Circa £2000 watch choices

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Looking for a relative as an 18th birthday present.

Budget circa £2000

Automatic

Sports rather than dress given the recipient's age.

Would be nice to have space on the back to engrave but not a deal breaker

Must be from wos group

Decent water resistance

This is what I've come up with so far


https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/TAG-Heuer...


https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/TAG-Heuer...

https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/TAG-Heuer...

https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Longines-...


https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Longines-...


https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Longines-...


I know its quite a spread of prices!

Any other suggestions also welcome.

He doesn't know much about watches so I will narrow it down to perhaps two and then probably let him choose but part of me would also like it to be a complete surprise.

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Ok, you'll just have to trust me that he will like it if I choose it.
We have very similar tastes

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Tinkywinky112233 said:

It’s nowhere near the 2k mark, but I’d be going for one of these- all you could want if you want the current in vogue integrated bracelet style, blue or green dial and automatic movement. Maybe not to everyone’s taste but having tried one on, it was an incredible value watch
https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Tissot-PRX-Powermatic...

Thanks.
I'll be honest, I don't like that at all, I don't think the style will age well.

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Poisson96 said:

Make a day of it, go and look together and try etc. They get the right watch, a memory with it and you'll both enjoy it.

That's a very good idea but I'll still need a shortlist.

Thanks

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gregs656 said:

I'd resist the surprise temptation, It's not you that will have to look at it.

Tudor do blank case backs don't they? Black Bay 36? 41?

I do like that Zulu Time.

I did look at the BB 36 but to be honest I don't like the look of it.....and this might offend a few people but the few Tudor's I've handled haven't impressed me with their feel/build quality/finish

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funinhounslow said:

I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the Longines you’ve chosen. I have an older Hydroconquest and bought a Spirit recently. Both excellent watches.

I think the Spirit GMT offers a lot for the money and would be my first choice. But any of the 3 are solid options I think.

The Spirit is absolutely lovely, a bit more than I really wanted to spend but as you say, a lot of watch for the money.

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r159 said:

If it must be WOS, they do have used watches, Rado Captain Cook, was going to suggest Tudor but moving on…

New:

Doxa 300T

If you got the Hydroconquest on bracelet, you could always get the rubber strap too so he has the option to mix and match.

The Doxa 300 T has a very specific look, it's the sort of watch I think that many people wouldn't wear. The Hydroquest on the other hand I suspect would appeal to many people, I would wear it.

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gregs656 said:

It's not for you though

Tudor has a lot more brand cache than, say, Longines.

I'd get this person involved and see what they like, it might surprise you.

I suspect, as mentioned by others, Tag probably has the most brand cache in the under 25 year old age group?
And to me they seem to have a much better finish than Tudor watches.

I will get him involved, but I know he would appreciate my input.

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Abdul Abulbul Amir said:

An 18 year old me would go for the TAG, the 46 year old me would go for an Oris Aquis in green 4157 code.


https://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Oris-Aquis-43.5mm-Men...

Edited by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Saturday 16th April 08:24

I do like them but in the flesh but they are bloody big. Not sure something that big would suit him

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The Big G said:

Just noticed that watches of Switzerland seems to stock some of muhle glashutte’s range. Might be worthwhile looking at these too. They are good quality for the price, just lacking in the brand cachet to an 18 year old that tag might have.

https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/c/Brands/...

I must admit I've never heard of that brand either!

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hungry_hog said:

Is second hand an option?

If so I would look at:

Omega Speedmaster reduced
Omega Aqua Terra
Zenith EL Primero
Tudor Black Bay

Has to be new I'm afraid, which is a shame I know but it is what it is.

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Abdul Abulbul Amir said:

You can get 41.5mm and 39mm versions.

I didn't know that, thanks.

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Roaringopenfire said:

I gave my son £1500 to buy a watch for his 18th birthday and TAG was his first choice. He went for an Aquaracer topping up the balance himself.

Thanks.
Tag does seem like the obvious choice for this age group and budget.

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Regbuser said:

18, 18, hmm, all I wanted was a bag of pills, and to get laid a lot!

Oh, and a TAG F1

Problem is that I'm now of an age where I need a bag of blue pills to get laid.

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HTP99 said:

I bought a watch recently for myself, a Christopher Ward, I didn't make a song or dance about it, went away for a week leaving the box and packaging by my bed, my (22 year old) daughter was being nosy when we were away and had a look, upon getting back from holiday she asked me about my new watch, why I hadn't mentioned it etc, asking me with incredulity "why didn't you get a TAG?"

OP, get a TAG!

Thanks, have pretty much decided on the Tag!

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PH User said:

I'm surprised kids even know about TAG, watches are more for older folk now.

On the whole perhaps you are right but there are many exceptions. My 14 year old son knows more about watches, their history and movements etc than me.

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mickyh7 said:

I'd think very carefully about having any watch engraved.
Probably the worst thing you could do to a nice watch.

Really? Apart from resale value (which is irrelevant in this case) I can't see the downside

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mickyh7 said:

Have a think about what you've just typed!
Then price a cashback.

Nobody in my family would sell/trade/px a gift they had been given by anyone let alone another family member. We're a sentimental bunch.

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I had a quick look at the Longines spirit time as a gmt function is a lovely complication to have.
Only looked at it through the window as I couldn't be bothered having to deal with the sales pitch but it looks huge.
I probably shouldn't be surprised given it's a 42mm watch but it still looked bigger than I imagined. My nephew is very slim so this watch would look pretty silly on him I reckon.

Will go check out those Tags when I get time.

Have a good weekend folks

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Resurrecting this thread....

So his birthday is approaching fast. I had set my mind on one of these and we went out together to try it on. He liked it and would be very happy with it....as I knew he would lol.

https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/TAG-Heuer...

It feels like a very good quality watch and I was pleasantly surprised by the finish. It feels as well finished as my Omega and better than Tudor, Longines, Oris etc imho.

I then started to read up a bit about Tag and am a little put off by the fact that they use 'generic' movements at this price level.
It won't bother him as he doesn't really get the difference but it sort of niggles me a bit.

Looking for a bit of forum reassurance that it's not 'over priced tat for the fashion conscious'. Not my words but the sort of comments you read on the web...

To get an in-house movement in the sort of sporty watch he wants and with a brand name that means something in his age group I would have to jump up to one of these.

https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Breitling...

I do love him but that's a hell of a lot of money lol.

Appreciate any constructive advice.

Thanks