Deep into the chill of a colder-than-usual Canadian winter on one day last February, the unthinkable happened: my furnace took its last breath and died in a puddle of water under a depleted heat exchanger. I could see my own breath as I puttered around looking for the warm Moser sweater that had arrived for Christmas a few months earlier.

Getting someone in on a Friday afternoon at 4 o’clock was not easy, but eventually it was determined that the new heat exchange system would cost just over $8,000. My first thought was to consider all the other things I could have had for $8,000, which naturally led to thoughts about all the nice watches I could have had for around that price.

Since then, I’ve been watching for them, and although it’s a challenging price point for a luxury watch, I’ve come up with a few contenders that offer real value for the money.

They include standout examples of some of the great dial colors appearing these days – like the Rolex OP and the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date.

Or nice ladies’ examples from traditionally male brands, like the new Bell & Ross Bell & Ross BR-05.

And because I like a larger watch once in a while, especially if it’s an icon, I had to include the new Panerai Luminor.

This is just a wish list for me, but if your furnace didn’t break last winter, think of it as a license to spend around $8,000 on a great watch.

Here are some ideas.

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date

This warm, cheerful terracotta is the latest in Oris’s continued exploration of unusual dial color palettes. The Big Crown Pointer Date, created in 1938 for pilots, was designed as a working watch, but the fun colors (it comes in lilac, yellow or blue, as well) add a whole new dimension.

There are 11 references. This one contains the Oris automatic caliber 403 with a five-day power reserve.

Price: $4,300- (such a good price, I’ll take one with the green dial as well).

For more information, please visit www.oris.ch/en-FR/product/watch/big-crown

Tudor Black Bay Chrono Flamingo Blue

Tudor is evoking  my favorite scenario with this watch: a tropical setting with pristine turquoise waters. Aside from the Caribbean-vibe color, the watch is a typical Black Bay, with dual subdials, a date window at 6 o’clock and signature snowflake hands.

I love chronographs, manual or otherwise, and this automatic chrono caliber is COSC-certified.

Price: $5,875-

For more information, please visit www.tudorwatch.com/en/watch-family/daring-watches/m79360n-0024

Bell & Ross BR-05 36 mm

This is the smallest watch Bell & Ross has ever made. The brand’s instantly recognizable shape, font and bezel design have been shrunk to 36 mm without losing its proportions, and it really works as a ladies’ watch, especially with the mother-of-pearl dial.

It’s an automatic, and again, the price is so good that I could get two for the price of one furnace.

Price: $4,300-

For more information, please visit www.bellross.com/eu/en-gb/our-watches

Omega Railmaster

Sometimes it’s the outliers that appeal to us (like the Rolex Air-King, or the JLC Memovox. For Omega, instead of the mighty Speedmaster, it’s the purity of the vintage-y Railmaster that stands out.

Created in 1957 for railway staff, it was built for accuracy and readability – for people on the job – and what more do you really need?

The design is minimalist, but with a gradient dial, large markers and a large arrow minute hand to make it distinctive.

Price: $6,400–

For more information, please visit www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watches/seamaster/heritage-models/railmaster/product

Panerai Luminor PAM03314

Panerai upgraded its Luminor Marina collection this year with new movements (the P.980 with a three-day power reserve and a stop-second function), better Super-LumiNova (X2) for increased brightness, and a new water-resistance standard: 500 meters.

The Luminor is truly an icon, and even at 44mm, it is very wearable, even for small wrists.

Price: $8,800 Sorry, this one is over $8k

For more information, please visit www.panerai.com/en/collections/watch-collection/luminor/pam03314-luminor-marina.html

Breitling Top Time Coppi and Bartali

In the 1950s, Breitling sponsored the Giro d’Italia, at which time the stars of the race were rivals Fausto Coppi, the first racer to win both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France in the same year, and Gino Bartali, a winner nicknamed il Vecchio.

These two athletes were the rock stars of the cycling circuit, and they wore Breitlings. The Top Time Coppi and Bartali Tribute editions honor them as role models.

Price: Starting at $7,700

For more information, please visit www.breitling.com/fr-en/campaigns/top-time-coppi-and-bartali/

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 28mm

Rolex has been getting really creative in the past few years, particularly with color, which borders on fashion-watch territory. One of the most fashion-forward models is the Oyster Perpetual, with increasingly colorful dials.

This 28mm Lavender version has a lacquered lavender dial, part of a new collection of pastels. The case is steel and the movement is a chronometer-rated automatic with a 55-hour power reserve.

Price: $5,650-

For more information, please visit www.rolex.com/watches/oyster-perpetual/m276200-0001

Grand Seiko Shūbun SBGH353

I’m a sucker for an engraved or textured dials. The grooves create a sparkling, 3D effect, especially in bold colors. Grand Seiko’s strategy of linking its designs to Japan’s culture, and appreciation for natures, including seasons and landscapes, rivals the foundational Swiss lore about farmers in the Jura making watches over long winters.

The SBGH353 honors Shūbun, the autumnal equinox, with a deep blue dial that reflects the clear night skies illuminated by the moon and stars.

Price: $7,200-

For more information, please visit www.grand-seiko.com/us-en/collections/sbgh353g

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