Circa £2000 watch choices

[Deep]

Looking for a relative as an 18th birthday present.

Budget circa £2000

Automatic

Sports rather than dress given the recipient's age.

Would be nice to have space on the back to engrave but not a deal breaker

Must be from wos group

Decent water resistance

This is what I've come up with so far


https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/TAG-Heuer...


https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/TAG-Heuer...

https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/TAG-Heuer...

https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Longines-...


https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Longines-...


https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Longines-...


I know its quite a spread of prices!

Any other suggestions also welcome.

He doesn't know much about watches so I will narrow it down to perhaps two and then probably let him choose but part of me would also like it to be a complete surprise.

[gregs656]

I'd resist the surprise temptation, It's not you that will have to look at it.

Tudor do blank case backs don't they? Black Bay 36? 41?

I do like that Zulu Time.

[TheThing]

If someone was buying for me then I would hope they would pick the Spirit. However, I'm not 18 and I like watches. I would of thought that most 18 year olds that aren't into watches would prefer a Tag purely because of the branding.

[PH User]

Are you sure he wants a watch?! I would check that he does and if he does then I would fully involve him in the choice as all of those look rather old fashioned for an 18 year old.

[Barchettaman]

TAG all day long.

I would repeat that £2k is a LOT to spend on an 18 year old if you are unsure if he has any interest in watches.

[Jamescrs]

I would bet an w8 year old would choose a Tag out of those options.
I have previously owned an Aquaracer and they are quite nice watches. I went off it fairly quickly and sold it and put the cash towards a Used Omega but that's not in the OP budget.

Do make sure he actually wants a watch though as others have said. I was bought a watch for my 21st and I've never worn it in my life. Its just the wrong style for me, I'm.41 now and it's in my watch box still.unworn.

[Deep]

Ok, you'll just have to trust me that he will like it if I choose it.
We have very similar tastes

[PH User]

We don't need to trust you, but you need to be sure that it is what he wants and you don't just buy him something that you like.

[Poisson96]

Make a day of it, go and look together and try etc. They get the right watch, a memory with it and you'll both enjoy it.

[Tinkywinky112233]

It’s nowhere near the 2k mark, but I’d be going for one of these- all you could want if you want the current in vogue integrated bracelet style, blue or green dial and automatic movement. Maybe not to everyone’s taste but having tried one on, it was an incredible value watch
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Tissot-PRX-Powermatic...

[Deep]

Tinkywinky112233 said:

It’s nowhere near the 2k mark, but I’d be going for one of these- all you could want if you want the current in vogue integrated bracelet style, blue or green dial and automatic movement. Maybe not to everyone’s taste but having tried one on, it was an incredible value watch
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Tissot-PRX-Powermatic...

Thanks.
I'll be honest, I don't like that at all, I don't think the style will age well.

[Deep]

Poisson96 said:

Make a day of it, go and look together and try etc. They get the right watch, a memory with it and you'll both enjoy it.

That's a very good idea but I'll still need a shortlist.

Thanks

[Deep]

gregs656 said:

I'd resist the surprise temptation, It's not you that will have to look at it.

Tudor do blank case backs don't they? Black Bay 36? 41?

I do like that Zulu Time.

I did look at the BB 36 but to be honest I don't like the look of it.....and this might offend a few people but the few Tudor's I've handled haven't impressed me with their feel/build quality/finish

[swanseaboydan]

I’d go for a used watch - at least then he’d get most of his money back if he lost interest in it ?

[funinhounslow]

I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the Longines you’ve chosen. I have an older Hydroconquest and bought a Spirit recently. Both excellent watches.

I think the Spirit GMT offers a lot for the money and would be my first choice. But any of the 3 are solid options I think.

[r159]

swanseaboydan said:

I’d go for a used watch - at least then he’d get most of his money back if he lost interest in it ?

If it must be WOS, they do have used watches, Rado Captain Cook, was going to suggest Tudor but moving on…

New:

Doxa 300T

If you got the Hydroconquest on bracelet, you could always get the rubber strap too so he has the option to mix and match.

[gregs656]

Deep said:

I did look at the BB 36 but to be honest I don't like the look of it.....and this might offend a few people but the few Tudor's I've handled haven't impressed me with their feel/build quality/finish

It's not for you though

Tudor has a lot more brand cache than, say, Longines.

I'd get this person involved and see what they like, it might surprise you.

[MarkJS]

gregs656 said:

Deep said:

I did look at the BB 36 but to be honest I don't like the look of it.....and this might offend a few people but the few Tudor's I've handled haven't impressed me with their feel/build quality/finish

It's not for you though

Tudor has a lot more brand cache than, say, Longines.

I'd get this person involved and see what they like, it might surprise you.

I have to agree with Deep here - every Tudor I’ve ever looked at/handled has completely underwhelmed me - and those ‘snowflake’ hands (that look nothing like snowflakes) just look wrong to my eyes. Tudor are much overrated IMO.

I’d also venture that Longines has just as much brand cache as Tudor to anyone who isn’t into watches.

[Deep]

funinhounslow said:

I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the Longines you’ve chosen. I have an older Hydroconquest and bought a Spirit recently. Both excellent watches.

I think the Spirit GMT offers a lot for the money and would be my first choice. But any of the 3 are solid options I think.

The Spirit is absolutely lovely, a bit more than I really wanted to spend but as you say, a lot of watch for the money.

[Deep]

r159 said:

If it must be WOS, they do have used watches, Rado Captain Cook, was going to suggest Tudor but moving on…

New:

Doxa 300T

If you got the Hydroconquest on bracelet, you could always get the rubber strap too so he has the option to mix and match.

The Doxa 300 T has a very specific look, it's the sort of watch I think that many people wouldn't wear. The Hydroquest on the other hand I suspect would appeal to many people, I would wear it.