Man's watch advice - which one to buy?

GotBainne?

Hi,

I want to get my fiancea watch that he can where at formal occasions, not a casual one, one that he can wear on his wedding day etc. as an engagement gift. I do not have a clue about what watches guys like or watches are on a man's list of "if I could have one watch, I would want a .....". All suggestions welcome.

Thank you.

Twee.

It might be easier for people to make a suggestion if you give the budget you're considering!

Little Miss Cutie

I recently got my oh a raymond veil watch - expensive but well worth it.

GotBainne?

My budget is 200-400.

GotBainne?

If the watch was class I would go up to 500.

eviltimeban

Armani do nice watches for around that price, they look "antique", ie old style, something your grandfather might have worn, and they are quiet dressy and not necessarily casual. I got one from my wife as a wedding gift. They have really nice ones now; can get in Weirs or in House Of Fraser.

katiemac

I would shop around for a simple, but classic watch for him. Don't go for those large-faced ungainly ones that cry out: " hey look at my watch, I am so trendy and wealthy".
Go for a simple face with a leather strap. Some guys can't wear gold or silver bracelet watches. The band can react with their skin.
You will certainly get a very good watch in you price bracket. There are some very good makes and some good deals to be had. Haggle!! Remember, there is a recession on.

There is a watch and timepiece forum. Maybe you'd get tips there?

Toto Wolfcastle

Try Tissot. They have a good range.

http://www.fields.ie/OnLineStoreStartPage/tabid/138/CategoryID/71/List/0/Level/a/catpageindex/1/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName%2cProductName

If you want this moved to the Watches and Timepieces forum let me know.

empirix

GotBainne? wrote: »

If the watch was class I would go up to 500.

lol - you dont get a class watch for 500.you may however get one that looks good for that price but it certainly wont be class!:rolleyes:

GotBainne?

Thank you for your advice everyone.

Yes, janeybabe, can you please move this thread to the Watches and Timepieces forum.

Toto Wolfcastle

Moved from Fashion and Appearance.

Cyrus

a stowa marine automatic should be around that price, infinitely better use of your money than an armani

eden_my_ass

Seiko and Citizen would have plenty of watches in that range, some of which can be quite simple and clean looking, perfect as a watch that can be worn formally and casually.

Darwin

It's difficult to make an exact recommendation as taste in watches tends to be a very personal thing. If it were me I wouldn't like a classical watch at all (e.g. leather strap, roman numerals on the face) - I tend to like sporty chronographs and/or ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass) watches. Tissot make some very nice chronographs that could be worn in either a formal or informal setting.
Considering your budget, my advice would be to go for a well established watch brand such as Tissot, Seiko, Citizen, Festina etc. rather than a designer brand (e.g. Armani, Tommy, Gucci) whose core business is not watches.
Decide on what you are going to buy and shop around! Consider buying online from the UK, you will money will go further even after delivery and currency is taken into account.

Cyrus

Darwin wrote: »

It's difficult to make an exact recommendation as taste in watches tends to be a very personal thing. If it were me I wouldn't like a classical watch at all (e.g. leather strap, roman numerals on the face) - I tend to like sporty chronographs and/or ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass) watches. Tissot make some very nice chronographs that could be worn in either a formal or informal setting.
Considering your budget, my advice would be to go for a well established watch brand such as Tissot, Seiko, Citizen, Festina etc. rather than a designer brand (e.g. Armani, Tommy, Gucci) whose core business is not watches.
Decide on what you are going to buy and shop around! Consider buying online from the UK, you will money will go further even after delivery and currency is taken into account.

the problem is any deiko, tissot or citizen you buy in ireland is overpriced as they are generally sold in the same shops that sell the overpriced fashion watches

Blackpitts

the Glycine Incursore is within your budget, it has a manual movement (not a cheap quartz), sapphyre crystal, open case

Wibbs

bedlam wrote: »

As cyrus mentioned, the Stowa Marine Automatic, starting at €500, would be a fantastic buy if you can stretch the funds that little bit further. You could also consider the Stowa Antea range, slightly cheaper but just as good.

+1000 Gorgeous watches. Got the chance to see one up close in the flesh recently. Very nice. very classical and solid looking. Remarkably nice dials and finish considering the price range.

In your prce range, Blackpitts choice of the Glycine is a damn good one. Classical but rugged too.

Twiki

Nice to see the Stowa appreciation here. I'd suggest the Antea KS with a milanese bracelet, especially for more formal occasions. At 540 euro, it's outside budget but it's gorgeous and (for what you get) great value.

Cyrus

imo stowa make the nicest dress watches at a reasonable price

i have an iwc portuguese, the only watch i can consider as an alternative is a stowa marine original, and its about 1/4 of the price!

dungeon

I wouldn't be inclined to spend so much on a watch. You can get a fine watch for well under E100.

dungeon

Also, if you go abroad on honeymoon or whenever, it's likely that you'll get one much cheaper. I just bought a beautiful watch in America for $20!

Wibbs

It depends what you want from a watch though. A 100 euro watch is not going to be of the same quality of materials or longevity as a 500 euro watch(unless you're talking only quartz where most of the movements are pretty much the same). A quality mechanical watch you can hand on to succeeding generations and is always going to be repairable. Horses for courses I suppose, so I do see your point. Some want a car that gets them from a to b, others want a ferrari.

Raiser

GotBainne? wrote: »

If the watch was class I would go up to 500.

empirix wrote: »

lol - you dont get a class watch for 500.you may however get one that looks good for that price but it certainly wont be class!:rolleyes:

There's a World of People out there who are born just to separate sad People like this from their disposable income

Wibbs

Raiser cop on. If you have an intellectual issue with consumerism take it to humanities, dont bring it here.

MiCr0

any of you have a Stowa flieger?
according to the website there's an automatic version - and i'm trying to find a video :-(

flutered

there is a glycine chrono on sale over in advert.ie with a price of 125 euro, it may be worth looking at.

Mister Gooey

You will get a nice Seiko or Citizen for that price range. I would prefer a stainless steel strap. If you are giving it to him on the day and you want him to wear it, you will have to make sure the strap is correct in length for his wrist. A simple black leather strap will go well with the traditional dark wedding suit but is never as impressive as a stainless bracelet (in my opinion!). I have stainless steel, leather and rubber straps for my watches.