Watches Under 5K
hey everyone, had some money hit after getting my tax refund. was looking to get a new watch under 5k (bonuses are gonna be brutal so budgets tight this year). Any recommendations? I was looking at an Omega Aqua Terra but hoping for some other options.
thank you!
Definitely buy used from a reputable dealer.
Look at Jaeger LeCoultre, NOMOS, maybe a used Cartier Santos, etc..
Omega is a good choice too.
JLC will offer insane horological bang for buck on the used market.
what websites would you recommend for watch buying? I’m new to this and want to make sure I’m not buying from sketchy sources, thank you for the helpful comment!
I love dealing with the guys at WatchBox. Huge selections and generally good prices. I bought a Royal Oak from them about a year ago that I sold at a profit later.
Try Long Island Watch. Great youtube channel too.
JLCs are sick, but I found it hard to find good discounts on them. If you can get a Master Ultra Thin for a decent price, go for it!
I have a MuT Reserve De Marche in blue I'd sell. :)
GShock. If you want to be a true G. invest the rest. thank me after 20 years.
I'd go for an Omega Aqua Terra as well, love that piece!!
If buying pre-owned, I would also look at JLCs
Check out Chrono24, just bought a vintage off there for a steal
I just checked and was seeing a bunch of omega Seamaster aqua terras for under 2k from “verified dealers” how is that possible?
May be an unpopular opinion- but I just never got the obsession with watches. I’m not sure why status watches are still a big thing. if you’re actually a watch guy more power to you. I just feel fake-y wearing an expensive watch for the status (that’s not even set right since I never look at it and have never worn watches before).
Imo there’s 2 things that can stand out for mens fashion when you are in business and have to dress formal - your tie and your watch. So in my opinion if you want to make a statement- not just about how much $ you have but rather your style it should come from either of these pieces. I wouldn’t put some orange straps the way Kevin O’Leary does, but I think that you can learn a lot on someone by which watch they wear.
interesting. I could tell zero from what watch a person wears and so it would be dangerous for me to pick out some nice Panerai and not know the connotations lol
I’d say 4 things where you can stand out; watch, tie, bag and shoes. The shoe bit might be a more of a quality point than a statement/fashion thing but I’d still argue one can stand out with with pair of really high quality black oxfords vs a pair of $300 ones...
But in terms of not understanding mechanical watches, fair enough, everyone’s different, also - I cannot recommend getting into it anyway as it’s highly addictive lol
bump to /watchexchange on reddit. Very reputable group with time very nice watches for sale.
Tudor is a brand people have been sleeping on for the last few years. With recent celebrity endorsement and an aim to target young people that would traditionally have hand-me-down Rolexes, I think Tudor is a great brand with incredibly high quality watches (especially since they started making their in-house movements) which are both super reliable and (some models) likely to appreciate over time. I have a Black Bay Blue and abosolutely love it. If you want something sportier you can get a Pelagos (honestly a great diving watch) and the Black Bay is much more elegant. I recommend the 36mm unless you have a big wrist, in which case the 41 is your best choice.
Oris has some great watches. Clean dial, high visibility and also very reliable. My go to would be the Oris Diver but with the following specifications: 40mm size, silver dial, black bezel and leather strap. Looks vintage and sporty so you can't go wrong with this one. Not the most elegant brand out there, but still a solid watch.
Zenith's El Primero is also a historical classic. It's the watch that gave the Daytona its movement for a while. Try and find a 2nd hand one from the 1990s (something like https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Zenith/El%20Primero/20.0210.400/43306/ite…</a">this) perhaps in silver or steel to make it less flashy. Super cool watch and certainly something all watch enthusiasts will be aware of. You can easily find good quality 2nd hand some for under 5K.
All other suggestions such as Omega, IWC etc are good shouts too, but these are the top 3 I would pick if you gave me 5K to spend today.
Agree with all of this. Others I would add:
IWC portofino chronograph (pre owned)
Just above your price range (pre owned) might be able to negotiate or find a good deal:
JLC master ultra thin Blancpain Villeret Quantieme complet Glashutte panomatic
Agree strongly with the Zenith El Primero and the JLC Master Ultra Thin. Old Omegas are also very nice, so I would give them a look.
Tudor is owned by Rolex. Very similar look, great quality and a fraction of the price. In the under $5k category, that is hands down my recommendation.
Omega speedmaster or IWC portugieser
Two timeless and beautiful pieces.. every watch lover will like them but at the same time you are not showing off
Depending on your wrist size, you can get a used Rolex OP or 36mm datejust for $5k.
I’ve got a guy who’s an authorized dealer down south that will give you 20%+ off of a new piece. I bought my omega from him, 100% legit with boxes/papers/full warranty. PM if interested.
Still have a guy? Near Houston?
Used my ~$5k tax return as well to get a new watch and ended up going with the Omega AT. Got one brand new on Chrono24 for just under $4k - could not be happier with the decision.
Solid choice, beautiful watch for everyday use. Did you got with the 42?
Went with the 38, personal preference and think it fits my wrist size better
Yep, I just got my first omega AT from chrono24. I absolutely love it but unfortunately can't wear it anywhere but my bedroom and the grocery store.
Oh yeah, revisiting this. Check out Dornbluth & Sohne. AWESOME independent doing great work at a very affordable price. Well within your budget. A lot of horological bang for buck.
I’d also recommend JLC, IWC or a vintage Rolex datejust
What are your thoughts on the Rolex Datejust 36mm as an every day wear. Really love the two tone models, but question how it might be perceived in the office on a junior person. Considering grabbing a stainless steel version, but would really love a two tone, white dial.
I vibe with that. Why is there such a huge WSO preference towards white dial?
Dont think its a WSO preference haha just generally white face is much cleaner and more attractive to most ppl including myself. Will most likely go with the two tone, dont think its that big of a deal.
Sinn - German pilot watches
Frederique constant worldtimer, Breitling SuperOcean or Navimiter, Longines HydroConquest, Tudor Pelagos in Blue, Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master, Tag Heuer Aquaracer. All of them great options. Additionally, yesterday I discovered Sugess Moonphase, chinese made movement with outstanding quality and for less than 300€. Enjoy;)
Whatever you do, for the love of god, just don't get a 50mm bling watch.
Older nice watches are great, but can be horrible to service. Omega won't touch my 60 year old seamaster for less than $750, despite it being essentially new in box. (I've got both the clamshell, and the cardboard the clamshell came in) I also don't feel comfortable replacing the original crappy stretchy metal bracelet because of this. Unfortunately older watches need service, and I had a Seiko 6138 from the 70's seize because I just said 'f-it.'
Consider new Seiko Series 5, like the SKX 007 and -009. I also have a friend who swears by vintage Grand Seikos. (the luxury brand) If you want to go really off the deep end, Nezumi has watches that turn a quartz movement to mechanical with a 70's aesthetic.
you can pick up a shinola for under 1k and it will do the trick
JLC used, since that will not be under 5K A classic Longines around 2-3k Omega seamester / speedmaster 4-5k around that Apple watch 300-400 new
Cartier Tank. You could also probably get a nice Bucherer watch
Can't go wrong with a Seamaster.
But if you're a proud American patriot, the George W Bush Timex leather strap watch at c.$70-100 is what you should acquire.
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