Suggestions for Sub-£4,000 watch

[Lightningman]

I'd love to have some suggestions for a sub £4k retail watch.

It must be new and not pre-owned and preference would be given to an item that will retain value, rather than drop it like an MP with an expense form.

Rolex and IWC are from the table but all others considered.

TIA

[ShadownINja]

Rare Panerai?

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms? Oops. BRB new pants needed.

Edited by ShadownINja on Tuesday 19th May 16:49

[Matt172]

As I like them, I'd go for a Dornblüth 99.4, tiny bit over your price range at €4600



http://www.awco.nl/produkt.php?id=896&select=3...

[Lightningman]

ShadownINja said:

Rare Panerai?

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms? Oops. BRB new pants needed.

Edited by ShadownINja on Tuesday 19th May 16:49

I tried a few Panerai models on and to be honest, they didn't do much for me. I like the numeral font but the rest of the design did little to inspire money from my pocket.

I like the Blancpain, only concern is that it looks a little too much like my black GMTII

Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming!

[Lightningman]

Matt172 said:

As I like them, I'd go for a Dornblüth 99.4, tiny bit over your price range at €4600



http://www.awco.nl/produkt.php?id=896&select=3...

Now that I like (here comes the BUT ), it does look a little too similar to the IWC Portuguese

[Matt172]

just looking through that amsterdam watch company website, if you wanted something a little bit 'off the wall'

how about this

[Lightningman]

Matt, if I wanted that, I could buy a case, throw some parts in it and be done with it... it wouldn't cost me £4k!

Skeleton back, I like. Skeleton front needs to be done well and imho, I'm not a fan of that one.

[ShadownINja]

Lightningman said:

I tried a few Panerai models on and to be honest, they didn't do much for me. I like the numeral font but the rest of the design did little to inspire money from my pocket.

That's the thing, though. It's a very simple, if unique, design. I suspect many get it because of the name and the associated cost. I'd get one if it was £70 and had Pulsar on it. I love it.

[Lightningman]

ShadownINja said:

Lightningman said:

I tried a few Panerai models on and to be honest, they didn't do much for me. I like the numeral font but the rest of the design did little to inspire money from my pocket.

That's the thing, though. It's a very simple, if unique, design. I suspect many get it because of the name and the associated cost. I'd get one if it was £70 and had Pulsar on it. I love it.

I can see where you are coming from, especially as I favour understated over any other style. That being said, there was something distinctly underwhelming about the models I tried on. Where as an IWC Portuguese has understated style and elegance, the Panerai I tried on were bulky and seemed to lack design flair. As with most 'want' purchases, there is no right answer, only personal opinion and taste (or lack of it, which is probably the situation with mine ).

[ShadownINja]

Lightningman said:

ShadownINja said:

Lightningman said:

I tried a few Panerai models on and to be honest, they didn't do much for me. I like the numeral font but the rest of the design did little to inspire money from my pocket.

That's the thing, though. It's a very simple, if unique, design. I suspect many get it because of the name and the associated cost. I'd get one if it was £70 and had Pulsar on it. I love it.

I can see where you are coming from, especially as I favour understated over any other style. That being said, there was something distinctly underwhelming about the models I tried on. Where as an IWC Portuguese has understated style and elegance, the Panerai I tried on were bulky and seemed to lack design flair. As with most 'want' purchases, there is no right answer, only personal opinion and taste (or lack of it, which is probably the situation with mine ).

I understand. I appreciate the IWC designs but for a different reason. The Panerai isn't about elegance. It looks like a watch that serves a purpose. I would have both. An IWC for smart wear and a Panerai for kicking about in.

[Matt172]

Lightningman said:

Matt, if I wanted that, I could buy a case, throw some parts in it and be done with it... it wouldn't cost me £4k!

Skeleton back, I like. Skeleton front needs to be done well and imho, I'm not a fan of that one.

ah very good point

[Lightningman]

Anyone else have any suggestions?

It is a shame Pateks are so astronomically priced.

[Peter G]

Are you looking for dress or sports?

Gold, steel or 2tone?

Personally for 4k the world really is your oyster, and for me it would be either...

For a sports watch:

Zenith Defy


Bremont Z1 [now available on a bracelet]


or for a dress watch:

JLC Master Hometime



Zenith Grand Class



Too much choice - happy hunting!!!

[Driver Rider]

Im going to get slated by the "purists" but what about breitling, particulary the navitimer range. They've got some history behind them and the consumate has been to the moon. If that matters to you!

I've not has any experience of the some of the watches suggested here personally but again JLC, Panerai et al just don't do anything for me. I find them underwhelming. Perhaps it's my age or a lack of appreciation for those timepieces but they just look ordinary to me.

Having said that breitlings have been accussed of being fussy but id say they are functional if you know how to use them.

Just go for what you like at the end of the day. Thought i'd make my own suggestion....hope I've not opened a can of worms on here...

Edited by Driver Rider on Wednesday 20th May 09:41

[Stefan T]

Driver Rider said:

Im going to get slated by the "purists" but what about breitling, particulary the navitimer range. They've got some history behind them and the consumate has been to the moon. If that matters to you!

I've not has any experience of the some of the watches suggested here personally but again JLC, Panerai et al just don't do anything for me. I find them underwhelming. Perhaps it's my age or a lack of appreciation for those timepieces but they just look ordinary to me.

Having said that breitlings have been accussed of being fussy but id say they are functional if you know how to use them.

Just go for what you like at the end of the day. Though i'd make my own suggestion....hope I've not opened a can of worms on here...

+1 I have both a Navitimer World and a Cosmonaute (I'm wearing that today) and whilst it's certainly the smallest Breitling I own, it is one of my favourites.

However, Breitling are price hiking again by 10% so to be honest my watch purchases this year will probably see me switch to an IWC Portuguese Automatic.

I still like Breitling, they have some great models in that sub £4,000 bracket.

Stef

[lowdrag]

Much as I've loved Breitlings for years I now wear an IWC Spitfire. Like the portuguese it doesn't shout at you, and for that reason I prefer it. However, the Dornblueth suggestion I'd go with. They are class and moreover, it will take a watch lover to appreciate just what you are wearing.

[JOETHETOE]

JLC Master Compressor?

[Lightningman]

lowdrag said:

Much as I've loved Breitlings for years I now wear an IWC Spitfire. Like the portuguese it doesn't shout at you, and for that reason I prefer it. However, the Dornblueth suggestion I'd go with. They are class and moreover, it will take a watch lover to appreciate just what you are wearing.

I appreciate the inclusion and suggestion of the Breitling. I do like the Navitimer models but favour the retro-style ones. I'm not sure if they are offering any for 2009 and if they would be in the price bracket. Last time I looked at them, there was one I liked but due to its 'special' edition nature, the price had been ramped up. Imvho, when the price starts touching £5k+, I'd also look to IWC or another brand over Breitling.

One feature I do not have on a current watch but would like to have on a new watch is the power reserve gauge. Silly, I know, but it is a design feature that would make the new watch unique among my current time pieces.

[Lightningman]

Peter, many thanks for your suggestions - Zenith, I'm just not a fan of. The Bremont also doesn't do anything for me. However, JLC is a nice suggestion. I do like parts of their AMVOX line, although again it is above budget. I'll have to take a look at a few more of their offerings.

I love interesting watches, which aren't fashion pieces that will fall out of style within a year or so. Quirky I like, fashionable not so. If that makes sense!

Edited by Lightningman on Wednesday 20th May 09:26

[lowdrag]

Silly me, and I always thought the power reserve gauge was the arm and wrist