Good watch for hubbies 40th

Alicemurphy106

Hi everyone,
I need some help- its hubbies 40th in August and he has always said he wanted a tag watch. I have been hearing horror stories about the cost of servicing/repairs etc and now I don't know.... Any recommendations for a good watch around the €1000-€1500 mark that has fewer of these issues? He likes a chunky watch but without the dials on the outside.
Thanks for your help...

Doom

Tag Heuer

http://www.tagheuer.com/html.php/int-en/home

MiCr0

Any idea would he prefer a bracelet or a strap? Dial colour?

I think we'd all like a thread created for us like this, lucky husband :-)

Alicemurphy106

Either a bracelet or strap would be fine- he has mostly bracelet style but has told me he wouldn't mind a strap either.
Thanks for the help- it seems a minefield of information and its a lot of money so don't want to make the wrong choice.

MiCr0

Is it going to be a surprise?

Have a browse here and see does anything catch your eye
http://www.chrono24.com/en/tagheuer/index.htm?dosearch=false&searchexplain=false&resultview=list&sortorder=0&maxAgeInDays=0&watchTypes=U&manufacturerIds=236&priceTo=1500&usedOrNew=new

Alicemurphy106

MiCr0 wrote: »

Is it going to be a surprise?

He kinda knows it is going to be a watch but not which one...

peasant

All mechanical watches will need servicing at some point to maintain their performance (the same goes for high end quartz watches)

The more expensive the watch is to buy, the more the owner is interested to keep it pristine and this is where the expensive brands cash in with their specialised service networks, high priced parts etc.

Your local watchmaker could service (i.e. clean and oil) a standard Swiss movement for around a hundred Euro ...but if you want to keep up the value of the watch you'd have to use the brand service network at much higher cost. kinda like dealer service history vs indie service with your car.

Having said that ...at the price range of around 1000 Euro most watches still use pretty standard Swiss movements that your local guy could happily take care of (and get parts for, if necessary).

Personally, I wouldn't rate Tag Heuer to highly. Sure, they have a few nice watches but a lot of their high sales price is marketing and not necessarily value for money.

I'm yet to spend that kind of money on a watch, but if I were I'd probably pick one of these:

Limes Chyros:




http://www.limes-uhren.de/index_EN.php?site=inhalt-Chyros-AUT-EN


or perhaps Muehle Glashuette 29er big




http://www.muehle-glashuette.de/en/wristwatches/sporty-instrument-watches/29er/29er-big.html

deandean

Tag Heuer.

Alicemurphy106

peasant wrote: »

Limes Chyros:

or perhaps Muehle Glashuette 29er big

Thanks for your help- I don't think they are his style though- he is more traditional in his tastes!! They are beautiful though.

Wibbs

peasant wrote: »

Personally, I wouldn't rate Tag Heuer to highly. Sure, they have a few nice watches but a lot of their high sales price is marketing and not necessarily value for money.]

Plus one on that. IMHO Tag are OK but a little obvious and a tad too commonplace these days. Like P says more about the marketing. Maybe that's just me being a watch snob though

MiCr0

Lots of people like vw golfs too, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them :-)

Some people think they're over priced too

Eoin

I'm not a huge fan of Tags; though some of the higher end models are very nice. I think your money would go further elsewhere, especially at that price point (unless you go 2nd hand).

How about a Stowa? This one is under 1000 and available with a few different options



A few options on that site in fact, so have a look around.

Doom

SNIP no quoting pics please.

Looks like an IKEA watch

peasant

Doom wrote: »

Looks like an IKEA watch

shoulda gone to specsavers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aQLA0TnfwU

Fatbiker

I like that last muhle, the black face. What would that cost? Couldn't see a price on the site. Ta, FB

peasant

Fatbiker wrote: »

I like that last muhle, the black face. What would that cost? Couldn't see a price on the site. Ta, FB

List price is about 1200 with bracelet, I believe

Fatbiker

peasant wrote: »

List price is about 1200 with bracelet, I believe

:D omg...I think I will pass...out!

Doom

peasant wrote: »

shoulda gone to specsavers

Looks like a lidl watch....seriously

Eoin

Doom wrote: »

Looks like a lidl watch....seriously

Downgraded from an IKEA watch already?

There might be cheap watches trying to look like it, but that's not the same as it looking like a cheap watch.

Menas

The Stowa is what I would go for....great value, a good investment and gorgeous watches.

blindsider

Agree re Stowa.

Is this too busy?

http://www.watchshop.com/mens-maurice-lacroix-les-classiques-phases-de-lune-chronograph-watch-lc1148-ss001-131-p99950151.html

EDIT: Just realised that it'sa quartz - still, it's not bad!

There are good search functions on that site also.

FWIW - these are my tips:

- Avoid 'fashion' brands e.g. Tommy Hilfiger, Armani, Fossil etc - they don't have the pedigree and you're paying for the name.

- Try to avoid a quartz (battery) at that price. Automatic or hand-wound will last for generations if looked after - a quartz won't.

- Re servicing - good advice above re a local jeweller - also try http://www.watchrepairs.ie/ - the lady there has a good reputation hereabouts. Also, she has some good info on the web-site - worth a read.

In no particular order, I would look at Longines, Raymond Weil, Stowa, Lacroix, Ebel

Finally, as a complete outside bet, would you consider this:

http://www.officialwatches.com/omega-watches-for-sale/constellation-168-005/1643?gclid=CKmenvHdq7UCFeE72wodtA8ACQ

Cons: 2nd hand, almost too understated - slightly over budget

Pros: It's an Omega, it's an Omega, it's an Omega :-) - if you look after it just a bit, your great-grandkids will wear it. It comes with box and original papers (really important for a watch like this.)

Good luck with the search!

Eoin

Longines is another option - a slightly more recognisable name, if that's a factor.

Here's a new but classic looking watch:

sparrowcar

Eoin wrote: »

Longines is another option - a slightly more recognisable name, if that's a factor.

* waits for Doom to say it looks like a Pennys watch :rolleyes:

Doom

sparrowcar wrote: »

* waits for Doom to say it looks like a Pennys watch :rolleyes:

2 Euro shop :pac:

Lex Luthor

You would be amazed at how many people out there would prefer a Tag. I met up with a mate of mine over Xmas and he has a Tag about 5yrs. Think he spent somewhere in the region of 1400 eur on it. He saw mine and really liked it but honestly hadnt a clue that the difference between the 2 was his was a quartz and mine was an automatic.

But for that money he could have got 2 nice Stowas. I'm got my Tag up on adverts at the moment in order to free up some funds to get a few other watches. If it sells, then I'll be happy, if it doesnt then I'm not pushed, the other watches will just be that little bit longer a wait

The thing is the OP's husband may not know brands like Stowa, like my mate. When I told him I had a Stowa on order, he googled it and said although he liked the look of the watch he never heard of them and in his professional circle, people wouldnt know what it was and that made a big difference.

But Tags are expensive and I definitely agree there are much better alternatives out there for less than half their price.

Have a look at Stowa watches website...there are some really nice pieces on there.
For a watch without the dials, have a look at the fieger range on Stowa, Steinhart, Laco, Archimedes sites. All really good quality watches with change from your budget

The Muehle Glashuette 29er big is a excellent recommendation

Doom

Unless the OPs husband is into watches and knows these brands, stick to a more high street brand, he'll be happy out, I would.....if I got one of these top quality, not so know brands to a non-collector ...I'd be like.....er, thanks Honey!

Eoin

Doom wrote: »

Unless the OPs husband is into watches and knows these brands, stick to a more high street brand, he'll be happy out, I would.....if I got one of these top quality, not so know brands to a non-collector ...I'd be like.....er, thanks Honey!

I think that's a good point actually, a few of these brands are very niche. Which is why I think Longines hits the mark for this one. It's a well known brand with some noce pieces available in the OP's price range.

blindsider

Interesting debate. If the 'lucky husband' already has a few watches (which I infer from the OP) then he may have an 'untapped' interest in watches.

@OP - what does your hubby have already?

He may well be just waiting to discover the world of Laco, Stowa, Glashuette and Archimede, and even a few Russian bargains!! In time, and funds, might progress on to IWC and Breguet :-))

IMO Tag have copied Rolex and been very good at marketing - nothing wrong with the watches, but their brand and image are stellar!!

When I told him I had a Stowa on order, he googled it and said although he liked the look of the watch he never heard of them and in his professional circle, people wouldnt know what it was and that made a big difference.

This is interesting - and it's replicated in so many markets e.g. cars & BMW, fashion and Tommy Hilfiger/Armani, pens and Meisterstueck.

I call that the 'herd instinct' (no disrespect to anyone) - and it's a marketer's dream - having a premium-priced product as the Go To product in the segment $$$$$

Sorry to stray off-topic - be individual - don't get a Tag!

paddyh117

Personally i would go with the Stowa or Longines, but at the end of the day of someone wants a Tag, then chances are they've never even heard of Stowa!

If he really wants a Tag, he will be disappointed with anything else you buy him - if you want to get one without the Chronograph, there's a few models here in budget
http://www.swisswatchesdirect.co.uk/swisswatches/tag_heuer_mens_watches_aquaracer_aquaracer.html

MiCr0

+1 on the WAN2110.BA0822

bogmanfan

Absolutely nothing wrong with Tag Heuers. Watch snobs who turn their noses up at them, but still covet the exact same watch with just Heuer on the dial, always make me laugh.

Unless he's big into watches, I would stick with a recognisable brand name. Check out Corrs Jewellers in Powerscourt Centre in Dublin. They have a few nice Tags secondhand. These would be cheaper than new, but would still carry a warranty.

Wibbs

bogmanfan wrote: »

Absolutely nothing wrong with Tag Heuers. Watch snobs who turn their noses up at them, but still covet the exact same watch with just Heuer on the dial, always make me laugh.

True and IMHO pre TAG, Heuers were highly variable in quality and style.

Eoin

bogmanfan wrote: »

Absolutely nothing wrong with Tag Heuers. Watch snobs who turn their noses up at them, but still covet the exact same watch with just Heuer on the dial, always make me laugh.

IMO, I don't think there's anything "snobby" about saying there's probably better value for money given the OP's budget. It's no less silly to say that they're all a good choice than it is to say none of them are.

There are a good few models of theirs that I'd like (with or without 'Tag' on the dial) - but the likes of a quartz F1 just seems quite expensive compared to what else is out there for the same price or a lot less.

That said, it might be exactly what the OP's husband would like - Alice, here's a Tag F1 on eBay without the sub dials:




And another model:

sparrowcar

I really like Tag's and don't get the snob aspect to them personally. My grail watch is the 300 SLR Heuer seen here..

http://www.calibre11.com/heuer-300slr-update/

The first watch in Eoin's post I have had for a few months and love it. I am selling it on this week as I have my eye on something else now.
A pre owned F1 limited edition in immac condition with bracket, rubber and black leather rallye style straps if you're interested