Suggestions - £1k budget
Discussion
To cut a long and turgid story short, over the Christmas period I was advised by a family member that a small inheritance (£1k) will be coming my way later this year and that it was on condition that it is to be spent on a nice watch in memory of my Grandfather.
Having been interested in watches from quite a young age, I'm enjoying the search at the moment but would welcome some suggestions from some horological beards if that's OK?
The current modest collection consists of i) my first "proper" purchase - a Raymond Weil dress watch 2000 vintage, with an oval case ii) a Casio world time re-issue and iii) a Seiko 5009 "Pan-Am" world time.
What I'm thinking for the "inheritance" purchase is another dress watch, so nothing chrono or divers or other mult-function blah. Other than that, I'm open to all manufacturers, any case material, and any strap material. Automatic movement preferred, but I wouldn't discount an interesting old digital akin to the Seiko I mention above. New? S/H? Not bothered.
I've been on the Parkers site, and picked out some that currently appeal:
Omega Vintage De-Ville Automatic
Longines Evidenza Automatic
Omega Seamaster vintage auto
Ebel vintage mechanical
I suppose the above gives a feel of what I'm going to be after.
Any and all advice appreciated, including which vendors are best to deal with.
Having been interested in watches from quite a young age, I'm enjoying the search at the moment but would welcome some suggestions from some horological beards if that's OK?
The current modest collection consists of i) my first "proper" purchase - a Raymond Weil dress watch 2000 vintage, with an oval case ii) a Casio world time re-issue and iii) a Seiko 5009 "Pan-Am" world time.
What I'm thinking for the "inheritance" purchase is another dress watch, so nothing chrono or divers or other mult-function blah. Other than that, I'm open to all manufacturers, any case material, and any strap material. Automatic movement preferred, but I wouldn't discount an interesting old digital akin to the Seiko I mention above. New? S/H? Not bothered.
I've been on the Parkers site, and picked out some that currently appeal:
Omega Vintage De-Ville Automatic
Longines Evidenza Automatic
Omega Seamaster vintage auto
Ebel vintage mechanical
I suppose the above gives a feel of what I'm going to be after.
Any and all advice appreciated, including which vendors are best to deal with.
Firstly, condolences on your loss. I admire the stipulation to spend on something that has resonance - I tend to think that watches are quite uniquely personal and thus suited to expression of such a sentiment.
At a budget of £1,000 or under, with a preference for dress watches, the vintage world is indeed your oyster, but with a caveat - quite aside from the generic pitfalls of vintage watches (old, availability of replacement parts, questionable service history, lack of waterproof-ness, timing in excess of +/- 30 secs per day), there is the minefield of 'franken' watches, re-dials, and inauthentic parts. Unless you do your research, you're liable to get burned.
That said, there's an argument that lever-escapement watch movements haven't materially progressed that much since the 60's / 70's, so a vintage watch can offer a tremendous bang-for-buck. Something like a vintage Longines, with gold chatons etc. will be more considered than modern movements. Omega offer a rich selection of watches, even in precious metals, that for some reason don't attract anywhere near the price premium of their Rolex compatriots.
With vintage, the best advice is to buy the seller, as much as the watch. Reputable dealers are your best recourse, but they will of course cost more. The alternative is to do your homework and vet everything for originality and condition.
If you want to go down the modern, new route, but with a dress aspect, then the German brands offer a huge amount: Stowa (heritage, personal touch, customer service, but generic movements, comfortably sub-£1,000), and NOMOS (no heritage, but a clear & admirable design ethos, with largely 'in-house' movements, but the cheapest will retail at circa £1,300). Frederique Constant I don't know a lot about, but they offer a nice aesthetic at a low price, even if very derivative. Christopher Ward, an online retailer, offer very solid options but are a marmite brand. Farer are a British brand but Swiss-made (albeit by a bit of a generic factory), but offer colourful & wholly original designs that are of real quality and that you won't see them on many wrists. Don't discount Seiko either - they're maybe the greatest watch brand on the planet, and their 'Cocktail Time' and 'Presage' lines are of great quality.
At a budget of £1,000 or under, with a preference for dress watches, the vintage world is indeed your oyster, but with a caveat - quite aside from the generic pitfalls of vintage watches (old, availability of replacement parts, questionable service history, lack of waterproof-ness, timing in excess of +/- 30 secs per day), there is the minefield of 'franken' watches, re-dials, and inauthentic parts. Unless you do your research, you're liable to get burned.
That said, there's an argument that lever-escapement watch movements haven't materially progressed that much since the 60's / 70's, so a vintage watch can offer a tremendous bang-for-buck. Something like a vintage Longines, with gold chatons etc. will be more considered than modern movements. Omega offer a rich selection of watches, even in precious metals, that for some reason don't attract anywhere near the price premium of their Rolex compatriots.
With vintage, the best advice is to buy the seller, as much as the watch. Reputable dealers are your best recourse, but they will of course cost more. The alternative is to do your homework and vet everything for originality and condition.
If you want to go down the modern, new route, but with a dress aspect, then the German brands offer a huge amount: Stowa (heritage, personal touch, customer service, but generic movements, comfortably sub-£1,000), and NOMOS (no heritage, but a clear & admirable design ethos, with largely 'in-house' movements, but the cheapest will retail at circa £1,300). Frederique Constant I don't know a lot about, but they offer a nice aesthetic at a low price, even if very derivative. Christopher Ward, an online retailer, offer very solid options but are a marmite brand. Farer are a British brand but Swiss-made (albeit by a bit of a generic factory), but offer colourful & wholly original designs that are of real quality and that you won't see them on many wrists. Don't discount Seiko either - they're maybe the greatest watch brand on the planet, and their 'Cocktail Time' and 'Presage' lines are of great quality.
I think you're on the right track with an Ebel, but something bigger than 28mm!
https://ebay.co.uk/itm/EBEL-1911-Mechanical/263404...
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/ebel/1911-senior--id508...
Or 1911 Classic like so... http://forums.watchuseek.com/f2/new-ebel-arrival-4...
The Ebel bracelet is very comfortable, according to those who've worn one, so don't let that put you off the right piece – you can always add the strap & deployant later, if you absolutely must.
https://ebay.co.uk/itm/EBEL-1911-Mechanical/263404...
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/ebel/1911-senior--id508...
Or 1911 Classic like so... http://forums.watchuseek.com/f2/new-ebel-arrival-4...
The Ebel bracelet is very comfortable, according to those who've worn one, so don't let that put you off the right piece – you can always add the strap & deployant later, if you absolutely must.
Many thanks for all the information so far 
Some sage advice concerning vintage watches, and certainly raises issues I'd not have considered before (where I'd probably just pointed at the screen and said, 'That one!!' before hitting the buy button). Relieved that it seems I was barking up the right tree on the vintage front by looking at Longines / EBEL / Omega.
Of the new watches, I've only looked at Constant and Seiko Presage so far but - my word - there are some very fetching pieces out there I've not been aware of! A good example is this beauty:-
Which is odd, because I've never knowingly been all that fussed on the Cartier "Tank" style.
I'll certainly have a look at Sinn, Damasko, Laco. Jura do have a good range for sale, but I'll have a squint at Page & Cooper and Chronomaster as well.
Whilst writing, may I ask what the general consensus is on Certina watches? Unexpectedly in their current range there are some attractive dress-style watches in amongst all the "sporty" stuff.
Some sage advice concerning vintage watches, and certainly raises issues I'd not have considered before (where I'd probably just pointed at the screen and said, 'That one!!' before hitting the buy button). Relieved that it seems I was barking up the right tree on the vintage front by looking at Longines / EBEL / Omega.
Of the new watches, I've only looked at Constant and Seiko Presage so far but - my word - there are some very fetching pieces out there I've not been aware of! A good example is this beauty:-
Which is odd, because I've never knowingly been all that fussed on the Cartier "Tank" style.
I'll certainly have a look at Sinn, Damasko, Laco. Jura do have a good range for sale, but I'll have a squint at Page & Cooper and Chronomaster as well.
Whilst writing, may I ask what the general consensus is on Certina watches? Unexpectedly in their current range there are some attractive dress-style watches in amongst all the "sporty" stuff.
£1K should get you a vintage JLC Memovox in mint condition.
If you want something more modern, I think you're into Max Bill territory. You should be able to get a ceramic Rado. The blue green planetoid (3rd from Sol) is your subjectively scrumptious bivalve mollusc.
Point your browser at Chrono24 , put in your budget, don't limit your choice of manufacturer and have a gander.
If you want something more modern, I think you're into Max Bill territory. You should be able to get a ceramic Rado. The blue green planetoid (3rd from Sol) is your subjectively scrumptious bivalve mollusc.
Point your browser at Chrono24 , put in your budget, don't limit your choice of manufacturer and have a gander.
mattnovak said:
£1k down on a 0% apr used Rolex via Watchfinder. 12 month term at c. £250 a month.
Beat me to it. Doesn’t have to be a Rolex, of course, and be careful where you whisper ‘watch on finance’ around these parts - but for my money (if you can stand the monthly cost/term) that’s what I’d do. And at 0% there’s really no grumble.
If you use the above metrics you then raise your budget to ~£4k which would see you into a Datejust, an explorer (a bit less of a dress style), or possibly even a pre-ceramic submariner (the PH staple watch of choice!)
Christ, it's very easy to lose yourself for a few hours on that Watchfinder site that's for sure.
Three that stood out for me for outright purchase, rather than finance:-
F. Constant Maxime Manufacture
Bell & Ross Vintage 123
Oris Artelier Regulateur
All very appealing, I think.
I do keep looking at vintage Omegas though, and the one below I find is just about perfect for me:-
Good job I've got another six months before I have to make a decision!
Three that stood out for me for outright purchase, rather than finance:-
F. Constant Maxime Manufacture
Bell & Ross Vintage 123
Oris Artelier Regulateur
All very appealing, I think.
I do keep looking at vintage Omegas though, and the one below I find is just about perfect for me:-
Good job I've got another six months before I have to make a decision!
A few years ago I was in a similar position to the OP. I bought a 1969 Omega Geneve calibre 601 from Mike Wood. Keep a lookout on his site over the coming months and you may see something you like. There are a couple here http://www.theoldwatchshop.com/omega.html that may float your boat.
Mike is predominately a Rolex collector and vendor but he does sell other brands.
Mike is predominately a Rolex collector and vendor but he does sell other brands.
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