Help Simple As Increase His Preftige
Hey guys,
I'm looking to buy my first nice watch, but not being a "watch guy" I'm not really sure where to start. So I wanted to see if WSO could point me in the right direction...
I'm looking for a watch that I can wear for life (both in quality and timelessness). I've also always had the idea of giving a watch of mine to each of my sons (should I ever have one or more), so I'd want it to be something worthy of passing down as a significant gift and that can theoretically stay in the family for generations. In the interim I'd be wearing it either daily or fairly regularly, most likely. I'd like to not spend more than $10k, but could go above, I suppose.
I currently wear a Tag Aquaracer daily and also own two Baume and Mercier to give you an idea of what I'm already working with.
Thanks for any help you guys can give.
I heard this Tom Perkins guy has a pretty nice watch. Not sure if preftigious enough for you though. http://www.businessinsider.com/tom-perkins-watch-2014-1
Bueller had a Muller but I switched it for a Mille
How much do you want to spend?
I guess up to $10k, but I could go above, I suppose. Would prefer to spend less than 10k though.
I really like the Panerai Luminor Marina
IWC Portuguese?
this thread had some good comments http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/breitling-watch-questionsuggestio…
Was that thread before or after WhiteHat's big Tesla short lol
Did we ever get an update from WH? Obviously the stock has had a massive run up recently.
+1 on the Submariner. It's under your $10k mark and it's a classic design that is suitable for casual and formal events.
these are really cool: https://www.lindewerdelin.com/ http://www.bamfordwatchdepartment.com/
My .02:
Panerai: I'd second a Panerai. I have a Luminor Marina, I always get compliments on it. They look great with suits, jeans, or shorts and a t-shirt.
Linde Werdelin: 100% Nice rec @"Menascyn". These are amazing watches. If I ever step up from my Panerai I'm buying one of these.
Rolex: Personally I think Rolexes are boring (no offense @"DickFuld"), but they're a dime a dozen. When I see a person who has a Rolex (usually a Datejust) I automatically assume they know nothing about watches, but they wanted to spend thousands of dollars on a watch just to show that they've spent thousands of dollars on a watch.
Breitling: I think some of the Navitimers are nice, but there's like a million different models. They've also got a lot going on on the face of the watch, if you're into that sort of thing.
IWC: Meh. I could take'em or leave'em. I don't know what B&M models you have, but if you have a Capeland or Classima then I'm not too sure how much different an IWC is going to look in your collection compared to them.
Bell & Ross: I don't like their signature Aviation series, but I do like some of the watches in their Vintage line. This is sort of on the lower end of the scale, I thought i'd just throw it out there.
One problem with this:
The whole point of spending anything over 5k on a watch is so that everyone knows you spent over 5k on a watch.
The whole point? No mate.
Not being a watch guy, of the makes/models listed thus far, I would have to agree with @DickFuld about the rolex submariner. It doesn't seem like something that would go out of style, and Rolex will probably still be a strong, well-regarded brand by the time you have grandkids.
Jaeger, used. A. Lange. Audemars Piguet. Vintage Breitling chrono. Hell you could get a Calatrava used for under 10.
Can't believe Timex hasn't been mentioned yet..
Well if you're looking for something that you can pass down keep in mind that "You never really own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation."
But in all seriousness, I know there is some stigma relating to Rolex but they do have some collectible options that could be generational such as the Milgauss which is reasonably priced and very understated. Granted it's still a Rolex, it's one of those watches that a true watch collector would find intriguing given it's history. It also a timeless design.
IWC Portuguese or Rolex Submariner
Second an IWC
JLC
In the arms race of men's jewelry, not wearing a watch is the new Patek. I've never liked watches and use my cell phone to tell time. Put the money into your retirement fund, or if you really need to flaunt your wealth have a custom breed of dog created just for you.
My Great Dane - English Bulldog mix will arrive late summer.
(I threw no MS)
English Bulldog, nice pick. If figured you for a greyhound guy so I guess we learn something every day. Forced to buy a watch on a $10k budget it would likely be the IWC Vintage Portuguese. I saw it in a shop a while ago and I don't know if it was the watch or the gorgeous asian chick behind the counter that tickled my fancy. Not sure why my post got crapped on, I have a massive scar on my wrist that makes wearing a watch painful. I suppose some of the lesser evolved chimps around here don't understand the different between preftige and prestige. Important stuff.
Here's an idea: instead of buying a fancy watch you could spend the $10,000 on therapy to get some fucking self esteem.
Did you miss the part about the watch becoming a family heirloom that he can pass down to his children/grandchildren (and on and on...)? The long-term sentimental value that will be created through those generations, along with the stories that will inevitably be told about the watch, will far outweigh the cost of a bunch of green paper printed by our government.
Also, it's his money so place your fist under your ass and sit. Thanks for coming.
But if I make a lot of money and buy expensive things maybe my dad will tell me he loves me!!!
(I threw no MS)
A true emblem of 21st century America. Has there ever been a time in which people held stronger opinions about how much money individuals "should" be able to earn and on which goods they "should" spend it?
Obviously OP can spend his money however he wants. But a $10,000 watch and some Ferragamo horse bit loafers will make him look more like an analyst than an MD.
My suggestion is that OP spend $2K on a rusty honda and the other $8K on the first year of parking and car insurance in NYC. Get a car first, then worry about a watch. Then, maybe, if you have any energy whatsoever left over, worry about political stuff.
Someone ban this kid.
Rolex Submariner. Problem is, unless you're late 20's / early 30's you look like a prick wearing one.
watches are a waste of time
They're also for skinny weiners. Uhhh, I mean "winners"....
Damn that went right over my head
I have an Omega De Ville white gold, looks like this kind of:
http://www.chrono24.com/en/omega/de-ville-chronograph--id2664220.htm?ur…
It was ~$4k, looks sleek, also gets solid name recognition because of all of its branding.
I also don't wear it at work because I dont want people to think I get paid enough hehe. My group is more of a Nike Fuel group, as opposed to a watch group. But in general, I think metal strap silver looks the best for me.
:)
I'd check out Watch Anish. I posted the IG below. He regularly posts some really nice and unique watches that will certainly set you apart.
http://instagram.com/watchanish#
Also check out some of the Glashutte Originals, those seem pretty nice
I'm not a watch guy but personally if I had the balls to spend that kind of money on a timepiece I wouldn't get a Rolex, seems kind of cliche.
Nomos Tangomat http://www.nomos-store.com/en/Watches/Tangomat/
Just get one of each and have a gaggle of kids.
I would go with a Rolex Cellini, I hate metal bands and well I have a couple of these and they go with anything.
I think one the most versatile and stylish watches out there is the Omega Speedmaster.
It is rugged (it's been to the moon) whilst also being elegant.
I also don't think it is too boring and it is often overlooked (nobody has mentioned so far) so it is not a trite design like lets say the Rolly Submariner.
It manages to be both very classic and very modern imo and of course goes without saying that Omega is top quality.
Def where I am going to spunk it when I come to buy my first good one.
I really like IWC's Pilot watches.
I would second everyone that said IWC, especially the Portuguese. I have one and can say in terms of quality and looks, it's really nice for the price. Find one with the colors and look you like and they are amazing. Face size is perfect, clean look, and I've had a lot of discussions with people that own watches many multiples more expensive who say that it is up there in terms of quality.
I know nothing about watches and have no opinion on them. But I figured I would stick up for the OP since if I ever get in a financially secure position as he is I would want to drop my (theoretical) $10k on HRE wheels for my (theoretical) Ford GT. Which is something that a lot of people would find to be a stupid waste of money.
I went with the Daniel Wellington watch. I prefer a minimalist design, and for $250 (with tax) it wasn't so bad.
http://www.highsnobiety.com/files/2013/01/daniel-wellington-wrist-watch…
It depends on your style. I am a big fan of Bell & Ross and Panerai because I think they look high end but also badass unlike say an all gold Rolex designed for a 60 year old Jew hanging by the pool at the Atlantis.
I have a B&R 03-92 as pictured in my avatar with a custom strap made from python skin which I can easily change out.
Agree with above posters about the Submariner. It is a classic time piece that can be worn with anything and still look appropriate. James Bond even used to wear one.
I wouldn't buy a watch thinking, "This will be great to give to my son(s)!" Buy a watch that you think looks good on you. A family heirloom doesn't need to be expensive to be treasured by your future boys.
I have watch that my Grandpa owned, and wear it when I can (some weekends). It barely still ticks and probably was the price of a gallon of milk when he got it, but it was a gift from his mom when he returned from the Navy.
For the watch advice, go IWC Portuguese. Just picked one up myself and LOVE it.
I should have brought my popcorn to this thread.
I've worn an Omega Seamaster for 10 years.
Yes, I am a big fan of the Seamaster. I bought an Aquaterra automatic as my first "nice" watch several years ago and while I've bought more expensive and flashier watches since (Rolex, Panerai), I still love the understated elegance and versatility of the Seamasters.
+1.
I really like NOMOS watches. Clean lines, minimalist Bauhaus style, movements made in-house. If I had to pick one, it would be the Ahoi Datum.
Why don't you just use your iPhone to tell the time? You would really spend $10k on a watch? You could take a full-blown vacation to any country (or countries) for that type of money. Or you could listen to @IlliniProgrammer and settle for the rusty Honda.
Haha, who would take advice from an iPhone user?
Just so some of the posters are aware, @"Simple As..." DID NOT ask the community whether he should/shouldn't spend a lot of money on a watch. That is all.
inb4 philosophy of material objects
I have two watches a Suunto Vector HR Altimeter and a Nixon Tidal watch.
Given that neither is what you are looking for, I would go with Mont Blanc Star 4810 Chronograph or Star Renegade.
Rolex vintage pieces. Any model 1680, 5513, 1665, 1655, 5512. All are beautiful timeless and unique and hold/grow in value. I recommend Jacek @HQMilton as a vintage dealer with reasonable prices and great service.
I have a 1971 "red" submariner and wear it daily with jeans, suit whatever.
I'm actually selling a beautiful white gold IWC Portuguese for around 10k if you are interested. List price is 16K.
Been collecting for years. PM me if you need any help.
deleted
Simple As, you don't need to have a $10k watch be an heirloom. The dollar amount is not the true value of an heirloom, its the sentimental value that comes with it. My grandfather's tie he wore during his wedding was passed down to my dad, who in turned passed it down to me. I mean its the most god awful design and looks like crap. Not even Nucky Thompson would wear this, but its the sentimental value behind it that makes it meaningful. Tie is probably worth less than 10 cents...at best. However, it means a lot to me and I will wear it with pride when I interview for Jamie Dimon's job. An heirloom has to have a story behind it, its not just about spending $10k. Anyways those are my 2 cents.
$10K sadly doesn't get one a whole lot in terms of a brand that gets passed on for generations and could grow in value (or at least have historical significance). In the recent years, watches have gotten really expensive - and not just deserving brands, but in general you have a lot of watches in the low/mid-end of the luxury market that try to upsell themselves on fairly run-of-the-mill designs and movements.
At $10K I would put my vote to something like Jaeger-LeCoultre (JLC) because that is a brand that has a very long and established history, but also a brand where you can get a fine watch you can pass down at $10K. It is a watch brand that will stand the test of time.
I personally really like IWC (and I own one), but I'm not sure if I would define it in the same light as JLC in terms of brand prestige... It's generally not spoken in the same breath. You can certainly get something nice at $10K like something in the Portuguese line...
Someone mentioned Panerai... While I do think they are interesting and the look is very distinct to its brand, I wouldn't choose that as a brand of watch to buy with the intention of passing it on to the next generation. I think the world of watch aficionados are fairly divided on Panerai (whether it's a worthy brand, or if it's an overprice fad that has had a lot of momentum).
Truthfully, one can pass any kind of watch down from one generation to the next (be it a $100 watch or $100,000 watch) so long as it carries some personal value. But from a very materialistic perspective, it's hard for me to explain without sounding unintentionally snobbish - but with I guess with the watch snobs, brands that would be considered worthy of generational-transfer, aside from JLC as I mentioned above, would be the likes of Patek, A Lange & Sohne, Vacheron Constantin (maybe?), and highly respected independent makers like FP Journe. All of these brands... it would be tough to find something at $10K I think (I haven't checked price ranges in awhile...). But maybe this will help: http://ca.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip_500/524_watch-snob-qa-starting-…. This site also provides a lot of good suggestions on JLC models in other blog entries.
Honestly, just buy the watch that you really like. And instead of defining it as something that you can pass down, maybe alter the criteria a bit to "a watch that has a long history" or a watch whose movements/craftsmanship is highly regarded and you're getting bang for your buck (e.g., in-house movement for example...)
Other brands you can consider looking at: Glashutte Original, Zenith, Rolex (which has a long history and is an excellent watch - but a victim of its own success and has become incredibly common among nouveau riche unfortunately, and probably the brand with the most replicas out there).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281275450419
$200 done. Go spend the other $9800 on a used nissan, buy an above-ground pool, or maybe buy 490 lawn flamingos or ~13000 cans of PBR. Or stash away two years worth of college tuition at UT Austin for your kids.
I have an aunt up in Sheboygan WI who wears a fake rolex. I don't see why people need to wear watches these days with cell phones and all, but if you do, save yourself a few thousand dollars and get a fake. Best part is, with a really good fake, people are about as likely to believe an analyst would wear a real rolex as if you'd bought a real one.
I would much rather see someone use $200 to buy a respectable real mechanical watch from say Seiko than someone trying to impress with a fake Rolex. As someone who is a watch enthusiast, I don't particularly care whether someone buys a $200 watch or a $10k watch - what I care is they are smart with their purchase with the given amount.
Though I get your thought process on saving up money on other things as opposed to material goods. I've saved up enough to buy a really nice watch, but I'm holding back because I really don't need another nice watch at the moment and the rainy day money is for a house purchase or for investments.
As an analyst, with a real watch or a fake, people will suspect it's a fake. When you make VP, with a real watch or a fake, people will suspect it's real. The only real difference here is $9800, so you might as well save some clams.
http://thelastpsychiatrist.com/2011/11/luxury_branding_the_future_lea.h…
I'd go with the Rolex Sub also if you're willing to spend that much. I don't care that they're more common or that people who don't know anything about watches buy them. I tried one on recently and it is just a really classic looking watch and a good size for my wrist. A Rolex is a bit too rich for me, but I'm strongly considering pulling the trigger on an Omega Seamaster. Also, love the idea of a watch as a family heirloom, regardless of the price. I really wish I was handed down something that I could wear daily as a reminder but, unfortunately, that's not the case.
Go for an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Simple, classic, timeless: http://www.audemarspiguet.com/uploads/breathers/5bafa5dbe7e043d7894f17e…
Around 12K
On a somewhat related note: is anyone here at all worried that with the advance of micro / mobile technology, the wealthy of the future will wear high-end pieces of technology and hurt the status-symbolism of traditional wristwatches, thus depressing their value? Legitimate question, I'm not judging the purchase.
You mean like a high end pebble watch? Or do you mean that super expensive (but hilarious backwards technology-wise) Vertu phone?
I don't think either will hurt the status symbol or value of traditional watches - because they are two different markets. I think when quartz first came into the picture - a battery operated wrist watch that's much cheaper - it did (in the short-term) hurt the market. But then over time, the mechanical watch market rebounded because there's still a large base of consumers on the history and detailed engineering behind a mechanical watch, while battery operated mass manufacturing is something that's quite simple and doesn't require the same amount of time/manpower.
I think what will happen is, you might take away some people who would have bought traditional wristwatches on the low end ($500 or less) who don't really care how they tell time - and in fact, would prefer the convenience of their phone or an advanced pebble type watch. Or you might steal away some people who are, again probably younger and are quite wealthy, and are indifferent how they show off (whether it's with the latest high end technology, or with history-rich traditional pieces).
That's my take anyway. If I look at people that buy Vertu for example - I think most buy it for the sake of showing off. Because unlike a watch, a phone's usefulness and value is "technology" based, not mechanics based like a watch, so buying a Vertu phone which technology-wise wouldn't stack up to the latest iphone or android phone makes very little sense... except to show off that it's a phone made of very 'luxurious' materials.
But is there any thought that the "rich tradition" status might give way to the "rich futurism" status? Technology today has a plebeian nature to it: oddly, you almost never see the rich displaying status with high-tech devices (smart homes?), but instead by doting outdated machinery. That's not necessarily the case in other aspects of other conspicuous status; post-modernism and deconstructionism abound in high-end architecture, even "traditional" auto brands like Bentley and RR have given way to angular designs à la Lamborghini.
Does a time come when wearing an exclusive, limited production, cutting-edge watch becomes the preferred status symbol as opposed to mechanical watches today?
Raise your hand if you think @"Simple As..." cares whether or not people believe his watch is real... I'm going to have an aneurysm and piss myself at my desk reading some of these comments.
The reason that IlliniProgrammer is such a skilled troll is that he never gets exhausted
What is the moral at issue here?
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/jlc-deep-sea-chrono-44mm-991765.html
Just came across this. Dial reminds me of a Speedy Pro, bezel reminds me of a Fifty Fathoms. JLC to win you points with the watch snobs, diver style for your dress up/down versatility.
Well this thread went to shit... I was enjoying looking at quality time pieces now it's about @"Simple As..." and how he chooses to spend his own money.
Maybe some people just appreciate having a nice watch or maybe they want to display their wealth on their wrist, nothing is wrong with either. People work hard and can express it how they choose; it is amazing to witness how you guys are so quick to judge someone for Ferragamo loafers and a Rolex. You work in Finance, the whole industry is about status which is commonly acquired through wealth obtained from your IBD -> PE paths which you all chase.
IP, from someone who actually shares a lot of your values, no one comes to this site to get lectured on how to be a penny pinching tight wad or cheer you on your 'culture normalizing' crusade. Give it a rest.
the Cartier Calibre series is a great watch in the 10k range
I have had an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean for the last 3 years and love it... the standard 42mm with black bezel. Importantly works with a suit as well as casual...
I like the IWC Big Pilot a lot too, very cool, but it doesn't quite have that versatility imho.
Best advice, go to a Tourneau in your area and try on a bunch of stuff, it's hard to find a store that has more variety in stock. Then see if you can get a used version of what you like or buy duty free. I own a Breitling that I thought about buying over a period of 2 years before I pulled the trigger. I bought it duty free while on a cruise from a Tourneau in the Caribbean and got a watch that retails for $6500 in the US for $4500.
You can buy a nice watch for $200, $1,000, or $25,000. Picking the watch you like best in your price range is where you should focus your time. A watch happens to be one piece of jewelry that a guy can wear and have something a little different, don't buy a Rolex that you have seen on a dozen people. Also, unless you really think you will sell the watch and want an "investment" don't worry about depreciating assets etc.
Remember this is something you are buying for yourself, if you don't value a high quality watch and don't think it's worthwhile to spend the cash, don't and get a fake.
If Going considers a Cartier a lot of peoples' time has just been wasted.
Okay, let's have a real debate on over the top consumerism.
Should I buy one of these?
http://www.gulfstream.com/products/g650/
WWVY do?
What would Viktor Yanukovych do?
@"Simple As...", what the fuck have you started?
I understand why people collect expensive watches and am always happy they found something they like.
Personally, I wore a $20 watch the other day and got a handful of compliments from some pretty rich/successful people.
When you smile, have a good personality, look clean and healthy, and crack a funny joke, your aura shines so bright that it blinds the person and makes your watch look like a million dollars.
Or you could be awkward, uninteresting, a buzzkill, not original, and have a $20 watch and look like a loser and a poor one at that. So....maybe the expensive watch is a good hedge....
JLC Reverso Patek Calatrava Zenith El Primero
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