Watch for 50th

lovelydub

My brother is celebrating his 50th soon, and I would like to buy him a nice watch. I have up to €500 to spend.
Any suggestions? I would like something classic, not really into all dials etc.
Thank you all

Reloc8

In that price range for a simple, classic retro style dress watch (think 1950's madmen) I like these (Tissot Visodate 1957, comes in black or white dial, silver or gold case, hands & indices, brown or black leather strap). These get rave reviews from their owners and having seen them in the flesh I can confirm that there is a lot more watch here than you would think for the money (about €350 or slightly over if buying from bricks and mortar shop I think) :-





You can find these online, or I've seen them in stock in dublin jewellers. I love the crystal and the 1950's style Logo. The day/date complication is not all that usual in a dress watch but I think it is carried off well and fits the theme of the watch here. The seconds hand has a very subtle twist to the tip to reduce parrallax error when viewing the dial and again its nicely done.

If that didn't tickle your fancy, in that price range I would look closely at hamilton - take a loot at 'Hamilton Thinomatic'. They come in silver dial, black or gold, 38mm or 42mm (I think the 38mm is more classic for a dress watch) and on a number of straps. Should be within budget too and very high quality

Bullseye1

A nice Stowa around your price range plus they do engravings. However, there is a delay in shipping as these are generally made to order.
http://www.stowa.de/nocache/Partitio/index,w133380359610251.htm

Steinhart also have a nice range.
Pilot Range
http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/Marine-Chronometer-vintage,324.html
Diver Range
http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/OCEAN-vintage-Military-,477.html
http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/OCEAN-1-VINTAGE-red,191.html

Reloc8

^ Forgot to mention Stowa - lovely watches. Would cost twice the money if branded as 'swiss made'.

Bullseye1

There is two stunning Omegas on TZUK one from 1948 (9kt Gold) for £400 and another from 1952 for £350.

Unfortunately you need to be a member with adequate posts.
http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=218247

Eoin

Bullseye1 wrote: »

Steinhart also have a nice range.
Pilot Range
http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/Marine-Chronometer-vintage,324.html

That is lovely - but 47mm is a very big watch to be buying as a gift unless you were 100% certain he liked watches that size.

The Tissot Visodate 1957 is gorgeous, and a safer bet at 40mm.

Deep Thought

Reloc8 wrote: »

In that price range for a simple, classic retro style dress watch (think 1950's madmen) I like these (Tissot Visodate 1957, comes in black or white dial, silver or gold case, hands & indices, brown or black leather strap).

Thats a nice watch...

Where in Dublin have you seen them ? would like to have a fit of one

DT

WolfgangWeisen

Stowa or a Steinhart without a doubt, beautiful, well constructed watches with a very reasonable price tag.

Marcusm

Look for a 1962 Omega as there should be quite a lot of stock and some decent watches at your price point. While not new, it immediately will add a touch of heritage to the present.

Homer

As Marcus mentioned I'd be looking for a birth year watch also if you have time to source one before the birthday.

Reloc8

Deep Thought wrote: »

Thats a nice watch...

Where in Dublin have you seen them ? would like to have a fit of one

DT

Hiya DT.

Weirs have had them, and if I recall correctly Breretons on O'Connell Street.

There are two versions - one has smooth lugs fully integrated into the watch body, one has lugs channelled into the watch body. The latter was the first production run and imo is a nicer case than the former, although both are classy looking. In the pics I posted, the first one (black dial) has the newer case, the white dial has the first version.