I'm in the market for a nice, professional, long term watch. Does anyone have any websites or jewelry store recommendations? I am looking for something in the 800-1200 dollar range, anyone have recommendations for something like that? This is a graduation gift that I get to pick out, so its a one time thing I dont want to screw around end up with a watch I hate or is too trendy 5 years from now, etc. From my preliminary research, rolex, patek, oris, and omega are out of my price range, help!?!
are you saying thats not enough money to buy anything good? if so, how much does one need to spend for a quality, long term watch?
links or stores? im sure there is an army of hornfans/texas exes with nice watches. where did yall buy them?
Gave up watches when I started carrying a cell phone and pager. Figured three timekeeping devices were too many. Now I just carry a cell phone and the clock never needs adjustment. So why don't you just get some nice diamond earrings instead?
personally, as someone who has had a very expensive watch, it's not really worth it. i had a panerai (around $6500). it was nice to have and occassionally people commented on it, but i just honestly didn't use it that much and i could easily have found much better things to spend the money on, like camera lenses.
you should be able to get a tag for that price. The Link sells watches a good watch will set you bak $3k+ more than likely. and patek? come on.
I had a drunken conversation with my cousin a few weeks ago about watches. He said I should get rid of my Seiko and get a Rolex, Omega, IWC or whatever - and spend at least two weeks pay on it. Coming from him (unemployed), it seemed really stupid, but his rationale is men don't have purses, jewelry and accessories, so might as well invest in a good watch. That said, I'm happy with my $170 Seiko. It tells time accurately, doesn't lose/gain time like my old $800 Maurice Lacroix (gift from dad), doesn't break when I leave it in the dryer, and I'm not concerned about losing it. Spending $5000 on a watch is kinda ridiculous, but different priorities I suppose.
I've got an Omega Speedmaster Automatic that I bought out of college for about $1200. I still wear it daily, and like it a lot.
There are two very vocal minorities on HF ... one who can't for the life of them fathom why someone would spend more than $75 or so on a watch, and those that have 4 four-figure watches and wouldn't be caught dead in a Timex. The rest of us lie somewhere in between . I was given a Seiko Titanium by my then-fiancee, as my wedding gift. We'd been eyeing watches, and that one matched my jewelry well (wedding ring, college ring). I'd been a long-time fossil wearer, but liked the metal, heavier watches. I wanted something that I didn't have to adjust for 31/30/28 day months, and one that would keep accurate time. The Seiko I ended up with listed at about $450, and it's Kinetic bretheren list around $600. Obviously, there are nicer versions for slightly more. Without delving into the Omega/Tag/Rolex end of the world, I think I did fantastic. Didn't spend a boatload like I could have, and achieved all my goals. To boot, the watch LOOKS nice, and I know that I'll have it for a very long time. Might be worth checking into. Everyone I know that picked up a Seiko Kinetic loves it. Not a scientific survey, but a good indicator of quality and price.
Check out the Ebel Sportwave collection. There are a bunch of them--some get a little aggressive on color/design (orange dials, etc.) but there are some that are very simple and nice. I also like the band quite a bit. I got one when I graduated from college in 1994 and it has worked fine since then with a few trips in for cleaning, batteries, etc. I think it was around $800 back then and I don't think its changed much. Russell Korman appears to be the only place in Austin that sells them--if they don't have the one you want I'm sure they can order it. The ebel website is pretty good--a bit annoying with their music, etc. but good pictures of their options.
Thanks for the advice capnamerica and horn94. i too am looking for something that fits with my class ring and is simple, but nice. I've noticed a lot of watch companies websites don't sell watches, but have retailers they recommend, which im sure sell at a premium. How do watch sites that have things at a bargain price do it? are they fake?
I have a Concord that was about a grand and I love it. It was a gift, though and I don't know where she got it.
I bought my last one from prestigetime.com Fast Shipping, authentic,, and no sales tax. I highly recommend.
casadeoro.com I bought my wife and I matching Tags on our honeymoon. I got the automatic chrono and her a link series for less than the auto chrono is in the states. This was Jamaica btw. they negotiate and I will use them again. I think I paid 2k for both out the door.
I've got an Omega Seamaster Automatic that I got for an XMas gift four or five years ago from my folks that looks sharp. I wear it every day. I think my Automatic retails for $1,795 but I got it for $400 or $500 less through the Internet. I couldn't even begin to remember where, though, but it was through a power seller on eBay. The quartz version of my watch is around $1,300 retail but I could've gotten it for $800 back then. The automatic action is worth paying extra for. If you don't wear it (it automatically winds via the motions of your arm throughout the day), it'll lose time quickly. Still, the constant motion of an automatic watch is, to borrow a phrase from Ferris Bueller, "oh-so-choice." And I'm with the guys above that say this is the one piece of "jewelry" that is acceptable for guys to wear. Once I become more able to do so, I plan to buy a couple of nice watches to wear and pass down to my kids/grandchildren one day.
Be careful getting an expensive watch if you're about to enter the job market. I had nice stuff like that and bosses seem jealous and would make comments. A lot folks out there really resent young grads who have nicer stuff than them. Just sayin. I hide that stuff becuase if they see that they'll think you don't need a raise.
Back when I was in school, the Sheftall company gave credit like crazy to college kids and I bought a Concord for about a grand or so. I also bought a nice pair of Zeiss binoculars that way from McBrides. I still have them both 26 years later. Most days I wear my Casio Fish-n-Time watch that tells the times when the fish are supposedly biting based on the moon. The fish apparently don't wear this particular watch, but the canvas band does smell a little like fish. Or maybe it's toe jam.
i have a Citizen EcoDrive. love it. it is very simple, stainless steel, silver face. works great. retails around $200. i paid less online. to each his own but for my money, i love it. it looks very good and i don't need to cry my eyes out if i ever bust it on accident.
I have a Seiko Chronograph that Mrs. Macanudo gave me 5-6 years ago. Still runs like a champ. Same battery that came with it. That line runs between 300-450. As long as thing runs, I wont own another watch. It's titanium with a blue/silver face. I've always wanted an Omega Speedmaster but I just don't see myself spending that kind of money on a watch.
The ultimate high-end, and not for those just looking at what you are sporting, is Franck Muller. If you don't know what it is...too bad, if you do, pick one up. Not about status, it is about taste.
