Another what watch £1.5k .. Thoughts

[T6 vanman]

Hi all watch guru's on PH

I'm reaching a milestone soon and am looking to celebrate with a new watch
I have 2 steel bracelet watches 1 cheaper Citizen chronograph and 1 Breitling water resistant to 10,000ft ???

I am desk bound but work in manufacturing and am looking for a smart watch for about £1k, with a preference for a chronograph & automatic mech, obviously budget creep started as soon as searching started so now around £1.5k

Two questions
Watch brand hierarchy at this price level ... mainly

Longines
Tag Heuer
Tudor
JEANRICHARD
U-Boat
Breitling

Thoughts on the below welcomed
Tudor
http://www.iconicwatches.co.uk/tudor-heritage-rang...
JEANRICHARD
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1437828/je...
Longines
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/9100016/lo...
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/8950431/lo...
Breitling
http://www.iconicwatches.co.uk/breitling-colt-44-a...
Tag
http://www.iconicwatches.co.uk/tag-heuer-aquaracer...
U-Boat
https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/u-boat-w...

Any other recommendations?

Edited by T6 vanman on Friday 15th July 20:20

[T6 vanman]

Whitean3 said:

I'd also look at Oris and Omega; and a slightly left field option- Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope. I would also be looking at the 2nd hand market at this price range- plenty of tempting options!

Thanks for the reply,
I'll spend the rest of the evening looking at Oris

I should edit my original to add that I'm drawn to a more military look for this new watch
The first watch I thought YES to before budget creep was
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1297856/lo...

The Junghans looked a little delicate but I'll spend some time looking for other models as I think I'm also looking for a brand that watch knowers will go .... um yes ... but slip under the radar to joe public

The Jeanrichard, U-Boat & Tudor hit this mark, Think Junghams would too.
As it's for a milestone I've discounted 2nd hand unless it's unworn, The Breitling I've linked appears good value and 2nd hand but unworn but as I already have one ... maybe not

Oh god just opened the Watchfinder site .... It's going to be a late night

[T6 vanman]

To all

Thanks for the advice

Looks like some serious budget creep from the original £20 per yr on this earth (£1k)
Both Baume et Mercier Clifton & Bell & Ross BR123 are good shouts ..if pricey

Think I'll go new & not 2nd hand as it's going to be a daily wearer. (Sorry but just my personal preference even if I could get a "better" watch)

Oris divers 65 is very near the top of the list

Do all these manufacturers make their own movements or do they use generic?
Or maybe the question should be how do I know if a manufacturer / model watch uses a generic movement or manufacturers own & how do I tell / compare the movement quality?

[T6 vanman]

All, Thanks for the responses - Thought there may have been more but I guess a slow PH day today,

I've figured I'm looking for a unicorn in wanting a watch that'll stand out for my 50th and get people to comment on it so I can converse "Oh this ... well I got it for my 50th, it's made by ??????? and a bit special ... look the dial/bezel it does ???? and it does ????? natter natter ... so yes it was extravagant but ..hay your only 50 once"
But I also want it to become my daily and slip under the radar so when working my colleagues don't go nudge nudge whisper "look at T6's wrist ... what a t**t"

Criteria
Military fabric/Leather / resin strap .. not metal
Mechanical movement not Quartz
Multi dial or unusual

Longines Almost 10/10 & good value
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1297856/lo...
Sinn another close 10/10
https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/sinn-wat...
Alpina.. Another this may be the winner of my wrist
https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/mens-251...
Anyone have an Alpina (Watch) not barry'd BMW

Any other left field brand or choices meeting the initial criteria?

200 PM'd

Edited by T6 vanman on Saturday 16th July 21:26

Edited by T6 vanman on Saturday 16th July 22:05

[T6 vanman]

Voldemort said:

This with a bit of budget creep

pic

Other Hamiltons worth a shufty...

Great looking watches but unfortunately seeing them in the jewellers yesterday all I though was "it's a brand utilising the name of a certain racing driver,

I'll review options this evening (so please throw them in quick) but think with a little bit of budget creep a winner may be coming to the front ... Said I'd sleep on the decision until tomorrow.

Thanks to all

[T6 vanman]

Voldemort said:

You do know they have nothing to do with Lewis? http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/spirit-history/timeli...

Hi Voldemort ... Sorry busy all afternoon, Yes I did know they were part of the Swatch group (well I'd wiki'd them ) but it does not stop my misguided brain cells putting 2 & 2 together, Just my irrational OCD against this brand

Thanks for posting the suggestion

I've got a hot favourite but willing to entertain any last minute suggestions ... sort of "I'll sleep on the decision over night" situation

[T6 vanman]

[quote=Funk]I will own one of these one day:

http://www.classicchronographs.co.uk/home/field-en...

pic

Very nice, honest and workman like appearance rather than a dress / more delicate watch

Time to look for a watch that would meet this criteria
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[T6 vanman]

Hi Mikeveal

Funny you say that as there is a Britling on e-bay new unused but 1967 ???

Anyway thanks for all the suggestions, I've placed an order and expect delivery tomorrow.

Doesn't meet all the criteria I initially quoted but as a 50th present to myself

Photo tomorrow if delivered

Not sure if there is a :facepalm: emoticom but think one maybe needed

[T6 vanman]

Mr Overheads said:

You should be able to pick up a used Tudor Heritage Black Bay (Red on a Vintage strap is my preference and on my wrist now) for your £1500 but there is also Blue and Black.

Hi Overheads / Others

I do like the Tudor and Sinn ranges,
Unfortunately as this is for a special occasion I cant do 2nd hand, (my choice)

Anyway I've ordered my new present and collect from the PO tomorrow .... Aaaagh 24 hours has never been so long,

Not sure if it meets any of the criteria on my wish list but as soon as I cast my eyes on it ... I knew ...

The want was high with this one

[T6 vanman]

traffman said:

Do post a picture when you receive it.

I was going to say maybe a pre owned Omega Speedy , fantastic value for money.

Whilst clearly I'm not on the same payscale as some on here, I bought my first 'quality' watch some 5 years ago and should have got the Snoopy Omega that were significantly less than my Breitling .. some would say they were going for peanuts

Anyway
Big box arrived today


The big box gave way in Russian doll style to a slightly smaller box


This was opened to reveal ... THIS


It's late and I'm no David Bailey but ... In it's magnificence


There has been some mission creep in that it's more a special watch bought for my 50th and not a daily wearer, and Mrs T6 allowed me to "push the boat out" on the budget ....(See what I did there if the first one was too subtle)

Oh to LaurasOH .... Not quite kitchen clock size but yes it dwarfs my 44 Breitling and makes my daily Seiko look like a childs watch


Thanks to all for suggestions

[T6 vanman]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

as above, it would be a strange old world if we all liked the same things! how do you find reading the time on it being all black?! does it have lume for night reading?

Hi LOH
As I wrote on the Wrist Check 2016 forum
What .. behave, Your mobile phone is for checking the time....!
Um yes black on black with the huge glass area means a careful study is needed, The chrono small dials are a complete no no,
There is no lume so I can see dark or indoor usage may require a careful check
I'd write that at almost 50 maybe I should take a precautionary trip to the opticians - but that'd be too easy for you lot
U-Boat Classico 53 Carbon Fibre Ceramic Titanium Limited Edition
53mm of awesomeness


It's funny how ... as per my original post, I was initially looking for the one style of watch ... (my original post did not include the U-Boat, I edited it after a check on the Watchfinder site and went ..well never heard of that brand .. click)
Then over the weekend reviewing watches I kept coming back to the brand and this watch on special offer in particular,

To me this hits all the marks and I had superb service from the Jewellers
Not sure how to broach the subject that I still need a new daily to Mrs T6

[T6 vanman]

freshkid said:

Asks for advice on a watch forum...buys an all black U-boat. I like your style haha!

Hi freshkid, I know ... all these responses and not one person advised to double the budget and buy a watch inappropriate for the role intended (discrete daily) ..... Just go's to show ... you cant rely on forum advice