40th Birthday - Which Watch?
Discussion
I am 40 later this year so think it is time for another watch. My wife has kindly offered to fund a purchase around the RRP of a SS Daytona and I have never owned a Rolex but.....
I know the Daytona is an iconic watch, but I find the SS versions quite bland - the face on the white gold model looks much nicer or ideally I would like a meteorite dial as I think they look great but again that can only be had on the white gold. I bought my wife a meteorite datejust a few years ago and really like the face. But white gold is well beyond budget.
The other option is to get a vintage from my year of birth, but the ones I like tend to be sports models and here I do like the older Daytona but they are serious money. Would a 40 year old watch, even if serviced and maintained be likely to last another 40 years?
Or I knock that idea on the head and get an IWC, but I am worried that they are a bit fashionable at the moment and if I ad it down in 40 years time my offspring may just say WTF is this?
All input and thoughts greatly appreciated.
S
I know the Daytona is an iconic watch, but I find the SS versions quite bland - the face on the white gold model looks much nicer or ideally I would like a meteorite dial as I think they look great but again that can only be had on the white gold. I bought my wife a meteorite datejust a few years ago and really like the face. But white gold is well beyond budget.
The other option is to get a vintage from my year of birth, but the ones I like tend to be sports models and here I do like the older Daytona but they are serious money. Would a 40 year old watch, even if serviced and maintained be likely to last another 40 years?
Or I knock that idea on the head and get an IWC, but I am worried that they are a bit fashionable at the moment and if I ad it down in 40 years time my offspring may just say WTF is this?
All input and thoughts greatly appreciated.
S
I'd second Custodian's sentiments. Excellent watches.
An IWC Portuguese would be a wonderful alternative to a Rolex, but much more elegant in appearance, if you we're after something's little less 'tool' looking.
Not totally up to date with Daytonas, I know their value has gone up... If I'm not mistaken, however, should you want a tool watch with a bulkier finish, may I suggest a JLC Master Compressor divers watch? Utterly stunning.
You're in the realms of real haute horology at that point...
Something to consider...
An IWC Portuguese would be a wonderful alternative to a Rolex, but much more elegant in appearance, if you we're after something's little less 'tool' looking.
Not totally up to date with Daytonas, I know their value has gone up... If I'm not mistaken, however, should you want a tool watch with a bulkier finish, may I suggest a JLC Master Compressor divers watch? Utterly stunning.
You're in the realms of real haute horology at that point...
Something to consider...
SimNugget said:
Thanks for the input, previous watch purchases tend to be more impulsive but this is serious spend so I want to be absolutely certain I make the correct choice.
S
Depends on how many watches you have, I'm not a fan of the new Daytona, but the earlier version are very nice, a pre 98 Zenith movement would be nice, have a look at JLC if it's a keeper, Or maybe Panerai, you may want to consider used, to get better valueS
At least buy a watch from a company who makes their own movements, otherwise you are effectively buying a Swatch. Most IWC's have ETA movements as do most of the "posh" makes. Rolex do however make their own movements.......they also sell 1.2m watches per year so hardly exclusive ....more inclusive
Buy a second hand Patek, JLC or Vacheron and submerse yourself in the smug knowledge that you actually own a watch that means something
…….plenty of wonderful watches available for around 5k and for 20k you could buy a half decent new one
Buy a second hand Patek, JLC or Vacheron and submerse yourself in the smug knowledge that you actually own a watch that means something
…….plenty of wonderful watches available for around 5k and for 20k you could buy a half decent new one michael gould said:
At least buy a watch from a company who makes their own movements, otherwise you are effectively buying a Swatch. Most IWC's have ETA movements as do most of the "posh" makes. Rolex do however make their own movements.......they also sell 1.2m watches per year so hardly exclusive ....more inclusive
Buy a second hand Patek, JLC or Vacheron and submerse yourself in the smug knowledge that you actually own a watch that means something …….plenty of wonderful watches available for around 5k and for 20k you could buy a half decent new one
Or buy the watch you like and don't obsess about things that don't matter a jot to you or 99.999999% of the population... Buy a second hand Patek, JLC or Vacheron and submerse yourself in the smug knowledge that you actually own a watch that means something
…….plenty of wonderful watches available for around 5k and for 20k you could buy a half decent new one 
M.
marcosgt said:
Or buy the watch you like and don't obsess about things that don't matter a jot to you or 99.999999% of the population...
M.
Best advice yet...... I used to buy what I thought would be popular... 6 months down the road I'd be thinking actually, I'm not that keen on this and sell it....M.
Now my small collection consists of a few watches that I wear all the time....because I like them
marcosgt said:
michael gould said:
At least buy a watch from a company who makes their own movements, otherwise you are effectively buying a Swatch. Most IWC's have ETA movements as do most of the "posh" makes. Rolex do however make their own movements.......they also sell 1.2m watches per year so hardly exclusive ....more inclusive
Buy a second hand Patek, JLC or Vacheron and submerse yourself in the smug knowledge that you actually own a watch that means something …….plenty of wonderful watches available for around 5k and for 20k you could buy a half decent new one
Or buy the watch you like and don't obsess about things that don't matter a jot to you or 99.999999% of the population... Buy a second hand Patek, JLC or Vacheron and submerse yourself in the smug knowledge that you actually own a watch that means something
…….plenty of wonderful watches available for around 5k and for 20k you could buy a half decent new one M.
michael gould said:
At least buy a watch from a company who makes their own movements, otherwise you are effectively buying a Swatch.
Not all Swatch's use ETA movementsSwatch Group watch and jewelry brands
Prestige and Luxury Range: Breguet, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Jaquet Droz, Léon Hatot, Omega, Tiffany & Co.;
High Range: Longines, Rado, Union Glashütte;
Middle Range: Tissot, ck watch & jewelry, Balmain, Certina, Mido, Hamilton;
Basic Range: Swatch, Flik Flak;
Private label: Endura.
Adrian W said:
michael gould said:
At least buy a watch from a company who makes their own movements, otherwise you are effectively buying a Swatch.
Not all Swatch's use ETA movementsSwatch Group watch and jewelry brands
Prestige and Luxury Range: Breguet, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Jaquet Droz, Léon Hatot, Omega, Tiffany & Co.;
High Range: Longines, Rado, Union Glashütte;
Middle Range: Tissot, ck watch & jewelry, Balmain, Certina, Mido, Hamilton;
Basic Range: Swatch, Flik Flak;
Private label: Endura.
Personally, at that price point and for something as special as a 40th birthday, I would be looking at Haute Horologie. That's not 'most' IWCs or Panerais; yes I know they make manufacture movements now, but not many.
Jaeger LeCoultre would be my choice for that, a Reverso either with a complication on the rear or something special engraved on it from the other half to you.
Mind you, a 40 year old sub with plexiglass is a thing of beauty and you have the budget for the right piece too.
Jaeger LeCoultre would be my choice for that, a Reverso either with a complication on the rear or something special engraved on it from the other half to you.
Mind you, a 40 year old sub with plexiglass is a thing of beauty and you have the budget for the right piece too.
custodian said:
You'll have to explain the real value in a 40 year old Submariner to me, please. A rather ordinary watch which has attracted an artificially inflated collector's price tag
Sentimentality mainly if it's from the year of his birth. He's looking for a birthday present. Why do I have to explain the value of it to you? Are you going to explain the apprently-inflated value of an E-Type to me?5513 as worn by Rog in the JB movies, issued to Royal Navy divers, lots of of famous period adverts, a lovely history. Non-date has a beautifully balanced face as well, coupled with faded matching Tritium lume on markers and hands and the reflection of the acrylic Tropic crystal all add up to a very attractive piece. 5513s are not mental money, though my cash would go on a 5512 anyway.
I bought and sold a DRSD 1665 which I regret bitterly now, just worried too much when wearing it. Hopefully I will own a 5512 someday.
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