Watch buying advice

[Jay M1988]

Hey all

 

I've decided I fancy a new watch after my 26th birthday just gone but have no idea what to buy.

 

I like the skeleton look you get in a theorema watch but have heard mixed reviews.

 

My budget is 250-300 I understand this isn't Rolex territory don't worry.

 

Any suggestions guys or reviews, as I do like the look with the little dial showing inside or the timer.

 

All help is appreciated guys and gals

[rabbitstew]

Quite a lot out there in that price range. The "exhibition" glass backs and windows in the front can look cool on a manual wind or automatic watch. I bought this one a couple of years back..

 

http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/Bulova-Gents-Mechanical-Watch/p/17080085/

 

It has a completely glass back so you can see the automatic movement ticking away as well as a little window in the front.

 

Really you will be spoilt for choice in that price range!

[Jay M1988]

Yeh I kinda set 250-400ish away as say it all comes down to finding the right watch. Ill have a look at that link now mate

[Mudman]

Would you consider used ? there are some decent looking watches out there depending what you want. I'm a bit of a watch freak - have 11 !! ranging from 1996 Seiko Kinetic up to Bell & Ross. They all have their reasons for purchase but may downsize at some stage and get my Holy Grail - Omega Speedmaster moon watch. Anyhow before I hijack the thread here are a few links these are very good quality watches sweeping hands ie automatic so much cooler than battery

 

Laco - https://shop.laco.de/en/index.html?x0f5d8=hsh3bshfcdnuq58lkiiu27o5r7 (clearbacks I own one!)

 

Stowa - https://www.stowa.de/lshop,shopstart,139722509411416,en,1397225094-11416,,,,,.htm

 

Hamilton - http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/

 

To get a rough idea on used watch prices check out http://www.chrono24.com/?SETLANG=en_GB&SETCURR=GBP

 

Good hunting !

[Gudzy]

I got my Tag Heuer formula one for the bottom end of your budget and my Tag Heuer Kirium F1 for the top end, both used of course.

[Jay M1988]

I'd love a tag heuer but the new price range puts me off at 1k plus.

 

My family are over USA so I've got em looking for me at tag heuer over there.

 

Thanks for this input guys

[rabbitstew]

Would you consider used ? there are some decent looking watches out there depending what you want. I'm a bit of a watch freak - have 11 !! ranging from 1996 Seiko Kinetic up to Bell & Ross. They all have their reasons for purchase but may downsize at some stage and get my Holy Grail - Omega Speedmaster moon watch.

 

Speedmaster Pro is a nice watch, very popular, i nearly bought one this week off ebay for £1400, but im still undecided. They hold their value well, but I know can get a lot of other watches for that price.

 

Id definitely look at Seikos, they have some classic designs and you can get some nice ones in the £150 mark. Also Steinhart (im wearing an ocean one today) are very very nice quality. German made, with Swiss ETA movements in them. They seem to hold their value loads and are about £300.

 

Ive not quite got 11, think im more on 8 or 9 atm, but it can be addictive. The way I see it, i could have gone out and bought a Rolex Submariner for £3500 or an Omega, or alternatively could have 8 or 9 nice watches which give me a choice of what to wear depending upon what im doing.

[Jay M1988]

Rabbitstew I preferred your design in the first post, anymore along them lines?

[Cragus]

I like some of the TW Steele watches as a 'budget' watch.

 

http://www.twsteeluk.com/c-1-tw-steel-uk

[Gudzy]

Does it have to be new?

 

I've got one of these, think it cost around £400: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261441155274

 

My initials are TAG, I got mine for my 18th and 25th birthday.

Edited April 11, 2014 by Gudzy

[Jay M1988]

Preferably new tbh just don't want to wearing someone's old stuff unless it was an awesome watch then of course I'd have to reconsider haha

[Fodder]

I must admit I love the speed master pro too but the manual wind puts me off a little

 

I also like the sea master and nearly bought one on New York for £1400 a few years back. I'm still disappointed in myself for not going ahead

 

Your budget is ok but when you start looking it will creep up

 

I've heard of horror stories with servicing etc about tag so wouldn't go there myself

Edited April 11, 2014 by Fodder

[WhackyWill]

I would buy a second hand Rolex from a dealer with box and papers, sit on it

 

for a few years and you will double your money, and have a lovely watch to wear at the same time,..!

[Stutopia]

It's not the flashiest looking, nor the best brand, but I love my Seiko Kinetic Titanium, it's dressy enough for smart, understated enough for everyday, and it takes knock and bangs like a champ. I never leave home without it. Sensibly priced too.

 

http://www.firstclasswatches.co.uk/seiko-gents-kinetic-titanium-ska214p1-p-584.html

 

I'd love a Rolex Submariner one day.

[14N]

I've got a Seiko SNDA13 'Caesar' and think its a great watch and great quality. Certainly within your price range (although may not necessarily be to you liking style wise). I like divers watches with a chrono. And the fact this one was huge ticked all boxes!

 

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f304/seiko-snda13-chrono-caesar-review-136144.html

[Ekona]

I have two watches: One is a £20 Sekonda piece of junk, that gets worn for work. The other is a Rolex Datejust that was a 21st birthday present, that gets worn for special occasions.

 

Both look incredibly similar, and both tell the time. One weighs a crapload more than the other and is clearly better made, but other than that there's pretty much no difference between them when I'm wearing either. What I'm trying to get at I think is that, at your budget OP, I'd just be buying one that looks ace rather than worrying about quality. At £300 it's going to be of a certain standard, so get on the watch selling websites and just grab one you like the look of

[sipar69]

Here's an alternative suggestion if, like me, you grew up in the good old 1980s....

 

Genuine retro Casio. Mine was £10 off Flea-bay and has been working perfectly for three years....

 

http://cdn.watchshop.com/profiler/thumb_cache/zoom/99931583_v_1355959987.jpg

 

It won't make you feel like an alpha male, increase your success at work, or convince anyone that your James Bond but it tells the time. You can spend the rest of your budget on the Z

Edited April 12, 2014 by sipar69

[Jay M1988]

Haha thanks man

 

Decision made Ive found the make I like - http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/OCEAN-1-BLACK,14.html

 

As to which steinhart ocean I'm unsure but black back I like

[Fodder]

Haha thanks man

 

Decision made Ive found the make I like - http://www.steinhartwatches.de/en/OCEAN-1-BLACK,14.html

 

As to which steinhart ocean I'm unsure but black back I like

 

I like that. Look forward to seeing a review once you've chosen and had it for a month or so

[Stutopia]

That's nice, very close to the submariner of my dreams.

 

[Jay M1988]

Thanks stu, it seems the look they've went for definitely. Just lil cheaper haha, this is the start of my watch collection

[Stutopia]

Great start for a collection, looks great and you can be safe that you'll never bump into Mickey Mouse wearing a Jay M1988 watch

[Jay M1988]

Quick question guys and gals, it states it comes as aluminium or for a small extra charge I can get the ceramic embezzled.

 

I've looked at the pictures and I'm struggling to see exactly what is ceramic?

[Jay M1988]

I'd be seriously angry if I did stu

[Steel Lynx]

I've been looking at getting a Nite Chrono for a while ( http://www.nitewatches.com/store/gb/chrono/ ) But don't really know much about them other than what's on the site. Anyone who's in to watches know a bit more about them please? (Feel free to PM me or answer on this post)