Need a watch fairly sharpish - £1500 max.

[Stu R]

Hi folks,

I'm on the hunt for a watch for my old man. It's his birthday next week and I've just been tasked with finding him a watch to replace his beloved Tag (I know). Thing is, he's not a great watch aficionado, and really he's only familiar with the more mainstream brands you're likely to see in shopping mall jewellers (Rolex, Omega, Tag etc).

I've found a nice seamaster on watchfinder that's brand new and only 1100ish, which I'm pretty tempted to go for. I know he'd like an Omega.
But before I do I thought I'd ask the great PH watch loving collective

I'm thinking he might like a Sinn, though he's probably not heard of them, but the budget is making life a bit awkward as it's below the level of watches I'd consider for myself other than the g-shock and beater type stuff I collect.

Budget is £1 - 1.5k
Nothing too big or too bling.
Nothing too fussy in face or bezel design.
Prefer metal strap but leather isn't out of the question.
Doesn't have to be brand new but it does have to be in spot on condition and available to buy now or very very soon.

Edited by Stu R on Wednesday 21st July 11:07

[worsy]

http://www.ballwatch.com/

Storm Chaser

[worsy]

or a Ball Engineer

[ShadownINja]

worsy said:

Storm Chaser

Telemeter! Storm Chaser. Cunning. Presumably water and shock proof.

[worsy]

ShadownINja said:

worsy said:

Storm Chaser

Telemeter! Storm Chaser. Cunning. Presumably water and shock proof.

100m and 5000Gs

[worsy]

Stu R said:

I've found a nice seamaster on watchfinder that's brand new and only 1100ish, which I'm pretty tempted to go for. I know he'd like an Omega.

Edited by Stu R on Wednesday 21st July 11:07

but a Quartz right?

[Stu R]

'Ball Watch' makes me snigger like a child :O I've not heard of them, take it they're decent?

worsy said:

Stu R said:

I've found a nice seamaster on watchfinder that's brand new and only 1100ish, which I'm pretty tempted to go for. I know he'd like an Omega.

Edited by Stu R on Wednesday 21st July 11:07

but a Quartz right?

Yeah they're quartz - not ideal and I doubt be he'll bothered, but it's pretty much why I'm asking as I'd rather get a mechanical. He loves my PO, and I know he's mentioned them in the past, but I think 40mm is about as big as he'll like, and I know he'd prefer something less orangey.

[worsy]

The Stormchaser is a 43mm, but they have smaller watches in their range. The movement is an ETA 7750 used in both IWC and Breitling watches amongst many, so decent, yes.

[Stu R]

43 I think is about as big as it could be. Checked out quite a few of the Ball ones, some nice offerings I must say.

I'm really leaning towards a Sinn though, the 6060 is a smidgen over budget but I reckon it could be just the ticket.

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/Sinn/Financial-Center...

[cyberface]

My 356 II is for sale but probably a tad under budget for you - then again, with a fresh top-quality leather strap... you know what the watch looks like:

[Ikemi]

Stu R said:

'Ball Watch' makes me snigger like a child :O I've not heard of them, take it they're decent?

They are very good in terms of build quality and robustness - I have the Hydrocarbon Classic I, which has a higher depth rating, higher shock resistance and is also anti-magnetic, in comparison to the Storm Chaser. At 40mm, it is one of the smaller watches in their range, but wears bigger than you would expect! Here is my small review of mine:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

However you might be interested in an Omega Seamaster Railmaster Chronometer - Your Dad will recognise the name, it is 41mm in size and has the automatic co-axial movement too! It's RRP £1860.00, but push for decent discount and you should be able to achieve close to £1500



I would write more, but I'm late for a meeting!

[phil1979]

I got one of these from Watchfinder.co.uk. In the shops for about £1500, but you can get from watchfinder for £1270.00.

Classic? Yes. Metal strap. Yes. Unfussy? Yes. Known brand. I reckon so. Automatic. Indeed.



Mine:



Nice back, too:



http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Longines/Master-Colle...

Edited by phil1979 on Wednesday 21st July 13:40

[andy_s]

I'd second the Sinn 356, a real classically proportioned watch. For something a bit less classic but a great workhorse I'd suggest an EZM3.
Black dialled 356: (I prefer the copper of CF's, very nice)

Edited by andy_s on Wednesday 21st July 16:39

[Phooey]

Ikemi said:

Stu R said:

'Ball Watch' makes me snigger like a child :O I've not heard of them, take it they're decent?

They are very good in terms of build quality and robustness - I have the Hydrocarbon Classic I, which has a higher depth rating, higher shock resistance and is also anti-magnetic, in comparison to the Storm Chaser. At 40mm, it is one of the smaller watches in their range, but wears bigger than you would expect! Here is my small review of mine:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

However you might be interested in an Omega Seamaster Railmaster Chronometer - Your Dad will recognise the name, it is 41mm in size and has the automatic co-axial movement too! It's RRP £1860.00, but push for decent discount and you should be able to achieve close to £1500



I would write more, but I'm late for a meeting!

That's a very nice looking watch

[Stu R]

Ooof! That railmaster does look very tasty, even amongst all the Sinn porn

[Pesty]

Stu R said:

Ooof! That railmaster does look very tasty, even amongst all the Sinn porn

I know,

Could you all stop posting Sinn and Ball watches I'm trying to save for a tudor

[elster]

I want one of these.

Think it looks great, must try to save

[ShadownINja]

Stu R said:

'Ball Watch' makes me snigger like a child :O I've not heard of them, take it they're decent?

Some men have two Balls and like to show them off. It is the only time you can, in fact, show off your Balls on Pistonheads and not get destroyed. In fact, you're more likely to get cries of admiration and congratulations which is unusual for a largely straight male-dominated forum when one is indeed showing off their Balls. The question is, do they store them in a watch case or, being quite sturdy items, in a Ball bag?

Ribs hurt yet?

Edited by ShadownINja on Wednesday 21st July 21:20

[Ikemi]

ShadownINja said:

The question is, do they store them in a watch case or, being quite sturdy items, in a Ball bag?

Ribs hurt yet?

I like to wind my ... err ... Ball

Pesty, you know you want the Spacemaster! I don't blame you for wanting the Tudor first though - Both are very different watches and I think I'd choose the latter watch beforehand too!

[randlemarcus]

Ikemi said:

I like to wind my ... err ... Ball

Are they automatics - in which case surely one jiggles?

Stu, have you had a look at Blowers or Dom, to see if any pre-loved pieces give you a bigger bang for the buck?