Since I got engaged earlier this month I have been offered a watch as a present (she was clearly a good choice).
So, I have £3000 to spend, I can add some of my own money towards this so limit of £3500 really.
I like the look of these (click for full details):
(http://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/image/Signet/9343172?$detail$) (http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/9343172/omega+seamaster+james+bond+007+36mm+dial+bracelet+watch)
(http://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/image/Signet/1407716?$detail$) (http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/1407716/breitling+avenger+seawolf+men%27s+bracelet+watch)
(http://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/image/Signet/6501583?$detail$) (http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/6501583/tag+heuer+carrera+automatic+men%27s+chronograph+watch)
(http://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/image/Signet/8908214?$detail$) (http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/8908214/tag+heuer+link+calibre+16+men%27s+bracelet+watch)
(http://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/image/Signet/9552219?$detail$) (http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/9552219/omega+speedmaster+men%27s+stainless+steel+bracelet+watch)
(http://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/image/Signet/9803823?$detail$) (http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/9803823/ball+engineer+hydrocarbon+men%27s+bracelet+watch)
(http://s7ondemand4.scene7.com/is/image/Signet/9112731?$detail$) (http://www.ernestjones.co.uk/webstore/d/9112731/breitling+colt+chronograph+men%27s+bracelet+watch)
Or does anyone have any other suggestions, its got to have a bracelet (I hate leather straps), as many gadgets as possible, I prefer to have a chronograph although never use it lol would prefer a date on it if nothing else.
Problem being I'll hardly wear it and most of these would appear to be automatic so can only assume will stop after some time in the box? how do people get around this? also, what's the deal with servicing them? I hear people send them off to be serviced regularly at great expense, is that really needed?
Any opinions and suggestions welcome.
My father got an Omega from my sister as a 60th present or something.
3 years in it was fogging under the crystal. Omega said that the watch needs servicing every 3 years or so to replace the seals etc. Apparently the super duper expensive seals they use don't last that long. So my father now has to spend a few hundred £ every 3 years to keep the watch running. I think he just digs it out for very special occasions, and has a cheap knock-off watch as his daily wearer.
Do you really want a watch that will be so expensive it only ever gets worn for very special occasions, or do you want something that you wear daily?
Having gone through the process of Ordering a Stowa watch, I don't think I will ever really want to spend megabucks on a watch now. The £600 Stowa I wear uses the same movement as some Omegas, Tissots etc that cost 3x times as much :D Plus it was constructed by hand and not factory built, so it's more special.
If you get an automatic watch, you can buy electric winders that essentially rotate around slowly at intervals, to keep the watch wound up enough to keep running. Bear in mind that automatic watches don't run as accurately as quartz movements, so if you only wear the watch once a year, you'll need to update the time on it anyway as it'll be out by a few mins most likely. In which case, just let it run out of juice, and when you need it, wave it about a bit to get it going and reset the time. Job done.
The guy who now owns Stowa has his own, way more expensive and exclusive "brand". Might be in your price range (not sure though) - pretty sure you'd have a fairly unique watch if you got one though:
http://www.schauer-germany.com/en/kollektion.php
(And if you wanted to see the Stowa in the flesh, we're long overdue another photo trip!)
...Definitely a keeper...
I have a tissot I wear everyday so this will be for evenings out and stuff, my watches get a hammering, the tissot already deflected the garden gate off the crystal (was surprised it didn't mark) and the bracelet gets well scuffed on desks so wont wear anything expensive to work.
edit: we are indeed, will have to get together before summer runs out!
I would buy an Omega, in fact I plan to eventually, but given the detail in the servicing I would wear it every day as it is unlikely to get marked on the crystal. They also hold their value extremely well, could even increase in value if you look after a limited edition one. Seamaster Planet Ocean for me, or one of the Bond or Apollo watches.
Also, I hammer on about them every time a watch thread comes up, but check out Christopher Ward as they are exceptional value for money. http://www.christopherward.co.uk/ (http://www.christopherward.co.uk/)
If it's got decent sapphire crystal, it'll take a heck of a lot to scratch it.
Managed to scrape my watch at Brimham rocks in Yorkshire earlier in the month. The crystal is fine. The bezel, not so much. Thankfully I used one of my fine jewellers files and managed to file most of the scratches out, can barely see them now without any sign of the filing :D
Yeah I wouldn't wear a watch like that to go rock climbing or places its obviously likely to get covered in crud, etc like working on my car, but I'd wear it out and about for sure. Otherwise you end up with them sitting in the box forever never being used. I've got some expensive clothes like that I hardly ever wear that I'm bringing out more often, smart jackets I can wear to work, etc. I feel all the better for looking smart for a change and I'm actually getting some use out of them.
out of the ones listed in the OP I'd probably go for one of the Omegas... AFAIK those TAGs and Breitlings use externally sourced ETA/Swatch movements anyway - Breitling and TAG just make an expensive case and stick thier brand name on, Omega is part of Swatch group so in some ways the movement they use is 'inhouse' - they certainly seem to do more to the movements for Omega too - Co-Axial escapement etc...
if you want something a bit different then you might be able to get one of these - movement, watch all hand made in house - I believe they just build to order:
http://www.dornblueth.com/
None of those look like they're worth the money, although I accept thats a matter of taste, they all look like bottom end watch models.
At that price range I wouldn't be buying new, you can get some spectacular classic watches in that price range:
http://www.austinkaye.co.uk/PreOwnedWatches.aspx
mental spending that amount on a watch imo
Quote from: Eggtastico on August 28, 2013, 11:05:26 AM
mental spending that amount on a watch imo
No worse than spending £3k+ on an engagement ring
Some people spend £20k+ on a car, I've never spent more than £2k. I'd rather have 10 nice watches (unless we're talking a Lamborghini).
Quote from: Binary Shadow on August 29, 2013, 18:21:38 PM
Quote from: Eggtastico on August 28, 2013, 11:05:26 AM
mental spending that amount on a watch imo
No worse than spending £3k+ on an engagement ring
equally as mental - but a ring holds its value a lot more than a broken watch.
If I had something like that on my wrist Id keep my hand in pocket.
There again, I dont wear a watch. Dont like them - so my view is going to skewered :p
If I want to know the time, I just guess :D
or look at my pocket watch - which also makes phone calls.
Absolutely gutted today. Went into goldsmiths and took a closer look at the breitling avenger.
I couldn't wear it, or probably 80%+ of the watches there, I have wrists like sparrows legs and nothing will really fit :(
Quote from: Binary Shadow on September 06, 2013, 22:03:09 PM
Absolutely gutted today. Went into goldsmiths and took a closer look at the breitling avenger.
I couldn't wear it, or probably 80%+ of the watches there, I have wrists like sparrows legs and nothing will really fit :(
One of the reasons I went with Stowa in the end. They're quite small watches. I hated how stupidly massive a lot of the watches I liked the look of were. So many would look ace, and then you'd look at the size and then a ruler and realise how big they are.
Quote from: Binary Shadow on September 06, 2013, 22:03:09 PM
I couldn't wear it, or probably 80%+ of the watches there, I have wrists like sparrows legs and nothing will really fit :(
this will fit:
http://www.nomos-glashuette.com/en/watches/tangente/33/
I really like that Dave, that's a nice find. Only about £1000 too!