Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!!

Homer

OK so I recently got engaged to the future Mrs Homer and she wants to buy me a nice watch as an engagement present.
We have spoken about it and she doesn't mind if I contribute towards the purchase if I find something I really want.
Now the dilemma starts!! I don't mind whether it's new or pre-owned but would prefer new if possible? Have looked at an IWC portofino and also a pre owned IWC spitfire, new and used Rolex Sub, Breitling Superocean Heritage, few Omegas...... but the more I look at different models/makes the more confused I get!!
Any suggestions either bricks and mortar or online for ideas? Can be located pretty much anywhere I guess? Travel to the states regularly so that's not a problem.

Bullseye1

A budget would help but I'm jealous. LOL

Homer

Bullseye1 wrote: »

A budget would help but I'm jealous. LOL

Based on what I've looked at so far the max budget would be €5k but I would definitely prefer not to go that high considering I have already made one fairly significant purchase already this year! I would prefer to set the max around €3k and look at quality pre owned? I'm not ruling out a lower budget as have been looking at Sinn and Stowa this evening but it's the first time I've looked at those brands and am impressed! Kinda have my heart set on IWC and a Sub as previously mentioned but budget ultimately may rule them out.

Mitch Buchannon

You could have a look at these sites for searching / buying online:

http://www.elitedealseeker.com/index.cgi?category=watches
http://www.watchrecon.com/
http://www.watches.co.uk/
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/
http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/
http://www.watchguru.com/
http://www.theoldwatchshop.com/
http://www.time2.co.uk/

http://www.jomashop.com/ - US Grey Dealer
http://www.authenticwatches.com/ - US Grey Dealer
http://www.dcjewelers.com/diamonds-engagement-rings-sapphires-omega-longines-hamilton-rado-tissot-tag-heuer-dc.html - This Guy is used by a lot of the guys in the Omega forum on watchuseek. He apparently does great deals. Located in Washington DC.


Breiting Dealers Dublin - Paul Sheeran Jewellers / Weir & Sons (Grafton St and Dundrum Shopping Centre)
Omega - Omega Boutique in BT / Weir & Sons
IWC - Paul Sheeran Jewellers
Rolex - Weir & Sons ( Grafton St & Dundrum shopping centre)

foxyboxer

Ah go on for 5k





*drool*

Bullseye1

Personally I think at that price range you get more bang for your buck buying a good second hand watch. 5k will get you a nice IWC Port Chrono. 3k will get you A new Stowa and one of those new Tag Heritage Chronos.

Bullseye1

Very nice dress watch. Love the rear disc design.

peasant

excuuuzayh moi ...but for 5k I'd expect better than this:



at that kind of moolah even I become a stickler for detail

emrys

how about this?

http://forums.watchnet.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=221087&rid=0

Mitch Buchannon

emrys wrote: »

how about this?

http://forums.watchnet.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=221087&rid=0

A PAM000 - He has one already.

emrys

Mitch Buchannon wrote: »

A PAM000 - He has one already.

my bad:D

how about an omega seamaster - classic dive watch look will always be in style?

although i must say the iwc spitfire on the black dial looks really nice...

Cyrus

bedlam wrote: »

Homer wrote: »

OK so I recently got engaged to the future Mrs Homer

Congratulations, now you'll probably want to start coming up with a list of excuses to have at hand when asked why you need yet another watch.

Homer wrote: »

Any suggestions

Go independent

3-5k would get you something nice from any of these:
Paul Gerber
Nomos
Dornbluth
Habring^2
Pita

I'd be looking closely at a dornbluth too or a pre owned IWC Portuguese if you could find one

Homer

Cyrus wrote: »

or a pre owned IWC Portuguese if you could find one

I have been trawling a few sites looking for a nice Portuguese all right, plenty out there but finding one at the right price is a little trickier!
I also mentioned that I tried on a Breitling Superocean Heritage in Boston two weeks ago and really really liked it on. It's on the mesh bracelet as in the picture below.. Can pick up a brand new one for 3500? Maybe a little less.



Thing is, I've a lot of my watches are in that style (i.e larger/sporty) and hence why I was interested in the Portofino/Portuguese as I don't have a lot in my collection (bar a Montblanc) that is more refined and dressy?
Have to say I do like the Glasshutte mentioned a few posts back

Also keep going back to this IWC too which would be about 3000 landed...


aaaaggghh the search goes on!!

Mitch Buchannon

Here is the price list for Dornbluth & Sohn. It was valid up to the 31 March 2010 but it should give you an idea.

Cyrus

Homer wrote: »

Cyrus wrote: »

or a pre owned IWC Portuguese if you could find one

I have been trawling a few sites looking for a nice Portuguese all right, plenty out there but finding one at the right price is a little trickier!
I also mentioned that I tried on a Breitling Superocean Heritage in Boston two weeks ago and really really liked it on. It's on the mesh bracelet as in the picture below.. Can pick up a brand new one for 3500? Maybe a little less.



Thing is, I've a lot of my watches are in that style (i.e larger/sporty) and hence why I was interested in the Portofino/Portuguese as I don't have a lot in my collection (bar a Montblanc) that is more refined and dressy?
Have to say I do like the Glasshutte mentioned a few posts back

Also keep going back to this IWC too which would be about 3000 landed...


aaaaggghh the search goes on!!

Spitfire is a beauty IWCs are special imo beautifully made

What about a breitling navitimer or the new transocean chrono (this maybe pricey)

Be careful anyway, classic is best if it's to be a keeper

Homer

Cyrus wrote: »

Spitfire is a beauty IWCs are special imo beautifully made

What about a breitling navitimer or the new transocean chrono (this maybe pricey)

Be careful anyway, classic is best if it's to be a keeper

Breitling Trans ocean looks stunning with the in house movement but at 6k it's probably a bit too rich just at the moment! Unless I shift my Calibre 36 Tag on adverts
I agree with keeping it classic as it will be a keeper. I'm getting drawn more and more back to IWC all the time..

Thanks everybody for your help so far! I'll keep you updated as the hunt continues

Mat the trasher

Hi, recently bought from this shop in Germany (second hand watch dealer), got a good deal.

con, site is in German.

Worth calling if you're interested in a particular watch, they knocked a 100euro of the price directly.

Bullseye1

Here you go Homer. An IWC Spitfire and within budget.
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-iwc-spitfire-pilot-chrono-%2Areduced-again%2A-567149.html

Bullseye1

Another IWC Chrono:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-iwc-gst-chrono-ss-auto-40mm-black-dial-usd-%242375-w-box-paper-576886.html

Homer

Can get a really good deal on this IWC spitfire and I really like the clean lines of it as opposed to the chronograph, mainly because I have so many chrono style watches already! Good value in the dollar and some haggling on the phone brings it in just under $3000 plus state tax of about 6% as new with box and papers.. very tempted!!

MiCr0

i'm glad there's such choice in the watch world at the moment, because those IWC and Glasshutte do nothing for me at all

Zagato

It may be just me, or the light in the photos, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of contrast between Face/Hands/Numerals on that UTC. When you compare it to the chronograph model above...... I just think it would be nice, given how clean it looks, if it had the darker outline in the hands/numerals like the chronograph does.

Saying all that I still love it, and price sounds good

Bullseye1

That's a nice IWC but not 100% on the strap. Might look better with a braclet and I normally prefer straps.

Bullseye1

BTW is state tax applicable to international customers or are you living in the US?

Homer

Bullseye1 wrote: »

BTW is state tax applicable to international customers or are you living in the US?

Yeah was thinking it would look nice on a bracelet too! No, I'm looking at 6.25% sales tax if I go for that one but haven't 100% decided yet! Am looking at a new portofino and an option has come up on a used rolex sub too! Doh!

Bullseye1

I'm saving for a good sub or sea dweller. But I do want to own an IWC in the future.

uberwolf

here's one I'm looking at at the moment, so it's relevant. But I'm interested in the forums feedback

Bullseye1

Nice classic Chrono look. What sort of money are you talking?

Bullseye1

MiCr0 wrote: »

i'm glad there's such choice in the watch world at the moment, because those IWC and Glasshutte do nothing for me at all

Not even this beauty?

uberwolf

Bullseye1 wrote: »

Nice classic Chrono look. What sort of money are you talking?

1900 sterling RRP 2400 € RRP.

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f2/longines-finally-release-their-column-wheel-chronos-373183.html

Bullseye1

Looks fantastic in those pictures. If you like it that is all that matters. Be sure to post pictures when you get it.