60th Birthday Watch

[911Alan]

Guys

Looking to purchase a watch as a gift for my Dads 60th Birthday. Ideally I would love to buy him a JLC Reverso, but due to house renovations the budget won't stretch that far.
I have a rough budget of £3k, and after doing a bit of research I have pretty much decided on a Cartier Tank Solo Extra Large: http://www.thewatchgallery.com/shop/cartier-tank-s...
What kind of discount should I be aiming for on Cartier watches, I see Iconic have this model at approx 20% off so was guessing that would be a good ballpark figure to aim for.

If anyone has any alternative suggestions I'm all ears too, I don't mind buying pre-owned as long as the watch is in VGC with box and papers. He doesn't wear a watch day to day so would prefer a smart/dress watch rather than a diver or sports design.

[PJ S]

https://www.chrono24.com/en/glashuetteoriginal/-se...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/glashuetteoriginal/sen...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/pequignet/rue-royale-g...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/paulpicot/firshire-ron...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/paulpicot/chronometer-...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/paulpicot/majestic--id...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/zenith/captain-power-r...

[TimLambert7]

I know it must seem like I'm on the payroll but SWT has two similar Cartiers for sale. I know nothing about it but could be worth a look?

http://swisswatchtrader.co.uk/watches/cartier/sant...

The chap who runs it is a PHer as well.

[Riff Raff]

PJ S said:

https://www.chrono24.com/en/glashuetteoriginal/-se...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/glashuetteoriginal/sen...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/pequignet/rue-royale-g...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/paulpicot/firshire-ron...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/paulpicot/chronometer-...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/paulpicot/majestic--id...
https://www.chrono24.com/en/zenith/captain-power-r...

Cartier have always seemed a bit feminine to me. /non PC mode. However, that second Glashütte is a lot of watch for the money. A cracking suggestion.

[911Alan]

Great selection of watches there PJ, and that second Glashutte is beautiful. Whilst I am open to pre-owned purchases, I really need to see the watch in the flesh before pulling the trigger so would need to really be located within a few hours of London. My Dad is a bit fussy when it comes to the sizing of the case, for example I have a Ceramic Submariner which he finds too large on the wrist for his liking.
Guess I will hit chrono24 again and see what I can find.

[Mr Pointy]

Why not drop Dominic H a line to see what he can do?

[GCH]

You can get plenty of reversos for your budget.
Which size, metal, and any specific model you are after?

[PJ S]

911Alan said:

Great selection of watches there PJ, and that second Glashutte is beautiful. Whilst I am open to pre-owned purchases, I really need to see the watch in the flesh before pulling the trigger so would need to really be located within a few hours of London. My Dad is a bit fussy when it comes to the sizing of the case, for example I have a Ceramic Submariner which he finds too large on the wrist for his liking.
Guess I will hit chrono24 again and see what I can find.

Cheers Alan.

I would say that the likes of the 2nd GO I linked to, even though a similar size (40 mm) to your Sub C, it would look and wear differently due to the lack of bezel and being on a leather strap.
If the watch purchase isn't to be a surprise, then if you can take him to the Wempe store in London (Bond St ?) to look at the GOs, then he/you'll know if it's an option or not.
They may also have the Zenith, but the Pequignet is probably out of the running at 42 mm, even though it's a lovely looking watch.

Not knowing how active your dad is, I figured the power reserve might prove useful for him to see if it needs a bit of a wind, although with the Pequignet having 88 hours, he can afford to be a bit inactive.

Anyway, if anything else comes to mind, I'll post it up, but good luck in trying to decide what to get him.

Edited by PJ S on Friday 9th January 14:12

[911Alan]

GCH said:

You can get plenty of reversos for your budget.
Which size, metal, and any specific model you are after?

Really, I have struggled to find any that are within a reasonable distance to me. I was looking at either a Reverso or Reverso Grande in Stainless Steel on Leather, to be honest I'm not too clued up on the model variations which is another reason for wanting to buy in person rather than via the web. My Dad has similar sized wrists to myself so would be good to go and try a couple on for size.

Speaking of Dom H he has a lovely Reverso in stock at the moment which is unfortunately out of my price range. I will definitely be in contact with him once I decide what I want, I actually purchased my Sub C from him and it was a very smooth transaction.

[911Alan]

PJ S said:

Cheers Alan.

I would say that the likes of the 2nd GO I linked to, even though a similar size (40 mm) to your Sub C, it would look and wear differently due to the lack of bezel and being on a leather strap.
If the watch purchase isn't to be a surprise, then if you can take him to the Wempe store in London (Bond St ?) to look at the GOs, then he/you'll know if it's an option or not.
They may also have the Zenith, but the Pequignet is probably out of the running at 42 mm, even though it's a lovely looking watch.

Not knowing how active your dad is, I figured the power reserve might prove useful for him to see if it needs a bit of a wind, although with the Pequignet having 88 hours, he can afford to be a bit inactive.

Anyway, if anything else comes to mind, I'll post it up, but good luck in trying to decide what to get him.

Edited by PJ S on Friday 9th January 14:12

It is to be a bit of a surprise gift, so cant really drag him along with me. The Wempe store may well be worth a visit to see some models in the flesh, its always hard just going off images on the net.
As for power reserve, I don't think this is too much of an issue as day to day he tends not to wear a watch as it would get damaged in his line of work. So it will mainly be used at weekends and its not too much of a chore for him to set/wind the watch before wearing it.

Thanks again for your help and suggestions.