[L8Apex]

For a daily casual check out Sinn U1 if you can find one.

[TurboFan]

Tag is OK, I have one. Omega isn't bad either.

You can probably find a nice used Breitling on a leather strap for that price, maybe on a bracelet. U-boat is a fine watch too.

Do you want an automatic or quartz? The automatic is wound by the motion of your wrist, quartz by some form of power, usually a battery.

What style do you want? Leather strap, metal bracelet or rubber strap? Large watch (50+mm case) medium or small (<42mm)? Thick or thin? Round, square or rectangle?

You won't get a Panerai at that price. If you like the style, want a quality, hand-built watch of a style very similar to a Panerai, PM me, I know a guy that builds watches and has a lot of options using cases similar to that of Panerai. If you want it for the name/logo then never mind.

You may also be able to pick up a Bell and Ross, used, in that price range. When you're talking about "nice" watches, Tag and Omega are kinda the Honda and Toyota of that world. Nothing wrong with them, they're quality time pieces, but hardly unusual or exclusive. Breitling is still a mass market watch at $3500+. You're looking at $5000+ for something more "exclusive", and that's on the used market.

[Feyd]

The Sinn U1 is a great watch, so is the U2 and just about everything else they make. www.watchbuys.com

There are a ton of watches out there in that price range. Coming from someone who owns everything from Citizen's to Panerai's, I'd say buy a Hamilton. I've got a few and you can't go wrong with them, I especially like the Khaki line. Its probably the least expensive way to get into nice ETA mechanical movements because the swatch group (who owns Hamilton) also owns ETA. On some of the higher end models, you might break into the $1500 range, but certainly no higher.

If you check out some of the watch forums like watchuseek, 3T, etc.. you can find some decent quality "boutique" or lesser known brands like Kremke/Kobold/Ocean7/DOXA/Ball, etc... all quality pieces and all quite unique and not very common to see around. There is also some decent lightly used pieces for sale on those forums. I'd hang out there for a few days and read about everything you can... then make your decision.

[hl0m4n]

the bell and ross is nice but i don't like alot of them which eliminate like all their watches and the ones i do like are way out of my price range.

for the u-boat i love the flight deck bezel, any idea on pricing on that?

Pmed you too about the hand built panerai style watch.

i love the oris skeleton too btw is it big and thick?

[nightkhan]

if any of you are interested in discounted tag watches, they're having a friends and family sale right now:

http://www.lvmhpartners.com

use code: ffsaleholiday09

there are some pretty good deals, but selection is limited

[Searcher821]

If you're going to fork out that much on a watch, get one from a reputable Swiss watch maker with a long history.

Look into the different brands - and find one that makes watches for the the fields of endeavour you're interested in i.e. (scuba, flying, automotive, whatever) Don't just ask a bunch of E90 board rats, and do what they say

You'll like your watch better if you know the history of the company, and the watch reflects you as a person as well.

Personally I'm an aviator and have a Breitling and looking at an IWC mk. XVI now.
For flying though I mostly just use a radio controlled Casio G-shock now, as it's always ultra precise lol
Had the Omega Moon watch, but let it go again. Great history and great watch ..

I wouldn't mind buying second hand as long as it's legit. You can always get it serviced at a dealer and have it brought back to like new condition. I did that with a Rolex Submariner no-date, that I got for cheap from a jeweler on ebay ... An expensive watch will last several lifetimes if looked after anyway.

Buy the right watch (the one you really want) first time around. Otherwise you'll just end up selling it again and getting another one, which will cost you more in the end ...

Good luck, and let us know what you get

[Citizen Z]

Originally Posted by samwoo2go

well big difference between mustang and 3er to YOU because you are a car guy, to my mom, a stang and 3 er is the same car besides the badge.

to a non watch person. an ESQ or Citizen is the same shit as Omega or Tag or Rolex besides brand. But to some1 that appreciates and understand watch especially for its movement (thats when you move out of quartz and into the world of mechanical baby) there are huge differences in craftsmanship, precision, duarability, and value retention. Some of these differences might be so small that you don't think its a big deal.
For example a good rolex can keep time accuracy to +/- 30 seconds a year and inferior watches might do say 3 mins a year. This might not make a huge difference to you because it doesn't really matter in REALITY. But it matters to watch people.
Car example. my girlfriend says, why do you guys spend hundreds of dollar to get a chip for your cars and improve your 0-60 times by half a second? Do you really need to be half a second faster? Its half a second to her, but its a world of difference to us because we are car people you see, so while in reality, yes half a second is not that much less, but I value that half of second to justify the cost.
get it?

As well put as I could ask for. Thank you. I'm not a watch guy so I'll keep on getting my $350 watches and spending too much on my car.

[GGreek5]

A used Aquanautic. King Barracuda. Pretty rare in the U.S.

[S_M]

The best all around watch in that price range IMO would be a used Breitling Superocean Steelfish or a used Omega Planet Ocean. Both offer alot more watch for the money than any Tag.

If you're really stuck on a Pam you could buy a homage...

[L8Apex]

Originally Posted by Searcher821

If you're going to fork out that much on a watch, get one from a reputable Swiss watch maker with a long history.


Buy the right watch (the one you really want) first time around. Otherwise you'll just end up selling it again and getting another one, which will cost you more in the end ...

Good luck, and let us know what you get

Good advice...except don't limit your choice to Swiss makers. There is more marketing in the Swiss statement than value. Look at Sinn for example, little know that the founder of the German Co. Sinn designed for IWC before he started the co in the 60's. He also bought the tooling from Breitling in the early 80's (when they ran into serious financial issues) that made the notorious Navitimer. I would say the Sinn 903 is built better and offers more value than the Breitling Navitimer. The Sinn is extremely tough, very well made, reliable and has better water resistance than the Breitiling. (Breitling is only resistant to 30m Sinn 100m.) You just have more explaining to do about the Sinn vs. Breitiling. Which is interesting conversation for those who care. Unless, you really care what people think go for the better value. Keep in mind; I'm not a collector..I'm a watch wearer (abuser).


.

[S_M]

Originally Posted by L8Apex

Good advice...except don't limit your choice to Swiss makers. There is more marketing in the Swiss statement than value. Look at Sinn for example, little know that the founder of the German Co. Sinn designed for IWC before he started the co in the 60's. He also bought the tooling from Breitling in the early 80's (when they ran into serious financial issues) that made the notorious Navitimer. I would say the Sinn 903 is built better and offers more value than the Breitling Navitimer. The Sinn is extremely tough, very well made, reliable and has better water resistance than the Breitiling. (Breitling is only resistant to 30m Sinn 100m.) You just have more explaining to do about the Sinn vs. Breitiling. Which is interesting conversation for those who care. Unless, you really care what people think go for the better value. Keep in mind; I'm not a collector..I'm a watch wearer (abuser).


.

Well lets be honest, if you're looking for a water resistant watch, a Navi shouldn't be on your list...

You can buy a Seawolf that's 3000m resistant if you want a dive watch, or a U1 that's 1000m. Either way you're not going that deep anyways...

[TTexan]

Originally Posted by news 4 u

I'll third that. I picked up my Carrera for about $1400...



so you can easily pick up the much more awesome chrono version

I have the chrono version, great piece.

I would recommend a Breitling, they have a few pieces in that range. They are great time pieces.

[cuban335i]

cartier roadster chrono ftw... i'd save up for it.. i love mine..

[jibaholic101]

+1 for baume and mercier
i love mine!!!!

omega is a great choice

this is my DD watch, but this one is out of your price range

[samwoo2go]

Another thing great (for you) about Breitling is, they have HORRIBLE resale value and if you buy used, is beneficial to your side.

[e90sam]

omega planet ocean.

Do your research before you drop the big bucks. TAG's are good, but you'll find most watch collectors will lean on the OMEGA side. There is nothing wrong with buying a used watch as long as you buy from a reputable reseller.

OR you could always save up and buy a ROLEX submariner, but the price/quality ratio is debatable


http://www.watchuseek.com/site/forums.htm

http://www.watchtalkforums.info/forums/index.php

[mpimping]

i hate these threads. if you dont want to spend another g i would just say use your cellphone like everybody else. who wears watches anymore? its a waste of money. goto tarrytown jewelers.

[L8Apex]

Originally Posted by reallyslow

Well lets be honest, if you're looking for a water resistant watch, a Navi shouldn't be on your list...

You can buy a Seawolf that's 3000m resistant if you want a dive watch, or a U1 that's 1000m. Either way you're not going that deep anyways...

True, just making a point about German build quality. I don't buy the whole Swiss only policy when buying a great watch. Although, I have inherited one- Patek Officers Watch..Very nice but damn expensive. Honestly the U1 is on my wrist majority of the time over the past 3 years and it is by far the most overbuilt watch on the market for the money and I love it. I own 2 more Germans and 1 Italian all north of $5k

For the $1500-2k market Sinn should be on the list. No?

[randomquickness]

I have always loved nice watches but haven't ventured past my movado. I plan on getting myself a Concord when I commission as an officer. Some others I didn't see mentioned that I like are Invicta, Raymond Weil, IWC, and Ebel. There are TONS of nice watches out there in the price range you mentioned.

[jibaholic101]

Originally Posted by randomquickness

I have always loved nice watches but haven't ventured past my movado. I plan on getting myself a Concord when I commission as an officer. Some others I didn't see mentioned that I like are Invicta, Raymond Weil, IWC, and Ebel. There are TONS of nice watches out there in the price range you mentioned.

there is no IWC in his price range. they are not cheap

and a fine watch is something that you cant appreciate until you own one. my first fine watch was a gift, and it is something that i fell in love with, and having a fine watch is just something that you fall in love with more and more, and want others

[AtoB]

Originally Posted by jibaholic101

there is no IWC in his price range. they are not cheap

and a fine watch is something that you cant appreciate until you own one. my first fine watch was a gift, and it is something that i fell in love with, and having a fine watch is just something that you fall in love with more and more, and want others

x2 iwc... nice watches

[san~man]

Originally Posted by aus

Is that a quartz one?

I'd go Omega. They've been going up in price. I got the "James Bond" Sea Master before the movie was out for around $1,100 new from an authorized dealer. It's much more now.

no, mechanical movement. The "professional" on the dial is a little hard to read in the photobucket pic but it's there

I love that watch, it'll stay classy, timeless and sporty forever. Coincidentally, I just had to take it in for service, first time in 9 years. I'd love to get a Panarai but just can't justify dropping the coin for one

*edit* Should have said "chronometer" instead of "professional" to designate it being an automatic movement. My bad.