Need some ideas!

• Champagne dial, spring drive, gmt

• Can be dressed up or dressed down

• Due to the strength of the dollar, you get a brand new one from a Japanese professional dealer for $4,140

I don't have any, but I had considered the Santos when I was last looking in that range. Personally, I think it's a shame to PVD and/or skeletonize a watch like that. It's so classic, I think it's perfect in steel or steel/gold. The Milgauss is cool, but I'd probably be looking at one of the Explorers in that range.

Sweet talk the wife and get three!

12,300 will get you a Vacheron Constantine Model 56 Self-Winding 4600E/000A-B442 40 MM.

...Or the 4600E/000A-B487 40 MM STEEL. (Both are different color factors of the same watch.)

Browse Fiftysix Watches | Vacheron Constantin (vacheron-constantin.com)

Small world... My wife has given the same golden ticket. The watches I have been thinking about (willing to buy second hand).

1. JLC Reverso duoface

2. H. Moser endeavour

3. Blancpain fifty fathoms (if they ever do another release at 40mm)

4. GS Omiwatari

5. GS 4 seasons winter

I am leaning towards the duoface because don't have a square watch but those GS are gorgeous. Brain pain 🤯

Good luck with your choice.

I'm enjoying my Speedy '57 which would be under budget.

Try a few on, don't rush to make the decision. Visit with a few good watch advisors at ADs and let them suggest things you might not have considered previously.

Also, your wife will probably offer some God feedback as to style or colour that hits the nail on the head.

Congrats on the upcoming birthday and the watch to help celebrate. I have the Santos De Cartier WSSA0037 (SS with black dial and ADLC bezel) , and love it. If that white dial WSSA0047 had been available at the time I bought mine, I would have had a hard time choosing between them. There are two items that are worth mentioning. First, the curved case helps make a slim watch feel even slimmer, although it does come at the cost of a fairly reflective crystal. Secondly, I find that it isn't quite as versatile as most of my other watches - there are some days when I simply don't feel like wearing it, but that is offset by some days where no other watch would do. I certainly would not recommend it for an "only" watch - it is much better suited for part of a larger collection. Just my 2 cents.

Milgauss ✔

I’d let my wife decide. She’ll have a watch in her head that she hopes you’ll get. You’ll both love it more if you both shop together and she subtley lets you know when the right one is pulled out of the display case.

Or get a Rolex.

With 12K and if my wrist allows me, I think I go with the Moser Pioneer, Sporty and versatile, dress up/down with just a strap change, fumé dials over the business and 120m WR

But it's 42.8mm and design is one of it's kind.

12900 or 13900€ depending on the configuration.

Cheers and happy birthday to come !

Have you thought about using the grey market,just incase your grail watch isn't available for your 50th ,as long as it's from a reputable dealer,you can always get it serviced by the manufacturer later if you wanted too ,this opens up the variety more I think

If you can get one, get a Rolex.😃

Thanks for the great ideas all.

The getting one is the problem 🤣

I know it’s the reality of the market, but I have a hard time swallowing a 25-50% markup just to get one now vs waiting. Put my name in for a Milgauss but not sure I’m going to wait for it. AD said they are usually possible in 3-6 months, but hard to know if he’s just saying that or not.

That’s incredible, definitely going to look at this closely - thanks for the suggestion.

Congratulations to you and Happy Birthday (in advance)! Pretty sure you'll have a tough time settling for your own present but hopefully you won't need to spend more than retail price for the Rolex Mil if you decided on that piece!

Most importantly, HAPPY CHOOSING and buying!

Since this is a milestone piece and you'll probably never part with it, I'd purchase the one that "sings" to you. I'd not worry about resale or how the piece might appreciate/depreciate in the future.

You should be able to at least try on some exhibition pieces at a Rolex AD and find out if that's truly what you want. There are lots of reputable secondary dealers that might be able to source one for you if the wait time is too long.

Good luck and let us know what you decide! My wife recently turned 50 and she chose the stainless steel Santos (medium), it's gorgeous...

Happy Birthday

I envy you.

you might just have to be patient.

I got my 124270 7% above retail, which was what I had to pay in tax anyway.

Stopped by an Omega AD and now the Speedmaster master chronometer Moonphase is definitely in the running. This decision is a blessing but not an easy one 🤣

I have that Santos. Love mine.

It looks so good. How do you like the rubber strap? I've seen a few videos and the color doesn't seem to exactly match the bezel. But it looks incredibly comfortable.

The rubber is super comfortable. I think the color is fine. Here's a photo. I went with this version as there are rumors these are being discontinued soon. Also with the blue bezel less scratches.

Hi Cybotron, whats your wrist size?

7.25

The final result was right where I started - picked up the blue PVD bezel, silver/white dial Santos today. Absolutely thrilled with it!

Very beautiful #cartier. I think you made the right choice!