30th Birthday present to myself
Discussion
Hi All,
I am looking at buying a luxury watch for myself for my 30th birthday. No real reason, just always fancied one. The main purpose of this is to give to my son when he is older. Now, I like Rolex, but should I be looking at a different brand, as I do'not know where to start. Is Rolex more of a fashion statement now than before?
Budget will likely be 5-10k.
Thoughts much appreciated.
Matt
I am looking at buying a luxury watch for myself for my 30th birthday. No real reason, just always fancied one. The main purpose of this is to give to my son when he is older. Now, I like Rolex, but should I be looking at a different brand, as I do'not know where to start. Is Rolex more of a fashion statement now than before?
Budget will likely be 5-10k.
Thoughts much appreciated.
Matt
A watch is personal preference, its a present to yourself, buy what you like and will enjoy on your wrist (correct size and weight matters too), go try some on in a jewellers, enjoy the experience of shopping for it, go for a meal when you do it, have a day to yourself etc etc.
Lots of good watch brands about, especially stuff that's swiss.
Lots of good watch brands about, especially stuff that's swiss.
I wouldn't say Rolex are a fashion brand, but they are certainly not haute horology. What they are however, are an incredibly robust watch, steeped in history, with timeless styling and very strong retained value. Do you intend to wear the watch daily? If so, you cannot really go wrong with a stainless steel Rolex in terms of reliability, wearability and future value. You should really look around though and if retained value is not crucial, try as many different makes as you can in your price range and buy what YOU like.
Buy the watch you like, as your son will learn to associate it with you.
If you try to guess whether he’ll like rose gold, titanium, stainless steel, leather straps, or bracelet, you’ll wind up with a watch you might not actually enjoy wearing.
As a result, he’ll probably not associate any memories of you with it, and if he gets the impression or learns that you don’t really like it, but have just kept it to give to him, then any sort of ‘bond’ won’t exist or will be devoid of any specialness.
Since you don’t plan on selling it, then residual value is immaterial – so you’re free to indulge in whatever brands’ models you find appealing and exciting.
On that basis, spend time on chrono24 viewing the array of potential suitors at or even below your budget spread, and then research them/ask questions here.
Rolex, Omega, Breitling, TAG Heuer, and IWC are the 5 largest producers of luxury watches, even though Seiko and Citizen produce far more, but at the budget/entry level end of the market.
They’re safe brands to go with, for that reason, but unimaginative and…well, everyone has one!
If you’re looking something more exclusive/a step up in horological terms, then here’s a list of starters (in no particular order):
Grand Seiko
Parmigiani Fleurier
Arnold & Son
Glashutte Original
Audemars Piguet (15400)
Vacheron Constantin Overseas (47040)
Girard Perregaux (Sea Hawk, Chrono Hawk, Laureato, 1966, Vintage 1945)
H Moser & Cie
Piaget (Altiplano and Polo)
A Lange & Sohne
Ulysse Nardin (Maxi Marine, San Marco)
Bvlgari (Octo)
Gerald Genta (pre-Bvlgari acquisition)
Bear in mind some/many of those will be no longer be in production – and your best value for the budget will be pre-owned, where the original owner has taken the hit on depreciation, meaning you get more watch for your money.
If you try to guess whether he’ll like rose gold, titanium, stainless steel, leather straps, or bracelet, you’ll wind up with a watch you might not actually enjoy wearing.
As a result, he’ll probably not associate any memories of you with it, and if he gets the impression or learns that you don’t really like it, but have just kept it to give to him, then any sort of ‘bond’ won’t exist or will be devoid of any specialness.
Since you don’t plan on selling it, then residual value is immaterial – so you’re free to indulge in whatever brands’ models you find appealing and exciting.
On that basis, spend time on chrono24 viewing the array of potential suitors at or even below your budget spread, and then research them/ask questions here.
Rolex, Omega, Breitling, TAG Heuer, and IWC are the 5 largest producers of luxury watches, even though Seiko and Citizen produce far more, but at the budget/entry level end of the market.
They’re safe brands to go with, for that reason, but unimaginative and…well, everyone has one!
If you’re looking something more exclusive/a step up in horological terms, then here’s a list of starters (in no particular order):
Grand Seiko
Parmigiani Fleurier
Arnold & Son
Glashutte Original
Audemars Piguet (15400)
Vacheron Constantin Overseas (47040)
Girard Perregaux (Sea Hawk, Chrono Hawk, Laureato, 1966, Vintage 1945)
H Moser & Cie
Piaget (Altiplano and Polo)
A Lange & Sohne
Ulysse Nardin (Maxi Marine, San Marco)
Bvlgari (Octo)
Gerald Genta (pre-Bvlgari acquisition)
Bear in mind some/many of those will be no longer be in production – and your best value for the budget will be pre-owned, where the original owner has taken the hit on depreciation, meaning you get more watch for your money.
Edited by PJ S on Wednesday 28th September 21:05
Go and have a look through magazines , browse the jewellers , look at a few different makes. Don't look at loads , you'll just fill your head and lose focus.
Don't worry about the brand , if you like the look of a Tag then go for it. If you like the look of a Audemars then if you buy carefully you may just find a decent pre owned one.
Don't let anyone tell you what you should be buying , and don't become too hooked up on watch movement's.
Lot of dont's there.
Do enjoy!
Don't worry about the brand , if you like the look of a Tag then go for it. If you like the look of a Audemars then if you buy carefully you may just find a decent pre owned one.
Don't let anyone tell you what you should be buying , and don't become too hooked up on watch movement's.
Lot of dont's there.
Do enjoy!
Gentlemen,
Thank you very much for your replies. They are very much appreciated. I have always loved the mechanics of a watch and always been interested in how they are made (Would make an interesting career change)!
No the re-sell value wouldn't be an issue I guess, I just want something that will last and be functional until my son is 30 (He is 1 now). I will have a look around and see what watches I like, it won’t be an everyday watch, more like a every other day and special occasions.
I have had a look at some of the suggestions above and I am baffled by the number of companies I have never heard of, I guess I have a lot to learn in the watch collection game. This will be my first luxury watch so need to ensure I buy the correct one. I will go to some watch shops and try a few on and see how It feels I guess....
Regards,
Matt
Thank you very much for your replies. They are very much appreciated. I have always loved the mechanics of a watch and always been interested in how they are made (Would make an interesting career change)!
No the re-sell value wouldn't be an issue I guess, I just want something that will last and be functional until my son is 30 (He is 1 now). I will have a look around and see what watches I like, it won’t be an everyday watch, more like a every other day and special occasions.
I have had a look at some of the suggestions above and I am baffled by the number of companies I have never heard of, I guess I have a lot to learn in the watch collection game. This will be my first luxury watch so need to ensure I buy the correct one. I will go to some watch shops and try a few on and see how It feels I guess....
Regards,
Matt
critical mass said:
I'd add Jaeger Lecoultre, Breguet and Zenith to the list above.
Definitely. I love my Breguet and if I had to choose which I'd keep between that and my Daytona I think I'd choose the Breguet.It's also worth pointing out that watches can look quite different in the flesh than in photos. Many years ago, I fell in love with pics of the Parmigiani Atalante - and when I see pics of it, I still think it's the best looking watch I've ever seen. At the time, I did ask a few dealers if they had one (not that I could afford it) and was told that because it was tied to Bugatti, and the car it was associated with was delayed - it couldn't be bought yet.
Roll on a few years and I was looking for my first expensive watch - although wasn't planning to spend that much. But, I visited the Parmigiani shop in London and they had an Atalante - if I'd liked it as much as I expected, I probably would have upped the budget and bought it - but in real life, it was actually a pretty horrible watch! Way too big and just didn't look nearly as nice as it did in photos.
Ecksloon said:
Is Rolex more of a fashion statement now than before?
As you're only 30 you can be forgiven for not knowing that in the 1980s Thatcher's children in 'the City' wore striped shirts, red braces and Rolexes (usually garish two tone or all gold things).People these days think it's a cliche to indicate 1980's City excesses (in the same way crap American TV movies always show a shot of the Eiffel Tower and play some accordion music to let you know the action's moved to Paris, France, before showing scenes clearly filmed in a Los Angeles backlot used for a 100 other crap TV movies), but it was an all too common reality.
By comparison, these days a Rolex is an understated indication of sophistication.
Whilst they may well be 'unimaginative' choices, ultimately it's your money, so buy what you like, from any brand, rather than be tempted to some micro-brand that experts on the internet tell you you SHOULD like
With your budget I'd be looking for a (lightly used ideally) Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, but that's just my preference. Get what you like!
M.
PS ETA I've rarely seen a Girard Perregaux I didn't think looked really good, but I've never actually owned one and have heard some horror stories about their after sales service...
Edited by marcosgt on Thursday 29th September 10:30
Ecksloon said:
Gentlemen,
Thank you very much for your replies. They are very much appreciated. I have always loved the mechanics of a watch and always been interested in how they are made (Would make an interesting career change)!
No the re-sell value wouldn't be an issue I guess, I just want something that will last and be functional until my son is 30 (He is 1 now). I will have a look around and see what watches I like, it won’t be an everyday watch, more like a every other day and special occasions.
I have had a look at some of the suggestions above and I am baffled by the number of companies I have never heard of, I guess I have a lot to learn in the watch collection game. This will be my first luxury watch so need to ensure I buy the correct one. I will go to some watch shops and try a few on and see how It feels I guess....
Regards,
Matt
Everyone's heard of Rolex of course, so it tends to be the default choice for someone with a bit of money and a desire for a posh watch. They are good watches though. Everyone's also heard of TAG as it was always the cheapest way of getting a decent watch. It becomes far more interesting if you pass over Rolex and and TAG though and look at what else you can buy. From PJS's list I really like Ulysse Nardin. They build some lovely watches that combine substance with readability in a classical but contemporary style. The marine chronometer range in particular.Thank you very much for your replies. They are very much appreciated. I have always loved the mechanics of a watch and always been interested in how they are made (Would make an interesting career change)!
No the re-sell value wouldn't be an issue I guess, I just want something that will last and be functional until my son is 30 (He is 1 now). I will have a look around and see what watches I like, it won’t be an everyday watch, more like a every other day and special occasions.
I have had a look at some of the suggestions above and I am baffled by the number of companies I have never heard of, I guess I have a lot to learn in the watch collection game. This will be my first luxury watch so need to ensure I buy the correct one. I will go to some watch shops and try a few on and see how It feels I guess....
Regards,
Matt
Talk to Dirk and have something handmade by a craftsman.
www.dornblueth.com/
I have a 'standard' 99.4 but you can customise the face, hands etc
There's a bit of waiting list, 12 months on some but it's a beautiful piece of kit.
Oh and worth the trip to collect if you can - really nice people and you get to nose around the factory and look at the machinery from the 1890s they use to make bits of your watch...
www.dornblueth.com/
I have a 'standard' 99.4 but you can customise the face, hands etc
There's a bit of waiting list, 12 months on some but it's a beautiful piece of kit.
Oh and worth the trip to collect if you can - really nice people and you get to nose around the factory and look at the machinery from the 1890s they use to make bits of your watch...
traffman said:
Go and have a look through magazines , browse the jewellers , look at a few different makes. Don't look at loads , you'll just fill your head and lose focus.
Don't worry about the brand , if you like the look of a Tag then go for it. If you like the look of a Audemars then if you buy carefully you may just find a decent pre owned one.
Don't let anyone tell you what you should be buying , and don't become too hooked up on watch movement's.
Lot of dont's there.
Do enjoy!
Good advice, I'd second that Don't worry about the brand , if you like the look of a Tag then go for it. If you like the look of a Audemars then if you buy carefully you may just find a decent pre owned one.
Don't let anyone tell you what you should be buying , and don't become too hooked up on watch movement's.
Lot of dont's there.
Do enjoy!
As much as I like this watch, I do not think it is the right watch for me. Stunning though!!!
What is peoples opinion on Panerai watches? I have seen lots of suggestions but not Panerai, just wondering if there is something wrong with them thats all?
Matt
You can have my mint Rolex 18238 President for 10k
What is peoples opinion on Panerai watches? I have seen lots of suggestions but not Panerai, just wondering if there is something wrong with them thats all?
Matt
michael gould said:
You can have my mint Rolex 18238 President for 10k
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