Starter watch for a collection

[TheAngryDog]

I currently have a Tag Heuer 2000 series watch and a Casio G-Shock watch. I am interested in starting a small collection.

Any recommendations? Budget up to £500, may be able to stretch a bit more for "first" watch.

Thanks.

[7184c]

Pretty much the same two I started with.

I then went looking for occasional /dress wear vintage watches that could be picked up quite cheaply on eBay. Vintage zenith, Tudor, girard perregeaux, JLC. Need to do a bit of reading to avoid frankenwatches.

[andy tims]

Seiko SKX or SRP series worth a look.

[JLC25]

I've always loved the Hamilton Pan Europ - Should be able to pick up a VGC used in your budget - Comes with a second leather strap too.

[TheAngryDog]

thanks guys. I'll need to do some reading up. May be able to up my budget to £2k once my house purchase goes through. My Tag will always be the one I hold most dear to me due to its emotional attachment, but it would be nice to have something else to wear.

[hilly10]

Steinhart have some nice affordable pieces and look good in any collection

[lauda]

7184c said:

Pretty much the same two I started with.
.

Same here!

My next purchase was a Raymond Weil which is fine but wouldn't be my recommendation. I then ended up buying three Longines on the bounce and would definitely recommend one of those. Perhaps a HydroConquest?

[grumbledoak]

A Tissot Visodate or a Seiko SKX? Either would be more original than a Steinhart homage...

[Paul Drawmer]

Starting a collection? I never started my collection, I just found that I'd bought a few watches; I then bought and sold a few more etc.

If you're actually planning a collection, then you have the opportunity to find a focus from the start, and only buy those that fit in with what you're trying to collect.

Buy stuff you like; you will usually lose money when you buy and sell, so try to avoid buying just because it looks a bargain.

[CardShark]

What is your rationale for starting a collection? Financial investment? Like a particular style (eg diver) and want to base a collection on that? Want to cover as many styles as possible? As many movement types as possible? Etc etc.

My absolute first rule is that I don't buy anything I wouldn't wear, second rule is (where possible) I buy pre-owned to minimise the outlay and financial risk. My third rule is to not expect, or rely upon, any profit from a sale. I've never bought a watch on the thinking, or sole reasoning of, I could make a profit from it at later date.

I also completely disagree with the comment above ref nothing out there under £1k that's "exciting", though each individual's opinion would vary on this.

[TheAngryDog]

I'm not worried about making money. I only want watches that I like. It's just nice to have a choice.

2nd hand or new, not fussed either way.

[OGR4M]

I've just retired a Chris Ward C60 trident. Great looking dive watch, and although out of your budget, depending on stretchability (£660, from memory) I love mine and would recommend dive watches as a timeless addition to any collection. Also agree with Steinhart, but I can't wear one with small wrists, most of them seem to be 42-44mm ish, whereas my CW is 38mm and my current wear is 40mm.

[CardShark]

TheAngryDog said:

I'm not worried about making money. I only want watches that I like. It's just nice to have a choice.

2nd hand or new, not fussed either way.

I presume that you've been looking through the Wrist Check thread? Should provide reasonable inspiration. You could also look through somewhere like Chrono24 and use the filters to set budgets, brands etc.

[scott-1vt9j]

For £500 get an Omega Dynamic while you still can

For £2k get a Rolex Datejust if you can live with 34mm cases. Suits my wrists, and easy to sell on if you ever need to

[Wills2]

For around 2k you can get into a 2500 planet ocean, cracking watch.

[hilly10]

Oris is another good brand great quality for a great price. I picked this up used for £600

[VGTICE]

Wills2 said:

For around 2k you can get into a 2500 planet ocean, cracking watch.

That's a cracking watch indeed. Personally if I had 2k and someone offered me a mint, NOS 2254.50 I'd bite their hand off.

[TheAngryDog]

VGTICE said:

Wills2 said:

For around 2k you can get into a 2500 planet ocean, cracking watch.

That's a cracking watch indeed. Personally if I had 2k and someone offered me a mint, NOS 2254.50 I'd bite their hand off.

I do like that. Bit big for my wrist I think though

[Mark300zx]

hilly10 said:

Oris is another good brand great quality for a great price. I picked this up used for £600

Looks good, what model is that?

[marcosgt]

2 grand is very different to £500.

If you had £500, I'd be looking for an upmarket Seiko or a slightly pre-loved Longines (probably a Hydroconquest diver or a Conquest sports watch), personally.

I'd steer clear of most Steinharts for a collection starter, personally.

They're great watches for the price, but most are too overtly Rolex homages to form the basis of a collection, IMVHO. If you just like the look of them, fine, but if you really like the look a Rolex, a homage is a poor substitute.

With 2 grand, a used Omega is a good choice. I'm not a huge fan of the more recent Seamasters, so I'd look at a Speedmaster Pro (or a variant).

On the other hand, I'd always advocate buying watches you LIKE, rather than ones you feel should form the basis of a collection.

M