A few watch noobie questions...

[Goughie]

...so apologies if these are pretty simple!

Having not worn a watch for over 15 years as a result of my work (I work in the food industry so can't wear one), I've decided that I'd like to make my first "proper" watch purchase. To this end, I've got a few starters for ten if I may?

1. Is the face size a completely personal thing? I have pretty big wrists so I know I can accomodate a big face, but would say a 38.5mm face be out of place on my wrist, even if I like the design and size?
2. As per above, my wrists are too big for most straps I have tried - are longer straps available from most brands or do I have to DIY or get third party straps?
3. How the hell do you set the right tone with a watch? I have narrowed my likes down to a Cartier Roadster, A Bell & Ross BR03 or a Sinn. How can I like all three styles as they are all so completely different?

Here sits a man with a few quid to spend and NO idea!!!

[205lad]

I reckon you should go for a steel sports watch. Sinn U1 would suit a big wrist and you can add as many liks as you like to the strap. Likewise the rubber strap is huge.

[TheStoat]

I would say that face size is a question of proportion rather than absolute size. You'll need something that isn't lost on your wrist but other than that it's your choice. The ratio of the watch case to the face can make a big difference to how a watch looks. Try two watches of the same diameter, one with a slender bezel and one with a chunky bezel. The resulting difference in face size will make one watch seem larger than the other to some extent

As for liking three different watches... Either buy all three and use them for different occasions or keep searching for a watch that combines the best attributes from all three. Either way it'll be fun trying out new watches

[tertius]

Goughie said:

...so apologies if these are pretty simple!

Having not worn a watch for over 15 years as a result of my work (I work in the food industry so can't wear one), I've decided that I'd like to make my first "proper" watch purchase. To this end, I've got a few starters for ten if I may?

1. Is the face size a completely personal thing? I have pretty big wrists so I know I can accomodate a big face, but would say a 38.5mm face be out of place on my wrist, even if I like the design and size?
2. As per above, my wrists are too big for most straps I have tried - are longer straps available from most brands or do I have to DIY or get third party straps?
3. How the hell do you set the right tone with a watch? I have narrowed my likes down to a Cartier Roadster, A Bell & Ross BR03 or a Sinn. How can I like all three styles as they are all so completely different?

Here sits a man with a few quid to spend and NO idea!!!

1. yes - buy what you like not what anyone else likes or tells you you should like. Having said that a 38.5mm dial would make a pretty big watch ... unless 38.5 is the diameter of the case (measured from 9 o'clock position to 3 o'clock position excluding crown) in which case its on the small side for today's rather big watches.

2. very very very few watch makers actually make their own straps (I honestly believe none do) so if you go "third party" for a strap you are probably buying as good or better then the orignal strap and may even be buying the same make - e.g. Sinn use Di-modell straps ... very good straps which are readily available though obviously without the Sinn branding. In the event that there is no third party strap long enough you can always have one custom made.

3. well thats the way it goes I'm afraid ... you'll just have to start a collection ... though Bell & Ross and Sinn are similar in many ways, and indeed the first B&Rs were made by Sinn (who in my view offer FAR better VFM than B&R).

Have fun!

[Seb d]

First of all, try on all the watches you like - admittedly, this may only serve to confuse you further but at least you'll get an idea of how they look and feel on your wrist and you'll have a better idea of what suits you. Secondly, there are no right or wrong watches (apart from Graham perhaps...) only the watch that's the one you want - someone once said 'the best watch in the world is the one on your wrist' and I believe that's very true. If you try on a watch and it feels right, and you love the look and you can imagine it putting a smile on your face everytime you catch sight of it on your wrist, that's the one

[Twit]

My advice is just buy what you like, don't worry too much about what others think. If you want to hold value then look to buy used, try something like timezone - I have recently bought a Bell and Ross BR03 which was unworn for much less than the list price. The advantage with being able to carry bigger watches is that people buy them and then realise they are too big...

I have a Tag Heuer and a Heuer Monacco which are both nice, quite large but not as big as the B&R, the B&R, a couple of Oris's (v nice for the price) and a few classic Heuers. Just buy what you like and enjoy!

I'm amazed how much I wear the B&R, its really nice and you don't see many; as has been said Sinns are also nice!

[seaninog]

Bell & Ross BR03 every time. There is just no question about it! It's going to be an all-time iconic watch and they are still not ridiculously popular like other brands so maintain an air of exclusivity.

Bell & Ross EVERY time.

[Goughie]

Thanks very much for all your advice, I have been doing quite a bit of research this week! I really like the BR03-92 white ceramic, but am not entirely sure I can pull of a white watch. Still, it's going to be fun trying them all on! I will report (with pics) once choice has been made!

Edited by Goughie on Thursday 31st July 17:45