A Fenix 5 cured the >£100 watch-buying bug for me but when I was looking for a "good" watch I kept going back to the Damasko DA36 (or DA37 if you prefer the white face). DA34/35 for the no-numeral faces. Beautiful looking thing, whichever version. There's a DA36 here for £749
Timefactors 3rd'd
Lots of choice of interesting designs and some really good movements.
Tje likes of Sinn, Stowa, Steinhart, Farer etc are all worth a look. So much choice these days you can look forever.
Probably best to pick the style you like first (diver, pilot etc), then look around. Some brands are better known for certain styles than others.
Are they a watch person? Only ask as if not, they might only appreciate the fancy-pants names. A generous watch of £1k may be slightly meaningless if not well known.
Could you maybe take some of the recommendations and ask their significant other what style they think they would like - as whether it's in house, hybrid or a far-more-accurate quartz 🤔won't matter.
All irrelevant if they are a watch person of course!
Love my Elliot Brown Tynham
https://www.elliotbrownwatches.com/tyneham
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Seiko don’t make movements for Orient. They are 100% more in-house than IWC, tag Heuer, breitling and omega for example.
- All Orient movements are produced in-house
- All Orient movements are used in Orient watches only
As far as I was aware, it’s a Seiko licensed movement put together in house, and parts are shared. If that’s incorrect then I stand corrected. But IMO (and I did say IMO originally) that’s not in house. And I’d agree with you that most of the big Swiss names you mention aren’t using in house movements mainly, but some do at the top end.
Thats not to say I don’t think they make fantastic watches at the price point, simple movements put together well and they do run well.
"The problem is the £1k automatic market is pretty poor, Chris Ward have generic ETA movements that are found in watches half the price as do any other “luxury” brands around that point."
Not strictly true, for instance ETA's most commonly used movement the 2824-2 actually comes in four guises, standard, elabore, top and chronometer, using higher grade parts as you go up the chain (the chronometer is the same movement as the top just regulated more accurately and COSC certified), the 2824-2 just refers to the movement chassis a bit like a car having different versions of the same model line, an ETA in a Tudor for instance will be quite different to that in a Hamilton at quarter of the price.
Mondaine SBB CFF FFS, under £500 and Swiss made, with a red band is very nice, clear and easy to read face, not fussy or ostentatious.
Vortexracing - nice watch!
You could have a look at Magrette watches too. Made in New Zealand but with a Swiss movement.. They come in a proper presentation case too (which will get you bonus points if it’s a gift).
i have on of the Magrette watches pictured on page one of tt he thread. Nice watch, quite big but very light on the wrist, comes with a clear back and is nicely detailed. I bought it as a a scruffy watch but I wear it quite a lot now.
Just marking interest. I could do with a new watch soon.
Reminded me I'm still waiting for my Sinn 240 ST.
50% out of your budget I;m afraid.
Ordered June 20th:
I hate these threads...... every time one pops up I buy another watch I don't need, like this one today
Why does that Sinn have the minutes shown twice, wouldn’t it be better to have the hours on the inside?
I think it's because the outer bezel rotates for some pilot related time keeping task...
Orient licensed the 7006 movement and the 600x series magic gate way bitd from Seiko.
They have developed these into the 46 movement they use in most of their watches today, along the way adding complications like power reserve, something that Seiko don't bother with until high end watches generally and not on anything related to the 700x series (7sxx or 4rxx).
So it's a watch developed by them, made by them and only used in their watches. It's one of the most in-house watch movements available.
Vortexracing – nice watch!
+1
Just my 2 cents james, but what sort of age is the recipient? some great vintage watches can be had at the minute as the demand is really growing for them. Hand winding is no problem imo, i own a few autos and unless they are the uber movements of 100 hours reserve i can live with a hand cranker. For £1k omega/ jlc will be a bit of a stretch , but longines, eterna , lemania and loads of others can be got. There's also the option of a preowned modern,you can really go up the prestige here. I know for a gift it won't seem like an option to hand someone preowned. Or new i'd say these. But it's such a wide field, what is their style, dressy /sporty? how big are their wrists? Man or woman, etc.
Oris big crown/ aquis/ 65
longines hydroconquest /flagship
Hamilton jazzmaster
Christopher ward is great, but you just missed a sale, you may get a deal with 10 or more % off but i wouldn't pay rrp.
Tissot ,stienhart Etc. etc.
You will find most will share the same base movements an eta or sellita with various upgrades, and astechics.
There is so many options in your price range, stick to a reputable brand with good warranty, and good luck.
Seiko SARB17. Discontinued but lots new still available. Japanese Domestic Model so not that many around in the UK (relatively speaking).
