Annnnnnnd - it's another "which watch" thread...

[CAPP0]

I sense I know the answer to this before I start but interested in your views chaps & chapesses.

I have been gifted £4k with the express instruction that this is spent on a watch. And that's where my conundrum starts. First, a few facts:

1. I have long lusted after a B&R BR01-92. Have tried them on and I always come back to looking at them
2. I also very much like the Seamaster PO with the orange bezel. Would look great with a black strap with orange stitching, as well as on a bracelet.
3. I have never been a fan of the (and I know I'm committing heresy saying this) "standard" Rolex look.

And now a few points to counter the above:

1. Whilst I'm not buying this as any sort of investment, I do have some concern about how the B&R will look in years to come, ie, will it look horribly dated?
2. Whilst I like the Omega with the orange detailing, again, is that really something I want on a keeper watch? (which this will be).
3. Incidentally, MrsC, who generally has very good taste, was surprised at the price of the Omega and actually thought they were a relatively cheap watch; whilst the watch is for me, it would be nice if she liked it as well.
4. Spanner in works time: There is a possibility that I could buy a brand-new genuine Tudor Pelagos for a VERY (actually very very!) advantageous price. Notwithstanding my comments above about the "Rolex look", the more I look at the Pelagos, the more it seems to me like a modern interpretation of that "look" and on that basis, along with the spec, the titanium, etc, it is starting to appeal more. I need to see one in the flesh.

So, yes, WWYD? AS I said, I sense that I know the answer already but I'll reveal that after a few replies!

[Riff Raff]

If you like chunky watches - and the B+R is chunky - have a look at Panerai. Lots available within your price point.

[AndrewCrown]

Sorry Cappo

I'm going to speak Land Rover to you as I had a sneak at your garage....

Omega PO: Its a bit like admiring a BMW X5 with an AC Schnitzer body kit... and what goes with Orange
B&R: Its a French concoction which is a little like a Peugeot 4007 with mud on it...
Tudor Pelagos: This is a 2010 Range Rover Sport... you know its from the right manufacturer... but deep down you know it will never compare to a FF RR

So the answer is the FF RR or LR V8: any Rolex in stainless steel:
Exporer II, Yachtmaster, Submariner, GMT Master


Cheers
A

[Riff Raff]

AndrewCrown said:

So the answer is the FF RR or LR V8: any Rolex in stainless steel:
Exporer II, Yachtmaster, Submariner, GMT Master


Cheers
A

Cappo said:

I have never been a fan of the (and I know I'm committing heresy saying this) "standard" Rolex look.

Even though he doesn't like or want one?

[Hoofy]

Not a bad analogy there.

Problem is that if you get the Rolex purely for the resale or brand name, then you won't be happy. I'm not much of a fan of the Rolex Sub (there are a couple of models I wouldn't mind wearing, though) so would choose something else.

[PJ S]

£4K, you say? ..... ......

Go spend plenty of time on chrono24 looking at what else there is that tickles your fancy – but none of what I'd link to would involve the main two you've mentioned, and certainly not the B&R, since I think they looks hideous, and if Panerai ever decide to bother their arses designing a proper looking dial....

Edited by PJ S on Thursday 15th January 18:28

[AndrewCrown]

But one has to admit 2/3 of his choices are in the same styling ball park..

Riff Raff said:

Even though he doesn't like or want one?

[AndrewCrown]

Panerai: The Mitsubishi Shogun of Watches...

Riff Raff said:

If you like chunky watches - and the B+R is chunky - have a look at Panerai. Lots available within your price point.

[Riff Raff]

PJ S said:

£4K, you say?.....

Go spend plenty of time on chrono24 looking at what else there is that tickles your fancy – but none of what I'd link to would involve the main two you've mentioned, and certainly not the B&R, since I think they looks hideous, and if Panerai ever decide to bother their arses designing a proper looking dial....

Me, I quite like the dials. They are all pretty easy to read, and the three I have are all different. You could probably get any of these for not much more than £4k shopping around, although the 305 might be a struggle.

[CAPP0]

AndrewCrown said:

Sorry Cappo

I'm going to speak Land Rover to you as I had a sneak at your garage....

Omega PO: Its a bit like admiring a BMW X5 with an AC Schnitzer body kit... and what goes with Orange
B&R: Its a French concoction which is a little like a Peugeot 4007 with mud on it...
Tudor Pelagos: This is a 2010 Range Rover Sport... you know its from the right manufacturer... but deep down you know it will never compare to a FF RR

So the answer is the FF RR or LR V8: any Rolex in stainless steel:
Exporer II, Yachtmaster, Submariner, GMT Master


Cheers
A

Oh dear, my garage was out of date in a "missing even more Solihull content" manner! Now updated. What do I wear with a RRC??

Anyway, point taken about the Omega. The B&R I accept is very Marmite. But I'm disappointed that the Pelagos is a RRS! Despite the past, present, and probably future LR content of my fleet, I despise the RRS with a passion, for all sorts of reasons! I really thought the Tudor was the "new black".

AndrewCrown said:

But one has to admit 2/3 of his choices are in the same styling ball park..

Kinda fair point, although to my eyes the Omega is subtly different, and the Tudor, close up, is something of a "modern take" on the Rolex; it's somehow "cleaner" looking. See below (apols for pinching your picture Andy T). Then again does that imply that it will age badly? There seems to be a lot of love for the Pelagos on here at present?

Finally, re the Panerais above, yes, I do like those but hadn't really considered one. What model is the top one? And price? (Sure I can google that once I know what it is!).

Thanks all.

[Riff Raff]

CAPP0 said:

Finally, re the Panerais above, yes, I do like those but hadn't really considered one. What model is the top one? And price? (Sure I can google that once I know what it is!).

The top one is a Luminor Marina, 44mm 312, the second one is a Radiomir 47mm 424, and the bottom one is a Luminor Submersible 47mm 305.

I paid just over £4k for the 312, BNIB, importing it from Germany through Chrono24. They retail at £5,600 in the UK, and discounts are not usual here, but are widely available on the continent it seems.

[AndrewCrown]

Hi Cappo

Have a click on here... quite an interesting discussion... http://forums.watchuseek.com/f23/used-rolex-sub-ne...
After reading... I had not realised how 'big' the Pelagos is... I actually think that makes it rather more appealing, for some reason I was thinking it would be on a similar Rolex chassis.. So I'm going to revise the LR analogy... the Pelagos is a Defender tweaked by Nene or Twisted.. And I'm going to have a look and wear of one..

And I want an RRC... always have .. lucky chap..

Cheers

A

[CAPP0]

Thanks Andrew. I can *just* about go with the Twisted or Nene analogy (except their prices!).

I'll add a thumbnail of the 90 when I can find it!

[AndrewCrown]

Rather good review
http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/tudor-pelagos-review

[Dempsey1971]

Have you thought about the Omega PO with black dial an orange numbers. It works just as well on the black strap with orange stitching and the orange numbers really make the dial pop.

I have the 45mm on steel bracelet, and it is just brilliant.

[michael gould]

have you considered one of the zenith el primero chronomaster

[CAPP0]

michael gould said:

have you considered one of the zenith el primero chronomaster

I hadn't, but probably should have stated earlier, absolutely no chronos, no way no how. Personal thing but I really dislike any chronographs.

Not really the style I am looking for even with a non-chrono face though, thanks.

[michael gould]

CAPP0 said:

michael gould said:

have you considered one of the zenith el primero chronomaster

I hadn't, but probably should have stated earlier, absolutely no chronos, no way no how. Personal thing but I really dislike any chronographs.

Not really the style I am looking for even with a non-chrono face though, thanks.

Fair enough.......I know your not over keen on Rolex but at 4k a SS sub takes some beating ....they are super reliable, hold their value, have recognisable brand appeal and very smart either with a suit on, or casual/sport

[SteveJL]

Afraid I have to agree with the OP regarding Rolex. They were a grail watch to me but after getting an invite to the Tudor launch in September at my local AD I had an opportunity to try on a Sub and a Milgauss - both very high on my want list (well a Sub LV actually)

I had been saving with a view to get one of the above for my 50th after trying both on I wasn't feeling the love at all. The Pelagos though is a different story. Off to purchase one at the beginning of February. I am now in a position where I am thinking of getting the Orange PO as well..as I have always liked that model since they were launched and I currently own a Seamaster.

Anyway my point is to go with what you like, it would be a boring place if we all liked the same things.

[Johnniem]

If it were me I'd go for the Pelagos (I bought one for myself but a few weeks before Christmas so may be a bit biased!). It is a beautiful watch and will certainly stand the test of time (sorry for that!).

Why not check out the Breitling SuperOcean Heritage (not the one with all the mini dials but the plain faced one). Its similar in looks and within your budget.

One thing though, why do you feel that you need to spend the whole budget? If you love the look of a £1500 watch then surely that's the one you should have, no?