Dress watches for around $2000?

[soundofaviolin]

I'm in the market for a new watch and needed some help as I know barely anything about watches. I'm a college kid going into finance and I'm in the NYC area, so would prefer to go to a dealer or a store than buy online. I'm perfectly fine with pre-owned. My budget is about $2000, but I can stretch to $2500 if need be.

The only specification is a leather strap.

Companies I'm looking into are:

IWC
Omega
Nomos Glashutte
B and M
Muhle Glashutte

but I am open to other options as well.

Also, why are vintage watches so cheap in price? I was on this website and beautiful Omegas go for $1,000

http://www.gmtsky.com/vintage-watches/omega


Thanks, and any help is appreciated.

 

[P12OFIT]

http://www.styleforum.net/t/36253/the-watch-appreciation-thread

 

[RogerP]

If you're really looking for a pure dress watch, you can get a vintage Omega for WELL under your budget. There's a bit more of a learning curve, but worth the effort, IMO. They are less expensive because well, they're old. But in good condition they will run as well as you could need.

 

[soundofaviolin]

Thank you for the replies. RogerP, do you know any NYC dealers that sell vintage Omegas? I'm really liking the style. Also, do you know if I can find an IWC in my budget or is that a stretch?

 

[RogerP]

I'm not in NYC so can't help you there. Although most of my vintage purchases have come through fellow collectors on forums like TimeZone and Watchuseeek. There is a bit of an assurance that comes from dealing with someone with a long and active post history. Searching Omega on Watchrecon will always bring up a smattering of solid vintage purchase options being advertised on those and other forums. I think a contemporary IWC is probably out of your budget, but a vintage watch would be doable.

 

[Thrift Vader]

Some ideas.....









yeah, there are some Omega's, Ulysses Nardin,IWC,Universal, etc. All in your price range. Also, Ball Make some nice watches for the money.

 

[Andy57]

I think you will be able to get a Nomos, new, for your budget. If you like bauhaus styling (and I do), then these are superb timepieces, very elegant and restrained. If you'd like to stay new, look also at Tissot and Longines.

Stowa makes superb watches that are well within your budget.

Vintage is a different world. It's very easy to end up with something that looks like a bargain but is not. If you know someone who is knowledgable about, say, Omegas, then rely heavily on their advice. It's true that there are many beautiful vintage Omegas out there that will give you years of good service. You should be able to find a nice piece that will easily fit your budget.

 

[Twotone]

All of the above vintage/used watches are great suggestions.

If you are also considering new watches, you may want to look at Tissot, Tutima, Baume et Mercier, Hamilton and Oris. All make nice automatic watches well within your price range.

 

[Thrift Vader]

Agreed on Oris.

you might also be able to get a nice used Tudor watch within your budget.

 

[Akeem]

for 2.5k, I would be looking at vintage DJ or a preowned omega AT.

 

[RogerP]

Quote:
If I were going new contemporary, I'd rather save money and get a nice Hamilton with a solid and dependable ETA movement than max out the budget on some other mid-tier brand charging way more for essentially the same movement or a Sellita copy. An entry level Nomos is a very good suggestion. Not everyone warms to their austere aesthetics, but I like 'em a whole bunch. And of course, there is the pre-owned contemporary market. I'd just search that price range on watchrecon to see what comes up. One thing for sure, as a watch newbie, it would be wise to invest a good deal more time in learning about the subject before plunking down $2500 on anything.

 

[soundofaviolin]

Thank you, I hadn't heard about WatchRecon, I'll def. look there.

 

[soundofaviolin]

Thank you Andy57, I'll take a look at Bauhaus as well