Watches for poor man ( aka show me nice and suitable models)

Watches for poor man ( aka show me nice and suitable models)

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Discussion

LasseV

Original Poster:

1,754 posts

132 months

Monday 11th August 2014
quotequote all
Hello gentlemans!

I'm looking a watch for the rest of my life. I have a Seiko chronograph as a daily wearer and i like it a lot. I have got it for 6 years now. However, next year i want to buy another and more fancier watch for occasional use. As a finn, i'm NOT a maritime type guy, i am an air force man. I LOVE sports cars and their history and motor sport, except F1. I also love mountain biking and i appreciate good quality a lot.

So i'm looking a watch which is classical, suits my personality and holds value. Budget is at most 4k€. Thing is, i don't know nothing about watches. So, wutta i can get with my hard earned money?

Thanks in advance!

Edited by LasseV on Monday 11th August 23:09

NickXX

1,546 posts

217 months

Monday 11th August 2014
quotequote all
Omega Speedmaster Professional (Moon)? First watch worn on the moon, and the basic design hasn't changed since. I'd get a G-Shock for mountain biking though.


LasseV

Original Poster:

1,754 posts

132 months

Monday 11th August 2014
quotequote all
Oh, nice and beautiful suggestion there Nick. I don't use clock at all when i'm in mountain biking. I do all mountain/enduro thing, so everything brakes when i fall down...

WelshChris

1,173 posts

253 months

Monday 11th August 2014
quotequote all
NickXX said:
Omega Speedmaster Professional (Moon)? First watch worn on the moon, and the basic design hasn't changed since. I'd get a G-Shock for mountain biking though.
Will people please stop posting pictures of / talking about Speedmasters? - I've had one on order from Dom H for weeks and can't wait for it to arrive! smile

Mr Daytona

221 posts

115 months

Monday 11th August 2014
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A Speedmaster you say ? Now there's a really nice watch. Lol.

LasseV

Original Poster:

1,754 posts

132 months

Monday 11th August 2014
quotequote all
WelshChris said:
Will people please stop posting pictures of / talking about Speedmasters? - I've had one on order from Dom H for weeks and can't wait for it to arrive! smile
So, why did you choose a Speedmaster?

And congratulation for a new watch. Hope you get it soon.

LasseV

Original Poster:

1,754 posts

132 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
After a little bit of research, i have to say that Omega Speedmaster is a very fine watch. Nice history and it is actually quite gorgeous. Price is right too. Is there any other suggestions?

alfaman

6,416 posts

233 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
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Other options to a moonwatch ? Hmmm

If u like chronographs .. I think the Tudor Heritage Chronograph ( the black one rather than blue one)looks better than a moonwatch, is a more interesting design.

For a classical style watch - the Omega aqua Terra's look good and are well made / in similar price bracket.

Also have a look at some of the Longines heritage style watches , and Ball watches ( non diver style ).


I am assuming you are not really into diving style watches is that right - otherwise would have some other suggestions such as tudor Pelagos or black bay , omega seamaster, Ball watches.

PJ S

10,842 posts

226 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
Do yourself a favour, stop listening to the nonsense posted above!
There is nothing special or fantastic about a Speedmaster – it's only claim to fame is being related to the one that went to the moon. So what!?
Rolex have engineered a watch that is capable of withstanding the phenomenal pressure of the deepest section of our oceans – the Marinas Trench – but apart from bragging rights, there is no purpose behind having one.

As you already have a chronograph, do you need another, even if the Seiko is presumably a quartz one?

€4K is not a poor man's budget, not by a long shot – but aside from that, what are you looking to do with it?
As a first mechanical watch, aiming for long term ownership, are you happy with the notion of paying a good few hundred € ever 5 years (for argument's sake) to service it?
With the restriction of supplying spares to independent repairers, do you want to pay the high prices the brands' service centres and authorised 3rd party repairers will demand?
What size wrist have you?
Do you have a preference for bracelet or strap? If the latter, leather only or rubber?

As you plan to keep it for the foreseeable future, then residuals are effectively immaterial – so you don't need to consider just Rolex, on that basis.
And above all, just because you have 4 grand to spend, it doesn't mean you have to spend it all, or at least not on just the one. You might find a pair that allows you to interchange when the mood takes, or have a formal one to be worn when the occasion requires such like.

At the moment, all you're going to get is personal favourites being suggested, rather than what's suitable for your requirements – which we don't know yet.
Of what you have told us you do and don't like, none of that is relevant to when you plan to wear the new one – "a fancier one for occasional use" does not pinpoint the style you'd be looking for.
Is it a simple 3 hander, modern or traditional, formal or sports-dress, plain or busy dial, annual calendar/date only/day & date/no date?

Edited by PJ S on Tuesday 12th August 06:33

alfaman

6,416 posts

233 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
PJS talks a lot of sense ....

And why not consider if you would find something less expensive just as appealing : eg from Seiko , or take a look at www.timefactors.co.uk for some good quality watches at a reasonable price ( most are 500 euro).


alfaman

6,416 posts

233 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
PJS talks a lot of sense ....

And why not consider if you would find something less expensive just as appealing : eg from Seiko , or take a look at www.timefactors.co.uk for some good quality watches at a reasonable price ( most are 500 euro).


CardShark

4,190 posts

178 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
If you're looking for some inspiration have a look through this

http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?307634-It-s-...

Plenty of variety from most ends of the style and price scale.

LasseV

Original Poster:

1,754 posts

132 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
CardShark said:
If you're looking for some inspiration have a look through this

http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?307634-It-s-...

Plenty of variety from most ends of the style and price scale.
Thank you! That particular thread is just for me i think.

michael gould

5,691 posts

240 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all


Firstly your budget of 4k is a serious chunk of money ! I'm not sure what type or make of watch you should buy but pre-owned will offer you serious value. The Vacheron I purchased last week is "as new" and cost me a third of the original price. Its a lot of watch within your budget. The best piece of advise I can give you, is don't rush into anything.

If you want the easy answer then a Rolex is well within your budget

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
PJ S said:
Do yourself a favour, stop listening to the nonsense posted above!
There is nothing special or fantastic about a Speedmaster – it's only claim to fame is being related to the one that went to the moon. So what!?
Rolex have engineered a watch that is capable of withstanding the phenomenal pressure of the deepest section of our oceans – the Marinas Trench – but apart from bragging rights, there is no purpose behind having one.
Isn't what makes a watch special different to each person? A watch which wasn't at least a bit special or fantastic wouldn't have exactly the same case since the 50s. I can't think of many iconic watches that haven't had to change or update their design over time.

You saying there's nothing special about a particular watch is completely pointless. What makes a watch special is entirely in the eyes of the beholder and lots of people clearly like the Speedmaster professional.

Miguel Alvarez

4,944 posts

169 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
If you want a chrono. My faves have always been the Zenith El Primero range. There are plenty to choose from.

LasseV

Original Poster:

1,754 posts

132 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
michael gould said:
Firstly your budget of 4k is a serious chunk of money ! I'm not sure what type or make of watch you should buy but pre-owned will offer you serious value. The Vacheron I purchased last week is "as new" and cost me a third of the original price. Its a lot of watch within your budget. The best piece of advise I can give you, is don't rush into anything.

If you want the easy answer then a Rolex is well within your budget
You did find a nice watch for yourself smile

I would like to have a classical sportish watch which is more autosport than maritime type. I'm about 30 now and it would be nice if that watch would suit me even then when i'm much more older.

That 4k€ is a maximum budget and buying at second hand is a good option too. It shoul be a little bit of special watch smile

Edited by LasseV on Tuesday 12th August 08:54

dom9

8,040 posts

208 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
Miguel Alvarez said:
If you want a chrono. My faves have always been the Zenith El Primero range. There are plenty to choose from.
+1 The chromos to have!

I know of an as-new 38mm Original 1969 for sale within budget wink



Edited by dom9 on Tuesday 12th August 09:17

Beachbum

2,507 posts

230 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
dom9 said:
+1 The chromos to have!

I know of an as-new 38mm Original 1969 for sale within budget wink



Edited by dom9 on Tuesday 12th August 09:17
For gods sakes man, stop it !!!
I dont have the money for it, but may consider selling a kidney if that watch keeps appearing too much more

marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Tuesday 12th August 2014
quotequote all
PJS is right that there's nothing special about the Speedmaster Pro, EXCEPT it's a damn fine watch that looks good, wears well on the bracelet, a leather strap or, even a casual NATO and remains one of the few truly iconic watches (Personally, I'd only put the Rolex Sub, Breitling Navitimer and Heuer Monaco in the same bracket, certainly within your budget, but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will point out I've missed a couple).

Don't buy one because it went to the moon, buy one because ir's a bloody good watch! smile

Zenith make some lovely watches and I often think I'll have one one day, but that particular one always looks a bit fussy to me with all the colours.

Other brands you might consider are IWC and I've yet to see a Girard Perregaux I didn't like (although I hear servicing can be astronomical).

Don't discount TAG Heuer either, they make some nice watches and, really, all that matters is that it's a watch that you can make you happy every time you look at it, regardless of what the cogniscenti think...

Another brand I'd urge you to consider are Sinn. German watches, beautifully made - I've a 203 Arktis which is a match for anything else I own in terms of quality and, I think, a beautiful watch, but I've never heard anyone say anything negative about the brand.

M.


Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 12th August 12:46