Advice needed!

winterlight

Calling all watch connoisseurs!

I want to buy a watch for my fiance as a wedding present. I haven't a clue about brands etc. My budget is 2000euro.

I know he LOVES the IWC vintage-style pilots watches (and so do I) but they are outside my budget. I know he really doesn't like Tag Heur. He already has an Omega.

Can anyone recommend a good-looking, quality watch that would be a nice wedding present for him?

peasant

Do you feel compelled to spend the whole budget in order to get a recognized name?

If not, you might want to have a look at this pilot style chrono (I'm sure somebody also has it on a normal strap if you prefer that) for half your budget.



all the goodies are there ...Valjoux 7750 chrono, sapphire glass, etc.
http://www.aristo-online.de/online-shop/armbanduhren-herren-mechanisch/chronographen/aristo-fliegerchrono-mit-massivem-vollmer.html


Alternatively the same company does a lovely certified chronometer in similar style for the same kind of money


http://www.aristo-online.de/online-shop/armbanduhren-herren-mechanisch/vollmer-chronometer/vollmer-chronometer-v3.html

You could eat and drink the rest of the budget during the honeymoon

winterlight

Thanks peasant- What a coincidence, just last weekend I was checking out Aristo and Steinhart watches online. They have some lovely looking ones and I'm going to investigate them further.

Fair point about blowing the budget- we have so much expense at the moment. He is spending an awful lot of money on my engagement ring though. I'm kind of thinking now that I should get him a modest-priced dress watch and get it engraved with a nice message, and get the Best Man to deliver it to him on the morning of the wedding. The IWC ones he likes are about 10 grand- he will have to wait for an important anniversary!!! I've seen some Armani and Citizen ones online that I personally think are lovely and cost 300-500 euro. Don't know if himself would find them as lovely though. Am seriously tempted to just ask him...

Reloc8

Have you seen these : http://www.stowa.de/lshop,showrub,131221968210168,en,1312219697-10577,flieger,,,,.htm

The chrono on that page might tick the box and is under budget. The others are well within your budget and similar in style.

There is a wait on delivery though - couple of months.

I'd be careful abou going down the road of Armani/any quartz - watch blokes can be funny about that kind of stuff.

winterlight

Thank you, I hadn't heard of Stowa. Just checking out their website. They have a lovely vintage look to them and I like that you can order an extra engraved rotor for the back...not getting married till 22nd of December so I have a bit of time...

winterlight

ReLoc, as I was saying earlier, I haven't a clue about brands or specs, so you'll have to forgive me, is 'quartz' considered a bit naff? What do the Stowa have instead of quartz?

Reloc8

A mechanical watch is powered by a mechanical movement - literally clock work. A quartz is powered by an electric oscillator regulated by a quartz crystal.

Some people who are into watches are snooty about having nothing but mechanical watches and don't really care for quartz.

The same people often don't like 'fashion' watches - watches made by something other than a dedicated watch maker - Armani and what not.

The stowas are mechanical (automatic as well - they don't need to be wound as long as you wear it regularly) and made by a specialist watch company. If your bloke is into omega/IWC he might not be a quartz/fashion watch type of fella. Stowa is just a brand - there's info on the website. They are good value for money.

Then again for all I know his omega is quartz - if the second hand 'ticks' as opposed to sweeping smoothly it's quartz - but I still wouldn't get him an Armani watch unless I knew he was ok with that brand.

winterlight

Reloc8 wrote: »

Have you seen these : http://www.stowa.de/lshop,showrub,131221968210168,en,1312219697-10577,flieger,,,,.htm

The chrono on that page might tick the box and is under budget. The others are well within your budget and similar in style.

There is a wait on delivery though - couple of months.

I'd be careful abou going down the road of Armani/any quartz - watch blokes can be funny about that kind of stuff.

Was just looking at your post on another forum. Did you buy the Stowa 1938 chronograph? It's looks so beautiful!

Reloc8

I did - if he likes IWC portugese style that might be as close as you can get for the money.

winterlight

Reloc8 wrote: »

I did - if he likes IWC portugese style that might be as close as you can get for the money.

Thanks for all your advice- I'm delighted now to have discovered the Stowa watches- enjoy yours when you get it!

Bullseye1

I was about to suggest Stowa as your fiancee likes IWC but I see someone has already beat me to it.

I know you have said he doesn't like Tags but you should really check out the new line based on a vintage look.
http://www.calibre11.com/tag-heuer-carrera-heritage/

winterlight

Bullseye1 wrote: »

I was about to suggest Stowa as your fiancee likes IWC but I see someone has already beat me to it.

I know you have said he doesn't like Tags but you should really check out the new line based on a vintage look.
http://www.calibre11.com/tag-heuer-carrera-heritage/

Actually, a good friend of his recently got married and she had bought him a Tag as an engagement present. I asked my OH if he would like one, and he said no, definitely not a Tag...and I have to say I don't like his friend's watch, I don't know what type of Tag it is, but I find it a bit big and shiny and flashy... but I LOVE these new Carreras! I was looking for sites that you can buy them on and I came across www.beaverbrooks.co.uk
Have you heard of them?

Bullseye1

Have not dealt with them before. The nearest type I can find on that site is the 1887.
http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/mens/tag-heuer/watches/none/10899/mens-tag-heuer-carrera-automatic-chronograph-stainless-steel-watch-with-leather-strap

Have you a direct link to the heritage line? I haven't seen the price list on those yet.

Bullseye1

BTW depending on where you are planning on honeymooning it might be more advantageous to buy the watch then. Especially if it's in the US.

winterlight

Yep, here:

http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/mens/tag-heuer/watches/none/11599/tag-heuer-men-39-s-carrera-heritage-stainless-steel-watch-with-brown-leather-strap

and here:

http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/mens/tag-heuer/watches/none/11601/tag-heuer-men-39-s-carrera-heritage-stainless-steel-watch-with-black-leather-strap

What do you think of these two?

winterlight

Bullseye1 wrote: »

BTW depending on where you are planning on honeymooning it might be more advantageous to buy the watch then. Especially if it's in the US.

We haven't decided where we're going yet, we're probably going to decide closer to the time. Is there much better value in the US? Would we be stung for import taxes?

Bullseye1

I've bought a couple of nice watches in the US without being hit for import. Just wear it back.

Would he like a vintage? This guy has some very nice vintage Heuers. Check this one out.
http://vintageheuer.com/modelcodeH158.htm

Bullseye1

winterlight wrote: »

Yep, here:

http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/mens/tag-heuer/watches/none/11599/tag-heuer-men-39-s-carrera-heritage-stainless-steel-watch-with-brown-leather-strap

and here:

http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/mens/tag-heuer/watches/none/11601/tag-heuer-men-39-s-carrera-heritage-stainless-steel-watch-with-black-leather-strap

What do you think of these two?

I love the second one. If it came with a blue leather strap it would be perfect. They are both within your price range.

Bullseye1

I know it's probably twice your budget but this one is amazing.
http://www.chrono24.com/en/heuer/carrera-45-blue-deci--id1777908.htm?manufacturerIds=279&urlSubpath=/heuer/index.htm&searchResultIndex=20

winterlight

Bullseye1 wrote: »

I love the second one. If it came with a blue leather strap it would be perfect. They are both within your price range.

It's lovely isn't it? I saw on that link you sent me, they come with blue straps alright, really cool! What do you think of the rose gold numbers on the face of the first one? Is it a bit much?:D I actually really like it!

winterlight

Bullseye1 wrote: »

I know it's probably twice your budget but this one is amazing.
http://www.chrono24.com/en/heuer/carrera-45-blue-deci--id1777908.htm?manufacturerIds=279&urlSubpath=/heuer/index.htm&searchResultIndex=20

Lovely, but I've a feeling he might not be impressed with me giving him second hand/vintage anyway...

Bullseye1

It's nice but alittle flashy for me. Never been a fan of gold on watches. But maybe your fella might differ. The blue one has a classic look which knowing it's based on a model from the 60's will age well. It's also looks similar to the IWC and Stowa.

Bullseye1

winterlight wrote: »

Lovely, but I've a feeling he might not be impressed with me giving him second hand/vintage anyway...

If he knows his watches he will be blown away. An original Heuer!

winterlight

Bullseye1 wrote: »

It's nice but alittle flashy for me. Never been a fan of gold on watches. But maybe your fella might differ. The blue one has a classic look which knowing it's based on a model from the 60's will age well. It's also looks similar to the IWC and Stowa.

I know what you mean. He has said he wants a yellow gold wedding ring, but maybe rose gold would be a step too far for him.

Thanks, today has been very educational for me!

CarltonBrowne

The vintage style of IWC pilot watch that I think that your boyfriend likes was originally used by the Luftwaffe in the war and was technically an observers watch; know as Beobachtungs-Uhr (or B-Uhr). There's no need to get hung up on this as Stowa refer to theirs as a pilot's watch and the £10k watch by IWC that your boyfriend probably wants is called the Big Pilot. There were 5 original manufacturers of these; IWC, Lange & Söhne, Laco, Stowa, and Wempe. My inclination would be to source from one of these manufacturers as they have the heritage and, given your budget, that effectively leaves Laco and Stowa. Have a look at the stuff on the Laco website but be warned as they have started putting Chinese movements into some of their lesser pieces - what I'm saying is that it would be Stowa everytime for me. I have handled a friend's Flieger Original Limited Edition handwind and it is absolutely stunning - these watches were originally all hand-wound and I would suggest that rather than the auto (having just gone through the Stowa catalogue they don't seem to make the handwind anymore which seems odd). Don't leave the ordering too late with Stowa as they do take their time.

https://shop.laco.de/en/

One footnote should you be thinking about Laco - they do an exact recreation of the original watch which is the actual size of the Luftwaffe model (55mm). This is practically unwearable as the design was originally intended to be worn over the sleeve of a flying jacket on a massive leather strap.

CarltonBrowne

A footnote about Stowa handwound Fliegers. It would seem that the gentleman who used to prepare their handwound movements has passed away so these are not currently offered. They will probably fix this at some point but not likely in your timeframe.

marcus1971

I would give a bit of thought about buying a pilots watch..... If he already has his eyes on an IWC and considers it his "grail" watch and at 10,000 ... then this IS the pilot style watch he wants, it might be 10,000 now, but give it a few years and they'll be had far far less than that (not new obviously) but most middle to luxury brand watches tank in spectacular fashion once bought and I can guarantee that if he ever buys the IWC he wants any other similar watch will be consigned to the watchbox to gather dust
Some Tags are nice, and have great history....but its not what he wants (?)
What kind of Omega does he already have? another fantastic watch...with probably the best background story out there is the Omega Speedmaster Pro., The first and only watch ever worn on the moon, the only (still?) watch certified by NASA for basically anything outside of the spaceship, probably one the most important watches in recent history, more than a pilots watch, an astronauts watch...seen on many famous wrists over the years, it looks almost exactly the same as it did all those years ago when the first ship landed on the moon.....a used one is just about within your budget, I would put my neck on the block and say its more of a watch than a Rolex Daytona for less than 1/4 of the price.

If it were my watch you were buying I would put as my #1 choice the Rolex Datejust 36mm
...a vintage, plexi glass, stainless steel, jubilee bracelet, silver/white/linen or tapestry dial.. one of the most elegant, timeless, understated watches that you could buy within your budget
...good for formal, jeans, even digging the garden, it is one of the few watches within your budget that (well cared for) will still be the sort of watch you can wear into your old age together and not look out of place.. you'll rarely see a pensioner sporting a pilot chrono and this watch is supposed to be something for a lifetime, the pilots watches will come and go as will the chronos but the Datejust will be an heirloom that can be handed down to the kids for generations, they are practically indestructible, it will ..guaranteed.. most Rolex watches go up and up in value over the years with more certainty than any other brand in the sub 10,000 price range.
It may not be something to wear every day but will always be a go to watch for certain occasions.

I have bought my wife a few watches in the few years we are married, all high quality, expensive watches and the only one she says she will never be without is her Rolex Date (from 1960 and in perfect condition) that I bought in 2008 for the sum of....get this, $450 in a no reserve auction in ebay...VERY VERY LUCKY BUY, she has watches I spent over 25 times this amount and this is the only one she will never let me sell.

And as any pilot (of a certain age) will tell you with a Rolex watch, no matter where in the world you are, stranded, no money, no credit card...no matter where....a Rolex watch will always be a ticket home.

Try watching this for a bit of insight into the whole facination with watches...and maybe a bit of inspiration, great view...

http://www.theluxurychannel.tv/timeMachines.aspx


I know you want to buy new but to be honest you will get 10 times the watch second hand for the same money.

Bullseye1

Cheers Marcus. Going to watch that video later today. Very useful information there too.

How do you feel about those mid 60's Heuers?

winterlight

Marcus, I totally take your point on board about the IWC- if that's what he wants, he'll get one eventually, so maybe I should get him something totally different and classic.

Not sure what Omega he has, I know he told me they retail just under 2K, but his ex gave it to him, he got a friend to sell it for him for way less than that, so I want him to get something totally different from me iykwim?

I really like the look of those Tags carrera heritage, but I will have to suss him out further about where he stands on Tags, because they're certainly not all the same.

I wouldn't really have the confidence to buy vintage, I'd be so worried about getting a fake, or non-existent after-sales service. I've never bought anything on ebay in my life haha, not even sure how it works. I don't think I could afford a Rolex datejust though, I've just done a quick search on ebay, cheapest is 2,599 dollars, most are way more than that though...is this the type you were saying you like?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ROLEX-MENS-FULSZE-36MM-16030-SS-DATEJUST-QUICKSET-2599-/370530653086?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item564559139e#ht_13226wt_1189

marcus1971

Bullseye1 wrote: »

Cheers Marcus. Going to watch that video later today. Very useful information there too.

How do you feel about those mid 60's Heuers?

Thread Hijack.....

I like the look of them, I don't think I would consider buying one without a great deal of research and snagging it at a good price....and most of those type of dealers are over 2x what they could be bought for.
... ebay yields great bargains with a bit of patience, I have had a few in the past Omega Speedy Pro Pre Moon, Omega Jedi, SS Daytona and a hairy chested solid gold Zenith Daytona (my excuse was that it was so cheap it was almost a sin not to buy it)... I got em all for buttons and have since sold them all and made a tidy profit on all of them.


I see vintage chronos as a bit of a minefield, a lot used the standard Lemania/Landeron/Valjoux/Zenith/motor in them with a bit of messing around with extra geartrains for subdial spacing different functions etc.
And there are great deals to be had on ebay especially, but the thing to consider with them is a lot of watchmakers will not touch a chrono as they are tricky to work on, parts are scarce for a lot of the older ones and they do seem to put more wear on parts than more simple complications. If you do manage to nail down a chrono friendly watchmaker the bill will be a looooot higher than your regular c.o.a. service, which usually means they don't get serviced as often as they should, which means that good ones are like hens teeth although anything is fixable with a good service...a service on a decent chrono can run close to 1000Euro, and some unscrupulous folk might be selling them on with that in mind.

Anytime I sell a watch on I will, unless I have had it serviced myself, always tell the buyer to budget for a service....and I feel that anybody thinking of buying a vintage chrono should ALWAYS take the cost of a service into account before parting with the $$$....as always research research research.

Nolimits

Another plus one for the Stowas here, I have an Icarus, and a handwinding Flieger and really could not be happier with either of them (in fact I'm wearing the flieger now). I'd love to get one of the black face chronos as well, it was the first thing that popped into my head when I read the OP but I see I was (comprehensibly) beaten to to.