What to buy?

[bigrich4]

It's my 30th birthday coming up in October and I was planning on buying myself a watch. Initally it was going to be a P.O. 45.5mm with orange bezel, however since I am currently trying on getting on the property ladder I couldn't justify that sort of outlay to myself. So my brief is this:
1) £1000 budget
2) A new watch (as I want to keep it)
3) An automatic movement (I thought about a quartz Tag Heuer or Omega SMP but.... well..... meh)
I've looked at Christopher Ward but there's 'something' that stops me from buying one of them even though I like the look of the C60 on metal strap and C700 on leather strap.

What do you guys think?

[andy tims]

Plenty to like in the Sinn range at that price point. Have a look on Jura's website.

[CraigVmax]

have you considered a pre owned watch?

[bigrich4]

CraigVmax said:

have you considered a pre owned watch?

I did look at them because you obviously get more for your money but since it's for my 30th I'd prefer something new as not only would it be nice and shiny, it would also be something I'd keep forever.

[andy_s]

Sinn & Guinand definitely worth a look.

[retrorider]

Some nice stuff in the Longines range at that price point...

[Nattyboy888]

If yiu like the P.O I'd recommend looking at the Oris tt1 divers ? Or you might get a deal Nice fortis for that money...

[bigrich4]

I've been looking at Longines this afternoon and there's some nice stuff, the same goes for Sinn. I don't think I'd go Oris as I have one as a daily beater and fancy something different. I also had a nose at the Ball watches on the Jura website, are these any good?

[h0b0]

None of them new but take a look at what you could have won.................


I like this but it is a bit expensive,

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-omega-planet-o...



in budget,

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-tag-heuer-carr...



not the ideal Monaco but worth considering,

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-tag-heuer-mona...




another option

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-omega-2531-80-...



slipped in but not sure why,

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-u-boat-925-cla...

Edited by h0b0 on Saturday 20th August 02:28

Edited by h0b0 on Saturday 20th August 02:29

Edited by h0b0 on Saturday 20th August 02:30

[ArtVandelay]

Personally I'd look at Oris, some very good watches to be had from £500-1000 and some lovely ones at the £2k mark.

Longines also do some good watches around that price i.e. the Hydroconquest which I've always fancied but it's a little to similar to my Seamaster for me to justify owning it.

[bigrich4]

h0b0 said:

None of them new but take a look at what you could have won.................

Meanie I woke up this morning thinking if I'd be happy with a quartz SMP.....

[speedtwelve]

I've got a thing for Balls (gsnurk!). I've had this 'Mad Cow' for a month or so. Reduced to just over £1k in Ernest Jones' sale, but back up to £1500 now unfortunately. They occasionally come up for sale used for less than a grand, though. Certain Ernest Jones stores sell Balls (check their website, as most of their shops don't). They look a lot better in the flesh compared to photos, and are quite striking. Well-engineered, and all have tritium tubes fitted. I find them refreshingly 'different'. New Balls start at just over £600, for the simple but functional Fireman 2. I'm also partial to the Night Train and Master Diver 2 at the 'roughly £1k' price point.





My Longines Hydroconquest 41mm auto. Yes, it is derivative, and in places looks like a style collision between an SMP, a submariner and a Breitling, but it's hefty, well-finished and has lots of wrist presence. I compared it side-by-side with my brother's SMP and they are of broadly comparable quality IMO. List on the Hydroconquest is £790, but I picked-up this one used at 9mths old for £500.

Sinn have also been mentioned. I tried a few on in Jura in London and was very impressed. Very high quality pilot watches. I'd also look at Fortis, Glycine and Damasko. All have decent models for under a grand new.

I'd definitely consider pre-owned, as others have mentioned. Every new watch I've purchased has ended-up with marks sooner or later. The 2nd hand Longines above was in immaculate condition despite already having had an owner, though. And even if bought new, it'll still need a service after a few years anyway. Not much advantage to 'new' other than warranty period, and if you buy something recent it may well have some outstanding warranty remaining anyway.

Edited by speedtwelve on Sunday 21st August 20:33

[bigrich4]

I like that Longines! I know what you mean about buying second hand too, perhaps I should seek out Dominic H on here, he's had very good reviews.

[speedtwelve]

Go and try the Longines on. It's available in 2 sizes and quartz/auto. FWIW I have a 7" wrist and the (larger size) 41mm looks just right. It looks great in polished steel without appearing too bling. The crystal has AR coating on the inside, and the face has a sunburst pattern that looks good in strong light. The snowflake hands aren't to everyone's taste, but the white superluminova inserts stand out in all lighting conditions. The superluminova itself isn't great, but that's one of the reasons I bought a tritium Ball! The case back is machined with the Longines logo and is a work of art in itself. The SS bracelet is a quality item with heavy links; It is part brushed/part polished, which is unusual but different. The entire watch has a satisfactory level of heft. Little details like the red arrow on the seconds hand make the watch for me (the quartz version has a plain red tip, no arrow BTW).

They're available with both black and blue faces/bezels. Also can be had as a chrono if that is your thing.