£5k budget, 50th birthday present

[JaseB]

Ok, thanks in advance but the wife of a good friend of mine has asked me for some ideas along the lines of a £5k watch by a non 'mainstream' (Breitling, Omega, Rolex) brand, so something a little different.

I know he likes his watched on the chunky side, any ideas?

Oh and as it's a present I guess it should be new rather than pre-owned.

[PJ S]

Sport chronograph, Diver, Dress?
Wouldn't look past pre-owned, if it was the right one.

I'll kick off proceedings with some you can view images and prices for on chrono24:

Glashutte Original Sport Evolution
Girard Perregaux Laureato Evo
Bvlgari Chronosprint
Carl F Bucherer Patravi Scubatec
Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver
Corum Admirals Cup - too many variants to list, but bracelet ones add to chunkiness
Perrelet Turbine / Turbine Chrongraph
Cvstos
Jorg Hysek

Edited by PJ S on Tuesday 7th July 10:13

[CardShark]

When's the birthday? You'll have to wait the best part of a year for one due to the waiting list however something from Dornblüth & Sohn would make a fantastic 50th birthday present. They couldn't really be described as chunky, certainly not in the sports diver sense, however for the style they're on the wider/taller side.

Edit to add that an IWC Pilot, Bremont ALT-C1 or a Panerai Luminor/Radiomir (there are different models within each of those brands ranges) are all worth considering. All three can be found within budget, they're all 43mm plus cases and they're all quite versatile in design - jeans and T or collar and cuff. They're all well known brands amongst watch circles, though IMO they sit somewhere between the ones that PJS has mentioned and the regular high street brand like Omega & co.

Edited by CardShark on Sunday 5th July 00:28

[Troubleatmill]

As old as the protagonist....
Something like this might be nice.
http://www.chrono24.com/en/universalgenve/1960s-sp...

http://www.chrono24.com/en/vacheronconstantin/auto...

[tvrforever]

Dirk Dornblueth http://www.dornblueth.com/ - couple with a trip to collect it from their 'factory', a superb timepiece, made to custom specs and a wonderful experience.

Fully recommended!

[Shezbo]

tvrforever said:

Dirk Dornblueth http://www.dornblueth.com/ - couple with a trip to collect it from their 'factory', a superb timepiece, made to custom specs and a wonderful experience.

Fully recommended!

I have never even heard of the above...had a look at their website, boy are they dull...

[CardShark]

Shezbo said:

I have never even heard of the above...had a look at their website, boy are they dull...

You don't own one of these infamous monstrosities, do you?

[adaptive]

Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback

Edited by adaptive on Sunday 5th July 12:12

[bigandclever]

Leave him alone CardShark; he drives a 520d, he knows dull when he sees it.

[Shezbo]

bigandclever said:

Leave him alone CardShark; he drives a 520d, he knows dull when he sees it.

It was a genuine point (the watch suggested - does look very dull) - regardless of the obvious (hidden) quality.

[JaseB]

Thanks guys, certainly enough to be getting on with :-)