Help Me Choose

[Bob_Defly]

I'm looking for a watch for a milestone birthday, max budget of around £6K, but I just can't decide what to go for. I've narrowed it down to:

TAG Heuer Monaco (CBL2111.FC6453):

Pros: Love the design, history, motor racing heritage etc. Newer HEUER 02 movement
Cons: Gets some hate from the watch community, not sure if justified

Tudor Black Bay 58

Pros: Good brand, great looking watch, nice movement
Cons: Have heard of some build quality issues, not sure if I can get the 'not a Rolex' out of my head

Grand Seiko SBGA211 or SBGA465

Pros: Amazing build and finish quality, really interesting movement
Cons: Not special enough?

Omega Seamaster (in black or white)

Pros: Top quality brand and movement
Cons: Not sure on the He valve or the wavy face.






SBGA211


SBGA465






Ideally I want this to be the watch that lasts me a long time, gets lots of usage, and gets handed down to my son. So something that will last, and get used, maintained, and serviced a lot over the years. It won't be a tool watch, but won't be babied either, I don't mind some patina. Thoughts?

[Shambler]

Grand Seiko every time.

[Bob_Defly]

Shambler said:

Grand Seiko every time.

Really, why is that?

[h0b0]

I am not a fan of the wavy face so went with one of these

[gregs656]

Couple of thoughts: you have a couple of dress watches, a couple of dive watches, and a chronograph. I'd maybe think about your lifestyle, and whether a dress watch makes sense with what you usually wear, the activities you usually do etc.

The Monaco and the BB58 you say are 'great looking watches' you don't say that about the others.

I'd go an try some on. Things that really stand out in pictures (like the He valve) give a totally different impression on the wrist, and you will find something just feels right.

[Dan_1981]

Seamster with the white face. Just cos it looks the best

I'd love to say the GS, I love the thought of them... But looking at them they just do nothing for me.

[T6 vanman]

Of the two ... you seen to eulogies about the Monaco more ... So go for the one you like the most,

But the Monaco is a bit 'show-ee' where the GS are Soooooooooo discrete and a quality piece with a super special movement.

However for my 2 peneth I'd be looking at this
https://www.chrono24.com/blancpain/blancpain-fifty...

[romeodelta]

From what you've written, the Monaco and BB58 are the ones you really want.

The cons are related to what other people think, which you should ignore.

I would go for the Monaco, but have you thought about a used Monaco AND used BB58?

They might sneak in budget if you sacrifice the newer movement in the Monaco. Would be a great pair.

[TeaNoSugar]

Bob_Defly said:

I'm looking for a watch…
Grand Seiko SBGA211 or SBGA465

Pros: Amazing build and finish quality, really interesting movement
Cons: Not special enough?


SBGA211


SBGA465

Just to pick up on this - don’t judge the Grand Seikos by the promo photos (if you haven’t seen any in person). They produce undoubtedly the worst “official” photos of any watch brand. In reality the case and bracelet will look far better, and the texture of the dial will look miles better too.

This is a better view of the snowflake for example:



I’m a bit GS obsessed, and would love one. I’d particularly like the spring drive models and the higher-spec quartz models (+/-5s per year accuracy version)

[WhisperingWasp]

Of your choices I'd go with the white Seamaster. It looks great, has the brand cachet you are after, great movement, pretty versatile, etc. However, and can't believe I'm saying this , I like T6's suggestion too. Very special watch and something different.

Not that you've asked for other suggestions but seeing as you will get them anyway... what about the new Santos?

[number2]

All nice looking watches. As above, what will you be happy wearing everyday and which do you *really* want?

The GS is better in the flesh than the pictures.

The valve on the Seamster is way more discrete than in the photos. I've a blue pro version - almost 20 years old I think. Cracking watch, goes with everything and looks great. Never serviced .

[Regbuser]

For 6.5k https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Zenith-Chronomaster-E...

[Geffg]

White omega for me. I’m more of a tag fan but that white omega is really nice.

[Bob_Defly]

h0b0 said:

I am not a fan of the wavy face so went with one of these

I do like the design of the planet ocean, hadn't really looked at it before. I'd need the smaller size though, 43mm-44mm is big on me. Quite like this one:



Are there any issues with the smaller sizes? Are they supposed to be for women?

gregs656 said:

Couple of thoughts: you have a couple of dress watches, a couple of dive watches, and a chronograph. I'd maybe think about your lifestyle, and whether a dress watch makes sense with what you usually wear, the activities you usually do etc.

I already have a chronograph or two, so don't really need another. I feel a bit silly getting a dive watch and never diving, but I can get over that. I suppose I want something a bit dress/showy, that would also be good being worn 80% of the time. For the other 20% I'll wear something that can take a beating.

Dan_1981 said:

Seamster with the white face. Just cos it looks the best

The photos on this review really sold it for me, it's just so legible.
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/omega-seamaster-...





The Blancpain is a bit too plain for me.

I agree, the GS photos are crap. Any opinions on the two GS models?

[gregs656]

Planet Oceans are awesome. The fashion for mens watches is definitely in the 40mm range now so the smaller sizes seem to be getting more attention. I'd like to try a 39.5mm one (mine are 42 and 43.5mm, but I don't think they wear large).

Just to add, I personally think the Monaco is a challenging daily wearer, but I am sure people do it and love them.

Any of the dive watches you have mentioned can be dressed up, dressed down, worn constantly etc. A lot of what makes a dive watch useful for diving makes them useful day to day. The count down bezel is useful for timing, the lume is great at night, they are built tough etc

Edited by gregs656 on Wednesday 16th February 23:03

[Maxym]

GS for me. Spring drive is fantastic technology.

[PushedDover]

h0b0 said:

I am not a fan of the wavy face so went with one of these

Good shout

Dan_1981 said:

Seamster with the white face. Just cos it looks the best

I'd love to say the GS, I love the thought of them... But looking at them they just do nothing for me.

But - the practicalities.
I am finding my lower rent admittedly CW C63 Sealander GMT white face much harder to read without the contrast of face / hands. Especially in low light / late night.
FML #christIamGettingOld

[don logan]

I would almost certainly have one of these, they are under rated, spec and finishing are great!

The origin of the Santos is pretty incredible too

Edited by don logan on Wednesday 16th February 23:49

[gregs656]

Great suggestion.

[don logan]

gregs656 said:

Great suggestion.

It’s been absolutely tormenting me!

It’s not faddy “jewelry”

Finishing in particular surprised me and the clever link adjustment system impressed me!

I only REALLY want the one with the DLC bezel but not the full DLC version, the white and the navy dials with polished bezels are a bit shiny for me!

I actually think it’s great for the price too

Edited by don logan on Thursday 17th February 00:03