Circa £2000 watch choices

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Ed T said:

I personally would buy a watch that he can wear into his later years and not get put into a draw once he’s out of his 20s. I purchased a Tag when 21 and now in my mid/late 30s don’t wear it. Still wear my Omega planet ocean I bought later on in my 20s however.

I won’t sell it but find it a younger man’s brand. This is my opinion only. He is of course a young man at 18 so could be ideal.

Tag make great watches btw, the new GMT they just launched looks great and the night diver is very cool.

Longings spirit GMT is a beautiful watch.

https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Longines-Spirit-Zulu-..._adty__pla___prch__local___stco__22___prid__17350998,utm_medium:cpc&utm_content=shopping___adty__pla___prch__local___stco__22___prid__17350998%2Cutm_medium:cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjdodOF-gIVD4BQBh12dA1XEAQYDyABEgJ3fvD_BwE


This has just been released from Oris and the movement is incredible

https://www.oris.ch/en/watch/divers-sixty-five-12h...

Or longines legend diver

I think of TAG as a younger person's watch as well. But the way I see it the watch will see him through Uni and into the first few years of his job. After that he could consign it to a back up watch or daily beater if he has any interest in a more 'mature' brand.

I loved the pics and specs of the Longines spirit gmt but when I saw it in a shop window I was a bit underwhelmed...I didn't have it in my hands though.

I saw the press release on the new Oris and you're right it's a fantastic movement but I think he would prefer something just a tad more blingy..he is only 18 after all.

Cheers

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Barchettaman said:

I wouldn’t worry about whether the movement is in house or not.

I would suggest getting that Tag on the BRACELET and buy the rubber strap separately.

I sincerely hope the lad enjoys his watch for years to come. What a gift.

Thank you.
He definitely prefers the rubber strap (and a very nice clasp strap it is too), but you're right, it makes more sense to get the bracelet version and buy the strap separately.

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gregs656 said:

This gets written about quite a bit. I have noticed recently there is a bit of a shift away from obsessing over whether a movement is 'in house' or 'manufacturer' and I can understand why.

The big benefit of a movement from an established movement manufacturer is that they will typically be easier and cheaper to service, and you will be able to find someone to do it anywhere - to me this is even more of a benefit when the watch is a gift, as it is more likely to actually be serviced or repaired when it needs to be. Spending 600+ on a service is not everyone's idea of a good time, and that is more likely when you are dealing with in house movements.

I would also recommend buying on the bracelet.

Thank you.

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Carl_Manchester said:

Manchester is a great place for going on watch safari, breitling and Tudor have big boutiques inside the trafford centre and that's before we get started on TAG. Why don't you make it an occasion and take your son for a day out on watch safari in Manchester ?

My daughter has no interest in mechanical watches, the TAG and Hublot android onnected watches on the other hand she goes wild for but she has an iPhone.

The breitling you posted is in the window of the breitling store in Trafford and they look like very nice watches.

I'm a long way from Manchester so will head to some boutiques closer to home.

Thank you.

[Deep]

Finally made the decision.

Tag was the front runner but he said he would prefer a slightly cheaper watch that he didn't have to worry about on drunken nights out lol.

https://www.longines.com/watch-hydroconquest-l3-78...

This one but the 41mm version.

It's actually a lovely watch and the case/dial is very well finished. I also handled the one with a bracelet and that was also well finished but let down by the bracelet clasp. I know it's only a small part but it really spoilt it, looked like they had spent 1p on the clasp.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for their help. The watch finally chosen was suggested by a number of people.

Have a good evening

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Thanks guys, definitely feel like we have chosen the right watch.

He definitely prefers the rubber strap and to be honest the clasp on the metal bracelet really is a disappointing let down.

As far as I can tell the rubber strap costs £200, should I get it on the bracelet and buy the rubber strap separately? Strangely enough the rubber strap watch and the bracelet watch are exactly the same price.

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Great, thanks.

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I should have updated this with a pic ages ago.

Presented to him end of last year. He went from being someone who had little interest in mechanical watches to being obsessed by the watch and is never without it.

Mission was accomplished!

Watch is just a tad big for him but hopefully he will soon bulk up like his powerfully built uncle!

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Thank you!

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Lots of people said it was impossible to choose a watch that someone else would like....I continue to disagree.
Here he is using it as it was intended.

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Macneil said:

Well I'm one of those people but you made a great choice there!

Thank you!