40mm daily do it all

[robinh73]

Evening all, I am looking to purchase a watch that can pretty much cover all bases, smart and casual at the same time if that makes sense. I want to spend about £2k and have been looking at a Grand Seiko Heritage quartz, Sinn U50, Sinn 556i, Tag Heuer Carrera Auto, Fortis Flieger F39 to name but a few. I would like a watch that can work as well on a bracelet as it can on a strap and I would say that 40mm diameter is about my max as my wrist is just under 7". Does anyone have any thoughts on the above watches or is there anything else I should consider? Cheers.

[Macneil]

New or used?

I've a U50, the black bezel version, it is a bit tooly tbh.

If I were buying used for 2k I'd go for a 39mm Aqua Terra, perfect.

[robinh73]

Macneil said:

New or used?

I've a U50, the black bezel version, it is a bit tooly tbh.

If I were buying used for 2k I'd go for a 39mm Aqua Terra, perfect.

I have to say that the Aqua Terra just ticks all the boxes. I would not be fussed by used at all and if I can get an Aqua Terra in that sort of budget then I will be a very happy man!

[RD-1]

Longines HydroConquest.

Buy it on a bracelet and try and get a discount on the rubber strap.

[gregs656]

A 90s or early 2000s Bond 300?

Santos?

The 5 digit explorers are not a million miles from your budget.

I’d take a Rail Master over the Aqua Terra, some of those are definitely in your budget.

[Badda]

I may have an SMP300 of interest!

[robinh73]

Many thanks for the suggestions, very much appreciated. I have been having a quick look at used Omegas (Railmaster and Aqua Terra) that come in at just over budget. Did try looking at Explorers but didn't come up with anything there.
Any thoughts on Bell and Ross V2s?

[yellowtang]

Tudor might be worth looking at - Ranger, Classic date&day (possibly too dressy?) Black Bay etc

Also - Omega Speedmaster reduced, quite a few models to choose from at 39mm. I have the triple date version, though I’d probably only buy one of these from someone who has serviced it first. For a relatively cheap watch (mine was £1800) - the servicing costs are around £700 due to all the complications. The plain Speedmaster Reduced is much cheaper to service and can be bought for circa £1500.

[Stunters]

For less than half the budget, it might be worth considering the Christopher Ward Trident Pro 300. In my opinion it's a very well-made watch for the money and it's very wearable because of its (lack of) case thickness.

You could buy two different dial colours on the bracelet, and a couple of straps...

https://www.christopherward.com/trident-pro-300-wa...

[the-norseman]

Tudor or Omega would be where I was looking (actually I did, I own both).

[gregs656]

Christopher Ward is a good suggestion.

The B&R V2 is nice but not sure I’d want to spend that sort of money on a watch with a Sellita 300 movement.

[anonymous-user]

If it was me, I would be buying a used Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra. Absolutely beautiful watch IMO, and perfect for almost all occasions.

[SpanishTony]

Lord Marylebone said:

If it was me, I would be buying a used Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra. Absolutely beautiful watch IMO, and perfect for almost all occasions.

I'm beginning to take a real shine to them. I had my heart set on a rollie sub no-date but I've gone off them now, just seems like I'm trying too hard, whilst I've got a mortgage etc.

[And172940]

As a lifelong lover of mechanical watches I bought and AT last August and absolutely love it. I wear it every day and still look at it and think how fantastic it is, beautiful dial that is really three dimensional and just chunky enough to feel special without feeling too big. Its the only thing I've ever bought and not regretted when something else comes along that I could have bought with the money. AT 150 41mm with blue dial and SS bracelet.

[Got4wheels]

Another one for the Hydroconquest. Bought mine last summer, worn it everyday since.

Michael

[anonymous-user]

I’d buy a Citizen eco-drive & save £1750
Their models look great, reliable & accurate.
Far superior to more expensive stuff in every way.

[shambolic]

Used Seamaster 300m.

[7 5 7]

James6112 said:

I’d buy a Citizen eco-drive & save £1750
Their models look great, reliable & accurate.
Far superior to more expensive stuff in every way.

Agree with you on that.

Have a Citizen Eco-drive diver (black promaster) for 3 years as my work daily, been absolutely great! Best like I have ever seen on a watch. Citizen have some great models at the moment.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Citizen-Promaster-Powered... 42mm though

Scraped and scuffed now, it's looks better for it. <£200.

[Barchettaman]

This was €55 shipped. I had to change the scratched glass so that was another €4.50. It sits at +1 sec/day.

The movement is a Swiss STP 1-11, so a 2824 clone.

It’s on a silicon strap (recommended!) but also has a bracelet.

There are bargains out there that are pretty functional. I dunno, I suppose it depends if spending money makes you happy.