Best European GADA under 2000 euro?

Cant go wrong with the Sinn 556

S

Sinn 556?

All I can offer is my limited to 25 units 2022 Traska Summiteer 36mm that I'0m selling from Spain with hardened case, 44mm lug to lug, screw down crown and 100m WR which is very versatile with a easy to service/swap 9039 Miyota movement. Way below 2.000 I know.

https://www.chrono24.com/all/traska-traska-summiteer-36mm-limited-2022--id30991721.htm

(This strap is not included, but yes the original bracelet with extra links).

Have a look on a laco Amazonas 39MB or a Heinrich helicoprion.

Maybe a used Omega SeamasterDiver 300m.

Sinn 104 would be my pick. Loads of colors and options too.

Gone but not forgotten…

The older model Longines Conquest in 39 is a great, sporty dressy watch. Solid movement too. The new Conquest is nice too, but not released in 39 yet.

Paid £1300 for my Aqua Terra quartz - don't write off quartz, it gives you access to higher tier stuff and as im sure you know is better than an automatic in many respects

For 2000€ he should get as well a automatik, but for his use there would be a Quartz the better thing.

And I want your green willard 😜

Thank you, love my Willard 😉

(£500 used from eBay, gotta be patient 👍)

The sinn 104 is awesome!

Take a look to the new Conquests. You'll be amazed.

You can easily find them under 2K through Chrono24 or ask your local dealer to make a discount (Longines watches are always open to have negotiation)

IMHO, the Formex Essence 39 is the ultimate GADA watch; it's a versatile design that's way more interesting than anything in its class. 39mm, 45.something lug-to-lug, 100m WR, with a COSC-certified SW 200-1. No screwdown crown or hardened case, but it should have some mild magnetic resistance.

Longines Big Eye

Configure a Laco. You can get it in 37mm with all of what you asked for above. And it will be under your budget. Here is one I got last year and I adore it.

For value for money I’d look towards the smaller independent brands. In Europe of the top of my head I’d look at Formex and Ollech & Wajs in Switzerland, Echo Neutra in Italy, Tusenö and Maen in Sweden and Christopher Ward and Farer in the UK, though there might be import costs if you’re in the EU from those last few. I’ve had watches from all of them other than Maen, all do good quality use mostly Sellita movements so easily serviceable and have plenty of what I’d consider GADA watches.

It's beautiful, but I worry the special mechanism will be a point of fragility over the decades tbh. But they have such beautiful colours 😍

Unfortunately Laco doesn't make their sportier fliegers without the Wehrmacht FL 23883. Great watches though, if I was looking for a dress watch around 1000 euro, I think Laco and Stowa has the best value for money including heritage 🍻

Your request for "that will last me half a century" will make it extremely difficult. Within 50 years, you'll sure need to exchange some (wear) parts, like crown, gaskets, and probably glass. Which brand will guarantee you that you'll be able to obtain those parts in 20, 30, 40 years from now?

To be only a bit sure, I'd skip all micro brands, and brands that were born in the last 10 years. But even the established brands might not be able to sell these parts for over 30 years.

Agreed, that's why I don't see a point in adding even more things that can wear out.

I'm saddened by the prospect of not being able to source parts in 30 years. I've thought about specifically the crown (as it might see some wear through everyday use) in the Archimede. I came to the conclusion that I should be able to get a replacement in 30 years - if the company still exists. But perhaps not. 😕

Browse catalogs or Armbanduhrenkatalog from 1993 and see that for many many watches from that age you unfortunately won't be able to find parts anymore.

Any brands or types of watches where parts are more readily available? Perhaps the production numbers are the only salvation?

I wonder how a 100 year old pocket watch are restored then though.

I believe, and historically seen also, Patek, Rolex, and Omega are your best chance. But they're not within the 2K budget.

Pocket watches can be restored to run but won't be used for daily wear. The criteria are different and way less than modern wristwatches. And don't get me wrong, every part can be re-made, but it'll be too costly to do so once they're not mass-produced anymore. The machines to produce them may be worn out, and it's out of the question to repair such a machine only to produce one or a few parts.

Longines Spirit 37. Such a gem of a watch! I adore mine

I'd presume getting a replacement crown for a mass produced Seiko would be easier 30 years from now. And I think increasing your changes of getting mugged substantially sort of beats the purpose of a GADA-watch, at least to me 😀

But the prospect of not being able to repair the watch from lack of parts is a concern I'll take with me. Thank you for pointing out!

You’re right, the 856 edges out the 556 on merit. Although I prefer the cleaner dial of the 556, which allows me to dress up on occasion.

The Archimede’s dimensions don’t work as well for my taste, and I seem to be in a growing minority of people who prefer a 3 o clock date window haha. But frankly all three of these are very competent pieces to qualify for the GADA badge

Hm. I just now realize the 556 has antimagnetism, which is quite nice. I thought the 856 had both hardened steel and antimagnetism on the 556, but it's really the movement that it has which is better. Unfortunately the 856/836 seems to be larger than the 556 which is available in 38,5 cm. Altough I might have missed something, their website is a bit confusing.

The Archimede is too small? I think it's close to perfect for me - I'd just wish for a 38 mm version. Lug to lug of 45 really is great though 😀

I do prefer the date at 3 o'clock too. But then again I only have watches with that date window placement, so trying it at 6 would be cool.

One word YES

That would be my second option after a 556

My bad, I was somehow under the impression that the Archimede was 42 across; dimensions check out. Yet I prefer the Sinn aesthetically, which is what it should ultimately boil down to - whichever you'd like wearing more!

I love this watch but it’s way above 2000 euros currently. Around 2.5k on the website. Although I love this watch l, 2.5k is a bit of a stretch for me at this point