£500 Challenge

[Spice_Weasel]

OK, here's the situation for the assembled collective to help with: my brother has £500 (perhaps a little more if I contribute) for a birthday watch and wants a large (44mm minimum) watch with some good wrist presence. While something like a Kemmner, a Steinhart or a Seiko diver would fit the bill, I am wondering if it is possible to find something like a Breitling - perhaps an older diver-style like a SeaWolf, Colt or Superocean? I'm happy to buy from TZ SC but before I post a WTB, am I being overly optimistic? Condition needs to be pretty good and working but strap / bracelet is unimportant as I will be recommending a Toshi. Thoughts please!

[Spice_Weasel]

Sorry. Blackberry technical f*** up - double post!

[al1991]

Colts, Superoceans etc., you will struggle in your price range and they won't be 45mm+ anyway.

See, http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t...

Nice watch, but it's almost £300 over budget, and "only" 42mm.

I think you will struggle to find a premium brand watch (whatever that may be ) in that sort of size for £500. All the older ones tend to be smaller.

[RemainAllHoof]

Ocean7 Ploprof?

[Spice_Weasel]

RemainAllHoof said:

Ocean7 Ploprof?

That's a good suggestion.

[al1991]

Spice_Weasel said:

RemainAllHoof said:

Ocean7 Ploprof?

That's a good suggestion.

I would lump Ocean7 in with Kemmner, Steinhart and Seiko though?

[Muska]

Helson sharkmaster (I would say that as I've just bought one!)

Second hand certainly under £500 and new just over.

The kemmner octopus is also an underrated watch in my opinion and certainly carries wrist presence due to the size/thickness.

[RemainAllHoof]

al1991 said:

I would lump Ocean7 in with Kemmner, Steinhart and Seiko though?

Agreed, it's not in the Breitling level. To find a "premium" brand at that kind of price, it would have to be older and therefore likely to be smaller.

[Spice_Weasel]

RemainAllHoof said:

Agreed, it's not in the Breitling level. To find a "premium" brand at that kind of price, it would have to be older and therefore likely to be smaller.

Yep, I agree.

[al1991]

That was what I said, but the OP mentioned Breitling so I assumed stuff like Ocean7 was out the question.

Seems I was wrong

[RemainAllHoof]

Yes, you did. I was... agreeing. I don't like all this agreeing. Not on PH. If we're not careful, we'll induce a black hole.

[Spice_Weasel]

To further add confusion, I agree with what has been posted - I think £500 is not going to be enough to secure a Breitling. In terms of wrist presence, however, something like the Ocean7 would work well and would be around budget.

I've also been searching for used Longines Hydros and Glycine Lagunares this morning.

ETA Just spotted this: http://chronomaster.co.uk/B186_Breitling_4.jpg in the Breitling section of the Chronomaster site. Unfortunately it's only 41mm, the lume is a bit cracked and it's still a few hundred over budget!

Edited by Spice_Weasel on Monday 3rd October 11:11

Edited by Spice_Weasel on Monday 3rd October 11:24

[RemainAllHoof]

Doh. Oh yes, those two should give you something interesting and with presence. They're above Ocean 7, Steinhart etc but below Omega, Breitling and so on.

[al1991]

RemainAllHoof said:

Doh. Oh yes, those two should give you something interesting and with presence. They're above Ocean 7, Steinhart etc but below Omega, Breitling and so on.

Agreed

Seriously though, Longines could well be the answer IMO.

Not sure how large the Tissots are but they're swiss and look the part too. In budget.

[RemainAllHoof]

You've done it now!!

http://www.cyriak.co.uk/lhc/

[Ikemi]

Spice_Weasel said:

I've also been searching for used Glycine Lagunares this morning.

Good choice! It's been said that Glycine are the watch aficionado's best kept secret; The company itself is underrated, but the watches produced are of high quality and feature some decent specifications for the price! The best bit is the fact that they do not hold value well, so you can pick up a bargain on the second hand market

Which model are you looking at?

Here's my 3837:

[justayellowbadge]

A fashion name, admittedly, but COSC certified 7750, titanium and ceramic construction, and 44mm within a little of your budget.

http://www.chrono24.com/en/dealer/chronocentral/li...

[Ikemi]

justayellowbadge said:

A fashion name, admittedly, but COSC certified 7750, titanium and ceramic construction, and 44mm within a little of your budget.

http://www.chrono24.com/en/dealer/chronocentral/li...

Considering the movement, COSC certification and titanium/ceramic materials, that is a bargain!

[Spice_Weasel]

Ikemi said:

Good choice! It's been said that Glycine are the watch aficionado's best kept secret; The company itself is underrated, but the watches produced are of high quality and feature some decent specifications for the price! The best bit is the fact that they do not hold value well, so you can pick up a bargain on the second hand market

Which model are you looking at?

Here's my 3837:

Ah yes, the 'Big 9'. I too love Glycine and have a Lagunare 3000, one of a ltd edition run of 300. I hope longer term it will be a bit of an investment. We'll see...

I was thinking of the Lagunare 1000 as an option for my brother.

[BigWithey]

Another one here..a really nice piece love it





Bought mine from here

Edited by BigWithey on Monday 3rd October 15:11