New to Watches

[FIREBIRDC9]

Hi all!

I'm new to the nice watch game , up until now my watches have all been in the £30-£50 price range.

After getting a promotion at work i have decided its time for a nice watch at Christmas. (One i will wear daily)

My Budget will be up to £300.

As i am new to watches i'm going to find it rather difficult to explain what i'm after so i'll show a couple of examples of watches i like and maybe you can recommend some more from them?

A few points i can say are , it needs to have a Metal strap and i would prefer the watch face to be reasonably large with a thick surround like the below examples.

First up is this Rotary Legacy

http://www.hsamuel.co.uk/webstore/d/8147647/Rotary...

I think it looks really good and fits what i am looking for. However i have heard bad things about Rotary watches. Mainly concerning the recent Chinese buyout and how they are basically selling rubbish watches on a heritage they no longer adhere to.

Are these concerns valid? Also this watch seems to change price every other day! It has gone from £230 , to £300 , to £150 and now £300 again!


Next up is this Seiko

http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Seiko-Sportura-Mens-Wa...

I like this one a lot as well , i trust its build quality a lot more as its honest in where it is produced. I hear good things about both Seiko and Citizen watches.


And finally this Citizen
https://www.firstclasswatches.co.uk/citizen-bn0191...


I'm happy to hear any recommendations you have. I would like to have given you more info but i'm still new to this!

Thanks

[FIREBIRDC9]

Hoofy said:

The last two watches are both respected brands BUT all of your watches are different styles. Which is your preferred style?

I like all 3 of the above , As i mentioned though i am new to this.

I don't know what "Style" any of them are , just that these are the sort of watches i like the look of.


Sorry i couldn't be of more help.

[FIREBIRDC9]

Hoofy said:

From memory (ie when I looked earlier), one is a classic chronograph, one is a modern chronograph and one is a diver.

If you have to pick just one based on looks, which would you go for?

Ok , I would go for the Rotary on Looks

Looking forward to seeing what you suggest

[FIREBIRDC9]

sandman77 said:

how about a Seiko skx007? It is a classic design so wont go out of fashion and it is a respected watch within the watch enthusiast community. It looks great too and is under budget.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-seiko-skx007...

That is an extremely pretty watch

I shall add it to my list

[FIREBIRDC9]

ZesPak said:

The SKX is a classic, I love mine.
Before you buy one, have a look at the variations.
The SKX007 is the regular black one, very versatile.
The 009 is the so called "pepsi dail" (look up the watch, it makes sense)
Then there's smaller variants of both those (SKX013, can't remember the other one).

All of these can be ordered out of the box with either bracelet or rubber, rubber usually being a bit cheaper.
The price difference is usually negligable, so I'd go for the bracelet. Loads of people complain about the bracelet being too flimsy, but I like it, I think it's one of my most comfortable bracelets I have on a watch.

The somewhat higher up "Turtle" and "Samurai" will be in budget as well, SRP and SRPB numbers.



This forum led me to creationwatches, great site. Their pictures aren't all that but prices and service are top notch:
http://www.creationwatches.com/

PS: The biggest "downside" to these watches is that they'll outlast you, so pick wisely as you're going to own them for a long time!

Edited by ZesPak on Thursday 5th October 15:18

Those both look fantastic!


In regards to movements , i'm not really fussed.

Also , where does everyone buy their watches? Do you get them online or in store?

[FIREBIRDC9]

Thanks everyone

I have been given some excellent suggestions on here and have plenty of watches to look at.


Feel free to keep posting more ideas.

When i have decided what i'm going to get and have bought it i will upload some pictures on here!

Will probably be around Christmas time

[FIREBIRDC9]

Question about Creation watches now.


They appear to have the best prices out of all the sites i have seen so i am tempted to use them.


What would the best process be for getting links added?

I have large wrists so its likely i will need links adding.

Do creation watches provide this at all? Where would the best place to go be?

[FIREBIRDC9]

ZesPak said:

I've got 7,5" wrists in old currency, I always have to remove a couple of links.
Unless you've got like 9" giant's wrists, I don't ever see this being a problem tbh...

Sounds like i'll be fine.

I was talking rubbish

7"

[FIREBIRDC9]

So whilst i am here , what is people's experience with Rotary Watches (Modern ones)

Are they cheap Chinese tat sold at high prices? Or a perfectly good watch (Pedigree aside)

I really do like the look of the first Rotary watch i posted.


Bearing in mind my watch will be used daily (Office work , nothing too tasking)

[FIREBIRDC9]

Think i have it narrowed down between these two.

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-dive...

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-auto...


Once a parking ticket appeal has been concluded (Currently i don't know if i will be paying £100) i will get it ordered.


Prior to the bloody parking ticket , I was going to buy a Samurai , but they are out of stock now.

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-pros...

[FIREBIRDC9]

Another newbie question.

Really like this one

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-auto...


Looks like shipping is free with DHL and includes tracking 2-4 days

Tax 0%

Shipping cost 0%

What is the Import duty likely to be?

I don't think i have ever ordered from the US before and am trying to work out if it is cheaper than buying from the UK.

A calculator i used said roughly £25

How is that paid? Is it included in shipping costs or do i receive a bill along with the parcel?

Thanks

[FIREBIRDC9]

I have really gone off of the idea of Creationwatches

Read a lot of interesting stories about them.

I want to buy from somewhere in the UK ideally , or even Europe.

Anyone know any good online shops?

I may just buy from a Jewellers out of the watches they have available to save agro.

Thanks

[FIREBIRDC9]

ZesPak said:

Can you elaborate? I just like to know as I've bought 4 watches there in the past 4 months...

I've read lots of good things and lots of bad things.

Apparently the customer service if your watch has a problem is virtually non existant.

Some people have been sent dodgy watches , and have then been asked to pay for shipping back.

For every good review there seems to be a bad one (exception being here)

Its seems like a bit of a lottery.

At least buying it here means i can take the watch into the shop for help , rather than trying to send it back to Singapore.

[FIREBIRDC9]

Thanks for all your suggestions everyone.

I went into H Samuel today and took advatage of the 10% off offer for signing up via email.

I bought the Rotary for £135 and its a pretty thing!

Nice and under budget , which is good for me at the moment as i am increasing my Mortgage payments next year.

Have a couple of pictures taken with a potato.






I will upload some better pictures at some point , once i have given the "How to take pictures of watches" thread a read!

Next year i will buy a Samurai

[FIREBIRDC9]

joshcowin said:

What made you go for that watch, just the looks?

As virtually everyone said I would have gone for a seiko in this price range!

I have had this for 10+ years and its been a great everyday watch, 1 strap change (original seiko strap £60) and a battery is all I have done!

The looks mainly , along with the price. I didn't like the look of any of the Seikos in the shops here that were in my price at the time.

I found a lot of Seikos and Citizens that i liked the look of , but none of them were in this country and i was put off from ordering on Creation.

Yes the Rotary doesn't have anywhere near the level of quality and reputation of Seiko or Citizen , but i liked the look of it , it was less than i was planning to spend , and if i have any issues i can take it into town where i bought it , rather than having to go through the trouble of shipping it back.

Edited by FIREBIRDC9 on Friday 10th November 14:11