£1200 budget - Looking for inspiration

[Dave200]

Hi folks,

My future in-laws have offered to buy me a watch as a wedding present, and the OH thinks that £1,000-1,200 is a good ballpark. My problem is that I can think of a thousand watches I would choose for over £5,000 or under £250, but I'm lacking inspiration at that budget.

I'm absolutely in love with the Breitling Navitimer 01, which is obviously a LONG way out of budget. My daily wear is a Citizen Red Arrow, which sort of looks a bit like the Breitling (if you squint a bit).

While I'm doing a fair bit of research myself, I'm looking for suggestions in two 'categories', if you will:
- Something in the style of the Breitling Navitimer
- Something else, but must be smart (wearable with a suit), durable, non-blingy and made by a watchmaker (I don't understand why anyone wants a Tommy Hilfiger watch). I'm open to a black leather band or metal bracelet. Must be silver.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[torqueofthedevil]

This is why I'm just waiting till I can afford a Rolex and in the mean time will get myself something cheap.

I

[Dave200]

torqueofthedevil said:

This is why I'm just waiting till I can afford a Rolex and in the mean time will get myself something cheap.

I

I got a little bit excited when I saw that someone had replied. Oh well...

[jhw333]

Does it have to be new? Can you prime the OH into doing the buying and get you something preowned.

Funny sort of budget if new.

Can pick a preowned seamaster chrono or speedmaster for that budget which are 2 excellent choices in my eyes.

[Fatrat]

Yes, yes I know its not silver but:

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Omega/De%20Ville%20Pr...

or

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Omega/Seamaster%20300...

or

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Tudor/Prince%20Date/7...

Happy hunting!

[Vvroom]

1. Vintage Breitling TopTime? There are a couple on eBay for your budget.

2. Rolex DJ- you're probably looking at a 1603 for your budget or I bet you could get a nice AirKing on Chrono24.

3. Nomos Glashutte Orion. Stunning piece.

[RobCh]

A few possibles as per your spec:

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/longines-...

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/sinn-watc...

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/hamilton-...

Given that the Navitimer is your dream watch, I'd suggest not using this gift to get something that will never really measure up to that and instead getting something good but quite different. That Nomos, for example, is delightful.

[CardShark]

Vvroom said:

1. Vintage Breitling TopTime? There are a couple on eBay for your budget.

2. Rolex DJ- you're probably looking at a 1603 for your budget or I bet you could get a nice AirKing on Chrono24.

3. Nomos Glashutte Orion. Stunning piece.

Great options there, was looking at a TopTime myself earlier this year-



If looking for something new then how about a Stowa Marine or Antea, under budget and the option for wedding related engraving.





Top end of budget, a Longines Heritage 1954, closer in style to a Navi than the Stowas.



Slightly over budget, but do-able with a bit of discount, Longines Legend Diver. Bit biased, I have one myself.

[PJ S]

This, if it hasn't been completed – http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-seiko-snr015-s...

Or something from this lot

[mikeveal]

Take a look at Ball in that price range for something a little different.

[Alex]

A little over budget, but how about a Christopher Ward C1000 Typhoon Ceramic?

http://www.christopherward.co.uk/men/view-all-mens...

Edited by Alex on Friday 4th October 14:13

[deejuic]

There are many options and styles if you like Sinn.

[Justayellowbadge]

How about:

[Vvroom]

Justayellowbadge said:

How about:

You can't stop there JAYB- give us the price, man! What a lovely watch.

Had a quick google and a discussion on TZ suggested they're IWC priced- if so, more than OPs budget. Do you know differently?

[AlexWF]

Pre-owned is definitely the away to go - you can get a lot of 2nd hand watch for your budget, and it'll be a "proper" watch like you're after.

I'd suggest some of the following:
Omega Seamaster - for the money it'll be a quartz one but one of the best all-round watches of recent years in my opinion.
An Oris - there are loads to chose from but generally speaking they make a classy mechanical watch for next to no cash. Something like an Artelier is particularly suited to your requirements.
Tag Heuer Monaco WW2110 (the smaller one) - best thing I'd recommend with your budget, like this:

[Justayellowbadge]

Vvroom said:

Justayellowbadge said:

How about:

You can't stop there JAYB- give us the price, man! What a lovely watch.

Had a quick google and a discussion on TZ suggested they're IWC priced- if so, more than OPs budget. Do you know differently?

I knew of an unworn one with papers for £1500 or so that was, briefly, available.

Seller then discovered what he had and the price went up somewhat..

Edited by Justayellowbadge on Thursday 24th October 18:13

[Dave200]

Thanks for your suggestions (particularly to those who read the OP properly).

A Longines was always on the cards (as I bought Mrs200 a delightful one last year), so the 1954 (with black strap) is looking a likely candidate. Will try and remember to come back and update.

[dibblecorse]

http://www.watchshop.com/Muhle-Glashutte-Watches.h...

Well worth a look, the M29 is a lovely thing.

[Arrive Alive]

Nomos Tangente. If you like the look then you can't do better for the money.

[Arrive Alive]

Nomos Tangente. If you like the look then you can't do better for the money.