I've always liked the Omega Seamaster range but find that they are way too thick which would annoy me when wearing a shirt.
So
Whilst I've not exactly ruled one out I have expanded my search somewhat.
Longinnes?? Where do they come in the 'pecking order'?
They have some beaut watches but am I paying a premium and yet not getting the quality?
What's your budget?
Do you want to spend £XXX on a "recognised" brand?
Or do something of your own?
The Tag Link range is very nice and no too big or flashy.
£2000
A French politician stated:
"si à 50 ans on a pas de Rolex, c'est qu'on a raté sa vie" (If you haven't got a Rolex at 50 you've failed in life).
I quipped to my wife, "I reckon that if you don't need a watch at 50 you've suceeded in life". I don't own a watch.
How about an Omega Aqua Terra?
SImilar to the Seamaster but more of a dress watch.
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brack - Member
£2000
You'll probably have to stick to a quartz one.
Does that matter to you?
Watches like no other item epitomise the value of branding over product.
Sinn are nice but maybe not quite dressy enough, look at IWC too.
[url= http://www.christopherward.co.uk/men.html ]Christopher Ward[/url] get a good name on Pistonheads, infact have a look at their [url= http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&f=187&mid=193453 ]watches forum[/url] for some good ideas.
incidentally, if it's Omega you have your heart set on, the Deville is particularly nice
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Some of the other Omegas are really nice aren't they? Quite like the speedmaster as well as that Aqua Terra!
Quartz would be ok I guess...
Watches like no other item epitomise the value of branding over product.
Do you really think so? I'd say that expensive watches are really great examples of workmanship.
Sure they tell the time just the same a a cheap swatch which I guess was your point?
Oh dear watch heaven!!
I do love omega but have really been taken with some of the classic Longinnes watches.
Iwc have some beaut watches but a bit out of my price range I fear.
Out of your budget and mine currently, but this is what I always wanted. I ended up with an Oris which do some nice ones around your price point.
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Quartz would be ok I guess...
I'd struggle to justify spending a lot on a quartz watch.
Part of the fun of an automatic is the detailed mechanism that only you see.
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Festina?
I always like the IWC spitfire (come on a watch called spitfire, how cool is that), if you shop around you could get one for around £2K.
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That rolex looks nice.
damo2576 - Member
Sure they tell the time just the same a (sic) a cheap swatch which I guess was your point?
Not at all. Mostly that those who think they know more than the brochures...i.e. that brand x uses "y" movements and therefore is shite, whereas brand a uses z movements and is way better...
1. WTF difference does it make if they both tell the time accurately (OK you got me first time)
2. How can anyone demonstrate that they know the difference, let alone the differences themselves?
cynic-al, owner of Rolex, Certina & Seiko automatics.
And what's wrong with Casio.
😉
What's the smiley for, takisawa2?
Have you thought about buying something 'vintage'? This 1971 Rolex is lovely, and £945:
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[url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Superb-Stainless-Steel-Vintage-Rolex-Oysterdate-1971-/260755536854?pt=UK_Jewelery_Watches_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item3cb63dbbd6#ht_7069wt_1141 ]Rolex on ebay[/url]
Or this Omega:
[url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Black-Vintage-OMEGA-Winding-Side-Second-Steel-Men-Watch-/300539781964?pt=Wris****ches&hash=item45f991234c#ht_4977wt_1141 ]Omega on ebay[/url]
I have a 1960s Omega Seamaster and a 1950s Rolex and love them both!
Nick
I would seriously consider a vintage watch. Love the idea but not sure about the pitfalls!
instead of the mainstream bmw and audi type watches how about something a bit more exclusive like a sinn or some of the other watches on sale here
[url= http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/index.htm ]http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/index.htm[/url]
This would be my choice...
I'm seriously debating treating myself.
Brack - I understand your hesitation about vintage, but I've had no problems with either of mine, and I wear them both regularly (albeit not together!). A good Rolex, Omega or other, bought from a dealer, should be fine.
Personally, I think that 1971 Rolex is lovely (there's a few other Rolex Explorer's on ebay too, most of which are very nice). Besides, I'm guessing you were born in 1971, so buying a 40 year old watch for your 40th birthday somehow seems in-keeping!
Whatever you decide, good luck in the search and enjoy it!
Nick
I would seriously consider a vintage watch. Love the idea but not sure about the pitfalls!
Avoid ebay then.
Somehere like [url= http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/ ]TZ-uk[/url] may be a good place to start.
They even have a classified section.
I have an IWC Spitfire which I bought in Hong Kong for my 40th. I love it, not least because very few people who see it know what it is, unlike the Rolex / Breitling pieces available at similar money.
You should buy something that is fit for purpose. Don't just buy a fancy watch because your getting old. It is not gonna make you any younger or more attractive. I have an expensive dive watch but I'm a diver and so use it to its worth. If it is just for telling the time and not part of a mid life crisis then stick to something realistic. If on the other hand you have more money then sense but what you want!
Some nice stuff on that TZ forum
Check out local auctions too.
Dornblüth & Sohn Calibre 99.0?
Not really Seamasterish, but it's a damn nice watch.
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Another vote for the Seamaster Aqua Terra here - I bought mine for my 30th; it's the 2500 caliber movement with blue hands and white face, and is quite tasty while being pretty low-key as well. Or to put it another way, nobody would know you have £2k on your wrist!
Check out tz-uk, as they're all really knowledgeable about this kinda thing
I quite like the BR but i would expect to be looking down at perfection.Just like the other watch thread from months ago, i wouldnt buy something that is probably considered perfection by the company.. when its not even symmetrical to look at.
Screw heads that dont all nip up equally would piss me off. Surely theres watchmakers out there that see it like i do? Or do we have to spend 5k+ to get perfection?
A few points.
Firstly I think £2k for a quartz is madness
Secondly I think you need to be careful buying 30 year old watches of any brand becuase they do wear internally, are costly to fix and are not as robust as modern ones.
I have a speedmaster that I love, but with hindsight I can see that the plastic crystal is a mistake. I love my Oris divers watch and I think it would be the one I would keep if I had to get rid of the rest.
IWC make some beautiful watches but get yourself a high end jewelers and look in the window to see what's about.
Chronomaster.co.uk has some nice used watches, some older than others, but a good selection to get some ideas.
If you shop around you could get an IWC portofino for that kind of money. It's a beautiful watch
There was a great moment in a meeting the other day when the big boss started winding up his no-way-did-I-get-this-during-a-recent-business-trip-to-China Longines and the crown fell off
+1I love my Oris divers watch and I think it would be the one I would keep if I had to get rid of the rest.
My 40th present from Mrs Surfer, 6 years ago!!
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Wear a tailor made double cuff shirt with cufflinks and the watch you like.
At least that way you'll look like you bought it rather than stole it LOL
That's what I do with my seamaster chronometer 😉
My speedmaster fits under a normal non-cufflink cuff with no problem.
You also have to budget a few hundred every 4-5 years for servicing.
And another £250 for an omega leather strap if you go for one of them.
not quite sure about some of the comments above, if you want to buy a nice watch i think you shouldn't rule out a brand like rolex, it isn't compulsary to shove your watch in peoples faces when you greet them so does it really matter if it's a brand that is instantly recongnisable,
also i paid £3K for my brand spanking 'Z' series Rolex sea dweller, had a valuation done last week, it's now worth between 4.5-4.7K.
just a thought