Group advice on something different.

jefferson73

Looking for some opinions / advice, alternatives, please ?
Long time lurker, always some great opinions on this forum.
Any input on any on the the following would be appreciated, we're looking for a graduation present (group of us pooling together).

Grand Seiko SBGR079



IWC vintage ingenieur



Rolex Millgauss

Eoin

Is the (lucky) person quite into watches? If not, then the GS might not be a great idea - it could easily be mistaken for a 300 quid watch. Others might disagree with me though.

The IWC would be my pick of the three.

Would an Omega be an option?
http://www.omegawatches.com/gents/speedmaster
http://www.omegawatches.com/gents/seamaster

Nonoperational

I'm a huge fan of IWC... Agree on the comment on the Seiko.

jefferson73

Eoin wrote: »

Is the (lucky) person quite into watches? If not, then the GS might not be a great idea - it could easily be mistaken for a 300 quid watch. Others might disagree with me though.

The IWC would be my pick of the three.

Would an Omega be an option?
http://www.omegawatches.com/gents/speedmaster
http://www.omegawatches.com/gents/seamaster

Thanks Eoin for the quick reply, yes, the person is into watches.
I really love the Omega's, however, was thinking more along the "tool watch" given the graduation theme, agree on the IWC it's rather beautiful.
The speedmaster opens another can of worms, to co-axial or not?..a classic by all accounts. It may come down to price and or availability in the end.

Eoin

I don't think you can go wrong with the IWC. The Rolex is very nice too, but the IWC just strikes me as a bit more special.

I'm a fan of Seiko, but can't help but feel that some people might feel a little underwhelmed with a GS, even if they're into watches.

fishguy

I say both the IWC and the Rolex are professional tool watches for scientists/engineers. I would go with the Millgauss. I think it's probably a tiny bit better watch than the Ingenieur.

But ANY of these 3 would be a terrific gift!

g.

blindsider

I'm an amateur with an interest in watches, and I'll offer my (modest) opinion.

I agree that many people will not see the 'Grand' in 'Grand Seiko' = nice watch = €300. That would be a shame - a GS deserves a little more recognition. (I believe that many younger, graduate-age, people would value a 'fashion brand' e.g. Emporio Armani or Tommy Hilfiger, more than a Seiko.)

Rolex are instantly recognisable - if the graduate wears a Rolex, it will be spotted immediately. In work, it will be spotted - at play, it will be spotted - on the town, it will DEFINITELY be spotted.......

I would go for the IWC. Under-stated, unquestionably elegant and has an unimpeachable pedigree. Tasteful, without the "OMG! He's wearing a Rolex!"

I reckon the % of people who know what IWC stands for/means in Ireland is approx. 10% (open to correction) - everyone knows Rolex (good marketing!)

IWC for me - and good luck to the graduate!

fishguy

Quite possibly the Rolex will be spotted over the IWC, but keep in mind that this is an lesser known (a bit unusual) Rolex model and I don`t think people would and could recognize it at first glance. Maybe a Submariner or a GMT Master as they are tipically Rolex looking models (although when I get my first sub I walked into work with a big smile, and my collage said, hey thats a neat Seiko...I was into Seikos at that time...). I bet most of the `not watch people` crowd would hardly ever heard of this model...

To me the Rolex has a big plus. The newly redesigned metal bracelet. Imho that is amongst the best (if not the best) metal bracelet on any watch you can get for money, and it`s definitely better and sturdier than any leather strap. I think it would be wise and probably beneficial to do a bit of investigation about the future user. Is he a strap guy or a bracelet guy. If he for instance a bracelet guy (all hes previous watches were on solid steel bracelet) he might not enjoy hes future IWC as much as he could the Rolex or it can be the oposite way. A wise decision should be made as all these are a possible `watch for a life` pieces. Both the IWC and the Rolex are fantastic tool watches for professional scientists, engineer... it would be a shame if it would stay in a box and not on a wrist.

g.

aaakev

What do you mean when you say "tool watch"?

MiCr0

isn't this the time we suggest one slightly cheaper watch, and then pick up 2 watches from small brands for the difference :-)

The IWC brand is starting to grow on me, but i think i'd more likely to get a hamilton, which for most non-watch people may look very similar

fishguy

Generally tool watch refers to watches built for a special purpose, therefore can be used by professionals of a trade.

Pilot`s watches are considered as tool watches as they provide easy read hands and dials with possible stop watch function what can be handy to a pilot.

Navigational watches are made for real aviation navigators as they can make all type of calculation with the rotating bezel

Diver watches are made for divers as they are built to withstand the pressure of hundreds of meters of water.

The IWC Ingenieur and the Rolex Millgauss are built to withstand extreme magnetic fields and temperature changes, they are highly shock resistant too. Generally speaking there is not much can happen to them what could effect their timekeeping what would not harm the wearer. These watches are made for scientist and engineer who work around strong electric, electromagnetic fields, in areas are subject to sudden temperature changes. Any of these would effect a simple watch, but not these, therefore they can accurately measure the time in any circumstance.

g.

aaakev

Thanks for that, i was not sure what special functions them two watches had and thought i was missing something obvious!

fishguy

You are very welcome! I say the two watches are equally well built as far as protection from the extreme. I prefer the Millgauss hence the great metal bracelet (what can be actually a minus for some...) and the possibly better movement. I just think the Rolex is more sturdier that's it.

g.

Bullseye1

It's interesting that two of your choices are on bracelet and one on strap. Have you considered this IWC?
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-iwc-ingenieur-3227-01-a-791258.html

ThebitterLemon

blindsider wrote: »

I'm an amateur with an interest in watches, and I'll offer my (modest) opinion.

I agree that many people will not see the 'Grand' in 'Grand Seiko' = nice watch = €300. That would be a shame - a GS deserves a little more recognition. (I believe that many younger, graduate-age, people would value a 'fashion brand' e.g. Emporio Armani or Tommy Hilfiger, more than a Seiko.)

Rolex are instantly recognisable - if the graduate wears a Rolex, it will be spotted immediately. In work, it will be spotted - at play, it will be spotted - on the town, it will DEFINITELY be spotted.......

I would go for the IWC. Under-stated, unquestionably elegant and has an unimpeachable pedigree. Tasteful, without the "OMG! He's wearing a Rolex!"

I reckon the % of people who know what IWC stands for/means in Ireland is approx. 10% (open to correction) - everyone knows Rolex (good marketing!)

IWC for me - and good luck to the graduate!

Have to agree with Blindsider.

IWC is definitely on my wish list

m4r10

On the looks alone, I'd go for IWC and if bought second-hand, try and get it with a bracelet - that is valid for the rest if you decide for any of them, to buy a bracelet later on is almost prohibitive.

Just noticed a slighty cheaper IWC than the one B1 posted above and it's not mentioned CONUS only, so the seller might send it overseas:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fsot-beautiful-iwc-ingeniuer-3227-bracelet-great-price-798564.html

blindsider

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

Have to agree with Blindsider.

IWC is definitely on my wish list

@TBL - so have we 'great minds', or are we fools?

ArphaRima

I love IWC but in this case I think the Rolex is a superb piece.
Tough choice!

fishguy

fluffer wrote: »

I love IWC but in this case I think the Rolex is a superb piece.
Tough choice!

Well Said!:D