please recommend a watch

[this_is_james]

my watch just broke so i need to buy one. please help me choose one with the following criteria. thanks!

1. steel-strap (better if interchangable w/ leather strap)

2. "dress" watch (no sport watches).

3. versatile. can be worn w/ jeans and an expensive suit.

4. timeless. classic. sophisticated. not flashy. think if you can only own one watch what would it be.

5. budget: around $1800 for retail prices.


ps. right now i'm liking the omega seamaster aqua terra but is it formal enough?

 

[drizzt3117]

Hmm... tough question but if $1800 was really a hard limit I would have to go with a Tag Carerra:

http://www.watchesplanet.com/cgi-bin...=WV2115.FC6180

However, if you could scrape together a little more I would much prefer the IWC Portofino at $2400 or so:

http://www.watchesplanet.com/cgi-bin...etail=IW353301

 

[acidboy]

nautische instrument muhle glashutte mercurius at less than $1,000

 

[JO3B]

id also go with a carerra. if you ebay, you can have yourself a nice one under your price range

 

[LabelKing]

How about Nomos? http://www.pixelp.com/watches/nomos/

They have that nice Teutonic quality about them.

 

[Rolo]

I like vintage Omegas. I'd also go with a leather strap because it works for casual and I think it is more elegant as a dress watch.

I've purchased a number of watches from www.artoftime.com and have good luck with them. They have a couple of nice Omega's that fit within your budget.

In steel for $650

In 14K gold for $1880

You can even pick up a vintage chronograph that doesn't look clunky. Here's a steel Heuer Carrera for $1750.

 

[acidboy]

Originally Posted by Rolo

You can even pick up a vintage chronograph that doesn't look clunky. Here's a steel Heuer Carrera for $1750.

i believe that is a good price for a vintage heuer carrera- assuming it is in very good condition.

 

[gdl203]

Didn't the OP ask for a steel band?

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

If you are willing to increase your spending limit slightly, I recommend a gently pre-owned Rolex DateJust or Air King.

 

[Artisan Fan]

James,

I guess we are both in the market for roughly the same budget. I missed the thread earlier but now we can compare notes.

 

[gdl203]

1. steel-strap (better if interchangable w/ leather strap)
2. "dress" watch (no sport watches).
3. versatile. can be worn w/ jeans and an expensive suit.
4. timeless. classic. sophisticated. not flashy.
5. budget: around $1800 for retail prices.

I think you will find very difficult to find a "dress" watch with a steel bracelet. The two criteria are just generally mutually exclusive.

I would recommend looking at Longines's "Master Collection" watches. They're not sports watches and I believe they all come with a steel bracelet as an option.

If you're not married to the idea of a "dress" watch but are open to versatile sports watches, here are a couple of ideas that fit your criteria 1, 3, 4 and 5:

Sinn Pilot Chronograph (356 Flieger) - MSRP $1,450 (with s/s band)

Alpina Avalanche Regulateur 1883 - MSRP 1,290 (for rubber strap but exists in s/s)

 

[norcaltransplant]

Mr. James,
By definition a dress watch is usually sold with a leather or alligator/crocodile band, since the latter is a more formal aesthetic. There are a few watches that are considered in the sport category, but sufficiently formal to pair with an odd jacket or even a suit--just make sure you're standing to the Rolex Sub guy.

Here are a few suggestions:
1) Rolex Datejust (used, around 2.5k); courtesy of AC.
2) IWC Portofino on rice bracelet: very comfortable, much maligned for its ETA movement, but can be found at around your asking price.
3) Nomos Tangente (strap only)
4) Maurice Lacroix Pontos
5) Oris Atelier
6) Omega Aqua Terra
7) Limes Pharao

 

[gdl203]

norcaltransplant - did you just pick up the UN in your avatar? If so, congrats!

 

[Don Goldstein]

Where does one get a good price on Nomos and Glashutte?

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by Don Goldstein

Where does one get a good price on Nomos and Glashutte?

Nomos - you're pretty much stuck with MSRP (through Nomos itself or the very few distributors, e.g. http://www.watchbuys.com/Nomos.htm, or http://www.watch-links.com/)

Glashutte is widely distributed as part of the Swatch group, so I would first try with your local authorized dealer and see what kind of discount he can give you (it's always useful to build a relationship with an AD). Then, look at grey market dealers in Asia (e.g. http://www.timephilosophy.com/)

FYI - I bought my GO from Timephilosophy and it was a good experience