Suggest a watch

[red_slr]

cbmotorsport said:

Rolex Milgaus for me. Nice modern look. Will work with jeans and a t-shirt or a suit. Lots of change from your budget.

That looks good, thanks for that.

The Seiko looks good too and I guess most people looking at it would think its a £100 watch which is what we are looking for as its going to get worn.

[So]

red_slr said:

cbmotorsport said:

Rolex Milgaus for me. Nice modern look. Will work with jeans and a t-shirt or a suit. Lots of change from your budget.

That looks good, thanks for that.

The Seiko looks good too and I guess most people looking at it would think its a £100 watch which is what we are looking for as its going to get worn.

If you're looking for "under the radar" then the Seiko has to be worth a look. It will be a superb watch that doesn't draw too much attention.

[cbmotorsport]

So said:

ZesPak said:

So said:

I always think Lexus when I see these.

Because it's a premium Japanese brand?

Odd. Does IWC make you think about Mercedes?

Why would it? IWC is Swiss.

[Voldemort]

Don't buy a watch as a gift unless the happy recipient has seen and ok'd it.

You admit to not being a watch geek and we know less about the recipient.

But some things are so basic to people we forget that some people would not have any watch if it had, for example, roman numerals, or a black face, or a metal bracelet...

Dropping a big sum to then discover that the watch won't get worn would be tragic. To have had its' re-sale value further ruined by an engraving would be sarcastic icing on the cake.

So, my advice, for the love of getting such a thing right, ask the recipient (not us) what he wants and then get that.

[SturdyHSV]

red_slr said:

The Seiko looks good too and I guess most people looking at it would think its a £100 watch which is what we are looking for as its going to get worn.

That's refreshing to hear, good on you

[cbmotorsport]

Voldemort said:

Don't buy a watch as a gift unless the happy recipient has seen and ok'd it.

You admit to not being a watch geek and we know less about the recipient.

But some things are so basic to people we forget that some people would not have any watch if it had, for example, roman numerals, or a black face, or a metal bracelet...

Dropping a big sum to then discover that the watch won't get worn would be tragic. To have had its' re-sale value further ruined by an engraving would be sarcastic icing on the cake.

So, my advice, for the love of getting such a thing right, ask the recipient (not us) what he wants and then get that.

Sage advice.

And thinking about my own tastes, there's a lot of watches I wouldn't wear, that would seem pretty innocuous to most.

Having said that OP you should be able to order the watch that you choose and return it if the recipient doesn't like it, as long as it's within a few days, unsized and not destickered. Just don't get it engraved until the recipient has shown some love for it.

Edited by cbmotorsport on Wednesday 19th September 10:58

[alfaman]

Voldemort said:

Don't buy a watch as a gift unless the happy recipient has seen and ok'd it.

You admit to not being a watch geek and we know less about the recipient.

But some things are so basic to people we forget that some people would not have any watch if it had, for example, roman numerals, or a black face, or a metal bracelet...

Dropping a big sum to then discover that the watch won't get worn would be tragic. To have had its' re-sale value further ruined by an engraving would be sarcastic icing on the cake.

So, my advice, for the love of getting such a thing right, ask the recipient (not us) what he wants and then get that.

Exactly - recipient may not even want an expensive watch, or a watch at all.

I’d never buy someone a watch without them being present or knowing what they want - too personal and very likely to get it wrong

Same with clothing - my sister used to buy me shirts that she liked for Xmas .... I never liked brown shirts

Edited by alfaman on Wednesday 19th September 10:59

[hilly10]

cbmotorsport said:

Rolex Milgaus for me. Nice modern look. Will work with jeans and a t-shirt or a suit. Lots of change from your budget.

Now that would be my choice, so understated smart and a great price.

[okgo]

Not sure the Green glass is that timeless though. Used to love them, now don't.

Black face, Jubliee strap Datejust 41mm - lovely job.

[cbmotorsport]

okgo said:

Not sure the Green glass is that timeless though. Used to love them, now don't.

Black face, Jubliee strap Datejust 41mm - lovely job.

Also a fine choice. May appear a bit dated to some, it's such a personal thing. :-)

[lostkiwi]

Voldemort said:

Don't buy a watch as a gift unless the happy recipient has seen and ok'd it.

You admit to not being a watch geek and we know less about the recipient.

But some things are so basic to people we forget that some people would not have any watch if it had, for example, roman numerals, or a black face, or a metal bracelet...

Dropping a big sum to then discover that the watch won't get worn would be tragic. To have had its' re-sale value further ruined by an engraving would be sarcastic icing on the cake.

So, my advice, for the love of getting such a thing right, ask the recipient (not us) what he wants and then get that.

Absolutely agree.
I would be less than impressed if some spent that on a Rolex for me for example as it would in my eyes shoe a lack of imagination yet others here would be very happy for one. Individual tastes vary significantly so you do need to consider their specific tastes and needs.

[cbmotorsport]

lostkiwi said:

Voldemort said:

Don't buy a watch as a gift unless the happy recipient has seen and ok'd it.

You admit to not being a watch geek and we know less about the recipient.

But some things are so basic to people we forget that some people would not have any watch if it had, for example, roman numerals, or a black face, or a metal bracelet...

Dropping a big sum to then discover that the watch won't get worn would be tragic. To have had its' re-sale value further ruined by an engraving would be sarcastic icing on the cake.

So, my advice, for the love of getting such a thing right, ask the recipient (not us) what he wants and then get that.

Absolutely agree.
I would be less than impressed if some spent that on a Rolex for me for example as it would in my eyes shoe a lack of imagination yet others here would be very happy for one. Individual tastes vary significantly so you do need to consider their specific tastes and needs.

I think Rolex's have been primarily mentioned because they fit the brief so well....

[lostkiwi]

cbmotorsport said:

lostkiwi said:

Voldemort said:

Don't buy a watch as a gift unless the happy recipient has seen and ok'd it.

You admit to not being a watch geek and we know less about the recipient.

But some things are so basic to people we forget that some people would not have any watch if it had, for example, roman numerals, or a black face, or a metal bracelet...

Dropping a big sum to then discover that the watch won't get worn would be tragic. To have had its' re-sale value further ruined by an engraving would be sarcastic icing on the cake.

So, my advice, for the love of getting such a thing right, ask the recipient (not us) what he wants and then get that.

Absolutely agree.
I would be less than impressed if some spent that on a Rolex for me for example as it would in my eyes shoe a lack of imagination yet others here would be very happy for one. Individual tastes vary significantly so you do need to consider their specific tastes and needs.

I think Rolex's have been primarily mentioned because they fit the brief so well....

Given the engraving is a maybe there are plenty of options from Panerai, AP, Hublot, Omega, Tag, Vacheron Constantin, and Breguet for example. Only the possibility of engraving creates a restriction which can in some cases be overcome by engraving around the back and not on the flat back face.

For me I'd have a Breguet Marine (slightly over budget) or VC Overseas or maybe a Parmigiani Fleurier.

Edited by lostkiwi on Wednesday 19th September 17:56

[AlexC1981]

You can acid etch a crystal display back. You may possibly be able to have the original crystal in the rear replaced with an etched piece so you can keep the original safe.

[PJ S]

red_slr said:

If you had £8-10k to buy a gents watch as a gift for someone for a big birthday what would you be looking at?

…[snip]…

As you can tell I know nothing about watches!!!

In that case, and with deadly seriousness, don’t bother.
Might be comical if it weren’t truly a case of the blind leading the blind.

If, on the other hand, he’s a watch person, then just take him out (window) shopping, to get some idea of where his interests and preferences lie.

On the basis of completely ignoring the above advice, then £8-10K is a bit of a tricky area, since there are some cracking savings to be made on superb brands you’ll be ignorant of – some will be pre-owned, others will be ex-display or grey, with or without the manufacturer’s warranty.

A run-of-the-mill Rolex is the default, but wholly unimaginative choice, relying solely upon the brand name to generate the appeal – but like I’ve already said, involve him in the process, and don’t focus on price or brand… let the design/fit/feel do the work.


For the sake of throwing out some options, then Bvlgari Octo, Girard-Perregaux Laureato, and Chopard L.U.C. are three out of a vast array, with maybe a Moser & Cie Pioneer Centre Seconds (pre-owned/deep discount) in steel, as another worth looking at.
Just don’t take him to William & Son, and let him see the De Bethunes and Romain Gauthiers.

[red_slr]

He is not a watch person, at all. He will appreciate the engineering though, and it will be used to tell the time and that's it. A Rolex will just end up locked in a drawer and will never see the light of day. The Seiko is looking perfect so going to investigate that route.

[AAD44H]

https://www.francisandgaye.co.uk/grand-seiko-calib...

They have one

[lostkiwi]

To expand on my previous post:
Vacheron Constantin - https://www.chronext.co.uk/vacheron-constantin/ove...

Breguet Marine:
https://www.thewatchsource.co.uk/Breguet/5817st~12...

Parmigiani Fleurier:
https://www.thewatchsource.co.uk/Parmigiani/pfc274...

[ZesPak]

AAD44H said:

https://www.francisandgaye.co.uk/grand-seiko-calib...

They have one

[Graemsay]

The Bulgari Octo Finissimo in steel on a strap is probably around £10K. (The titanium model is £11K on a strap, and the steel is a bit cheaper.) It's a fantastic looking, and one of the slimmest watches you can get. Monochrome have an article about it.



No room for engravings, though.

Chopard have some lovely pieces. I like the LUC XP in steel.



Other things to consider would be the IWC Jubilee Collection (I like the Big Pilot Big Date, which is probably just outside your range), Omega Speedmaster (the Apollo 8 is cool), the Zenith El Primero, or even a Panerai.