-colored second hand, and eagle emblem, exudes elegance and a dignified presence befitting a special edition. How about taking this captivating timepiece, born from an episode that truly embodies the concept of "learning from the past to create something new," into your own life?

A deep dive into The Citizen "Eco-Drive 50th Anniversary Limited Edition": What is the Chitose Green Washi paper dial that was created after much trial and error?

FEATURES

Tudor "Royal" Ref. M2840D1A0-0003

　Next, let's look at another model with an attractive green dial: the Tudor "Royal" Ref. M2840D1A0-0003. As is evident from the perfection of the "Black Bay," Tudor is a brand with extremely high overall capabilities. One of the important elements supporting that perfection is its in-house movement. This year, Tudor has equipped the Royal with a highly refined in-house movement, making it even more appealing, which is why we've picked it out.

　Tudor's Royal is a historic name that first appeared in the 1950s. It has always been part of the lineup as an elegant and dressy collection, and this concept has been maintained in this latest renewal. The Ref. M2840D1A0-0003, which we have picked up, is a day-date model with a 40mm case diameter, a standard size for today, and features a day display at 12 o'clock and a date display at 3 o'clock. The dial is a chic green, and the dressy design with Roman numeral indices stands out even within the collection. It is equipped with an automatic Cal. MT5633 movement, which is a COSC chronometer certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute and has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours, making it highly practical.

　The silhouette from the case side to the bracelet and the engraved decoration on the bezel are iconic features of the Royal, and these are carried over to this model. On the other hand, the subtle improvements are typical of Tudor; while the previous Day-Date model had a diameter of 41mm, this one is more compact, giving it a more refined look, while the spacing of the bezel decoration has been widened, adding a powerful impression. Furthermore, the bracelet employs Tudor's unique "T-fit adjusting system," which allows for fine adjustments without tools, resulting in a more comfortable fit.

　The Royal boasts a diverse lineup, including not only various dial colors but also models with a date display in a 36mm case and models with a three-hand display in a 30mm case. If you thoroughly examine the catalog, you're sure to find a model you like.

Bvlgari "Bvlgari Aluminum" Ref.104335

　If you're looking for a model that combines elegance and sportiness, check out Bulgari's "Bulgari Aluminium." The Bulgari Aluminium was born in 1998 as a more sporty derivative of the "Bulgari Bulgari," which was first released in 1975. The original Bulgari Bulgari is characterized by its design, which features the brand logo on the bezel, reminiscent of ancient Roman coins, and has become one of Bulgari's icons.

　The Bulgari Aluminium retains the double "BVLGARI" logo engraved on the bezel, while employing a lightweight aluminum case and sporty styling with a dial design featuring a combination of Arabic numeral and bar indices, and hands coated with luminous paint. It also features a combination of aluminum links with the logo and a rubber strap.

　The model we're highlighting is the latest monochrome creation, Ref. 104335, featuring an opal-finished white dial combined with a white bezel and bracelet links. The rhodium-plated indices and hands on the white dial create a subtle yet striking shine. Despite being monochrome, the shadows cast by the logo engraved on the bezel and bracelet links add character, preventing it from becoming monotonous—a testament to Bulgari's craftsmanship.

　This watch's appeal lies in its refreshing yet chic color scheme and iconic case and bezel design, making it suitable for both business settings in the city and relaxed resort settings. Those who lead a lifestyle that seamlessly transitions between these two environments should definitely check it out.

Longines "Longines Legend Diver 59" Ref. L3.795.4.59.9

　If you're looking for something with an even sportier feel, check out the Longines Legend Diver 59. While the Legend Diver has been in the lineup for some time, the Longines Legend Diver 59 is particularly appealing because it faithfully reproduces the original proportions, which is why we've highlighted it.

　The original Legend Diver, released in 1959, was a diver's watch that employed Erwin Piquet's compressor case, which enhanced water resistance through water pressure, and used a rotating inner bezel to measure dive time. The Longines Legend Diver 59 reproduces the case silhouette and dial design of that original model, featuring the iconic crowns at the 2 and 4 o'clock positions. The combination with a domed sapphire crystal further enhances the classic feel of this timepiece, which is another appealing feature.

　The all-black dial features a grained finish that gives it a slightly matte surface, evoking the feel of a tool watch while adding a touch of understated elegance. The indices and hands are coated with "Light Old Radium" colored Super-LumiNova, ensuring legibility without compromising the classic aesthetic. A rotating inner bezel is positioned around the outer edge of the dial, which lacks a date display. This bezel can be rotated in both directions via the crown at the 2 o'clock position, enabling timekeeping during dives.

　On the other hand, this watch not only recreates a vintage feel, but also boasts a high level of craftsmanship as a genuine diver's watch that meets the ISO 6425 standard. Both crowns are screw-down to ensure water resistance, and this model achieves 300m water resistance. It is equipped with the automatic Cal.888.6 movement, and its power reserve is approximately 72 hours, making it highly practical. Furthermore, this model comes with both a Milanese mesh bracelet and a Tropic-style black rubber strap, which is a nice bonus. Both are well-matched to the design of this watch, so you can choose the one that best suits your style.

Gin "544"

　If you're looking for a more stoic tool watch, you should consider Sinn. The model we're highlighting today is their new "544." Based in Germany, Sinn's official name is "Sinn Special Watches," and it's a brand that has produced models designed to perform reliably in extreme conditions. With its rugged yet refined, high-quality tool-like design, and its high level of practicality and reliability, it's a brand with many fans.

　The 544 featured here is a model characterized by its streamlined case and the side lines of the bracelet that connect to it, reminiscent of the classic "244." The 244, which has been discontinued for a long time, remains popular, and many fans have been hoping for its revival. (Masashi Hirota, editor-in-chief of Chronos Japan and webChronos, is one of those fans.)

　The stainless steel 544 boasts a compact style with a diameter of 38.5mm and a thickness of 10mm. It features a matte black dial typical of tool watches, a pencil-shaped hour hand, and a syringe-shaped minute hand with a tapered tip for improved visibility. The clear scale, marked down to quarter seconds, also contributes to the design's refined look. A notable feature is the indices, which are made of hybrid ceramics infused with luminous material. This allows them to glow not only on the top but also on the sides in the dark, achieving a high level of visibility. Furthermore, it boasts pressure and decompression resistance up to 20 atmospheres, providing reliable performance not only in everyday life but also in harsh environments. This kind of solid construction is one of the reasons to recommend Sinn.