Recommend a classic, auto (€ 4/500)

wersal gummage

Hi all,

Really just looking for ideas here. Could anyone recommend a watch for me, or even a manafacturer, that would fit the following criteria. These are what I am ideally looking for, but would comprise for the right watch, especially given the low budget :

Automatic,
Sapphire crystal (preference for open back too),
Black leather strap,
Back or blue watch face,
Around 39/40mm approx,
Subtle, or classic sort of style, so numbering would be discreet or Roman style maybe


Basically I'd like an Omega De Ville! I've bought a few nice gadgets for myself over the years but just couldn't justify the price of one of these (to wife). This would be an example of what I consider a nice watch

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/de-ville--id7281489.htm


I've been looking at Seiko, Hamilton, Tissot, Stowa (some nice watches, and I'm sure I'd be happy with several of them, but none are really jumping out at me). The Stowa are well over budget for the ones I like.

Anything else I should consider?? I'm inclined to buy new at this price but would go second hand if I saw something nice. Any "black Friday" websites I should be looking at?

Thanks a lot!

I don't know how to embed pictures, but between the Seiko, I think these are my favourite two (but neither is quite what I'm looking for) :


https://www.chrono24.co.uk/seiko/srpa17j2-premier-herren-automatik-40mm-10atm--id7031483.htm


https://www.chrono24.co.uk/seiko/presage-mechanik-automatik-gangreserve-new-cocktail-time---espresso-martini-ssa345j1--id7203562.htm

goose banker

For value, I think these watches from Tissell are very good, you get a nice watch for the money. They don't have a the black or blue face but have a nice sunburst grey & silver, sapphire crystal, Roman/classic numerals and open display case backs. I have a 40mm pilot watch from them and have no complaints. You may want to get a better leather strap perhaps - I can't comment on the quality of those on the dress watches but at $195.00 delivered, you should have the budget. I know there are more expensive watches out there but just thinking if you have to justify it to "herself". The Miyota movements are a sub company of Citizen if you aren't familiar with them. They are very good little engines and while not highly decorated, they are still pleasing enough to enjoy through a glass case back. The 90S5 movement is the non-date version of the 9015.

http://shop2.tisellkr.cafe24.com/

http://shop2.tisellkr.cafe24.com/product/tisell-open-heart-9015-h-40mm-miyota-90s5-automatic/36/?cate_no=1&display_group=2

http://shop2.tisellkr.cafe24.com/product/tisell-9015-a-antique-miyota-9015-6h-date-automatic/34/?cate_no=1&display_group=2

http://shop2.tisellkr.cafe24.com/product/tisell-9015-r-40mm-miyota-9015-6h-date-automatic/35/?cate_no=1&display_group=2

Eoin

Nearly every box ticked
https://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/marine-watch/marine-38.html

art

Would agree with Eoin.

Orient Star is perhaps another option, link here is to CreationWatches which opens the potential to be stung by customs but price is good as is:
http://www.creationwatches.com/products/orient-star-classic-291/orient-star-elegant-classic-automatic-power-reserve-sel09003d0-el09003d-mens-watch-9333.html

(Strap navy rather than black mind)

wersal gummage

Thank you both very much.

The steinharts are nice and that one in particular is lovely, just the brown strap... I think I prefer a white face with blue hands to the black face (but I already have a reasonably nice watch with white face and trying to get something different).

How would you compare the Steinhart to the first Seiko I linked? (so the 2nd of the 3 links).

Is it just my eyesight, or are the lugs on the Seiko overly long?

Eoin

art wrote: »

Would agree with Eoin.

Orient Star is perhaps another option, link here is to CreationWatches which opens the potential to be stung by customs but price is good as is:
http://www.creationwatches.com/products/orient-star-classic-291/orient-star-elegant-classic-automatic-power-reserve-sel09003d0-el09003d-mens-watch-9333.html

(Strap navy rather than black mind)

Nice find - and a lot of change left over for that black strap!

Footoo

Ha ... I initialltly release this as 4,500 and was about to recommend a gorgeous grand Seiko gmt.

How about a Hamilton intra matic like the one below . Right around your budget.

https://www.jomashop.com/hamilton-intra-matic-men-watch-h38455731.html

You may even be able to pick one up in bricks and mortar for that price in Hour Passion kildare Village

wersal gummage

^
Sorry to disappoint!

Thanks for that, I don't think I'm willing to buy from outside the EU and risk the extra import charges, but will look at providing elsewhere.

art

Eoin wrote: »

Nice find - and a lot of change left over for that black strap!

Yeah, unfortunately I'm finding myself a bit tempted now myself by it! Especially the white/blue hands version. It's an excellent price even if customs do request a ~60-70 charge

Frankie5Angels

art wrote: »

Yeah, unfortunately I'm finding myself a bit tempted now myself by it! Especially the white/blue hands version. It's an excellent price even if customs do request a ~60-70 charge

How would one calculate the customs on an item being imported?

art

Frankie5Angels wrote: »

How would one calculate the customs on an item being imported?

Off the top of my head, the custom duty charge itself is low, just 4.5% of declared value, so it’s mainly that and then the vat you need to add together, which is 23% now I think.

Frankie5Angels

Thank you, Art - and sorry for derailing your thread, OP!

wersal gummage

Thanks for the various comments and suggestions here, much appreciated and gave me a lot to think about.

I really liked that Steinhart but it was just a compromise (or two or three) too far for me! Spend a good while thinking about it though.

Ended up ordering a seiko in the end, neither of the ones I had in mind in the first place. The strap seems a bit odd to me. It is a leather strap but has a sort of clasp mechanical as well zenith us fine. However, the strap closes in such a way that the protruding / extending end is on the lower /inner side of the wrist. It feels wrong. Can I just swap the strap around??

Anjobe

wersal gummage wrote: »

The strap seems a bit odd to me. It is a leather strap but has a sort of clasp mechanical as well zenith us fine. However, the strap closes in such a way that the protruding / extending end is on the lower /inner side of the wrist. It feels wrong. Can I just swap the strap around??

This is common enough with deployant clasps on leather straps. Just swap the strap around if you find it uncomfortable, I have a Hamilton that is the same and I can't stand the strap on it the "right" way round.

wersal gummage

Thanks. Is it a YouTube and do it yourself job or something for a shop to do?