Watch suggestions for dads 50th - £2k max budget

[irfan1712]

Afternoon all

...As per the title really! The big man is 50th in a few weeks and I've settled on the idea of buying him a watch. His current 'daily' is a Rado Jubilee for reference.

Budget wise, for £1500 I've seen some that are cracking, however i wouldn't have an issue pushing to £2k max. I'd be buying from a high street retailer, although i wont dismiss buying from a reputable and authorized online dealer (but would prefer paying that bit more to go and see the watch in person first!)

There is no real preference of what the watch should or should have regarding colours/faces/bands or straps. His Rado is an all silver band so it would be nice to get something with a leather band for a change, but this is not all important.

I've only really concentrated on TAGs so far, and ive concluded on these:

http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/TAG-Heuer-Formula-1-Me...

http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/TAG-Heuer-Aquaracer-Me...

http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/TAG-Heuer-Aquaracer-Me...

http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/0103738/TAG-Heuer-Fo...

and not a tag, but i like this http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Mens-Oris-Artelier-Ske...


I welcome all suggestions you may have please!
Thanks
Irfan

[cbmotorsport]

Tudor black bay is in that ball park. It will blow most of those you've mentioned away quality wise.

http://www.chrono24.co.uk/tudor/heritage-black-bay...

[irfan1712]

cbmotorsport said:

Tudor black bay is in that ball park. It will blow most of those you've mentioned away quality wise.

http://www.chrono24.co.uk/tudor/heritage-black-bay...

that is lovely. Not quite sure im feeling the strap mind

[cbmotorsport]

Straps easy to change!

[cbmotorsport]

Blue??

You'd barter them down to your £2k limit easily.

http://www.chrono24.co.uk/tudor/heritage-black-bay...

:-)

[toon10]

If he has a daily, why not get him something a bit more classy? My money would be going on a nice Longines Master Collection http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Longines-Master-Collec... Just gone up by £100 unfortunately.

[T6 vanman]

Son

Now you know we discussed this....

No really .... just turned 50 & I treated myself to a U-Boat as it was different

The Tudor is a great shout but I'd also look and see if you could get an Omega Seamaster or Brightbling Colt

Otherwise
http://www.chisholmhunter.co.uk/watches/swiss-watc...

Or for something more oddball

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/meisters...

[sidicks]

toon10 said:

If he has a daily, why not get him something a bit more classy? My money would be going on a nice Longines Master Collection http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Longines-Master-Collec... Just gone up by £100 unfortunately.

I collected one of these today, and it really is a beautiful thing:

https://www.longines.com/watches/master-collection...

[LaurasOtherHalf]

I do like the Tudor Ranger on the bund strap for something different

https://www.tudorwatch.com/watches/heritage-ranger...

[toon10]

sidicks said:

I collected one of these today, and it really is a beautiful thing:

https://www.longines.com/watches/master-collection...

Congratulations! I have a real soft spot for these.

[mikeveal]

50 years ago means Dad drew his first breath in 1967. Here are some other options...

Under budget is an iconic 1967 design, the Omega Dynamic. This has an original dial but a nasty leather strap. This has the desirable bracelet, but is a re-dial, nowhere near as good looking as the original.
This one is all original, but isn't quite perfect.

Here's a selection of fairly minty watches manufactured 1967.
Personally I don't regard 'em as 1967 watches. The designs are earlier and therefore unlike the Dynamic above the style isn't indicative of the 1967. A bit like jumping 49 years into the future, buying one of these and saying it's a 2016 design.
I am somewhat in a minority of one in holding this view.

http://www.chrono24.com/omega/chronostop-145007--i...
http://www.chrono24.com/omega/chronostop-driver-ge...
http://www.chrono24.com/jaegerlecoultre/mans-wrist... (pretty sure this is a redial and NOT worth the asking.)
http://www.chrono24.com/rolex/precision-vintage-de... (inscription can be removed)
http://www.chrono24.com/omega/flightmaster-mark2-t...
http://www.chrono24.com/rolex/oysterdate--steel-wi...


I really don't want to mention this, as it will start the same tired debate again. There is nothing wrong with a TAG, but (and this is both a subjective view and a widely held subjective view amongst collectors) they do not compare well £ for £ against similarly priced watches.
If you like the design of the TAG, fine, go for it. But be aware that you can get better watches for similar money.

[T6 vanman]

Have to add....
Much like every 'buying son his first proper watch' thread,

Watches & personal preference are so different within people the only sensible option is to draw up a shortlist and spend some quality dad and son time looking at various watches (he can always give you an any of three option for the final surprise factor)

[irfan1712]

Hello all

fantastic replies, really appriciate it.

Based on the above recommendations and looking into things further i've concluded on these:

http://www.chisholmhunter.co.uk/watches/swiss-watc...

http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/8070881/lo...

http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1958011/ta...

http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1958038/ta...

http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1297929/lo...

http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/8950431/lo...

http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/2245159/tu...

http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/4841832/fr...

As my first post, i do love this at the momen. Cant say im clued upa at all on Oris pieces though, any owners here?

http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Mens-Oris-Artelier-Ske...


I have read countless threads on here (and other forums) where TAGs are given an absolute hiding. I cant see if its just a 'trend' where a few people slate them and then everyone seems to hop on board, but certainly regarding the automatic Carreras listed above i dont see why they are rated so poorly? i have read several questionable things about their customer service and over board marketing but it clearly works.

I must point out i'm not interested in future values etc etc - the only value the watch will hold is sentimental.

I have concluded i need to buy and come home with one this weekend so i best get out and see some this evening.

Edited by irfan1712 on Friday 7th April 16:01

[T6 vanman]

irfan1712 said:

Hello all

fantastic replies, really appriciate it.

Based on the above recommendations and looking into things further i've concluded on these:

http://www.chisholmhunter.co.uk/watches/swiss-watc...

http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1958011/ta...

http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1958038/ta...

http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1297929/lo...

http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/2245159/tu...

Edited by irfan1712 on Friday 7th April 16:01

Just edited your shortlist ... Lots of people on here have said nice things about Oris

But (and just my opinion) that skeleton Oris was horrendous

Many Oris from this seller

https://www.jurawatches.co.uk/collections/oris-wat...

Or financial creep

http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/0006925/Omega-De-Vil...

[traffman]

From looking at your choice of watch it seem's your looking for a more understated dress type watch. Although something you can wear with a shirt n tie or just aswell fixing stuff.

You may be able to get a pre owned steel datejust or even an Airking for a smidge over 2k.

If you prefer new with all box and papers , then Christopher ward , Oris and also you could possibly hunt down an Omega Speedmaster for around 2k.

Good luck.

[irfan1712]

Well then!

i went to see and try several on yesterday. Mostly from the two lists i had above, i also looked at an Omega DeVille.

I instantly dismissed the Tag aqua racer and F1 watches, because yes Quartz aside, i couldn't justify the price tags considering how cheap they felt.. they did nothing for me at all. The metal straps felt flimsy to say the least, my Boss watch felt far superior as a comparison and a fraction of the price shown!

I looked and tried a few Tudors, and while a lot more classy, i felt they were a little underwhelming. Their matte finishes to the bezels just didnt feel special enough for a 50th brithday gift, but i could clearly see they were quality pieces, and, i also felt brand recognition would be an issue. Unfortunately this was a bit of a requirement, as vein as it sounds. This is where TAG, Omega and Longines came in.

Unfortunately several of the Longines i had in my short list were not available in the few stores i visited (Cardiff). The Omega Deville was beautiful, but i still kept going back to one of the first watches i tried on and knew it was the one.

I settled on a Tag Heur Carrera Calibre 5 Day Date - Automatic, Black face with a black leather crocodile strap, polished housing, rose gold features with an exposed/see through rear. i know many here and on other forums said to think wisely about a TAG, which i did, but i did try others first and i was left slightly underwhelmed by nearly all my initial choices (and for other watches that were in my price bracket). The skeletal watches in library pictures look stunning, however in person they were far far too busy - in the glare of the shop lighting you could hardly actually tell the time on some of them due to the amount of polished/shiny metal exposed on the watches face, coupled with shiny/polished hands and a highly reflective glass surface. they were instantly dismissed too.

I visited Ernest Jones, Goldsmiths and Watches of Switz where i purchased this. I haggled a 12% discount off the £2150 tag, which im pretty ok about. i aimed for 15% looking at what others tried on various forums.

Once again thank you all for your input, i felt i caught a bit of a 'bug' looking at automatic watches and defo now aim to 'up' my current Boss/Armani collection on to something more special!

Maybe if i sell my C63 i could start looking at Patek's....

[anonymous-user]

That's a great watch, i'm sure the old boy will love it!

[ReallyReallyGood]

"Dad, I bought you a Carrera!"