The Rolex Alternative
Discussion
Firstly, a big thank you to those of you who contributed to my thread asking about what Rolex to buy for £2500. Having visited the Argyle Arcade again today, I tried on an Air King which, as some people advised on here, is just too small for my wrist. I am now prepared to spend up to £3350 which was the asking price for the Air King.
As I perused the offerings from each jeweller within the Arcade, I really felt quite overwhelmed by the sheer choice and variety of luxury watch makers.
I found myself drawn to the models which are that bit bigger and from the makers I can remember, I was drawn to Raymond Weil, Breitling, Oris, Longines and Bell and Ross but it's all Swahili to me!
I would love to get something that feels special when I wear it but that will retain a good chunk of it's value when I come to sell. I've actually just sold my 7 year old Tag F1 Chrono for £250 less than what it cost new so I really want something that will hold its value.
Any input welcome - watch hunting is a minefield!
As I perused the offerings from each jeweller within the Arcade, I really felt quite overwhelmed by the sheer choice and variety of luxury watch makers.
I found myself drawn to the models which are that bit bigger and from the makers I can remember, I was drawn to Raymond Weil, Breitling, Oris, Longines and Bell and Ross but it's all Swahili to me!
I would love to get something that feels special when I wear it but that will retain a good chunk of it's value when I come to sell. I've actually just sold my 7 year old Tag F1 Chrono for £250 less than what it cost new so I really want something that will hold its value.
Any input welcome - watch hunting is a minefield!
How about something like this...
http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/tudor/watches/chrono...
You can get them with a black face too, will probably be my next purchase.
Neil is good to buy from too.
ETA Black faced...
http://www.watches.co.uk/watch/14346s/tudor-herita...
http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/tudor/watches/chrono...
You can get them with a black face too, will probably be my next purchase.
Neil is good to buy from too.
ETA Black faced...
http://www.watches.co.uk/watch/14346s/tudor-herita...
Edited by GoBig on Monday 30th December 18:18
.... Buy one on a bracelet, get a leather strap and have 2 watches for the price of one.
I'll third the Pelagos; it's an extremely simple watch, uber stealth, almost bland... But oozes class. But it's not for everyone!
Took a pal to Watchfinder to look at one and he preferred a Breitling SuperOcean Abyss II. Apart from the polished case, it was a beautifully made watch.
OP, consider the SuperOcean Heritage range if not mentioned before. Or a second hand Planet Ocean if you want to retain value. Both of those models chronographs are in your range if you like that.
I lolz'd at you losing £250 on a watch... It's possible to lose many, many thousands in that way, especially if you buy new!
Took a pal to Watchfinder to look at one and he preferred a Breitling SuperOcean Abyss II. Apart from the polished case, it was a beautifully made watch.
OP, consider the SuperOcean Heritage range if not mentioned before. Or a second hand Planet Ocean if you want to retain value. Both of those models chronographs are in your range if you like that.
I lolz'd at you losing £250 on a watch... It's possible to lose many, many thousands in that way, especially if you buy new!
CardShark said:
tickious said:
Are Tudor relaunching in the UK next year?
The rumour mill says yes. My local Goldsmith's wouldn't confirm it a month or so ago when I asked, but they didn't exactly deny it either.Tudor a great shout for a stealth brand which offers great value and a heritage to boot.
[At Martin M]
What style of watch do you like the look of the most? Diver/Pilot/Sports? Do you want something 'dressy' or an all-rounder?
The Air King is a very nice watch and there's something about it's simplicity that means its been a popular model for decades.
If you are looking at other brands, then I echo what others have said - Tudor is most certainly worth a look. One issue is that you'll be pushed to see one in the 'flesh' as it were in the UK, as others have pointed out, but do look online. Check out the Black Bay, the Pelagos and maybe the Heritage Chrono. They are getting all the rave reviews in the watchmaking press, and there's probably not a hotter brand out there right now. You may need to take a quick trip over to Amsterdam or Paris, but that's no hardship! Pop over for a romantic weekend, and mope around Rue de la Paix/Rue Danielle Casanova....
If I'm honest I don't follow closely what watches retain value and what don't. I do read with fascination on here and places like watchuseek, about 'flipping' and what people are going to get next. But that's a watch collectors game. My own view is, if you're making a purchase on something that will have to stand the test of time, and you want to treasure it a bit, something personal, then only get something that you like, not what it could be worth in a few years time.
Saying that I bought a Tudor Big Block from Selfridges a few years back. Thought nothing more about it over the years, just enjoyed it. But idling around Chrono24.com the other day, I've noticed that people will easily throw 4/5k at me to part with it. Two and half times what the receipt said it was worth. But that's an irrelevance as I like it, and I want to keep it.
There are some watches a gent just can't go wrong with - Planet Ocean, Speedmaster, Submariner. But, depending on the industry you're in or the company you keep they'll also be the most ubiquitous things you will see on others wrists. We are all different, but I do enjoy wearing things that maybe other people may not instantly recognise. Maybe I'm strange
However, if I was at square one, had an empty watch box, and wanted a nice, solid all-rounder that presented itself well, then a Planet Ocean (42m, 46m), a Breitling Navitimer 01 or most likely a Tudor Heritage Chrono would be my first port of call:
What style of watch do you like the look of the most? Diver/Pilot/Sports? Do you want something 'dressy' or an all-rounder?
The Air King is a very nice watch and there's something about it's simplicity that means its been a popular model for decades.
If you are looking at other brands, then I echo what others have said - Tudor is most certainly worth a look. One issue is that you'll be pushed to see one in the 'flesh' as it were in the UK, as others have pointed out, but do look online. Check out the Black Bay, the Pelagos and maybe the Heritage Chrono. They are getting all the rave reviews in the watchmaking press, and there's probably not a hotter brand out there right now. You may need to take a quick trip over to Amsterdam or Paris, but that's no hardship! Pop over for a romantic weekend, and mope around Rue de la Paix/Rue Danielle Casanova....
If I'm honest I don't follow closely what watches retain value and what don't. I do read with fascination on here and places like watchuseek, about 'flipping' and what people are going to get next. But that's a watch collectors game. My own view is, if you're making a purchase on something that will have to stand the test of time, and you want to treasure it a bit, something personal, then only get something that you like, not what it could be worth in a few years time.
Saying that I bought a Tudor Big Block from Selfridges a few years back. Thought nothing more about it over the years, just enjoyed it. But idling around Chrono24.com the other day, I've noticed that people will easily throw 4/5k at me to part with it. Two and half times what the receipt said it was worth. But that's an irrelevance as I like it, and I want to keep it.
There are some watches a gent just can't go wrong with - Planet Ocean, Speedmaster, Submariner. But, depending on the industry you're in or the company you keep they'll also be the most ubiquitous things you will see on others wrists. We are all different, but I do enjoy wearing things that maybe other people may not instantly recognise. Maybe I'm strange
However, if I was at square one, had an empty watch box, and wanted a nice, solid all-rounder that presented itself well, then a Planet Ocean (42m, 46m), a Breitling Navitimer 01 or most likely a Tudor Heritage Chrono would be my first port of call:
Edited by tigerkoi on Monday 30th December 22:25
aea730 said:
My local Goldsmiths have confirmed March 2014 ish and are happy to take a deposit on a heritage chrono based on March delivery. Only thing is they will work out about £500 more than ADs in Europe
http://www.orologidilusso.biz/orologi-di-lusso-usa...Found them through Chrono24 and ordered a Tudor.
Watch was fine, and the price is probably as cheap as you'll find.
I'll be interested to see what the ADs are charging next year for the Tudor range.
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