New Watch - Engagement Gift - Advice Needed

[toade]

I vote vintage as well. I'm currently looking at 50's Omegas and there are some nice finds for around $300. If I had a higher budget (as you do), you have a lot more options. I love the Omega Constellation (pie pan dial) in stainless, which can run from $600-$1200.

 

[Godot]

You have a rare chance here of getting your grail watch without the stress of digging too deep into your own pockets. Take your time and find out what you'd really like, then add a few bucks if you have to and pull the trigger.
Go to Time Zone and other watch sites and read the reviews. Go to your local book store and check out the watch magazines.
Take your time and don't settle for something that doesn't blow you away.

 

[cahlersmeyer]

i love the idea of the vintage watch!

 

[comrade]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Have you considered vintage? You can get something a lot more interesting in your price range that way.

Beware of Vintage. I am the original owner of a 1964 18K gold Omega
Seamaster De ville. Also, purchased by prospective in-laws, one of
whom recently turned 99. I keep it in a drawer. It was my regular
watch for years but never kept good time. It drove me crazy .This
was apparently a problem for this particular model. If you go Vintage,
check the track record of your choice in a mechanical watch.

BTW, I like the Stowa. it has an austere dignity.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by comrade

It was my regular watch for years but never kept good time. It drove me crazy. This was apparently a problem for this particular model. If you go Vintage, check the track record of your choice in a mechanical watch.

This advice is as applicable to new models as it is to vintage ones. Plenty of contemporary movements have design issues.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

This advice is as applicable to new models as it is to vintage ones. Plenty of contemporary movements have design issues.

I was looking at this yesterday at the local used dealer:

Nice, huh?


- B

 

[melwoesblvd]

get your wife to be to throw in some of your cash and get a submariner or something that will hold its value

 

[aon]

How about an Oris Artelier?

 

[origenesprit]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

I was looking at this yesterday at the local used dealer:

Nice, huh?


- B

What's the thing on the left side do?

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted by aon

How about an Oris Artelier?

I second the Oris suggestion. They make great looking, quality watches w/in your budget. You can find an authorized retailer on line and the watches for 1/3 to 1/2 retail.

 

[Bill Smith]

Originally Posted by comrade

Beware of Vintage. I am the original owner of a 1964 18K gold Omega
Seamaster De ville. Also, purchased by prospective in-laws, one of
whom recently turned 99. I keep it in a drawer. It was my regular
watch for years but never kept good time. It drove me crazy .This
was apparently a problem for this particular model. If you go Vintage,
check the track record of your choice in a mechanical watch.

BTW, I like the Stowa. it has an austere dignity.

Interesting, my Seamaster Deville has been keeping amazing time in the five years in my posession. I did purchase mine off a dealer who overhauled it before sale. Perhaps your Seamaster Deville needs servicing.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

I was looking at this yesterday at the local used dealer:

Nice, huh?

Yep. That's my grail watch. It's absolutely stunning, no? The new version is not as elegant (applied numerals and railroad track markers, like on the 5001).

Originally Posted by origenesprit

What's the thing on the left side do?

It activates the minute repeater function.

 

[comrade]

Originally Posted by Bill Smith

Interesting, my Seamaster Deville has been keeping amazing time in the five years in my posession. I did purchase mine off a dealer who overhauled it before sale. Perhaps your Seamaster Deville needs servicing.

It got more servicing than my present German Car.
As it turns out, the problem more than likely had
to do with the watch becoming magnetized from
the magnetized refrigerator door. Anyway, that was
a diagnosis from an Omega watch technician maybe
25 years ago.

I will probably follow your suggestion in the near future.
It's a beautiful watch and should be worn on special occasions.

 

[Newcomer]

Originally Posted by toade

I vote vintage as well. I'm currently looking at 50's Omegas and there are some nice finds for around $300. If I had a higher budget (as you do), you have a lot more options. I love the Omega Constellation (pie pan dial) in stainless, which can run from $600-$1200.

+1 on both the vintage as well as the omega. Very classy watches, and a decent pricepoint.