Tudor or Omega?

[PLuKE]

Hi guys,

I am in the position to by a new watch, something fairly basic.

My two, which I have my mind on is a 2016 Seamaster Aqua Terra Quartz, and a 2018 Tudor Heritage Black Bay 36mm, Both the same price point around £1700-1800.

I can't think of anything else in that price range and look?

Which would be your views on the two

Images for comparison

https://omegaforums.net/attachments/img_20140623_1...

[thealphabeta]

I'm a big Tudor fan and I think they're releasing some wonderful pieces of late.

I would go for the heritage black bay personally. I've worn a friends and they are wonderful on the wrist and I'd always prefer an auto movement over a quartz any day but that's just a personal thing. Its a great looking watch and like the Rolex Explorer its wonderfully versatile on various straps, leather, nato and of course its native steel

[bristolbaron]

Seamaster, or a used Rolex.

[thealphabeta]

I've always really disliked the Seamaster although I imagine I am in the minority there. Used Rolex is a good shout although based on your ideas above I'm not sure if you'd get anything that really suited the style you're going for.

Have you considered the Speedmaster Reduced? 38mm and a fine looking watch. Easily picked up within and less than budget. I had one a few years back and sold it stupidly. I really regret it because I loved the way it looked and felt on the wrist.

If you like chrono's then the Longines Big Eye is superb value and an absolute belter of a watch visually.

[Wildfire]

Personally I would go for the Tudor, however I can't get over the hour hand on the BB's

Have you considered and Oris Diver?

[anonymous-user]

bristolbaron said:

Seamaster, or a used Rolex.

Used Rolex for £1800?

[Barchettaman]

Pretty watches.

I think the general consensus here is that £1700-£1800 is a lot of money to drop on a s/h quartz watch.

The Tudor is a classy thing and unlikely to lose value.

Your cash, your call

[Tony1963]

bristolbaron said:

Seamaster, or a used Rolex.

And a time machine to take us back to when a nice, used Rolex was that cheap

Edited by Tony1963 on Thursday 10th January 11:04

[thealphabeta]

Its certainly possible to still get a Rolex for that budget used but to my point earlier probably not the style that you'd like. You'll get an old Oyster for sure

[PLuKE]

Barchettaman said:

Pretty watches.

I think the general consensus here is that £1700-£1800 is a lot of money to drop on a s/h quartz watch.

The Tudor is a classy thing and unlikely to lose value.

Your cash, your call

The Omega is a lovely looking watch, and a strand brand, I agree that it’s “just” a quartz watch, my Hamilton is an automatic and my Mont Blanc is too, which to me gives it more character.

Tudor, when I first saw the BB Diver with the red bezel, I was really blown away, but my funds can’t stretch that far, even used, there’s some almost in price range on eBay but always very cautious!

I think, my mind is made up on the BB36 though, I was just getting some insight 😃

Luke

[Zoon]

thealphabeta said:

Its certainly possible to still get a Rolex for that budget used but to my point earlier probably not the style that you'd like. You'll get an old Oyster for sure

Cheapest currently on watchfinder is £2250

[UnclePat]

PLuKE said:

Tudor, when I first saw the BB Diver with the red bezel, I was really blown away, but my funds can’t stretch that far, even used, there’s some almost in price range on eBay but always very cautious!

It would take a bit of time (both waiting for the right model to turn up, and meeting the new member time-served/minimum post-count requirements necessary to access sales sections), but if you join a few dedicated watch forums (e.g. TZ-UK, Christopher Ward etc.) you stand every chance of picking-up a used Tudor Black Bay Red within your £1,700/£1,800 budget.

In the past two weeks, I've seen a 2013 ETA Black Bay Red & 2016 Black Bay Blue, on bracelet, go for under £1,700. There's another ETA Black Bay Red on sale now for £2,000, which seems a little high to me and will come down. With patience, I think it possible to pick up one on leather for circa £1,500 or on bracelet for £1,700. Ignore the eBay, Watchfinder, Chrono24 etc. valuations - they are all trying to cash-in on the ETA's supposed huge value hike following being discontinued, but the reality is a little different if you're quite savvy.

Of course, dealing privately is cheaper for a reason, with no warranty etc., but many Forums have member feedback sections and allow for a half-decent judgement re trustworthiness.

Regardless, the BB36 is a lovely watch in it's own right, with the same movement as the ETA Heritage Black Bays, and more versatile in look/wear, so you can't go far wrong with it, as well as the comfort of buying brand-new at or around your budget.

[LordGrover]

I have a Tudor and an Omega - I really like the Tudor, but I think the Omega may be better quality. Subjective though, and down to personal preference.
If it's to be a daily beater then nothing wrong with a quartz movement - less faff, better accuracy and you don't have to reset the time if you leave it off for the weekend.
At that price point you might like to look at some other makes too. For example there's an Oris thread running at the moment which may be worth a gander.

[anonymous-user]

Zoon said:

thealphabeta said:

Its certainly possible to still get a Rolex for that budget used but to my point earlier probably not the style that you'd like. You'll get an old Oyster for sure

Cheapest currently on watchfinder is £2250

You can get an Oysterdate Precision for under 2k but they are only 34mm and vintage. Not really what the OP was after!

[andyman_2006]

I think Omega have a 4 year warranty, Tudor only 2 year (if that helps at all)

[Danm1les]

I would be buying an auto omega at that price, something like this https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Omega/Seamaster%2030...

[lostkiwi]

Danm1les said:

I would be buying an auto omega at that price, something like this https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Omega/Seamaster%2030...

Absolutely this.

[WhiskyDisco]

Black is a nice (rarer) version of the Omega Seamaster
https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Omega/Seamaster%2030...

[PLuKE]

Thanks for all the replies.

I really dislike the Omega divers, the only diver I like is Black Bay in red!

The Seamaster is still on my radar, but the quartz movement is slightly off putting.

I think my mind is made up in the Tudor, the other watches mentioned aren’t quite my style, but thanks for the input!

Thanks

[CardShark]

You don't mention if you've tried either option on, OP. I'd recommend that you do as you may find that you're drawn one way more than the other.

Either watch would give you many years of service, both are designed and finished to a good standard, obviously they look different and you've the quartz vs auto debate however I personally wouldn't rule out the Omega just because of what's inside it. A decent quartz does have advantages over an auto ( eg greater accuracy, no resetting if not worn for a couple of days, cheaper to run), though I understand where you're coming from with regards to preferring an auto.

I'm a very proud BB36 owner myself, Tudor played it well in bringing that model out to run alongside the other "Bay" models IMO, especially so now that Rolex has discontinued the 36mm Explorer. Are you aware that the BB36 comes in both blue and black dial variants? The blue looks great and possibly a little more casual than my black one.

Edit to add that Uncle Pat makes a very fair point with regards to the BB Red.

Edited by CardShark on Thursday 10th January 22:23