Help me choose a watch for my fiance

[Double post]

Go Seamaster over the Speedmaster. It's such a classic. Absolutely stunning.

What a thoughtful future wife. A Seamaster is a solid choice in that price range but it is sportier than the Speedmaster, which I greatly prefer as it can be worn in both formal and casual environments (you could argue the same for the Sea). Below are some other solid watches in or around that price range:

Baume & Mercier Capeland S Breitling Navitimer (just out of your price range) IWC Spitfire

rolex submariner > seamaster. Rolex is the original submariner. If you want to take it a step further, get him a GMT submariner by rolex (http://imgur.com/y5aeR). I also like the tactical submariner with the PVD finish and NATO wristband (http://i.imgur.com/yFlwd.jpg).

I am specifically fond of the breitling cosmonaute (navitimer): http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=breitling+cosmonaute+&_cqr=true&_nk… This is my favorite watch.

If you are serious, I would do some research, possibly head over to the watchuseek.com forums.

You are going to get very boring, typical responses on this board because a lot of these people do not have taste or know what they are talking about. Keep in mind (as it looks like you have) that a good watch can last longer than a lifetime and can be a cherished heirloom.

Good luck!

4k is a tight budget.

A quick follow up on the breitling, they do not make new cosmonaute's, these watches are the navitimer, but this style has not been made for a while. You will most likely have to buy it used.

eightyeight, you are such a thoughtful guy.

I personally like IWC. Very elegant and you might (not sure) find a Chronograph within your price range.

Very interested to hear responses from others.

Nefarious recommends that you should not necessarily listen to recos on the board because you will get boring responses. He then proceeds to recommend Rolex (out of your price range) and Breitling (also out of your price range), two of the most boring and ubiquitous watch brands in the world. Admittedly, a $4k budget puts you in a tight spot because the next tier of quality watches are in the $6-10k range.

timezone.com is a good resource

How much do you plan to spend on the wedding? And how thrifty is your fiance?

If he's a little bit frugal, and you really love him, consider doing a low-key wedding. THEN surprise him with the watch on the ride away from the ceremony. He'll never forget it. This is the kind of thing he will be telling stories about when he's 70- that your grandson will be telling stories about when HE has the watch about how Mom thrifted for the wedding to buy this watch. (He is probably obsessing about how much of his money you are going to spend on it. That is what female fiances like to spend a lot of money on.)

(If you are a guy, sorry for the assumption and I wish you the very best.)

I have a concord watch that i really love, i'm not sure if its 4k but it's closer to that range than most

I really like the Omega Railmaster. I think you can get one for 3-4k.

Here's a pic: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=omega+railmaster&hl=en&biw=1366&bih=653&…

id spend an extra grand and get him a used basic (both model-wise and simplicity-wise [look cleaner anyway]) panerai but that's just me :). leather strap too he love u long time

but otherwise omega seamaster (or speedmaster, whichever is the non-gigantic one) will do fine (or maybe a used rolex submariner?)

Great information and references, thank you all. It's time for me to do some research.

I do appreciate the comments about watches a bit over my prcie range. It might be worth it to spend more now for a better piece. I am not opposed to a used model, either, so that was a good point.

I'm a girl by the way. @illini - we are having the wedding in Chicago and doing it reatively inexpensively for the city, which, as it seems for acquiring a nice watch, can be done with some careful prep and research.

Thanks!

eightyeight - I'm a girl too, but I happen to really like watches, so here's a few thoughts:

4k's a bit of a tight budget - but if you're willing to buy used, you could get an IWC spitfire (silver dial) or pilot (black dial/face) or you can look at the IWC Mark XVI. You might be able to find an entry level IWC watch ... maybe a plain, older model Portofino for $4K

I personally like the omega speedmaster over the seamaster (which is sportier, like junkbondswap said). That's a pretty good option.

Since Rolex is so mainstream, it might be tough to find a Rolex sub for 4k (maybe used, but even then it could be tough)

Also consider Nomos - they make really nice watches, well respected by those who actually know watches (besides just the mainstream stuff like Rolex) and it's not as common, so he'll have something a bit more unique: http://www.nomos-glashuette.com/. But it might be tough to find in the US. There's also a brand called Dornbluth - http://www.dornblueth.com/. But I think new watches start around 5-6K... perhaps another brand to look at used.

Someone above suggested getting a panerai... which seems to be quite popular these days. I think they're interesting, but I wouldn't call it timeless. A lot of them are quite large (over 42mm) and is following the big watch trends of today... it's probably a bit faddish.

Can't go wrong with JLC (Jaeger Lecoultre) - but at $4k, you'll again be looking at used.

One last brand to look at (used) is Glashutte Original - but again, 4K might be tight. You would probably have to spend closer to $4,500... I think some of their entry levels (new) are high $4k/low$5k.

Some sites that could be useful for your research: http://www.timezone.com/ (and their used watches forum: http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=threadt&frm_id=32) http://www.ablogtoread.com/ http://www.askmen.com/fashion/mens-watches/ (there's a Watch Snob series article that's an interesting read - I would take what the guy says with a grain of salt as I've noticed some discrepancies between his opinions for watches, but if your purchase isn't too time sensitive you could send him an email and see if he gives you a response)

Just to note - buying used is a good option, but you really need to be careful. I think as a first time buying new, you should do this in person, and ideally with a respectable authorized watch dealer. Timezone has Salescorner which allows people to sell their watches and for the most part is legit - but I have seen one or two posts where there have been issues. I personally would not go this route, and just use TZ's sales forum as a way to gauge how much certain watches are going for on the second hand market.

Oh and take a look at Zenith too: http://www.prestigetime.com/items.php?brand=71&series=1867,1685,1895,18…

And their more popular collection (though out of your budget, and a bit sportier): http://www.prestigetime.com/items.php?brand=71&series=1673,1893,1672,16…

I really don't understand the whole $4k being a tight budget bullshit that keeps getting tossed around on here. I have a wide watch collection ranging from 200 dollar pieces up to a $7k piece. Some of the 400 dollar watches I have get just as much wear as my more expensive pieces.

88, it might be worth thinking about buying a few styles for your fiance at or around the 500-1000+ range.

I can tell you from a guy that enjoys watches, it is nice to have a wide array to choose from (automatic, military, diver, aviation, chrono, moon phase, black leather band, nato band, brown leather band, PVD coated bands, etc).

^ $4K is tight for what she wants (legit brand that maintains value, automatic, steel/white gold, chronograph etc)

Obviously you can do a lot with less, but some things wouldn't tie (like the maintain value part, or 'brand name' part - but that's relative).

Some less costly suggestions...

For example, if you want a legit watch that's done in-house but maybe won't get recognized (but it would among watch enthusiasts) I would suggest going with a Seiko. Not the kind made in US, but the ones specifically made in Japan. There IS a difference (quality, materials, etc) - they essentially look like Grand Seikos, except cheaper and simpler. Japan based Seikos are around $300-600.

You could check out Frederique Constant in the $1-3K range. They are not the most mainstream brand, but they are a real up and comer and you are getting great value for the watch (re: some of their watches are made completely in-house and you're getting complications for a much lower price than other watches charge)

There's a German brand called Stowa that is getting a lot of praise in watch forums. They start at around $700-800 and go up to $2K ish.

There's a Chinese brand (with a weird name though - Sea-Gull) that also makes some interesting watches. Some of them are done with a lot of complications but for a fraction of the price. I saw a few interesting pieces in HK going for HK3000 that (if it were on a highly marketed brand) would go for much more. Prices in this watch can get pretty expensive for the really complicated watches, so it's interesting given the big range in price.

You could also check out B&M - they make a number of watches in the $1 to $3K range.

And Tudor (Rolex's less expensive brand) has some decent watches as well.

So yeah, she's got a lot of choices, but just going by her initial post it sounded like she wanted some of the more higher end/costlier brands.

Ha. Everything that Nefarious doesnt agree with is bullshit and worthy of being disparaged. No one gives a fuck what you like. We are trying to help the OP make a purchase within the confines of what she suggested.

I recommend a non-chrono IWC. Relinquis beat me to it.

^ Sinn is a good suggestion. Forgot about this one.

OP: You could also check out Longines in the $1-2K range.

I'd go with a TAG over what you've listed. It's a younger "cooler" watch in that budget.

Some of the TAG Carrera models are pretty nice but they just remind me of high school graduation gifts from the 90's and for the price you are better off getting something else.

Some of the Longines are cool. Check out the GrandeVitesse and Master collection.

http://www.baume-et-mercier.com/collection-classima http://www.authenticwatches.com/baume-et-mercier-classima-automatic.html

B&M classima series, several in your price range Also should note that my b&m, purchased for $2600 in 2008, is now going for $4,500 online, and it takes 6 months to ship since the line has been discontinued. So it's definitely an appreciating model- the 8736

If you drop the chronograph feature, you can get a better watch with similar complications in that range.

Just wanted to throw something completely different into the mix:

http://www.nomos-glashuette.com

Nomos makes amazing watches, I'm in consulting as well and a lot of professionals here in Europe wear these. Very low-key, but great pieces for anybody who wants a premium watch without the "P&G-style" marketing attached.

Obviously, completely different vibe than Breitling et al.

OP, tell us your final choice so people can stop throwing idea in case you have already made up your mind or bought it.

Ball Watches: http://www.ballwatch.com/html/index.php?option=com_main&lang=en_US

For $4k, you can get him a top-end Frederique Constant.

http://www.amazon.com/Frederique-Constant-FC-935CDG4H6-Moonphase-Silver…

Or you can go with a used Jaeger LeCoultre for around the same price. If you can stretch your budget to $5k, you can get a new baseline JLC model, which I think is what I would do in this situation if that Frederique didn't look so damn fine.

Do you guys use watch winders?

Also, just throwing this out there, any of you guys know of a watchmaker that does customisable watches? something along the lines of this by (Maurice De Mauriac): A customised watch could be a good idea for a gift.

Does he really need a chronograph? That will increase the price significantly for most watchmakers.

If the chronograph feature is not needed and a non-black dial is preferred I would go for a preowned Rolex Explorer II 16570 (white dial). You can find examples in great condition for under 4k. IMO a very undervalued watch right now that will definitely hold its value. It is a conservative, durable and understated watch and is less common than Submariners / GMTs.