First "proper" watch - £3k budget
Discussion
I can see that contributors to these boards love pitching their two penny's worth, so I thought I'd ask some of the more experienced watch owners what they'd do with a £3k budget.
From a design point of view, I love the Bell & Ross BR03-92 and the Tag Heuer Aquaracer Chrono. Very different, but both pleasing on the eye. Rubbish for value retention though, granted.
So if I wanted a stylish and reliable timepiece which has a snowball's chance in hell of holding its value (presumably pre-owned), what might be worth considering?
From a design point of view, I love the Bell & Ross BR03-92 and the Tag Heuer Aquaracer Chrono. Very different, but both pleasing on the eye. Rubbish for value retention though, granted.
So if I wanted a stylish and reliable timepiece which has a snowball's chance in hell of holding its value (presumably pre-owned), what might be worth considering?
As it's your first proper watch, but value retention is the foremost thought about its purchase, then there's only one answer – a Rolex.
Being that it's your first proper watch, is the value retention a concern for flipping purposes or are you pushing your comfort zone, and using it as something that can be liquidated quickly and easily?
If neither, and it's a long term/lifetime purchase, then value retention is of little concern.
Being that it's your first proper watch, is the value retention a concern for flipping purposes or are you pushing your comfort zone, and using it as something that can be liquidated quickly and easily?
If neither, and it's a long term/lifetime purchase, then value retention is of little concern.
Anything pre-owned at £3k has done most of its depreciating in becoming pre-owned.
The world is your oyster (possibly literally...). Do you like divers style, pilots, chronos, vintage, dressy? Metal bracelt or leather strap? Small or large diameter? Complications or simple? Recogniseable brand (i.e. something the man on the street has heard of, or boutique/unusal?
C'mon, give a us a clue and we'd love to help
As you ask the question; want a good watch for 3 grand? Pre-owned stainless steel Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso.
The world is your oyster (possibly literally...). Do you like divers style, pilots, chronos, vintage, dressy? Metal bracelt or leather strap? Small or large diameter? Complications or simple? Recogniseable brand (i.e. something the man on the street has heard of, or boutique/unusal?
C'mon, give a us a clue and we'd love to help
As you ask the question; want a good watch for 3 grand? Pre-owned stainless steel Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso.
A vintage Breitling Navitimer's comfortably in budget and will definitely keep it's value (or go up!).
If new, A Speedmaster Pro, but you'll lose a lot of money and it's just the same as a 10 year old one.
If you like Rolex, look at them, but I think people who effectively say "Get whatever Rolex you can afford" are doing others a disservice. Who wants to wear a watch they don't like just for a brand with, for some, a very tarnished image?
If you love an Explorer or a Datejust, go for it, but don't just buy the name...
M
If new, A Speedmaster Pro, but you'll lose a lot of money and it's just the same as a 10 year old one.
If you like Rolex, look at them, but I think people who effectively say "Get whatever Rolex you can afford" are doing others a disservice. Who wants to wear a watch they don't like just for a brand with, for some, a very tarnished image?
If you love an Explorer or a Datejust, go for it, but don't just buy the name...
M
Edited by marcosgt on Wednesday 22 January 14:45
I currently have a Kenneth Cole "fashion watch". It's pretty fantastic to look at (moonphase, visible moving components, pretty date dial at 2 o'clock), and was so cheap it was basically free.
I think I'd like something a bit different (haven't really seen any sub-£3k watches with similar features in any event). I prefer the look of an aviation/diver model, but would not be adverse to the likes of a JLC.
As for the importance of value retention, the truth is that neither flipping nor hard times cashing-in are genuine considerations. Having said that, I'd rather not buy something that's going to halve in value as soon as I walk out of the door.
A friend of mine has a Rolex. It's pretty, but they seem to be ten-a-penny. I suppose on £3k I can hardly expect to be breaking moulds, mind.
I think I'd like something a bit different (haven't really seen any sub-£3k watches with similar features in any event). I prefer the look of an aviation/diver model, but would not be adverse to the likes of a JLC.
As for the importance of value retention, the truth is that neither flipping nor hard times cashing-in are genuine considerations. Having said that, I'd rather not buy something that's going to halve in value as soon as I walk out of the door.
A friend of mine has a Rolex. It's pretty, but they seem to be ten-a-penny. I suppose on £3k I can hardly expect to be breaking moulds, mind.
you have lots of choice.....pre-owned will get you into a very nice Rolex, JLC, Zenith, AP, VC all of which you will probably loose less than £1000 over the next 5 years ......it might even appreciate
3k is a nice lump ....take your time, visit some watch dealers and find something you "need"
happy hunting
3k is a nice lump ....take your time, visit some watch dealers and find something you "need"
happy hunting
If you want something 'classic' that will retain its value, I don't think you could ever go wrong with a Rolex Sub/ GMT.
At £3k, I suspect you could get a very tidy/ perfect, previous generation (7750 movement) IWC Spitfire/ Pilots Chronograph if you like the pilot style.
I also paid less than £3k for my Zenith Chrono (new) with the El Primero movement from Ashfords online in the US (though I live here, currently so no extra duty).
Anything Rolex, IWC pilot or Zenith El Primero (classic case style) is considered a classic and likely to have done all of the depreciating.
I am also a JLC fan but it sounds like you're looking for something more 'everyday'. I don't think I can see past a Rolex Sub to fulfill the criteria, to be honest!
At £3k, I suspect you could get a very tidy/ perfect, previous generation (7750 movement) IWC Spitfire/ Pilots Chronograph if you like the pilot style.
I also paid less than £3k for my Zenith Chrono (new) with the El Primero movement from Ashfords online in the US (though I live here, currently so no extra duty).
Anything Rolex, IWC pilot or Zenith El Primero (classic case style) is considered a classic and likely to have done all of the depreciating.
I am also a JLC fan but it sounds like you're looking for something more 'everyday'. I don't think I can see past a Rolex Sub to fulfill the criteria, to be honest!
Thanks Michael - the happiness is being slightly clouded by the indecisiveness!
The Zenith's look good. They are slightly out of budget, but this one's a bit of alright (http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Zenith/Chronomaster/03-0240-4021-02-C495/11908/item/32215).
As for a Rolex Sub, again I think it's out of budget and, as you say, I'm thinking about something slightly more technical.
And in the cloud rolls again....
The Zenith's look good. They are slightly out of budget, but this one's a bit of alright (http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Zenith/Chronomaster/03-0240-4021-02-C495/11908/item/32215).
As for a Rolex Sub, again I think it's out of budget and, as you say, I'm thinking about something slightly more technical.
And in the cloud rolls again....
I'd find it hard to see a lot past this: http://www.ashford.com/us/watches/zenith/el-primer...
They will also haggle a bit (I have done it)...
Though you may have issues with VAT/ Duty when it lands?!
Or, keep an eye out for something second hand in Europe?
You should find a non-date 14060 Sub for £3k on the private market... I sold mine to DominicH for around that (pretty perfect condition) though he's a trader.
May be worth giving him a shout and taking a look at the Hackett Watches website for inspiration!
They will also haggle a bit (I have done it)...
Though you may have issues with VAT/ Duty when it lands?!
Or, keep an eye out for something second hand in Europe?
You should find a non-date 14060 Sub for £3k on the private market... I sold mine to DominicH for around that (pretty perfect condition) though he's a trader.
May be worth giving him a shout and taking a look at the Hackett Watches website for inspiration!
BR85 said:
I currently have a Kenneth Cole "fashion watch". It's pretty fantastic to look at (moonphase, visible moving components, pretty date dial at 2 o'clock), and was so cheap it was basically free.
I think I'd like something a bit different (haven't really seen any sub-£3k watches with similar features in any event). I prefer the look of an aviation/diver model, but would not be adverse to the likes of a JLC.
If you like aviation, then IWC is pretty much the default option there – but buy used only!I think I'd like something a bit different (haven't really seen any sub-£3k watches with similar features in any event). I prefer the look of an aviation/diver model, but would not be adverse to the likes of a JLC.
Diver wise – there's plenty to choose from.
Grand Seiko with its sublime seconds hand gliding motion, unlike any other automatic watch. SBGA029 or SBGE001 (with sapphire bezel and GMT)
Tudor Pelagos – titanium and Rolex's cheaper offering with a tweaked ETA movement inside. Well under budget too.
Ball Deepquest – Ernest Jones is doing these online for half price (£1350) on rubber. Buy the bracelet and you're still well under budget. Cracking tritium lume (lasts all night) and another user of ETA movements.
Perrelet Seaquest (with or without chronograph) make excellent pick ups currently from US sellers – again, well under budget, and using their group's Soprod movement.
BR85 said:
As for the importance of value retention, the truth is that neither flipping nor hard times cashing-in are genuine considerations. Having said that, I'd rather not buy something that's going to halve in value as soon as I walk out of the door.
A friend of mine has a Rolex. It's pretty, but they seem to be ten-a-penny. I suppose on £3k I can hardly expect to be breaking moulds, mind.
They are ten-a-penny, simply because they're as mass produced as a run-of-the-mill Seiko/Citizen – Rolex, Omega, Breitling all knock out 500-900K units a year.A friend of mine has a Rolex. It's pretty, but they seem to be ten-a-penny. I suppose on £3k I can hardly expect to be breaking moulds, mind.
A few years ago, Rolex hit the 1M mark, but they've since decided to reduce their output, as well as increase prices beyond what anyone would consider reasonable.
That has the knock-on effect of bolstering pre-owned prices, sometimes even increasing them – model and material depending. Bi-Metal/two-tone don't seem to follow the same trend as SS or full precious metals like Platinum or White Gold.
Omega and Breitling are trying the same trick with their price increases, but it's not really having the same effect as it does for Rolex – it's worked a bit, but not to the same degree.
In that regard, you'll definitely want to stick to looking at pre-owned, so as to minimise the risk of losing a fair chunk, provided you look after it.
All in all, you've a whole array of brands available to pick and choose from – as per previous replies I've made to others in a similar boat, go spend days, weeks, a month looking at chrono24.com and see what (past and present) floats your boat.
If you see something you really like but never heard of before – research it and/or ask about it in here.
Edited by PJ S on Wednesday 22 January 17:01
How did I forget the Tudors? Another vote here for a Pelagos/ Black Bay (new and well under budget)!
Rolex are far from ten a penny and don't produce anywhere near the quantity of watches that the likes of Seiko do!
The reason they cost so much is that they are well, simply brilliant for what they are designed to do, well made, classic and with an in-house movement (generally).
The Grand Seikos are comparable, in many ways, and they are most certainly Rolex price, or at least ballpark!
I am a BIG fan of Seiko, having a number of them, but they are not nearly the same quality as a Rolex unless you get a GS.
This is, perhaps, what makes the Tudors such a bargain as you get Rolex quality with a great movement, albeit not in-house!
Edit to add: I'd go IWC over Breitling but that's personal preference!
Rolex are far from ten a penny and don't produce anywhere near the quantity of watches that the likes of Seiko do!
The reason they cost so much is that they are well, simply brilliant for what they are designed to do, well made, classic and with an in-house movement (generally).
The Grand Seikos are comparable, in many ways, and they are most certainly Rolex price, or at least ballpark!
I am a BIG fan of Seiko, having a number of them, but they are not nearly the same quality as a Rolex unless you get a GS.
This is, perhaps, what makes the Tudors such a bargain as you get Rolex quality with a great movement, albeit not in-house!
Edit to add: I'd go IWC over Breitling but that's personal preference!
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