50th birthday present

[Kettmark]

Hi all watch fans. I'm 50 in August and looking at marking the occasion with a nice watch for around £7k. I currently have a Tag Monaco, Tag Jacky Ickx (purple), Porsche Design 7176 Orfina and a black face £300 Armarni.
I was setting my sights on a used Rolex datejust in blue with gold and silver strap but have been advised to wait for 6 months for prices to calm down.
A local jeweller has a bluie Submariner for £8750 which has papers but no box which I'm tempted with but fear is overpriced.
Can anyone offer advice please or recommend some suitable watches? My wrists are on the small side so a Breitling is probably out of the equation.

[Crumpet]

New Speedmaster Pro? I got one to mark my 40th this year as it’s a classic that will never really go out of style. Under budget and readily available as well, which helps. I like second-hand watches but for marking special events and occasions there’s something nice about being the original owner - hard to achieve with a Rolex at the moment!

[Dicky Knee]

For my 50th I bought a Dornblueth configured the way I wanted it and engraved on the movement.

It may not be what you are looking for but nice to have something hand made to your specification and accompanied by photos of it being made (and a Christmas card every year!). There is a bit of a lead time but don't know what it is currently.

https://www.dornblueth.com/

[MarkJS]

The Sub doesn’t sound overpriced to me as long as it’s mint and you can get something off that due to the lack of box.

IMO, Sub & GMT prices will never drop by very much (if at all) from where they are today.

Also, if you love/want it/will keep it, the price is almost irrelevant.

Let us know what you get.

[Kettmark]

Thanks for the responses to date gents. Had a look at the submariner today and discovered it was bought in Manilla but does come with a box.
Jeweller says he's selling on behalf of a 3rd party he sold it to.
It looks nice and I've asked the jeweller to see if the 3rd party is willing to do a deal.
If things progress, I will ask a pawn broker pal of mine to check watch is cosha.

[covmutley]

For something submariner-esque, I'd be looking at the below or a glashutte sea q.

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/breguet/breguet-type-xx...

[hungry_hog]

Kettmark said:

Hi all watch fans. I'm 50 in August and looking at marking the occasion with a nice watch for around £7k. I currently have a Tag Monaco, Tag Jacky Ickx (purple), Porsche Design 7176 Orfina and a black face £300 Armarni.
I was setting my sights on a used Rolex datejust in blue with gold and silver strap but have been advised to wait for 6 months for prices to calm down.
A local jeweller has a bluie Submariner for £8750 which has papers but no box which I'm tempted with but fear is overpriced.
Can anyone offer advice please or recommend some suitable watches? My wrists are on the small side so a Breitling is probably out of the equation.

when you say Blue sub do you mean two tone (gold and silver)? That seems v. cheap. You can probably get a box on eBay for a few hundred

[simong800]

hungry_hog said:

when you say Blue sub do you mean two tone (gold and silver)? That seems v. cheap. You can probably get a box on eBay for a few hundred

Almost too cheap to be honest!

[Kettmark]

Having done some research, it does seem rather cheap which leads me to think I need to get it inspected. I know a pawn broker who I will approach.
The guy selling is a high street jeweller selling it on behalf of the guy he previously sold it to.

[magpie215]

I join the 50 club this month..

Mrs Magpie treated me to this Stowa to mark the occasion and have it early too.

[Super Sonic]

Or you could just get a nice cake

[HocusPocus]

For the price of that used Rolex, you could also upgrade to buy a used PP calatrava.

[FunkyGibbon]

Dicky Knee said:

For my 50th I bought a Dornblueth configured the way I wanted it and engraved on the movement.

It may not be what you are looking for but nice to have something hand made to your specification and accompanied by photos of it being made (and a Christmas card every year!). There is a bit of a lead time but don't know what it is currently.

https://www.dornblueth.com/

That was my plan as well. However circumstances did not allow.

I will invoke the plan for my 60th. They are lovely watches.

[Kettmark]

Update on the blue sub I was interested in. Vendor had originally agreed to meet me at a pawnbrokers so I could have the watch authenticated at my cost. Now he says he's 'too busy' with work to make the 45 min journey & has someone offering him £8k cash. All sounds dodgy to me so I'm continuing with my search.
would you guys buy off ebay?

[Alex Z]

For that budget? Not a chance of going near eBay. Hackett Watches always get good recommendations for lightly used higher end stuff. Could be worth an enquiry.

[MarkJS]

Kettmark said:

Update on the blue sub I was interested in. Vendor had originally agreed to meet me at a pawnbrokers so I could have the watch authenticated at my cost. Now he says he's 'too busy' with work to make the 45 min journey & has someone offering him £8k cash. All sounds dodgy to me so I'm continuing with my search.
would you guys buy off ebay?

Don’t buy off eBay would be my advice.

As already mentioned, I’ve heard nothing but good (great) re Dom Hackett. I have dealt with him previously and he was very responsive/helpful although I haven’t actually bought from him (yet) simply down to timing or other things coming up at my end.

[Kettmark]

Taken on board advice & contacted Dominic.