One for the watch enthusiasts..

[ajf]

I have wanted a nice 'mechanical' watch for many years and hopefully next year will be in a position to buy something.
Hoping to budget upto £1500.
What should I look for? Reading some of the posts here has surprised me with the reputation some manufacturers seem to have (such as Tag) and also that some use bought in movements.
Within my budget are there any watches that are good quality made by the manufacturer?
I am not after an all singing all dancing watch, but would like something simple but stylish. It would also be nice if the movement is visible in some way as it is the craftmanship that has always intrigued me with watches.

Two I have seen are an Oris BC3 and TT1. What else should I look at? I assume the likes of Rolex are out of budget?

On a different note, assuming these are genuine are they a good budget watch:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEIKO-MENS-AU...ryZ31387QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEIKO-DAYTONA...ryZ31387QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks
Andrew

 

[ajf]

I find most of the Omegas bulky looking. The De Ville co-axial GMT seems nice but a bit out of my league I think!
Cheapest Rolex I had seen and liked online were the Air King - not sure if these have a good reputation from reading around?. Also like the DateJust models.
Not too bothered about the visible movement, just nice if it was something that was featured.

How are the Oris watches percieved? I know they are considerably cheaper than Omega etc so presumably not 'as good' but at the lower end of the market I am looking at is there a siginificant difference in quality between the good brands?

 

[ajf]

Thank you for all the replies. Done a bit more reading also about movements and was surprised hwo many use the ETA movements as their base. I assume therefore that most of those watches are still of a high quality?

An in house movement would have been nice had it been in my budget but as Rotty replied there seem to be few/none in my range so I will look at what is available for my price range.

The Oris range has the most that I really like. I couldn't find any IWC that would have been affordable but there were wuite a few nice watches if I win the lottery!
The Ollech and Wajs seem very cheap but I really like the designs.

If I was to look at a second hand watch where are the best places to look or purchase?

Also out of interest, what is it about the Tag watches that have a bad name on here?

Andrew

 

[ajf]

I will be honest, when I asked about in-house movements I did not realise that there were relatively few available.
It does not bother me as such but I was assuming initially that 'bought in' movements meant a lower quality watch.
Which kind of leads to the question, if most manufacturers use the same ETA based movements what singles each watch out that makes such a difference in price?

Whilst I like watches I have little knowledge of the business and movements etc from that point of view.

Sinn look a good bet too from what I have seen but as with Fortis, Epos, Ollech & Wajs etc where can you buy them from? I have found a couple of online retailers but would much prefer to see them prior to purchase.

JLC again I thnk may be over budget.

 

[ajf]

Can you suggest some specific places (UK preferred) - either shops or websites - that do prices better than normal retail?
I found one or two -watchfinder seems a big site - but I am wary as not sure if they or other sites are 'official' retailers and all the major brands warn about not buying from non authorised outlets.

Thanks
Andrew

 

[ajf]

Yes, I like this, and also the Railmaster version, but that seems to be difficult to find in the UK so far!
Slightly more within budget I also quite like the the look of the Oris Artelier Chronometer, Date but again seems difficult to find in the UK.
I see a pattern emerging. but I like the slightly understated and almost 'old fashioned' look of these watches rather than the bright metal 'divers' watches.

Anyone know if these watches are actually available here?

Andrew