Watch for my dads 50th US$15000~US$20000 budget

[TheWraith]

In the end, if your dad is happy with the choice, that's all that matters.

 

[SirWilliam]

I would suggest a Rolex Datejust President with either a gold or a white face. If it does not have to be a Rolex I would suggest a Breguet Classique Automatic. I would recommend a Patek Philippe Calatrava but in your price range I am not sure you could get one that was not tiny.

 

[acidboy]

he should buy what he wants, yes. but may i suggest the daytona.

 

[Shikar]

Take your dad to a few watch dealers....let him try on watches on his wrist....let the watch speak to him....then once he decides....the deal is done.

I faced a similar situation a week ago, my dad now wears the watch that he liked in the store the most. Honestly its rare that I see him enjoy material things, but he really likes the JLC and didnt even know the name before!!

Regards.

 

[idfnl]

Originally Posted by ginlimetonic

why not Patek Phillipe...

"you never own a patek phillipe. you merely look after it for the next generation"..is their marketing quote.

so you'll get it sometime!!

they only have leather strap i think, and dead centre in your price range

they're classic and elegant (also you can describe them as plain)

I understand what the OP is saying... as a kid, my dad's thing was owning a Mercedes Benz, not a chance a BMW, Audi, Jag, even a Rolls would have shifted his mindset... it was a Benz or nothing.

 

[Felix Leiter]

I own a Datejust President with gold face but, for me, the Submariner is THE Rolex, the one that is icon.

 

[TheWraith]

Originally Posted by Felix Leiter

I own a Datejust President with gold face but, for me, the Submariner is THE Rolex, the one that is icon.

Agreed.

 

[danielvh]

Well, I just sent him some links to some of my favourite watches in the hope that he might change his mind re Rolex. Obviously some of these are quite a bit cheaper than what he has in mind but just thought I'd show them to him anyway. I think if it has to be Rolex, I'll look into either the Submariner or possibly a vintage model.

1) Probably my favourite is the Patek Phillippe Calatrava 5196R http://www.prestigetime.com/item/Pat...ava/5196r.html (there's also a very nice one model called the 5196G which has a black leather strap and white gold).

2) Second favourite is the Jaeger LeCoultre
Master Grand Ultrathin http://www.prestigetime.com/item/Jae...135.84.20.html (also a nice model with pink gold and a black leather strap)

3) IWC make some very very nice watches.
The IWC Vintage Portguese Hand Wound: http://www.prestigetime.com/item/IWC...IW5445-01.html
The Vintage Ingenieur Automatic: http://www.prestigetime.com/item/IWC...IW3233-01.html
The Vintage Portofino Hand Wound: http://www.prestigetime.com/item/IWC...IW5448-01.html
The Portuguese Automatic: http://www.prestigetime.com/item/IWC...IW5001-01.html

4) There are two great Tag Huerer watches
The Carrerra Automatic: http://www.prestigetime.com/item/Tag...1b.fc6202.html
The Monaco Automatic: http://www.prestigetime.com/item/Tag...10.fc6177.html

5) Omega also make some very nice watches:
The De Ville Prestige 36mm: http://www.prestigetime.com/item/Ome...875.50.01.html
The Planet Ocean - 42mm: http://www.prestigetime.com/item/Ome...901.50.81.html
The Aqua Terra Mens Automatic: http://www.prestigetime.com/item/Ome...21.06.002.html

 

[CDFS]

2% off. They're mad!

 

[rs232]

Originally Posted by danielvh

I'm starting to think that the best idea is to get one of the cheaper Rolex watches (I think the Milgauss is my favourite) and then a second dressier watch as well with the change, and get a nice watch case that would hold both of them.

What do you guys think of this idea?

So, I think the Milgauss has a list price of US$5900 leaving about US$10000 or so to spend on another.

I'd say no to a milgauss, simply because the sorts of circumstances where you would be exposed to large magnetic fields (eg the busbars beneath a generator stator) mean that you wear overalls. And it doesn't match too well with overalls. And I think it's a little silly having a watch that theoretically could be used for what it was designed, but circumstances mean that in practice, it can't. (Whereas, for example, you really would wear a submariner for diving).

Just 2 cents from someone who actually works with generators.

 

[Warren G.]

Originally Posted by Shikar

Take your dad to a few watch dealers....let him try on watches on his wrist....let the watch speak to him....then once he decides....the deal is done. I faced a similar situation a week ago, my dad now wears the watch that he liked in the store the most. Honestly its rare that I see him enjoy material things, but he really likes the JLC and didnt even know the name before!! Regards.
+1 If I was in the market for a 10k+ watch...I'd be kinda iffy on purchasing a watch online without seeing it first hand. I don't think your dad can't go wrong with any IWC Portuguese or Patek.

 

[danielvh]

I think I've swayed him. After sending that email with the list of watches that I personally like he's responded that he's decided to go with the Patek I linked to (probably in the white gold version with black strap though - The Calatrava 5196G) pending trying it on somewhere.

 

[SirWilliam]

Just be aware that that Patek is a bit on the small side. I imagine that he will like the size of the IWCs much better. I have the Portugese Automatic in the same color combo and I get lots of compliments on it.

 

[emmanuel]

I dont get why you are just overlooking what he wants. That aint right!

 

[danielvh]

Originally Posted by emmanuel

I dont get why you are just overlooking what he wants. That aint right!

I'm not. I showed him a range of watches and he came back with: "love the Patek. Looks like an amazing watch and pending trying it on that's the watch I want." Admittedly I did say I'm not such a big fan of Rolex but that's about it.