Which watch for £300-£500?

Which watch for £300-£500?

Author
Discussion

Salgar

Original Poster:

3,283 posts

183 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
quotequote all
The OH is giving me some money towards a new watch for my 30th birthday. After reading a bit of this sub-forum it's safe to say I know nothing about watches.

I've been wearing the same £100 Swatch since my 18th birthday 12 years ago, and it's in pretty bad shape, and semi broken and not worth the money to fix.

I'm not sure what I want, something formalish (metal strap?) or something less formal. I'm probably going to end up wearing it for a very long time.

Also, does anyone know any good watch shops in London that will cater to this price range?

Foliage

3,861 posts

121 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
quotequote all
Have a look at these to get you started

http://www.watchshop.com/All-Watches.html&bran...

Most important thing is that you like it and enjoy it.

reggie747

129 posts

126 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
quotequote all
Have a good web stroll round here. There may be something that catches your eye.


http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/

nutta29

234 posts

217 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
quotequote all
I've got a steinhart Ocean vintage military, well happy with it, cost me £300
Also own a Christopher Ward C11 HRDC, lovely looking thing, think it was about £425 and is presented so nicely by CW.

kuro

1,621 posts

118 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
quotequote all
Another vote for steinhart, a lot of watch for your money with solid build and an eta movement. I have an ocean one ceramic

NDA

21,492 posts

224 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
quotequote all
I bought this recently whilst my daily watch was away being serviced:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Citizen-Mens-Eco-Drive-Wat...

OK - it's not a mechanical, but it's actually a lovely watch. It will never need a battery and it's incredibly accurate as it receives a radio signal from the atomic clock in Germany. Also waterproof and easy to change the time instantly to any country.

Feels heavy and looks great. Also strangely satisfying to see it EXACTLY on the time pips 100% of the time.

Just a thought. smile

yeti

10,523 posts

274 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
Page & Cooper or Jura have plenty in that range - don't forget to add VAT for P&C.

Its not for strangers to tell you which watch to buy, but my choice there would be Steinhart.

https://www.pageandcooper.com/watches/

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/

greggy50

6,161 posts

190 months

Friday 10th April 2015
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Will get a decent Longines Hydroconquest used for top end of your budget I have one myself and it really is a fantastic piece for the money.




RobinBanks

17,540 posts

178 months

Friday 10th April 2015
quotequote all
My favourite watch at the moment at £500ish is the Hamilton intra-matic. The list price is a bit more than that, but Iconic Watches can do them for £500 upwards dependent on details:
http://www.iconicwatches.co.uk/catalogsearch/resul...

But I wouldn't go for a bracelet one. It's not very nice compared to the leather and in my opinion doesn't suit the looks.

LC23

1,285 posts

224 months

Friday 10th April 2015
quotequote all
Another vote for Steinhart here. I have an Ocean One Vintage Red and it is a really good watch. With current exchange rates, buying directly from them at the moment is a good prospect.

unrepentant

21,212 posts

255 months

Saturday 11th April 2015
quotequote all
NDA said:
I bought this recently whilst my daily watch was away being serviced:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Citizen-Mens-Eco-Drive-Wat...

OK - it's not a mechanical, but it's actually a lovely watch. It will never need a battery and it's incredibly accurate as it receives a radio signal from the atomic clock in Germany. Also waterproof and easy to change the time instantly to any country.

Feels heavy and looks great. Also strangely satisfying to see it EXACTLY on the time pips 100% of the time.

Just a thought. smile
Seconded.

I have this;

http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-AT4008-51E-Stainless...

It looks great, keeps better time than my $10k Breitling and is affordable enough to be worn daily without worrying about it getting damaged. $ for $ it's the best watch I own.





Salgar

Original Poster:

3,283 posts

183 months

Tuesday 14th April 2015
quotequote all
Thanks everyone, so many good ideas here. It makes me want multiple watches... hmm... scratchchin

Will update when I've finally made a decision.

kazste

5,665 posts

197 months

Tuesday 14th April 2015
quotequote all
Hows about a stowa?

http://www.stowa.de/lshop,showdetail,1429031532611...





Absolutely lovely looking watches and the euro to pound is making them very well priced indeed.

chungasarnies

155 posts

124 months

Tuesday 14th April 2015
quotequote all
Hope you don't mind if I jump in as well.

Looking for a nice automatic to wear daily in this price band. Hamilton was my first thought, but I've never actually seen one in the flesh (yet)

I'm perfectly happy to buy used instead but I have to admit in this price range I really haven't got a clue what makes a good buy?

checkmate91

851 posts

172 months

Tuesday 14th April 2015
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Seiko SARB? A 33 is nicely understated or 65 if you're an exhibitionist smile

NorthernSky

981 posts

116 months

Tuesday 14th April 2015
quotequote all
I think this article answers all your questions wink

http://hiconsumption.com/2015/04/best-mens-watches...

chungasarnies

155 posts

124 months

Tuesday 14th April 2015
quotequote all
checkmate91 said:
Seiko SARB? A 33 is nicely understated or 65 if you're an exhibitionist smile
I personally love the 65 biggrin I would love one but not sure it's what I'm after at the moment

Even thinking a nice Seiko 5 would see me right for a while. Have spotted these after having a nose about on here: http://www.matthewhumphriesdesignwatches.com/produ...

Also seen a few Sinn but probably more than I want to pay. Will likely still go and have look at a Hamilton in the metal.

Blown2CV

28,699 posts

202 months

Friday 24th April 2015
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Mondaine automatic?

SBQuattro

679 posts

180 months

Sunday 3rd May 2015
quotequote all
Had mine for 3 or 4 years now, and been very pleased with it.

Nice clear face, and has a good quality look / feel to it.

http://www.christopherward.co.uk/watches/aviation/...