first 'proper' watch
Discussion
ok so, i've been keeping an eye on the 'wrist check' threads, and making note of watches i particularly like, because i want to buy myself my first proper watch. I am reckoning on spending probably somewhere between £1-3k, depending on what it is. It would be nice to net something which won't depreciate, but I don't know how likely that is.
Here's the lost... from more 'diver' styles, to more classic and restrained
tissot 1853
sinn
IWC
O&W Mirage III
damasko
du bois
Astroavia Berlin: S2 SL Pilot Chronograph
wenger
bremont
stowa
jiowa?
fortis
Bell & Ross
jaeger le couture
christopher ward
alpha
william and son
hamilton
dornbluth & sohn
raymond weil freelancer
astroavia
max bill chronoscope by junghans
meister singer
omega
breitling
parnis
steinhart
baume & mercier
ebel
chaumet
Cuervo y Sobrinos
dunhill
hublot
what do the expert enthusiasts reckon?
cheers
Here's the lost... from more 'diver' styles, to more classic and restrained
tissot 1853
sinn
IWC
O&W Mirage III
damasko
du bois
Astroavia Berlin: S2 SL Pilot Chronograph
wenger
bremont
stowa
jiowa?
fortis
Bell & Ross
jaeger le couture
christopher ward
alpha
william and son
hamilton
dornbluth & sohn
raymond weil freelancer
astroavia
max bill chronoscope by junghans
meister singer
omega
breitling
parnis
steinhart
baume & mercier
ebel
chaumet
Cuervo y Sobrinos
dunhill
hublot
what do the expert enthusiasts reckon?
cheers
marcosgt said:
Surely a 'proper' watch is anything that keeps good time? ... "first highly priced fashion accessory watch"
i sense a bit of a condescending tone in there! Did I come across as a bit of a fashion tosser or something?! I only noted down those watches and makes from the threads on this website. If I am on the wrong track them help me out a bit? Check out the Omega Seamaster Professional 300m Auto (2254.50). It was my first proper watch and looks great. Not my pic, but-
ETA - if you want to spend a bit more (£3000+) and you want something that will hold its value, you can't really beat a Rolex Submariner. It's a timeless design and well recognised by watch enthusuasts and noobs alike.
ETA - if you want to spend a bit more (£3000+) and you want something that will hold its value, you can't really beat a Rolex Submariner. It's a timeless design and well recognised by watch enthusuasts and noobs alike.
Edited by FreeLitres on Saturday 14th January 20:09
Edited by FreeLitres on Saturday 14th January 20:10
Depends what you define as 'proper'.
I wouldn't really class an Astroavia or Alpha as 'proper' watches.
Mind you, I would a Rolex Sub whereas many turn their noses up at Rolex.
I think there's no arguing that Sinn, Dornbluth etc., are proper watches.
What's your criteria for 'proper'?
Auto? Mechanical? Hand-made? Do you include ETA? Or only in house? Independent makers or one of the big Swiss groups?
It's entirely up to you which criteria define it for you.
Personally, at that budget, I'd be boring and predictable and go for a pre-owned Rolex or an Omega SMP (old style), but I'd be equally happy with a £100 Seiko Black Monster. One clasped to my wrist as I type.
I wouldn't really class an Astroavia or Alpha as 'proper' watches.
Mind you, I would a Rolex Sub whereas many turn their noses up at Rolex.
I think there's no arguing that Sinn, Dornbluth etc., are proper watches.
What's your criteria for 'proper'?
Auto? Mechanical? Hand-made? Do you include ETA? Or only in house? Independent makers or one of the big Swiss groups?
It's entirely up to you which criteria define it for you.
Personally, at that budget, I'd be boring and predictable and go for a pre-owned Rolex or an Omega SMP (old style), but I'd be equally happy with a £100 Seiko Black Monster. One clasped to my wrist as I type.
te i have owned before!
A £200 notes worth of G Shock.
http://www.watchshop.com/mens-casio-g-shock-wavece...
Anything else will lose or gain time,
I bought the omega above, brutally brilliant watch. Exceptional foundations if you are going to improve from it.
http://www.watchshop.com/mens-casio-g-shock-wavece...
Anything else will lose or gain time,
I bought the omega above, brutally brilliant watch. Exceptional foundations if you are going to improve from it.
FreeLitres said:
FreeLitres said:
Check out the Omega SMP (old style) and the Rolex Sub
al1991 said:
Personally, at that budget, I'd be boring and predictable and go for a pre-owned Rolex or an Omega SMP (old style)
Seems we have similar tastes.
Nothing wrong with boring and predictable!
^ Wot he said, what sort of style?
If holding on to value is important then certainly start by looking at the Rolex Sub sort of line, you should be able to get a decent old one for the top end of your budget. There are many older watches which will hold their value, if bought at the right price especially, but they aren't necessarily something you'd want to wear for mowing the grass - Zenith De Luca first generation for example, (there's one on the 'bay at the moment - the seller has sold 'putsa' ones before, but in this case it seems pucker), which is cheaper than a similarly aged Submariner yet I think will hold its value just as well as they are sought after and relatively uncommon. Anyway, just an example.
As a general rule of thumb, spend 1 week looking/researching for every £250 you intend to spend...
If holding on to value is important then certainly start by looking at the Rolex Sub sort of line, you should be able to get a decent old one for the top end of your budget. There are many older watches which will hold their value, if bought at the right price especially, but they aren't necessarily something you'd want to wear for mowing the grass - Zenith De Luca first generation for example, (there's one on the 'bay at the moment - the seller has sold 'putsa' ones before, but in this case it seems pucker), which is cheaper than a similarly aged Submariner yet I think will hold its value just as well as they are sought after and relatively uncommon. Anyway, just an example.
As a general rule of thumb, spend 1 week looking/researching for every £250 you intend to spend...
Blown2CV said:
marcosgt said:
Surely a 'proper' watch is anything that keeps good time? ... "first highly priced fashion accessory watch"
i sense a bit of a condescending tone in there! Did I come across as a bit of a fashion tosser or something?! I only noted down those watches and makes from the threads on this website. If I am on the wrong track them help me out a bit? I didn't mean to sound condescending, but you did sound a bit of a 'fashion victim' to me by describing those listed as 'proper' watches. As I say, a PROPER watch keeps time well and the cheapest can do that just fine (dare I say better than 'proper' watches sometimes?)
A fashion watch or high quality watch does other things and that's what your after I imagine.
As I said, I'd love a Cosmonaute, but mainly because of its unique operation (I'll concede I like the look too
).I suppose, rather than a response directly to you, I was expressing mild frustration that even watches have become something that we have to 'compete' over...
The most expensive watch I ever bought myself was £14.99 as I wanted a waterproof one for windsurfing years ago
I wear a Seiko (probably about £150 worth?) day to day, which was a gift from my parents and tells the time very well.
M.
marcosgt said:
Perhaps it's me, but much as I like watches I see them as purely functional things.
I didn't mean to sound condescending, but you did sound a bit of a 'fashion victim' to me by describing those listed as 'proper' watches. As I say, a PROPER watch keeps time well and the cheapest can do that just fine (dare I say better than 'proper' watches sometimes?)
Would you describe a Daewoo Matiz as a 'proper' car then? I didn't mean to sound condescending, but you did sound a bit of a 'fashion victim' to me by describing those listed as 'proper' watches. As I say, a PROPER watch keeps time well and the cheapest can do that just fine (dare I say better than 'proper' watches sometimes?)
That moves people about, and does so cheaply.
The functional aspect of a watch is pretty much a void argument, plenty of other ways to tell the time, many more accurate than a watch.
GingerWizard said:
A £200 notes worth of G Shock.
http://www.watchshop.com/mens-casio-g-shock-wavece...
Anything else will lose or gain time,
I bought the omega above, brutally brilliant watch. Exceptional foundations if you are going to improve from it.
never really liked the g-shock personally, but i know they have a fan-base!http://www.watchshop.com/mens-casio-g-shock-wavece...
Anything else will lose or gain time,
I bought the omega above, brutally brilliant watch. Exceptional foundations if you are going to improve from it.
FreeLitres said:
FreeLitres said:
Check out the Omega SMP (old style) and the Rolex Sub
al1991 said:
Personally, at that budget, I'd be boring and predictable and go for a pre-owned Rolex or an Omega SMP (old style)
Ikemi said:
TAG Heuer, Omega, Breitling and Rolex (second hand) are all safe bets with regards to a first 'proper' watch ... It depends though; Do you want something more mainstream, or something a little different?
What sort of style are you after? Dress/Sports/Diver/Chrono/Bracelet/Leather?
i love the classical styles of IWC, Stowa etc, but also the sports/diver styles of omega, breitling, Sinn and so on. In an ideal world i would have at least one of each style. What sort of style are you after? Dress/Sports/Diver/Chrono/Bracelet/Leather?
Adam B said:
My first expensive watch was a Panerai, sold 5 years later for £400 more than I paid for it, so they hold value well, replaced with another Panerai and I like most of their designs.
Any reason they are not on your list?
I just haven't really seen any, but hear lots about them so will add to list for a searchAny reason they are not on your list?
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