£500 on a watch! Which 1????
Discussion
Brand new or second hand? You can get very nice watches second hand for £500 - and that includes hardly-worn, no-scratches, etc. condition pieces.
Much of the answer depends on whether you're after a piece of jewellery, a particular complication for a job / sport / hobby where it'd be useful, or whether you're a manufacture snob. And a lot comes down to whether you want 'normal' people to recognise the brand as a status thing, or whether you want something that nobody's heard of because you like to be super-individual (two extremes of a continuum there, of course).
I'd avoid Tag at all costs since all you're paying for is the name. Nothing else, IMO (at that price point - the Caliber 36 specials were a different kettle of fish).
Personally I like Sinn watches, and you can get a new, proper automatic movement with display back, and 'racing' strap with a classic style for £395, with steel bracelet for £520. This is the cheapest in their range IIRC but they make damn good watches at a decent price... second hand you should be able to get most of their range (including the pilot watches) for £500...
Chronomaster sell 'em and Neil is a good bloke to deal with.
Much of the answer depends on whether you're after a piece of jewellery, a particular complication for a job / sport / hobby where it'd be useful, or whether you're a manufacture snob. And a lot comes down to whether you want 'normal' people to recognise the brand as a status thing, or whether you want something that nobody's heard of because you like to be super-individual (two extremes of a continuum there, of course).
I'd avoid Tag at all costs since all you're paying for is the name. Nothing else, IMO (at that price point - the Caliber 36 specials were a different kettle of fish).
Personally I like Sinn watches, and you can get a new, proper automatic movement with display back, and 'racing' strap with a classic style for £395, with steel bracelet for £520. This is the cheapest in their range IIRC but they make damn good watches at a decent price... second hand you should be able to get most of their range (including the pilot watches) for £500...
Chronomaster sell 'em and Neil is a good bloke to deal with.
cyberface said:
Brand new or second hand? You can get very nice watches second hand for £500 - and that includes hardly-worn, no-scratches, etc. condition pieces.
Much of the answer depends on whether you're after a piece of jewellery, a particular complication for a job / sport / hobby where it'd be useful, or whether you're a manufacture snob. And a lot comes down to whether you want 'normal' people to recognise the brand as a status thing, or whether you want something that nobody's heard of because you like to be super-individual (two extremes of a continuum there, of course).
I'd avoid Tag at all costs since all you're paying for is the name. Nothing else, IMO (at that price point - the Caliber 36 specials were a different kettle of fish).
Personally I like Sinn watches, and you can get a new, proper automatic movement with display back, and 'racing' strap with a classic style for £395, with steel bracelet for £520. This is the cheapest in their range IIRC but they make damn good watches at a decent price... second hand you should be able to get most of their range (including the pilot watches) for £500...
Chronomaster sell 'em and Neil is a good bloke to deal with.
What he said.Much of the answer depends on whether you're after a piece of jewellery, a particular complication for a job / sport / hobby where it'd be useful, or whether you're a manufacture snob. And a lot comes down to whether you want 'normal' people to recognise the brand as a status thing, or whether you want something that nobody's heard of because you like to be super-individual (two extremes of a continuum there, of course).
I'd avoid Tag at all costs since all you're paying for is the name. Nothing else, IMO (at that price point - the Caliber 36 specials were a different kettle of fish).
Personally I like Sinn watches, and you can get a new, proper automatic movement with display back, and 'racing' strap with a classic style for £395, with steel bracelet for £520. This is the cheapest in their range IIRC but they make damn good watches at a decent price... second hand you should be able to get most of their range (including the pilot watches) for £500...
Chronomaster sell 'em and Neil is a good bloke to deal with.
Big Sinn fan here. Would also suggest looking at Stowa.
I have been looking around and have exactly the same budget in mind. In my opinion not much comes close Sinn 556 on bracelet brand new, they are highly regarded here and on watch forums. Secondhand look at Omega Seamasters (but beware secondhand watches can be a minefield) 
It really depends what kind of style watch you prefer, the Sinn is quite dressy.
It really depends what kind of style watch you prefer, the Sinn is quite dressy.
jules_s said:
I've never got exposed movement watches on the back.
So you have to take the watch off to show anybody?
Pointless to me...
My Oris BC has a not-very-pretty ETA movement, with a big automatic weight to further spoil the view, but its still nice to watch the escapement do its thing. It would be out of place on the above Sinn, or a Breitling Colt, I'd agree, but it certainly has a place. So you have to take the watch off to show anybody?
Pointless to me...
glazbagun said:
jules_s said:
I've never got exposed movement watches on the back.
So you have to take the watch off to show anybody?
Pointless to me...
My Oris BC has a not-very-pretty ETA movement, with a big automatic weight to further spoil the view, but its still nice to watch the escapement do its thing. It would be out of place on the above Sinn, or a Breitling Colt, I'd agree, but it certainly has a place. So you have to take the watch off to show anybody?
Pointless to me...
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