2-3K on a watch

[chas100]

I'm looking to buy a new watch between the amount stated above. I may not be buying for a few months yet, but I need ideas.

I would like one that I can use for all occasions and it must look good and hardwearing.

I know very little about watches so your input would be upmost appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

[Dominic H]

Nice dilema....
A good start for a well made, hard wearing watch would be a Rolex Submariner-Date model 16610. These are built the way Mercedes used to buld cars.....bullet proof. These are also easy to sell on if you fancy a change in the future.
If that's not you cup of tea, how about something a little more select like an IWC Fliegerchrono 3706, really nice, discreet automatic chrono with black dial and croc strap.
Or something beautifully made such as a Jaeger le Coultre Reverso or Master Control.
Are you looking for a dress watch for business and evenings, or something sporty/chunky for all occasions?

I would link some images, but as a newbie I'm still struggling with the technique....

Have fun making your choice.

[chas100]

Hi Dominic,

Thanks for your reply. I do quite like the Rolex you quoted, looks like just what I need. But, i will have a look at a few others.

I want the watch for general use really.

[Dominic H]

Go and try them all on, and see what you are drawn to....D

[chas100]

Dominic H said:

Go and try them all on, and see what you are drawn to....D

will do.

I will post some pics when I get one in a few months.

All the best,

[jase k]

The only way to tell properly if you like the watches you see on the net is to go and try them on (as stated before) as some watches that look good on line may not suit your wrist due to size etc!! 2-3k can get you a good quality watch which should last you a very long time even in everyday use would probably be swayed into buying an automatic watch if you are gonna wear it a lot as you are getting a better made timepeice than a quartz (my personal opinion) are you looking for a sports watch or a dress watch?? as this will determine your decision a little bit. Happy hunting.. Get to a big jewellers and try a load on.

[F1sh]

Think I would be looking at the IWC Aquatimer myself with that price range.

Fish

[Vesuvius 996]

Rolex Submariner Date 50th Anniversary. It's what I bought after much consideration......

There's a special section at .....

www.rolex.com/en/index.jsp#/en/xml/collection/extraordinary-watches/submariner/index

Built to commerorate 50 years of the iconic Submariner...........



All the advantages of a SubDate 16610 but with more exclusvity and better residual values....

You can wear one for years and not lose more than a couple of hundred quid....Three year waiting list, but.....................

Try www.watches.co.uk based in Chiswick, West London. Call them and ask for Dee.

Edited by Vesuvius 996 on Saturday 5th May 21:56

[anonymous-user]

chas100 perhaps you could narrow it down a bit for us.

A. Do you prefer a dress watch or a sports watch?
B. Do you like a steel or gold looking watch?
C. Leather or bracelet strap?
D. Do you want a watch that people will recognise and know how much you have spent?

[Megane230F1]

Chas I collect watches and wear a 2004 Submariner Bi-Mettalic in Blue all the time and find it hard wearing, yet very smart. Take a look at one here www.rolex.com/en/index.jsp#/en/xml/collection/extraordinary-watches/submariner/portfolio/portfolio3

I also have the exact same watch but in the 18ct gold but your talking £13k for one of those. Get a good second hand sub and you cant go wrong.
Cheers PJ

Edited by Megane230F1 on Saturday 5th May 22:51

[chas100]

stovey said:

chas100 perhaps you could narrow it down a bit for us.

A. Do you prefer a dress watch or a sports watch?
B. Do you like a steel or gold looking watch?
C. Leather or bracelet strap?
D. Do you want a watch that people will recognise and know how much you have spent?

A. I would prefer a 'sports' watch.
B. I much prefer a steel looking watch, I think gold can look tacky (IMO of course).
C. Will consider either.
D. Don't really wont to go bragging about it, but would like a well known brand.

Thanks for all the replys.

Cheers.

[jamieboy]

F1sh said:

Think I would be looking at the IWC Aquatimer myself with that price range.

I'd agree with that - the Aquatimer chrono-automatic is nice.

[tertius]

The problem with this sort of request is rthat most people will reply with either what they own or what they would like to own, in a justifying their purchase sort of way (and I'll do that shortly). But the serious answer is to look at a lot of watches, you have an enormous choice in that price bracket some seriously nice, some indescribably vile.

You definitely need to think about:

a) what functions you would like the watch to have - as well as time of course, date, day, stopwach and so on. Lots of people buy chronographs but don't use the functions, or then find that they are too big - chrono movements tend to be on the large side.

b) style do you want pure sports (rather as the aquatimer suggested is); pure dress (which would tyically mean simplicity and no lume) or something in between.

I guess another question is whether this will be your only watch or is it to be a significant piece in a collection?

Assuming the former and personally if I were planning to spend that on "a" watch I'd buy two, and cover pretty much all the bases:

1. A Zenith Class Sport, see here, steel case, silver dial and leather strap

2. A Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Duo, see here, steel case with leather or perhaps a JLC Reverso Duo Gran Sport here

Two absolute classics, both inhouse movements, with a bit of haggling and hunting about I think you'd get them both for £4K (though not from authorised dealers).

[mcgus]

[quote=tertius] or perhaps a JLC Reverso Duo Gran Sport here

I completely agree about the trying on lots of watches bit...however, JLC have now discontinued the Gran Sport and replaced it with the Squadra - a tragedy in my eyes!

[tertius]

mcgus said:

tertius said:

or perhaps a JLC Reverso Duo Gran Sport here

I completely agree about the trying on lots of watches bit...however, JLC have now discontinued the Gran Sport and replaced it with the Squadra - a tragedy in my eyes!

I agree the Squadra is bit OTT, but you can still get it if you look around, eg the link I posted.

[falkster]

I bought an unused second hand Rolex Seadweller for 2200 quid and its fantastic....retails at £2930. Nice and sedate being black and steel.

[URL=http://imageshack.us][/URL]

[job38]

Vesuvius 996 said:

Rolex Submariner Date 50th Anniversary. It's what I bought after much consideration......

There's a special section at .....

www.rolex.com/en/index.jsp#/en/xml/collection/extraordinary-watches/submariner/index

Built to commerorate 50 years of the iconic Submariner...........



All the advantages of a SubDate 16610 but with more exclusvity and better residual values....

You can wear one for years and not lose more than a couple of hundred quid....Three year waiting list, but.....................

Try www.watches.co.uk based in Chiswick, West London. Call them and ask for Dee.

Edited by Vesuvius 996 on Saturday 5th May 21:56

Like your style, that would be my choice too
16610 LV (known in the trade as a 'Kermit' )

Edited by job38 on Tuesday 8th May 13:30

[mc_blue]

I love this watch.

Chanel J12 Superleggera

Edited by mc_blue on Tuesday 8th May 14:49

[gpm3d]

Yes mc_blue - me too! Am trying to get a deal at the moment!
Graham

[mc_blue]

My dad bought me a Tag Aquaracer (nothing too flash) and now I'm in love with watches. This looks like my next purchase, probably not anytime soon though judging by how business is going! How much can you get it for £3k?