I'm coming up to my 30th, and for a variety of reasons am planning to buy myself a good watch. I've had my current one since I turned 21, and it's a bit battered now; I guess the plan is that my next one will see me through the next 10 years (at least). The thing is, I haven't really a clue where to start.
Broadly, I'm after something understated but still solid, not too outrageous. Gold is not really my colour, self-winding or automatic appeals rather than battery-powered (I think), and some degree of ability to survive everyday knocks is kinda important.
For reference, I currently have a Seiko Kinetic in stainless steel, and I guess so far I'm thinking of a slightly more 'grown-up' version of that.
So what brands or models should I be looking at?
Chat Forum
Which watch?
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Posted 2 years ago #
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Omega Railmaster XXL Chrono is my current fave;
http://www.omegawatches.com/index.php?id=558A Seamaster 300 goes down well too.
Posted 2 years ago # -
What's your budget?
Posted 2 years ago # -
yup, all about the budget when it comes to watches. For my 40th in a few years time, I'm going to try & blag my current favourite...an Omega Speedmaster Professional 3573.50
Posted 2 years ago # -
Stowa Marine or a CWC G10 variant.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I reckon up to a couple of grand, realistically. In theory I could *spend* more, but not sure I'd want to wear it...
Posted 2 years ago # -
definitely one of these in that case...
Original moonwatch movement, but with sapphire glass rather than hesalite so it'll look pretty for longer. It also has a very cool transparent back so you can see the movement. And mechanical of course.
Posted 2 years ago # -
bit like this;
sorry mobile pic. I think i'd be inclined to look at IWC 3717 or a Dornbluth 99.1.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I reckon up to a couple of grand
I'd probably go for an Omega Seamaster as others have suggested.
The Aqua Terra version is a bit more dressy.
Oris do some nice mechanicals if Omega is too pricey.
Alternatively how about something a bit more chunky?
It may be a bit beyond your budget though.
{Stowa is a good suggestion too}
Posted 2 years ago # -
Dornbluth:
Posted 2 years ago # -
Given my current research in to an old watch (see earlier thread) I would have to recommend Schwarz Etienne as well. Look very nice and a little different.
Posted 2 years ago # -
MTT...nice :-). but you wouldn't go for the Omega again?
Posted 2 years ago # -
pedalhead - not given the price rises (£2200 IIRC), I paid £1300 about five years ago. It's an absolute classic of a watch, unchanged from the 1967 original and you don't see them on other people's wrists. I'd be inclined to look a little less main-stream if your budget extends to the new pricing. IWC, Sinn, a second hand JLC, take a look at Blowers.
Its easy to say these things when you have the watch but if its an itch you have to scratch you wont be disappointed.
Posted 2 years ago # -
interesting, cheers
Posted 2 years ago # -
If you're not dead set against it then have a look secondhand... the tz-uk forum has a really cool Sales Corner where you can pick up some mint deals. There are some truly obsessive people there who buy and sell watches on a daily basis and take ridiculous care of them..
Also check out Blowers jewellery and Watches.co.uk for other secondhand options.
As far as brands go, you might be able to pick up a secondhand Panerai but I'd look very closely at IWC, Sinn, Damasko, Fortis, Oris perhaps. There are dozens of decent brands out there if you want to look beyond the obvious.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Jebus what bikes do you have if wearing a £3.5k watch?
Posted 2 years ago # -
I can't really fathom why you'd spend that much on a watch but then people say the same about my bikes so fair enough
I've got a Citizen Ecodrive which is RRP £150ish (£127 at Argos at the link below) and I think it's great - looks good, works well and is tough. Plus if I did ever lose it or break it badly I wouldn't be too upset.
Posted 2 years ago # -
http://www.swisswatchesdirect.co.uk/swisswatches/cn211a_ba0353-mens_watches.html
Got the basic Tag for my 21st, 38years old now and still going strong
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'm liking the look of some of the Ebels, actually...
Although I wonder whether the black case and strap that I like will really still tickle my fancy in 10 years...
If I do go down this route, it'll be watch > bike > carPosted 2 years ago # -
watch > bike > car
Try; Bike > Suit > Watch > Shoes > £10 > Car
Posted 2 years ago # -
watch > bike > car
Some of the higher end watches seem better at holding their value though.
My Panerai and JLC are both worth about what I paid for them. Not that I'm selling.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I know a guy with 2 Patek Phillipes, one 18 months old & the other 3 years. together they've risen £25k in the last year!!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Fek that bling bling, Garmin Forerunner 50 best £35 I ever spent and my gadget of the year, I'm officially obsessed with my HRZs. It tells the time too.
If I wanted to spend more I'd go for the 405 with GPS.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Omega Seamaster, I was lucky enough to get a Bond 40th Anniversary one, love it
Posted 2 years ago # -
I own a Omega Seamaster like the watch but the pins in the strap are made of cheese,every pin has been replaced by stronger pins luckily I deliver to the place I bought it from had he replaced @ a very resonable price.
Replacement strap/clash £400
Posted 2 years ago # -
I bought a Breitling when I was 21 (20 something years ago) and apparently it's now worth more than I paid for it! I used to wear it for everything, but now keep it for "posh". G shock now, but although I do use the timers, stopwatch, etc I still prefer analogue.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Seamaster
Had mine for 7 years. Not a mark on the face.
Quite like the moon watch too.
Posted 2 years ago # -
tall_martin - Member
I bought a stainless steel kinetic seiko for my thirtieth in March, Does that mean I'm growing yonger:)What about a seiko spring drive at that price- they are more grown up, and the marine master looks great!
That looks like a poor attempt at a Japanese copy of a Roly Submariner
Posted 2 years ago # -
Tag Carrera. Love mine. ~£1850 in the high street, but I've seen then closer to £1500 in my local outlet centre.
Posted 2 years ago # -
May I suggest a Bell and Ross?
brilliant watches, and you could get a vintage for that money, or maybe a BR3.Worth a look
Posted 2 years ago # -
That looks like a poor attempt at a Japanese copy of a Roly Submariner
Except it's finished to a higher standard and is a much more substantial watch.
Those top end Seikos are really something.
I like this one:
Shame it's £4000.
Posted 2 years ago # -
My current watch, a casio g cool circa 1995, i picked up at a local jumble sale in chiswick for 25p a couple of months ago.
It was unworn, flat battery, but £3 sorted that.....
indeed a bargain.......................
Posted 2 years ago # -
Second warton. If I was buying an expensive watch now it would be a Bell & Ross. I love the black case, face and orange markers and hands. I have a twenty-odd year old TAG with a luminous face and black case and strap, now very, very worn, which cost me £250. I'm wearing at the moment an MWC G10 milspec watch with Tracer self-illuminating markers which cost me £82 last year, and keeps better time than the TAG, which cost me £32 for a battery not so long ago. The Bell & Ross watches are autos, which I like.
Posted 2 years ago # -
£2k for a watch? Is that really necessary? £200 gets you something decent. But if you have piles of money, why not? I saw a solid platinum watch in Harrods a couple of years ago priced at £68000! Why? Because they can, that's all!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Box of tissues ready?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=380125408728and
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=330336274013
Posted 2 years ago # -
depends how much you have to spend. And what appeals to you. Do you like movements with lots of complication? Or do you need second time zones, day, date, etc.
Many of the 'fancy' brand watches contain generic movements. IWC watches are very appealing. But it's all about balance, for the price of an IWC you could readily get a whole bunch of other things that might appeal: think new bike, new Mac.... If you're after something accessible, automatic and OK try Fortis. There's some heritage to the brand and also some oddness e.g. "official cosmonauts'" watch
Posted 2 years ago # -
Seamaster
Had mine for 7 years. Not a mark on the face.
Had one 6months and cracked the glass, replaced then sold it. Muppet-hands here though. Not a week goes by that I dont smack one of my knuckles etc against a steel post.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I've got one of these, very pleased with it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Yes please
Posted 2 years ago #
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