25th Birthday

[Tonberry]

So the Quarter Century is due to roll around shortly and I'm looking to buy a keeper which will be passed down to a son somewhere down the line.

The watch will see around 80% wrist time for the foreseeable future.

The budget is around £2500.

No.1 on the list was/is a Speedmaster Professional 3570.50.00

I'm convinced the watch needs to be new although I will consider something pre-owned if special enough.

Ideally the watch needs to have a little history, hence the Speedy.

My grail is a Portuguese but at this moment in time, they are outside of budget.

So what have I missed? I'm open to suggestions, so please fire away.

[War Pig]

Speedmaster seems to tick all those boxes. How about a Rolex Explorer? Would have to be used though.

[yeti]

If your grail was a Lange Datograph; fair enough.

But you're so close to a used Portuguese, as soon as you've bought the Speedy you'll wish you hadn't.

FWIW I had a Portuguese Rattrapante... Sold it, still have the Speedy though

[JRewing]

If a Portuguese is what you want, I think that you should try to stretch to it if possible. However, the Speedmaster is terrific and winding it every morning is a calming/relaxing feeling!

[michael gould]

Totally agree with the above .....save a little harder and buy the IWC .....there are plenty of per-owned on crono24 not far from your budget

[yeti]

JRewing said:

However, the Speedmaster is terrific and winding it every morning is a calming/relaxing feeling!

It's a very interactive feeling

[Vvroom]

michael gould said:

Totally agree with the above .....save a little harder and buy the IWC .....there are plenty of per-owned on crono24 not far from your budget

I wonder if IWCs move to using in house movements will drive up or down pre-owned Portuguese when it's released?

I'd save for the IWC- Speedys leave me cold.

[marcosgt]

Vvroom said:

I wonder if IWCs move to using in house movements will drive up or down pre-owned Portuguese when it's released?

I'd save for the IWC- Speedys leave me cold.

Try a Speedmaster on and then haggle at an AD (or look for a good used one and save yourself a grand...) if you like it.

I quite like the Portuguese, but it's quite a 'dressy' watch (IMO) and I don't think I'd want to wear it regularly, whereas I could happily live with a Speedmaster as my only watch.

M.

[Tonberry]

Thanks for the input so far.

I currently have a Parnis homage of the Portuguese which I could quite happily wear everyday and did so before I built my collection.

http://forums.watchuseek.com/attachments/f29/55988...

I've also had a thing for the Tudor Big Blocks for quite a while;

http://watchfinder.co.uk/Tudor/Oysterdate%20Chrono...

Just not sure it's worth the money with a 7750 inside (yes yes I know the Portuguese Chronograph contains the same movement). I have a CW C40 Speedhawk which also contains the movement.

A blue dial S/S Yachtmaster would float my boat (excuse the pun) if going down the Rolex route.

Keep the suggestions coming.

Edited by Tonberry on Sunday 11th August 18:03

[yeti]

marcosgt said:

I quite like the Portuguese, but it's quite a 'dressy' watch (IMO) and I don't think I'd want to wear it regularly, whereas I could happily live with a Speedmaster as my only watch.

M.

Well put and exactly why I sold mine. Too dressy for everyday and when I wanted dressy, I have dress watches.

It didn't fit for me. Speedy... I have worn it on a black croc with black tie, looks vintage and classy

But if you want the Portuguese, nothing else will do.

[Tonberry]

I'm going to throw the Tudor Heritage Chronograph into the mix.

Thoughts?

The IWC will wait until I can afford one with the in house movement, at which point it will be a keeper for life.

[CardShark]

^^ That was one of the watches I was referring to in the "chuck it all in for one watch" thread.



Damn, now I'm getting the urge to spurge again.

[JRewing]

The Heritage Chrono is a lovely watch, but I'd personally prefer the Speedmaster.
A Tudor Oysterdate Chronograph 'Big Block' with the panda dial though? Hmmm......

[Tonberry]

Still none the wiser unfortunately.

The new 8500 PO has now caught my eye so it seems as if I'm back to sqaure one.

Time to try a few on the wrist methinks.