Which watch for up to £7k

[scrutineers]

I need some help. I am looking for a new watch as a special present for my 40th birthday and I have up to £7k to spend. I want to be able to wear it everyday if required and I will be keeping it for life. I also have an Omega Seamaster so I've discounted Submariner's etc as being too similar. I've narrowed it down to either a Rolex Daytona (predictable I know, but I'm near the top of a few waiting lists now so very tempted) or a large Cartier tank style watch.

Other requirements are it needs to look as good in a business setting as it would when out for dinner, be reliable and be something I can happily pass onto my son.

Before I make a final decision I wanted to get a view from the board as to what else is out there that you would buy with this budget given my requirements.

[Beardy10]

I'd certainly recommend having a look at the IWC's. I bought myself an IWC Portuguese Automatic for my 40th.

http://www.iconicwatches.co.uk/catalog/product/gal...

List is under your price band but you should be able to get 20% off that if you look hard enough.

[toohuge]

For that budget, there is a lot out there. I would recommend heading down to Harrods fine watch department and have a chat with David. He is very knowledgeable and will give you all the time you need to fins something special. His advice is impartial too.

Chris

[Adrian W]

JLC Reverso Worldtime, and if you get one I will be vary jealous

[toohuge]

Adrian W said:

JLC Reverso Worldtime, and if you get one I will be vary jealous

+1

[LukeBird]

toohuge said:

For that budget, there is a lot out there. I would recommend heading down to Harrods fine watch department and have a chat with David. He is very knowledgeable and will give you all the time you need to fins something special. His advice is impartial too.

Chris

+1

You need to go and look at a store selling lots of high-end watches with that sort of budget.
My money would be heading towards Jaeger LeCoultre...

[yazza54]

Baby G

[5avvy]

I'd go for the Daytona. It might be a bit obvious but its a great watch, and if its something you want to pass on to your son its an iconic watch, that should hold its value and will still be serviceable by the manufacturer. I wear a c38 year old Rolex so I can vouch for their longevity.

[Ikemi]

With a budget like yours, you have lots of tasty watches to choose from! A trip to Harrods Fine Watches Department, the Burlington Arcade and a walk down Old Bond St. should provide you with lots of options!

I'd pop into the Jaeger Le-Coultre boutique on Old Bond St. and have a look at their range - A JLC would be my choice. Either that or perhaps a Glashutte Original Sport Evo or Panomatic Lunar/Reserve ...

Glashutte Sport Evo Impact Chrono:



Glashutte Panomatic Reserve

[Adrian W]

You may want to have a chat with Dominic H on here, I'm sure he can help you, and you will find him very competitive. www.Hackettwatches.com

[Don1]

I'd echo having a chat with Dom, or personally you can find Franck Muellers in that price range.

[Riff Raff]

LukeBird said:

toohuge said:

For that budget, there is a lot out there. I would recommend heading down to Harrods fine watch department and have a chat with David. He is very knowledgeable and will give you all the time you need to fins something special. His advice is impartial too.

Chris

+1

You need to go and look at a store selling lots of high-end watches with that sort of budget.
My money would be heading towards Jaeger LeCoultre...

Is there more than one David at Harrods? If there is only one I could tell you a story involving him and two Panerai, one of which was broken at the point of sale, and a replacement where they 'lost' the paperwork. I thought they (the staff in the watches department) were a complete shower TBH.

[matc]

Beardy10 said:

I'd certainly recommend having a look at the IWC's. I bought myself an IWC Portuguese Automatic for my 40th.

http://www.iconicwatches.co.uk/catalog/product/gal...

List is under your price band but you should be able to get 20% off that if you look hard enough.

Yep this is what I would suggest, although I preffer it with the white face/blue hands, a watch I think I'm going to have to treat myself with at some point.

[andy_s]

JLC, mose def.

[Disco You]

At that price I'd be looking at JLC or possibly IWC.

[Murph7355]

Try and find somewhere that sells the Blancpain Flyback, pref alongside some of the others you're tempted by, and definitely with a steel bracelet. Lovely watches.

Breguet also do some nice pieces, and there are others in the JLC range that you might find you like (Master Compressor Chrono for example).

[Dr_Rick]

I'm liking this at the moment...



Don't know what the price is though.

Dr Rick

[Ikemi]

Dr_Rick said:

I'm liking this at the moment...



Don't know what the price is though.

Dr Rick

Just over £8K for the stainless steel and £15K for the rose gold variant! They do look nice, but the 'yacht club' text would put me off buying one (if I had that sort of cash!), mainly as I don't have a yacht ... and I hate deep water

[cyberface]

Note from personal experience that for a daily-wear rugged watch… the steel Daytona is brilliant but marred by one crazy omission - the lack of a date 'complication'.

If you *never* check your watch to see the day number in the month (when signing things, etc.) then it may not be an issue (in which case get the Daytona, it's the only watch short of one of the 'divers' that is *really* tough enough to endure daily abuse and still come out looking great). But for me, and a lot of other people I've asked, it becomes a real annoyance after a while.

My solution is Tudor's Heritage Chrono but it's a LOT cheaper than your budget. How about one of those, and then a precious metal delicate thing for the evenings?

Nope? Go JLC. They're happy to put their most complicated movements in steel cases so for your £7k you can get some *serious* complications. And JLC really make incredibly fine watches, they're my favourite manufacture of them all

(why is my daily a Tudor and not a JLC then? Because JLC don't do a 'daily' design I actually like)

[B16 FYS]

Hi,

Would a Hublot Big Bang 44mm be any good, some good cash deals to be had at the mo.

Another thumbs up for Dominic Hackett of Hackett Watches, absolute gent to deal with and easy going!!!