Watch connoisseurs... requesting advice

[Emrys]

Hmm, I've always liked the omega speedmasters and zenith el primero chronographs:

I was given a Speedmaster Pro and it's a fantastic watch. I have no problem wearing it with jeans or a suit which is something I consider a major plus for a first "high-class" watch.

 

[Broheim]

I guess I'm in the minority where I don't like metal straps. I love the look of leather straps, looks classier to me.

I prefer leather straps as well.

this is what I would have if I had 10k to spend on a watch. Pedigree, class and superior quality rolled up into one.

 

[Zeze]

I personally think metal band is out, leather is in. Metal seems tacky and 90's to me.

This is mine. I get compliments all the time:

Swiss chronograph

Your budget is $3k to $5k? wow. Mine was $500, which is already ridiculous imo. You can buy plenty sexy ones under a grand. Keep the rest.

 

[Connoisseur]

I personally think metal band is out, leather is in. Metal seems tacky and 90's to me.

Your budget is $3k to $5k? wow. Mine was $500, which is already ridiculous imo. You can buy plenty sexy ones under a grand. Keep the rest.

I dunno. I still see tons of watches with metal straps. I understand the style preferences but I don't think metal is out of style.

Yeah, like I said in the original post, it's not a matter of telling them to get me a cheap watch and giving me money instead. They're getting the watch AND giving us a bunch of money. Asking them for less would be insulting them. Normally, I'd really not care for the gift because usually it's some gaudy gold jewelry. In this case i'll make an exception

 

[NutBucket]

I don't think metal is out of style either. Bonus points that it won't wear out and won't absorb odor! My wife and I have no trouble dropping big coin for watches. But make no mistake, its guy jewelry first and foremost. I'm OK with that

Enjoy shopping OP. I would definitely stick to authorized retailers. And yes, prices are definitely negotiable at every shop. Seems like most stores I've been to give about 20% off list.

 

[Zeze]

I dunno. I still see tons of watches with metal straps. I understand the style preferences but I don't think metal is out of style.

Yeah, like I said in the original post, it's not a matter of telling them to get me a cheap watch and giving me money instead. They're getting the watch AND giving us a bunch of money. Asking them for less would be insulting them. Normally, I'd really not care for the gift because usually it's some gaudy gold jewelry. In this case i'll make an exception

What styles do you like so far posted in this thread?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Even if you intend to wear the watch on a strap it's almost always worth buying it on a bracelet. Buying the bracelets after the fact tends to be much more expensive, and the watch's resale will be better if it's on a bracelet.

 

[Timorous]

I have a Breitling Transocean Chronograph and it is a fantastic watch. I have mine on a black crocodile leather strap and it looks fantastic. It also has an exhibition back so you can see the B01 movement if you like that sort of thing. I wear it every day and it goes really well with casual or business attire.

 

[mikeymikec]

if you can, go for a ceramic strap.. I was recently given a watch, an Android which, by all means is not a high-end watch..
what I like about it is the feel.. it's very light as well. other pluses are not having to deal with a wet leather band in the summer and I don't have the expand/contraction problem I do with metal bands..

That watch looks like it would have the same sort of problem that I get with metal straps where the hairs on my wrist get caught in the strap from time to time and are yanked. I might have a look into ceramic straps next time I'm watch shopping though.

Watches are about the only thing I get enthusiastic about based on looks.

My current watch setup is distinctly not classy at all It used to have a leather strap which degraded beyond usability within a year (they always do in my experience), followed by an uncomfortable metal strap, followed by the rubber strap which lasted a fair few years, followed by the present rubber strap. I'm on a tight budget at the moment, and the cheap silver finish is starting to come off my current watch

I also have very thin wrists which makes strap buying/customisation difficult. The rubber ones are probably made partly with kids in mind, so I'm sorted. They're perfectly comfortable as well.

- edit - After a bit of googling, I wonder whether I've tried ceramic straps and thought they were metal.

 

[madoka]

I like those complex "chronometer" style pieces and am not really a fan of the minimalist watches.

I spent a lot on a couple of Rolexes that are never worn. If I had to do it all over again, I'd look for a tourbillon watch. Those mechanisms are mesmerizing and I can look at them all day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyexJbX8ppU

And the double and triple axis versions are just wild.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFih4g7NFlk

 

[Connoisseur]

I spent a lot on a couple of Rolexes that are never worn. If I had to do it all over again, I'd look for a tourbillon watch. Those mechanisms are mesmerizing and I can look at them all day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyexJbX8ppU

And the double and triple axis versions are just wild.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFih4g7NFlk

HOLY CRAP those watches are expensive. They're all at least 40k and some go north of 100k! They look amazing but no F***in way. When the watch starts costing as much as a luxury car is waaaay past the line.

 

[Connoisseur]

What styles do you like so far posted in this thread?

So far, I'm still a fan of the Breitlings and the Omega Speedmaster. All the other watches listed look great but I think they fit my taste best. What would put me square in the camp of one versus the other would be the diameter of the face. I'm not a fan of massive watches but i'm also not a fan of tiny ones. I'll have to try them on in person to see which size fits me best.

Some of the other watches in this thread are great but they're more of a wishlist and are way outside the budget (ex. the tourbillon movement).

 

[madoka]

HOLY CRAP those watches are expensive. They're all at least 40k and some go north of 100k! They look amazing but no F***in way. When the watch starts costing as much as a luxury car is waaaay past the line.

Tourbillons start at under $1000 and then go up from there.

 

[Imported]

I was given a Speedmaster Pro and it's a fantastic watch. I have no problem wearing it with jeans or a suit which is something I consider a major plus for a first "high-class" watch.

A Speedmaster Pro will probably be the next watch I go after. I've been content for a long while with the TAG Carrera GMT and Tissot I have but would like something more everyday like the Omega.

 

[madoka]

Here's ten different tourbillons from this company for around $2K:

http://www.montiek.com/collection-tourbillon-watches/

And a video of their mechanism:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hZhgzIOG1dQ#t=25

 

[Connoisseur]

But make no mistake, its guy jewelry first and foremost. I'm OK with that

Damn right it is. Even guys need some bling every once in a while.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Jesus, this got pretentious real fast.

How many of you subscribe to Cigar Aficionado?

 

[OlafSicky]

Perhaps a nice Tudor Pelagos would do. It's got the name and is hip enough for today perfect for a younger guy and can be worn with anything.

 

[felang]

I like Chopard in that price range. The Chronos especially are very nice.

 

[Connoisseur]

Jesus, this got pretentious real fast.

How many of you subscribe to Cigar Aficionado?

I mean, we were talking 3k-5k watches from the start. How did the thread GET pretentious?

 

[KeithTalent]

I have this exact watch and I love it. I think it looks good and not too gaudy because the gold is only accenting.

Highly recommended.

KT

 

[halik]

Kaventsmann !

http://www.kaventsmann-watches.de/bathyal.html

They run about EUR1500, great quality handmade watch in Berlin.

 

[halik]

That watch looks like it would have the same sort of problem that I get with metal straps where the hairs on my wrist get caught in the strap from time to time and are yanked. I might have a look into ceramic straps next time I'm watch shopping though.

Watches are about the only thing I get enthusiastic about based on looks.

My current watch setup is distinctly not classy at all It used to have a leather strap which degraded beyond usability within a year (they always do in my experience), followed by an uncomfortable metal strap, followed by the rubber strap which lasted a fair few years, followed by the present rubber strap. I'm on a tight budget at the moment, and the cheap silver finish is starting to come off my current watch

I also have very thin wrists which makes strap buying/customisation difficult. The rubber ones are probably made partly with kids in mind, so I'm sorted. They're perfectly comfortable as well.

- edit - After a bit of googling, I wonder whether I've tried ceramic straps and thought they were metal.

Well engineered bracelets don't do that; I've yet to experience it with either one of my Blancpains.

 

[Connoisseur]

Kaventsmann !

http://www.kaventsmann-watches.de/bathyal.html

They run about EUR1500, great quality handmade watch in Berlin.

Damn that watch looks like it could take a nuclear strike. The casing is a bit too thick for my tastes.

 

[fstime]

Kaventsmann !

http://www.kaventsmann-watches.de/bathyal.html

They run about EUR1500, great quality handmade watch in Berlin.

That is ugliest watch I have ever seen, you have to be joking.