2015 birth year watch
Discussion
I would like to buy a birth year watch for my son, something that I'll gift to him on his 18th or 21st B'day.
The primary objectives would be timeless design and solid residuals, but also something sporty and robust, not a dress watch.
The obvious choice is a SS Submariner but I'm not paying over the RRP for a 2 year old watch!
Assuming a budget around £5k.... what alternatives should I consider?
The primary objectives would be timeless design and solid residuals, but also something sporty and robust, not a dress watch.
The obvious choice is a SS Submariner but I'm not paying over the RRP for a 2 year old watch!
Assuming a budget around £5k.... what alternatives should I consider?
As an example, I see most desirable Omega watches having good (long term) residuals but they can be bought well at 2 years old.
Taking Omega as example, their planet ocean would be an alternative to the submariner, keen to see what else I might be missing, there must be other options...
Taking Omega as example, their planet ocean would be an alternative to the submariner, keen to see what else I might be missing, there must be other options...
Janosh said:
As an example, I see most desirable Omega watches having good (long term) residuals but they can be bought well at 2 years old.
Taking Omega as example, their planet ocean would be an alternative to the submariner, keen to see what else I might be missing, there must be other options...
Seamaster 300?Taking Omega as example, their planet ocean would be an alternative to the submariner, keen to see what else I might be missing, there must be other options...
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/23330412101001-se...
Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch.
About as timeless as they come, it has remained virtually identical in the decades since it went to the Moon, and is extremely unlikely to change at all in the coming years. It'll be as relevant in 50 years as it is now.
An iconic watch with bags of history and from a respected brand.
Also a design classic that's very versatile - capable of being 'dressed up' on a leather strap, or sporty on a bracelet or fabric strap. Suitable for any young man embarking on a career & adulthood.
As regards robustness, the only slight caveat is the water resistance. Properly serviced every so often, with seals renewed & pressure tested, it's rated to 50m water resistance. It probably wouldn't be my personal choice for regular swimming, but it should be fine to do so.
It's an old design, but it was pulverised by NASA through at least three testing competitions, and they're still being used right now as official kit for EVA trips by Cosmonauts on the International Space Station. It's plenty robust.
As a bonus, it's only £3,520 brand new, and you can easily get a new one for under £3k, so a mint 2015 model should be very easy to find for around £2.5k, especially privately. At that price level, there's really hardly any other watches that can offer such an all-round package, and they'll never really dip below that value, keeping pace with inflation.
Plus, you have no idea if your son will have any interest in wearing a watch in future. Mechanical watches will always have a place, but who knows where the Apple Watch etc. will be in 18 years? You might be best not punting £5k on something that he may show little interest in at 18/21, and put any savings on that £5k budget towards a sensible ISA or something for him (boring, I know).
t and you hate him by the time he’s 18?I bought my kid a 16600 Sea Dweller for her first birthday. It was a bargain and I had a good idea they were going to rise in value in the short term regardless but my thinking is Dad will wear it until she's 18/21 and then it will be passed on to her to sell.
If she likes watches she can buy what she likes and if she doesn't it can go towards uni fees, first car or whatever she likes really.
If she likes watches she can buy what she likes and if she doesn't it can go towards uni fees, first car or whatever she likes really.
Milgauss - I doubt they will be around in 18 years - no one is buying them now which means they will be sought after by then as likely discontinued.
Other options are explorer or something from Tudor under budget - black bay/bronze.
Avoid omega/tag unless ltd edition.
Oh and an early sistem51 as well as the above as they are pocket money.
Other options are explorer or something from Tudor under budget - black bay/bronze.
Avoid omega/tag unless ltd edition.
Oh and an early sistem51 as well as the above as they are pocket money.
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff