I need a recommendation

If you are not in a hurry, look for a Tudor Heritage or a Ball Engineer. Both are tremendous options and offer an enormous bang for buck.

I would love to get into a Tudor but it’s just a bit over budget for me, I could possibly stretch to $2500 but I don’t want to be purchasing the bottom end of a brand ya know.

Look for the new Longines hydroconquest, they are very nice.

Any particular models you have in mind?

It is definitely on my consideration list 💪🏻

My Hydroconquest GMT has been great and so is their Spirit line

If you aren't considering maybe a pre-owned, look at the Ball Engineer III Endurance 1917. They are gorgeous, built like tanks, and use the nicer 904l SS Steel like. The tritium tube markers glow like crazy.

I would check out Doxa , and Christopher Ward you could get a COSC certified from CW ! that won't need much touching up

I think Tudor is the best bet for the most affordable 'truly luxury' brand. Nice as Longines are, they aren't universally regarded as true luxury, more mid tier like Oris etc. Hope this comment doesn't sound too snobby!

Brosnan era OMEGA Seamaster Professional!! These watches are SO cheap for an OMEGA

Longines Avigation Bigeye

Hey man! I had this question myself few months ago (well now I'm well over budget). But to your point, I chose the Longines Hydroconquest newer model with black dial. It's luxury enough for me that even if I buy better watches, I feel like I can wear it for decades. I see many think Tudor should be the one. If second hand is an option for you, I would check out Japanese shops like Mercari, I saw blue BB58 going under $2500. One thing about Hydroconquest is the heavy weight!

Omega Aqua Terra, 200M WR is excessive for 95% of watch enthusiasts. Most professional divers don't even go past 100 meters so I think boxing your choices in with the 200M WR really locks you out of alot of incredible pieces.

LONGINES is my top option at the moment, and I would love a Tudor aswell, but I just don’t want to go over budget, it would be hard for me to truly enjoy a watch over $2500, it would be like walking around with an egg shell on my wrist for a watch lol.

That's exactly why I bought couple of pieces each under probably $1300. Just not there yet mentally lol. Anyways, I think Oris and Longines kill in that market. Either way you win 💪

You are talking lifetime and that is a long time. Wearing it all the time adds considerably to wear. Example: Back when I was working, my office watch buddy had a couple of old Omegas which were well worn. Fred lamented one day that he had sent his Speedy in for servicing and Omega gave him the bad news that finally it was beyond simple servicing and needed many repairs not covered by servicing. It had simply worn out.

I suppose all I am getting out is nothing (physical) last forever. Neither will a heavily worn watch no mater how gently used.

“Bottom end” of a good brand is still a good watch. If you can stretch your budget to $2500, you have plenty of options with Longines.

The Longines Hydroconquest (300 meter) with the modified 2892-A2 is a world beater. You can pick one up from a dealer for about $1,700. Quality for quality it is the equal to the Tudor black bay for a couple thousand less.

Definitely look at Christopher Ward. I have the Trident Pro dive watch on the steel bracelet and it could easily be my one lifetime watch if I needed to go that route.

Can't recommend Longines highly enough - they are in the right price bracket, fantastic real history and should be around for many years to come, with readily servicable movements. So much classier than some of the usual suspects.

Grow up or go away troll

Idk. Used black bay 58 around 2700 now and super nice.

That Longines looks a little large in the pic. Fine now but could easily slip out of fashion in a year or two. I’d recommend one of the smaller Tudors, pre-owned. Or a nice small Grand Seiko.

I don’t think you can beat the quality of those two brands in that price range.

$2k is really lower luxury. So many to choose from. Definitely look into Tudor and Longines. They have so many current models. Black Bays you might be able to get give or take a few bucks. The other brand I would say to check out is Tag Heuer. They have gotten a lot of citicism, but I love my AquaRacer. They are certainly coming out with new models from their history. Pursue Jomashop. Always good prices.

I echo the comments of many others that Longines, Tudor, and Christopher Ward are strong contenders in this price range.

I won’t say much however would give you just one watch name “ORIS Aqis”. You can google about it and watch reviews on YouTube.

Take your time and sorry to say but spend a bit more. Longine is not "trully luxury" brand and for 2K you won't get a luxury watch but a watch that looks luxury. As mentioned above, there are brands like Oris that are independant and a good choice for that amount. However, they might be less known or less flashy. However, if you really want to buy a watch now, I would go for a Tudor, Oris, Tag Heuer or a Hamilton. Since these watches do not have manufacture movements, their value go down quite easily, so don't hesitate to go for a second hand watch, polished and serviced.

https://www.fratellowatches.com/hands-on-oris-x-bracenet-aquis/

#longines suits you better oldest trademark in the world. I will always love #hamilton too

Oris, Longines, Hamilton, Sinn, Marathon, Zodiac…