Fun with watches... My dilemma

Bluefoam

So, I didn't really know I needed a new watch until the TAG connected was released... and it got me thinking...

I had just ordered another new strap for my Monaco, its currently off my wrist waiting a leather replacement. It gets too much wrist time and deals with allot of rough and tumble as well as dressy occasions... it deals with a huge amount of heat and humidity... It is also my holy grail watch, i love it, but I never really considered giving it a break until now.

I used to wear a TAG Formula One with steel bracelet as my daily watch, but that is sadly gone...

I really like the look of the TAG Connected, but am aware of the downsides of a smartwatch. Plus I've been reliably informed that the next batch won't make it to shops until at least spring due to it's popularity (first production run is sold out). I've looked at the rest of their range, but I don't see anything I really like in that price bracket... so I looked at the new Caliber 01 . Love it, but its costa del fortune @ 5k...

From there my mind started to wander... could I afford a Hublot Big Bang used? do they exist for less than 5k? Probably not.

So here's my dilemma... Christmas is coming & depending on my bonus I'll be willing to throw away between 1.5k & 5k on a watch (yes I'm a fool). I need a hard wearing watch, for leisure and work. One that can deal with days messing in the pool, or walking building sites in 50 degree heat and 100% humidity... but also look good at a business meeting.

Like I've said, I like the Caliber 01, I like the Hublot Big Bang. I'm keen on a rubber strap, but might consider a bracelet. I like relatively lage watch faces and the 45mm TAG doesn't phase me. The 5k mark is extreme & I very much doubt I'll spend that, so please no suggestions 'if you increase your budget by just... you could get...'. lol. I'm serious about the starting point of 1.5k

Answers on a postcard please...

art

I'd buy a Bell&Ross

Bluefoam

Went to the mall for a squiz...


Surprised by how much I like the IWC Aquatimer...

What are the chances of finding a really good condition pre owned one?
.

Mitch Buchannon

Based on your criteria the first watches that popped into my head. New or used you won't go wrong with either.

Rolex Submariner . I think I'd prefer the no date in this instance

Omega Seamaster.

Bluefoam

art wrote: »

I'd buy a Bell&Ross

Had a look at them this evening. Nice watches, they just didn't grab me.
Looked at SevenFriday too... But they aren't very water resistant

Mitch Buchannon wrote: »

Based on your criteria the first watches that popped into my head. New or used you won't go wrong with either.

Rolex Submariner . I think I'd prefer the no date in this instance

Omega Seamaster.

I suppose I'm looking for something a bit more contemporary, but with a bit of horological gravitas.

peasant

http://www.damasko.de/en/models/chronographs/chronographs-with-silicon-technology/dc66si

Stainless steel, bead-blasted, nickel-free*
Entirely hardened, ice-hardened to 60 HRC or 710 HV
Integrated anti-magnetic inner cage, anti-magnetic to 80,000 A/m or 100 mT
Sapphire crystal, antireflective coating on both sides, extremely scratch-resistant anti-reflective coating
Crystal gasket resistant to UV radiation
Solid screw glass back with O ring Viton™ gasket
Sealing elements of crown and pushers with permanent lubrication
Screw-down crown with crown protection, crown and pushers fully hardened
Hardened rotating bezel, rotatable in both directions, exact, ceramic ball detents
Bezel insert hardened, provided with Damest coating, scratch-resistant, abrasion-resistant
Bilight provided with special red color
Waterproof as per DIN 8310, pressure-resistant to 10 bar/ 100 meters
Negative pressure resistant
Rotating bezel insert options: 60-minute countdown or 12-hour ring

Diameter: 42mm
Diameter rotating bezel: 43.8mm
Overall height: 14.00mm
Lug width: 22mm
Weight without strap: 106.0 g

or perhaps
http://www.damasko.de/en/dk101

Manufactory movement Damasko H35-1
Manually wound calibre
18 ruby bearings
28,800 half oscillations/ hour
Escape wheel of silicon
Anti-magnetic according to DIN 8309
Shockproof according to DIN 8308
EPS® spring
Weight balance wheel
52 hours power reserve
Damasko rotor with ceramic bearing
Watch is regulated in 5 positions

mynameis905

IWC Portofino on mesh

Deep Thought

You would get a used Aquatimer.

I had one and loved it

Bluefoam

Deep Thought wrote: »

You would get a used Aquatimer.

I had one and loved it

Any idea what kind of discount I could get off a new one in Dublin?

Eoin

Second hand Ingenieur?

simdan

Why not spend a little more and get a Breitling? I'm looking at the Chronomat 44, gorgeous watch. By the way, you're not a fool, if you can afford it, why not? You only live once

simdan

simdan wrote: »

Why not spend a little more and get a Breitling? I'm looking at the Chronomat 44, gorgeous watch. By the way, you're not a fool, if you can afford it, why not? You only live once

Just a gorgeous timepiece.

sparrowcar

Sinn 857utc on a tegimented bracelet. It's included in my zombie apocalypse survival list

https://www.sinn.de/en/Modell/857_UTC.htm

CarltonBrowne

Sinn EZM 1 (Will have to be secondhand)

Sinn EZM 3

Sinn EZM 10


Tudor Pelagos (Although I'd go for the one with the ETA rather than the new in-house movement).


Or a Rolex Sub, GMT or Explorer.

Bluefoam

Eoin wrote: »

Second hand Ingenieur?

Thanks... It is nice, however I used to work for a manager who wore one of these & every time I see them I thr... I like them, but they have a negaitive connotation for me.

I've discovered that through this process, that I'm looking for something quite contemporary & individual in appearance.

I've put a very low ball offer on a preowned Hublot Big Bang, which I'm sure will be rejected. It just feels so right on my wrist...

The Tag, I love & they've insinuated that I can get a 20% discount, which brings it into a more affordable price bracket... The weight of it is incredible, but I like that. But I think I'd regret not going for a more premium watch maker.

The IWC Aquatimer really grabbed me in a way I wasn't expecting. I love it. The store won't do a discount on it... But I have two options... I know someone who can get a staff discount from IWC, or I can wait till I'm back in Ireland at Christmas & work on a discount there and hope that the weak euro does me some favours... Still don't know if the bonus will materialise, so we'll see.

Bluefoam

OMG, just checked some prices back in Ireland and even if I got the 20% discount & then claimed 17.5% back in taxes, I'd still struggle to make it work...

Deep Thought

Sinn are great watches, but sadly are not looked upon the same as Omega, IWC etc.

I had terrible trouble trying to get rid of mine.

Every store I went to and tried to trade, turned me down point blank

DT

Bluefoam

The most I can negotiate is 10%... The AD is now pushing me towards the three hand version of the Aquatimer.

I do like it, but I'll hold out for a while, the chronograph has a bit more presence...

Wibbs

I'd definitely hold out for the chrono if you can. If you've fallen for a chrono a time only version of the style would disappoint pretty quickly.

Bluefoam

Wibbs wrote: »

I'd definitely hold out for the chrono if you can. If you've fallen for a chrono a time only version of the style would disappoint pretty quickly.

Very true, which is why I'm gonna wait a short while & get the right watch...

bogmanfan

Don't rule out the previous generation Aquatimer either - it's the same size, and a better looking watch in my opinion. Should be able to source one at a good price used. I have this one and it's a cracker (not my image)

Eoin

That's the one I was thinking the OP meant too - someone posted the one with the yellow highlights in one of the other threads, and it's a cracker.

Bluefoam

35% off in Dubai airport this morning... UH-OH

blue5000

Are congrats and a happy christmas greetings in order then? Well you may wear.

Lex Luthor

peasant wrote: »

http://www.damasko.de/en/models/chronographs/chronographs-with-silicon-technology/dc66si






or perhaps
http://www.damasko.de/en/dk101

Beat me to it

simdan

blue5000 wrote:

Are congrats and a happy christmas greetings in order then? Well you may wear.

Yeah, come on OP. Did you make a purchase?

Bluefoam

Yes, that last shot is her on my wrist... Delighted with it and a bargain too !

Northern Monkey

Bluefoam wrote: »

Yes, that last shot is her on my wrist... Delighted with it and a bargain too !

Lovely watch, I've always had a thing about the prior model with the part yellow bezel.

How often do they run those promotions? I was there in November and missed one by a couple of weeks.

Bluefoam

This is a new thing... Big sale to celebrate their anniversary and it was only on for a couple of days. they'll have January sale and one at Ramadan,but unlikely to have as much discount...