What watch for £3000
Discussion
I might be about to come in to some money via a will, and as such i'd like to invest some of it on a watch up to £3000.
I bought the watch i've wanted for a while last year, a speedy although it was the reduced model, so i'm after some suggestions.
I've got big arms so can carry off bigger watches, I want something thats not going to age quickly, resale values arn't important as it won't get sold, and i don't want a cluttered face.
I bought the watch i've wanted for a while last year, a speedy although it was the reduced model, so i'm after some suggestions.
I've got big arms so can carry off bigger watches, I want something thats not going to age quickly, resale values arn't important as it won't get sold, and i don't want a cluttered face.
At £3k the World is your wristwatch and if you're willing to go pre-owned, you can pick up some stunning watches. I guess Rolex should feature on your list, even if only to have a go, a Sub, GMT, Explorer II and SD, all very nice. IWC would feature on mine, something like the Ingenieur, beautiful sports watch. You could pick up an AP Royal Oak or a Panerai Luminor Marina and the rather sexy Breitling Super Avenger Skyland Blacksteel is only just out of your price range and I'd certainly have a look. Those are just a few that I'd be tempted by, just the tip of the iceberg really. What kind of watch were you looking for? Dress watch? Sports watch?
Edited by Seb d on Sunday 30th November 12:53
The very fact that you are (completely understandably) unsure what to buy will hopefully spare me a stream of invective from purists who may read this.
As a "watch-junkie" for the last forty years I accept that there's no cure but then again, I wouldn't want one. You could start by buying today's Sunday Times which has an inclusion which should get your juices flowing and give you an idea of what appeals.As long as you remember that, like a car, huge lumps are wiped off the "value" the second your credit card is handed back, you should manage to resist buying new. After all,you said that you want one that doesn't date which rules out a lot of current production. It's not as if a secondhand watch will have suffered much in the way of (non apparent) abuse, so the only thing you really need to watch for (sorry) is people selling fakes with the papers/valuation from a real one.
Now the contentious bit. Spend £350 on a week in Side (See-day) in Turkey.Walk along the front until you come to a small square on your right,just before the end of the harbour. The 3rd "shop" up on your right is no more than 1.5mtr wide but is the gateway to Watch Nirvana. The owner,Burdan, breathes watches. Ostensibly he specialises in high- end "Replica" watches made to exacting standards and indistiguishable from the original.Everything from Breitling and U Boat to Patek-Philipe. These are worlds apart from the Rolex Submariners etc that everyone and his dog brings back from Thailand (and indeed Turkey)
I can almost feel lips being curled but wait.Ask him about the possibility of a genuine example of your preferred model (if not too niche/obscure) and prepare to be astounded. It takes a couple of days but he'll bring it to your hotel and (in exchange for your passport--but no money)allow you time to get it authenticated.The mark-up on watches is CRIMINAL.
Or,as previously and briefly(!) suggested' just go and buy an IWC (secondhand).
EDIT: I've just realised that the "See-day" bit could seem a bit patronising. I only put it because I was pronouncing it as it looks for three weeks
As a "watch-junkie" for the last forty years I accept that there's no cure but then again, I wouldn't want one. You could start by buying today's Sunday Times which has an inclusion which should get your juices flowing and give you an idea of what appeals.As long as you remember that, like a car, huge lumps are wiped off the "value" the second your credit card is handed back, you should manage to resist buying new. After all,you said that you want one that doesn't date which rules out a lot of current production. It's not as if a secondhand watch will have suffered much in the way of (non apparent) abuse, so the only thing you really need to watch for (sorry) is people selling fakes with the papers/valuation from a real one.
Now the contentious bit. Spend £350 on a week in Side (See-day) in Turkey.Walk along the front until you come to a small square on your right,just before the end of the harbour. The 3rd "shop" up on your right is no more than 1.5mtr wide but is the gateway to Watch Nirvana. The owner,Burdan, breathes watches. Ostensibly he specialises in high- end "Replica" watches made to exacting standards and indistiguishable from the original.Everything from Breitling and U Boat to Patek-Philipe. These are worlds apart from the Rolex Submariners etc that everyone and his dog brings back from Thailand (and indeed Turkey)
I can almost feel lips being curled but wait.Ask him about the possibility of a genuine example of your preferred model (if not too niche/obscure) and prepare to be astounded. It takes a couple of days but he'll bring it to your hotel and (in exchange for your passport--but no money)allow you time to get it authenticated.The mark-up on watches is CRIMINAL.
Or,as previously and briefly(!) suggested' just go and buy an IWC (secondhand).
EDIT: I've just realised that the "See-day" bit could seem a bit patronising. I only put it because I was pronouncing it as it looks for three weeks
Edited by root 666 on Sunday 30th November 15:09
Slightly over £3k new, but I'd go for an IWC Portuguese.
Either that or a Seamaster and a Tag Monaco.
The best advice is to ignore the lot of us though, have fun searching and buy the watch that you fall in love with. And once you've found the watch you like, contact Dom H off here to see what he can do for you.
Not had any dealings with him personally, but his posts are always very knowledgeable and anyone that has bought a watch from him never seems to have anything bad to say about him.
Either that or a Seamaster and a Tag Monaco.
The best advice is to ignore the lot of us though, have fun searching and buy the watch that you fall in love with. And once you've found the watch you like, contact Dom H off here to see what he can do for you.
Not had any dealings with him personally, but his posts are always very knowledgeable and anyone that has bought a watch from him never seems to have anything bad to say about him.
Interesting post root_666
My suggestion, which I suspect would not be available that way, is a Dornblueth:
http://www.dornblueth.com/flash.php?p=home
My suggestion, which I suspect would not be available that way, is a Dornblueth:
http://www.dornblueth.com/flash.php?p=home
I've just spend a few hours trawling the streets and the web.
I know I don't want a U Boat watch, and although I like them I don't want a Sub.
As for any sort of short list well it keeps getting longer, some of the watches I like are dress watches others sports watches, and a fair few well out of price range.
So the current list is as follows, some would be new some used to keep them within price.
IWC Portuguese and Spitfire chrono-auto's
Omega Aqua terra and Deville hour vision
Rolex Explorer and Yacht master
Panerai luminor marina
Breitling Blackbird and Superocean heritage 46.
The real standouts at the moment are the Portuguese, Yacht master, Superocean heritage 46 and the Panerai
I know I don't want a U Boat watch, and although I like them I don't want a Sub.
As for any sort of short list well it keeps getting longer, some of the watches I like are dress watches others sports watches, and a fair few well out of price range.
So the current list is as follows, some would be new some used to keep them within price.
IWC Portuguese and Spitfire chrono-auto's
Omega Aqua terra and Deville hour vision
Rolex Explorer and Yacht master
Panerai luminor marina
Breitling Blackbird and Superocean heritage 46.
The real standouts at the moment are the Portuguese, Yacht master, Superocean heritage 46 and the Panerai
bloater27 said:
I might be about to come in to some money via a will, and as such i'd like to invest some of it on a watch up to £3000.
1) The key word above is "invest". It is worth bearing in mind just how much watch prices for both new and vintage have risen these past few years and ask yourself if any watch is really a good investment. My gut feeling is yes of you keep it for several years at least.2) Only buy secondhand, let someone else take the initial hit.
3) IWC 3536 titanium on bracelet for less then 2 grand if you can find one or the older version of the Rolex Sea Dweller with the drilled through lugs and tritium dial. I would have added Zenith Rainbow flyback chronograph, I think they are lovely but again its a case of finding one at a good price. Personally I want all 3 of these but the first 2 must be pretty solid choices financially.
Sorry missed the bit about not being worried about resale but the 3 I mention above are at the top of my list anyway. Others I have been hunting but failed to get are Omega flightmaster, Omega mkII speedmaster, Omega seamaster 300 and IWC Ocean 2000. Hunting down these classic watches for a good price becomes an addiction, it is well gutting when you are too late to get the really good deals that come up from time to time.
Have a look on here;
http://www.chrono24.com/en/search/index.htm Should give plenty of ideas.
One could spend weeks looking through that lot and of course it all changes from time to time.
Have a look on here;
http://www.chrono24.com/en/search/index.htm Should give plenty of ideas.
One could spend weeks looking through that lot and of course it all changes from time to time.
Part of the above, but I am very pleased with my Spitfire chrono and get quietly admiring glances. It just doesn't shout out and is only recognised by the knowledgeable too. Mind you, if it's your thing the Portuguese is absolutely drop dead gorgeous and there are quite a few around at interesting prices.
How about the Breitling Avenger Seawolf. Goes to 3000 metre depth(if you don't shake it around too much!).
Was looking at the Christies auction site recently but miseed a sale in Geneva where they had an IWC compass watch from the early 80's. Was apparently built for NATO use. Sold for CHF6000 including premium.
I think the IWC Ocean 2000 should still be attainable(don't ask me where) but obviously hasn't been in production for quite a while. The later GST version might be easier to find. I have a nicely used Ocean 500 but is now kept nice and warm in it's watch box!
Was looking at the Christies auction site recently but miseed a sale in Geneva where they had an IWC compass watch from the early 80's. Was apparently built for NATO use. Sold for CHF6000 including premium.
I think the IWC Ocean 2000 should still be attainable(don't ask me where) but obviously hasn't been in production for quite a while. The later GST version might be easier to find. I have a nicely used Ocean 500 but is now kept nice and warm in it's watch box!
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