Would you get this...or this...

Reloc8

I'll be celebrating something in the near future. Likely to be the last occasion for a while on which I buy a watch.

Absolute maximum budget is €3000.

I have a Seiko MM300, Stowa 1937 Chronograph and Omega Aquaterra. I don't want to move any of these on and want to get something that complements them i.e. nothing too similar.

This rules on a 2500 Planet Ocean to my mind, despite my belief that this represents excellent value well within budget.

What I'm thinking about is an Omega Speedmaster Pro...or this (link to enabling review) http://forums.watchuseek.com/f304/review-report-grand-seiko-sbgx063-heq-593774.html

^ This I can get for about €1500 brand new, subject to taxes on import (which I will eh not have a problem with).

What do you think ? I have to admit my first thought was the Speedy Pro, but I've been looking at Grand Seiko's for a while and always intended to get one, and I lack a pure dress watch and a high end quartz.

Marcusm

Which AquaTerra do you have and on a bracelet or a strap? The GrandSeiko looks very similar to an AT on a bracelet.

Speedy Pro would be very different to what you have already and could compliment well. I wear mine on a strap and think that suits it best.

Bullseye1

Well one is a Chrono and one is more of a dress watch. Have you thought about a JLC Reverso?


Here is one that sold for £2600
http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=205868
You should be able pick up a nice pre owned one. If you could scratch another €500-€600 you might stretch to a Rolex Sub.

Bullseye1

Also how about a preowned Hour Vision.
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-omega-deville-hourvision-618319.html

Bullseye1

Here is a very nice Zenith for $4025. Just about on your limit.
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/outstanding-condition-zenith-grande-class-reserve-de-marche-dual-time-pre-owned-watch-642912.html

Bullseye1

Monaco Gulf $3500
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-tag-heuer-monaco-gulf-cw211a-black-dial-limited-edition-4000-a-618465.html

Reloc8

Marcus - I have a black dial on stainless 2500 AT. If I get the GS quartz I'll put it on black croco.

Bullseye...that's exactly what I needed more options to agonise over.

I've always liked reversos. Didn't realise I could get a decent one for within budget. Hmmmm.

Gavin1

I have a Reverso Classique, total class. Got it for a special occasion and only come out on special events. Cannot go wrong.

Also a JLC Master Control is a nice watch.

Reloc8

Agree with all of that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHglGi1LSgM

Drooling at this though...and I am beginning to want a high end quartz more and more...also serious good value at around 1500.

Cyrus

Reloc8 wrote: »

Agree with all of that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHglGi1LSgM

Drooling at this though...and I am beginning to want a high end quartz more and more...also serious good value at around 1500.

Some lovely options from bullseye but be aware of customs from us, how about a vintage rolex dj? Or an IWC Portofino?

Cyrus

Reloc8 wrote: »

Marcus - I have a black dial on stainless 2500 AT. If I get the GS quartz I'll put it on black croco.

Bullseye...that's exactly what I needed more options to agonise over.

I've always liked reversos. Didn't realise I could get a decent one for within budget. Hmmmm.

Or IWC 3717 on Croc?

Bullseye1

A Rolex Explorer might also fit the bill. Going on your opinion on the Seiko (nice watch). Is this the style you most like?

Gavin1

Second the Rolex Explorer also. A very understated and cool piece.

If you have the graw for the a high end quartz, why not a Rolex OysterQuartz? These are the biz. Relatively rare and due to the limited production runs you will not see anyone else with one. These have angular cases similar to the AP Royal Oak.

Bide your time and look around to see if you can find one with the complete package including the very rare quartz chronometer swing tag. However be careful in relation to
1. services as these can be expensive
2. bad polishing, this will remove the look of the watch totally.

Anyway it is another choice.

Reloc8

Thanks for all suggestions. I don't have a perfectly rational objection to Rolex, but in the line of work I do I would not like client's to notice me wearing it, and this is intended to be a watch to wear to work.

I'm in touch with Seiya-san to get a price for the GS Quartz on bracelet, with black leather and deployant set-up too. I was really wavering between it and the Speedmaster Pro though...ultimately if a good one came up second hand in the next while I might yet jump on that instead.

useless

Reloc8 wrote: »

Thanks for all suggestions. I don't have a perfectly rational objection to Rolex, but in the line of work I do I would not like client's to notice me wearing it, and this is intended to be a watch to wear to work.

I was really wavering between it and the Speedmaster Pro though...ultimately if a good one came up second hand in the next while I might yet jump on that instead.

They'll notice an SMP too. But I don't know if that watch has the same "would-ya-look-at-yer-man-he-must-be-screwing-me-with-the-price-he's-charging-if-he-can-afford-to-buy-a-ROLEX" thing going on:D

Reloc8

heheh.

That's why I'm looking at the 'its just a seiko' option I like to fly my watches and possessions generally under the radar.

Mitch Buchannon

useless wrote: »

They'll notice an SMP too. But I don't know if that watch has the same "would-ya-look-at-yer-man-he-must-be-screwing-me-with-the-price-he's-charging-if-he-can-afford-to-buy-a-ROLEX" thing going on:D

TBH I think most "normal" people dont even take notice of watches. My personal feeling is buy whatever watch you like and forget about the begrudgers. If you want a Speedy, SMP or a Rolex of some sort get it and enjoy it. If you still feel self conscious get yourself a cheap Seiko 5 for work.

useless

@Mitch- you're probably right about most "normal" people not noticing watches. IMHO though, Rolex is a little bit different. Rolex is the brand that I think the man in the street notices & thinks "expensive watch", even though a similarly or higher priced watch from another brand might mean nothing to him. I've nothing to base this on though!

Reloc8

Yeah thing about Rolex is that its more or less the only brand on which everyone has an opinion and it is highly recognisable.

To a non-watchy person, it says 'I spent thousands on my watch'.

In my professional environment, both with my own clients and other people I engage with, this is not what I want to project.

I understand the logic of 'get a Seiko 5 for work'. I already have what I think is a nice discrete option for work (Omega Aquaterra 2500 co-axial) and as I said I want this watch to be a similar option, if anything more dressy, but a good fit to wear to work on any given day.

So Seiko GS Quartz SBGX063 or Omega Speed Pro 3570...decisions decisions...the Seiko is definitely the dressier and a complete 'sleeper' (which I like), also I lack a High Accuracy Quartz watch. This will be +- 10 secs in the year and need servicing every 50 years (vacuum sealed inner workings - although you would need a battery change every 5 years or so). The Omega is a classic with probably an unrivaled heritage & provenance, buy on my budget from what I can see, I'd have to go used...not a problem...buuuuuuuuuut...I don't know I would actually prefer new for this watch all things being equal.

OK so its a nice decision to have to make

Bullseye1

R. There is a stunning Aqua Terra co-axiel on TZ-UK for just over £1000. If I hadn't done the deal on the Speedy I'd buy this one myself. It fits your style and it's well under budget and it's an auto.
http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=209024

Reloc8

Big thanks for thinking of me - that's an absolute peach, and in the fairly rare and very desirable white face/blue hands.

Not going to go for another Omega AT though although that one is so very different to my black dial/SS 2500 I could actually justify it.

Marcusm

GReat looking AT and probably the best I've seen on a bracelet - I'm still not that convinced by AT on a bracelet. I have equivalent with gilded/bronzed hands and markers on a brown croc. I have to say that I prefer this dial to the teak dial currently used.

Unfortunately I don't have a TZ log in else I would be tempted.