Watches - Graduation Gift

Hey all - basically graduated this year and started IB at a BB/EB. Still living at home so saved a ton of $ and my family (due to COVID and other things) offered to get me a watch for graduation (about $10-12k) to celebrate the start of my career & graduation. I have the following options open to me:

  1. Omega Speedmaster SS (~$5,000)

  2. Rolex Datejust (Jubille with either blue face or the rhodium) ($10,000)

  3. Omega Snoopy - on waitlist so who knows but  $10,000. Love this watch, thing the "eyes on the stars" would be great to celebrate the start to a career

  4. Hopefully get a professional Rolex if an AD gets one


Any other suggestions or thought?




 

First of all, congrats on your offer. Big achievement. 

It is all about taste. Personally, I like Rolex. They hold their value and their designs are timeless. The same could be argued for Omega although value retention is not the same. 

Personally, I like the datejust more for myself. I find the 36mm to fit wonderfully. With that said, I think the speedmaster is more appropriate for a first year. 

 

Rolex lol, is this even a question? Everyone is different, but I don't mind when my analysts have nice watches. If they are good at their job who cares?

- Not a perspective monkey

 

Personally disagree with this, get whatever watch makes you happy. But as the poster above me shows, some people have strong reactions to it so it is a risk. I personally love watches and think if that’s what you enjoy, get what you like (that is appropriate for the situation, and nothing about this watch is inappropriate for work). 

 

The people who are saying you shouldn’t wear a nice watch need to get that chip off their shoulder. Some people grow up wealthier than others and that’s fine. I’ve met plenty of analysts rocking $20k APs.

Plus one vote for option 2. If you can get your hands on a professional model, go with that instead. Professional models generally appreciate and can be legitimate investments.

 

I second Option 2. That would look super clean.

Also, thoughts on a silver and gold Cartier Santos? Looking to buy a nice watch and have wanted that model for a long time.

 

Congrats on your graduation!

I think you already have the answer. 

A watch is supposed to reflect your character and your taste so let that guide you in making the decision. 

Choosing a "timeless" piece cuts both ways, its too easy a tell and it generates no upwards conversation.

Personally, I prefer something unusual. Unusual watches need not cost an arm or a leg, like the Snoopy one you mentioned and most importantly it creates conversations. People who are into watches will kind of know the brand you are wearing but they can't be sure on the model and it gets them to make a conversation with you.

At the highest level people want to talk to you about your buying decision/reason/heritage more than the product. Make that possible for them.

 

I'm particular to omega's myself given I grew up seeing my uncles and other extended family wear them. Within my immediate family no one give a damn about watches and everyone is too cheap to spend more than 100 bucks on one. That being said my first purchase was a longines and my most recent was the seamaster from I believe skyfall or quantum of solace. I'm also a bond fanatic so the choice was clear to me for a while. That being said, if you've got parent capital to spend I'd go with a seamaster as opposed to a seamaster given the design is generally less busy but that's just me based on the choices you presented. And unless you have priority with a Rolex AD, it's unlikely you'll get a datejust when you go looking for one or one at that price

 

I would personally go with the Speedy - but in my opinion, your first nice watch should be bought by yourself, it’s something you can remember as a product of your hard work, although if it’s a tradition then that’s fair

 

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