Watch purchase - advice please..

GeezerButler · 20 Nov 2011 at 13:40

My mother passed away recently and has left me some cash. I would like to buy something as a memento that can also be passed down the family in the future. I thought a good watch might be something that might have some lasting value.

My primary concern is to get something with a quality movement, so at the moment I am focusing on Jaeger-Le-Coultre and Zenith. I have also heard that Breitling and Omega now have their own in-house movements and wonder if they may be worth considering. Any other suggestions are welcome.

It won't be an everyday wearer (I have a quartz Seamaster for that), so I'm guessing I may have to invest in a watch winder as well?

I am looking to spend up to £5K, and will consider used watches as well.

So, advice please. Oh, and for those about to post 'Get a Casio' or 'Use your phone' please don't bother....

Skidder · 20 Nov 2011 at 13:48

Personally I am a big fan of JLC at that sort of price point. I definitely wouldn't be spending that on a breitling. Zenith make some nice watches but have never owned or tried myself.

I have a Master Reveil which will certainly get passed on to my son (and was given to me by my father).

Some of the 'in-house' movements of some manufacturers are still modded movements from others, just to differing degrees.

lakitu · 20 Nov 2011 at 14:24

Skidder said:
Personally I am a big fan of JLC at that sort of price point. I definitely wouldn't be spending that on a breitling. Zenith make some nice watches but have never owned or tried myself.

I have a Master Reveil which will certainly get passed on to my son (and was given to me by my father).

Some of the 'in-house' movements of some manufacturers are still modded movements from others, just to differing degrees.

I'm in love with your JLC Reveil. Remember you posting it on the what watch do you wear thread.

You can't go wrong with either JLC, IWC or Zenith and the Co-Axial Omegas are nice also. Post a few you like the look of and we'll give you some advice.

Sukh · 20 Nov 2011 at 15:15

Just so you know that IWC don't make their own movements. Mostly highly customised ETA 7750s from Swatch.

Not knocking it, I own one.

Spanker · 20 Nov 2011 at 15:29

GeezerButler said:
My mother passed away recently and has left me some cash. I would like to buy something as a memento that can also be passed down the family in the future. I thought a good watch might be something that might have some lasting value.

Have you thought about buying some art it would also fit the bill maybe?

Spanker · 20 Nov 2011 at 15:33

Rotty · 20 Nov 2011 at 16:52

what style are you looking for? JLC certainly the best of the stuff mention here, they make good used buys too, generally you will pay about 50% of RRP so you could pick yourself a nice 10k watch up

GeezerButler · 20 Nov 2011 at 17:05

Thanks guys - I will look at JLC some more and see what models catch my eye. Will post back later.

Bunka · 20 Nov 2011 at 17:07

Rotty said:
what style are you looking for? JLC certainly the best of the stuff mention here, they make good used buys too, generally you will pay about 50% of RRP so you could pick yourself a nice 10k watch up

Out of interest, if a jewellers is selling a watch at RRP, how do you go about getting a 50% discount?

Rotty · 20 Nov 2011 at 17:44

Bunka said:
Out of interest, if a jewellers is selling a watch at RRP, how do you go about getting a 50% discount?

I am talking about 50% less for a used one, for JLC you will get about 20% off a new one

Rotty · 20 Nov 2011 at 17:48

GeezerButler said:
Thanks guys - I will look at JLC some more and see what models catch my eye. Will post back later.

I have a Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph, prob the most popular JLC , had it over 3 years which is longer than I ever keep any watch normally, have been thinking of changing it for a AP ROO but not sure

Ahleckz · 20 Nov 2011 at 18:06

I tried to get 20% off a Tissot, they weren't having any of it.

Rotty · 20 Nov 2011 at 18:44

Moses said:
You need to do a watch buying guide, tbh .

As you say, "for JLC you will get 20% off a new one", I presume it varies a fair bit between brands. What sort of percentage off makers is it possible to get? I further presume that's from independents, rather than chains?

20% is standard on most brands, Rolex are a bit different and will be 0-20% depending on model

my best discount on a new watch was 63% on a diamond Gucci, not a watch I would normaqly look at but at that price it made a nice pressie for the missus

yes Indies will almost always give better deals than chains

Rotty · 20 Nov 2011 at 19:19

the 63% was from a bloke on forum who was a AD and wanted to shift some stock, he prob still made a small profit

to get discount often the easiet way is to get a price from a web seller, wlk into dealer shop with a print out and say match this and I buy now, never been turned down

generally they won't discuss decent discounts over phone and the "I will buy now" is the big thing that will help you

BenjiSayers · 20 Nov 2011 at 19:40

Probably not the greatest of contributions but in my opinion this is one of the nicest watches I've ever seen...

http://www.omegawatches.com/gents/speedmaster/broad-arrow/32193425013001

Bunka · 20 Nov 2011 at 20:01

BenjiSayers said:
Probably not the greatest of contributions but in my opinion this is one of the nicest watches I've ever seen...

http://www.omegawatches.com/gents/speedmaster/broad-arrow/32193425013001

I've been eyeing that watch up for a long time.

I really like the rose gold and leather strap look. Chopard do some equally nice watches.

BenjiSayers · 20 Nov 2011 at 20:12

Bunka said:
I've been eyeing that watch up for a long time.

I really like the rose gold and leather strap look. Chopard do some equally nice watches.

Ha, buy it!

For me it is sadly in the realm of dreams but hopefully sometime in the future it'll be mine. I'm not normally a fan of leather straps but everything about that watch is just oh so right.

Bunka · 20 Nov 2011 at 20:29

It's the rose gold that's the killer, I cant remember the price off the top of my head but it's somewhere in the realms of 15k. Pick a watch that doesn't have rose gold and it basically slashes 50% off that price. Definitely makes you think twice!

Chabsy · 20 Nov 2011 at 20:30

Rolex 1680 sub or 1675 GMT both will hold or increase in value

allrighty · 20 Nov 2011 at 21:08

Have you had a good think about whether a watch is really appropriate given that you would like it to become a sort of heirloom?

I have a very nice watch but the only reason it means anything to me was because it was a 21st birthday present from my parents. Without such a watch being given in some sort of similar context, I personally don't think a relatively modern-looking watch would work for your purpose given that they are more often seen as a fashion accessory these days.

If I was to do as you are contemplating, I would look for an antique watch that was in some manner unique. Such things take more time to find and you might find yourself looking at the watch and seeing that it reflected some aspect of your mothers personality/taste etc. You can get these things restored by watch makers and it's an experience meeting them. They would probably enjoy helping you to find something if you went to them before buying one, too.

Personally I would go with a piece of art - perhaps commission a painting of a house in which she grew up (if it was something nice to paint!) or a piece of wooden furniture that people will always appreciate, e.g. antique mahogany desk or cabinet.

Good luck finding something!