$500 - $1000 watch suggestions?

[johnnywatches]

Hi all,

I'm a new poster. I'm looking for suggestions on a watch to buy between $500 to $1000. I don't know much about watches and was curious about how well they hold their value. I want something that is recognizable and fashionable I guess.

Only features that I had in mind are a perpetual calander but would sacrifice this for prestige.

Thanks!

[mamas]

Hi,
welcome to the forum!
I think that if you are going to get a $500-1000 watch, you would be better served getting a mechanical watch rather than a quartz. unfortunately in this price range, forget perpetual calendar in mechanical.
it may help to know what sort of what you are after..
ie do you want to swim with it ie diver style watch??
dress watch?
do you want to time things with it? chronograph??

[amanda]

Welcome Johnny!

As mamas said, in your price range you should find something fairly easy.... but we need to know your style first!

[CHIP]

Welcome!

I think that your statement "I want something that is recognizable" complicates things a bit.
If you want something that is recognizable, more than likely you will have to go with a quartz model.

In a perfect world, if you could afford about 1200, you could pick up an Omega Seamaster Professional. And that's a watch that will last you a lifetime.

Given your budget, the only somewhat big name that I can think of that might give you an used auto would be Tag.

[johnnywatches]

Thanks for all the replies!

My style? Mostly corporate casual. I've been trying to go for a more polished, professional look lately but add a bit of an alternative rock accent on the weekends. If that makes sense..

I kind of want something that will get me compliments from people who know a thing or 2 about watches but as well from anyone in general.

Chip, I really like your suggestion of the Omega Seamaster Professional... I can definitely afford the $1200 range, so that should be okay. Could you point me in the right direction of reputable stores with competitive pricing?

What's the difference between a mechanical and quartz? I don't swim or usually time things... Mainly need to tell time and look good.

--I also want to mention that I don't want something where copies are commonly found (ie. I see a lot of tags and rolex watches that are fake, but you rarely see a fake brietling for sale). So maybe if it is unique enough or has enough detail, people will be able to tell it can't be a fake...

[truerolexer/trueradiomier]

WELCOME TO THE CLUB, MAN!!!
Yeah Omega SMP maybe pre-owned one is a great choice.

[aerome]

johnnywatches said:

Thanks for all the replies!

My style? Mostly corporate casual. I've been trying to go for a more polished, professional look lately but add a bit of an alternative rock accent on the weekends. If that makes sense..

I kind of want something that will get me compliments from people who know a thing or 2 about watches but as well from anyone in general.

Chip, I really like your suggestion of the Omega Seamaster Professional... I can definitely afford the $1200 range, so that should be okay. Could you point me in the right direction of reputable stores with competitive pricing?

What's the difference between a mechanical and quartz? I don't swim or usually time things... Mainly need to tell time and look good.

--I also want to mention that I don't want something where copies are commonly found (ie. I see a lot of tags and rolex watches that are fake, but you rarely see a fake brietling for sale). So maybe if it is unique enough or has enough detail, people will be able to tell it can't be a fake...

Don't mistake me for someone who knows anything, but there are copies made of everything. I've seen fake Glashutte Originals as well as Piquets, so everything is being copied. Just assure yourself that your watch is as genuine as you!

A quartz watch uses a battery and circuitry to drive the mechanicals and for the most part is extremely accurate. An automatic is a purely mechanical marvel, some with over 250 parts that (very simply) uses the centrifugal force of your bodys movement to keep the spring wound, thus keeping the watch running. I like to say "Never needs batteries!". Lets not forget the "manuals" that require winding every day.

As you hopefully educate yourself about these tiny machines you'll come to appreciate what they really are and really do! Welcome to the forum. Sit back, relax and learn that there are watches past Rolex. I did!

[johnnywatches]

I'm seeing a used Seamaster Prof. for approx $800. It's the 2265.80 large size. Is case sizing normally a preference or should it correspond with your wrist size? I have small wrists...

I'm excited and really want to pull the trigger on it but would feel comfortable if someone here can confirm that it's a good buy.

Thank you for your help!

I'm also seeing a mid sized 2561.80 for approx $700. These are both auctions ending in about 8 hours.

[Archer]

By auctions do you mean eBay? If so, then I would be very careful as fakes are everywhere on the bay. I don't know what the situation is for Omega specifically, but if you go to any watch forum like this and ask how to know if the watch is real or not, the #1 rule you will hear is this:

"Buy the seller, not the watch."

On sizes - generally mid-sized will be tougher to sell in the future, so if you can stick with the normal size that would be best. But it really is what you like in the end. When you say small wrists, how small?

I have 6.75 inch wrists, and wear watches up to 43mm pretty regularly. A few years ago I thought 38mm was too big, but honestly you can get used to bigger watches quite easily. Now I think my 37 and 38mm watches are small.

Cheers, Al

[wasatch]

Feel free to post links to the auctions so we can review them and give you some input.

We're OK with posting links around here.

[johnnywatches]

I didn't end up bidding. These were the ones I'm interested in:

cgi.ebay.ca/OMEGA-Seamaster-Professional-Large-2265-80-Mens-Watch_W0QQitemZ200191313037QQihZ010QQcategoryZ31387QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That one ended at about $930. Now I'm watching this one:

cgi.ebay.ca/OMEGA-Seamaster-James-Bond-Model-2541-80-Mens-Watch_W0QQitemZ190189736057QQihZ009QQcategoryZ31387QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[wasatch]

I know of more than a few people who have bought from that specific seller (jmryshi or something). Haven't heard too many bad things about him.

[amanda]

I've used a seller on ebay who's actually called 'johnnywatch' I bought a Tudor Mini-Sub and an Omega off him. Never had any issues with him at all.. he's worth looking up too.

As for the ' is it real' comments you get from some people, I find Rolex seems to condure that statement the most.. at first it bothered me but now I dont give a BEEP and just answer how I ever I see fit! Yeh, no.. what do you think... yeh I'm a show pony it cost 15k blah blah blah it can be quite fun

[aerome]

wasatch said:

I know of more than a few people who have bought from that specific seller (jmryshi or something). Haven't heard too many bad things about him.

He sells a load of Omega watches on Ebay. I always wondered where he gets them all. I would completely research the model numbers and make sure what he is offering is exactly what the model number designates it as. I always worry about parts switching and swapping, especially with Omegas.