help me buy my next watch

[stripy7]

I have a budget of 3.5K. Preferably something vintage (early 70s), has to be very robust as it will be a daily, dont like gimmicks so no sports watches (by that I mean stopwatches) or omega calculator "sporks". Any suggestions/links?

Edited by stripy7 on Tuesday 11th October 14:10

[ApexJimi]

JLC Reverso?

[stripy7]

No, to much of a dress watch. Im thinking a Sub is probably best, like Pans are they up to daily wear?

[stripy7]

Oh and preferably sapphire glass rather than plexi.

[Dominic H]

stripy7 said:

Oh and preferably sapphire glass rather than plexi.

Hi Stripy, if you're looking for a Sub (Rolex?) from the early 1970's you'd be looking at either the 5513 (non-date) or the Submariner-Date 1680. You might get into a 5513, but a 1680 will be nearer £5k with a white dial and c£7-8k for the correct red dial variant. These both had a plexi glass, as the sapphire wasn't introduced until the early 80's for the 16800/0 (sub date replacement)and the late 80's for the 14060 (non date replacement).

Hope this helps...

D

[DS3R]

something vintage, but also robust?

I think that's too conflicting a requirement to start with !

[Dominic H]

DS3R said:

something vintage, but also robust?

I think that's too conflicting a requirement to start with !

Not necessarily DS, I've had most of the 1960's/70's Rolex vinatge stuff. They've always worked without complaint as a daily wearer, despite all the abuse I've thrown at them!

[DS3R]

Dominic H said:

Not necessarily DS, I've had most of the 1960's/70's Rolex vinatge stuff. They've always worked without complaint as a daily wearer, despite all the abuse I've thrown at them!

The differences are Mr H that a 3.5k watch for most of us is extremely precious, not one of FIFTY you've got around you! And if you break it, it ain't hard for you to get it fixed!!

70's/ 80's is hardly vintage, if so then as ever the Pepsi- bezelled GMT II's and 16613's are looking reasonable at that money. The Pepsi is an all-time classic with perennial demand, the bi-metal 16613's are more of a statement (and perhaps acquired taste), especially in ten years when the BRIC middle classes want signs of aspiration and something that stands out could be particulalry in vogue.

The trouble is by the time you hit 3.5k most companies are either producing dress watches or have complications that make them stopwatches (which I'm assuming means chrono's are out???)

Personally I'd look at a Zenith Port Royal for this money, or a Jaeger Master Control http://www.chrono24.com/en/jaegerlecoultre/master-...

Wild alternative- Cartier Santos? There are a few nice IWC's with "classic" styling, but they're not vintage, even if the name is.

http://www.chrono24.com/en/iwc/da-vinci-vintage--i...
http://www.chrono24.com/en/iwc/ingenieur-keramik--...

[RemainAllHoof]

Baby Ploprof? Not entirely sure of price, though.

[stripy7]

Thanks for posts so far- 80s Sub seems to be the way forward. Im concerned by the perceived lack of build quality of the later Rolexs' (?) Really really tempted by a 6k second hand Big Bang there goes my budget.

Edited by stripy7 on Wednesday 12th October 22:57

[ross-456]

stripy7 said:

Im concerned by the perceived lack of build quality of the later Rolexs' (?)

Edited by stripy7 on Wednesday 12th October 22:57

Been wearing my late 70s 5513 most days over the past few weeks and it's as durable as ever.

[RemainAllHoof]

ross-456 said:

Been wearing my late 70s 5513 most days over the past few weeks and it's as durable as ever.

He said "later" not "earlier".

[5avvy]

There's no lack of build quality with a Rolex.

As said above, have a look at a 5513 sub, a GMT, or even an Explorer. All robust, all lovely (IMHO) and all as good as money in the bank - perhaps better!

[stripy7]

Decided on an 80s Sub

[stripy7]

Seems to be losing 10 secs a day, so will take it in to be regulated. But apart from that im very happy with it.