What watch for £1500 - £2000

[greggy50]

Hello

Start a graduate job in September with a decent wage and want to reward myself with a new watch for around £1550 - £2000 mark

Just wondered where is the best place to start?

Ideally want something that holds its value okay and want it on a metal bracelet rather than leather previous watches I have owned included a Hamilton V8100, Gucci Panthenon and a Steinhart Ocean One Vintage (really liked this)

I was thinking something along the lines of a decent Tag Heur Carrera or Omega Speedmaster

I also quite like the look of the Breitling Superocean as well but not sure if they is anything major I am overlooking at this price point

Happy to go used as well just will mean me saving up for 2/3 months instead of buying it on 6 month finance thing

Thanks

[ross-co]

I just bought a new watch in your price range due to a long wait in Heathrow T5 for a flight back to Aberdeen. Its a Mont Blanc Star 4810, out of everything I tried on it was the one i was most happy with, also I am a sucker for a clear back class that lets you see the movement even if it doesn't have any hand polished/finished parts.

For me watches are about what feels right and looks nice to your eye, as a side note it appears to be keeping time very well and has only required winding when purchased despite not being worn every day (more like every second)

Edited by ross-co on Monday 28th April 09:59

[funinhounslow]

A second hand Speedy Pro would be a good choice for a versatile watch with an unmatched history and heritage.

If you want a new watch, have a look at Longines. Proper, historic Swiss brand and there will be plenty of choice for your budget...

[yeti]

greggy50 said:

decent Tag Heur Carrera

Oxymoron.

[Mosdef]

Another vote for the Speedmaster Pro, shouldn't be hard to find one in your budget and it should tick the right boxes for you. The only issue with them is that some have minimal water resistance, which IMHO makes them a poor holiday watch. Not sure if the newer ones are better.

If you particularly like the run-of-the-mill editions of the Carrera, buying used is the only way to go otherwise the depreciation will be savage - same goes for a brand new Breitling. Not sure whether your budget will help you get one of the limited edition versions (Jack Heuer 80th birthday etc), even on a secondhand basis, but worth a look if you like the re-issue idea.

Best advice would be to go into a Watches of Switzerland or similar so that you can work out which watches you like and then get on watchfinder to see whether those fit your budget. There are plenty of other reputable used watch dealers but watch finder is a sensible place to start (I bought my speed master pro from them years ago).

[fido]

greggy50 said:

I also quite like the look of the Breitling Superocean as well but not sure if they is anything major I am overlooking at this price point

Not a graduation present, but I bought a used Superocean 42 to replace my daily timepiece and really chuffed with it. And got change from your budget.

[Craikeybaby]

greggy50 said:

Hello

Start a graduate job in September with a decent wage and want to reward myself with a new watch for around £1550 - £2000 mark

Just wondered where is the best place to start?

I'd suggest that the best place to start is to work out what type of watch you want (diver/chrono/pilot/square etc) and what movement (auto/quartz) then to look at models which meet your criteria and go from there.

[westberks]

greggy50 said:

Hello

Start a graduate job in September with a decent wage and want to reward myself with a new watch for around £1550 - £2000 mark

Just wondered where is the best place to start?

have a browse around hte second hand websites, Chrono24, wathces.co.uk, watchfinder & not forgetting our own Dom at http://hackettwatches.com/

and pre-owned is definately a great way to go.

this will give a good grounding on what's available at the price range. the Omega Pro is a good shout for a watch that ticks all of your boxes though and you won't find too many that object to that particular model. the mention of Longines is also worthy if you prefer to stick to fairly well known brands.

the Superocean comes on a mesh and is a right chunk of a watch; not the most subtle and is a 46mm face (the 38mm is a bit too small imho), not criticising the watch as i've owned one myself, but for a one off nice daily i'd probably avoid.

[alfaman]

2nd hand speedy is a safe bet.

U could also get a new Tudor Blackbay or maybe even Tudor Pelagos for 2k .

Both are very good and stylish watches.

IMO - Breitlings aren't gonna hold their value that well. They sell new at substantial discounts for a reason.

Also consider a 2nd hand IWC

longines classic style watches are also good - and consider Ball watches for a bit of a left field choice ( should be able to get quite a chunky discount on Ball..)

Edited by alfaman on Monday 28th April 13:56

[bigtime]

Just get the watch you like. I've had a few Breitlings and haven't lost too much as I bought new with a substantial discount. DH has a nice Navitimer for £2500.

[NickXX]

I bought a new Speedy Pro for not much more than the top end of your budget from DH. I've been very happy with it - definitely a keeper.

[michael gould]

yeti said:

greggy50 said:

decent Tag Heur Carrera

Oxymoron.

your starting to sound like me......apart from the fact you can spell

[dom9]

Tudor Black Bay (Blue or Red, but I prefer Red) or Pelagos are good shouts!

[greggy50]

It appears I can (just about) get an Omega Planet Ocean used for the top end of my budget

What are peoples view on these? I have always been a fan of them myself

Something like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Omega-Seamaster-Planet-O...

I think other watches I like are the speedmaster as mentioned by others and still do like the superocean 42 with the yellow like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Breitling-Superocean-42-...

With regards to Tudor to be honest was that impressed with my steinhart if I wanted a rolex style watch would get one of those as think at the price point they are would rather save up the extra and get the real deal if that makes sense...

I am also am a fan of longinnes I have always liked the hydroconquest I must admit but that is a far cheaper watch but again it is something to consider

Edited by greggy50 on Monday 28th April 16:39

[greggy50]

Also don't think I want a Tag Heur thinking about it more as to be honest four of my mates already have them so would prefer to have something different...

[Debaser]

greggy50 said:

Tag Heur Carrera

No

greggy50 said:

Omega Speedmaster

Yes

[yeti]

greggy50 said:

Something like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Omega-Seamaster-Planet-O...

Can't go wrong but the black bezel will endure better I would imagine and you're less likely to tire of it.

greggy50 said:

I think other watches I like are the speedmaster as mentioned by others and still do like the superocean 42 with the yellow like this

Meh. Its OK... Of the Breitling divers, the Heitage model would be my choice.

greggy50 said:

With regards to Tudor to be honest was that impressed with my steinhart if I wanted a rolex style watch would get one of those as think at the price point they are would rather save up the extra and get the real deal if that makes sense...

Whereas Steinhart make homages of Rolex, Tudor are owned by Rolex! Traditionally they use the Rolex Oyster case and a generic movement, now they have different cases and different styles; the Black Bay and Pelegos are really worth considering. In fact the Pelagos at 2k pre-owned is an all-titanum 500m diver with a clever bracelet and lumed bezel with Rolex build quality and customer service. It really is one of the nicest watches out there at any price point!

I would have it over the Omega or the Breitling you posted.

[dom9]

yeti said:

Whereas Steinhart make homages of Rolex, Tudor are owned by Rolex! Traditionally they use the Rolex Oyster case and a generic movement, now they have different cases and different styles; the Black Bay and Pelegos are really worth considering. In fact the Pelagos at 2k pre-owned is an all-titanum 500m diver with a clever bracelet and lumed bezel with Rolex build quality and customer service. It really is one of the nicest watches out there at any price point!

I would have it over the Omega or the Breitling you posted.

+1 A quality watch at any price. It may not be an in-house movement but it's the equal of many, if not better, and the cases are arguably more nicely finished than many competitors!

[GC8]

michael gould said:

yeti said:

greggy50 said:

decent Tag Heur Carrera

Oxymoron.

your starting to sound like me......apart from the fact you can spell

They aren't that bad. They are massively overpriced now though. Techniques d'Avant Garde saved Heuer but LVHM are destroying it. I wonder if Zentith will suffer in the same way?

[greggy50]

Okay so it appears my main options are

Omega Speedmaster
Omega Planetocean
Tudor Pelagos

Another worry with Tudor is resale value not that I plan on selling but you never know what the future will hold are these a respect brand in terms of resale?

Sorry never heard of them before and certainly did not realise they were owned by Rolex sounded like a brand you would see in the argos catalogue!