a pick me up and an heirloom

[fin racer]

Most likely dozens of such posts on here but here goes.

Scenario is this, I have recently split with my wife. 2014 was a pretty rough year.
So, I want something to cheer myself up and something with significance. So the criteria are as follows:

budget £1500-2000
not a chronograph
must be stylish yet unfussy, clean simple displays work best for me
Something relatively scarce
As this will be passed to my son after my day I'd like it if not to appreciate, then at best not lose too much value

As to what I'm thinking of, I quite like the look of this: http://tiny.cc/carreracalibre-5

Thanks

[fin racer]

PJ S said:

Sorry but your criteria are at loggerheads with your aim – it ain't going to happen, imo.

Rarity doesn't mean it'll appreciate or be highly sought after.
If you can't afford a Rolex for what you envisage doing with the watch, then just buy something, enjoy it, and pass it on irrespective of it's monetary value.
The memories it should conjure up for your offspring after you've gone, will be worth more than what it's worth in pounds, shillings, and pence.

You'll not want to look at TAGs if you're worried about residual value or reliability. Not to say they're unreliable, but that the typical experience for a lot of customers when it comes to repair and/or servicing through TAG themselves, leaves a lot of room for improvement.
And although Rolex covers the appreciation requirement, with circa 900K pieces made each year, rarity is not a word you'd associate with them – that's only the more vintage stuff, which costs big money, since everyone has jumped on that bandwagon over the years.

Truth be told, even with a £3K budget and my affinity with Grand Seiko, you're highly likely to struggle getting one of the model variants that were in limited numbers – but whatever mechanical GS you did buy, it'd be at least rarer than anything Breitling, Omega, Rolex, TAG, IWC have produced, since most of what relatively limited production is made each year, is sold in Japan, with the official export markets getting what is left.
You'd also be getting a fit and finish that at the very least, matches Rolex, if not surpasses it.
Credor would definitely give you the rarity, but the brand name would be meaningless to all but the most switched on of aficionados – but it would mean having to buy directly from Japan (various options, so not all that tall an order), and there may be a bit of a question mark over parts for service/repair in 20 years or more time.

Long story short – you haven't enough to play the full-fat heirloom game, so change the criteria or forget about how valuable it'll be in however many years time from now.

yes, maybe a bit naive in my aims. Basically, something that I enjoy wearing/looking at, and special enough that I can give it to my son down the line. I have only recently learned of of the reliability issues some experience with TAGs
But yes, something that has timeless, simple looks is of more importance. Thanks for your honesty and taking time to help.

[fin racer]

geezerbutler said:

Tudor Grantour?

http://www.iconicwatches.co.uk/tudor-grantour-date...

or Black Bay

http://www.iconicwatches.co.uk/tudor-heritage-blac...

Something from Nomos:

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/nomos-gla...

Ball:

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/ball-watc...

Muehle Glashutte:

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/muehle-gl...

And maybe Sinn/Eterna/Oris:

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/sinn-watc...
http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/eterna
http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/oris-watc...

These are all new of course - may be able to get something nicer used, but it's a tricky budget. You're not likely to find anything Rolex for that - might just stretch to a Rolex Oyster but it will be vintage and therefore a smaller case. Plenty of choice from Omega - Seamaster and Aqua Terra. Have a quick look at the Watchfinder £0-£2000 page here to get some ideas:

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Watches/Between/0/and...

Edited by geezerbutler on Thursday 26th February 00:22

Edited by geezerbutler on Thursday 26th February 00:31

thanks Geezer, shall take another look on watchfinder

[fin racer]

annsxman said:

You would be able to buy a nearly new Omega Speedster Professional Moonwatch within your budget.

You want the "Professional" as it has a manual winding mechanism.

This is the watch that was taken by the NASA astronauts to the moon so its iconic and if you look after it will hold its value pretty well. As an example here's a 1969 example on offer for only £200 less than I paid for a brand new one 2 weeks ago:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-1969-Omega-Speedmas...

PS I know it's a chronograph but it's not one of those in your face with big buttons everywhere watches so I think it's worthy of your consideration.

I do like that, and thanks for your input, but I'd still prefer a non-chronograph

[fin racer]

SickFish said:

Your prayers have been answered.... by the STOWA Marine Original.... taking full advantage of the £ Vs. € it can be your for less than £1000.00!!!






If you wanted to make it a bit more personal you can have the gear wheels engraved with text of your choice, taking advantage of that display back

You don't need to thank me now.... Just post pics when it is delivered

its good, and I do like that style, but just not necessarily that watch, but thanks for the input!

[fin racer]

still torturing myself with a carrera calibre 5 day/date.

Thanks to everyone for their input, thoughts on Sinn please?

[fin racer]

yeti said:

Which one? There are a lot of them. As a brand, terrific value, well made Teutonic watches.

this style appeals:

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/sinn-watc...