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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy DH an Armani watch for his 30th?

41 replies

Joogle · 07/08/2011 13:03

Dh is turning 30 and I want to get him something I can get engraved and that he can keep forever. I was thinking of an Armani watch, ther eis a nice one for £250. My brother has said Armani is overpriced and not great quality but there is no way I could afford a Tag Heur or Rolex!!!! AIBU to buy this watch for DH?

OP posts:
miniwedge · 07/08/2011 13:06

Yanbu. I have an Armani dp bought for me. I've had it for years, it hasn't had any quality issues, people compliment it if I wear it and the aftersales service is fantastic.

Mine has gone up in value as well.

TurkeyBurgerThing · 07/08/2011 13:06

I dunno I think your brother definitely has a good point. But if you think you OH would like it and you can afford it then YANBU.

Why not get him a baby G isntead? Wink Why did everyone love them in the early 00's?

emsyj · 07/08/2011 13:07

I bought DH an old Omega for his 30th. It is an automatic wind up and according to the man in the watch repair shop who serviced it for me, it will outlive all of us!

You could look at second hand watches - if you shop carefully you could get a 'big name' watch for that budget that would be nicer quality etc (although I don't personally know anything about Armani - would just assume their watches would reflect the fact that they are a fashion label rather than a watchmaker IYSWIM).

Original poster
Joogle · 07/08/2011 13:10

emsyj - yes exactly, my brother said they are a fashion brand rather than a watch maker but I don't know many prestigious watch maker brands apart from Tag heur and rolex which are crazy prices

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 07/08/2011 13:12

Does he want an Armani watch?

LoveInAColdChamberOfSecrets · 07/08/2011 13:28

A watch is a lovely 30th present. I got my DH a beautiful Longines watch for his - twas wildly expensive but I never bought him an engagement present and I always get very spoiled by him on my birthdays so thought it would be nice to get him something special. Would it be possible to go to a "serious" watch shop and have a look at their pre-used stuff (often a lot cheaper) to see about getting him a less "fashion" watch? I used Watches of Switzerland but others will probably also have recommendations. Although it depends what your DH would like - mine would have loved a Jaeger-Le-Coultre Reverso (http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Jaeger-Le-Coultre/Reverso-Duo-Watches/270.3.54--c15504-watch.aspx like this but I couldn't afford one so he got the Longines, although I did say he could return it and pay the difference if he really wanted a Reverso (he loved the Longines so wasn't an issue). Could you do some sneaky digging to find out what he'd really like, or get one of his friends to do so? I got one of his friends to pretend he wanted a watch and wanted DH's opinion to scope out what he wanted (friend got carried away and ended up buying a Rolex!).

LoveInAColdChamberOfSecrets · 07/08/2011 13:30

Ooops, link fail www.watchfinder.co.uk/Jaeger-Le-Coultre/Reverso-Duo-Watches/270.3.54--c15504-watch.aspx

Above post isn't meant to be wanky "you need to spend a fortune on a watch for it to be any good", BTW, just that your DH might have an idea of what he wants!

Original poster
Joogle · 07/08/2011 15:30

Omegas look nice, so expensive though, may have to check out ebay!

OP posts:
mayorquimby · 07/08/2011 15:51

A watch is a great present but I'd avoid Armani. To put it simply if you were going to spend a fair chunk of cash on a valuable item surely you'd buy from someone who specialise in that product. You wouldn't buy buy an Armani tv for example.
They do have some nice looking stuff and they run grand, but they are over-priced and aren't of as good a quality as most of the traditional brands.

izzywhizzyletsgetbusy · 07/08/2011 16:00

What type of watch did you have in mind? A special number for dress occasions, a rugged everyday watch that can be worn without fear when diy-ing, scuba diving etc, or a classy number that is suitable for the office and can make the transition from day to evening?

Chopard and Nardin are way up there - with prices to match - but unless your dh is a ringer for Schwarzenegger do bear in mind that an expensive timepiece can be a magnet for muggers.

Does your dh prefer leather strap or bracelet band watches?

Original poster
Joogle · 07/08/2011 16:12

Thanks for being so helpful guys, been a bit Confused about which watch! this and this are the kind of thing he likes Smile

OP posts:
mayorquimby · 07/08/2011 16:22

If you know for a fact he likes the second Armani one linked then by all means get it for him. The difference tend to only matter to those who are really in to watches and the small differences, it's a bit like software on computers. Most of us just want something that works and is easy enough on the etes where as for people who know lots about them the small differences in quality and function that most of us don't notice or indeed care about when pointed out.
If all he wants is a watch that will look good and keep the time and he's not looking at it as an investment piece etc or doesn't mind that he'll have to reset it every couple of years then go for it if it's something he has said he actually likes. That's the end goal of a b-day present, getting the person something they want and will like and value rather than 'being right' in some way.
It's a nice looking watch as well.

LoveInAColdChamberOfSecrets · 07/08/2011 17:04

What's your budget, Joggle? DH and friends are v good with watches, if you like I'll ask them what there is in that sort of style within budget and what they'd recommend.

izzywhizzyletsgetbusy · 07/08/2011 17:10

Swiss-made watches continue to prized above all others and I suspect that Armani and many other designer watches have movements and other components that are made in the Far East.

Revue Thommen have been making watches in Switzerland for c160 years but they don't publicise their wares and are a more of an exclusive boutique range for those in the know.

RT's website is currently undergoing changes but I found this model on Amazon - www.amazon.co.uk/Revue-Thommen-Gents-Professional-17030-2137/dp/B002GP7IKW/ref=sr_1_1?s=watch&ie=UTF8&qid=1312 732057&sr=1-1

If you want to buy your dh a special watch worthy of his 30th that will always have a certain cachet and hold its value, you're best advised to buy one that is made in Switzerland.

Having said that, Jacques Lemans offer a range of gentleman's watches that will leave you with plenty of funds over for lots of bubbly to celebrate your dh's milestone birthday.

LoveInAColdChamberOfSecrets · 07/08/2011 17:10

Obviously not sure of your budget but how about www.watchfinder.co.uk/Tag-Heuer/Link-Watches/WJ1112.BA0570-c13637-watch.aspx or www.watchfinder.co.uk/Tag-Heuer/Kirium-Watches/CL1111.BA0700-c13723-watch.aspx in a similar style to the Omega but under £700 for a watchmaker brand rather than fashion, if that's what you'd prefer? Do you know what it is about the Seamaster and the Armani that he likes? My search was simplified by the fact that my DH was keen on having a lunar function (or as mentioned above the insanely expensive but lovely Reverso) and there were only about five watches in my price range which had a lunar function. In the end was quite easy as I loved the Longines and thought he would too.

Zideq · 07/08/2011 17:18

I would avoid the fashion brands and buy a quality watch from the likes of TAG Heuer, Breitling, Rolex, Ebel etc.

FabbyChic · 07/08/2011 17:19

I wouldn;t look on eBay it is renowned for fakes when it comes to Omegas and Tags.

Original poster
Joogle · 07/08/2011 17:40

Budget is about £300 Blush

OP posts:
LoveInAColdClimate · 07/08/2011 17:50

This - www.watchfinder.co.uk/Tissot/PR50-Watches/T34.1.488.42-c15555-watch.aspx - comes in well under budget and is the right style if he likes the Seamaster. Not personally familiar with Tissot but there are some positive comments here - forums.watchuseek.com/f62/should-i-buy-tissot-any-other-28728.html

IceCreamCastles · 07/08/2011 17:51

Try Christopher ward. Sorry, can't link a on iPhone but they are a British company selling v good (Swiss made) watches for fraction of price of rolex etc. You should get something within your budget

flyingspaghettimonster · 07/08/2011 18:09

why on earth would you come on the thread with examples of 7grand second hand watches when the budget was clearly around the price of the watch in the OP? It just seems a bit off to me... and designed to make Joogle feel badly, about what is actually an extravagant and lovely gift.

Joogle, if he would like the Armani, go for it! Some people like the designer brand more than the maker and if he looks after it there is no reason it shouldn't work just fine. You know him and his tastes best :)

LoveInAColdClimate · 07/08/2011 18:20

Spaghetti - that wasn't remotely my intention and in fact the £7000 watch was an example of the fact that someone's "dream" watch may not be what they end up with but that a great alternative can be found (I couldn't afford the watch my DH wanted but found one I could which he loves). I don't think your comment was very helpful when everyone else on this thread is helping Joggle find the right watch. And checking budget is only sensible - if I come on and say "do you like these £20 trousers" it doesn't mean that's my trouser buying ceiling Hmm. You might notice that I have spent time searching for and linking to watches well within budget...

LoveInAColdClimate · 07/08/2011 18:35

Oh, and FWIW, I think my watch was about £50 so no suggestion at all that £300 is in some way insufficiently generous Grin. I hope you find the right watch, Joggler.

pigletmania · 07/08/2011 19:31

Yes Tissot is a very good swiss make and is relatively cheaper than Tag Hauer, and Omega. My mum had one and it lasted 40 years Shock

pigletmania · 07/08/2011 19:32

Briel is very good too, but Italian I think