Newbie watch buyer, £1500ish budget?
Discussion
My only "nice" watch I currently own is a Tissot PRC 200, so yes a budget watch. I have a budget of £1500 or there about's
No my knowledge of watches is pretty limited, I would like to keep to a more well known brand, or being shallow, a brand somebody would know.
I like the Aquaracer, but ideally would like a leather strap.
The two a currently like are the Raymond
http://www.watchshop.com/mens-raymond-weil-maestro...
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1370766/ma...
Please can you give me some guidance and honest views.
I would like a new watch rather than a used. Reason, my partner wants to buy me the watch as a wedding present, and I would like my own memory's with the watch.
Many thanks
Luke
No my knowledge of watches is pretty limited, I would like to keep to a more well known brand, or being shallow, a brand somebody would know.
I like the Aquaracer, but ideally would like a leather strap.
The two a currently like are the Raymond
http://www.watchshop.com/mens-raymond-weil-maestro...
http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1370766/ma...
Please can you give me some guidance and honest views.
I would like a new watch rather than a used. Reason, my partner wants to buy me the watch as a wedding present, and I would like my own memory's with the watch.
Many thanks
Luke
Edited by PLuKE on Monday 2nd January 22:32
Most will have had a service and check over,buying used will ensure you dont lose money on the watch where if you buy the new raymond weil or tag it will lose 50% of the value give or take once on your wrist.
I have not bought personally from those sites but know people that have , i usually buy mine on tzforums
Hth
I have not bought personally from those sites but know people that have , i usually buy mine on tzforums
Hth
If you're going to have it for a long time and you're not really a total watch nut I'd recommend something with an ETA 2892, 2824 or Valjoux 7750 inside. The watch industry is closing ranks at the moment, but there's been so many of these movements produced that there should be parts available for years to come and it will make it easier to find a repairer should you decide you don't want to send it to the manufacturer for a service.
For £1500 you should be able to get anything you want by Hamilton, and most Automatics by Oris or Tag-Heuer (although both seem more expensive than I remember!). I'd avoid Quartz movements as getting them serviced can be difficult once they get really old.
People aren't wrong about used watches being better value either- they nearly all depreciate terribly when new!
If you're happy with a less common brand that noone will know, there's guys like Sinn and you might be able to squeeze a Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope int your budget too:

For £1500 you should be able to get anything you want by Hamilton, and most Automatics by Oris or Tag-Heuer (although both seem more expensive than I remember!). I'd avoid Quartz movements as getting them serviced can be difficult once they get really old.
People aren't wrong about used watches being better value either- they nearly all depreciate terribly when new!
If you're happy with a less common brand that noone will know, there's guys like Sinn and you might be able to squeeze a Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope int your budget too:

Edited by glazbagun on Tuesday 3rd January 00:05
I have just seen the Tudor BB, that in my eyes with the red looks amazing! It's simple yet not to simple.
I think, that maybe the watch, in terms of brand, how does Tudor fair? Tag Heuer/Raymond Weil level?
I will have a more in depth look at user watches and see what there is.
Thanks for the pointers!
Luke
I think, that maybe the watch, in terms of brand, how does Tudor fair? Tag Heuer/Raymond Weil level?
I will have a more in depth look at user watches and see what there is.
Thanks for the pointers!
Luke
Tudor are the junior brand of Rolex. Among watch enthusiasts they're above most of the brands we're talking about (new, anyway) except maybe Tag Heuers very best offerings which would also be out of budget.
Fashion wise I'm not sure how big a deal they are- they seem much more high profile than I can remember.
Fashion wise I'm not sure how big a deal they are- they seem much more high profile than I can remember.
Tudor Black Bay... I love mine. The previous model with the ETA movement in really nice shape (used) should be within your budget I would think, They sell for, give or take, $2,000 US over here. A nice thing about the ETA movement? Most any watchmaker can service it for cheap, the new BB with the in-house movement? That'll have to go to Rolex and I bet you can guess what that'll cost!
That price of the Raymond Weil that you linked to is just silly.. I have a Tango Quartz I think it is.. similar to the ones they want £750 for. I paid $295 shipped on eBay, new in the box, and got it on a 10% eBay bucks day.
That price of the Raymond Weil that you linked to is just silly.. I have a Tango Quartz I think it is.. similar to the ones they want £750 for. I paid $295 shipped on eBay, new in the box, and got it on a 10% eBay bucks day.
Wander around your local high street or shopping centre and see what the higher end jewellers are selling and what takes your fancy (style wise as well as models).
If you're buying new, consider looking at someone like Iconic Watches, who can source a new watch at lower than AD/High St prices, but are UK based, so take away some of the worry of something like Chrono24.
With your budget I'd be looking at Longines on the high street or Sinn (via someone like Jura - Who I think have a few shops in the north of England, but mostly trade via the Web), but really, don't spend anything on what others recommend, only buy what YOU like.
M.
If you're buying new, consider looking at someone like Iconic Watches, who can source a new watch at lower than AD/High St prices, but are UK based, so take away some of the worry of something like Chrono24.
With your budget I'd be looking at Longines on the high street or Sinn (via someone like Jura - Who I think have a few shops in the north of England, but mostly trade via the Web), but really, don't spend anything on what others recommend, only buy what YOU like.
M.
PLuKE said:
I would like a new watch rather than a used. Reason, my partner wants to buy me the watch as a wedding present, and I would like my own memory's with the watch.
Nothing particularly wrong with the ones you’ve mentioned, seeing as you presumably plan on keeping it for a very long time – however, don’t be blind to the opportunities an excellent condition pre-owned one can offer too...and you won’t have the previous owner’s memories, just your own!Personally though, I don’t feel gold hands go on an all steel case, and the novelty aspect of the open heart dial (trying to mimic the look of a tourbillon) wanes rapidly.
Go spend time, plenty of it, on chrono24, looking at all the watches in budget (and over, pending successfully negotiating down) – you’ll see many that you won’t see on the High Street, that are every bit as good or even better.
Don’t overlook the Christopher Ward watches – more so their own C-21 movement offerings.
You would get so much more for your cash if you went pre owned.
But if not my money would go on a Sinn or Damasko.
http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/sinn/watches/aviatio...
But if not my money would go on a Sinn or Damasko.
http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/sinn/watches/aviatio...
Bought one of these in August, a lovely watch from an often maligned brand.
http://www.jomashop.com/tag-heuer-watch-caz1015-ba...
http://www.jomashop.com/tag-heuer-watch-caz1015-ba...
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff



