A £2500 problem...
Discussion
Hi, this is my first post on here and one I'm sure there are many of;
I have been wearing a Tissot PRC 200 auto (T0554301105700) for the last 4 years, but the time has come to buy my first "proper" watch (starting early).
I have a budget of (around
) £2500 and am looking for a dive watch, this would be my only watch to be worn everyday for the next 5+ years if I can resist buying another for that long. Preferably I would buy it new from an airport with a cheap flight to Europe and back but am open to used. Not too bothered about an investment, would rather get a watch I love so much I never want to sell it but equally don't want to throw my money down the toilet!
Currently on the hit list is an Omega Seamaster Professional ceramic (current model without wavy dial) - a watch I've been after for a few years. but am still having my head turned by the Tudor black bay and pelagos. I am yet to try them all on properly.
Any advice, recommendations, experience with the watches or buying them... would be appreciated!
Thanks
I have been wearing a Tissot PRC 200 auto (T0554301105700) for the last 4 years, but the time has come to buy my first "proper" watch (starting early).
I have a budget of (around
) £2500 and am looking for a dive watch, this would be my only watch to be worn everyday for the next 5+ years if I can resist buying another for that long. Preferably I would buy it new from an airport with a cheap flight to Europe and back but am open to used. Not too bothered about an investment, would rather get a watch I love so much I never want to sell it but equally don't want to throw my money down the toilet!Currently on the hit list is an Omega Seamaster Professional ceramic (current model without wavy dial) - a watch I've been after for a few years. but am still having my head turned by the Tudor black bay and pelagos. I am yet to try them all on properly.
Any advice, recommendations, experience with the watches or buying them... would be appreciated!
Thanks
Would also recommend Sinn. Incredible engineering. Buy through Chronomaster. They are regarded as the preferred UK AD. Neil there is a decent chap.
There are also other German brands such as Damasko.
You might also consider Tudor. The Pelagos is a little over budget but you can get a virtually new one in budget. Also the Black Bay by Tudor.
I have watches from all three brands. Sinn is probably my favourite.
There are also other German brands such as Damasko.
You might also consider Tudor. The Pelagos is a little over budget but you can get a virtually new one in budget. Also the Black Bay by Tudor.
I have watches from all three brands. Sinn is probably my favourite.
Muhle Glasshutte do some lovely watches with great attention to detail. The Seabattallion was designed for the German Navy and is slightly unusual in having a count down bezel instead of an elapsed time bezel.
The SAR rescue timer is a dive capable watch without the bezel that's built to exacting demands of German Search and Rescue teams. There's also a chrono version.
All Muhle watch movements are customised by Muhle and adjusted in 6 positions to ensure accuracy.
https://www.muehle-glashuette.de/en/wristwatches/f...
The SAR rescue timer is a dive capable watch without the bezel that's built to exacting demands of German Search and Rescue teams. There's also a chrono version.
All Muhle watch movements are customised by Muhle and adjusted in 6 positions to ensure accuracy.
https://www.muehle-glashuette.de/en/wristwatches/f...
lostkiwi said:
Muhle Glasshutte do some lovely watches with great attention to detail. The Seabattallion was designed for the German Navy and is slightly unusual in having a count down bezel instead of an elapsed time bezel.
The SAR rescue timer is a dive capable watch without the bezel that's built to exacting demands of German Search and Rescue teams. There's also a chrono version.
All Muhle watch movements are customised by Muhle and adjusted in 6 positions to ensure accuracy.
https://www.muehle-glashuette.de/en/wristwatches/f...
A lot of love from me for Mühle Glashütte, I’ve just never been able to try one on. The Rasmus has been on my radar for a while now and the Flieger Chrinograph is interesting too. The SAR rescue timer is a dive capable watch without the bezel that's built to exacting demands of German Search and Rescue teams. There's also a chrono version.
All Muhle watch movements are customised by Muhle and adjusted in 6 positions to ensure accuracy.
https://www.muehle-glashuette.de/en/wristwatches/f...
I need to try them on...
Have a good look on Watchfinder & Chrono24 to see what your budget gets you.
The SMP is a fine watch, but a bit "ubiquitous" for me.
The Pelagos is certainly a great watch, but there is loads of choice. As others have said, have a look at Sinn.
I'd pretty well always recommend buying pre-owned and letting someone else take the initial depreciation hit.
Additionally, if the watch comes with a bracelet or a strap, go for the bracelet option. It's much cheaper to buy an aftermarket (no need to buy OEM) strap separately, than to buy an OEM bracelet at a later stage.
The SMP is a fine watch, but a bit "ubiquitous" for me.
The Pelagos is certainly a great watch, but there is loads of choice. As others have said, have a look at Sinn.
I'd pretty well always recommend buying pre-owned and letting someone else take the initial depreciation hit.
Additionally, if the watch comes with a bracelet or a strap, go for the bracelet option. It's much cheaper to buy an aftermarket (no need to buy OEM) strap separately, than to buy an OEM bracelet at a later stage.
I managed to get my Tudor black bay black ETA in Schiphol for just shy of £2000 when stopping over. Absolutely love it to bits. Only time it's not on my wrist is when I'm wearing my vintage omega for a dressy situation.
I couldn't get the bracelet on the model I wanted, so that was under £2k for the leather version. Just ordered a brand new bracelet for £600, wasn't too bad and is about the price difference between the two versions new. I just justified it to myself as I would have paid extra for the bracelet version anyways and this way I got a leather strap for free.
My brother's got an omega seamaster and it's also very lovely. On the wrist though I much prefer the way the Tudor wears and looks.
I couldn't get the bracelet on the model I wanted, so that was under £2k for the leather version. Just ordered a brand new bracelet for £600, wasn't too bad and is about the price difference between the two versions new. I just justified it to myself as I would have paid extra for the bracelet version anyways and this way I got a leather strap for free.
My brother's got an omega seamaster and it's also very lovely. On the wrist though I much prefer the way the Tudor wears and looks.
Definitely go to a good jewellers and try them all on before you choose (if you haven't already done so) You may surprise yourself.
The Tudors offer great bang for buck, really good quality, and a little less common than a SMP.
I appreciate you want a new watch, but if you could bring yourself to go used, you can pick up some mint, barely worn great watches, and save yourself a few quid.
My first decent watch was an SMP (a 2254.50) which I still own and will never sell.
The Tudors offer great bang for buck, really good quality, and a little less common than a SMP.
I appreciate you want a new watch, but if you could bring yourself to go used, you can pick up some mint, barely worn great watches, and save yourself a few quid.
My first decent watch was an SMP (a 2254.50) which I still own and will never sell.
Breitling SuperOcean Heritage would be my pick (as noted above). These seem to take a bit of a hit second hand so I'd suggest looking at used.
In terms of where to buy, I can personally recommend Dom Hackett of Hackett Watches https://www.hackettwatches.com/
He has several Omega on his website and can source other watches. Well worth a call and a nice chap to talk to.
In terms of where to buy, I can personally recommend Dom Hackett of Hackett Watches https://www.hackettwatches.com/
He has several Omega on his website and can source other watches. Well worth a call and a nice chap to talk to.
Chaz3587 said:
Hi, this is my first post on here and one I'm sure there are many of;
I have been wearing a Tissot PRC 200 auto (T0554301105700) for the last 4 years, but the time has come to buy my first "proper" watch (starting early).
I have a budget of (around ) £2500 and am looking for a dive watch, this would be my only watch to be worn everyday for the next 5+ years if I can resist buying another for that long. Preferably I would buy it new from an airport with a cheap flight to Europe and back but am open to used. Not too bothered about an investment, would rather get a watch I love so much I never want to sell it but equally don't want to throw my money down the toilet!
Currently on the hit list is an Omega Seamaster Professional ceramic (current model without wavy dial) - a watch I've been after for a few years. but am still having my head turned by the Tudor black bay and pelagos. I am yet to try them all on properly.
Any advice, recommendations, experience with the watches or buying them... would be appreciated!
Thanks
I have the Omega and the Pelagos and like them both for different reasons. You don’t be disappointed with either, or with the other choices above.I have been wearing a Tissot PRC 200 auto (T0554301105700) for the last 4 years, but the time has come to buy my first "proper" watch (starting early).
I have a budget of (around
) £2500 and am looking for a dive watch, this would be my only watch to be worn everyday for the next 5+ years if I can resist buying another for that long. Preferably I would buy it new from an airport with a cheap flight to Europe and back but am open to used. Not too bothered about an investment, would rather get a watch I love so much I never want to sell it but equally don't want to throw my money down the toilet!Currently on the hit list is an Omega Seamaster Professional ceramic (current model without wavy dial) - a watch I've been after for a few years. but am still having my head turned by the Tudor black bay and pelagos. I am yet to try them all on properly.
Any advice, recommendations, experience with the watches or buying them... would be appreciated!
Thanks
The choice is very much down to personal preference and so actually getting them on your wrist will be the best way of choosing.
If I was shopping with the OP's budget, I'd have a hard time resisting the Tudor Black Bay Bronze - its just that little bit different to the usual fodder and I would expect using it as a daily for a few years would give it a fantastic patina
Plenty of pre-owned at around the OP's budget
Plenty of pre-owned at around the OP's budget
Tudor Black Bay. Take your pick of colours. I got mine for £1750 as a watch worn in the store, only by a salesperson. I've also got a Rolex Submariner and the difference in quality is pretty close. There are even some aspects of the Tudor I prefer. They really are fantastic value. Upside down desk pic of mine.
Dolf Stoppard said:
Tudor Black Bay. Take your pick of colours. I got mine for £1750 as a watch worn in the store, only by a salesperson. I've also got a Rolex Submariner and the difference in quality is pretty close. There are even some aspects of the Tudor I prefer. They really are fantastic value. Upside down desk pic of mine.
Agreed. I have a ceramic sub and a black bay too, the gap in quality does not justify the price difference, they are fantastic. They're also very versatile and take different straps very well. 
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