"Good" new watch - budget up to £1k

[davek_964]

A friend is thinking of getting his son a watch for his 18th, so has asked me what good brands there are for that price.

I don't have a clue - any suggestions? I don't think used is an option.

[vixen1700]

Could do with a bit more information, like styles, likes etc.

But for £1000, you can't go wrong with a Stowa Flieger Klassik. £1000 Gets you the hand-wound version.

Very nicely made watches that you won't see many other people wearing. You can only get them from the factory in the Black Forest, not in shops and made in low numbers across their range. Approx 100 watches a week made as far as I know.

Great customer service too.

https://www.stowa.de/



Although being 18, he may just be into named stuff like Tag or summat.

[davek_964]

To be honest, I'm not even sure he's into watches - it's simply his mum deciding to buy him a "nice" watch.

[Barchettaman]

Yeah, TAG Heuer is a safe bet, one of their nicer quartz watches.

[Gazzab]

I’d look at Sinn. But second hand.
Or if the son doesn’t have huge wrists I’d look at an Omega Speedmaster Reduced.

[seadragon]

Seiko Alpinist or Presage range

Farer watches

[richthebike]

For a one watch to do it all I'd be into a Timex S1 at just over 400 quid.

If he wants something sportier I'd say Squale 1521.

If you can get a Speedmaster Reduced for under a grand then that's a good shout.

Yema Superman in Steel does just about everything in a really nice way.

[Gazzab]

I bought my son a 1999 (birth year) speedmaster reduced a couple of years ago for a little bit over a grand.

[CardShark]

I wouldn't trust my own judgement as to which watch an 18yo lad would favour, if I was then it would probably be a sports/diver style.

I'd recommend that your friend's family make a day of it and take him out to try a few on, watches can be extremely personal so to include him in the decision making process may be a wise idea.

[Dicky Knee]

With a bit of shopping around Oris, for example:

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/oris/aquis-date--id8043...

Longines:

https://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/6081207/l...

Hamilton, for example:

https://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/2287137/h...

Longines and Hamilton offer lots of styles under £1000 and you should be able to get a discount. Creation Watches have some great deals on Hamilton.

[Sheetmaself]

Longines Hydroconquest?
Would of thought you could get an Automatic for that kind of money.

[Dicky Knee]

Sheetmaself said:

Longines Hydroconquest?
Would of thought you could get an Automatic for that kind of money.

Indeed you can.

Link above!

[Harry Flashman]

I had this question for myself, and ended up with a Christopher Ward Trident 600 GMT in bronze.

I absolutely love it, and the bronze will patinate over time. A bit bulky to wear under cuffs, but a great casual watch. Build quality is ridiculous - feels and looks better than my Omega 300 diver.

But I am 42. This may not suit an 18 year old. Mind you, I was wearing my Dad's Omega Speedmaster moonwatch at 18, so big watches can work. Mine is in a 43 as I wanted it oversized, but you can get them in 40, I believe. Supposedly a limited edition.

I am slightly disappointed that they are going on a big advertising drive, as it means that the brand is not quite as under the radar to the general public as it once was. They have some great watches in the range though.

I was going to buy a Breitling Superocean Heritage II. At a third the price, the Ward is better looking, feels just as well made (apart possibly from the face, where the Britling definitely wins), and is probably rarer.

The strap (a hybrid rubber/webbing job) is a thing of beauty as well.

Only problem? Will be worth bugger all on any resale. I don't care as I intend to keep mine.


20191122_172210 by baconrashers, on Flickr

[vixen1700]

Been finding myself drawn to something bronze lately, so may go for the CW or Magrette at some point.

[ZesPak]

For an 18 yo? Has to be a sports watch, doesn't it?

Something like a nice Samurai, but that will be half the budget. At least it will survive being 18 and stupid .

[hp7]

Sinn for me too.

[lostkiwi]

Magrette. Any if them really. I have 2 - a limited edition Kara in titanium and an original Bronze (which is actually brass). Superb quality and great value.
Something a little more special perhaps? How about Mühle Glasshutte?
Have a Big 29er and the finishing is first rate.

[Badda]

davek_964 said:

A friend is thinking of getting his son a watch for his 18th, so has asked me what good brands there are for that price.

I don't have a clue - any suggestions? I don't think used is an option.

Why don't you say to him 'I don't have a clue'?

[davek_964]

Badda said:

Why don't you say to him 'I don't have a clue'?

That's exactly what I did say, but said I would ask on here.

Thanks for the other suggestions so far. Why you felt the need to post I have no idea.

[GT03ROB]

I bought my son a Tag Heurer for his 21st at around 1250.

I bought myself a very nice Christopher Ward bronze limited recently for just under this mark. Nice watches but probably not for an 18yo though.