Looking for my first decent watch

[Off My Rack]

http://www.stowa.de/lshop,showdetai...1-26407,antea,antea390,5,Tshowrub--antea,.htm

vs.

http://us.tagheuer.com/en/luxury-wa...acalibre5automatic-productsheet-wv211a-fc6203

vs.

Something in the same range ($500 - $2500), but better...

I'm looking for something with a bit of elegance, with a white or silver simple face.

Any thoughts?

 

[thisisfun]

If you're like me and enjoy Bauhaus design, look into NOMOS of Glashutte, their prices should be right up your alley.



Or you could go the vintage route if that's your thing.

 

[Off My Rack]

Yep - that's my thing....

Its funny how someone always finds a way to hit the top of the budget when you list it. Did I read their website right - a shell cordovan strap and a suede strap comes with each watch?

I love those watches now. I also hate you now.

Now to convince my wife that its okay to spend $2,200 online for a watch...

 

[thisisfun]

Yep - that's my thing....

Its funny how someone always finds a way to hit the top of the budget when you list it. Did I read their website right - a shell cordovan strap and a suede strap comes with each watch?

I love those watches now. I also hate you now.

Now to convince my wife that its okay to spend $2,200 online for a watch...

I believe that it's either-or. Personally, I prefer the shell cordovan.

Edit: If you're willing to forgo the silver face, keepthetime.com has an anthracite Orion listed for $1800.

 

[in stitches]

if your going up to 2500, you can find a nice omega. that would better than your present ideas imo. either way, good luck!

 

[poorsod]

Consider the Zeno Magellano.



It was my first decent watch, I got it when it was less than $500. Now I think it is around $600-700.

 

[Gauss17]

I am sure that this forum has its share of Stowa and TAG fans, but as both ends of your price range, you can (in my opinion) do much better. On the lower end of your price range, lets say $500-850, you could go MIDO, Hamilton, or Seiko. MIDO even offers chronometer certified movements, sadly the lower end Seikos are not as accurate for the most part (Grand Seikos are another story). These are just some of the examples, MIDO and Hamilton have many permutations of these waters (small seconds, different indices, etc.)

MIDO Baroncelli and Hamilton Viewmatic:



Seiko Cocktail Time:



Now, on the upper end of your budget, you can get some really nice pieces. I would recommend you entertain the idea of pre-owned as many of the nicer brands (such as Rolex, IWC, Omega) can be had pre-owned in this range. Some great choices would be (depending on your desired size and aesthetic).

Baume & Mercier Classima and Longines Silver Arrow:



IWC Portofino and Grand Seiko Automatic:



Omega Deville Small Seconds:



You can probably get the Baume and Mercier and the Longines new for $1000-1500. The Omega you could also get new, but with discount it will be close to your upper limit.

 

[Cylon]

+1 for NOMOS or Omega

You can also get an older JLC Master Control or a Rolex Explorer for ~3k

Edit: Ok maybe closer to 4k for the JLC MC...but you may get lucky

 

[Off My Rack]

Right now, the Nomos is taking it. For whatever reason, it won't let me upload the picture, but here's the link:

http://www.nomos-glashuette.com/index.php?id=392&L=1

There's just nothing else that clean and elegant, with that much character to boot.

 

[Cylon]

In-house manufacture movement too. I like NOMOS a lot. Take a look at the new zurich colored dial offerings (not to mention the worldtimer)...

 

[rcoreytaylor]

Check out www.watchuseek.com and do research....there's LOTS to choose from and no end of opinions on EVERYTHING (new, vintage, brands.....)

 

[Mark Anthony]

Some options (some already mentioned).

Omega Small Seconds - preowned or discounted as this model is discontinued I believe.
Hamilton
Seiko
Longines (Master, Conquest Heritage or Flagship Heritage lines)
Frederique Constant
Nomos as posted early in the thread

When I was first learning about higher end watches I was advised there are a couple rules you should follow.
Rule #1. Do not buy Tag Heuer
Rule #2. Do not forget Rule #1

 

[Off My Rack]

Rule #1. Do not buy Tag Heuer
Rule #2. Do not forget Rule #1

Any particular reasoning behind this?

 

[JTP1000]

I think TAG has developed a reputation of being a lazy manufacturer. once you look past the marketing, there really isn't that much there.
A lot of watch buying (and really anything else on this forum) has to do with how much importance you assign to different characteristics. For me, mechanical over quartz, and in house over stock movement. I marvel at the engineering of a mechanical movement, and when a maker takes the time to develop something they can call their own I think that's special. Just my two cents.

 

[Mark Anthony]



 Any particular reasoning behind this?

When they were simply Heuer in the 1960s and earlier they were a very respected brand and those vintage pieces today are still admired greatly and garner pretty high prices. Today they are very overpriced based on their quality.

Asthetically many are quite nice including the Carrera posted but their movement quality is basic and finishing merely average in virtually all of their offerings. That $1700+ Carrera is marginally if any better than a $500 Tissot Le Locle.

So they present one of the worst value for money options in the watch world.