Special watch for £800+
Special watch for £800+
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Discussion

MGZRod

Original Poster:

8,176 posts

207 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
Right, first things first, this is part of a lump of money I've received so I want it to be something special, so no fashion watches (gucci, Armani etc) I've looked at a few watches in shops and have discovered Raymond Weil! Really like the look/feel and not battery powered to boot.

Has anyone got any suggestions that are a bit different to the norm, I've got a seiko chrono for everyday use and I'm 19 so don't want something too 'old man'. A nice dress watch that will last many years with servicing. Preferably Swiss.

Over to you folks smile

Chicane-UK

3,861 posts

216 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
How about Longines.... though might be a bit old man.

Sinn watches seem to also be very popular - Chronomaster has a good selection here and some fit well within your budget:

http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/sinn.htm (though a few of the pages don't seem to be loading for me, for some reason)

Might also be worth looking into preowned.. your money will go a lot further!

Edited by Chicane-UK on Friday 2nd March 12:52


Edited by Chicane-UK on Friday 2nd March 12:53

Ikemi

8,610 posts

236 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
A Ball Hydrocarbon Classic I ... It's a bit out of budget, but Chisholm Hunter have one on special offer at £995: http://www.chisholmhunter.co.uk/ball-engineer-hydr...

So, what do you need to know? It's Swiss Made, incorporates a high grade ETA 2892-2 movement and has a depth rating of 300M. It's antimagnetic (12,000 A/m), shock-resistant (to 7,500G), has 4mm anti-reflective sapphire glass, has a movement modified to withstand -40C temperatures, and has 16 tritium permanent light gas tubes (radioactive, but not harmful!). It also has a crown protection system, a 180 click luminova-filled bezel and diver extensions in the bracelet.

It is, without a doubt, a tour de force in terms of specification. An absolute bargain for the price. The Hydrocarbon EHC I is solid, well built and weighty. The bracelet is fantastic too ... A good weight with a strong double-locking clasp. I miss it frown

I won't go into too much detail about tritium tubes, as I don't have time ... However the tubes glow at a continuous brightness throughout the night, unlike SuperLuminova that fades. I was going to say, search Google images for 'Balls at night', but you might not get the images you're after! hehe Here was mine at night:




ETA: The only problem is, it's not a dress watch hehe Do you really want a dress watch? wink


Edited by Ikemi on Friday 2nd March 13:00

tim-b

1,279 posts

241 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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I've been looking at some Frederique Constant watches recently, one of those might fit the bill.

Debaser

8,670 posts

292 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
MGZRod said:
Has anyone got any suggestions that are a bit different to the norm, I've got a seiko chrono for everyday use and I'm 19 so don't want something too 'old man'. A nice dress watch that will last many years with servicing. Preferably Swiss.
I'm struggling to think of a dress watch that you wouldn't also describe as a bit 'old man'. Have you got any examples of the kind of style you like?

MGZRod

Original Poster:

8,176 posts

207 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
Debaser said:
I'm struggling to think of a dress watch that you wouldn't also describe as a bit 'old man'. Have you got any examples of the kind of style you like?
Something alon the lines of this: http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/8808198/ra...

I can stretch the budget a bit but within reason as it's investment money. Ideally would want to spend less than that!

Some good suggestions so far.

Ikemi

8,610 posts

236 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
MGZRod said:
I would've said that was a bit 'old man' boxedin imho! boxedin

ETA: What about this? http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/6430740/ha...

Edited by Ikemi on Friday 2nd March 14:20

MGZRod

Original Poster:

8,176 posts

207 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
Ikemi said:
I would've said that was a bit 'old man' boxedin imho! boxedin
So would I! Driving me insane this is hehe it's very nice though, love seeing the action working away.

Ikemi

8,610 posts

236 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
I just re-edited my post above yours, so perhaps the Hamilton with open heart design might be of some interest! If you don't mind increasing your budget, and asking for decent discount, this Oris might be right up your street:

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/products/oris-artelie...



Yeah, I don't feel I'm helping now ... Just damaging your bank balance! hehe

MGZRod

Original Poster:

8,176 posts

207 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
You are a bad man. Would want a good discount off that hehe that could pay for my insurance!

CardShark

4,264 posts

210 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
A couple of Ball Hydrocarbon I wrist shots -





Sorry Chris, couldn't resist wink


Ikemi

8,610 posts

236 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
CardShark said:
A couple of Ball Hydrocarbon I wrist shots -

Sorry Chris, couldn't resist wink
Your shots definitely do it more justice! I'm useless with a camera ... frown

mikeveal

5,140 posts

281 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
To stay predictable, I'm going to suggest something old.
A nice Jaeger?

Currently £510
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1967-JAEGER-LE-COULTRE-1...
(it won't go for £510!!)


This one is stateside yours for £501:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Extraordinary-vintage-JA...
Don't forget you'll have to pay 20% VAT when you import it.

Or this one for £870:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaeger-LeCoultre-18k-sol...


In my honest opinion, these three are will never og out of fashion. They're not bling, and they're not oversized. What they are is understated, high quality time pieces.


You could go for something retro.
Heres a Omega Geneve Dynamic:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENTS-VINTAGE-STAINLESS-...


Or something historic, here's a WWI trench watch.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-Mens-WWI-Sterli...
(I think this one's over priced.)


The problem with modern watches is that many of them are following the oversize fashion. Unless you have wrists like tree trunks, in ten years time walking around with a clock strapped to your wrist could well look dated and stupid.

Yes, OK, that WWI trench watch isn't small, but at least it has a story to tell.

Edited by mikeveal on Friday 2nd March 17:26

sneijder

5,231 posts

265 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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Sinn all day long.

steve2

1,870 posts

249 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
I am getting a Longines Legend Diver at the weekend ad I did look at the Raymond Weil watches but feel that they are more of a fashion name, but then I am not 19 smile

MGZRod

Original Poster:

8,176 posts

207 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
I hadn't heard of RW until I saw them the other day. Want something a bit different.

R.P.M

1,982 posts

252 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
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Not Swiss but Have you checked out Stowa?

Mr MoJo

4,698 posts

247 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
How about a nice vintage Omega ? wink

rich85uk

4,387 posts

210 months

Friday 2nd March 2012
quotequote all
R.P.M said:
Not Swiss but Have you checked out Stowa?
this, marine model on croc strap