Watch to give my newborn son on his 18th - £1200 budget
Discussion
I'd already pretty much decided on either a Longines Hydroconquest, or a Sinn 656. But since I last looked, they've changed both!
Basically, it has to have an auto or hand winding mechanical movement, and good enough to last 18 years (and longer, hopefully). I'd like to have a decent brand, but not too fussed.
So, anything else I should consider? Local watch dealer are getting the new Longines chrono in for me tomorrow (although I think I do prefer the older one, and maybe not even the chrono?) but I understand I can't see a Sinn in the flesh in the UK any more before buying one?
Basically, it has to have an auto or hand winding mechanical movement, and good enough to last 18 years (and longer, hopefully). I'd like to have a decent brand, but not too fussed.
So, anything else I should consider? Local watch dealer are getting the new Longines chrono in for me tomorrow (although I think I do prefer the older one, and maybe not even the chrono?) but I understand I can't see a Sinn in the flesh in the UK any more before buying one?
Do you mind if I make a comment,
I went with my father to buy a Rolex on my 21st.
26 years later it's the most precious thing I own. This is partially down to my memories of going to buy it with him. I can remember every minute of the day
At 21, I was mature enough to appreciate the gift , but I may not have been at 18 and may not have appreciated being given some one else's choice as much as I did when I chose my own. Especially as I intend to wear it until the day I die.
I'm sure it'll be a memorable day whatever.
I went with my father to buy a Rolex on my 21st.
26 years later it's the most precious thing I own. This is partially down to my memories of going to buy it with him. I can remember every minute of the day
At 21, I was mature enough to appreciate the gift , but I may not have been at 18 and may not have appreciated being given some one else's choice as much as I did when I chose my own. Especially as I intend to wear it until the day I die.
I'm sure it'll be a memorable day whatever.
I sort of agree with the above, although a cool present would be a cheap and cheerful casio from my birth year, battery taken out and stored till I was 18, then given a brand new but now very retro watch. The money put to one side would then have bought something special when I hit 21 as above.
As mentioned, are you going to 'wear it for him' for 18 years?
If so it'll need 3 services, will have had 3 case polishes, and probably most of its parts replaced
If not planning on wearing it, bank the money and add a tenner a week, then take him out to buy what he wants on his bday.
I have two birth year watches; a Silverstone and a Sea-Dweller. If I'd have been given the Silverstone at 18 I'd have been gutted! 'Retro' may not be in when he's 18, it'll just be a beaten up watch.
If so it'll need 3 services, will have had 3 case polishes, and probably most of its parts replaced
If not planning on wearing it, bank the money and add a tenner a week, then take him out to buy what he wants on his bday.
I have two birth year watches; a Silverstone and a Sea-Dweller. If I'd have been given the Silverstone at 18 I'd have been gutted! 'Retro' may not be in when he's 18, it'll just be a beaten up watch.
yeti said:
If not planning on wearing it, bank the money and add a tenner a week, then take him out to buy what he wants on his bday.
A tenner a week for 18 years should give some good choice at age 18, even taking into account watch price inflation!Personally, I'm buying myself some nice watches with the reason/excuse that my sons will love to have them (well used) at some point in the future. And, if they don't, I can always sell them.
Well I guess the idea is to have a nice watch to commemmorate his birth, which will then be given to him on his 18th. Perhaps then I can get him one of his choice for his 21st? Who knows? He may not be into watches then. Perhaps we'll all be living on the moon and have timepieces built in to our arms?
So I'll be wearing it on special occasions to keep it running, firstly his naming ceremony, then I guess birthdays, maybe Christmas, things like that. Of course it will be kept serviced, but as I have around 75 pieces at the moment, I doubt it will get much wear and tear!
So, now that I've justified the concept of the thing, any actual advice on the choice of watch?
So I'll be wearing it on special occasions to keep it running, firstly his naming ceremony, then I guess birthdays, maybe Christmas, things like that. Of course it will be kept serviced, but as I have around 75 pieces at the moment, I doubt it will get much wear and tear!
So, now that I've justified the concept of the thing, any actual advice on the choice of watch?
This is a tough one as fashion and tastes will change so much and trying to get something that can be a recognised birth year watch is also a factor.
As a couple of suggestions
Hamilton Jazzmaster Chrono
Longines Heritage Diver
And my old favourite Offshore Field Engineer which will be clearly linked to the year as there are so few of them and may even be a classic collectible in 18 years time!
As a couple of suggestions
Hamilton Jazzmaster Chrono
Longines Heritage Diver
And my old favourite Offshore Field Engineer which will be clearly linked to the year as there are so few of them and may even be a classic collectible in 18 years time!
bigandclever said:
HereBeMonsters said:
I understand I can't see a Sinn in the flesh in the UK any more before buying one?
Is that something new? Jura have physical stores and stock Sinn (of course, they may be nowhere near you, but...).HereBeMonsters said:
bigandclever said:
HereBeMonsters said:
I understand I can't see a Sinn in the flesh in the UK any more before buying one?
Is that something new? Jura have physical stores and stock Sinn (of course, they may be nowhere near you, but...). I think you need to hit the North, though only the Leeds store makes reference to stocking Sinn ... http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/pages/store-locatorHaven't bought a watch from Neil at Chronomaster, but I'm pretty sure some on here have visited him to try watches in person. He still stocks Sinn. Page & Cooper also sell Sinn and are based in Elstree; their website mentions a showroom there.
I can recommend the Hydroconquest. I have a 41mm auto, it's decently made and looks good in the flesh. Having tried some Sinns, they are on a slightly higher level of engineering and build-quality. The U1 & 857UTC I looked at were very well screwed together. The 857 with tegimented case and AR-coated crystal looked and felt particularly impressive and is just a tad over your budget new.
Have you looked at Damasko?
I can recommend the Hydroconquest. I have a 41mm auto, it's decently made and looks good in the flesh. Having tried some Sinns, they are on a slightly higher level of engineering and build-quality. The U1 & 857UTC I looked at were very well screwed together. The 857 with tegimented case and AR-coated crystal looked and felt particularly impressive and is just a tad over your budget new.
Have you looked at Damasko?
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