£1k watch for 30th

[Craikeybaby]

I'm going to treat myself to a watch for my 30th in a few months. I'm looking for a mechanical watch, preferably Swiss and I prefer the pilot style. I'm not really a fan of divers watches, so have ruled them out.

To give you an idea of what I like, at the moment my preferred choice is an Oris BC3 Advanced with a Longines Conquest as a second choice.

Any comments on these watches, or suggestions of what else I should be looking at? I'm yet to try either of these on, so want to have some other options.

I'm looking at new watches, unless I can find a really nice 1983 watch, I realise I won't get as much for my money etc, but I'm not planning on selling it an want a new one!

[Vvroom]

Someone will come along in a moment and direct you to a Sinn model that I can't recall that should hit the nail on the head.

[Gaspode]

I went for a Tag Heuer Carrera calibre 5.

[Craikeybaby]

Thanks, I have looked at Sinn and do like the 556.

I should have added to the previous post that I'd prefer to get a watch on a bracelet.

[Craikeybaby]

Gaspode said:

I went for a Tag Heuer Carrera calibre 5.

I like that, but I think it is a bit above my budget.

[Gaspode]

Craikeybaby said:

I like that, but I think it is a bit above my budget.

Oops yes, sorry. I paid £1015 for mine, but that was back in 2005. Probably gone up since then.

[TeaNoSugar]

Out of the two you've picked I prefer the Longines. The Oris is too plain for me. Have you tried the BC4 range?

Also, have you seen the Stowa hand-winding watches?

They're around £650-£1000 I think, look great, and they're also the real deal when it comes to the aviation thing.

http://www.stowa.de/lshop,showdetail,1380546347974...

[Craikeybaby]

I actually prefer the simplicity of the BC3 to the BC4.

I'm not too keen on the bracelet on the Stowa.

[PJ S]

I think you're daft not to look at pre-owned, esp with a view to it being kept.
Both the Oris and Longines are nice watches, but a bit overplayed......I'd be looking at anything from:
Muhle Glashutte, Maurice Lacroix, Baum & Mercier

[geezerbutler]

Around that price also look at:

Nomos Glashutte
Hamilton
Glycine
Meistersinger

[rich85uk]

For a dress watch i would look no further than the Stowa Marine original, throw in some custom engraving on the movement etc to make it abit more personal:



or a Steinhart chronograph model would be under budget:

[Craikeybaby]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I've had a good look at the all this evening. I liked the idea of being able to get engraving on the Stowa, but wasn't too taken by any of the watches. The Sinn 556 is on my list though, possibly the 856 too, I think I'd need to try them both on though. (I am aware that I am after a Swiss watch and Sinn isn't Swiss, but they do seem very well regarded).

I did like the look of the Steinhart, until I read it was a no go for swimming/showering, the chances are I'd use my G Shock if I was intending to get wet, but you never know...

Edited by Craikeybaby on Monday 30th September 22:10

[SVS]

Hi Craikeybaby, I'd completely ignore "Swiss Made", because it's become meaningless. Nowadays, the whole Swiss Made thing is a con. It just means 51% of the value of the watch must be Swiss or some such thing. i.e. buy cheap parts from China or wherever, but get them assembled in Switzerland paying Swiss hourly rates.

Personally, I'd be more than happy with a German watch like Sinn or Damasko, because you're getting German precision engineering and quality. Germans build watches like their cars. With well-known Swiss brands, you're paying for the brand's marketing as much as anything else. (There are exceptions, of course.)

If you like the Sinn, you really should check out the Damasko range too. Damasko builds watches like Mercedes used to build cars: beautifully over-engineered, including the toughest watch cases on the market

Whatever you eventually decide, enjoy the shopping!

[Craikeybaby]

Thanks. I did have a look at Damasko, but again was out off by lack of bracelets.

[pastrana72]

I think if you get a sinn 556 on a bracelet not only will you be under budget but you will get a watch that is the quality of a watch 3 times the price IMO. I bought mine on a strap when they first came out and it is amazing watch.

[456GT]

I'd second the BC3 Advanced! I have the old one and it is great watch! I believe the Advanced has a screw down crown so you could go diving/snorkelling without any issues.

[Craikeybaby]

pastrana72 said:

I think if you get a sinn 556 on a bracelet not only will you be under budget but you will get a watch that is the quality of a watch 3 times the price IMO. I bought mine on a strap when they first came out and it is amazing watch.

Yeah, the 556 is looking increasingly attractive, despite not being Swiss.

456GT said:

I'd second the BC3 Advanced! I have the old one and it is great watch! I believe the Advanced has a screw down crown so you could go diving/snorkelling without any issues.

I think it is 100m water resistant, so not for full on diving, but OK for swimming, which is OK for me.

[SVS]

Sinn 556 vs. Damasko DA36 is a much discussed topic, e.g. WatchUSeek

Yes, I'd agree that the option of having a bracelet is where Sinn is better. Otherwise, I reckon a Damasko DA36 or DA37 would be better than a Sinn 556, because Damasko's hardened case will keep it looking new for years and years. The 556 won't age as well.

I'd take a Sinn or a Damasko over an Oris. Having handled them all, I'd say Sinn and Damaskso are both higher quality than Oris. (Oris is still good, mind you.)

[Craikeybaby]

I think I'm going to have to try some watches on, as I think the thing that will swing it either way between the Sinn/Oris is how it looks/feels on my wrist.

[SVS]

Good plan! Of course, now you're posted this thread, you'll have to post how you get on