Champagne tastes, but a limited budget? A Pagáni watch might be the answer for you. Consistently ranking in the top 5 lists for best watches under $500, we go through my favourite 3 watches from Pagáni brands - so you know what to look for.

Watching the luxury watch market during the COVID-19 pandemic was pretty interesting. While many businesses suffered catastrophic losses during the lockdown, some luxury watch businesses flourished. How, you ask? Well, they adapted to the situation. Luxury watch manufacturers pooled everything to create a solid online presence. They used social media, brand ambassadors, influencers, and partnerships to drive their business. At that time, it was the only way forward. 

However, another factor helped propel the industry forward during this time. Some people had more disposable income to spend. Those who were working from home were spending nothing on travel expenses. Moreover, the wealthy had money to spare, and they were bored. To kill the boredom, they indulged in watches, lots of them. 

That’s not to say everyone was in that fortunate position. Some enthusiasts longed for a grail watch like the Rolex GMT-Master II or Omega Speedmaster, and lockdown wasn’t going to fix that. That’s where homage watches come into play. 

Homage watches are an option for those who can’t and won’t justify spending thousands of dollars on a watch. Pagani specializes in this field. If you’re thinking of following suit, there are a few things you need to consider before you buy a Pagani Watch. I’ll cover them in this article.  

What Are Pagani Watches?

Pagani is an independent South East based watch brand that makes homage watches. The main gain in collecting these watches is that they’re a fraction of the price of a true collectible. But like anything in life, cheaper alternatives come at a compromise. 

That’s not to say that all affordable watch brands produce poor-quality timepieces. Far from it, in fact. Some manufacturers specialize in making accessible wristwatches that look and feel like they cost much more. But is the same true for Pagani?  

Pagani makes its watches throughout Europe, and South East Asia. The brand mentions that it partners with other factories to broaden its offerings. One thing the brand is clear about is that it uses quality materials. These include 316L stainless steel (used throughout the watch industry), sapphire crystal, and ceramic bezel inserts.  

What Does the Pagani Design Watch Offer the Modern Collector?

A Pagani Design watch is a gateway to affordable luxury for the modern budget collector. These watches offer the appeal of an iconic collectible but without the high-end name and the extortionate price tag.  

It’s no secret that Pagani Design makes homage watches, nor is this a particular problem. You should not mistake a homage watch for a counterfeit or fake watch. In fact, there are many brands you could classify as falling into the homage bracket these days. Every company has taken inspiration from an iconic watch at some point. The difference is how close that brand comes to basing its own designs on that icon.  

Like I said, homage watches are not a bad idea if you don’t want to shell out. And it’s not like Pagani is trying to shy away from what it does. Watches like the Yacht-Master and the TAG Heuer Aquaracer blatantly inspire these models. The brand holds nothing back when including these details in the spec list of its watches. Pagani is also an affordable stepping stone into the realm of high-end luxury timepieces. Trying a Pagani watch is ideal if you’re unsure whether a specific coveted timepiece is right for you.  

The quality of Pagani watches differs depending on their price point. For example, the Yacht-Master homage watch is pricier than the TAG Autavia-inspired watch, and the difference in quality is noticeable. I put that down to the margins, which is fine at Pagani. If all watches are relatively cheap, the differences between those prices will be more obvious.  

If you spend a little bit more, you can upgrade to some nicer features. You can opt for sapphire crystal glass over mineral crystal and ceramic bezels over aluminum.  

Some of the Best Pagani Design Watches  

At the time of this article’s publishing, there were over 80 watches in the Pagani desiner series lineup. Whether you like Rolex, Tag Heuer, or Audemars Piguet, there’s a Pagani homage for you. Let’s take a quick look at some of the most popular Pagani Design watches and compare them to the real deal.  

1. Oceanus - Aquaracer Homage Watch

You could be mistaken for thinking this is the real McCoy at a glance. The Pagani Designer series Oceanus answers your dreams if you’ve longed for a TAG Heuer Aquaracer watch forever.  

It features a steel 100-meter water-resistant case with a Seiko Automatic inside for guaranteed accuracy. OK, it doesn’t have quite the same water-resistant capability as the Aquaracer. But when you think about it, how many collectors actually use this watch for diving?

It also embodies the octagonal-shaped bezel of the new professional series released by TAG a few years ago. A color-matched ceramic bezel and horizontal striped dial pattern join this.  

2. The Pagani Sapian - Royal 'Oak' Homage Watch

The Royal Oak by Audemars Piguet is another desirable collectible for those with expensive tastes. The Pagani's take on the Oak, tips its hat to the era of the sports watch craze and this special Gerald Genta design. The affordable watch has a 40mm stainless steel case, a deep blue dial, and a brushed integrated steel bracelet. 

A particular feature I like about this design is its waffle-effect dial. It nods to the Grand Tapisserie dial technique that became a hallmark of many Audemars Piguet watches. 

Pagani Design experts choose a sapphire glass front and a 100-meter water resistance to promise durability.  

3. Elana - Nautilus Homage Watch

The Pagani Elana celebrates the style of the Nautilus with the iconic porthole-inspired case and this striking Tiffany-coloured dial. Tiffany dials are highly desirable among watch aficionados. The Nautilus captures the zeitgeist of the steel sports watch era.