Looking to purchase first good watch...

[J381]

I'm looking to purchase my first good watch, but I want to know my options before I commit to it.

Budget is £3500 (Maybe £4000, but it'd need to be worth the extra £500!)

I like the Breitling Navitimer, but it's over my budget.

I love Breitling watches in general, but I just want to make sure I am not over-looking another make etc?

[alfaman]

..I'd rather have a 2nd hand but newish Rolex for that money [and would probably hold value better ].. this is up for a bit over 4k GBP ....not sure how flexible the pricing is [?]

http://blowers-jewellers.co.uk/Rolex_oyster_seadwe...

..or older IWC..a few available on the same site

Edited by alfaman on Tuesday 15th November 12:24

[nocarjames]

i was very close to getting a breitling as my first decent watch, but my dad advised me against it as he said you will be bored of it in a few years and will want a rolex.

i ended up spending an extra grand and getting a gmt master ii - ten years later it is still on my wrist and worth more than I paid for it.

i don't think I would be able to say the same if I went for the breitling. nice watches though especially the chain mail strap one's.

[hilly10]

this should be in budget I paid £3800 for mine in March this year its gone up now to £4750 but you can still get them circa £3450 they are a cracking well built watch

[nickg123]

New Omega Seamaster? £3k or just under?

[Importr]

If you really like the Navitimer, then go for a used one. I've had about 6 different Navi's over the years and never get bored of the model. My current Navitimer is a Serie Speciale Fighter Edition. Cost then about £2k used, but can cost more now.
Very versatile for different clothes choices although not water resistant.



Everyone has their favourites, but I find Rolex's to be too obvious a choice.

My other keepers are Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 42mm and Seamaster GMT (Bond style). Great value for money and have the physical heft that a Submariner does not have.

just my 2p worth....

Edited by Importr on Tuesday 15th November 17:21

Edited by Importr on Tuesday 15th November 17:22

[AndyParker]

I agree with the second hand Navi option if you really like them. If you're only considering new then my money would be on an IWC portofino chrono c£3850 before you negotiate some discount

[hungry_hog]

Definitely go second hand. With most watches you will lose a massive chunk as soon as you take it out of the box. One of the exceptions is Rolex sports models, partly because Rolex is constantly pushing the prices up.

The Navitimer is a lovely watch. Think carefully about whether you want the bracelet. If you go for a strap and change your mind the bracelets are very expensive as an aftermarket item.
Lots of them on Blowers in the 3 - 4.5k range, and their service is excellent (bought a Sea Dweller from them a few months back)

Other places you may want to try are Chronomaster (which I have also bought from) and Hackett (which I haven;t but others on here recommend)

[longone]

Unless you are taken by a particular make and model and are sure you won't change your mind and want out, then buy a Rolex. Providing you either get a new one (and keep the papers, box, everything) or a properly priced used one, again preferably with all papers, then there is no other make that can touch them for re-sellability, if you do have second thoughts.
Find a tame trader or dealer who is prepared to be frank and they all know the Rolex is like cash in the bank, price it correctly and it will sell. That's not a certainty for any other make. Some very good and possibly better used watches just won't shift.
I'm not trying to big up Rolex and I'm not even saying I own one but you can't go wrong if bought keenly.

Colin.

[Justayellowbadge]

Buy the best Navitimer 806 you can. Dual signed if possible - AOPA out of range now but I had one co-signed by LIP that I never should have sold and they may still be affordable.

It will repay you.

[Chad_Hugo]

longone said:

Unless you are taken by a particular make and model and are sure you won't change your mind and want out, then buy a Rolex. Providing you either get a new one (and keep the papers, box, everything) or a properly priced used one, again preferably with all papers, then there is no other make that can touch them for re-sellability, if you do have second thoughts.
Find a tame trader or dealer who is prepared to be frank and they all know the Rolex is like cash in the bank, price it correctly and it will sell. That's not a certainty for any other make. Some very good and possibly better used watches just won't shift.
I'm not trying to big up Rolex and I'm not even saying I own one but you can't go wrong if bought keenly.

Colin.

+1

This is what I did for my first 'proper watch, and would do again.

As much as I am a fan of zenith (defy xtreme), corum and franck muller watches for me the fact that a used but mint rolex sub would lose almost nothing if bought with all original boxes/papers and looked after well subsequently was a major selling point. They are also very easy and quick to sell should you need or want to- unlike many other brands which are a nightmare to sell unless you are prepared to lose 30%-60% of the money you paid, and that can sometimes even apply to a used watch.

Of course I also really like the submariner/daytona/day-date, I'm not saying buy a watch you don't like, but value is also something to consider.

[Importr]

Whereas I totally agree with Colin and Chad comments regarding the resduals of a Rolex, i think the OP should buy a watch that he actually desires? ie. a navitimer is nothing like a Rolex.

Thats like buying an Audi when you really wanted a Alfa...because someone said the residuals are better

[Riff Raff]

Importr said:

Whereas I totally agree with Colin and Chad comments regarding the resduals of a Rolex, i think the OP should buy a watch that he actually desires? ie. a navitimer is nothing like a Rolex.

Thats like buying an Audi when you really wanted a Alfa...because someone said the residuals are better

But to carry on that analogy, when the time comes to get shot of your Alfa, you will find it is worth fk all. The Audi will hold value better. Then you realise you made a bad decision. Same with watches. There are those on here who will tell you that Breitlings hold their value. They do, if you know where to sell them. If you take one to a trader they might not even make you a bid on it. On the other hand a Rolex (Sport model) if bought second hand should pretty much hold its value over the long term, and hold up pretty well in the short term.

I'm in the lucky position of having amassed a fair few watches over the years, including half a dozen Breitlings and not many less Rolex. If I had to buy one watch as a daily wearer, it wouldn't be a Navitimer. I love mine to bits, but I can't really take it anywhere near water, so it's out for sailing for example, or swimming whilst you are on holiday. You could wear Chronomat as a daily - later ones are waterproof to 200m, early ones 100m, but the one I'd choose if I could only have one would be something like a Rolex Submariner, or an Explorer (I or II). I really like the Explorer I, but I really need a watch with a date. You can wear those watches 24 hours a day and not have to worry about them letting in water or worry about them being too delicate to wear whilst you are doing whatever it is you are doing.

If you do buy a Rolex, don't buy one that has been refurbished and heavily polished. Just my tuppence worth.

[Importr]

What you say is fair enough and very true - don't dispute it at all, but the OPs question was about whether he had overlooked any other brand, rather than what his watch will be worth?
I'm pretty sure he will have considered the other 'big boys' already: Omega, TAG, Rolex.....

In my experience of buying used Breitling, if you keep it for more than 2 years, inflation will get you your money back (but maybe no profit). Especially the way that the big boys keep increasing the prices.
eg. That Navitimer Serie Speciale I mentioned earlier which I got for £2k, is now around the sub £3k mark from dealers.

Edited by Importr on Thursday 17th November 17:17

[LHD]

£4k budget?

http://www.watches.co.uk/watch/11855s/rolex-submar...

Safer than money in the bank.

[Grant76]

LHD said:

£4k budget?

http://www.watches.co.uk/watch/11855s/rolex-submar...

Safer than money in the bank.

Love that! Would it be just about residual proof if kept immaculate?

[J381]

Thanks for the replies.

I must admit, Rolex does nothing for me. It may be my age, view towards watches (having not owned a proper one!) but I'm just not into them at all. I appreciate that they are good looking watches and are very sought after, however just not for me.

As for the Navitimer, I wouldn't buy one second hand. I think if this is the watch that I really want I will just have to save a bit more cash and wait till a later date.

[MOD500]

You are embarking on a great adventure !

Would be worth speaking to a friendly jeweller / watch shop that carries a good selection and spending some time there trying on and looking at your preferred possible options. Haggle hard

Don't discount the Rolex, read up a little about them and check out the tool watches such as the Seadweller and Submariner.

Let us know how you go on