Help needed with 75th birthday present...

[dinz]

Hello all.

I'm looking to buy my dad a new watch for his 75th birthday in October, and i'm looking for some inspiration!

Here's the criteria:

• £300 max price
• 40mm max width, and 11mm depth
• Must be a dress watch, in silver or titanium, no chrono dials or numbered bezel
• Can be on leather or bracelet
• Preferably Swiss auto movement, although would consider a quartz

He currently wears a 15 year old Tissot PR50.

I am very much drawn to the Tissot Visodate (pictured), but I'd rather not buy another Tissot, and it's £50-£60 over budget...



So, has anybody got any suggestions??

Steve.

[mikeveal]

75 years old, that means he was born in 1936.
I know you asked for new, but how about something old?
Go to ebay and search for these sellers:
holbensfinewatches & michaelh54619 . Both are American and both specialise in refurbishing American watches from 1930's onwards. I'd expect they'd be able to find something from 1936. What they will do is buy a watch with a good condition case, refurbish the dial if necessary, fit a new crystal and service the movement.

To give you an idea, here are a few pics from their current auctions:
1932 Bulova in 10K rolled gold plate:


1939 Hamilton Ross, 14K Gold filled.


1941 Hamilton Myron 10K gold filled.


I've never used Holbens, but I have bought from michaelh. The transaction went smoothly and the watch looks 'as new'. Couldn't be happier!

Edited by mikeveal on Friday 19th August 13:49

[dinz]

Thanks for your reply!

I like the idea of a vintage birth year watch. I'll keep an eye on those ebay sites you recommended.

Cheers.

[mikeveal]

I'd ask the sellers directly. If the watch is auctioned you stand the chance of losing. Plus you are unlikely to find a birth year watch pop up. Ask them what they can do and if they'd do a private auction.

Also bear in mind that you will need to pay import duty of 20%.

[Dan_1981]

I love that Visodate - had a look at one in the flesh the other day - it really is lovely.

[Xtriple129]

Christopher Ward do some lovely watches that fit your criteria and are within budget

http://www.christopherward.co.uk/