Present for watch lover

Missyelliot2

25 years wed and want to buy a watch for OH. He loves watches. One of our kids disposed of a Raymond Weil (long story involving a toilet and 2 year old ) - so would like to replace that watch, but don't know where to start.

It doesn't have to be exactly like the 'flushed' one, but it was classy- a very slim watch, which I would like to buy. Any advice (anything at all!) would be greatly appreciated -ie should I just go for another brand/are IWC watches really expensive, but worth it?

Thanks all

Homer

The most important question is whats your budget? IWC are beautiful watches but even their entry level watches start around the €5-6k mark?
There will be plenty of options regardless of your budget but without knowing that figure it's going to be difficult to give you much advice.

Tigger

how much money do we get to spend?

Missyelliot2

Thanks Homer!
No - IWC are completely out of my league. I'll stick to the replacement of the Raymond Weil (or something along those lines) and hopefully it will stay out of the sewer! I did buy a really old omega seamaster for the 40th (ages ago), but it's such a beautiful timeless watch.
I can spend €2000ish, but I don't know what to look at - are Raymond Weil even considered classy watches?
I am quite sure you will regret answering me!!!

Deep Thought

2k is a lot, you could get a nice 2nd hand Omega Speedmaster for that

Great Watch and will always keep its value.

Also try independent makers like Stowa and Steinhart Watches

www.stowa.de

www.steinhartwatches.de

Stowa bit more expensive that Steinhart but great quality at a good price

DT

Eoin

Longines could be a great bet in that price range.

blindsider

+1 on the Stowa brand - gorgeous.

If it's a thin watch you're after, try this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Longines-Watches--Grande-Classique-Presence/dp/B0000V9I7A/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1399369902&sr=8-9&keywords=longines

Case thickness is 6mm!

IMO the Longines brand is perceived to be a little better than Raymond Weil, but happy to be corrected.

OTOH this is nice:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raymond-Weil-Maestro-Automatic-2839-STC-00659/dp/B005GQ6VJW/ref=sr_1_16?s=watch&ie=UTF8&qid=1399370421&sr=1-16

http://www.watchshop.com/mens-dreyfuss-co-automatic-chronograph-watch-dgs00096-21-p99960254.html

Having said all that, this would be my own choice: (note the delivery date of mid-July!)

http://www.stowa.de/lshop,showdetail,139937069225460,en,1399370744-25964,marine,marinechronomatt,14,Tshowrub--marine,.htm

Wibbs

Deep Thought wrote: »

2k is a lot, you could get a nice 2nd hand Omega Speedmaster for that

Great Watch and will always keep its value.

+1. I'd imagine very few men would not be extremely happy at receiving a Speedmaster. It's almost a guarantee. Stowa and others mentioned are lovely watches. However buying for a non hardcore watch type I'd be going for a more "known" name myself.

blindsider wrote: »

IMO the Longines brand is perceived to be a little better than Raymond Weil, but happy to be corrected.

Significantly better I'd say. Longines is a brand with a very deep history and history of innovation going back to the early 1800's, Raymond Weil is more a "fashion" brand that started in the 1970's. Nothing wrong with that by the way and fair play to anyone that had the guts to start a watch company at that time(and keep it family owned down to today), but as a brand they wouldn't be comparable. That might be my snobbery coming out mind you. :D

MiCr0

There's also the lovely Hamilton Thin-o-matic's (link) but as has been said above, if you can suggest some traits or features he likes, then it'll speed things up.

shuyin1

Nomos would fit into your budget perfectly, beautiful watches.
http://www.nomos-store.com

Wibbs

MiCr0 wrote: »

but as has been said above, if you can suggest some traits or features he likes, then it'll speed things up.

That would be a great help alright.

So would he go for a "dress" type watch


or this very nice looking Raymond Weil(Nice copy of a V expensive watch)


Or would he prefer a "tool" watch like

Omega speedmaster "moonwatch"

Or considering the fate of his previous watch what about a divers type

That one will easily survive a dunk in the loo

Missyelliot2

Thanks a bunch for all the very helpful replies....The watches are all very beautiful!
I love the Raymond Weil style in the post above from Wibbs, but might try a similar style in Longines.

Also - the Stowa range look very classy.

I don't think my OH would feel trendy enough for the diver type watches!

I know he likes the second hand to glide rather than stop at every second (if that makes even the slightest bit of sense)
Thanks again!

Wibbs

Missyelliot2 wrote: »

Thanks a bunch for all the very helpful replies....The watches are all very beautiful!
I love the Raymond Weil style in the post above from Wibbs, but might try a similar style in Longines.

Hmm, they used to have one quite similar but now I'd say the closest would be this
http://www.longines.com/watches/the-longines-master-collection/L2.640.4.78.3

Also - the Stowa range look very classy.

They are a nice watch alright. Great price for what you get too.

I don't think my OH would feel trendy enough for the diver type watches!

Well... I'm about as un trendy as you get and I've a few divers. And I can't even swim.

I know he likes the second hand to glide rather than stop at every second (if that makes even the slightest bit of sense)

It does indeed. Broadly speaking quartz watches that take a battery stop at every second, whereas mechanical watches(oft called "automatics") have the gliding hand. So we know he doesn't want quartz anyway.

Zagato

Missyelliot2 wrote: »

I know he likes the second hand to glide rather than stop at every second (if that makes even the slightest bit of sense)
Thanks again!

When you are window shopping the watches that appear to be stopped are usually the ones that will have hands that glide (sweep), as automatics and hand wound watches will stop after about a day and a half of not being worn. I think the Longines are probably a good bet, probably one of the master collection as Wibbs suggested

Poor Uncle Tom

Wibbs wrote: »

..fair play to anyone that had the guts to start a watch company at that time...

hehehe....you done a funneh...


http://us.tissotshop.com/men/men-classic.html

can't go wrong with one of those....

Eoin

When do you need delivery of the watch by the way? I think there's normally a bit of a lead time ordering from Stowa.

The Longines that Wibbs posted is gorgeous - but it's 47.5mm wide looking at the specs. That's a whopper of a watch - I'd say it's too large if you reckon he'd like something a bit more elegant and low key. For reference, I used to own this 47mm watch, and you can see how big it is on my wrist (which is 8" and change).

Another option is the very lovely Junghans Max Bill, but like Stowa and some of the other brands mentioned, it doesn't have the same brand recognition as the likes of Longines. That might not be a problem at all for you, but you might prefer that he'd know the brand when he receives it.

Wibbs

Eoin wrote: »

The Longines that Wibbs posted is gorgeous - but it's 47.5mm wide looking at the specs. That's a whopper of a watch - I'd say it's too large if you reckon he'd like something a bit more elegant and low key

oops didn't spot that. Ironic given I've wrists like matchsticks. Eoin is spot on I'd reckon it's way too large, unless that's the style someone likes and has the wrists to carry it off.

That Junghans is gorgeous and you can be sure he wouldn't bump into too many people wearing one, so very exclusive with it, but the brand recognition aspect might be an issue.