Gift to self - recommendations

Stheno

Hey guys

Bonus due soon and as I'm female I'm contemplating either a handbag or a watch as a gift to myself after I sensibly use the rest of the bonus

Budget is no more than 1500.

Likes:

1. Nothing big I've very small wrists less than 6 inches approx in diameter
2. Love vintage watches no problem with one that needs winning
3. Bling is ok
4. Preferably gold
5. Like square or round faces

Think a Cartier tank watch but in budget?

Stheno

Actually any thoughts on https://www.watchfinder.ie/Raymond Weil/Shine/1500-ST2-42381/6443/item/146239?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI87jLsqPZ5wIVVeDtCh1X-wemEAQYASABEgICp_D_BwE

redlead

First thing I would say is that you would have some serious options if you doubled your budget to the 2.5 - 3k Mark. You would actually be in Cartier Tank territory used. On the overall scheme of things it might be worth it.

Secondly I would say avoid gold watches within your budget as it would likely just be gold plated and would go to crap after a while.

I'm not sure whether the movement matters to you or not, I.e mechanical or Quartz but if you went with quartz you might be able to get a little better value with the rest of the watch and would have less maintenance.

The watch you shared looks lovely and Raymond Weil are very reliable solid watches. If you were to stretch your budget a little bit maybe check out the below which would be a big step up in quality. You will see all the below prestigious watches at big discount to retail when you buy used. The below are more just an idea of what's out there and you'd need to do a bit of due diligence on any chrono 24 dealer but those three would be a serious step up from the Raymond Weil for not much more money. FYI what's cool about the JLC reverso is the face of the watch can flip around and you can engrave the back of it if you want to mark a milestone etc.

Girard Perregaux Vintage 1945
£1,798
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/girardperregaux/vintage-25870-womens-quartz-watch-silver-dial-ss-23mm--id9425609.htm?SETLANG=en_GB&SETCURR=GBP

Cartier Tank Louis Cartier
£2,488
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/cartier/tank-louis--id14216864.htm?SETLANG=en_GB&SETCURR=GBP

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso (submodel)
£2,335
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/jaegerlecoultre/jlc-reverso-classique-manual-18ct-gold--steel--id13496150.htm?SETLANG=en_GB&SETCURR=GBP

anewme

I have a Raymond Weil as my day watch. It cost about 1200. I'm sorry I bought it. I'd also agree with pushing the budget out to get sonething during really good.

I'd love a Cartier Tank.

Stheno

redlead wrote: »

First thing I would say is that you would have some serious options if you doubled your budget to the 2.5 - 3k Mark. You would actually be in Cartier Tank territory used. On the overall scheme of things it might be worth it.

Secondly I would say avoid gold watches within your budget as it would likely just be gold plated and would go to crap after a while.

I'm not sure whether the movement matters to you or not, I.e mechanical or Quartz but if you went with quartz you might be able to get a little better value with the rest of the watch and would have less maintenance.

The watch you shared looks lovely and Raymond Weil are very reliable solid watches. If you were to stretch your budget a little bit maybe check out the below which would be a big step up in quality. You will see all the below prestigious watches at big discount to retail when you buy used. The below are more just an idea of what's out there and you'd need to do a bit of due diligence on any chrono 24 dealer but those three would be a serious step up from the Raymond Weil for not much more money. FYI what's cool about the JLC reverso is the face of the watch can flip around and you can engrave the back of it if you want to mark a milestone etc.

Girard Perregaux Vintage 1945
£1,798
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/girardperregaux/vintage-25870-womens-quartz-watch-silver-dial-ss-23mm--id9425609.htm?SETLANG=en_GB&SETCURR=GBP

Cartier Tank Louis Cartier
£2,488
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/cartier/tank-louis--id14216864.htm?SETLANG=en_GB&SETCURR=GBP

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso (submodel)
£2,335
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/jaegerlecoultre/jlc-reverso-classique-manual-18ct-gold--steel--id13496150.htm?SETLANG=en_GB&SETCURR=GBP

I love the Girard it's pretty much what I'm looking for, my current favourite in my "cheap" collection is a 1939 Bulgari that the winder is broken on which I'm getting fixed.

Your other 2 are out of my budget, bear in mind that before this I've never spent more than 250e on a watch so this is a big step up for me

I am also not in a rush here and found a few on watchfinder that I'll post tomorrow, and I'm also not averse to banking the treat part of my bonus and saving a few months to add to my budget.

Movement doesn't matter the aesthetics do
Thanks for all the input

Stheno

So I found a brand unknown to me Baume et Mercier and like a few of their watches including https://www.watchfinder.ie/Baumeet Mercier/Hampton for ladies/8139 Milleis/3183/item/157622?searchId=082f5d30-949b-48c7-a358-f78961f0bc98&rank=21

Any feedback on them as a brand?

And any thoughts on Rado? Are they just another Tag? What I'm looking for here I guess is a low end investment piece . Am i nuts?

Sorry for being a bore

blindsider

Baume are a good, solid Swiss brand witha bit of heritage. Maybe not mainstream in Ireland, but an authentic Swiss brand.


Here's a Longines, which IMO is a little above a Raymond Weil:
https://www.watchfinder.ie/Longines/Dolce%20Vita/L5.158.5.88.7/22518/item/142772?searchId=49788825-778c-4d96-85d2-456330faf60c&rank=14


For that money, I would def go with one of thrse (Personal preference, but Omega are a favourite!)

https://www.watchfinder.ie/ladies-watches?filterBrands=Omega&filterPriceFrom=800&filterPriceTo=2000&orderby=PriceLowToHigh

Cienciano

redlead wrote: »

First thing I would say is that you would have some serious options if you doubled your budget

Could we not say that about literally anything? :pac:

eljono

If you'd love a Tank, perhaps consider putting the bonus away and adding a little every month towards getting one? If you compromise, while you'll probably have a very nice watch on your wrist, you may still end up lusting after a Tank.

I have a serious want for a Cartier Santos WSSA0009 by the way, they make some truly stunning watches.

pjdarcy

You could get this pre-owned steel Cartier Tank within budget

https://www.chrono24.com/cartier/box--papers--21mm-x-30mm-must-de-tank-silver-argent--id12356522.htm

James Bond Junior

Have a look at an Omega De Ville or a Constellation.

swiwi_

If you're not fussed about the movement and your budget is up to 1500 then Frederique Constant has some nice ladies watches in their quartz options.

Time

The tank is an immediately recognisable timeless classic, you'd easily get a second hand within your budget if you were happy to go for one of the vermeil models. A friend has one and the gold plating has worn exceptionally well over the years on hers, and it's actually developed a beautiful patina from the slight unevenness.

paulanthony

How about this: https://www.chronext.co.uk/cartier/tank/w5200014/S7654

Not far out of budget. Have bought from Chronext before and they have been great to deal with.

Marcusm

Stheno wrote: »

Actually any thoughts on https://www.watchfinder.ie/Raymond Weil/Shine/1500-ST2-42381/6443/item/146239?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI87jLsqPZ5wIVVeDtCh1X-wemEAQYASABEgICp_D_BwE

They seem to have a Tank Vermeil for a bit above your budget but doubt it’s blingy enough.

How about this Longines

https://www.watchfinder.ie/Longines/Grande%20Classique/L4.209.2.32.8/4767/item/158436?searchId=7e04ab09-a221-4fe2-a080-c25dca596e24&rank=16

And this hand bag....

https://www.siopaella.com/collections/shoulder-bags/products/bottega-veneta-black-shoulder-bag-1?variant=29500557230103

Stheno

I'm more and more leaning towards a Tank

However I noticed they have a weird buckle does anyone know if the straps are adjustable?

blue5000

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-18ct-Gold-Longines-with-9ct-strap-Ladies-Watch-14-7g/133337181812?hash=item1f0b83ee74:g:J1EAAOSw3vpeSwZo

Not a great example, needs work, but what do you think of the shape?


Or this one that has just been serviced?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Longines-14K-Solid-Gold-Manual-Tank-Watch-serviced/283734073897?hash=item420fde6229:g:dyAAAOSwHJJdiLoG

Stheno

blue5000 wrote: »

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-18ct-Gold-Longines-with-9ct-strap-Ladies-Watch-14-7g/133337181812?hash=item1f0b83ee74:g:J1EAAOSw3vpeSwZo

Not a great example, needs work, but what do you think of the shape?


Or this one that has just been serviced?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Longines-14K-Solid-Gold-Manual-Tank-Watch-serviced/283734073897?hash=item420fde6229:g:dyAAAOSwHJJdiLoG

The second one is lovely I've a 1939 Bulova which needs a new winder which it's very like

blue5000

Stheno wrote: »

The second one is lovely I've a 1939 Bulova which needs a new winder which it's very like

I'd like to see a hall mark on the inside of the case, I think it might just be gold filled, which is a thicker version of gold plate.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Stheno wrote: »

I'm more and more leaning towards a Tank

However I noticed they have a weird buckle does anyone know if the straps are adjustable?

Ok, the tank is a great choice. My wife has one, wears it on leather and metal braclet, quartz reliability, very slim and it does have reasonable resale. The tank is a classic of design and I would describe it as a "proper watch". The buckle is a deployant on the new ones which is super handy, straps are adjustable in seconds.

You might in a few years want to upgrade, and then resale becomes important. There are two parts to resale. First is value retention...will it loose a load of money second hand. Second bit is will it be desirable second hand. Now not to step on any toes, but a lot of the watches mentioned are almost unsalable in womens sizes.

The classic watches are boring....but they are classic for a reason, they never go out of fashion, people always want them. Buy the tank.

EDIT --- The De Ville or Constellation and also solid choices _----

James Bond Junior

Jazmin Mysterious Sorcerer wrote: »

Ok, the tank is a great choice. My wife has one, wears it on leather and metal braclet, quartz reliability, very slim and it does have reasonable resale. The tank is a classic of design and I would describe it as a "proper watch". The buckle is a deployant on the new ones which is super handy, straps are adjustable in seconds.

You might in a few years want to upgrade, and then resale becomes important. There are two parts to resale. First is value retention...will it loose a load of money second hand. Second bit is will it be desirable second hand. Now not to step on any toes, but a lot of the watches mentioned are almost unsalable in womens sizes.

The classic watches are boring....but they are classic for a reason, they never go out of fashion, people always want them. Buy the tank.

Hence why I recommended a De Ville or Constellation. I have a Constellation from the 1970s and it still looks sharp. Good advice FG.

Stheno

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Hence why I recommended a De Ville or Constellation. I have a Constellation from the 1970s and it still looks sharp. Good advice FG.

I like some of the Constellations too with square not round faces

How important are papers with a used watch?

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Stheno wrote: »

I
How important are papers with a used watch?

Its actually not important at all, totally overrated. Much easier fake papers than a watch. If you are buying from a reputable seller there is no need to stress about missing papers. Service papers on an older watch are more important.

893bet

Stheno wrote: »

I like some of the Constellations too with square not round faces

How important are papers with a used watch?

They are nice in the Attic......!

If at the right price/condition then they don’t matter.

Stheno

Jazmin Mysterious Sorcerer wrote: »

Its actually not important at all, totally overrated. Much easier fake papers than a watch. If you are buying from a reputable seller there is no need to stress about missing papers. Service papers on an older watch are more important.

Thank you and to everybody else who has responded

I may not get the tank this time round due to circumstances but next weekend I'll m going to go tyre kicking in a few shops and Kildare Village to see some watches.

And if it's not a completely stupid question what is the difference between quartz and automatic? I thought watches were either automatic (battery operated) and manual ( need to wound up like my Vintage Bulova) but I think I'm wrong :pac:

blindsider

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_watch

An automatic watch, also known as self-winding watch, is a mechanical watch in which the natural motion of the wearer provides energy to run the watch, making manual winding unnecessary.[1] It is distinguished from a manual watch in that a manual watch, while also having no internal battery, must have its main spring wound by hand at regular intervals.