First 'Expensive' Watch Assistance
Discussion
Hi all,
I've been hankering after a 'nice' watch for sometime now & I'm fortunately now in a place where I'm able to purchase one.
I'm not a watch geek by any means, however i've got a few` ideas of the watch i would like in mind, but, i was hoping the PH watch collective could advise me going forward? (The choices are a bit random, but, ultimately, it's what catches my eye & if i'm going to be spending several thousand pounds, i need to be happy that i love it.
The choices:
Breitling Superocean Heritage Rainbow - I just love this watch, however it appears that it's no longer available from retail outlets & i would like to buy new, so this is out of the window.
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 42mm - There seems to be so many different types (with price tags that also vary), i don't really know where to start.
Should i expect to pay retail prices, or is there movement in buying watches from dealers?
Omega Speedmaster FOIS - This appears to also now be OOS in most places.
I'm going to a local dealer at the weekend to take a look & confirm i like what i've chosen so far, they have 4 branches so aren't a national outfit, but, i am also flying out of Gatwick at the end of April, so would an airport offer better discounts?
My experience so far of buying watches has been the usual fashion watches at a couple of hundred from one of the watch retailers online & an Iwatch.
Is it a different kettle of fish from a higher end watch dealer?
I've been hankering after a 'nice' watch for sometime now & I'm fortunately now in a place where I'm able to purchase one.
I'm not a watch geek by any means, however i've got a few` ideas of the watch i would like in mind, but, i was hoping the PH watch collective could advise me going forward? (The choices are a bit random, but, ultimately, it's what catches my eye & if i'm going to be spending several thousand pounds, i need to be happy that i love it.
The choices:
Breitling Superocean Heritage Rainbow - I just love this watch, however it appears that it's no longer available from retail outlets & i would like to buy new, so this is out of the window.
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 42mm - There seems to be so many different types (with price tags that also vary), i don't really know where to start.
Should i expect to pay retail prices, or is there movement in buying watches from dealers?
Omega Speedmaster FOIS - This appears to also now be OOS in most places.
I'm going to a local dealer at the weekend to take a look & confirm i like what i've chosen so far, they have 4 branches so aren't a national outfit, but, i am also flying out of Gatwick at the end of April, so would an airport offer better discounts?
My experience so far of buying watches has been the usual fashion watches at a couple of hundred from one of the watch retailers online & an Iwatch.
Is it a different kettle of fish from a higher end watch dealer?
Hi. Welcome. A few thoughts.
The FOIS was discontinued at the end of 2020, with stock sold through mostly by Easter last year. You'll be going second hand for that one but they've not moved much in cost.
The Superocean Heritage 57 Rainbow was a limited edition. There are 250 black dials and 1000 blue (which came out after the black hence usually referred to as a Gen 2). Both are sold through at retail. Blue ones are 5k ish, black ones 7-8k on secondary market.
Moonwatch speedmasters (usially referred to as a Speedmaster Professional) are readily available and there's lots of literature about on the various versions. I'd get a new one with the sapphire crystal of the three watches you've listed.
Have to caveat this by saying that I've just sold my FOIS and I have a Rainbow SOH black dial.
The FOIS was discontinued at the end of 2020, with stock sold through mostly by Easter last year. You'll be going second hand for that one but they've not moved much in cost.
The Superocean Heritage 57 Rainbow was a limited edition. There are 250 black dials and 1000 blue (which came out after the black hence usually referred to as a Gen 2). Both are sold through at retail. Blue ones are 5k ish, black ones 7-8k on secondary market.
Moonwatch speedmasters (usially referred to as a Speedmaster Professional) are readily available and there's lots of literature about on the various versions. I'd get a new one with the sapphire crystal of the three watches you've listed.
Have to caveat this by saying that I've just sold my FOIS and I have a Rainbow SOH black dial.
Currently on sale, if you must have a new SOH 57
https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Breitling...
https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Breitling...
Similar position to the one I'm in. I'm hoping finances are in place this month to pull the trigger.
I'd had a few questions thrown at me when I've asked people for their advice:
1. What will you use it for? (Everyday, Evening/Weekend, Special Occasion)
2. Are you intending to keep forever or are you looking for something you can get out of in a few years?
3. Are you looking to expand your collection? (You probably will but if you have the intention of the Rolex route, it's helpful to know in your own mind)
If you are going to buy just one for the rest of your life then it should be the one that makes you the most excited, not necessarily what you "should buy".
Do take your time though, if you haven't tried any on then I wouldn't recommend buying on the day. I went in looking for a Seamaster 300m, fell in love with a Planet Ocean, got distracted by a Speedy Moonwatch and left very confused. I keep coming back to the PO and it's the one I stop to look at when I walk past the AD so it's the one I'll be buying.
I can't really say much on the discount front, I was offered 5% straight off the bat so I'm hoping to get some more when I'm sat down and serious.
I'd had a few questions thrown at me when I've asked people for their advice:
1. What will you use it for? (Everyday, Evening/Weekend, Special Occasion)
2. Are you intending to keep forever or are you looking for something you can get out of in a few years?
3. Are you looking to expand your collection? (You probably will but if you have the intention of the Rolex route, it's helpful to know in your own mind)
If you are going to buy just one for the rest of your life then it should be the one that makes you the most excited, not necessarily what you "should buy".
Do take your time though, if you haven't tried any on then I wouldn't recommend buying on the day. I went in looking for a Seamaster 300m, fell in love with a Planet Ocean, got distracted by a Speedy Moonwatch and left very confused. I keep coming back to the PO and it's the one I stop to look at when I walk past the AD so it's the one I'll be buying.
I can't really say much on the discount front, I was offered 5% straight off the bat so I'm hoping to get some more when I'm sat down and serious.
richthebike said:
The Superocean Heritage 57 Rainbow was a limited edition. There are 250 black dials and 1000 blue (which came out after the black hence usually referred to as a Gen 2). Both are sold through at retail. Blue ones are 5k ish, black ones 7-8k on secondary market.
Wow the black ones are really that much now? I remember liking yours when you bought it but wasn’t really in the market at the time. That’s strong money.
Apparently so. Just checked C24 and the blues are up a bit vs. the £5k I quoted, more like 6+
I'm glad I got mine, it's a very cool watch and it's worth the £4k. You'd have to be a Breitling superfan to pay 8 for it, or just speculating. If someone offered me that for it it'd be gone.
I'm glad I got mine, it's a very cool watch and it's worth the £4k. You'd have to be a Breitling superfan to pay 8 for it, or just speculating. If someone offered me that for it it'd be gone.
Delearyous84 said:
Similar position to the one I'm in. I'm hoping finances are in place this month to pull the trigger.
I'd had a few questions thrown at me when I've asked people for their advice:
1. What will you use it for? (Everyday, Evening/Weekend, Special Occasion)
2. Are you intending to keep forever or are you looking for something you can get out of in a few years?
3. Are you looking to expand your collection? (You probably will but if you have the intention of the Rolex route, it's helpful to know in your own mind)
If you are going to buy just one for the rest of your life then it should be the one that makes you the most excited, not necessarily what you "should buy".
Do take your time though, if you haven't tried any on then I wouldn't recommend buying on the day. I went in looking for a Seamaster 300m, fell in love with a Planet Ocean, got distracted by a Speedy Moonwatch and left very confused. I keep coming back to the PO and it's the one I stop to look at when I walk past the AD so it's the one I'll be buying.
I can't really say much on the discount front, I was offered 5% straight off the bat so I'm hoping to get some more when I'm sat down and serious.
The Breitling rainbow would hands down be the one i would have if possible (blue or black face), However, I'd like to buy brand new & i don't want to be paying over RRP prices, so it comes down to a compromise.I'd had a few questions thrown at me when I've asked people for their advice:
1. What will you use it for? (Everyday, Evening/Weekend, Special Occasion)
2. Are you intending to keep forever or are you looking for something you can get out of in a few years?
3. Are you looking to expand your collection? (You probably will but if you have the intention of the Rolex route, it's helpful to know in your own mind)
If you are going to buy just one for the rest of your life then it should be the one that makes you the most excited, not necessarily what you "should buy".
Do take your time though, if you haven't tried any on then I wouldn't recommend buying on the day. I went in looking for a Seamaster 300m, fell in love with a Planet Ocean, got distracted by a Speedy Moonwatch and left very confused. I keep coming back to the PO and it's the one I stop to look at when I walk past the AD so it's the one I'll be buying.
I can't really say much on the discount front, I was offered 5% straight off the bat so I'm hoping to get some more when I'm sat down and serious.
It's a watch I'd like to be able to wear for 'special occasions', evenings/weekends, i wear an Iwatch the rest of the time (so that i guilt myself into some exercise).
I have considered a Rolex, however, my reasoning was based solely on it being an investment, i don't really like them to look at & IMO if i'm spending a fair chunk on something i wouldn't usually splash out on, i need to look at it & love it.
theguvernor15 said:
The Breitling rainbow would hands down be the one i would have if possible (blue or black face), However, I'd like to buy brand new & i don't want to be paying over RRP prices, so it comes down to a compromise.
It's a watch I'd like to be able to wear for 'special occasions', evenings/weekends, i wear an Iwatch the rest of the time (so that i guilt myself into some exercise).
I have considered a Rolex, however, my reasoning was based solely on it being an investment, i don't really like them to look at & IMO if i'm spending a fair chunk on something i wouldn't usually splash out on, i need to look at it & love it.
If it’s new then I’d keep looking and trying on different things or hang on til there is something else that you fall for. Compromise doesn’t work for me on a luxury item, I think you would end up looking at rainbows online and whatever you buy will get used less and less.It's a watch I'd like to be able to wear for 'special occasions', evenings/weekends, i wear an Iwatch the rest of the time (so that i guilt myself into some exercise).
I have considered a Rolex, however, my reasoning was based solely on it being an investment, i don't really like them to look at & IMO if i'm spending a fair chunk on something i wouldn't usually splash out on, i need to look at it & love it.
gregs656 said:
A Speedy is a lovely thing. You can't go wrong with them really.
I'd definitely buy something you want to wear. You may surprise your self how much you do wear it.
Agreed. I feel I say the same thing all the time but a moonwatch (just the vanilla one) is so iconic and timeless - so to speak! - and makes such a good candidate for an only proper watch as it it is special (especially if you go for the sapphire that Rich suggested so you can see the movement) and it goes with so many different straps. So you can have “just” the one special watch but can change the look of it so much, perhaps like you do with your Apple watch. I'd definitely buy something you want to wear. You may surprise your self how much you do wear it.
theguvernor15 said:
I'm going to pop up to a local shop at the weekend & see whats about & to take a look at the Omegas, i need to love it or i just won't appreciate it.
This. In spades. You’ll be looking at it dozens of times a day, thousands of times a year.
If you don’t love it you’ll regret it.
Popped into a local AD yesterday.
Tried on the Speedmaster, it’s a lovely watch, but it just didn’t jump out at me, which was disappointing.
I tried on a couple of other bits, but couldn’t find anything I liked other than a couple of Tags.
I did have the thought of a Milgauss in my mind, I’m not a huge Rolex fan, but on the off chance asked if they had a Milgauss (I appreciate it’s not everyone’s cup of tea), but I put it on and it instantly just looked and felt right.
Unfortunately, I had to ‘register interest’ to purchase, the lady wasn’t able to tell me how long it’d be, but if I was a previous customer I would probably be able to purchase sooner rather than later.
I’ve no issues with this, it is what it is, however it did give me the thought of potentially purchasing a Tag I really liked there, if the ‘waiting list’ is 12 months for the Rolex, I could end up with a daily to wear (Tag) & a nice watch in 12 months.
I currently just wear an Iwatch, however, I don’t want to purchase a Tag, if in 6 months time I’m able to purchase the Milgauss, as I won’t have the funds for both.
So, are any of the watch gurus on here able to offer some advise on the Rolex Milgauss waiting times?
I’m in the South West If that makes any difference.
Tried on the Speedmaster, it’s a lovely watch, but it just didn’t jump out at me, which was disappointing.
I tried on a couple of other bits, but couldn’t find anything I liked other than a couple of Tags.
I did have the thought of a Milgauss in my mind, I’m not a huge Rolex fan, but on the off chance asked if they had a Milgauss (I appreciate it’s not everyone’s cup of tea), but I put it on and it instantly just looked and felt right.
Unfortunately, I had to ‘register interest’ to purchase, the lady wasn’t able to tell me how long it’d be, but if I was a previous customer I would probably be able to purchase sooner rather than later.
I’ve no issues with this, it is what it is, however it did give me the thought of potentially purchasing a Tag I really liked there, if the ‘waiting list’ is 12 months for the Rolex, I could end up with a daily to wear (Tag) & a nice watch in 12 months.
I currently just wear an Iwatch, however, I don’t want to purchase a Tag, if in 6 months time I’m able to purchase the Milgauss, as I won’t have the funds for both.
So, are any of the watch gurus on here able to offer some advise on the Rolex Milgauss waiting times?
I’m in the South West If that makes any difference.
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