Fathers 55th Birthday Watch

[JonnyxM]

Thought I'd turn to the gurus of the watch world for this one..

My fathers Birthday in a month or so and myself and my brother have decided to get him a new watch.

1k budget, neither of us are really that savvy when it comes to watches, though having said that neither is my dad.

Any recommendations? Something quite classy yet robust, he is an engineer so something that could appeal to that would be great.

I welcome your suggestions.

Thanks.

[marcosgt]

How about a Sinn? German engineering should satisfy your dad.

Loads of 'preloved' in budget, but you'll need to hunt around, and some new ones from here http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/sinn-watc...

I'm 'about' your father's age and love my Sinn

Cheers.

M

[dom9]

Longines Hydroconquest?

[mikeveal]

It might look like out of the box thinking, but I almost always suggest vintage. Most of these are massively under budget. You might spot a theme...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=watch&_...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1959-Unusual-Vintage-Men...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rolex-Precision-9ct-Gold...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1959-9K-GOLD-LONGINES-GE...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NICE-VINTAGE-1959-21J-BE...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1959-Minerva-Chronograph...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROLEX-OYSTER-PERPETUAL-w...

[yeti]

mikeveal said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROLEX-OYSTER-PERPETUAL-w...

Birth year, stainless steel, chronometer-rated Rolex?

To say it's a no brainer would be an understatement!!

[mikeveal]

Seems to have been looked after too. You can see where the watchmaker has scratched numbers onto the case lid when it's been serviced.

My only concern would be the dial. I'm not a Rolex expert, but a champagne dial on a stainless watch with chromed hands? Could have been built like this, but it's an odd combo. Very possible that the dial has been replaced at some time. Shouldn't affect the value if it's a Rolex part. Current bid is pretty good for a Rolex in this condition.

Buyer beware, expect to pay 20% import duty.


Ah, just read the full text. Refinished dial, this will affect value, 10-20%?

[marcosgt]

A 'birth year' watch is a nice idea, but I wouldn't wear that much myself.

I guess the OP will know his father's taste better than any of us, though, so it's certainly something to consider.

It's rather small by modern standards too (which may be a pro or a con for the OP's father).

M

[JonnyxM]

Thankyou for the suggestions so far. Some interesting ones.

The thought of a 2nd hand/preowned watch is interesting, though I would prefer a new one if I'm honest.
The rolex mentioned is quite nice. However, I'm unsure on the gold! He's a very understated man, my dad, so guess something silver and black suits better.

I have to mention the fact that neither of us know that much about watches so a bit of a 'household name' brand is more appealing - of course the budget limits that. That's not to say he would not appreciate a well thought out watch from a lesser known brand.

[Dicky Knee]

The Offshore Field Engineer would be a great watch..Google it. A bit outside your budget but worth every penny IMO.

[Foliage]

For £1000 or less I'd be looking at Tissot (well known brand, swiss made, automatics available)

Perhaps something like this,

http://www.watchshop.com/mens-tissot-t-tempo-autom...

or

http://www.watchshop.com/mens-tissot-le-locle-auto...

These are way below your budget,

Edited by Foliage on Tuesday 18th March 16:31

[JonnyxM]

Dicky Knee said:

The Offshore Field Engineer would be a great watch..Google it. A bit outside your budget but worth every penny IMO.

I like that. Nice and purposeful. That is the first of possible watches. Thanks.

[yeti]

JonnyxM said:

The thought of a 2nd hand/preowned watch is interesting, though I would prefer a new one if I'm honest.

I understand your thinking but 20% of the £1000 is VAT leaving you with an £800 watch. Of which the jeweller's mark up is around 40-50% perhaps leaving you with a 400 quid watch, of which the company who made it are making a nice profit, leaving you with a 200 quid watch. I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this!

That Rolex (and many, many more like it) are wonderful things.

[JonnyxM]

yeti said:

I understand your thinking but 20% of the £1000 is VAT leaving you with an £800 watch. Of which the jeweller's mark up is around 40-50% perhaps leaving you with a 400 quid watch, of which the company who made it are making a nice profit, leaving you with a 200 quid watch. I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this!

That Rolex (and many, many more like it) are wonderful things.

Completely understandable. If I was buying personally I have no doubt I'd go preowned. However as a gift it just doesn't feel 'right'. That said the right watch at the right price would be hard to turn down. Our surname actually is used in one of Rolex most popular model which retail for around x5 my budget, I'll let you guess which, I would love to get him one of those. Unlikely though.

Edit - Just realised I made it sound like the Rolex watch was named after our family...

Edited by JonnyxM on Tuesday 18th March 16:57

[marcosgt]

JonnyxM said:

Completely understandable. If I was buying personally I have no doubt I'd go preowned. However as a gift it just doesn't feel 'right'. That said the right watch at the right price would be hard to turn down. Our surname actually is used in one of Rolex most popular model which retail for around x5 my budget, I'll let you guess which, I would love to get him one of those. Unlikely though.

You're Johnny Yachtmaster-Two?

If you buy a 'birth year' watch, I think any notion of 'used' would be more than balanced by the thoughtfulness of finding a watch from the receiver's birth year (unless it was a woman, who would hate being reminded ). I just wouldn't buy a watch that was so old fashioned as that particular Rolex, personally.

New is good, too, though, of course.

M

Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 18th March 16:56

[JRewing]

marcosgt said:

You're Johnny Yachtmaster-Two?


M

Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 18th March 16:56

I wanted to do the Johnny GMT-Master II joke

[michael gould]

Mmmmm well as I'm 55 in two months time I will have to give this post some thought......may I just say ....your a damm fine egg for buying your old man ( not so old ) a £1000 watch

[yeti]

JonnyxM said:

Completely understandable. If I was buying personally I have no doubt I'd go preowned. However as a gift it just doesn't feel 'right'.

Also completely understandable. And you know what, Lorne's Osshore Field Engineer watch is a terrific gift. As would be a Sinn.

So, Rolex names...

Explorer
Sea-Dweller
Daytona
GMT
Yacht-Master

I'm guessing Cellini or Prince?

'Johnny Daytona' would be an awesome name though

[Framtek]

If I'm allowed to play the guessing game without volunteering a watch option, I'm going with Milgauss

[JRewing]

Johnny Lady Datejust would be a bit rubbish, so I'm hoping it's Johnny Air-King.

[pomkiwi]

JonnyxM said:

Dicky Knee said:

The Offshore Field Engineer would be a great watch..Google it. A bit outside your budget but worth every penny IMO.

I like that. Nice and purposeful. That is the first of possible watches. Thanks.

Unfortunately I got number 55!