Few Questions- Seeking first "proper" watch
Few Questions- Seeking first "proper" watch
Author
Discussion

AllyArctic300

Original Poster:

518 posts

200 months

Saturday 5th February 2011
quotequote all
Well its my 21st birthday and with the money i've got from mum n dad etc Im looking to buy my first "proper" watch. Rather than blow the money on junk and have nothing to look back on and say I got that for my 21st.
So far all I have bought myself is armani etc but I have about £2500 to spend on something decent and something that will at least hold its value rather than depreciate like a brand new car would.

Im looking for suggestions guys if you'd be so kind

only real criteria I have is that it can't have a huge case/face as I have quite thin wrists, also I dont really want somethng overly bling, needs to be classy.

If it was your £2500 (3k max) what would you buy ?

It would have very infrequent use and hopefully be a bit of an investment.

Any help appreciated

Cheers

andy tims

5,598 posts

270 months

Saturday 5th February 2011
quotequote all
Don't want depreciation - buy something pre-owned.

Your budget will buy a Rolex Submariner or Explorer II, a very nice Tudor Sub or Big Block Chronograph, a Speedmaster Professional or Seamaster 300, any number of IWC's - the choice is endless.

Have a look at Blowers or Watches.co.uk etc. but take your time deciding what YOU like

CardShark

4,249 posts

203 months

Saturday 5th February 2011
quotequote all
Have a look in the Sales Corner on www.tz-uk.com, plenty of pre-owned watches to choose from and a well respected site with members who can be trusted when it comes to trading - you don't have to be a member to look at what's on offer.

I've also found this a good source of info http://www.timezone.com/library/wwatchfaq/wwatchfa... If you've got that kind of budget it'll help you understand what you may be buying and may help with any phrases etc used when looking a watch adverts (this link is for mechanical watches, few would be quartz ie battery powered at that money).

I'd also have a nosey in a few jewellers to get a feel as to what style you like and try a few on - but if you decide to buy new *never* pay RRP, you should be looking at 10% minimum discount, bare that in mind when choosing.


al1991

4,552 posts

204 months

Saturday 5th February 2011
quotequote all
CardShark said:
Have a look in the Sales Corner on www.tz-uk.com, plenty of pre-owned watches to choose from and a well respected site with members who can be trusted when it comes to trading - you don't have to be a member to look at what's on offer.

Mr E Driver

8,542 posts

208 months

Saturday 5th February 2011
quotequote all
I would wait for a Rolex Explorer 2 to come up for sale on TZ-UK or possibly a GMT2 and you can get them with blue/red black/red and black bezels.

Rulle7

129 posts

206 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
A vintage Blancpain Fifty Fathoms could be had for your budget.
Doesn't get more classy than that.

Stu R

21,443 posts

239 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
Planet Ocean.

andy tims

5,598 posts

270 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
AllyArctic300 said:
It ...... hopefully be a bit of an investment.
Stu R said:
Planet Ocean.
nono

Scalper

221 posts

265 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
how about a preowned JLC, Audemars Piguet, Breguet, or a vintage Vacheron Constantin?
they are all within reach of your £2500-3000 and they'll certainly be much more valuable than any new rolex/omega/etc...

if you are concerned about residuals just don't buy anything new, whether it's a Rolex, a Patek, or a Casio you're guaranteed to loose a considerable amount of money on it

have a look here www.chrono24.co.uk to see what your budget could get you

Stuart

11,638 posts

275 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
I think that you're in a very fortunate position; your budget is comfortable enough to give you an awful lot of choice, particularly on the used market, and you should be able to find something with ease which will have enduring appeal and be a worthy celebration of your 21st.

Thing is, what do you want? You've so much choice that it would be useful to get a steer on the style of watch you'd like, how often you plan to wear it and what you'll be doing with it while you're wearing it. You've everything from dress watches to rugged divers within reach, but neither might be suitable to your needs.

More info please, and then I'm sure that the PH watch massive will have you sorted in no time at all.

LukeBird

17,170 posts

233 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
Stuart said:
More info please, and then I'm sure that the PH watch massive will have you sorted in no time at all.
This.


Oh and we may bankrupt you and your father! wink

CardShark

4,249 posts

203 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
LukeBird said:
Oh and we may bankrupt you and your father! wink
yeshehe

CardShark

4,249 posts

203 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
Hands up all those who started out wanting 'just the one' watch!


<handintheairicon>


laugh

ETA the OP did say he'd like advice on his first 'proper' watch wink

Edited by CardShark on Sunday 6th February 14:47

AllyArctic300

Original Poster:

518 posts

200 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for all the suggestions/advice so far. It has certainly been a good help - I didn't realise how big the watch "scene" actually is, I think I could get right into this smile
I have looked at many of your suggestions and do see to favour something like this
http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/product/omega-seamaster-professional-planet-ocean-mens-watch-17330204

Without looking at them in person it's hard to judge size and really know whether I like it so I think I will be going for a look next weekend when Im home (working away atm)

How does servicing work for something like the planet ocean for example ? Yearly or every 5 etc ?
I know my uncle has a very expensive watch (patek something at 40k) and he has had loads of problems and expense with it even though he bought it brand new ;/ this is something I want to avoid but are high maintenace costs part of the ownership of decent watches ?
Thanks again guys Il be on TZ-UK aswell now.

CardShark

4,249 posts

203 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
If you like the new Planet Oceans investigate some of the older Omega diver styles - the current PO is a lovely watch but it's already been mentioned that you will loose money on it (IIRC they're about £2380 RRP, say closer to £2k with discount), some of the older ones *may* not even depreciate further if in good nic and they're bloody lovely to boot smile I'm on work PC so a bit difficult to post pics of examples....

Either way, happy hunting!

al1991

4,552 posts

204 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
If it was me http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/16610_S12268.ht...

Oops got that wrong, it's £3250.



Edited by al1991 on Sunday 6th February 17:32

andy_s

19,816 posts

283 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
CardShark said:
If you like the new Planet Oceans investigate some of the older Omega diver styles - the current PO is a lovely watch but it's already been mentioned that you will loose money on it (IIRC they're about £2380 RRP, say closer to £2k with discount), some of the older ones *may* not even depreciate further if in good nic and they're bloody lovely to boot smile I'm on work PC so a bit difficult to post pics of examples....

Either way, happy hunting!
The mil-issue SM300 on Eprey is an interesting one at the moment, wonder where that'll end up.

andy tims

5,598 posts

270 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
Just noticed - 2 posts in 18 months - Top Lurking

AllyArctic300

Original Poster:

518 posts

200 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
andy tims said:
Just noticed - 2 posts in 18 months - Top Lurking
Haha thanks, never knew until a few days ago that there was a watches sub section smile

AllyArctic300

Original Poster:

518 posts

200 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
quotequote all
After a lot of searching and trying on I kept going back to this Rolex Datejust so just treated myself smile