First timer looking for advice (Budget 1500-2000)

maninblack

Hi there,

I've a milestone birthday coming up and always dreamt of owning a high end watch. I'm a complete novice to watch buying, shopping purely on aesthetics in the past. My budget is capped at €2k but obviously all the better if I can pick up something nice for cheaper than that.

I like traditional watches, so I'm looking for something with a leather strap and a minimalist face (no crazy gauges or overly large faces!). This would be my ideal watch:
http://www.watch-insider.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Omega_De-Ville-Tresor_YG_432.53.40.21.02.001_frei.jpg

From initial searches online, it looks like I will be going second hand if I want a Rolex or an Omega.

What is a better buy? A new Tag Heuer/Longines or a used Rolex/Omega?

blue5000

It seems you want a dress watch, would you be interested in going vintage? Maybe one from the year you were born. With some brands the serial numbers are easy to date.

Mitch Buchannon

I'm going to suggest a German brand called Nomos Glashütte. Serious bang for your buck ! In-house movements, under the radar but will get you serious kudos from watch nerds.

I'm researching one for myself at the moment. I'm looking at the Orion, Club, Ahoi and Zurich models.
Some Nomos models can be bought new for your budget.

http://www.nomos-store.com/en/home/

Let us know what you think of them.

Lex Luthor

Stowa Marine?

Eoin

Do you want brand recognition, or would something a bit under the radar do the trick? e.g. the Stowa or Nomos mentioned above, or this Junghans?

maninblack wrote: »

What is a better buy? A new Tag Heuer/Longines or a used Rolex/Omega?

Personally I think that Longines is probably the best buy, in that for some reason, it doesn't really have the same brand strength as the other 3. All make nice watches though. I'm struggling to think of a Tag that has the classic look you want.

For a 2K Rolex, you're looking at something 40 years old or so. Could be a gamble, you'd want to do a good bit of research IMO.

maninblack

I do really like the Junghans.

Currently looking at this one Chrono24:
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/de-ville-gold-oro-solid-vintage-18k-348mm-2133--id4052668.htm

Is that a good deal for that watch? Or would I be ripped off? (Assume it's as described)

893bet

Second hand omega. There is a good chance you don't know what you like and your taste will change fast. Let some one else that the depreciation hit.

Deep Thought

Nomos Club Datum is the one for me...lovely looking

Winterlong

maninblack wrote: »

I do really like the Junghans.

Currently looking at this one Chrono24:
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/de-ville-gold-oro-solid-vintage-18k-348mm-2133--id4052668.htm

Is that a good deal for that watch? Or would I be ripped off? (Assume it's as described)

I would want to see pics of the inside of that watch.
The 1020 was not the best Omega movement as it came out when they started using cheaper components in an effort to cut costs and keep up wiht the recently released quartzs.
The dial in that watch is in pristine condition. Perhaps too pristine for a 40 year old watch. It could be a re-dial.

maninblack

Hi guys,

Sorry for digging up this thread again. Finally after much research I've decided to up my budget a bit and splash out on this Rolex 15238 from the early 90s.

http://imgur.com/a/h901H

Finalising the deal with a chap from Italy tomorrow. He was looking for 4k, managed to get him down to 3,8. Before I pull the trigger on this one, could someone help me authenticate it? I got him to send on the up close pics of the inner workings but tbh I wouldn't really know what I'm looking at.

Wibbs

It looks OK and a classic Rolex indeed, but I would be extremely wary of spending that kind of money on a watch without guaranteed authenticity(though that model wouldn't be one of the faker's faves). If the guy is a dealer and will give you a guarantee then game ball.

maninblack

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/rolex/date-34mm-15238-gold---box-and-warranty-1-year--id4358113.htm

Full ad. Bricks and mortar store in Italy which eases my fears slightly.

Eoin

Insist on a known courier company.

Wibbs

There can be the "oh Italy, very dodgy market" notion that puts many off but Italy can throw up some bargains I have found. I've bought a load of stuff from the place down the years(not just watches) and never once had a problem. Quite the opposite, I have found the Italian folks lovely to deal with.

A few have told me that transporting/posting stuff out of Italy is generally fine, it's posting to Italy where the problems are more likely to occur.

Lex Luthor

Budget out the window but best of luck

Deep Thought

Wibbs wrote: »

There can be the "oh Italy, very dodgy market" notion that puts many off but Italy can throw up some bargains I have found. I've bought a load of stuff from the place down the years(not just watches) and never once had a problem. Quite the opposite, I have found the Italian folks lovely to deal with.

A few have told me that transporting/posting stuff out of Italy is generally fine, it's posting to Italy where the problems are more likely to occur.

same as...sending there is not easy, but I have bought watches from Italy and had no problems, some good deals to be had and they are well into their watches

maninblack

Beautiful watch but i just think its too small

http://imgur.com/edit?deletehash=x0kQ38cY1ktjwdh&album_id=5XScr

Think I'll send it back. I knew 34mm would be small but it honestly does just look very feminine!

Wibbs

Funny enough I like it. I'd have about the same sized wrist by the looks of it(pretty thin). Maybe in gold it looks less macho? Personally I think a dress type watch looks better smaller in size.

maninblack

Wibbs wrote: »

Funny enough I like it. I'd have about the same sized wrist by the looks of it(pretty thin). Maybe in gold it looks less macho? Personally I think a dress type watch looks better smaller in size.

Meh, maybe it'll grow on me. The seller was surprisingly sound. Told me to hang onto it for a week in case I change my mind but he's happy to take it back in any case. I think I might go for a 36mm Datejust. I know it's only 2mm but I think it'd make a huge difference.

daithi09

It's odd, and as I've mentioned on a few threads here I was looking to spend a few pound on a watch for a milestone birthday. I researched everything on-line and through forums and had my heart set on a rolex, and was leaning towards a rolex Cellini.

Someone here said that I really should go in, try different sizes etc. and get a feel of what for is right.

That was good advice and a nice 40minutes spent in weirs. I've come out in love with a watch I wouldn't of dreamed I'd wear nor would I have spent more than 2 seconds looking at it online before I clicked next.

It's a Sports watch 48mm lug to lug which is massive compared to my fashion watch which now looks incredibly tiny. And I'd consider myself to have fairly small wrists (was considering a 32mm)

I have to increase my budget by 3k but I'm going to hold off and do just that.

But if you're spending considerable money I think a trip to the shops is very informative (and really really fun trying on all them masterpieces)

maninblack

I ended up sending that watch back to the dealer in Italy.

Sent it via An Post registered and from the tracking I see it arrived last Tuesday. The place is a physical bricks and mortar store in Ancona.

Until the dealer had received the watch, we had a lot of corrospondence back and forth. As soon as the watch landed back with him... radio silence!

Have emailed him probably about 20 times in the last few days, getting the read receipt and everything. Then today, fed up, I decided to give the store a ring.

I asked "Hi, do you speak English?" and the person on the other end hung up immediately. I called back, asking is there anyone who could speak English? The phone was passed to a gentleman who asked what I wanted. As soon as I mentioned about the Rolex I had returned, he hung up.

Just wondering where I stand on this whole situation now. I wired the money as he seemed a legit lad when we were negotiating initially. I should have bit the bullet and covered the PayPal fees but I didn't. Am I 100% at his mercy now to wire me the money back?

I guess the only saving grace is that it's a bricks and mortar store so he's not going anyway. What would my next play be? Contact local police in Italy?

blue5000

Give him a couple of days, he doesn't know anything about you either. Some sellers have been burnt by buyers returning watches with parts swopped etc. He might still have to check the watch you sent back. You've probably told him that you can see from the tracking that he got the watch back?

blue5000

Any joy?

maninblack

I actually just got it back this morning. I overreacted I think initially, I just got a bit spooked when they were ignoring my phone calls and emails last week. I received an email response yesterday to say the money had been returned and I got it back this morning. Thanks for the advice!

blue5000

I think most of us would be sweating in your position, no watch, no money and being ignored:mad:. What will you look for now? Glad you got your money back anyway, they probably used it to boost sales figures for August.

maninblack

Haha I'd say that's what he did alright!

I think the best advice I got was earlier in this thread was whensomeone told me to go and physically try on watches. There's only so much that you can go on via pictures.

I spent a half hour in Weirs last weekend and literally just tried everything. It was the best half hour I've spent during this whole watch hunt. It's a big purchase and it has to be right. So... I tried on a Rolex Day Date (president) and it just clicked. Felt amazing when I tried it on and I knew instantly it was my grail watch.

My original budget has obviously been blown to hell but I really fell in love with it. It's to mark a special milestone as I said and I feel like this will be a watch for life. I'm going to just put some money aside for the next few months. Have my eye on this one currently.

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Rolex/Day-Date/18238/3504/item/70946

CarltonBrowne

A good choice but I don't think you've made life very easy for yourself . The condition of the bracelet is key on that one and don't take any descriptions of condition at face value.

unkel

You'll need a new wardrobe to go with that Rolex