First Time Buyer Help

First Time Buyer Help

Author
Discussion

Lippy

Original Poster:

229 posts

211 months

Tuesday 6th May 2008
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Morning everyone

I'm getting married in two weeks, my fiancee has said she would like to get me a good watch to celebrate the occasion, clearly I'm a lucky fella!

Anyway, I'm interested in designs with both silver & gold as my wedding ring is gold.

I'm at a loss where to start really, we've not got a massive budget, maybe tops £800, what does that get for the money? What brands and quality should I look at?

I'm a completely newb, so be kind...over to the floor.

Andrew

Don1

15,961 posts

209 months

Tuesday 6th May 2008
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The rose gold is starting to look good, and might be able to keep more money than the old 'bimetals' of the 80's and 90's.

Personally I'd say go for a mechanical watch, rather than electronic (quartz) - but it is just being snobby.

You can get some nice 'names' creaping into your price bracket (especially second hand, but I guess you want something new?).

What sort of thing do you like? Simple, plain face? Chronograph? Give us a few clues, as ther world of watches is far larger than you might expect.

Lippy

Original Poster:

229 posts

211 months

Tuesday 6th May 2008
quotequote all
Don1 said:
The rose gold is starting to look good, and might be able to keep more money than the old 'bimetals' of the 80's and 90's.

Personally I'd say go for a mechanical watch, rather than electronic (quartz) - but it is just being snobby.

You can get some nice 'names' creaping into your price bracket (especially second hand, but I guess you want something new?).

What sort of thing do you like? Simple, plain face? Chronograph? Give us a few clues, as ther world of watches is far larger than you might expect.
cheers - I've spent today browsing this forum, like most things, I hadn't realised how deep this mine field was!

I guess, initially, I've always liked the look of Omega, Tags and I have seen some nice designs in the mainstream jewellers from Rado and Oris - but with my wedding, I want something that will serve to look the business on the day, but be wearable for sometime after.

I'd prefer a silver/gold design for this reason, after spending some time on google images I can see why this can become an enjoyable hobby in owning these pieces, I could see me owning several!

For a wedding watch, I've found two contenders

Tag Aquaracer 2000


+ Looks lovely, fits with the brand snob in me
- Can I get a "better" watch for the money, without paying for the brand name

Sinn 356

+ Looks amazing, would really suit my suit, style I'd never considered before
- would still fancy a Tag/Omega sport watch

I'm looking for any advice on the above, or similar styles of watches.

Cheers

Andrew

Asterix

24,438 posts

229 months

Tuesday 6th May 2008
quotequote all
Go for the Sinn mate - lovely watches and arguably better value for money than the Tag - don't get me wrong, I'm a Tag fan (have a Carrera Chrono) but the Sinn is the more interesting of the two in my book.

I'm looking to get one soonish.

Don1

15,961 posts

209 months

Tuesday 6th May 2008
quotequote all
Mind you... I started with a TAG, and haven't looked back. It still gets occasional time on my wrist, but it's no-where near a favourite (21st birthday present from my parents).

Personally, I'd go for the Sinn. It's a beautiful thing, you'd be able to wear it far more than a bi-metal (like the TAG), and they are enough of a name for the 'badge snobs' to nod at, as well as the man in the street not knowing what they are looking at.

Go Sinn, or carry on looking for something else? You also have two very different watches there - which parts of either do you prefer, so we can try and tailor you.
As a final suggestion, there are some people of this forum (like our own Dominic H), who would be well worth getting in touch with. Trust me!

Civpilot

6,235 posts

241 months

Tuesday 6th May 2008
quotequote all
Well IMHO at a glance the Tag looks a little too much like a ladies Rolex wannabe with the bymetal strap design.

The Sinn is a stunning thing. That just looks pure class. Would be a very very easy choice for me.

Maxf

8,411 posts

242 months

Tuesday 6th May 2008
quotequote all
I'm not a fan of bi-metal (although do like the Apollo 15 Speedmaster for some reason). The Sinn is a good watch which is more 'know' than 'show' and will more likely not be something you'd get bored of.

If Bi-Metal is your think then you might be getting close to what a used pre 1994 (when the glass changed I think) Rolex oyster bi-metal. Or failing that a Stainless Steel Oyster could maybe be bought (used) for that sort of money. Obviously some people hate the Rolex image but my Oyster (given to me by my father) is getting on for 20 years old, has had 1 service and hasnt missed a beat and still looks nice if I decide to wear it.

BigAlinEmbra

1,629 posts

213 months

Tuesday 6th May 2008
quotequote all
Sinn's don't usually float my boat (think they are either too busy or too plain), but that one you've got your eye on is very tasty indeed.

Probably doesn't fit into you wanting some gold involved, but I do like seamasters and you should be able to sneak a secondhand auto in on your budget. Something like this...


Also plumbing the s/h omega theme, this one on chronomaster really tickled my fancy.

Only £545, and I'm not sure you could find a classier more timeless watch for the cash. (Pardon the pun).

Ultimately though, it's going to remind you of the special day every time you check your wrist, so personally I'd ignore internet retards like me and just go for whatever the hell you like the most and sod the rest of us.

Hopefully the nice weather we've got at the moment will hold for the next couple of weeks too. biggrin

tertius

6,859 posts

231 months

Tuesday 6th May 2008
quotequote all
Although I definitely rate the Sinn, I'm not sure it would be my first choice for a wedding watch.

Accordingly, may I suggest something a little left field, a Nomos Tangente Sport:



Classy, slightly dressy but still wearable in pretty much any situation. It is, however, handwound.

For a bit more they make a similar auto:



Bet you'll never see another one on someone's wrist.

Alternatively take a look at Oris - the Artelier range is lovely and simlarly dressy.

Obviously you should buy the watch you like and want to wear, but with that Tag you would be paying for nothing but the name.

Lippy

Original Poster:

229 posts

211 months

Wednesday 7th May 2008
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thanks all for the greatly informative replies.

that seamaster looks the business all right, as I say, I can see the "collector" in me thinking, well a "x" would go with this and if I got "y" I'd wear it with that.

I think I am set on a classic style watch, with minimal clutter on the face. I know the Sinn is quite busy, my mind is easily changed! Don't think I would fancy a 2nd hand watch, although I appreciate the value and quality certainly in some of the older designs.

Is there any watches with a silver bracelet but have gold faces/detailing that would provide the contrast, rather than going for a bi-metal?

Thanks again, hope the weather sticks aswell!

Andrew

Lippy

Original Poster:

229 posts

211 months

Wednesday 7th May 2008
quotequote all
Lippy said:
Is there any watches with a silver bracelet but have gold faces/detailing that would provide the contrast, rather than going for a bi-metal?
Answering my own questions - Oris Artelier



that one could be perfect

also, from the werners thread



what a bloody bargain! (one of many!)

Decisions decisions...

Maxf

8,411 posts

242 months

Wednesday 7th May 2008
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Unfortunately outside of your budget but these are different, and also strangely nice...


Lippy

Original Poster:

229 posts

211 months

Wednesday 7th May 2008
quotequote all
yep googled that before from an earlier post...I'll keep trying the lotto!

Lippy

Original Poster:

229 posts

211 months

Wednesday 7th May 2008
quotequote all
another option

Stowa Exima



Great price again, but not sure of delivery times, anyone know any UK retailers?

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date



Good price, just less than 600 and would really be good for the wedding and for the future.

Anyone bought from JuraWatches?

Edited by Lippy on Wednesday 7th May 14:27

Don1

15,961 posts

209 months

Wednesday 7th May 2008
quotequote all
I believe they have a good reputation on here.

tertius

6,859 posts

231 months

Wednesday 7th May 2008
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Lippy said:
another option

Stowa Exima



Great price again, but not sure of delivery times, anyone know any UK retailers?

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date



Good price, just less than 600 and would really be good for the wedding and for the future.

Anyone bought from JuraWatches?

Edited by Lippy on Wednesday 7th May 14:27
There are no UK dealers for Stowa - your only option is to buy through their website. I have a Marine Original and it is a fab watch. I bought secondhand but have only heard good things about their customer service.

I also have an Oris Pointer date, though not the big crown - also a very nice watch though I would probably rate the Stowa somewhat higher: better build quality, more exclusive.

cannedheat

947 posts

276 months

Wednesday 7th May 2008
quotequote all
If you don't have massive wrists then maybe look at an Omega Speedmaster Reduced...you might be able to pick one up for £800. It's 36mm compared with 42mm of the full size 'Professional' model and has an automatic rather than manual winding mechanical movement.