Tag Heuer watches vs. Rolex etc. - Young buyer

[DJMC]

My son recently qualified as an Optometrist ("better one, or better two?") and fancies buying a decent watch now he's earning well.

He fancies one of these: https://www.tagheuer.com/en-gb/watches/link-calibr...

Best new price £2575. Used, around £1,750 - £2,000. The Tag looks good on his wrist but I guess will become worthless over time. Bought pre-owned it's still a lot of money to throw away, even if enjoyed. I guess it's much like the depreciation we suffer with a car.

He tried on a bi-metal Rolex Datejust today but he's 6' 4" and well built and so it looked a little "dainty" on his wrist.

I'm a Rolex fan, as the right one bought carefully pre-owned will hold its value in real terms. It can also be easily traded up for another.

Apart from the Datejust, what other Rolex or other brand and model will hold its value as well AND has a similar look to the Tag above? He's 23 and has £1,500 saved toward the watch. The Datejust today was £3,000 but he doesn't want to borrow from us so he'd need to wait a few months for a more expensive watch. Breitling springs to mind. Not keen on Omega as his grandad has one so it must be for "really old people" (like James Bond?).

I'm just trying to pass on my experience of buying "cheap" watches at his age and throwing them away five years down the line rather than buying with half an eye on holding on to value as well as enjoying the "look" of the thing.

Put yourself in the position of a 23 year old (if you're not), but with a more mature head. What's are the "sensible" buys out there.
Pre-owned a definite as even a Rolex will drop like a stone out of the showroom!

Oh... and automatic, SS bracelet. He liked the Tag "Link" bracelet better than the standard "block" type.

Edited by DJMC on Tuesday 10th January 19:04

[DJMC]

Thanks for all your replies. I very much liked the look of the Link Calibre 16 on him. We went to a Tag outlet in the USA in the autumn and he tried just about everything on and found this one suited him best. Then over to a Rolex outlet, and the only one he liked was a Milgauss. He spotted the Submariner last night and quite liked it, and there's a Rolex dealer in Rugby where he works so he's going to have a nose there. What are the views on the Submariner, apart from being over budget?

My wife last night (Rolex fan) said Tudor is a 2nd rate version of Rolex. "You bought a Cayman because you couldn't afford a 911" kind of thing. I know little about them, but I accept the Rolex may be a little "in your face" with his patients.

[DJMC]

mikeveal said:

Yes you can get "better" for the same money, but what good is that if you don't like the "better" watches?

Maybe this is something to consider also? What IS "better", for the same money, in a similar style?

[DJMC]

May have stumbled across the Tag my son likes (as above) at a good price (£1400?). It's just over a year old, so under warranty, and was also serviced a year later by Tag.

Do they need servicing every year?! This was done in Nov'16 so maybe just to make it more saleable?

[DJMC]

He's tried on Datejust II (fluted bezel, SS) and SS Submariner today. Liked both.

Submariner seems to start at around £4k with date.

Tritium or Luminova dial, out of interest why go for either over the other?

I quite like this: http://www.sandersonandson.com/52225.shtml
I guess, being "cheap" it's a bottom end Omega?
BUT... neither he nor I would buy one purely because my father has one. Don't ask!

[DJMC]

SirSquidalot said:

Im 23 with a mature head! I found myself in a similar position last year, in the end I purchased a 16600 Rolex SeaDweller as it was my perfect idea of a watch.

May I suggest a few that are on my to buy list:

• Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope
• Sinn 157
• Tudor Blackbay
• Heuer Pasadena

Has he also considered having a look at Christopher Ward or Steinhart?

Yes it isnt the brand of Tag or Rolex but they do make some lovely pieces.

For instance this is a lovely watch: https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/premium-line/oc...

Steinhart looks good, but I know nothing about them as a maker (nor the others you list). Are Steinhart "up and coming"? How does build quality and finish compare with the top brands?

[DJMC]

nikaiyo2 said:

Has he considered a Panerai?

Tell us more? Which model/s? More about the brand?

Thanks.

Found the web site. He prefers metal bracelets. Can't see any. Actually, it's a bit of a naff site!

Edited by DJMC on Thursday 12th January 22:43

[DJMC]

Just going against my own words and looking at Omega (for me, not him).

What's the difference between Seamaster 300M and 300M co-axial please?

Thanks.

[DJMC]

We went to look at a range of Rolex watches today. He likes the Submariner and GMT II.

Submariner wins currently. What's a good price for pre-owned, when did ceramic bezel come in, and what is the best age to look for?

I'm thinking £4k would be a good buy?

Should we only buy from Rolex authorised dealers?

[DJMC]

13m said:

Does he want a date complication? The GMTII has one anyway, the Sub can be had with or without. The one without is the nicer looking of the two, but a date is useful.

Then there is the ceramic vs pre-ceramic. The ceramic ones have bigger lugs and are, in my opinion, not as attractive as the pre-ceramic. All of which said, I seem to recall you mentioned your son it quite a big chap, that being the case he'd carry off the chunkier ceramic model.

The Sub ceramic bezel came in 2012, the GMT 2007.

The ceramic version of the Sub or GMT has a nicer bracelet than the non-ceramic.

Should you only buy from a Rolex AD? Not necessarily, but if you don't know what you're doing it would be a good idea to buy from a "proper" dealer. All of which said, it is worth contacting Goldsmiths who have a large stock, across the company, of pre-owned Rolex. They are a Rolex AD and tend not to discount steel Rolexes, but they will haggle on used stock. All used Rolex are newly serviced and have 2 years warranty.

Thanks. Goldsmiths have no pre-owned Subs.

[DJMC]

kmpowell said:

If you're going for pre-owned, don't bother with Goldsmiths, speak to DomH, he'll give you advice and sort you out with what you want at a price that suits your pocket.

Who is DomH please? Do you have a link to his web site? Thanks.

[DJMC]

Yes, I see £4,750 on Chrono24 gives a mint Sub, from a dealer, with box papers etc.

Knowing these are faked I'd rather he buy from a dealer and by credit card for safety.

[DJMC]

warren182 said:

So a watch being recognisable, can't be understated? In a world of 43mm + size sports watches being the norm, a 40mm stainless steel case with a black/white dial, is on the subtle side of the spectrum.

Comparing like for like (ie sports watches), I'm not sure how anyone could argue with a sub not being on the restrained side.

But Rolex has always evoked some odd opinions. Some folks equate popular with being common, and anything common can't be respected by a 'connoisseur'.

Yes, I agree entirely that the Rolex Submariner "looks" understated. The poster prior to yours is perhaps mistaking what some people think when they know someone is wearing a Rolex compared to what the watch looks like in isolation.

This is what I'd call "bling": http://www.chrono24.co.uk/patekphilippe/57191g-nau...

And perhaps this too?: http://www.chrono24.co.uk/patekphilippe/new-175th-...

[DJMC]

H20DJY said:

I bought a Rolex because I always wanted one. I am a big guy, so I bought a big Rolex. I didn't do it for attention, I did it because I wanted it. I have also never had any attention from my big stainless Rolex. Weird, because if you believe what you read on here I should be getting stopped in the streets to discuss my choice in watch.

The swastika tattoo covering my face gets some looks though.

Could the swastika be why you're not stopped in the streets?

[DJMC]

Son has decided to save for a Sub, but I was thinking...

Watchfinder have 85 Subs and do interest free credit. He's got the deposit amount, and is saving £500/mth, so why not get one now and pay it off over 6/12 months?

Anyone know which branch carries the most Sub stock, and also...

...anywhere else, perhaps in the Midlands/Birmingham that has a good Sub choice and also does 0% credit?

Thanks for any info.

[DJMC]

drainbrain said:

Date or non-date?

Date, but by all means explain why it should be non-date, if it should!?

It can only be "cleaner look" but I like the bubble on mine as it shouts "Rolex" and my wife traded her non-date Datejust for a date one as she too preferred the look. Son is bound to be "persuaded" by us that way too, but it's his decision, his money.