Ladies watch circa £1200 ish - options

[In the sticks]

Hi all. The wife has muttered, last minute, that she'd like a watch for Christmas. I have a budget of around £1200 and I'd really like to get her something that is well regarded in watch terms, or as best it can at this price.

As a guide, it needs to be smart, as that's when it will be worn. Not flashy/bling but nice and simple and ideally with a date. Medium size as well, something along the lines of Tag Heuer Link

what options do you think I have?

Thanks so much in advance

[redrabbit]

Barchettaman, do your work!

(His recommendation in the £200 watch thread is flawless... I took him up on it, wasn't disappointed. Spoiler alert, you'll be home Scot free for under £700...)

Edited by redrabbit on Thursday 16th December 22:08

[Barchettaman]

On it.

A Cartier Tank is out of budget, alas.

Look, the obvious answer is the Longines Conquest, in any flavor. These are absolutely gorgeous watches. I would go for the Quartz version and save some cash, unless madam is into mechanical movements.

I’m sure there are lovely Omega women’s watches but fear they may be slightly out of budget.

It’s difficult to know without having an idea of her, ahem, ‘style’. Mrs Barchetta, in her infinite wisdom, alternates between wearing a restored 1994 TAG Heuer S/EL automatic, but really prefers my Vostok Amfibian.

Hope this was helpful.

[Dolf Stoppard]

Show her some different case styles, materials, brands, straps / bracelets and ask if she cares about quartz vs mechanical. Then return here with some more details. If you don't, you will get it wrong, or she'll think it's 'ok' and want to change it in a year like any other piece of fashion. Which is what it shouldn't be.

[Regbuser]

Or stuff that's in stock

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/products/ball-watch-...

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/products/longines-la...

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/products/frederique-...

[covmutley]

I got my wife a longines conquest for her 40th. Quartz because she has no interest in the movement. It has diamonds at the hour markers, so has a bit of bling, but not too flashy overall.

to help with ideas, nomos do simple well, with their Bauhaus style. Pretty well regarded too. Is that perhaps along the right lines? Or not smart enough?

https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/NOMOS-Glash%C3%BCtte-...

Edited by covmutley on Thursday 16th December 22:53

[In the sticks]

Wow. What quick responses and thank you for not saying that you can’t get anything decent at that price. The Longines Conquest looks fantastic. This one is spot on in terms of style etc. albeit a man’s watch

https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Longines-Conquest-39m...

Thoughts? And if it’s a good one, suggestions where to purchase ( Gloucestershire if it helps)

[covmutley]

Jura watches have lots of longiness watches and are doing 10% off online purchases currently

[In the sticks]

Bugger. Just looked at the Cartier tank. That’s rather nice isn’t it

[redrabbit]

In the sticks said:

Bugger. Just looked at the Cartier tank. That’s rather nice isn’t it

Close enough? £1100.

[Dicky Knee]

Baume and Mercier, Oris (with a bit of negotiation) and even Junghans are worth a look. Baume and Mercier and Oris both have rectangular models. My wife has a B+M Hampton which she loves.

[SturdyHSV]

It seems I like recommending Rados a lot



https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/rado-r2288394...

Mother of pearl dial and a moonphase, some women might find the moonphase thing nice. Quartz so she doesn't have to set it constantly and it keeps good time...

Watch afficionados turn their nose up at them though so fails on that criteria.

[Regbuser]

In a similar vein, the ebel wave is very nice, but infra-dig apparently..

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/products/ebel-wave-l...

[EVR]

Do you have to go for a new one or also considering second wrist market?

If so, I would definitely go Cartier, they have some timeless models form the 80s/90s that are definitely in-budget and look great (Lady Santos Octagon in steel); or if you don't need waterproofing and just a very classy watch (albeit more delicate) then Piaget, especially their ultra thin tank in black and gold from the 80s, ref. 90802.

Edited by EVR on Tuesday 28th December 09:45

[In the sticks]

All thanks for your help. Went for a tag link in the end. I know it’s not a premium watch brand but the watch and bracelet look great. And more importantly, she’s happy.

[Barchettaman]

Happy wife, happy life!

[In the sticks]

Well, it seems that the Tag isn’t right, doesn’t fit well despite adjusting the strap. Looks like a Cartier is on the cards. Does anyone know if any discounts can be had Ona tank or santos? Tia and much thanks.

Edited by In the sticks on Saturday 1st January 21:58

[steve2]

I have bought my wife two Cartiers over the years and she loves them both, just remember that can can cost quite a bit to have serviced, cannot help you with the discount question but both of hers were secondhand (one from Dominic Hackett(member on here)

[105.4]

In the sticks said:

Well, it seems that the Tag isn’t right, doesn’t fit well despite adjusting the strap. Looks like a Cartier is on the cards. Does anyone know if any discounts can be had Ona tank or santos? Tia and much thanks.

Edited by In the sticks on Saturday 1st January 21:56

I managed to get a respectable discount on my Wife’s Tank, and a very healthy discount on my 38mm Cartier Pasha. This was 14 years ago mind, so things might have changed since then.

Does it really need to be a brand new watch? Surely a good condition used Tank, (quartz or automatic), will be inside your budget?

Edited to add:

£1000
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Authentic-Cartier-Tank-...

Or

£1500, box & papers and recently serviced
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cartier-Tank-Vermeil-Un...

Edited by 105.4 on Saturday 1st January 22:08