Recommend Diver in the 2-3k range

TheRepentent

Hi All ,

haven't posted much since the sh1te new version of Boards was forced on us. I'm looking to buy a decent diver in the new year (yeah it's a good bit away and hey I like watch porn 😎 🤣).

At the moment I really like the Sinn U1 watch.

Just wondering is there any others that I might of missed or are not on my radar?

Pablo_Flox

Sinn U1 is a great watch, but it is a big boy so make sure that you have the wrists to pull it off. If not then go with the U50 (like I did!). For me it is a better proportioned watch and much more wearable, but if big watches are your thing then the U1 is a great option.

Gavin1

Agree with the U50 being more suitable and will not swamp your wrist.

What about the Sinn EZM13.1?

Another consideration would be a Muhle Glashutte SAR. If is not for diving, this is a great watch.

TheRepentent

I'll be honest didn't think about the size at 44mm....I have a G-Shock Mudmaster which I think looks fine on my wrist (actually must measure mine 🤦‍♂️😂😂).

Fitz II

Its a second hand seamaster 300 professional, forget the esoteric stuff.

unkel

Was going to post the same as soon as I saw the thread title. Or a Tudor, Rolex's bargain little brother

Fitz II

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119486626#Comment_119486626

True nice Blackbay 58 would fit the bill or a 41mm blackbay if you want something bigger (and thicker)

893bet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119486633#Comment_119486633

Thats what she said.

(I was once told never miss an opportunity to throw in a that’s what she said)

aristotle25

FYI on the U1, if you are buying that then the bracelet and the silicon strap turn them into two very different watches.

I bought it originally on the bracelet and I recommend the tegimented U1 version as it really does minimise scratches (it took a chuck of paint off my car door but zero impact on the watch). Anyways, the bracelet is neater on the wrist than the silicon strap and the bracelet is easier to wear at casual occasions or nice restaurants etc.

The silicon strap is really well made but turns the U1 into a real tool watch, plus if you go for the black silicon then there is a lot of black going on with the black U1 face. Its a fairly chunky strap designed for people who will be jumping off boats and actually diving with it :)

Depends what you want but the strap choice really does give you two different watches IMO. Choose appropriately...

TheRepentent

Oh how much are the seamasters going for 2nd hand ? Tbh wouldn't have a clue about going buying on the 2nd hand market ....so much money and wouldn't know a fake from a reall one.

unkel

Quartz ones lower end of your budget, auto ones from about in the middle of your budget. But they go all the way up to Rolex money these days for some models (brand new)

If you buy a popular one within your budget and you buy well, you are unlikely to lose money on it. Kind of like a free trial.

j2

Have you checked out the Oris Aquis?

TheRepentent

Thanks @unkel I kinda set the Omega Seamaster at the limit of what I'd ever own and now they are defo in my sights. Would prefer auto over quartz but will look into it in the new year! I also do like the blackbays and the Sinn's 🤦‍♂️

unkel

I set the Seamaster (auto) as the limit of what I'd ever own around 10 years ago. Took me years and finally saved and traded myself up to one (got a bargain for under a grand) in 2017 and was happy out. At that time I completely disliked Rolex. Fast forward three years and I sold it to buy my first Rolex. I've had several Rolex since.

Moral of the story: for many of us our tastes in watches and our ambitions change. Dangerous hobby this 😁

This doesn't apply to everyone but it does to many.

Cmar-Ireland

The new Tudor Ranger would be a nice choice if 39mm suited your wrist.

https://www.tudorwatch.com/en/watches/ranger/m79950-0001

unkel

There's a Tudor Black Bay 41mm with the blue bezel in TZ for just £1750. Not only is that a terrific deal, but you will also not get any diver as good as that again for that sort of money.

scwazrh

Add at least another €450 import to that price but it’s still a reasonable cost

unkel

I thought you'd be able to get a Ryanair return ticket to Manchester for about €29? 😂

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119512215#Comment_119512215

It's already on hold pending funds, which is a good thing for me as I'm not left buy any more watches 😕

I mean I'm a grown up and can do what I like when I like...

But, yeah... The wife said no. She also said no to buying the Sinn 856 on the sale thread and was mean about it having big numbers too 😮

unkel

I was very tempted myself. Never had a Tudor, the BB is timeless and it would have been a completely risk free buy. Likely make a few quid when you get to sell it on - which would be inevitable 😂

Fitz II

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119512934#Comment_119512934

BB41 is hard to shift, too thick nobody wants it hence the price.

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119512934#Comment_119512934

I wouldn't even need a €29 flight 😉 just ship it up north and pick it up when I pass the uncles.

It is IMO indicative of the level on the mid-tier stuff. That is a watch that would IMO sell and sell quickly at £2.7k the price it was offered is v.good but is it a function of needing very fast cash? (Which even a pawn outfit would cover on that) or where demand is?

Allwheelsgood

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119490871#Comment_119490871

Great info, pardon me for jumping in on this but Im in the same place as the poster..... seriously looking at a Sinn U1 SE or a Marathon GSAR large in black. Both with bracelet and rubber strap for the exact reason you mention.

Although I tried that years ago with a Rolex submariner steel n gold, changing the bracelet for a blue RubberB band.... just not the same even if it matched the dial, eventually left it in a drawer and went back to my old Citizen Aqualand which stayed going till recently after 25 years service.

Is there other models out there worth considering but not Omega or Tudor or Tissot???

scwazrh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119669058#Comment_119669058

Depends on your budget .A big difference between the 3 brands you named in terms of price and quality. Sinn in general are higher priced than Tissot but lower than Tudor , Omega is higher again .

For Tudor money you could look at Breitling or high end longines . For omega money you have panerai, IWC, JLC polaris , Grand Seiko .

Sinn seem to get a lot of love but I’ve no experience of them myself but they are a brand I will try. Tudor ,Breitling & panerai are my taste and if you ignore brand perception , they are all more capable of a watch than any of us would ever need.

EDIT - ignore all that .just realised the budget is in the thread title .I blame Insomnia .

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119669058#Comment_119669058

As Schwarz had said, it's entirely a matter of budget Vs taste.

I'm a big fan of Sinn and think they offer great quality at a fair price. That said, I also have a Seamaster and a Tudor in my watch box. I think that the German makers offer very good price/quality albeit without the immediate caché of the Swiss.

Allwheelsgood

Had a nostalgia moment recently and was going to leave my Submariner to my wonderful son on my demise..... broached the subject of watches recently to judge the possible of impact of my idea..... he'd rather a new surfboard, oh and a camper to put it in!

Dont like wearing the Sub any more, even tried a rubberB strap to make it more usable daily....Nah! Went back to my trusty old (25yrs) Citizen Aqualand, just had the battery replaced and serviced and pressure tested a few weeks ago.... and now it has died.... hence the quest for a replacement timepiece and the imminent sale of the Sub to finance the replacement.

I might buy a surfboard if there is anything left but currently would prefer to give him an ironing board and a course in how to use it.

I dont want to spend north of 2.5k on a watch as too much time will be spent trying to mind it, it will be dived with, it will be worn to work outside and physical and still has to be classy and individual enough to look smart in a social setting. The Divers style has served me well in the past, hence my shortlist so far is the Sinn U1 SE or the Marathon GSAR large in Black, both available with a colour coded metal bracelet or Silicone strap.

Am I missing out on other maybe more suitable options as I'm a total newbie at this and generally go on looks alone within my price range.