[ethano]

Hey guys,

I know there's already a watch thread but I need suggestions for a particular type of watch I am looking for.

I have a budget of around $4000, I've looked into omega and iwc but most of them are around $8000.

I like watches that have a slightly bigger case with leather or rubber strap

Could someone suggest a high end watch that meets the above specifications and is around my budget? Thanks

[racerman88]

have you taken a look around Time & Gold? Good selection. So much out there

[SkinnyPupp]

Depends on you and your style. Personally I like BALL and Luminox. For something sleek, Rado.

[StylinRed]

chopard?

zenith?

rolex?

etc?

they've all got watches around your budget

[iam_dan]

New? Or used?

[TMT]

Breitling

[kwy]

Here. Read through this.

And whatever you do, don't buy a Panerai.

Watch Snob - AskMen (http://ca.askmen.com/fashion/mens-watches/)

[dlo]

Breitling contiental ftw

[dygital]

Many Omegas are around $4000 and after haggling (assuming you do ), you can bring it down to about 3500-3700 (after tax).

[kwy]

I'm sure there's a variation of the Omega Speedmaster that has a leather strap. It's probably what I would go or in that price range.

[6793026]

i own this one, bought this one for my 30th bday: it stays bright for up to 25 yrs.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OZmJHidFvlA/TtImIQjRfFI/AAAAAAAAS4s/ERlUt9nJCxY/s1600/LUMINOX%2BDeep%2BDive%2B1500%2BSERIES%2B03.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oyJD8l20--o/TV2yN-aX-nI/AAAAAAAAOCw/xMHpfZwbshc/s400/LUMINOX%2BDeepDive%2B%2528lume%2529.jpg

this is my dream watch
maybe before i hit 40?
http://www.brothers-int.nl/images/f4ae7442c81e8ec76edf228f3ff8425b_89153941801295034 104.jpg

[racerman88]

Chopard makes some nice watches

http://www.luxurybazaar.com/subcategories/subid_152_Mille_Miglia_Chronograph.html

[Si Ed]

The Omega Speedmaster Professional 3570.50 should be around your budget, just buy a leather strap and deployment clasp and you're done

[PJ]

I'd take an Omega hands down.
I got my Speedy for about that price

[will068]

Is Chopard a Jewelry Company first that dove in the watch market? Or is it a real Watch Company ? That's the stigma that I have always heard about Chopard and it's what turned me off Chopard.

[will068]

A couple thousand more and you can get a nice entry level Panerai.

[Marco911]

Look at Cartier and Mont Blanc

[Iceman_2K]

Longines Hydroconquest.

[Marioo1991]

how about a Breitling avenger? when I bought a strap at Time & Gold, I was looking around and she said she would knock off 20%

[Engotski]

Hublot

[E_Fahlman]

Leather strap is typically more formal and a rubber strap is typically mode casual; albeit except for maybe a Hublot so you're kind of contradictig yourself. Find out what purpose you want the watch to have. Personally I'm partial to Tag Heuer's and I have leather, steel and rubber band replacements for most of them depending on where I'm wearing it to. Tag's are typically a little on the lower end bit it would easily fit in your budget.

[Eatman]

just curious, is $4000 really considered high end for a watch?

what are watches that are in the 10's of thousands then? mega high end?

[dygital]

just curious, is $4000 really considered high end for a watch?

what are watches that are in the 10's of thousands then? mega high end?

I think once you start going into the 1000's it becomes high end.

Possibly a bad analogy but

a 911 and a bugatti are both "high end" cars, just that one is more high end than the other, doesn't make the other one not high end. but maybe it's just me haha

[zx7rrrr]

Patek Phillipe

/End thread

[iam_dan]

i know you wanna sound cool buy just throwing down a prestigious watch house name, but you can't even get a patek for under 4000.

[abdulclamwacker]

i know you wanna sound cool buy just throwing down a prestigious watch house name, but you can't even get a patek for under 4000.

Strap and deployant will probably cost around $4K. =)

[Mike Oxbig]

Buying a watch is very hard for many men. Although some people want you to believe you have to spend at least $1000 for anything substantial, I can tell you this doesn’t have to be the case. You can get a nice watch on a smaller budget. Having that said, you should be very aware of what you’re buying when it’s affordable, as sometimes it’s not worth the money. I’ll run down the types of watches you should look out for when buying a watch on a budget.



Fashion Watches

Generally, the most common watches you’ll see are fashion watches. Fashion watches are by brands that aren’t specifically specialized in watch making. The main appeal will be the design and branding. This is what you’ll be looking for if you just want something affordable, tells time and looks cool. You’ll often see they have a fashionable design instead of a classic look.

You should be aware of what you’re buying when you’re buying one. The movements in these watches are always cheap, common Chinese quartz movements. Although they generally function exactly like they should, there is nothing “luxurious” about them. The overall build will also feel cheap when compared to better watches.

A very important note is that you should never pay too much for these watches. Because of the cheap movements and subpar housing quality, they aren’t expensive to make. When you pay more than $300 for one, you’re only paying for the brand name, not quality. If that’s your thing, go for it, but I’d never recommend it to anyone.

My favorite fashion watch brand is Fossil. They have great looking watches of decent quality and are very affordable. Other brands are Diesel, Adidas, Kenneth Cole and Calvin Klein.

Examples:

Fossil Chronograph: Amazon.com: Fossil Fossil Men's Stainless Steel Chronograph Black Dial Watch: Fossil: Watches@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HWst61NkL.@@AMEPARAM@@51HWst61NkL

Kenneth Cole New York: Kenneth Cole New York Men's KC1568 Iconic Chronograph Black Leather Watch: Watches: Amazon.com@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41l9JoC07wL.@@AMEPARAM@@41l9JoC07wL



Very Affordable Automatic Watches (under $250)

Almost all luxury watches have automatic (or “mechanical”) movements. Realistically, from a practical standpoint, quartz movements are better as they are more accurate. The appeal of automatic watches is they are complicated to make, and the technology behind them is hundreds of years old. Having something that doesn’t require a battery makes it feel like it’s “alive”. I personally almost exclusively wear automatic watches.

As complicated as they are to make, there are affordable options if you want an automatic watch. Japanese watch company Orient makes great mechanical watches for under $200. In my opinion, they make the best affordable watches. A more famous Japanese manufacturer is Seiko. Besides the great Seiko “5″ series, the Seiko Orange Monster is highly praised by many watch enthusiasts (design-wise, well, that’s your call). You can find them all for under $250.

I love these watches as they offer amazing value. If you don’t have that much to spend, you really should consider one of these. Having that said, there is a reason why they are so inexpensive. They often have mineral crystals, which scratch quicker than the more expensive sapphire crystal. You’ll also notice they may have cut costs on the bracelet, since they feel cheap and flimsy.

Examples:

Orient Black Mako: Orient Men's CEM65001B 'Black Mako' Automatic Dive Watch: Watches: Amazon.com@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41BN2KZmJoL.@@AMEPARAM@@41BN2KZmJoL

Seiko Orange Monster: Seiko Men's SKX781K3 "Orange Monster" Automatic Dive Watch: Watches: Amazon.com@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51R3R6TAK9L.@@AMEPARAM@@51R3R6TAK9L



The Step Up ($300-$500)

If you want something of higher quality and have a bit more to spend, you’ll be looking at the $300-$500 range. It’s quite a lot for some people, but quality-wise it really is a step up. The bracelets/leather bands, for example, generally feel better, and you’ll only see scratch resistance sapphire crystals. There are a couple watchmakers that make amazing time pieces around this price point. But, beware. There are a few fashion brands (like Emperio Armani and Hugo Boss) that sell in this price range. Like I said earlier, those watches are often not worth the money, as they offer very little value being cheap Chinese quartz watches.

A manufacturer everyone should take a look at is the British Christopher Ward. They make beautiful classic looking timepieces with great automatic movements. They do make more expensive watches, but specifically the lower-end line offers great value. A Swiss alternative is Tissot. The brand offers Swiss watch making at a reasonably affordable price. Another well respected brand is the American Hamilton. Their Khaki Field is a timeless watch. And, never count out Seiko. At this price point they, too, make great watches.

If you can afford it, I’d always recommend watches in this price range. They definitely are of better quality and probably will last longer. While you might get bored of your cheap fashion watch in a year, you’ll cherish a more expensive automatic watch for a long time.

Examples

Tissot PRC200 Chronograph: Tissot Men's T17158652 PRC 200 Chronograph Watch: Watches: Amazon.com@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41lhW2JmbSL.@@AMEPARAM@@41lhW2JmbSL

Christopher Ward C9: C9 Harrison Automatic - C9-AUTO-SKK - Automatic - - Swiss Made (http://www.christopherward-usa.com/men/dress/view-all-dress/c9-auto-skk.html)



Value

The key word on buying a watch on a budget is “value” – you should know what you’re buying. Watches are different than clothes, as they involve years of wear and moving parts, which you should consider when buying a watch. A watch is more than just a bracelet.

If you can afford it, buy a nicer automatic watch. There are absolutely beautiful watches in the $300-500 price range. If that’s not your thing or you can’t afford it, buy a nice fashion watch… but don’t pay too much for it.