For 5K, what else to look at?

[Ken Sington]

I have been told by an elderly but massively switched on relative to buy myself a watch* as a "bequest in advance" so to speak for around £5k. At this level, I quite like the look of either an Omega Speedmaster or the IWC Portugese Chronograph, and there is a Bremont that is quite tasty but I need suggestions as to what other makes should be considered. I am not a great Rolex fan and would prefer something understated and on a bracelet rather than a strap if possible. Since it will be a keepsake it needs to be with me for a long time and is unlikely to be flipped. All ideas gratefully accepted.

• My suggestion, diplomatically phrased, of just giving me a cheque for £5k instead was rejected, presumably to avoid me buying a Swatch and then spending the rest on coke and hookers

[LukeBird]

Get yourself upto an AD that supplies a lot of the big brands.
There is a massive amount of choice at £5k!

I would personally be looking at IWC & Jaeger LeCoultre.

[Disco You]

Well what sort of watch do you want? Is it to be an everyday beater or an evening dress watch?

For the 5k mark I'd look at:
JLC
IWC
Rolex
If you like the Omega Speedmaster, look at the white faced broad arrow model, pure watch porn.

[toohuge]

Have a browse on blowers-jewellers.co.uk to familiarise yourself with brands and models etc Blowers is also a great place to buy second hand.

[johnny senna]

The new ceramic bezel Sub, no question.

[CommanderJameson]

If I had 5K to spend on a watch, I'd have to have a fairly convincing argument with myself to not buy a Dornblueth 99.2 or a Breguet Transatlantique.

[lowdrag]

Now a Dornblueth is pure magic and a watch to remember your relative by for life. I'll second that - and you won't find anyone at table around you wearing one either!

[LukeBird]

johnny senna said:

The new ceramic bezel Sub, no question.

The OP did state he's not interested in Rolex!

[itsnotarace]

Ken Sington said:

IWC Portugese Chronograph

[Disco You]

itsnotarace said:

Ken Sington said:

IWC Portugese Chronograph

Nooo. What makes the Portugese good for the money is that it uses an in-house movement. The chrono version doesn't, it uses a valjoux movement. So you pay more for the chrono for the privilege of not getting an in-house movement, instead getting a movement that can be had in sub-£1k watches (yes not finished as well but you get my jist).

[cyberface]

CommanderJameson said:

If I had 5K to spend on a watch, I'd have to have a fairly convincing argument with myself to not buy a Dornblueth 99.2 or a Breguet Transatlantique.

You sure as hell don't need £5k to buy a Breguet Transatlantique.

If you do, then you've just informed me that I'm sitting on *more* watch profit. Any other good news for me?



Oh, and BTW, I've bought a really nice lens for my DSLR, it has an image stabiliser in it so I should be able to take half decent photos from now on… The above photo, obviously, wasn't taken with the new lens…

[andy tims]

LukeBird said:

johnny senna said:

The new ceramic bezel Sub, no question.

The OP did state he's not interested in Rolex!

Plus the new sub is a fat minger compared to the previous models.

These are about 6k new, so obviously less pre-owned



Dornbluth has already suggested - my 99.1 arrives next month



Under £4k with applied markers, strap with deployant & bracelet.

[B16JUS]

I like this for rrp £4300

[robsco]

Jaeger LeCoultre would be where my money would go.