your watch guy! haha - i have a Tag Heuer and i consider myself a watch guy...those a nice watches you got though. seamaster = james bond
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Should I buy a expensive watch (Rolex, Breitling, etc.) or save my money?
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your watch guy! haha - i have a Tag Heuer and i consider myself a watch guy...those a nice watches you got though. seamaster = james bond
I guess as the saying goes, if you have to ask...you can't really afford it.
Personally I could see spending upwards of $2500 on a nice watch, but anything beyond that is really a hard sell to me. I'm by no means a connoisseur of watches, but I do think a nice watch tells a lot about you.
I don't care for the big chronos that you are forced into if you want a Breitling or Rolex, etc. I also find Rolex to be overpriced for what it is and cliche, and if I'm not mistaken (I may be), aren't they not even that accurate when compared to other watches in their price range? The other thing about a Rolex is 75% of people you show it to will just assume it's fake.
Five years ago I decided I wanted a nice watch. I wanted a stainless steel band, and something simple, stylish, elegant, and classy. I wanted a watch to tell time and only time, not do god knows what like that one posted above that doesn't even look like it tells time.
So I bought a surgical-grade stainless-banded Gucci G-class with a black face and diamonds where the numbers should be for about $1100-$1200 back then. It's very simple, very nice, and I get compliments all the time. It's very heavy and has a nice feel to it, and five years of daily abuse, it's still ticking on the original battery and all of the links hinge nice and smoothly, and the clasp has given me zero problems. It's a Swiss quartz movement with a sapphire crystal (won't scratch, and it really doesn't). It's also apparently water resistant to 5500 meters (not a typo). Sure, the watch pros will laugh and say, "Haha nice $50 Swiss watch with a $1200 price tag," but I really don't care. The other thing is that I'm only 130 pounds, so almost all men's watches look absolutely huge on my wrist (think chronos like Breitling, they just look stupid on someone standing 5'5") but this Gucci is the perfect size.
The watch is gorgeous, simple, elegant, timeless, fashionable, goes with absolutely everything I have, and more important than anything, it does what a watch is supposed to--it tells time.
This is a picture of my model, but it has a pearl white face. Mine is the black-faced version:
And a black face knockoff, doesn't show the alternating polished/brushed pattern in the band:
The G class they have now is a little different in that the Gucci logo is offset to the left underneath the hands, and the hands themselves are thicker and squared, not narrow and pointed.
I love my Gucci, even if it is just a $50 Swiss watch with a huge price tag. All it needs is a GOOD cleaning and polishing now after five years of service.
EDIT: Decided to snap a few pics and post em. Note this is five years of daily abuse, grime, sweat, and hundreds of beers/drinks spilled on it at the bar:
Personally I could see spending upwards of $2500 on a nice watch, but anything beyond that is really a hard sell to me. I'm by no means a connoisseur of watches, but I do think a nice watch tells a lot about you.
I don't care for the big chronos that you are forced into if you want a Breitling or Rolex, etc. I also find Rolex to be overpriced for what it is and cliche, and if I'm not mistaken (I may be), aren't they not even that accurate when compared to other watches in their price range? The other thing about a Rolex is 75% of people you show it to will just assume it's fake.
Five years ago I decided I wanted a nice watch. I wanted a stainless steel band, and something simple, stylish, elegant, and classy. I wanted a watch to tell time and only time, not do god knows what like that one posted above that doesn't even look like it tells time.
So I bought a surgical-grade stainless-banded Gucci G-class with a black face and diamonds where the numbers should be for about $1100-$1200 back then. It's very simple, very nice, and I get compliments all the time. It's very heavy and has a nice feel to it, and five years of daily abuse, it's still ticking on the original battery and all of the links hinge nice and smoothly, and the clasp has given me zero problems. It's a Swiss quartz movement with a sapphire crystal (won't scratch, and it really doesn't). It's also apparently water resistant to 5500 meters (not a typo). Sure, the watch pros will laugh and say, "Haha nice $50 Swiss watch with a $1200 price tag," but I really don't care. The other thing is that I'm only 130 pounds, so almost all men's watches look absolutely huge on my wrist (think chronos like Breitling, they just look stupid on someone standing 5'5") but this Gucci is the perfect size.
The watch is gorgeous, simple, elegant, timeless, fashionable, goes with absolutely everything I have, and more important than anything, it does what a watch is supposed to--it tells time.
This is a picture of my model, but it has a pearl white face. Mine is the black-faced version:
And a black face knockoff, doesn't show the alternating polished/brushed pattern in the band:
The G class they have now is a little different in that the Gucci logo is offset to the left underneath the hands, and the hands themselves are thicker and squared, not narrow and pointed.
I love my Gucci, even if it is just a $50 Swiss watch with a huge price tag. All it needs is a GOOD cleaning and polishing now after five years of service.
EDIT: Decided to snap a few pics and post em. Note this is five years of daily abuse, grime, sweat, and hundreds of beers/drinks spilled on it at the bar:
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Nice one!
I am all about me some Fossil, and then take the rest of the money and spend on some other toys or even save it. They run between $100-300 and to this point with having 10-15 of them, I have yet to have any issues with them wearing them everyday.
As long as you're asking for opinions, if you're going to this extent, you might be overthinking it just a bit. I don't think too many people are going to knock you for having a watch that doesn't match your shoes.
First of all, are you looking for an investment, or a watch?
If you want something that looks good and keeps time, you can do it for a helluva lot less than $5k.
If you really do want it to be an investment, think of it like a jewelry purchase, and get something you like and will hold its value.
In either case, your age is completely irrelevant. People of all ages can make wise investments, and people of all ages can enjoy wearing a watch that looks nice.
I really don't know why they were being sold for just $3,000 but they were made of pure gold and diamond encrusted. I would certainly say they were valued at much higher. I wouldn't buy them to wear i'm not that flashy but the resale value on them would have been ridiculous if I could have snagged it at that price.
For all those who think it's not worth spending the money on a quality time piece, I would like to ask them if they own a Mac. You can buy a cheap watch like a cheap computer, but you can buy a quality time piece like a quality Mac.
As for Rolex, it maybe cliche if you don't really know the brand. But ask yourself how many other time pieces can hold their value. Mine has gone up $4k USD in value. Not a bad investment that you can actually get daily use out of.
As for Rolex, it maybe cliche if you don't really know the brand. But ask yourself how many other time pieces can hold their value. Mine has gone up $4k USD in value. Not a bad investment that you can actually get daily use out of.
That's what I hate about leather bands. I tend to run hot and when I had a leather/ fabric band, they'd start to stink after a couple of months. I just got tired of having to replace the bands.
umm, save your money?? invest it in something that'll bring in income so that later on, it won't be foolish to spend $5000 on a watch.
Breitling is great.
But spending five thousand on a watch is a bit too far especially at your age. Prioritize your needs, you have a lot ahead of you and $5000 could very well prove real handy sometime. If anything I'd wait till you are completely settled (...are you?) in order to buy clothing accessories.
Perhaps you should actually buy it if you could take it back, just so you see how it feels to spend such amount on the watch. It's your choice really. But a $5000 spending at 26 seems slightly superficial.
Mind you, I too am a watch guy. The difference is that I received my Omega speedmaster from my father
But spending five thousand on a watch is a bit too far especially at your age. Prioritize your needs, you have a lot ahead of you and $5000 could very well prove real handy sometime. If anything I'd wait till you are completely settled (...are you?) in order to buy clothing accessories.
Perhaps you should actually buy it if you could take it back, just so you see how it feels to spend such amount on the watch. It's your choice really. But a $5000 spending at 26 seems slightly superficial.
Mind you, I too am a watch guy. The difference is that I received my Omega speedmaster from my father
...
Mind you, I too am a watch guy. The difference is that I received my Omega speedmaster from my father
How did you feel when you received that Omega? Imagine if people told your dad not to buy it because it's too expensive and then your dad would not have it to give you.
If the OP is financially stable and can afford an expensive time piece and if he "really" wants one, then I say why not. I see people spend thousands on alcohol and cigarettes. How about that LCD or plasma TV that will be replaced in three years. A quality time piece will outlast all the electronics that we spend money on.
I bought a $250 self winding "eco drive" Citizen watch that's been wonderful. I used to go through a new watch every 2 years, but my Citizen looks like new after 7 years. No batteries to replace and dead accurate.
in my humble experience, i've bought and sold numerous watches (mostly rolexes). a popular sport model like a submariner will hold easily hold 85% of it's value after initial depreciation. take into account that rolex raises it's prices once or twice a year, this same watch could possibly sold at whatever its original retail was depending on the condition.
contrarily, i have never seen high end sunglasses fetch 60% of its original value on the second hand market.
remember, i'm not talking about intrinsic value here. everyone values things differently. you would be correct in assuming that my wife is guilty of buying multiple $2000 handbags. i'm talking about economic investment.
edit: i just saw your second post. 24K with diamonds? hahahaha, gold closed at $1613 per ounce today. considering that plastic sunglasses weigh at least several ounces, gold ones would be at least several times that. sorry, but the math doesn't add up here. let's not even include the diamonds.
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Bling impresses no one. At least, no one you'd care to impress.
However, as one with a wristwatch fetish, I'd be the first to admit that an uncommon, artful or highly functional choice would catch my approving eye.
Personaly, I'm a gadget freak and wanted a function-festooned watch of a model I wouldn't see on every wrist walking down the street, and which wouldn't look like I had a can of tuna strapped to my wrist.
When I chanced upon the Casio 1300T-7V in titanium, I was hooked.
Rugged. Solar powered. World time. Nightly atomic time sync. Water resistant to 100m. Backlit. Altimeter. Barometer, with a time graph that's useful for weather prediction. Compass. Thermometer (accurate if it's off your wrist for 20 minutes or so). All sorts of timing capabilities. And it's one of the thinnest "triple sensor" watches on the market-- no problem slipping under a shirt-cuff. And the titanium band and case elements give it a different sort of look, appropriate for business or sport. I have a bunch of watches including a nice Seiko diver and a dressy Raymond Weil, but this one's my everyday companion.
I've had mine for two and a half years now and have encountered precisely one other in the wild. Love the thing. The world-time feature is a boon, as I'm a frequent flyer.
Amazon has it for a good price.
I've read through the whole thread now.
The Stowa is a good example of what I was talking about. Lovely, unique, a real work of art. (For me, however: I like gadgets, and as gorgeous as the Stowa is, I'd feel deprived after a while.)
But, being an Apple-related forum, I'm stunned no one (including me!) has suggested an iPod Nano with a watchband. Here:
Available from Amazon. And there are plenty of others.
Agreed. Although, to me, the metric isn't "expensive" but "high quality." The two don't always intersect.
(Of course, quality can mean many things, and it isn't always expensive.)
In the OP's case, I'd say: go keep some good watchmakers employed. Personally, I'd hope he seeks something special, and not something he'll see on other wrists a dozen times a day. Or worse yet, on stage at any rap concert.
By the way, OP, http://www.watchuseek.com is a goldmine of info. Mind the reliability reports, too. (Anecdote: a friend missed a flight because his cheap-ass Timex suddenly ran a half hour late. The flight was AA 191, which crashed on takeoff. He celebrated his close call by buying a $10k Rolex. Find the logic in that!)
However, as one with a wristwatch fetish, I'd be the first to admit that an uncommon, artful or highly functional choice would catch my approving eye.
Personaly, I'm a gadget freak and wanted a function-festooned watch of a model I wouldn't see on every wrist walking down the street, and which wouldn't look like I had a can of tuna strapped to my wrist.
When I chanced upon the Casio 1300T-7V in titanium, I was hooked.
Rugged. Solar powered. World time. Nightly atomic time sync. Water resistant to 100m. Backlit. Altimeter. Barometer, with a time graph that's useful for weather prediction. Compass. Thermometer (accurate if it's off your wrist for 20 minutes or so). All sorts of timing capabilities. And it's one of the thinnest "triple sensor" watches on the market-- no problem slipping under a shirt-cuff. And the titanium band and case elements give it a different sort of look, appropriate for business or sport. I have a bunch of watches including a nice Seiko diver and a dressy Raymond Weil, but this one's my everyday companion.
I've had mine for two and a half years now and have encountered precisely one other in the wild. Love the thing. The world-time feature is a boon, as I'm a frequent flyer.
Amazon has it for a good price.
I've read through the whole thread now.
The Stowa is a good example of what I was talking about. Lovely, unique, a real work of art. (For me, however: I like gadgets, and as gorgeous as the Stowa is, I'd feel deprived after a while.)
But, being an Apple-related forum, I'm stunned no one (including me!) has suggested an iPod Nano with a watchband. Here:
Available from Amazon. And there are plenty of others.
Agreed. Although, to me, the metric isn't "expensive" but "high quality." The two don't always intersect.
(Of course, quality can mean many things, and it isn't always expensive.)
In the OP's case, I'd say: go keep some good watchmakers employed. Personally, I'd hope he seeks something special, and not something he'll see on other wrists a dozen times a day. Or worse yet, on stage at any rap concert.
By the way, OP, http://www.watchuseek.com is a goldmine of info. Mind the reliability reports, too. (Anecdote: a friend missed a flight because his cheap-ass Timex suddenly ran a half hour late. The flight was AA 191, which crashed on takeoff. He celebrated his close call by buying a $10k Rolex. Find the logic in that!)
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My problem is I tend to destroy watches. While digging around a server rack, raised floor, etc, I always seem to bang it on something and destroy the watch. I have even destroyed one hitting it on a metal doorknob. That is why I don't buy expensive watches.
Yeah, that is an issue. My problem is that silver and gold tend to turn my skin green. I also seem to have a high ph level, as I have caused metal in glasses frames to become pitted. The same has happened to watch bands.
Rolex and Breitling are both excellent makes, although a Rolex will probably hold its value a little better over time. I would say try a variety of models from both in your price bracket and buy the one which appeals to you most, regardless of brand. There is a certain cachet attached to having a Rolex, but if there's a Breitling you absolutely adored, it would be silly to purchase a Rolex instead.
As to age-- if you are financially stable, I wouldn't let it even be a consideration. High-quality time-pieces are an investment you can enjoy for years and years to come. Unlike a car, or a suit, or a computer, which will probably become outdated or unsuitable for your needs in the long-term future, a good watch is something you can have and enjoy for years, as well as potentially pass along to future generations.
As to age-- if you are financially stable, I wouldn't let it even be a consideration. High-quality time-pieces are an investment you can enjoy for years and years to come. Unlike a car, or a suit, or a computer, which will probably become outdated or unsuitable for your needs in the long-term future, a good watch is something you can have and enjoy for years, as well as potentially pass along to future generations.
Comparing a quality timepiece like a Rolex ($5000 or much more) to an inexpensive watch like a Casio ($25 or so) is so, so far away from comparing a Mac to a different computer. Macs don't cost 200x as much, or more, than their competition.
FYI, I only wear Armani, Burberry, and the like suits. But you can get them pretty damn cheap at the second hand stores that specializes in them. About the same price as a Banana Republic suit and they off free tailoring.
These all are great post. I would never have imagined so many people would have contributed so thank you.
After reading, I'm still confused lol. As choosing a computer, everyone has their own opinion. As of now, I'm leaning towards getting me a nice watch now. Hearing how well rolex holds the value doesn't sound as bad I was thinking. I was feeling like I was washing $5k or whatever it cost down the drain. My limit is going to be around $6,500 so not like i'm spending $25,000 or up on one. Also, I will have a nice watch and be done with it other than thinking about having a nice watch for years to come.
I'm going to go to all stores. Omega, Rolex, citizen and a few others to look around as suggested. If the rolex or omega really don't jump at me ( I'm sure they will though bc i have expensive taste and wants ) then I will know not to spend my money on one.
The really really smart thing to do is not to spend that kind of money on one but dang it's hard fighting that temptation. With all the traveling I do since I work for a global oil company, it sure would be nice to roll with a rolex or something. I know this is probably stupid to some but to me it sure seems like it would be a good feeling to put a Bad boy watch on every day.
In conclusion for now, dang if I do and dang if I don't.
After reading, I'm still confused lol. As choosing a computer, everyone has their own opinion. As of now, I'm leaning towards getting me a nice watch now. Hearing how well rolex holds the value doesn't sound as bad I was thinking. I was feeling like I was washing $5k or whatever it cost down the drain. My limit is going to be around $6,500 so not like i'm spending $25,000 or up on one. Also, I will have a nice watch and be done with it other than thinking about having a nice watch for years to come.
I'm going to go to all stores. Omega, Rolex, citizen and a few others to look around as suggested. If the rolex or omega really don't jump at me ( I'm sure they will though bc i have expensive taste and wants ) then I will know not to spend my money on one.
The really really smart thing to do is not to spend that kind of money on one but dang it's hard fighting that temptation. With all the traveling I do since I work for a global oil company, it sure would be nice to roll with a rolex or something. I know this is probably stupid to some but to me it sure seems like it would be a good feeling to put a Bad boy watch on every day.
In conclusion for now, dang if I do and dang if I don't.
Let me suggest that you visit http://www.rolexforums.com/ since it's a good place to discuss Rolexes or any other brands. They will be a little more supportive than on here.
Since you're in the oil business, submariners will be common. A Sea Dweller would be nice.
I'm not a Breitling fan since I find the dial to be too busy. You may want to look at Panerai as well if you like big watches.
Never pay MSRP. I can get 10% off of Rolex and Panerai and between 20-30% off of Omega and other brands from reputable Authorized Dealers. Feel free to PM if you have any questions.
Jeez, what do you do that you can afford $5k on a watch at 26?!
Can I has job?
There are a lot of jobs out there if you have the education or experience. I was making $48k right out of college at 21. That's decent money for a single guy.
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