help me get my girlfriend her first automatic watch
Hello guys . i need help of all of you watch enthusiasts out there to get a gift for my girlfriend (18f) in a budget. I am deep into watches but she isn't and I am trying to get her into the hobby. All she owns right now or a couple of Cassio digitals and a few cheap quartz watches . I want to get her first automatic watch . There is where I need your guys help .
All the boxes i wanted to check -
Automatic movement that that can be that can be seen ( with an exhibition case back or some other )
Preferably Recognisable brand name
Preferably Sapphire crystal
Preferably Stainless steel body
Preferably Swiss made on the dial
Preferably on a bracelet
More than 30 MM and below 40 MM dial ( relatively small lug to lug)
Preferably not very thick below 14 -15 mm
Every thing except this size and automatic part is a plus but those are necessary.
I am not very financially stable yet so I am open to used or old pieces as well . My budget is about $500. It need not be explicitly a woman's watch, unisex and men's watches which are smaller in size will also do.
I did a little digging before writing this post and found some watches taking all of those boxes except one or two. They were from brands like Tissot, Rotary and swatch but I couldn't find any more. Please help me out here it would be much appreciated.
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
You may want to consider the Steinhart Metropole collection:
https://www.gnomonwatches.com/collections/steinhart/products/ocean-39-metropole-lilac
i think it checks all your boxes except the part on brand name 😂
You may want to consider the Steinhart Metropole collection:
https://www.gnomonwatches.com/collections/steinhart/products/ocean-39-metropole-lilac
i think it checks all your boxes except the part on brand name 😂
thank you so much ill keep those in mind
https://www.jomashop.com/tissot-le-locle-watch-t006-207-11-058-00.html
Meets every requirement but one…it’s 29mm wide. At $239, though, you’re never going to find better bang for the buck.
https://www.jomashop.com/tissot-le-locle-watch-t006-207-11-058-00.html
Meets every requirement but one…it’s 29mm wide. At $239, though, you’re never going to find better bang for the buck.
oh god that looks amazing . thank you so much
oh god that looks amazing . thank you so much
You’re welcome. I got my wife to give up her quartz Gucci for one of these (the Double Happiness variant). Note, depending on how much you’re into her and willing to spend, there is a piece with diamonds on the dial for not much more ($298)
https://www.jomashop.com/c-le-locle-watch-t006-207-11-126-00.html
You’re welcome. I got my wife to give up her quartz Gucci for one of these (the Double Happiness variant). Note, depending on how much you’re into her and willing to spend, there is a piece with diamonds on the dial for not much more ($298)
https://www.jomashop.com/c-le-locle-watch-t006-207-11-126-00.html
what an absolute G you are sir . Commendable choice. the help is much appreciated .
Another hat to throw in the ring is the Hamilton Ladies Jazzmaster Open Heart , I'm planning on getting my wife one in the future and it ticks all of your boxes, although you'd probably have to look at second hand ones as new ones are slightly above your budget.
I got my wife this Orient for Christmas and she loves it.
It’s got a mineral crystal, solid screwed down caseback and Japanese rather than Swiss, but otherwise hits all the points.
It’s the Orient FNR1Q005W0
https://www.jomashop.com/tissot-le-locle-watch-t006-207-11-058-00.html
Meets every requirement but one…it’s 29mm wide. At $239, though, you’re never going to find better bang for the buck.
@mofupanda I think that's the best you can get. But depending on your country consider the taxes and customs
Another hat to throw in the ring is the Hamilton Ladies Jazzmaster Open Heart , I'm planning on getting my wife one in the future and it ticks all of your boxes, although you'd probably have to look at second hand ones as new ones are slightly above your budget.
brilliant watch sir , I will surely keep this in mind if someday I have some more cash in my pocket. Thank you for your input.
I got my wife this Orient for Christmas and she loves it.
It’s got a mineral crystal, solid screwed down caseback and Japanese rather than Swiss, but otherwise hits all the points.
It’s the Orient FNR1Q005W0
a superb present if i may say so myself . thank you so much for the help .
@mofupanda I think that's the best you can get. But depending on your country consider the taxes and customs
yeah , im thinking that Tissot may be the perfect brand to explore in the price range and the
categories I'm looking for . Thank you for leaving a comment
Hmm… with my experience give the woman what she wants not what you want to give her… just my 2 cents… Good luck!
Hmm… with my experience give the woman what she wants not what you want to give her… just my 2 cents… Good luck!
yes sir , i did ask her , she does not know about watches much so she told me whatever i like . i want it to be something special and long lasting hence im here for suggestions . thank you for chipping in though .
Really like your sentiment and desire to get your girlfriend something wrist-worthy! Question... does she appreciate watches like you do, or is it still a bit superficial? Reason I ask, my wife didn't really care much for watches when I met her and if I bought her the Rolex she has now, THEN, she could have cared less if it was a Rolex or a Fossil .... But after 10 years of appreciating watches with me...she has grown and that Rolex she has now is her pride and joy.
with a $500 budget...I would definitely go Jomashop or a similar source...the brands suggested Tissot, Certina etc have some great stuff
thank you for the input lad . will keep that in mind
I would strongly recommend avoiding anything powered by the "Swissmatic" movement.
Venezolano has a bunch of 36 mm watches and recently released a version aimed for the female part of the hobby 😁 shameless plug - use code mad10 for 10% of any of their watches 🤜🤛 https://www.venezianico.com/search?type=product%2Cpage%2Carticle&q=rendentore+36&search=
What fashion brands does she like to wear? What clothes does she like being in. Casual, gym sweats, dresses, tights, jeans... Also what colors? Warm or cold. You have given us not much to match up with. Just your wants, not necessarily hers. Also, we assume she is a student, does she have a part time job, office or restaurant shift work...
Honestly, you re young and fun, go with a swatch or a Nixon. Timex does make a snoopy auto which she might find cute. Spend the rest of the money on a nice date.
Honestly with $500 get her branded jewelry from Pandora/Charriol/Swarovski or spend it on a nice memorable date.
Noooooo ! Start with expensive gifts it never stops , plus your watch budget will plummet. #Nine iron rules #
What fashion brands does she like to wear? What clothes does she like being in. Casual, gym sweats, dresses, tights, jeans... Also what colors? Warm or cold. You have given us not much to match up with. Just your wants, not necessarily hers. Also, we assume she is a student, does she have a part time job, office or restaurant shift work...
Honestly, you re young and fun, go with a swatch or a Nixon. Timex does make a snoopy auto which she might find cute. Spend the rest of the money on a nice date.
oh , never really thought about it like that, she doesn't really change watches often . i have seen her wear the same watch to school which she wears to the gym or a wedding (old quirky timex). She is more of a cassual gal but sometimes she wears some traditional Indian . i was thinking about getting her something which is universally classy . a one watch collection if you will but something premium . No, she doesn't work yet , she is fresh out of school and applying for collages . Looking at the money restraints , i will probably get her a tissot in the future but for right now i think ill let her pick out a watch for valinties day (she never wants expensive gifts but one of my love languages is gift giving) so that she actually uses it and once she has her foot in the door , we will proceed from there . the dating before marriage scene in india is still new to people and they glare so this was a sneaky way of showing my love and appreciation for her .
thank you for the great advise though , really appreciate it .
Noooooo ! Start with expensive gifts it never stops , plus your watch budget will plummet. #Nine iron rules #
you seem to be talking with experience sir . point taken . thanks for chipping in
I would strongly recommend avoiding anything powered by the "Swissmatic" movement.
oh , i was told that they are non serviceable but good till they last 10 years reliably , id like to hear your perspective
First, in your financial situation you should not max out your gift budget on a speculative gift. If you knew she was into this type of watch, that is a different matter, but as it stands that would be frivolous spending.
I also got the impression that your criteria were a bit too much about yourself, and not so much about your girlfriend. If you want to gift her an automatic watch (which she hasn't got and which may turn out not to be her thing), that's ok, but that should be the end of your preferences - try to think what is her style, her general preferences. Does she like wearing branded clothing and accessories, or is it just "the look" she goes for? More vintage, more modern?
If she's branded, I'd ditch the automatic criterion, and look at the quartz offerings from Seiko, Tissot, perhaps an analog Casio from Casio Edifice. That makes the gift also a little less speculative, and it is less of an issue to go high on your budget.
If she's not branded, perhaps try something leftfield like this Seestern:
That is about $100.
Easy. GLYCINE COMBAT SUB 36MM.
Should be able to get one around US$500.
Based on your response and cultural background, I would recommend a tank type watch. It would go with well with the modern and traditional Indian garb which uses sashes and belts as integrated fashion vs an accessory. Also there are more flora print use in Indian fashion. A tradional round watch would be harder to match with things. I would also look at a gold colored watch based on bright fashion colors prevalent in indian society. Based on your criteria I suggest this. Tissot lady heart auto based on your criteria but I thni a tissot heritage porto small is a better matching watch.
First, in your financial situation you should not max out your gift budget on a speculative gift. If you knew she was into this type of watch, that is a different matter, but as it stands that would be frivolous spending.
I also got the impression that your criteria were a bit too much about yourself, and not so much about your girlfriend. If you want to gift her an automatic watch (which she hasn't got and which may turn out not to be her thing), that's ok, but that should be the end of your preferences - try to think what is her style, her general preferences. Does she like wearing branded clothing and accessories, or is it just "the look" she goes for? More vintage, more modern?
If she's branded, I'd ditch the automatic criterion, and look at the quartz offerings from Seiko, Tissot, perhaps an analog Casio from Casio Edifice. That makes the gift also a little less speculative, and it is less of an issue to go high on your budget.
If she's not branded, perhaps try something leftfield like this Seestern:
That is about $100.
dude , thank you for the great suggestions and advise . the seestern looks gorgeous . And you are right the gift should be more about her than me. Thank you so much for taking out the time to guide me really appreciate it. Now I am looking for something sub $250-$200 so as to not take a lot of chances .
Based on your response and cultural background, I would recommend a tank type watch. It would go with well with the modern and traditional Indian garb which uses sashes and belts as integrated fashion vs an accessory. Also there are more flora print use in Indian fashion. A tradional round watch would be harder to match with things. I would also look at a gold colored watch based on bright fashion colors prevalent in indian society. Based on your criteria I suggest this. Tissot lady heart auto based on your criteria but I thni a tissot heritage porto small is a better matching watch.
my guy , thanks so much for the great advise , the open heart is one of the watches i was looking at . actually. my girl prefers some wrist presence in her watches and she has never worn anything with a sun 32mm dial . Nonetheless your choices in watches or commendable and I thank you for the great help you've given me.
dude , thank you for the great suggestions and advise . the seestern looks gorgeous . And you are right the gift should be more about her than me. Thank you so much for taking out the time to guide me really appreciate it. Now I am looking for something sub $250-$200 so as to not take a lot of chances .
With mechanical watches you do not have a lot of choices in that price range, it's either take a risk on vintage, or try AliExpress. On Ali, this is pretty much the top range already, with mostly questionable exceptions (with a SanMartin or a Sea-gull you can go a little higher). But Ali in that range has mostly male watches and homages, its offering for female customers is typically much cheaper and aimed in taste at the Asian market.
SanMartin has a couple of 36mm Tudor homages (a black bay and a ranger) that roughly fall into this price range and can be considered unisex. You may also consider Baltany - they make vintage-style watches that are often 36mm, e.g. this one.