1st luxury watch
Discussion
I did quite well at work last year and at the end of this month will be paid quite a significant (to me) bonus. amongst other things I really want to treat myself to a nice watch. I am liking the Tag Heuer F1 range, I do like a big chunky watch and chronograph. Budget up to 1.5k.
I am no expert in watches and was just wondering if there was anything else out there I could be looking at. Thank you
I am no expert in watches and was just wondering if there was anything else out there I could be looking at. Thank you
I bought myself one of these as a Christmas gift to myself.
I have a few watches and this is the only one I've worn since I bought it.
https://www.damasko-watches.com/en/models/three-ha...
I have a few watches and this is the only one I've worn since I bought it.
https://www.damasko-watches.com/en/models/three-ha...
TAG F1 does seem to be the go-to range as the first - I did it as well.
PH will tell you to buy something else for various reasons, but if it's what you want, you should buy it.
My only advice is not to pay retail price and get to one of the discount outlets if you can. Should be some good deals around at the moment...
PH will tell you to buy something else for various reasons, but if it's what you want, you should buy it.
My only advice is not to pay retail price and get to one of the discount outlets if you can. Should be some good deals around at the moment...
romeodelta said:
PH will tell you to buy something else for various reasons, but if it's what you want, you should buy it.
ThisBut first look on somewhere like Watchfinder and see their used watches for things that you like that you may have thought previously unobtainable (Omega, Breitling, whatever), plenty around in your budget.
Then look on line at other outlets and see what they are offering. And haggle.
Welcome to a very habit forming world! Tag make decent watches although I'm personally not a huge fan, the good thing about watches is that it's almost entirely subjective so go with something you like and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise!
To echo what others have said however, Tag's do not hold their value (actually, not many watches do, but some are better than others), their Monaco range is probably the most famous (Steve McQueen wore one!). Most people into watches that I know do not generally sell their watches and would never dream of selling their FIRST serious watch but it's a consideration for some people. In the budget you're looking at, not much will hold a lot of value or appreciate in value.
I'm also a massive chronograph fan although they tend to cost a bit more than a basic time and date watch. In general I'd never spend serious money on a quartz so would only look at mechanical watches.
Other "entry level" serious watch brands to check out: Oris, Rado or maybe Bremont.
A step up in budget would see you get into the "mainstream" of luxury watches with brands such as Bremont, Omega, Breitling, IWC, Jaeger LeCoultre, Rolex, Tudor and Tag Monaco's etc. This bracket encompasses a lot with watches starting at a few grand and going into the tens of thousands at the top end.
At the top end you have the big 3 with mega quidbuck prices: Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.
Personal preferences for me are IWC, Omega, Breitling, Rolex, Patek, Jaeger LeCoultre and Vacheron.
There are a lot more brands but I think I've touched on most of the major ones a new person to watches would look at.
Final piece of advice, as others have said, many of these watches, particularly at the lower and middle tiers have negotiable prices. General rule of thumb is if it's a limited edition or in demand watch however, you'll need to have a relationship with an authorised dealer to get and discounts are unlikely. For non-limited edition or in demand pieces, don't go to the official boutiques as they tend not to discount much, go to an authorised dealer (high street/main street place that is officially allowed to sell that brand's watches new at RRP). Don't call up asking for discounts but be in the shop and prepared to pay and you can usually get money off, I tend to use the "but I can get it duty free when I go away next month" angle and they'll usually knock off some/all of the VAT on a watch they've got in stock.
Additionally, you may also want to consider a "used" watch. Chrono24 is your source for these. Usually you can get the watch in a new/unworn state with a decent discount on RRP.
Enjoy choosing your first serious watch!
To echo what others have said however, Tag's do not hold their value (actually, not many watches do, but some are better than others), their Monaco range is probably the most famous (Steve McQueen wore one!). Most people into watches that I know do not generally sell their watches and would never dream of selling their FIRST serious watch but it's a consideration for some people. In the budget you're looking at, not much will hold a lot of value or appreciate in value.
I'm also a massive chronograph fan although they tend to cost a bit more than a basic time and date watch. In general I'd never spend serious money on a quartz so would only look at mechanical watches.
Other "entry level" serious watch brands to check out: Oris, Rado or maybe Bremont.
A step up in budget would see you get into the "mainstream" of luxury watches with brands such as Bremont, Omega, Breitling, IWC, Jaeger LeCoultre, Rolex, Tudor and Tag Monaco's etc. This bracket encompasses a lot with watches starting at a few grand and going into the tens of thousands at the top end.
At the top end you have the big 3 with mega quidbuck prices: Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.
Personal preferences for me are IWC, Omega, Breitling, Rolex, Patek, Jaeger LeCoultre and Vacheron.
There are a lot more brands but I think I've touched on most of the major ones a new person to watches would look at.
Final piece of advice, as others have said, many of these watches, particularly at the lower and middle tiers have negotiable prices. General rule of thumb is if it's a limited edition or in demand watch however, you'll need to have a relationship with an authorised dealer to get and discounts are unlikely. For non-limited edition or in demand pieces, don't go to the official boutiques as they tend not to discount much, go to an authorised dealer (high street/main street place that is officially allowed to sell that brand's watches new at RRP). Don't call up asking for discounts but be in the shop and prepared to pay and you can usually get money off, I tend to use the "but I can get it duty free when I go away next month" angle and they'll usually knock off some/all of the VAT on a watch they've got in stock.
Additionally, you may also want to consider a "used" watch. Chrono24 is your source for these. Usually you can get the watch in a new/unworn state with a decent discount on RRP.
Enjoy choosing your first serious watch!
Nowadays watches are mainly worn for aesthetics rather than the need for a reliable time keeper so buy what YOU like the look of.
Yes lots of people look down on Tags but if you like it then buy it.
I have a Tag F1 in my collection, there are lots of other watches i could have purchased but i LIKED the tag!
If you're going to get one though aim big on discount, they should knock 10% without batting an eyelid, 20% is the minimum to aim for but you can get more if your in the right place at the right time. I got mine for 40% off RRP.
Yes lots of people look down on Tags but if you like it then buy it.
I have a Tag F1 in my collection, there are lots of other watches i could have purchased but i LIKED the tag!
If you're going to get one though aim big on discount, they should knock 10% without batting an eyelid, 20% is the minimum to aim for but you can get more if your in the right place at the right time. I got mine for 40% off RRP.
Longines are a good call
How about one of these:
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Longines-Military-39m..._adty__pla___prch__online___stco_____prid__17350715,utm_medium:cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIok8-qo6AIVWJ3VCh0jTQL8EAQYASABEgK7XvD_BwE
Just out of budget but a little haggling should get it.
Also Oris do a number in your price range:
https://www.firstclasswatches.co.uk/oris-watches-c...
How about one of these:
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Longines-Military-39m..._adty__pla___prch__online___stco_____prid__17350715,utm_medium:cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIok8-qo6AIVWJ3VCh0jTQL8EAQYASABEgK7XvD_BwE
Just out of budget but a little haggling should get it.
Also Oris do a number in your price range:
https://www.firstclasswatches.co.uk/oris-watches-c...
romeodelta said:
TAG F1 does seem to be the go-to range as the first - I did it as well.
PH will tell you to buy something else for various reasons, but if it's what you want, you should buy it.
My only advice is not to pay retail price and get to one of the discount outlets if you can. Should be some good deals around at the moment...
Agree with this. I bought a TAG many years back..paid around £1600 ish. My older more mature self would not of done it again as I hardly wear it but I like the watch and that's all that counts right? PH will tell you to buy something else for various reasons, but if it's what you want, you should buy it.
My only advice is not to pay retail price and get to one of the discount outlets if you can. Should be some good deals around at the moment...
Just be wary that I don't think TAG have great resale value..so from an investment perspective I'm not sure TAG would be on my list but if you intend to hold onto it then go for it I say.
I also own a Oris day date..older model.Dont think I will ever sell that but may flog the TAG as I find it increasingly difficult to justify holding onto the watch and not really wearing it....plus always get an itch to buy another watch...but must resist!
Edited by VR99 on Friday 20th March 11:25
There is something of an obsession on the watch pages that one should buy a watch that doubles in value every five years. I exaggerate, of course, but the feeling that it is a financial investment rather than an emotional purchase pervades.
I don't subscribe to this theory in any way. Buy the watch YOU like the look of and wear the hell out of it.
If that's going to be a TAG then enjoy every moment.
But you've asked if you should look at anything else, and around your budget and bearing in mind you like chunky and a chronograph I'd suggest you look at Longines, Hamilton and Sinn. If you post up a pic of your favourite TAG I'm sure you'd get people showing you specific alternatives to consider. Also if you'd be prepared to go second hand then say so as it opens up access to some other choices that are out of your budget as newbies.
I don't subscribe to this theory in any way. Buy the watch YOU like the look of and wear the hell out of it.
If that's going to be a TAG then enjoy every moment.
But you've asked if you should look at anything else, and around your budget and bearing in mind you like chunky and a chronograph I'd suggest you look at Longines, Hamilton and Sinn. If you post up a pic of your favourite TAG I'm sure you'd get people showing you specific alternatives to consider. Also if you'd be prepared to go second hand then say so as it opens up access to some other choices that are out of your budget as newbies.
Voldemort said:
There is something of an obsession on the watch pages that one should buy a watch that doubles in value every five years. I exaggerate, of course, but the feeling that it is a financial investment rather than an emotional purchase pervades.
I don't subscribe to this theory in any way. Buy the watch YOU like the look of and wear the hell out of it.
If that's going to be a TAG then enjoy every moment.
But you've asked if you should look at anything else, and around your budget and bearing in mind you like chunky and a chronograph I'd suggest you look at Longines, Hamilton and Sinn. If you post up a pic of your favourite TAG I'm sure you'd get people showing you specific alternatives to consider. Also if you'd be prepared to go second hand then say so as it opens up access to some other choices that are out of your budget as newbies.
^^^^This^^^^I don't subscribe to this theory in any way. Buy the watch YOU like the look of and wear the hell out of it.
If that's going to be a TAG then enjoy every moment.
But you've asked if you should look at anything else, and around your budget and bearing in mind you like chunky and a chronograph I'd suggest you look at Longines, Hamilton and Sinn. If you post up a pic of your favourite TAG I'm sure you'd get people showing you specific alternatives to consider. Also if you'd be prepared to go second hand then say so as it opens up access to some other choices that are out of your budget as newbies.
Thank you all for the very helpful and informative replies. I am not planning on buying this watch as an investment so resale value doesn’t really bother me. Will I collect watches in the future? I don’t know. Below is a picture of the watch I have my eye on, its 1.2k retail, I know I can most probably get a discount if I buy outright.
Once again, thank you for all the advice.
Once again, thank you for all the advice.
zetec said:
Thank you all for the very helpful and informative replies. I am not planning on buying this watch as an investment so resale value doesn’t really bother me. Will I collect watches in the future? I don’t know. Below is a picture of the watch I have my eye on, its 1.2k retail, I know I can most probably get a discount if I buy outright.
Once again, thank you for all the advice.
Nice that. Once again, thank you for all the advice.
For me, I would be looking at spending your full allowance on the automatic version of the F1 rather than the Quartz version. I know the quartz will ultimately be more accurate but there is something that little bit more special about having the auto and knowing what's going on behind the hands and face. You've worked hard and done well, treat yourself to something special rather than just something that tells the time
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