First 'luxury' watch at the cheaper end
First 'luxury' watch at the cheaper end
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Raymond Reddington

Original Poster:

2,991 posts

127 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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Morning,

I am looking for my first slightly expensive watch, between £1-1750.

My grandad passed on an old Omega to me that he wore every day for years, I can't remember a time when I didn't see him wearing it. It's a bit battered, he ran a building company and got stuck in from time to time, but I like that it has been enjoyed properly.

I'm due my first child and I'd like to do something similar - so resale value isn't a concern, I'm thinking of having it engraved with his date of birth and one day passing it on - he may not be interested but hopefully he will be.

I'm looking for something pretty hardy therefore, so I can wear it a lot. I work in formula one so the cliche tag F1 watches are out for me, but I do quite like the aquaracer style.

I like an automatic, my current daily watch is a Steinhart auto, but quartz would be okay too, as long as its reliable.

Something timeless in style so it still looks okay in 18 years time would be great, and something built well enough to last this long if looked after.

I work in a workshop/cleanroom environment, so while I'm not exactly digging up roads or building houses, it may get knocked and scuffed from time to time.

I've got a few ideas but does anyone else have any nice suggestions that might fit the bill?

I like Longines as a brand but some of their watches look a bit too dressy or not utilitarian enough to be worn at work. I have a Tissot, which is nice, but feels a bit cheap.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts

Cheers

RR

AmitG

3,434 posts

177 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
quotequote all
How about something from the Seiko Prospex range?

https://www.seikoboutique.co.uk/collections/prospe...

I think that could be a good choice. I think they have models in the price and style you are after (not exactly sure what is the aquaracer style, but I think I can guess...). They are very well made, from a fully vertically integrated manufacture (Seiko make everything themselves) and should be reliable in a rough-ish work setting.

I think that the designs are pretty timeless and will still look good in 20 years, but obviously this is just my view.

There is a Seiko appreciation thread on here which might give some ideas.

The alternative would be to look for a second hand Swiss watch, but I think you would prefer something new?



rallye101

2,448 posts

214 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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Stretch the budget and go Tudor....

HTP99

24,170 posts

157 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
quotequote all
rallye101 said:
Stretch the budget and go Tudor....
Doubling is a bit more than a "stretch"!

ellroy

7,550 posts

242 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
quotequote all
Take a look at Sinn, they’ve got some great stuff in and around that price.

Raymond Reddington

Original Poster:

2,991 posts

127 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
quotequote all
AmitG said:
How about something from the Seiko Prospex range?

https://www.seikoboutique.co.uk/collections/prospe...

I think that could be a good choice. I think they have models in the price and style you are after (not exactly sure what is the aquaracer style, but I think I can guess...). They are very well made, from a fully vertically integrated manufacture (Seiko make everything themselves) and should be reliable in a rough-ish work setting.

I think that the designs are pretty timeless and will still look good in 20 years, but obviously this is just my view.

There is a Seiko appreciation thread on here which might give some ideas.

The alternative would be to look for a second hand Swiss watch, but I think you would prefer something new?
Great suggestion, i am a Seiko fan. I've got an old 5 and "orange monster", which I love.

The main reason I haven't gone straight to Seiko is because when I pass it on in years to come, will it be appealing to a young lad... I guess thats the risk with all of the watches on sale today though and most will look a bit dated by then. And either way, it could just end up in a drawer!

ETA: I didn't realise the prospex range was quite so diverse and some of those look great

Edited by Raymond Reddington on Sunday 31st December 10:52

Raymond Reddington

Original Poster:

2,991 posts

127 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
quotequote all
HTP99 said:
Doubling is a bit more than a "stretch"!
Indeed. I do like them though.

Raymond Reddington

Original Poster:

2,991 posts

127 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
quotequote all
ellroy said:
Take a look at Sinn, they’ve got some great stuff in and around that price.
I'll take a look, thank you

magpie215

4,793 posts

206 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
quotequote all
ellroy said:
Take a look at Sinn, they’ve got some great stuff in and around that price.
Just about to post exactly the same.

HTP99

24,170 posts

157 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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Christopher Ward is worth a look IMHO, I'm very happy with my C60 Trident.

TarquinMX5

2,274 posts

97 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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Oris watches are worth a look.

Kuwahara

1,280 posts

35 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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I have top end in an IWC but love my Tissot, brilliant value watches.

carlo996

6,815 posts

38 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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I would look at the Grand Seiko quartz range. Brilliant watches and something a bit different. Widely available second hand at less than your budget wink

Squadrone Rosso

3,298 posts

164 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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Oris, Longines & Tissot are worth a look.

jgrewal

951 posts

64 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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Tudor for me - they are just as good in terms of build as a Rolex for what you pay and maybe less showy.

Barchettaman

6,917 posts

149 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
quotequote all
ellroy said:
Take a look at Sinn, they’ve got some great stuff in and around that price.
I was thinking the same thing. Massively cool tool watches that fly under the radar, if you know, you know.

I’ll try and get some more clichés into my next post.

troc

4,004 posts

192 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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In addition to the above, I would consider come German ideas like Stowa and Nomos. Stowa for the classic ‘flieger’ design and Nomos for very smart dress watches. You could also look at Longines as well as Oris.


vixen1700

26,456 posts

287 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
quotequote all
I'm a Longines fan too and a Hydroconquest would be the sensible suggestion. smile



https://www.stowa.de/pilot

But I also really like Stowa, so a Flieger would be another suggestion. smile

troc

4,004 posts

192 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
quotequote all
Slightly left-field but Glycine could also be worth a look. Some nice designs and can often be found at a discount.