@Zpyder... I'm actually in a very similar situation to you - gran passed away last year and I'm considering spending the £1k I've been left with on a watch... have been reading rather a lot and still haven't made my mind up.
one that I'm considering is a Nomos
face is a bit simple/plain so probably isn't what you're after... it is a watch they essentially manufacture themselves though and they don't spend loads on marketing etc... so you get a bit more watch for your money.
I'd also looked at Stowa... these are made to order - they do buy in the movements but do spend a lot of time finishing them etc.. Though this brand used to make watches for the Germans in ww2 so prob best not use Gran's money buying one of their watches... (as worn by Luftwaffe pilots etc.. )...
Perhpas look at something by Longines (obviously uses ETA movements as its part of swatch group)... since swatch is hiking prices and turning Omega into a rival to Rolex I guess Longines is going to fill that gap...
the Longines legend diver looks pretty awesome IMO:
alternatively they also offer this diver:
Could also look at Christopher Ward or Steinhart, both use swatch/eta or Sellita movements albeit at a more reasonable price than most...
And swatch group's own Tissot and Hamilton brands have a few nice watches in them. - Hamilton Jazzmaster looks nice