The Perfect Watch for Birthday Present

Hi guys,

Looking to get some advice. I'm looking to find a watch for my birthday. Want to wear it for a long time so want something with a bit of a classic/timeless look. Preferably leather strap, 40+mm look.

My budget right now is $3k but could put in a few hundred dollars more. This is quite pricey so I'm taking my time and want to hear your guys' opinion. I will be using this mostly at work for my analyst stint but again this is a watch I would like to keep for along time!

Please post pictures or links guys if you know a perfect watch to fit this description.

Thanks!

20 Comments
 

Hey IDK what kind of watches you like but here is one I got as a graduation present and sells for around $3000. Its called a "Omega Seamaster Professional Chronograph" I like it a lot but its a bit sporty. The Panerai 210, Panerai 183 and a lot of the Jaeger-LeCoultres sell for around that price range. The IWC 3706 is there too but I think they look a little old guy-ish sort of like cuff links, they look good but don't go with a 20 something person.

You can also look at the rolex sport models.

Hope this helped!

 
curiousquaker11

Hey IDK what kind of watches you like but here is one I got as a graduation present and sells for around $3000. Its called a "Omega Seamaster Professional Chronograph" I like it a lot but its a bit sporty.
The Panerai 210, Panerai 183 and a lot of the Jaeger-LeCoultres sell for around that price range.
The IWC 3706 is there too but I think they look a little old guy-ish sort of like cuff links, they look good but don't go with a 20 something person.

You can also look at the rolex sport models.

Hope this helped!

hey ill check these watches out. thanks for the recommendations.

other monkeys on this forum: are there other watches you know of?

 

I just picked up a 39mm TAG recently - not a terribly classic look but I love it so far. ~$3,200 on the website, although I think I paid slightly more for it which I'm now kicking myself for. I would look into some of the more "boutique-y" brands. A few of my faves are Prometheus, Lum-Tec, Stowa Antea, Chase-Durer -- you can literally find tens of thousands of watches in your price range, most of which you probably can't go wrong with.

https://shop-us.tagheuer.com/en/calibre-6-heritage-automatic-watch-39-m…

 
iRX

I just picked up a 39mm TAG recently - not a terribly classic look but I love it so far. ~$3,200 on the website, although I think I paid slightly more for it which I'm now kicking myself for. I would look into some of the more "boutique-y" brands. A few of my faves are Prometheus, Lum-Tec, Stowa Antea, Chase-Durer -- you can literally find tens of thousands of watches in your price range, most of which you probably can't go wrong with.

https://shop-us.tagheuer.com/en/calibre-6-heritage...

hey irx, this watch looks really nice.. how has it been for you so far? Also i kinda wish it was around 40-42mm.. do you say it looks kinda small or just perfect?

 
Best Response
iamamonkeybanker iRX:

I just picked up a 39mm TAG recently - not a terribly classic look but I love it so far. ~$3,200 on the website, although I think I paid slightly more for it which I'm now kicking myself for. I would look into some of the more "boutique-y" brands. A few of my faves are Prometheus, Lum-Tec, Stowa Antea, Chase-Durer -- you can literally find tens of thousands of watches in your price range, most of which you probably can't go wrong with.
https://shop-us.tagheuer.com/en/calibre-6-heritage...

hey irx, this watch looks really nice.. how has it been for you so far? Also i kinda wish it was around 40-42mm.. do you say it looks kinda small or just perfect?

The Tag I mentioned is 42mm and perfect size for a guy. You can get a leather band one.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 

A few suggestions you might like:

The Nomos Tangente, a really nice minimalist dress watch. ~$2k: http://www.nomos-glashuette.com/index.php?id=52&L=1 http://www.watchbuys.com/store/pc/Nomos-Tangente-35-0-mm-Manual-Silver-…

The Ball Trainmaster Eternity, dressy with a classic look. ~$2k http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4jbnlGnQZ1qflbmto1_1280.jpg http://forums.watchuseek.com/f239/trainmaster-eternity-photos-600911.ht…

Something from the Longines Master collection: http://www.longines.com/watches/the-longines-master-collection

Vintage Rolex Datejust, vintage Omega Seamaster, vintage Omega Deville (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Omega-DeVille-Automatic-Chronometer-4831-50-31-…, http://www.ebay.com/itm/OMEGA-DeVille-165-029-Cal-552-RARE-c-1967-SS-34…), etc. I like vintage watches, as you can see -- you can get them for a great price if you keep an eye out on ebay or watchuseek, and they've got some history behind them.

Happy hunting!

 

Tag Heuer Carrera Automatic Chronograph 42mm

Look up that exact thing and you will go buy it once you see it. Gorgeous watch for the price, it is what I wear.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 

A Rolex or Omega makes for a good present, but you aren't going to find a decent mechanical in your price range.

If he's a big law lawyer, he would have already shelled out the cash if he wanted something nice. Add in the fact that people have different preferences on watch face color, bands, size and other aspects, I would save your money and get him something different.

[/quote]

Thanks for your advice. I appreciate your time.

 

Unfortunately, $1,000 is tough. Your only hope is vintage - but those can actually be way cooler than something fresh off the assembly line anyone can find at their local mall. You can also negotiate vintage better than a new pre-owned, and way better than new.

http://www.gilt.com/brand/jaeger-le-coultre/product/1151105192-jaeger-l…

https://www.wannabuyawatch.com/product/cartier-vermeil-tank-louis-circa…

I think you should spend half of that on something you guys can do together (dinner, spa, live entertainment) and after he opens his gift give him something money can't (legally) buy... try some new stuff or something. That's what I'd want, I'm sure other people have different opinions.

 

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