First watch...Help £3-4k budget
Discussion
Hi all,
My dad recently passed away and left me some money and I thought it would be nice to purchase a 'nice' watch as something I can always keep and hopefully pass to my children at some point.
I have a budget of circa £3-4k.
I know virtually nothing about watches, whats good, whats bad etc. A friend recommended IWC and I have been looking at the following:
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/IWC-Portofino-40mm-Me...
Also. I like the look this:
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Omega-Seamaster-Diver...
Any help / recommendations greatly received.
My dad recently passed away and left me some money and I thought it would be nice to purchase a 'nice' watch as something I can always keep and hopefully pass to my children at some point.
I have a budget of circa £3-4k.
I know virtually nothing about watches, whats good, whats bad etc. A friend recommended IWC and I have been looking at the following:
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/IWC-Portofino-40mm-Me...
Also. I like the look this:
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Omega-Seamaster-Diver...
Any help / recommendations greatly received.
Sorry about your father; agree a watch is good idea as you can wear it all day every day for the rest of your life then as you say pass it on.
There aren't really any "bad" watches at your price level as long as you stick to the known brands.
The watches you've chosen are both solid choices but very different types.
Maybe think about what type of watch you want - dressy or sporty and narrow it down from there.
The Seamaster is an absolute classic, but if you like dive watches the Tudor BB58 is another decent choice - it's a fair bit cheaper and still very highly regarded
https://www.tudorwatch.com/en/watches/black-bay-fi...
At that price though the Omega Speedmaster should certainly be high up on your list. Timeless classic looks and a heritage no other watch can match...
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/speedmaster/m...
There aren't really any "bad" watches at your price level as long as you stick to the known brands.
The watches you've chosen are both solid choices but very different types.
Maybe think about what type of watch you want - dressy or sporty and narrow it down from there.
The Seamaster is an absolute classic, but if you like dive watches the Tudor BB58 is another decent choice - it's a fair bit cheaper and still very highly regarded
https://www.tudorwatch.com/en/watches/black-bay-fi...
At that price though the Omega Speedmaster should certainly be high up on your list. Timeless classic looks and a heritage no other watch can match...
https://www.omegawatches.com/watches/speedmaster/m...
Hugo85 said:
Hi all,
My dad recently passed away and left me some money and I thought it would be nice to purchase a 'nice' watch as something I can always keep and hopefully pass to my children at some point.
I have a budget of circa £3-4k.
I know virtually nothing about watches, whats good, whats bad etc. A friend recommended IWC and I have been looking at the following:
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/IWC-Portofino-40mm-Me...
Also. I like the look this:
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Omega-Seamaster-Diver...
Any help / recommendations greatly received.
What is your style? How do you tend to dress?My dad recently passed away and left me some money and I thought it would be nice to purchase a 'nice' watch as something I can always keep and hopefully pass to my children at some point.
I have a budget of circa £3-4k.
I know virtually nothing about watches, whats good, whats bad etc. A friend recommended IWC and I have been looking at the following:
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/IWC-Portofino-40mm-Me...
Also. I like the look this:
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Omega-Seamaster-Diver...
Any help / recommendations greatly received.
The IWC is a smarter watch and less likely to look dated in coming years (as the Omega does already IMHO).
I have a version of the IWC and I love it but it only gets worn for evening use (2020 not worn at all). I have a couple of divers watches and they get much more use,as the others have said it depends on your use.
I like both choices and they are equally nice watches in different ways.
Sorry about your father, I did the same when my nan passed away, she always wore a certain make and I wanted something to remember her by.
I like both choices and they are equally nice watches in different ways.
Sorry about your father, I did the same when my nan passed away, she always wore a certain make and I wanted something to remember her by.
The white faced version of the Seamaster is very high on my list of wants right now.
Either the IWC or the Omega are ‘good’ brands, so go with what you like personally if you will be wearing it.
My three points of advice would be:
If whatever watch you choose is available on a metal bracelet then buy it on that (if your budget can stretch). You can always buy other straps aftermarket to actually wear with the watch if you don’t like the metal bracelet personally. If your tastes change in the future, or you/family member wants to wear the watch in a ‘smarter’ environment, the official bracelet may be far more expensive to retroactively buy/source.
Try all of the contenders on your wrist. Some watches look great on a 2D screen but wear uncomfortably on the wrist. Appreciate this might be tricky at the moment but if you plan on wearing the watch it will be worth waiting until you can actually feel/see one on.
Always (politely) ask if there is a discount available. All luxury things are hugely marked up and the jewellers will not be phased by some price negotiation. Depending on the brand and model, 10-15% should be achievable. Some places/brands/models more could be open to you. If no price discount is available, ask them to throw in the OEM rubber strap or similar - that way you have yourself the watch and all possible strap options.
Good luck with whatever you go with, it’s a nice way to remember a lost one.
Either the IWC or the Omega are ‘good’ brands, so go with what you like personally if you will be wearing it.
My three points of advice would be:
If whatever watch you choose is available on a metal bracelet then buy it on that (if your budget can stretch). You can always buy other straps aftermarket to actually wear with the watch if you don’t like the metal bracelet personally. If your tastes change in the future, or you/family member wants to wear the watch in a ‘smarter’ environment, the official bracelet may be far more expensive to retroactively buy/source.
Try all of the contenders on your wrist. Some watches look great on a 2D screen but wear uncomfortably on the wrist. Appreciate this might be tricky at the moment but if you plan on wearing the watch it will be worth waiting until you can actually feel/see one on.
Always (politely) ask if there is a discount available. All luxury things are hugely marked up and the jewellers will not be phased by some price negotiation. Depending on the brand and model, 10-15% should be achievable. Some places/brands/models more could be open to you. If no price discount is available, ask them to throw in the OEM rubber strap or similar - that way you have yourself the watch and all possible strap options.
Good luck with whatever you go with, it’s a nice way to remember a lost one.
If you're looking at IWC, have you considered a Flieger?
Elegant, functional and a timeless design.
https://www.iwc.com/gb/en/watch-collections/pilot-...
Elegant, functional and a timeless design.
https://www.iwc.com/gb/en/watch-collections/pilot-...
Only thing I would add is to make sure you get something size appropriate for your wrist.
Lots of people use diameter for this but a better measurement is often lug to lug. I have a 6.5 inch wrist and anything bigger than 50mm will overhang the wrist (not a good look).
For that money I would go with a Tudor GMT.
Lots of people use diameter for this but a better measurement is often lug to lug. I have a 6.5 inch wrist and anything bigger than 50mm will overhang the wrist (not a good look).
For that money I would go with a Tudor GMT.
I had similar circumstances 3 years ago. My advice:
Omega/IWC are both quality brands*
Buy what you like - what suits you and what you find aesthetically pleasing. Don't buy what others think you should
Think about wrist size
Think about what you normally wear - if you're in a suit all day every day, a dress watch is probably more appropriate. If you're more casual, perhaps not.
I bought an Omega Planet Ocean because I'd always wanted one. I'm still chuffed to bits with it.*
Omega/IWC are both quality brands*
Buy what you like - what suits you and what you find aesthetically pleasing. Don't buy what others think you should
Think about wrist size
Think about what you normally wear - if you're in a suit all day every day, a dress watch is probably more appropriate. If you're more casual, perhaps not.
I bought an Omega Planet Ocean because I'd always wanted one. I'm still chuffed to bits with it.*
- Aside from the fact that mine stopped just before Christmas and has been back at Omega getting fixed ever since! (lockdown)
Defo wrist size and style of watch 1st.
I wear a Breitling super ocean heritage which a big watch and suits me.
Won’t go wrong with a speedmaster man on the moon. IWC are super nice but again depends what style you want.
If I had £4K in my bin right now I’d be on a Panerai but at that price it won’t be automatic and will have to wind it up.
All good watch’s at this price point are mechanical and some self wind so you need to think if that bothers you.
I’d avoid Tag and stuff like Bremont as whilst not important in this case you’d lose a stack of cash if ever wanted to move the watch on to something else
I wear a Breitling super ocean heritage which a big watch and suits me.
Won’t go wrong with a speedmaster man on the moon. IWC are super nice but again depends what style you want.
If I had £4K in my bin right now I’d be on a Panerai but at that price it won’t be automatic and will have to wind it up.
All good watch’s at this price point are mechanical and some self wind so you need to think if that bothers you.
I’d avoid Tag and stuff like Bremont as whilst not important in this case you’d lose a stack of cash if ever wanted to move the watch on to something else
Edited by BawlBag on Wednesday 10th February 12:26
This is very similar look to the sea master and do look to get a minimum of 15% off
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Breitling-Superocean-...
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Breitling-Superocean-...
This if like the look and into McLaren and want to not blow the budget
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Breitling-Endurance-P...
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Breitling-Endurance-P...
As you showed a blue face Omega I’d be rocking this in a heartbeat
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Panerai-Luminor-Blu-M...
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Panerai-Luminor-Blu-M...
Hands down best value for money vs quality and bought one of these for my son. Looks too small on my wrist so like I said be wary of your wrist size
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Tudor-Black-Bay-GMT/p...
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Tudor-Black-Bay-GMT/p...
As others have said above you need to decide what style it is you prefer.
I do like the Seamasters, I owned one for 12 years and only recently sold it as I wanted something new and with two new purchases, one here and one when shops reopen I couldn't justify keeping it, that said I think they age very well and unless a real watch fan looks closely most people can't tell the difference between a 10nyear old one and a current one, such is the classic design.
I know people on here will disagree with that but then the people on here are the real watch buffs (no offence to anyone) who are the real fans who will pick up on the small variations. Even so I thinknits a classic design which will look great for a long time to come, as will your other choice.
I do like the Seamasters, I owned one for 12 years and only recently sold it as I wanted something new and with two new purchases, one here and one when shops reopen I couldn't justify keeping it, that said I think they age very well and unless a real watch fan looks closely most people can't tell the difference between a 10nyear old one and a current one, such is the classic design.
I know people on here will disagree with that but then the people on here are the real watch buffs (no offence to anyone) who are the real fans who will pick up on the small variations. Even so I thinknits a classic design which will look great for a long time to come, as will your other choice.
Lots of good advice and suggestions on here already which I would agree with. I have a Tag amongst others which I love but they are probably more common and subject to depreciation than Tudor, Omega, etc. (I think Breitling’s also depreciate, not sure about IWC). As others have said, it’s what’s important to you and it does sound like this will be a keeper so if you try on a Tag or Breitling, etc and fall in love with it, I say go for it!
All watch’s initially deprecate unless in the silly world of certain Rolex and Pateks etc
It’s also good that most of the watch’s hardly change so still have a strong resale market .
As a clue my Breitling is now a £1000 more than I paid for it so should be able to sell it for what I paid and therefore cost of ownership is zero. It’s how I explain it to non watch people and how their £300 watch is actually more expansive than a £3k watch
A TAG however won’t be back to its original cost
I do need to see how much my early 90’s TAG is actually
It’s also good that most of the watch’s hardly change so still have a strong resale market .
As a clue my Breitling is now a £1000 more than I paid for it so should be able to sell it for what I paid and therefore cost of ownership is zero. It’s how I explain it to non watch people and how their £300 watch is actually more expansive than a £3k watch
A TAG however won’t be back to its original cost
I do need to see how much my early 90’s TAG is actually
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff