Wedding/dress watch

[Craikeybaby]

My fiancé has decided that she would like to buy me a dress watch to wear at our wedding, something about equality or something, but I stopped listening at "I'll buy you a watch..."

So, the important question is what watch?

I'm looking for a dress watch, on a black leather strap. I like simple designs, especially ones with a seconds sub dial and as it will spend most of its time in my watch box, I'd actually prefer something without a date. I'd also prefer a manual wind to automatic, as they are usually thinner, but that isn't a deal breaker. The trickier part is budget - around £1,000 and it has to be new as my fiancé will be buying it and I know she wouldn't want to buy a used watch as a gift.

I've got a couple of ideas:

Oris Artelier Hand Winding


Nomos Orion


I've yet to see either of them in the metal, as they aren't exactly common watches. Does anyone on here have experience with them?

Or can anybody recommend something I may not have thought of?

[Craikeybaby]

Theoldman said:

Slightly over budget.
But COSC rated!

http://uk.tissotshop.com/mens/new-mens-watches/tis...

Thanks, that is definitely on the shortlist, 43mm may be a bit too big, but certainly one to try on. Hopefully it will be easier to find than the others.

yeti said:

I know this isn't in the slightest what you're asking about but...

There's a 1965 35.5mm solid 18kt gold Audemars Piguet manual wind on tz-uk Sales Corner. It's immaculate with a fabulous movement and dial and he wants Eu1250 for it. I have so many dress watches that I'd never wear it but what a wonderful watch that's be for a wedding.

See if you can talk her round...

That does sound nice, but probably not for me!

[Craikeybaby]

tighthead said:

Stowa antea in white or black , https://www.stowa.de/lshop,showrub,2004g,en,,antea...

I like the look of these, although not quite as much as the Nomos. As it is for a special occasion being able to get it engraved us cool, but I'm less keen on buying unseen.

[Craikeybaby]

s3pc1989 said:

Mappin and Webb (at least locally to me) stock Nomos - tried the Orion on a while ago and thought it was very classy.

How about a Junghans Max Bill?

Or something from Frederique Constant (slimline) - and they are doing some of their own movements - I believe....
Or Baume and Mercier - seem to rarely get a mention here - for some reason

Thanks, it looks like it is only the London stores that stock Nomos, but I should be in London next month, so will have a look.

The other suggestions are the sort of suggestions I was looking for, the Max Bill is on my radar, but I don't think it is as nice as the Nomos. The Frederique Constant watches are nice, especially the Slimline, but I'd prefer a seconds hand to the date. I did like the Baum & Mercier CLIFTON - 10052, but I think it is a little bit too far above budget.

[Craikeybaby]

GCH said:

If it has to be new, with that budget, Nomos.

You do get more bang for your buck with pre-owned though, particularly with dress watches. You can some get some seriously nice & simple vintage pieces for that budget from high end manufacturers. Or alternatively how about suggesting a birth year watch?

I've had a look at birth year watches before, but there wasn't much that caught my eye from 1983, I'm also not sure my fiancé would go for that.

I think I need to get to one of the few places that stock Nomos and try one on.

[Craikeybaby]

I'm heading down to London at the weekend, so hoping to try some watches on.

It looks like both Mappin & Webb and Watches of Switzerland on Regenst Street stock Nomos, so will try there.

[Craikeybaby]

Thanks, I'll try to check out Wempe too.

[Craikeybaby]

Dempsey1971 said:

How about a nice Sinn Regulateur Klassik with the white face. Might push your budget a little, but lovely.

http://www.chrono24.com/en/sinn/6100-klassik-b---d...

I like Sinn watches, but that one isn't for me.

[Craikeybaby]

wseed said:

Having read your post my first thought was a Stowa. I'm not surprised that others have recommended them too. My choice however would be for the Flieger I love the simplicity of the design and the history of the watch.

That is too similar to my everyday watch, an Oris BC3, I'm after something a bit dressier. The Antea is my favourite of the Stowa watches.

[Craikeybaby]

RicksAlfas said:

How about a Smiths Vintage Cushion Case PRS-36?



About a third of the way down:
http://www.timefactors.com/smiths.htm

I like that, it is a bit different.

[Craikeybaby]

Tried on a few Nomos watches today, have pretty much settled on the Orion Weiß, but they didn't have it in stock, so no purchase today.

Edited by Craikeybaby on Saturday 7th February 12:13

[Craikeybaby]

As Watches of Switzerland didn't get back to me this week I think they've lost a sale. Jen was speaking to one of her colleagues who thinks Nomos is a good brand to buy and that we should go to Stewarts Watches in Leicester, so we should be taking a drive over there next weekend.

[Craikeybaby]

Went to Stewart's Watch shop in Leicester this morning and came away with a Nomos Orion 38 Grau. Wrist shots to follow.

[Craikeybaby]

Here's a (not great) photo of it on my wrist:

Nomos Orion by Lewis Craik, on Flickr