Help me chose my first luxury watch
Was hoping to get some recommendations for my first Luxury watch. This will commemorate my daughters wedding in October of this year. Here is a little about my self which I know is important. I am not a everyday day suit wearing guy. I am senior management for the company I work with. I from time to time visit construction sites but figured Inwoukd would wear any of the other watches in my collection. This would be for the occasional business meeting/sales lunch as well as the times I do find my self “dressing a little fancy”. Looking for the $5,000 to 8,000 range. It’s does not have to be a status brand. I am all about the watch itself. Also I seem to gravitate to chronographs more so then dive watches
Thanks all
Just a crazy watch guy who buys and sells watches so he can buy and sell more watches
I’d say look at a Tudor black bay or Omega Aqua Terra.
Cartier.
My vote would be the omega speed master.
It’s has an interesting history.
Solid movement you don’t have to stress about wearing it in a potential harsh environment ( I mean it was issues to go to the moon after all).
It can be dressed up or down.
It’s a timeless piece to match a timeless moment on your life.
I would also add having your daughter pick one as well. Woman have an impeccable ability to match anything we where to our personality and style.
Congratulations on her wedding brother. Message me a picture when you made your pick!
I'm in the same field as you, though admittedly, in a less senior position. My choice would be the Speedy (cause it's a Speedy) or the Patek (cause damn that's fine). I have a personal aversion to the Rolex (stereotypical) and the Panerai (someone I don't like wears that). For the field though, spend $50 or less on a Casio Duro and keep it in the work truck for when the site gets gnarly and you don't want to bang up your baby.
Surely the omega Speedmaster. Right in your budget - and the most iconic of the lot!
I love chronos and the Speedy is my favorite and would be my choice because it meets all your criteria but also (mostly) because I love the history of the watch.
As far as other chronos go, you have a ton of options in this price range that are if not readily available are readily findable or obtainable within a reasonable period of time. Here are some other recommendations:
Omega Chronoscope or Speedmaster 57 - little dressier than Speedy Pro and available in different colors (little over price range but I have seen these in many shops so you can probably negotiate a deal in your price range esp. on strap)
Tudor BB Chrono (as others have mentioned). Very findable now with the possible exception of the Panda on bracelet but my local dealer said he could get one for me within a month or two.
Chopard Mille Miglia Classic (for automotive instead of Apollo callbacks/ the one on the tire tread strap, ref number 168589-3002 but they have a bunch of variations).
Breitling Top Times (I like the Thunderbird and Mustang variants only because I'm a Ford guy and misspent my youth helping friends haul parts for old Fords from junkyards because I was stuck driving the old family wagon).
Tag Heuer Autavia Chronos. Ton of them again with a callback to automotive history
Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chrono GMT (slightly above your budget): mostly for the movement but a bit big and thick even for me. SBGC201
Longines (below your price range) Heritage Classic, Big Eye, Master Annual Calendar (lots and for me almost all of them except for the 16mm thick star studded Spirits)
I would check out the Glashütte Original Senator Sixties Chronograph 39-34-02-22-04. Personal favorite at your price point.
I would check out the Glashütte Original Senator Sixties Chronograph 39-34-02-22-04. Personal favorite at your price point.
Thanks for the suggestion. Those watches are exquisite and are now on my radar
I love chronos and the Speedy is my favorite and would be my choice because it meets all your criteria but also (mostly) because I love the history of the watch.
As far as other chronos go, you have a ton of options in this price range that are if not readily available are readily findable or obtainable within a reasonable period of time. Here are some other recommendations:
Omega Chronoscope or Speedmaster 57 - little dressier than Speedy Pro and available in different colors (little over price range but I have seen these in many shops so you can probably negotiate a deal in your price range esp. on strap)
Tudor BB Chrono (as others have mentioned). Very findable now with the possible exception of the Panda on bracelet but my local dealer said he could get one for me within a month or two.
Chopard Mille Miglia Classic (for automotive instead of Apollo callbacks/ the one on the tire tread strap, ref number 168589-3002 but they have a bunch of variations).
Breitling Top Times (I like the Thunderbird and Mustang variants only because I'm a Ford guy and misspent my youth helping friends haul parts for old Fords from junkyards because I was stuck driving the old family wagon).
Tag Heuer Autavia Chronos. Ton of them again with a callback to automotive history
Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chrono GMT (slightly above your budget): mostly for the movement but a bit big and thick even for me. SBGC201
Longines (below your price range) Heritage Classic, Big Eye, Master Annual Calendar (lots and for me almost all of them except for the 16mm thick star studded Spirits)
Rocket fan thank you for the insightful information. These are perfect suggestions
Surely the omega Speedmaster. Right in your budget - and the most iconic of the lot!
Justingalore Inhave to agree I believe it checks all my boxes. Definitely a front runner
I'm in the same field as you, though admittedly, in a less senior position. My choice would be the Speedy (cause it's a Speedy) or the Patek (cause damn that's fine). I have a personal aversion to the Rolex (stereotypical) and the Panerai (someone I don't like wears that). For the field though, spend $50 or less on a Casio Duro and keep it in the work truck for when the site gets gnarly and you don't want to bang up your baby.
Specktator same field same views on those brands. Top salesmen in my company flash the Rolex’s. I’m looking to out class them…and be different. Thanks for your suggestions
My vote would be the omega speed master.
It’s has an interesting history.
Solid movement you don’t have to stress about wearing it in a potential harsh environment ( I mean it was issues to go to the moon after all).
It can be dressed up or down.
It’s a timeless piece to match a timeless moment on your life.
I would also add having your daughter pick one as well. Woman have an impeccable ability to match anything we where to our personality and style.
Congratulations on her wedding brother. Message me a picture when you made your pick!
Mr.Santana right on the money with the suggestion. Love the idea of having my daughter help with the decision. Looking forward to posting the future addition and tagging everyone of these great watch nerds
Cartier.
Pallet_Fork. Great classic suggestion. The entire line screams class. By the way great name
I’d say look at a Tudor black bay or Omega Aqua Terra.
Donster_125 had not consider Tudor since you pointed it out. Thank you will look into them for sure
Pallet_Fork. Great classic suggestion. The entire line screams class. By the way great name
Thanks!
For a wedding that'd be my first choice. Elegant, timeless, classy...
Since is your first Luxury watch I would pick a do it all watch.
Good enough for a dress watch.
Enough water resistance to jump on the pool
Sporty enough to wear a nato strap
Buy the bracelet (if available) you can always buy an aftermarket leather band etc.
Save money and buy pre-owned
My recommendations:
Tudor Black Bay Heritage
Tudor Ranger:
I am an engineer in the commercial construction industry and can’t recommend the hesalite speedy - if you plan on wearing it to the office or meetings, get the sapphire version or something else with a sapphire crystal if you’re in our field. You never know when you have to make an unplanned site visit and the choice ends up being either to leave it in the coworkers car or risk banging it on the side of a ship’s ladder (or getting that acrylic crystal scratched up with all that grit floating around). Brushed steel cases over polished might also be the preferable choice here too.
As for me I really like the clean dials of the IWC pilot chronos, but I also realize that’s not to everyone’s taste. They can dress up a bit with the right strap though, and I’m just not a bezel guy. If also looking for a site beater, I like my quartz Jack Mason flieger style pilot watch that I use on site days.
Photo from Hodinkee b/c I can’t do it justice with my iPhone and I’m too lazy to grab the SLR. Not a formal watch by any means, but it actually dresses up halfway decently with different straps.
for wedding and other dressy occasions, and also “dressing a little fancy” moments, I pick my JLC Reverso.
No question it suits dressy attire, it can also be dressed down swapping the straps.
for wedding and other dressy occasions, and also “dressing a little fancy” moments, I pick my JLC Reverso.
No question it suits dressy attire, it can also be dressed down swapping the straps.
Even your Limit of up to 8K gives room for plenty of options, but I'm not a fand of "wasting" money. So I would like to get as much watch saticefaction as possiblle out of it and if possible to stay even way under your Limit. This is usually possible when looking outside the box. Brands which are not common know or famous but making awesome watches. I'm usually more familiar with german brands, so don't wonder. Prices are in Euro.
Armand Nicolet
M2 Line A840AAA-GR-M9742
An almost 150 years old swiss watch maker, making quite. This one is 1,600 Euro
Frederique Constant Monolithic
This movement beats with incredible 40Hz (288,000 per hour). A perfectly smooth glyding second hand. I don't know any mechanical watch, that beats faster- Around 4,500 Euro
Rado
True Square Plasma Hight Tech Ceramic
A totall underrated Brand of the Swatch Group. Made of Ceramic that doesn't look like cermanic. A special treatment does makes it look like high polished gun metal. But super comfortable on the wrist and scratch resistent. For 2,300 Euro.
Or the Captain Cook High Tech Ceramic for around 4K
Baume & Mercie
Riviera
Lehmann
Intemporal
I wrote an article before about Lehmann.
On of the craziest bad ass watch makers I came across. Doesn't make only everything inhoouse from the movement to the dials and hands. He even produces his own machines to manufacture his watches. Their decorated movements looks like from another universe. Starting from 6,200.
Glashütte Original
Sixties
Another german legend. For 7,100.
Limes
Pharo Chronograph Vollkalender
One of my favorit watches. The brand belongs to the Ickler family who are producing since generations watch parts in Pforzheim (northern Black Forest). Except of the ETA 7751, everything else is made inhouse in high quality, with a lot of decoration details. The watch is not perpetual but a full calendar watch. For less than 3K.
Omega
Seamaster Aqua Tera
Even not a secret Tip, but worth to mention. 6,7K
Grand Seiko
SBGA437
For around 6K
Even your Limit of up to 8K gives room for plenty of options, but I'm not a fand of "wasting" money. So I would like to get as much watch saticefaction as possiblle out of it and if possible to stay even way under your Limit. This is usually possible when looking outside the box. Brands which are not common know or famous but making awesome watches. I'm usually more familiar with german brands, so don't wonder. Prices are in Euro.
Armand Nicolet
M2 Line A840AAA-GR-M9742
An almost 150 years old swiss watch maker, making quite. This one is 1,600 Euro
Frederique Constant Monolithic
This movement beats with incredible 40Hz (288,000 per hour). A perfectly smooth glyding second hand. I don't know any mechanical watch, that beats faster- Around 4,500 Euro
Rado
True Square Plasma Hight Tech Ceramic
A totall underrated Brand of the Swatch Group. Made of Ceramic that doesn't look like cermanic. A special treatment does makes it look like high polished gun metal. But super comfortable on the wrist and scratch resistent. For 2,300 Euro.
Or the Captain Cook High Tech Ceramic for around 4K
Baume & Mercie
Riviera
Lehmann
Intemporal
I wrote an article before about Lehmann.
On of the craziest bad ass watch makers I came across. Doesn't make only everything inhoouse from the movement to the dials and hands. He even produces his own machines to manufacture his watches. Their decorated movements looks like from another universe. Starting from 6,200.
Glashütte Original
Sixties
Another german legend. For 7,100.
Limes
Pharo Chronograph Vollkalender
One of my favorit watches. The brand belongs to the Ickler family who are producing since generations watch parts in Pforzheim (northern Black Forest). Except of the ETA 7751, everything else is made inhouse in high quality, with a lot of decoration details. The watch is not perpetual but a full calendar watch. For less than 3K.
Omega
Seamaster Aqua Tera
Even not a secret Tip, but worth to mention. 6,7K
Grand Seiko
SBGA437
For around 6K
Absolutely amazing suggestions . Thank you very much. You gave me a lot to think about.
for wedding and other dressy occasions, and also “dressing a little fancy” moments, I pick my JLC Reverso.
No question it suits dressy attire, it can also be dressed down swapping the straps.
Beautiful time piece. Thank you for the suggestion
I am an engineer in the commercial construction industry and can’t recommend the hesalite speedy - if you plan on wearing it to the office or meetings, get the sapphire version or something else with a sapphire crystal if you’re in our field. You never know when you have to make an unplanned site visit and the choice ends up being either to leave it in the coworkers car or risk banging it on the side of a ship’s ladder (or getting that acrylic crystal scratched up with all that grit floating around). Brushed steel cases over polished might also be the preferable choice here too.
As for me I really like the clean dials of the IWC pilot chronos, but I also realize that’s not to everyone’s taste. They can dress up a bit with the right strap though, and I’m just not a bezel guy. If also looking for a site beater, I like my quartz Jack Mason flieger style pilot watch that I use on site days.
Photo from Hodinkee b/c I can’t do it justice with my iPhone and I’m too lazy to grab the SLR. Not a formal watch by any means, but it actually dresses up halfway decently with different straps.
My worst nightmare to head out to a job site unexpectedly and bank my watch on something. That Inc is really nice. It fits the stile of watch I usually purchase. Will have to look into dressing it up
Since is your first Luxury watch I would pick a do it all watch.
Good enough for a dress watch.
Enough water resistance to jump on the pool
Sporty enough to wear a nato strap
Buy the bracelet (if available) you can always buy an aftermarket leather band etc.
Save money and buy pre-owned
My recommendations:
Tudor Black Bay Heritage
Tudor Ranger:
Great advice. I like how the newer Breitling’s dials are toned down a bit. Just dosnt feel like an aviation watch
My worst nightmare to head out to a job site unexpectedly and bank my watch on something. That Inc is really nice. It fits the stile of watch I usually purchase. Will have to look into dressing it up
My first nice watch, an old Bell & Ross got some really good licks at the jobsite before I knew any better. Brushed stainless case and sapphire crystal is definitely the way to go.
I like to cruise Instagram tags to get a feel of how straps look on a certain watch. Here’s one I found with the stock brown calfskin that pairs well with the watch. I also put it on a loopless black strap with grey stitching from Artem and it looked super clean - sharp enough to wear it to a wedding last week.
I’m not sure the spitfire chrono I have has a bracelet option. Other IWC pilot chronographs definitely do but they seemed a bit too clinical to me without the fauxtina helping to warm it up a bit. Your mileage may vary.
If you do decide to go this route I can put you in touch w an AD that gave me a really nice deal on my two IWCs.
My first nice watch, an old Bell & Ross got some really good licks at the jobsite before I knew any better. Brushed stainless case and sapphire crystal is definitely the way to go.
I like to cruise Instagram tags to get a feel of how straps look on a certain watch. Here’s one I found with the stock brown calfskin that pairs well with the watch. I also put it on a loopless black strap with grey stitching from Artem and it looked super clean - sharp enough to wear it to a wedding last week.
I’m not sure the spitfire chrono I have has a bracelet option. Other IWC pilot chronographs definitely do but they seemed a bit too clinical to me without the fauxtina helping to warm it up a bit. Your mileage may vary.
If you do decide to go this route I can put you in touch w an AD that gave me a really nice deal on my two IWCs.
Wow what a difference a band can make. I like the instagram idea to find different looks for the same watch. I have started collecting different style and color watch bands. I spend more time figuring out what watch to wear then the clothes that day. I think I need therapy. Guess that’s why I come to this support group