Couple of brands that haven’t come up yet

Stowa (German, make them to order, direct sales via their web site only. Interesting history)

Ball (US brand, swiss made. Again, interesting history. I’ve just got an Engineer Hydrocarbon Magnate GMT and although it looks big the curve on the case means it fits my tiny wrist well)

GQ mag had their annual watch special recently, let me know if you want my copy.

For whats its worth I lke Omegas but can’t afford one so settled for this

To make a truly bold statement with your timepiece, there is only one man you need consult……

There’s loads of margin on these watches – in particular the TAGs as that is what their company standards for – market the hell out of something and push its perceived value up so you can charge more money.

Those Sinns always look good, started by one of the IWC guys, although they seem to be getting less good value over the years.

but you should still just get a speedy…

And don’t buy from goldsmiths – I stupidly did (I was tired and the store in guildford didn’t look like your typical goldsmiths) 🙁

It had to go back for repair to Omega – took 5-6 weeks but it turned out omega had only had it for a couple of days.

When I got eventually got it back the case was all scratched up like some amateur had tried out a polishing machine on it and failed.

goldsmiths then offered me another watch but when it came the case was junk – terribly pitted – like a casting failure.

eventually a sales manager at omega just sent me a new watch after I copied omega in on the emails.

Any golfers in da house?

I have a Seiko Flightmaster Kinetic Ti, which I think is 39mm; lovely watch. Very scratch resistant. Flightmaster

Can’t beat the classic Submariner No Date. Steel, so it has that lovely weight.

I went into Mappin and Webb on regent streeet tonight.

standard navitimer tried on….at 42mm it is too big 🙁 The montbrilliant at 38mm might be worth trying

omega seamaster 36mm – very thick, but a good size and looked better in the flesh than in the pictures – very possible 🙂

Rolex explorer 2, not the ‘new’ one – a 40mm one, it is currently being updated and all new ones are 42mm. I was impressed, liked it, at 40mm it JUST fitted….at 42 it won’t 🙁

and tried a couple of IWCs….the chronograph was too big, way too big, as it ws too thick. the straightforward pilot’s watch mark 16 was much thinner and fitted okay. I thought it ws very nice….but didn’t like the numbers on the face – so big …it sort of looked like a ‘My first watch’ a 3 year old might wear…hmmm

Hmm….just checked the rest of the IWC range again…the mark 16 I treid is the smalest by far, ther est would be too big for sure. So unless I change my mind over the numbers on the face, IWC is out.

the rolex explorer 2 is out (new anyway) as too big. I still want to see a submariner….although sort of I hope I don’t like it!!

seem to be narrowing to the montbrilliant or the omega seamaster 300m chrono

I haven’t seen Jaeger LeCoultre mentioned much yet – I picked up a Master Compressor Chrono earlier this year from M&W at near half price… 41mm and wears pretty close to the wrist so doesn’t feel too big. Really nice watch.

my wife bought me vintage 1978 (year i was born) Rolex Airking for a wedding gift last year. Its beautifully understated and can be worn with a business suit or jeans and t-shirt. Other than that i wear a cheepo digital from debenhams. Rolex or Panerai for me

Nick

Mappin & Webb and Goldsmith are part of the same company.

I would search out somewhere a bit more specialist.

For servicing in London I have seen this guy recommended:

http://www.russelltalerman.com/

Any idea of a Rolex got summed up in the first few minutes of Die Hard, dicks like that do Rolex, Rolex is what you get by the grateful man after you gave your entire working life slaving your ass off. Rolex is a sad watch.

I infer from this that you really wanted a Rolex

spudnick, i have a rolex datejust 1978, same year as i was born!

i would love a rolex explorer, rose gold panerai and a patek philipe

would need a major lotto win to fund them though!

The only posh watch I’d want is this, but as it’s £12k I think I’ll pass

I’ve had a seiko sportura for 10 years, I expect I’ll still have it in another 10.

Or, right, you could get an iPod Nano, and a range of different straps then you’ve got a watch what plays music an ting, and what has different style faces…

How waterproof is the nano elfin?

My watch stays on all the time. Is never removed. And I would never actually pay £12k for a watch – I could get a bike for that.

If I was paying for a nice watch at the moment, I’d drop the pretentious willy waving and get a Damasko

Fortunately, I’ve got a Suunto Core all black on that does everything I could want in a watch, and didn’t cost me a penny 😆

Fwiw try the watchforum for some good reading generally n pics of older vintage watches especially omegas. Know you’re after a new one but something vintage can be as good as n defi nitely smaller. I have a hamilton gmt which is 42mm n ok on a 6.75″ wrist. My advice would be a fully serviced older omega or explorer if money was no object BUT definitely a cheaper casio for all sporting activities. Good watches don’t handle scrapes n knocks as well as casios and are very expensive to repair so peace of mind is best.

How about a Panerai. I have a Radiomir and it is beautiful, rare and a great balance between a dress watch and a more rugged look.

Oh and if anyone is around Bath/Bristol go to Malllory’s in Bath. Amazing customer service to a level I have never experienced before and all the staff know so much about watches. When I was there to buy my Panerai the staff were on rotation to the annual watch fair in Zurich. They put other jewellers to shame.

ow are Longines regarded in the watch world

I chose a Longines Presence for my 18th – gold plated. Wouldn’t go for gold now but otherwise it’s understated and nice for my girly wrist

Elfin,

that first nano pic is VERY cool. Me likey!

Yes I’ve had a few Longine watches catch my eye. I’m told they aren’t quite such good value, is this true? Also told they are ‘old mans watches’ but actually I like ‘classic looks’

Glashutte Original Senator Sixties is class.
You could get one within budget easily enough if you avoid gold.

I would never actually pay £12k for a watch – I could get a bike for that
😆

Some nice stuff on this thread.
I especially like the Reverso.
Probably my fav watch of the moment.
I’d probably have one if I could find one which was self winding with a clear face and arabic numerals.

OP, don’t over look running costs.
This is why I would suggest an Omega.
The co-axial movement has a far greater service interval than other conventional escapement watches.
Another reason for opting Omega is the Co-Axial escapement, as initially concieved by George Daniels, is also a landmark in watch design.
Just a thought.

I’ve not considered Rolex, ever since they refused to build the watch I asked for.
They say you can spec your watch, but what they don’t tell you is that there are certain combos, features that they won’t create.

I really like those Breitling SuperOceans, I’m wearing my late 90s Chronocolt at the moment, but like the uncluttered look of the face of the blue dial, arabic numeral superocean.
I wish I’d have bought one of those instead of the colt, but I like them both.

I’ve an Omega De Ville, I just wanted a Co-Axial watch at the time, but I’m now looking at the Speed Master or Broad Arrow.
I was recently looking into a late 60s SpeedMaster, but finding a good one seems to be very difficult and I’m not sure if they are self winding.
I do think that if I’m paying out for a watch, that it should at least wind itself.

My Chronocolt is 42mm Diameter and doesn’t look too big, but some watches get far too big.

I like those IWC watches too, but again, I’d be looking for one with a clear face and arabic numerals, no sub-dials.

🙂

slightly o/t for Breitling owbners i had to replace the leather strap on mine and got a vey good and much cheaper than original colour match (blue leather) from here;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/watchcorp2009/m.html?hash=item6d70d22ca3&item=170715167778&pt=UK_Jewelery_Watches_Watches_MensWatches_GL&var=&_trksid=p4340.l2562

All the breitling clasps come off the original strap quite easily as well

I prefer metal watch straps as they last longer.

My Omega De Ville has a leather strap, which I now wish it hadn’t.
For one, should the strap break while I’m wearing it, I’m not likely to notice the watch drop away from me as I wear my watches loose.
Two, I have replaced the leather strap once already, when the original started to look very tired.
It was flipping expensive and has a mind of its own with respect to what shape my wrist is..

Just sharing my experiences.
😉

saddle soap on a leather watch strap to make it last a bit longer…

I’ve got the “classic” blue wave omega seamster automatic would put a picture up but it’s in the watchmaker getting a long overdue service, my arm feels very floaty without it…
The GMT version is probably a better bet was very tempted by it as the extra hand would actually be really useful for all the travel I do.
The Panerais are lovely too but very tempted by those 70’s speed masters always loved them and a little bit jealous of the owner having such nice ones!
As an idea you could do what I did and get yourself a free holiday, I ordered mine from the main dealer in Gran Canaria and the tax free saving (about £600) paid for a weeks winter sun so I could pick it up, they also gave me the wooden presentation box rather than the standard leather one and a very nice book on the history of Omega with all the details on the movements etc. Also remember to contact the manufacturer to get your chronometer certificate, mine’s framed on the wall and looks lovely 🙂

in Gran Canaria and the tax free saving (about £600) paid for a weeks winter sun

Yes, it use to be (may still be) the way it was in the US.
People I knew would speak of flying over to NYC to buy a watch, the saving in the price, paying for the flight.
And this was mid 90s.
😉

Tbh was really disappointed at the price when I was in the states and looking for a watch for the mrs but the pound was taking a hammering at the time. Ended up cheapest for what I wanted (women’s steel and gold constellation with MOP face and diamonds) was Schipol and as I went through there every week they ordered it in for me.
Almost walked out with one of the gorgeous Rose gold speed masters when I was in St Lucia last year until the mrs reminded me I had to pay for our new bathroom ;-(
No new watch this year for me just got my new Whyte but maybe in the spingarn for my big birthday…

Mrs k bought her jaeger le coultre revereso whilst on a trip to geneva, saved a bit but a much bigger selection of watches to browse through. Nice watch as well.

I’ll go for a metal bracelet – this will bew my only watch, worn all the time and wit hall the cycling and sport I do…and being sweaty anyway, I’d rot through leather straps in months….I’ve had cheap watches with metal bracelet for over a decade for that reason

after digesting my visit to mappin and webb further I am now here:
Breitling – Everything is too big, except the montbrilliant which should fit perfectly – I need to try it and check.

IWC – All too big except for the pilot mark 16. the Mark 16 didn;t appeal as I disliked the large numbers on the dial

Omega – all New are too big? I tried on oe that ws a 36 or 38mm, 300m waterproof seamaster with black dial (the m chrono I thought)…..WTF? on the website they are all 41 or 42mm case! I need to go back and check what it was, but suspect it was either a limited edition or an old model so If I go new, then it is out. However, a vintage, prisitine condition, 36mm seamaster planet ocean or 300M chrono is an option. I like the coaxial esapement, the price, but on older ones don’t go very old…as the old bracelets are pants (new ones are now very good)

Rolex – Since these hold or increase in value, I will only buy new. 40mm is just wearable…but right o the limit. so the modern explorer 2 is out as it is now 42mm. the submariner or gmt master 2 are both possible…BUT, as they both have coloured bezels (the explorer 2 I tried had a stainless bezel) they may appear too big I MUST try one on…..ah….that’s going to be a mission…hunting through London jewellers for a vintage gmt or submariner..hmm. currently quite liking the submariner or gmt 2….but that may change. I won’t decide before the 8% price rise expected 1 Nov. With a 12 month or so waiting list on submariners I’ll try to decide before the rumoured March 2012 price rise.

So I’ve narrowed options to just 1 new breitling, 1 or 2 vintage omega, and possibly 1 or 2 new rolex….I’m making progress….I think!

Succcess! Had a bit of luck thanks to a guy at work – A GMT he had on order came in at the weekend and he let me try it today 😀

He has even smaller wrists than me (and I thought it looked too big on him but he was happy so I just made admiring ‘ohhh uhhh, that’s lovely’ noises. Amy way, on me, the strap was a little tight (easily remedied with one more link I think, as even the comfort clasp extension left it tight) but I think…think, the watch fits (just…welcome peoples views on that!)…and boy it looks lovely!

http://www.christopherward.co.uk/ real Swiss Watches without the 20x markup charged by Omega et.al I costs a lot to sponsor F1 or pay Nichol Kidman ect to advertise

not read all of this, however with a heavyish metal watch on for riding have you considered the likliehood of damaging your wrist if you come off and put your hands out to catch your fall ? guys I know did himself some serious damage doing just that. Omega Seamaster for me and cheap casio when riding.

btw – nice watch 😀

Hmm, the trident has clear styling cues form the rolex sub/gmt andlooks nice…but is too big for me at 42mm (2mm bigger than the gmt above) The chris ward Harrison looks nice…clear styling cues from the IWC pilot mark 16 I think…but too big for me again at 43mm 🙁

There really are very few sports watches that fit me.

OH I’d probably remove it for riding (nad rock climibng) I find even with my current citizen, it is heavy enough to be uncomfortable when bouncing around and if it gets dirt under it it soon rubs me red raw! So when I say this would be my only watch and worn all the time..well yes BUT.. 😉 I won;t wear any watch when riding.

Chris Ward prices are not as nice as they used to be. Saying that I like this