Please help a newbie to watches

[DavidM1992]

Hi all.

I'm 19 so haven't had a proper watch before. Due to my age and little earnings I'm not looking for a rolex etc...

I've found a nice Armani watch but not 100% sure of the website as they seem cheaper than everywhere else. Does anyone have any experience with these? Are they to be avoided or just cheap?

www.designerposhwatches.co.uk

Thanks in advance.

[t8cmf]

Looking at that website I'm guessing your budget is approx £200 or so? If so then I'd consider a watch from an established watch maker as opposed to a watch from a fashion designer who didn't make the watch in the first place. Don't be swayed by the Armani name. Go for a decent Seiko / Citizen / etc.

[DavidM1992]

Yes my budget is around £200.

Ok thanks, I'll have a look at them brands.

[Ikemi]

There doesn't seem to be much information available as to whether the site is reputable or not. I'd personally say 'if it's too good to be true' then look elsewhere ... Is there a large difference in price between DPW and other sites?

However, as mentioned above, Armani are a fashion brand - They are very good at making clothes, but not watches You'll be paying an extortionate amount for just the name alone; certainly not what I'd call a 'proper' watch.

What's your budget and what are you after?

ETA: Just seen your reply ... Definitely look at Seiko and Citizen for that price bracket

[DavidM1992]

Ok, by going on your replies i've found two watches I like the look of.
Don't know why but think i'm edging towards the 2nd.

http://www.rotarywatches.com/en/the-rotary-collect...

http://www.watchshop.com/mens-citizen-red-arrows-w...

[t8cmf]

I like the Citizen Eco-drive as well. Its the nicer of the two watches. Are you aware thats its also quite a big diameter watch? The case is nearly 43mm across which is on the large side, just so you know.

[Justayellowbadge]

Neither would be my choice. Very different watches, too.

If you go a little outside the established brands, you can get a lot for your money.

The Christopher Wards, Auguste Reymonde, Timefactors/Precista and numerous others can proffer decent mechanical Swiss movements at your budget.

Movements that sit quite happily in considerably more expensive pieces from other manufacturers.

Take, for example, this:







I've bought several of these now, within your budget, from a seller in Italy.

They'd have been four figures originally, I suspect. The quality would suggest so. The alligator straps on them would swallow half your budget! The Unitas movement is a classic and I'd be proud to wear them anywhere.

Not pushing these per se, but more to give an idea that if you look around you can find something worthwhile if you are not concerned with the bloke down the pub recognising the name on the dial.

[DavidM1992]

yes i did see that. I'm going to go to a watch shop in my city centre to get a real appreciation of watch sizes but I don't think the size will be an issue.

[Norbury90]

Definately try some on, you will find it is a completely different ball-game to looking at them online.

Here is my thread from last month, I was in a similar situation.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...