Watch advice

Hi, I'm looking for a beautiful watch... not sure whether I want just steel, or steel with some gold accents, or an alligator strap.

I like the tank style in it's various incarnations, but not strictly that.

I will say right now that almost nothing from companies like Tag Heuer, Omega, and Rolex interest me. Those types of very "busy" watches don't really do anything for me. I don't mind chronographs, but the way the first two I mentioned do it is always overdone and looks like a hiker's watch.

I love what Cartier does, but please make other suggestions if you don't mind.

My price range is about $1500 - $2500 US

I want this watch to be elegant, that can be used in formal settings and in business. If it's even more versatile than that, then bully for it.

I've got two watches that I really don't pull out too often, one is very special to me, and the other is very valuable so I don't want to have it out too much.

Thanks for any help.

Just my personal opinion, but cartier isn't a watchmaker it's a jeweler. Big difference. Also, I'm not sure you can buy a new cartier watch for that amount anyway. If you can go closer to $3,000 a whole world opens up 1) Zenith Port Royal Elite (my personal favorite: www.zenith-watches.com) 2) Bedat #7 (stylish, well made, recently purchased by gucci group) 3) IWC Portofino 4) Jaegre-LeCoultre Reverso Classique 5) Girard Perregaux Classic Elegance Some sites to check out: www.pacifictime.com www.watchesplanet.com You can use these sites for pricing, but I recommend buying at a real watch store so you get the full warranty (20%+ discounts from full-retail stores are very common).

Well, for a tank watch by Cartier in your price range, in quartz, you can look at the Santos or Tank Francaise: Santos: You can buy it for $2150 or so at Jomashop: http://jomashop.com/carsanmenwat.html Tank Francaise: You can buy it for $2570 on Jomashop: http://jomashop.com/cartanfranme.html You also get 5% cash back if you make an account on Shopping.com before you buy from Jomashop. I have purchased from them on several occasions and they ship quickly and sell authentic merchandise (although they are not an authorized distributor, so they do service through a third party) These prices (with the rebates) are about 35% less than retail, for your reference.

Some watches you may want to consider besides Cartier: Breitling Chronomat: Breitling Hercules: Baume&Mercier Hampton:

A few more cool watches. Bvlgari Scuba Diagono: Breitling Chrono Avenger: IWC GST: Concord Ventu: (71% off at Overstock.com)

I was going to suggest the Baume et Mercier Hampton as well, for an elegant watch in his price range.

I'd probably swap that S/S bracelet for a simple croc strap, though. Of course, I'm partial to those.

I was going to suggest the Baume et Mercier Hampton as well, for an elegant watch in his price range.

I'd probably swap that S/S bracelet for a simple croc strap, though.  Of course, I'm partial to those.

Click to expand...

I see that my price range is limiting. It's definately flexible, just wanted to get an idea.

What do you guys wear for more formal events? Black tie, formal/semi formal parties? I very seldom see gold, almost always S/S or black croc. Though I'm no real stickler for rules, I do find them interesting.

Sometimes I wear a white gold pinky ring with a gold face (top)... broke from tradition in the family pinky ring which is always all gold. I like the look of silver/platinum/white gold with a tasteful amount of gold. It is beautiful without being John Gotti gaudy.

I just wear a watch for a dressier event, usually a Breitling or Rolex, sometimes one of my Bvlgari watches... I only own a couple watches with non-ss straps, one Bvlgari Aluminum and one Bvlgari Solotiempo. I have two with some gold on them, both 14k/ss Rolex bands.

Quote:

Click to expand...

(VersaceMan @ 01 Oct. 2004, 3:53) I was going to suggest the Baume et Mercier Hampton as well, for an elegant watch in his price range. I'd probably swap that S/S bracelet for a simple croc strap, though. Â Of course, I'm partial to those.
I see that my price range is limiting. It's definately flexible, just wanted to get an idea. What do you guys wear for more formal events? Black tie, formal/semi formal parties? I very seldom see gold, almost always S/S or black croc. Though I'm no real stickler for rules, I do find them interesting. Sometimes I wear a white gold pinky ring with a gold face (top)... broke from tradition in the family pinky ring which is always all gold. I like the look of silver/platinum/white gold with a tasteful amount of gold. It is beautiful without being John Gotti gaudy.
For more formal events, tradition dictates that the watch strap should be leather, and black. I prefer brown croc straps rather than black for most occations, though, just as many on this forum would take brown shoes over black. The leather just shows much more 'character' and has a richer looking texture. S/S bracelets tend to be reserved for 'sport' watches; though I wonder how many Rolex Daytonas are actually used for sport. However, it seems common nowdays to see dress watches in both the professional environment and in formal events, worn with stainless-steel bracelets. Usually the watch itself is a little more reserved. I'm not a fan of gold at all, I just have a bad impression of it from all those guys who buy the goldtone case/bracelet Seikos and Citizens and show them off as if they are luxury timepieces. However, I think it's tasteful if the watch is mostly steel/white gold/platinum, with a touch of gold - numerals and hands, skinny ring along bezel, etc.

i dislike men's wristwatches that are in any way gaudy or call attention to themselves. much prefer a simple face w/o all those little dials and buttons, certainly no jewels. SS or if you absolutely have to spend $$, then plain gold.

Try looking at the Bulgari Quadratto in stainless steel. It has a square face which makes it a little more dressy.

I'm not sure why you view Omega as a busy looking watch. Sure it makes some watches like that, but the classic Constellation in stainless steel or two tone is a very plain watch that looks good with a suit or on the golf course.

For a more sporty look, Tag has the Series 2000 watch, which is a simple blue face with a stainless steel bracelet. Another nice simple watch, but not quite as dressy as the Constellation.

I know you don't care for Omega or Tag, but I have one of each and love them.

I'm not sure why you view Omega as a busy looking watch. Sure it makes some watches like that, but the classic Constellation in stainless steel or two tone is a very plain watch that looks good with a suit or on the golf course.

For a more sporty look, Tag has the Series 2000 watch, which is a simple blue face with a stainless steel bracelet. Another nice simple watch, but not quite as dressy as the Constellation.

I know you don't care for Omega or Tag, but I have one of each and love them.

Click to expand...

It's just that there are not many "round" watches that impress me.

the simplest of the black faced panarai are very simple. also the bell and ross geneva. I have a Baume & Mercierdual time zone which I love, but it is quart. I think that all of these are in your price range.

What do you gentlemen think of Hermes watches? Specifically the Tandem: http://www.2000watches.com/vshop....ex.html