another plea for help

uberwolf

Rambling post, and from lurking here occasionally, I realise you get a few of these style posts.



I am getting a gift of a watch soon, but have to pick it myself.

I currently have a nice watch. Seiko Chronograph, the model number I cannot identify. Serves its purpose.

I’m not sure where to start – I’d appreciate a steer toward a resource which tells me about the different mechanism types, pro’s / cons etc.



I need a style which will stand the test of time, and I suppose that means a reasonably classic look. Nothing ostentatious, but a nice watch.

I don’t like the huge face style which seems to be fashionable at the moment. I have a boyish fascination with the window into the workings, and found a watch by zenith which has a gorgeous window on the rear (this would satisfy the window urge) Zenith EL PRIMERO 4033 http://www.zenith-watches.com/scripts/getpage.asp?LangID=0&pageid=3_1_3 as you can imagine, slightly out of the price range! And I’m actually not mad gone on the numerals either.



What do I need from a watch? I’m not sure. One that will look well in business attire and in smart casual. Not bling, but reasonably modern looking twist on the classic. I will continue to use my current watch as well, so it doesn't have to be a deep sea diving pub crawl watch



Budget, but not a target, is probably €3-5K

thanks

uberwolf

bedlam wrote: »

Based on your dislike of the numerals on the zenith, I'll stick with suggestions that have Arabic numerals.

You could also take €20 of your budget and pick up the 2010 edition of the Wristwatch Annual, this would give you a better idea of brands you may not necessarily get in Ireland (it tends to show watches in the rance of $10k and up however).

I might have been a little quick to dismiss the Zenith on fourth glance.

Re: looking, I was in Harrods 2 weeks ago, and had a good nosy about. There was far more there I didn't like than I did, but the more I look, the more I'm beginning to appreciate.
I will pick up the Annual - and let that be a starting point. I have ready access to purchasers in the UK & US, so whilst I'm limited to trying watches with an Irish supplier, and will pay an Irish premium if it's modest - I can get hold of something abroad easily enough

uberwolf

bedlam wrote: »

Dismiss it on price, tourbillon = more than most are willing to pay.

ah yeah, I wouldn't have bought it at a hundredth of the price the first time I saw it, but the window on the rear shows some gorgeous looking mechanics (which are evidently there for show more than requirement)

Cyrus

sounds like you have a similar situation as i had when i was getting engaged a year ago, am i right?

anyway i went with the IWC Portuguese Chrono

this one to be exact



Altho RRP now is pushing 4.5k sterling you should be able to get one within the €5k budget.

My advice would be to go with something classic that will stand the test of time, so if you prefer a more rugged watch to this try maybe a rolex submariner, or a different style dress watch try the datejust

lots of options, exciting search for you

zenmonk

bedlam wrote: »

With in your price range

• Longines Master Collection Retrograde Seconds
• IWC Portuguese Automatic Chronograph
• ChopardL.U.C Twist
• Blu Duett
• Seiko Spring Drive Moon Phase

A shade over 5k

• Glashutte Original Senator Sixties
• Chronoswiss Regulateur

Of the above Blu and Chronoswiss do not have ADs available here to the best of my knowledge.


edit: Second hand is another way to go, although I'll leave those suggestions for someone else.

Great thread , in similar position myself at the moment.
In your suggestions bedlam I love the Longines, IWC is my favourite and the Glashutte is lovely too.
The Seiko whilst subtle lacks a little something for me, seems plain. Don't like the Blu Duett at all. Chronoswiss is nice too.

zenmonk

Cyrus wrote: »

sounds like you have a similar situation as i had when i was getting engaged a year ago, am i right?

anyway i went with the IWC Portuguese Chrono

this one to be exact



Altho RRP now is pushing 4.5k sterling you should be able to get one within the €5k budget.

My advice would be to go with something classic that will stand the test of time, so if you prefer a more rugged watch to this try maybe a rolex submariner, or a different style dress watch try the datejust

lots of options, exciting search for you

Classic watch , love it , where to buy?

actually here!http://cgi.ebay.ie/IWC-PORTUGUESE-Chronograph-Mens-Steel-Watch-IW371401_W0QQitemZ380178814658QQcmdZViewItemQQptZWristwatches?hash=item58846c56c2

Cyrus

zenmonk wrote: »

Classic watch , love it , where to buy?

actually here!http://cgi.ebay.ie/IWC-PORTUGUESE-Chronograph-Mens-Steel-Watch-IW371401_W0QQitemZ380178814658QQcmdZViewItemQQptZWristwatches?hash=item58846c56c2

cant see that link at work here

personally id have a reluctance that spend that kinda money on a piece off ebay but it would depend on the seller of course

zenmonk

Some US watch company,Inter watches €3,500k ish

Cyrus

zenmonk wrote: »

Some US watch company,Inter watches €3,500k ish

likley get stung for customs and vat on that tho

uberwolf

first real action on this today.

Tried on a Zenith El Primero 4021



tried it in both 45 and 40 size faces. A middle ground might have nice, I have girly wrists. But was certainly leaning towards the larger size, despite the face taking up my entire wrist.

BT were looking for €6.5K. I notice the site that I've leeched the photo from are looking for $5.6K or €3.8K.

Popped into H&F to buy the book bedlam recommended. 26 euro vs. 17 GBP on amazon, and once again, a small premium is fine, but the gap is just stupid.

Wibbs

Rip off Ireland is alive and well in the luxury watch area that's for sure. :rolleyes: Personally if I was buying new I'd go overseas, somewhere in the Euro zone(Spain was particularly cheap last time I was there), have a nice weekend break, buy the watch and save 1000's.

zenmonk

uberwolf wrote: »

first real action on this today.

Tried on a Zenith El Primero 4021



tried it in both 45 and 40 size faces. A middle ground might have nice, I have girly wrists. But was certainly leaning towards the larger size, despite the face taking up my entire wrist.

BT were looking for €6.5K. I notice the site that I've leeched the photo from are looking for $5.6K or €3.8K.

Popped into H&F to buy the book bedlam recommended. 26 euro vs. 17 GBP on amazon, and once again, a small premium is fine, but the gap is just stupid.

Was this around 1 o clock on Saturday? was there a girl with you? i was there at that time and saw you trying it on if it was.

Thomas_S_Hunterson

I'd recommend Frankfurt if you want to shop overseas, particularly around Goethestraße.

You can get very cheap Ryanair flights to Frankfurt-Hahn which is a bit of a bus ride to Frankfurt proper.

uberwolf

Cyrus wrote: »

sounds like you have a similar situation as i had when i was getting engaged a year ago, am i right?

say nothing :cool:

zenmonk wrote: »

Was this around 1 o clock on Saturday? was there a girl with you? i was there at that time and saw you trying it on if it was.

you must have sharp eyesight or have been on the other side of the counter, it wasn't busy in there! :P

zenmonk

No I was up for the rugby and went in for a browse and spotted someone trying on a watch and heard the price of €6k and had a double take!
Went across to Weirs and some guy was trying on Tag ( Ithink ) for €5k
What Recession!!

Cyrus

zenmonk wrote: »

No I was up for the rugby and went in for a browse and spotted someone trying on a watch and heard the price of €6k and had a double take!
Went across to Weirs and some guy was trying on Tag ( Ithink ) for €5k
What Recession!!

anyone that pays 5k retail on anything in weirs wants their had examined, that tag would be worth 40% less the minute he pays for it!!

zenmonk

Really are Weirs that dear?

Also Cyrus, would you say many people apart from the likes of some posters here buy a watch to re sell? I always assumed it was an investment for life and maybe to be sold if times got bad only. I could never imagine selling a good watch tbh but then again maybe as I get more into them.
what would the rough % be of people reselling luxury watches would you guess.
Thanks

bogmanfan

On the total percentage of people reselling, I'm afraid I have no idea.

My story is I bought a Tag Heuer Carrera Chrono a few years back as my first 'serious' watch and thought I'd have it for years. But as I read up on watches I saw more and more that I liked and I bought a few more over the next year. Since then I haven't spent a penny (except on postage) and have sold or traded from my own collection and bought others. It's a great way of trying lots of different watches, and since I'm always buying used, I lose little or no money in each transaction. I'd say from my initial base of 5 watches, worth a combined e8k, I've had over 20 watches at different stages. Of course, I have one or two for quite a while and I'll probably keep them for longer. The other ones I usually keep for a few months and once I tire of them I trade for something else I fancy.
For example, I bought a Tag F1 Chronotimer, then sold it and bought a Tag Aquaracer Chronotimer. Traded that (+100 euros) for an Omega X-33, which I then traded for an Omega Seamaster Chrono (straight swap). Sold the Seamaster last weekend and have bought a Speedmaster Broad Arrow with the proceeds (pocketing 200 in the process).
So, for my inital purchase price of the F1, I've had 5 really nice watches. As Del Boy says, you know it makes sense....

zenmonk

Good stuff, makes sense I suppose.
Where do you have your collection posted or where do you trade, seriously considering a second hand watch now from all these good posts. This forum is a mine of info - sorry for the obvious questions etc.

bogmanfan

Check out tz-uk.com. I know a few boardsies are on there too. Not too sure if they're accepting new members at the moment or not. Great resource for information. They also have a Sales Corner section of the site, which is only open to members with over 50 posts. This keeps out the scammers . This is where I do most of my transactions. I also post occasionally on watchuseek.com which also has a selling section.

Cyrus

bogmanfan wrote: »

Check out tz-uk.com. I know a few boardsies are on there too. Not too sure if they're accepting new members at the moment or not. Great resource for information. They also have a Sales Corner section of the site, which is only open to members with over 50 posts. This keeps out the scammers . This is where I do most of my transactions. I also post occasionally on watchuseek.com which also has a selling section.

id echo this, its a great place to pick up serious value, well looked after (sometimes even unworn) genuine s/h watches. also companies like watchfinder.co.uk can normally get you a very good discount on rrp on a new watch (i got my iwc portuguese from them, they got the watch new from a german AD).

re your earlier point i currently have 4 watches, id like it to be 6, of the 4 i have two are lifetime keepers, the iwc and a tag 2000 both gifts from my now finacee, one for my 21st and one an engagement present, the other two rotate a bit like bogmanfan described above

Blackpitts

uberwolf wrote: »

What do I need from a watch? I’m not sure. One that will look well in business attire and in smart casual. Not bling, but reasonably modern looking twist on the classic. I will continue to use my current watch as well, so it doesn't have to be a deep sea diving pub crawl watch

Budget, but not a target, is probably €3-5K

thanks

I really adore this Eberhard Chrono4 Bellissimo, although many people dislike the movement

uberwolf

ludicrous that this continues.

Couldn't settle on the Zenith. Their sizings didn't quite work. I've settled on a 42mm case as optimum for my wrist. Also slightly more than I wanted to spend .

Looking at this


views?

Wibbs

Its a nice looking watch, but I dunno about cartiers rep these days. Other will doubtless have their say(not looking at any of the lads of course.... )

If it was me? I'd be thinking again at the watches in bedlam's first post on the thread. Actually if it was me Id be going for the one I liked the most regardless. Its how I ended up buying mechanicals back in the day for a song, when everyone else was sporting digital calculators or swatches

TBH I'd still prefer the Zenith.

uberwolf

Wibbs wrote: »

If it was me? I'd be thinking again at the watches in bedlam's first post on the thread.

you might be right, I'll try and grab a few hours later in the week to give those the due consideration after a few minutes spent just there.

buck65

Not a major fan of the dial myself, the numerals sizewise are a bit quirky and would grate with me after a few weeks. Also I'm not really into roman numerals as I found out after buying a Seiko Automatic. Hate to se the date and second hands cutting into the numerals. I usually wear a Sinn u1 though so maybe I am a bit minalist in my outlook!
The shape of the case and lugs is fine though and it looks like a comfortable watch.

uberwolf

http://www.baume-et-mercier.com/node/15893

think I'll be pulling the trigger on this. Reactions?

Cyrus

uberwolf wrote: »

http://www.baume-et-mercier.com/node/15893

think I'll be pulling the trigger on this. Reactions?

looks like a nice watch, please dont pay rrp tho, or anything within 50% of it

watches like that and the maurice lacroix masterpiece range are well finished and compare well to anything else, but once they leave the shop they are worth half the rrp.

uberwolf

Weirs rrp is within 10% of the discounted price I have here in the states so I'm holding off. Still like look of watch, but have to look into it more in light of Cyrus comments

uberwolf

Cyrus, could you give me a steer on a reliable source for this watch in the uk or europe at the kind of discount you suggest?

Thanks

Cyrus

uberwolf wrote: »

Cyrus, could you give me a steer on a reliable source for this watch in the uk or europe at the kind of discount you suggest?

Thanks

try watchfinder.co.uk or watches.co.uk or blowers jewellers.

im not sure if you will get that much off, but 30% should be achievable. im basing the 50% on what you would get if you go to sell it privately a month after buying if you paid full rrp

ill take a scout around