Looking for my first "expensive" watch
Discussion
So, my last topic said I've never owned a watch:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Since then, I've become the proud owner of a Seiko 5 military and a Tissot PRC 200 - both of which I love.
I'm now thinking of spending up to 2k on a watch to celebrerate the birth of my first son, something I can keep and potentially hand down to him when he becomes a responsible age (like 30!).
Wife has given me the nod, with the only stipulation that it needs to be a 2011 watch - so 2nd hand isn't out, but it's needs to be pretty new.
I'm thinking of this, which I've seen for around the £2000 mark:
http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/product/omega-seamaste...
Should I be looking at anything else? I don't really like "busy" watches per se. Tag, Breitling, a different Omega? I'm quite new to this so I want it to be a wise purchase, to me, 2k is a lot of money!
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Since then, I've become the proud owner of a Seiko 5 military and a Tissot PRC 200 - both of which I love.
I'm now thinking of spending up to 2k on a watch to celebrerate the birth of my first son, something I can keep and potentially hand down to him when he becomes a responsible age (like 30!).
Wife has given me the nod, with the only stipulation that it needs to be a 2011 watch - so 2nd hand isn't out, but it's needs to be pretty new.
I'm thinking of this, which I've seen for around the £2000 mark:
http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/product/omega-seamaste...
Should I be looking at anything else? I don't really like "busy" watches per se. Tag, Breitling, a different Omega? I'm quite new to this so I want it to be a wise purchase, to me, 2k is a lot of money!
Hm. I really don't like the hands on that PO. However, if you do go down the Omega route, it is definitely worthwhile considering the models with the co-axial movement as that's a step forward in terms of the technology of mechanical watches (within this price range).
You could certainly get a very elegant Longines in this price range. But then again, perhaps you could get a basic Rolex (not sure what the current prices are for the cheapest ones) which will probably go up in value over the years and be regarded with interest in 50 years' time when you pass it on. It is hard to tell as interests may change in that time.
You could certainly get a very elegant Longines in this price range. But then again, perhaps you could get a basic Rolex (not sure what the current prices are for the cheapest ones) which will probably go up in value over the years and be regarded with interest in 50 years' time when you pass it on. It is hard to tell as interests may change in that time.
Rich n Em said:
Tag, Breitling, a different Omega? I'm quite new to this so I want it to be a wise purchase, to me, 2k is a lot of money!
As pleasant as some of those are (I own a Tag and Omega myself), for your requirements I would suggest something a little different - something that not everyone else has got!What about a Nomos?
http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/nomos-glashutte-watch...
In my opinion, the Tag/Omega stuff is a little too ubiquitous for such an occasion.
Congratulations on the birth of your son by the way.
Firstly, congratulations on your new born son.
Personally, I would look at the Omega Speedmaster - it's an iconic watch and always will be. Plus it'll cool for his dad to have a watch they wore on the moon.
I don't know how much the breitling super ocean 38mm is, but that's lovely too.
Chris
Personally, I would look at the Omega Speedmaster - it's an iconic watch and always will be. Plus it'll cool for his dad to have a watch they wore on the moon.
I don't know how much the breitling super ocean 38mm is, but that's lovely too.
Chris
DS3R said:
£2800 is not quite £2k now is it? How flexible are you on this!?
Wild alternative, buy something in YOUR birth year to hand down to him. You'll get far more for £2k (vintage Rolex?) that way than anything new, most manufacturers have just hiked prices by 5- 10%.
I am looking for a vintage Rolex from my birth year, and once I find one I will get that too, but SWMBO wants this watch to be a 2011.Wild alternative, buy something in YOUR birth year to hand down to him. You'll get far more for £2k (vintage Rolex?) that way than anything new, most manufacturers have just hiked prices by 5- 10%.
The £2000 is fairly firm, I've seen the one I linked advertised for just under £2000 as a 2nd, but unworn example.
rumbletum said:
What about a Nomos?
http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/nomos-glashutte-watch...
In my opinion, the Tag/Omega stuff is a little too ubiquitous for such an occasion.
A Nomos Tangente 33 is on my "to buy" list!http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/nomos-glashutte-watch...
In my opinion, the Tag/Omega stuff is a little too ubiquitous for such an occasion.
I think you've chosen well straight off the bat, and out of everything available is probably the watch I'd choose given that budget!
That particular model of Planet Ocean, IMO, would be the one to go for. The smaller case size and lack of any orange will probably date better than the others and the PO in general is already regarded as one of Omega's classics. Omega are also in the process of releasing a new range of Seamasters so that may give you an advantage when it comes to negotiating a discount if buying new.
As far as other options are concerned, you've stated that it must be your son's birth year watch so your options are everything within your budget that are in the stores now. Spend some time in various stores, try a whole load of watches on, get a feel for what you think does/doesn't work. Don't be concerned about wasting anybody's time, I've always been treated with the upmost respect even when I've stated from the outset that I wasn't there to buy that day. Avoid any fashion related brands and stick with the big names, not so much for any resale value as you're obviously not interested in that, more for the fact that brands like Omega, Tag and the like will still be around in 30 years time so servicing won't be an issue.
Good luck with choosing, it's something that I hope to be doing one day!
That particular model of Planet Ocean, IMO, would be the one to go for. The smaller case size and lack of any orange will probably date better than the others and the PO in general is already regarded as one of Omega's classics. Omega are also in the process of releasing a new range of Seamasters so that may give you an advantage when it comes to negotiating a discount if buying new.
As far as other options are concerned, you've stated that it must be your son's birth year watch so your options are everything within your budget that are in the stores now. Spend some time in various stores, try a whole load of watches on, get a feel for what you think does/doesn't work. Don't be concerned about wasting anybody's time, I've always been treated with the upmost respect even when I've stated from the outset that I wasn't there to buy that day. Avoid any fashion related brands and stick with the big names, not so much for any resale value as you're obviously not interested in that, more for the fact that brands like Omega, Tag and the like will still be around in 30 years time so servicing won't be an issue.
Good luck with choosing, it's something that I hope to be doing one day!
Rich n Em said:
Is there a good website to look at for IWC, I'd assumed they were out of budget
If it's for inheritance purposes, it's a careful selection that's required. While you want something you can wear and enjoy in the short term (and if you're paying 2K for a watch, you should enjoy it), you also need to get something that won't date horribly, so you can't go too trendy, which also means too large. The Omega moon watch is a good suggestion, or something dressy like an Aqua Terra but I've just checked and can't believe how much they are now - I paid just over a grand for mine 3 years ago new!
The other consideration - if this is something you're going to wear a lot it might get slightly battered over time? Hence something more dressy might not be a bad idea?
Rich n Em said:
Well, I plan to use my Tissot as a daily - the Seiko is my casual watch, I'm getting a Christopher Ward C3 for a dressy watch.
So this would be an occasional use watch, I'm wanting something fairly timeless in design with a metal strap (for longevity).
Get a Speedmaster Pro moonwatch.So this would be an occasional use watch, I'm wanting something fairly timeless in design with a metal strap (for longevity).
Rich n Em said:
I am looking for a vintage Rolex from my birth year, and once I find one I will get that too, but SWMBO wants this watch to be a 2011.
Shame I'm not psychic, otherwise I would have known.Rich n Em said:
The £2000 is fairly firm, I've seen the one I linked advertised for just under £2000 as a 2nd, but unworn example.
It may have helped if you'd linked to that example, rather than a watch with £2800 next to it...Anyway, Longines Master Collection offers timeless class in that price range,
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/5688752/lo...
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/8070881/lo...
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/8070903/lo...
Haggle on an Omega with perennial appeal, not a bad heirloom.
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/6024858/om...
DomH can get you a great price on a Longines, or I'm sure he won't be too far off the 2k mark with a Speedmaster, and of course a Seamaster is an absolute classic.
DS3R said:
That one really is a lovely watch and one I tried on many times before settling on the Omega. For me it was a really tough decision and I loved the Longine, the PO just pipped it though.Zippee said:
That one really is a lovely watch and one I tried on many times before settling on the Omega. For me it was a really tough decision and I loved the Longine, the PO just pipped it though.
The finish on the dial is exceptional, looks far more expensive than it is. Clear caseback is a nice touch too, as are the blue hands on the cream faced model. Subtle but really stand out somehow!Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff