Another what watch £1.5k .. Thoughts

[T6 vanman]

Hi all watch guru's on PH

I'm reaching a milestone soon and am looking to celebrate with a new watch
I have 2 steel bracelet watches 1 cheaper Citizen chronograph and 1 Breitling water resistant to 10,000ft ???

I am desk bound but work in manufacturing and am looking for a smart watch for about £1k, with a preference for a chronograph & automatic mech, obviously budget creep started as soon as searching started so now around £1.5k

Two questions
Watch brand hierarchy at this price level ... mainly

Longines
Tag Heuer
Tudor
JEANRICHARD
U-Boat
Breitling

Thoughts on the below welcomed
Tudor
http://www.iconicwatches.co.uk/tudor-heritage-rang...
JEANRICHARD
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1437828/je...
Longines
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/9100016/lo...
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/8950431/lo...
Breitling
http://www.iconicwatches.co.uk/breitling-colt-44-a...
Tag
http://www.iconicwatches.co.uk/tag-heuer-aquaracer...
U-Boat
https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/u-boat-w...

Any other recommendations?

Edited by T6 vanman on Friday 15th July 20:20

[Whitean3]

I'd also look at Oris and Omega; and a slightly left field option- Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope. I would also be looking at the 2nd hand market at this price range- plenty of tempting options!

[nikaiyo2]

Love the Jean Richard Iirc they are part of Girard-Perregaux, who IMHO have some of the best case finishing out there, if their knowledge has rubbed off even a bit, I think you would struggle to get anything close at that price!

Just seen this on WF, quite good for the money I think...
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Tudor/Sport%20Collect...

[T6 vanman]

Whitean3 said:

I'd also look at Oris and Omega; and a slightly left field option- Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope. I would also be looking at the 2nd hand market at this price range- plenty of tempting options!

Thanks for the reply,
I'll spend the rest of the evening looking at Oris

I should edit my original to add that I'm drawn to a more military look for this new watch
The first watch I thought YES to before budget creep was
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1297856/lo...

The Junghans looked a little delicate but I'll spend some time looking for other models as I think I'm also looking for a brand that watch knowers will go .... um yes ... but slip under the radar to joe public

The Jeanrichard, U-Boat & Tudor hit this mark, Think Junghams would too.
As it's for a milestone I've discounted 2nd hand unless it's unworn, The Breitling I've linked appears good value and 2nd hand but unworn but as I already have one ... maybe not

Oh god just opened the Watchfinder site .... It's going to be a late night

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Quite like the cheaper of the Longines you have lined above, looks nice. I've always liked the Tudor Ranger too.

One word abut the UBoat watches, a mate has one (bought when they were dirt cheap a few years ago) and he's a big lad so can just about get away with it. I tried it on and I pretty much looked like I was walking around with the kitchen clock on my wrist. Ridiculous.

I think at this price point second hand is the way to go.

[nikaiyo2]

T6 vanman said:

I should edit my original to add that I'm drawn to a more military look for this new watch


Oh god just opened the Watchfinder site .... It's going to be a late night

Have you considered Bell & Ross? They are quite cool, some of the vintage collection might fit the bill?

http://www.watches.co.uk/bell-and-ross-vintage-br-...

Sorry another site that is quite dangerous

[freshkid]

Get the Longines. That's as much class as you can buy new. Second hand is a minefield so approach at leisure later.

EDIT: the cheaper Longines. That's the best one by miles.

[Turquoise]

Definitely give Baume et Mercier a look.

My daily is a Clifton Chronograph with blue hands. I adore it.

[T6 vanman]

To all

Thanks for the advice

Looks like some serious budget creep from the original £20 per yr on this earth (£1k)
Both Baume et Mercier Clifton & Bell & Ross BR123 are good shouts ..if pricey

Think I'll go new & not 2nd hand as it's going to be a daily wearer. (Sorry but just my personal preference even if I could get a "better" watch)

Oris divers 65 is very near the top of the list

Do all these manufacturers make their own movements or do they use generic?
Or maybe the question should be how do I know if a manufacturer / model watch uses a generic movement or manufacturers own & how do I tell / compare the movement quality?

[Turquoise]

You should be able to get a decent discount on the Baume et Mercier without too much trouble.

Really is a lot of watch for the money and I've had plenty of positive comments from watch fans and non watch fans.

Wear it more than my Rolex and Panerai.

[Snubs]

No mention yet of forum favourite Sinn? I'm shocked. This is at the top of your budget range:

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/sinn-wat...

Here are two closer to your original budget:

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/sinn-wat...


https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/sinn-wat...

[200Plus Club]

Pm me if interested as I have an as new Tag chronograph for sale potentially at your budget.

[T6 vanman]

All, Thanks for the responses - Thought there may have been more but I guess a slow PH day today,

I've figured I'm looking for a unicorn in wanting a watch that'll stand out for my 50th and get people to comment on it so I can converse "Oh this ... well I got it for my 50th, it's made by ??????? and a bit special ... look the dial/bezel it does ???? and it does ????? natter natter ... so yes it was extravagant but ..hay your only 50 once"
But I also want it to become my daily and slip under the radar so when working my colleagues don't go nudge nudge whisper "look at T6's wrist ... what a t**t"

Criteria
Military fabric/Leather / resin strap .. not metal
Mechanical movement not Quartz
Multi dial or unusual

Longines Almost 10/10 & good value
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1297856/lo...
Sinn another close 10/10
https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/sinn-wat...
Alpina.. Another this may be the winner of my wrist
https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/mens-251...
Anyone have an Alpina (Watch) not barry'd BMW

Any other left field brand or choices meeting the initial criteria?

200 PM'd

Edited by T6 vanman on Saturday 16th July 21:26

Edited by T6 vanman on Saturday 16th July 22:05

[SlimJim16v]

Sinn, no contest. IMHO

[hilly10]

I like the Longines Chrono good value, but I would also look around the second hand market.

[Voldemort]

This with a bit of budget creep



Other Hamiltons worth a shufty...

[Turquoise]

The Hamilton X-Wind is a nice looking thing.

[T6 vanman]

Voldemort said:

This with a bit of budget creep

pic

Other Hamiltons worth a shufty...

Great looking watches but unfortunately seeing them in the jewellers yesterday all I though was "it's a brand utilising the name of a certain racing driver,

I'll review options this evening (so please throw them in quick) but think with a little bit of budget creep a winner may be coming to the front ... Said I'd sleep on the decision until tomorrow.

Thanks to all

[Voldemort]

T6 vanman said:

Great looking watches but unfortunately seeing them in the jewellers yesterday all I though was "it's a brand utilising the name of a certain racing driver,

You do know they have nothing to do with Lewis? http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/spirit-history/timeli...

[200Plus Club]

Replied to your message with a couple of pics.