Durable Watch advice please?

[foxley31785]

Hi

I wonder if anyone can offer me some advice?

I am looking to purchase a watch for my fiancé as a wedding present to replace his 17 year old Casio G-Shock watch which is now looking rather sorry for itself.

I have seen plenty of lovely looking watches, but my main concern and priority for this new purchase is it's durability in all situations. The only time that my partner takes his watch off is when he goes for a shower, he has a hands on job within hospitality and also leaves his watch on when working on our cars, doing the garden etc etc. It literally stays on all the time. His Casio has done very well to withstand all kinds of abuse over the years.

In terms of looks etc I'm not after anything too fancy, however I do like the look of the Hamilton watches but am unsure of their quality/durability. It needs to be metal bracelet strap, doesn't have to have chrono features (although I do think they look nice, he never uses them though) I'm not bothered about it being any well-known brand either, as long as it's capable of withstanding a fair amount of wear and tear over time as he isn't the type to think about taking his watch off before starting a job of any kind. Budget wise, I'm happy to spend anything up to £900ish, but am open to suggestions.

Any words of wisdom and advice will be gratefully received

Thank you

[Rude Girl]

I've never managed to either break or deface my Rado - I work on the railway and it goes on every job with me. They are ceramic, come in plain or bling and should be achievable somewhere around your budget

[Dicky Knee]

Take a look at the Longines Hydroconquest. Metal bracelet, waterproof, tough and very smart. There is an older design which has numerals at 3,6,9 and 12 or the newer design. If you don't mind second hand Dom Hackett has a Chrono on his website within your budget.

Hamilton are also great watches.

[bobfett]

Immediate thoughts are why not stick with what he knows/presumably likes- high end G-shock or for something a bit smarter an Edifice?

However, if he's that hard on watches, I might be tempted to suggest buying two- another "every day" G-shock and the balance on something nice that's reserved for occasional wear/sentimental value. At least that way you're not hobbled by having to find something really tough and worrying about £900 worth of watch getting wrecked*.

• Unless you're a director type who treats £900 watches as disposable

[gbbird]

Magrette produce some pretty heavy duty timepieces. A bit different to the usual mould, but they are very well made quality watches.

If he fancies a more recognised brand, then Oris make some very solid diver watches that are built to last. Or the Longines Hydroconquest as mentioned earlier, is another good one.

[Podie]

You might be able to get a Sinn watch for that sort of money - very durable bits of kit.

[alfaman]

Think i would stick with a G shock.

One benefit they have is the raised surround which protects the glass from knocks and scrapes. They are also very shock resistant.

I use a g shock for day to day wear plus sailing/ racing , rock climbing , hiking, and diving . Still looking good after 10 years - just replaced the strap.

If he likes diver style watches - something like a Precista PRS18 is a good tough watch ( has a raised bezel). You can source a metal strap for it. Or the PRS3.

Www.timefactors.co.uk

Still think id go with a Casio - plus maybe a 2nd watch for dressier occasions

[Rich_AR]

G-Shock seems to fit the bill for serious bashing.

However I'll chuck Damasko into the mix as well (maybe a little over the budget). Hard wearing for sure (maybe one of the hardest cases on the market?) and their new bracelet they sell is lovely. A real tough tool watch.

eg:

[hilly10]

Oris is a good way to go. Good solid no nonsense watches

[SVS]

Another vote for Damasko Nothing beats Damasko toughness in a mechanical watch, because all their watch cases are hardened all the way through. Plus Damasko watches are so beautifully engineered. Photos can't portray a watch's quality feel, but Damasko watches are a pleasure to hold and wear in the metal.

Longines Hydroconquest and Oris watches are great. Though they don't begin to compare to Damasko in terms of toughness and build quality. I loved my old Hydroconquest, but it wasn't in the same league as the Damasko that replaced it.

[foxley31785]

Hiya,

Thanks all for your input, its certainly given me plenty to work with and I like quite a few of the ones mentioned. Not against second hand either (my engagement ring is too), so the Longines one at Dom Hackett is brilliant value for money

Thanks again for your help, much appreciated!

[cirian75]

G-Shock GX-56 tough solar.

job done

[TwigtheWonderkid]

foxley31785 said:

I am looking to purchase a watch for my fiancé as a wedding present to replace his 17 year old Casio G-Shock watch which is now looking rather sorry for itself.

Pah, 17 yrs for a G-Shock.....it's barely worn in.

[L555BAT]

Rich_AR said:

G-Shock seems to fit the bill for serious bashing.

However I'll chuck Damasko into the mix as well (maybe a little over the budget). Hard wearing for sure (maybe one of the hardest cases on the market?) and their new bracelet they sell is lovely. A real tough tool watch.

eg:

The bracelet is mighty expensive though.

1039 Euros for a DA36 on a strap, 1509 Euros with the bracelet. 470 Euros / £375 / 45% extra.

I guess it's not your average bracelet though; ice hardened, and torx screws on every link.

[SVS]

There's the poor man's Damasko: an Archimede OutDoor Protect. It's a case hardened, automatic watch from 590 Euro with a leather strap or 675 Euro with a hardened bracelet.

"Poor man's Damasko" is relative, because 590 Euro is hardly a cheap watch for many people. In terms of value for money, however, 675 Euro for a mechanical watch with a hardened strap and Ickler case is incredible!

[RobCh]

+1 for Archimede. You can also order a personal message engraved on the case back...