To ask what you think is a "good" watch?

[MidnightDexy]

I will be celebrating a milestone birthday soon and have decided I'm going to use my bonus to buy myself a 'proper' watch as a momento. I don't want a (e.g.) Michael Kors / Gucci (for myself - not saying they're not lovely pieces), I have it in my head that I want a solid, proper, swiss-type watch. So can I ask what you consider to be 'good' watch brands? I want something that will still be a beautiful watch in 20 years.

The AIBU is I know I shouldn't be hung up on 'brands' and should buy what i can afford and what i like, but indulge me, please :)

I've had a Raymond Weil for 24 years. During which it's been (accidentally) machine washed twice, dropped multiple times. Still going strong.

Personally I think tag tend to be a bit less 'classic', I had one several years ago and it was lovely but a bit more 'of its time' than timeless. I now wear a Cartier tank which definitely is more classic, however there's not a lot of bling going on. I also love omega watches. Incidentally both tag and Cartier watches still look great and work fine (the tag is 16 years old)

Please don't think I'm suggesting that Cartier watches aren't gorgeous - they absolutely are! (I have one and I love it!!). I just meant that, because they introduce new styles so often it may end up not being as timeless as some of the other brands. Cartier watches are beautiful jewellery pieces but the OP wants something to stand the test of time and still look fresh in 20 years time. Some of the older Cartier models can look dated now although they are still beautiful pieces. Anyway, if I had the money to spare I'd have a hundred watches - I love them

Though I wrote that not knowing how much it might cost - mind was a significant birthday gift from my grandparents which was bought second hand (making it older that the 24 years)

It's small and classic looking (no bling in other words) and I've worn it just about daily since I got it.

I'm currently coveting a Brietling Chronomat 38 SLEEKT. Probably more of a masculine style (if that's even a 'thing'), but they do ones with a mother of pearl face and diamond bezel.

I've got a Omega Seamaster it was due a service at last battery change which cost more than my car service had a few weeks earlier. It cost £1800 ten years ago, I'd had a bit of a windfall and treated myself and DH to watches.

Lurkimg with interest as trying to work out how I feel about spending money on a watch.

Nothing but a Patek Philippe on my wrist :p

I have a Cartier - which is is beautiful - but the sodding thing costs a fortune to service it change the battery.

Midnight I have an Ebel watch and yes I would say it is a timeless classic. I love all their watches, I find Rolex too clunky for my taste, and Ebel is more understated, I love it. And yes it does have small diamonds round the edge and mother of pearl face, and I can wear it with gold and silver as it is both, to me it is just class shame I'm not a classy bird!

lovely stuff. lots of good advice here. i had no idea about the ongoing maintenance / servicing. so naive!

7Days gah, I love PP but can only dream for now. I like really cheap and really expensive watches - I'm not interested in the middle-market - so I'm currently wearing a retro Casio. One day...

Mmm Patek Phillipe 7DaysAWeek

I have a Tag Heuer carrera which should be in your price bracket. It has tiny diamonds instead of numbers, which gives it a little bit of bling, but not too much. I had liked a Longines before I tried them on, but the Tag just looked so much more beautiful on. It brings me great pleasure whenever I wear it. DH has an Omega which is another good brand, but I didn't see any female watches I liked when we got ours.

As far as service of my Ebel watch, I had a three year guarantee and it stopped within that period and I had a major service on it all for free. It has no battery so that's not a problem and I will be honest and say I don't have it serviced (wrong I know!) and I've had it now ten years or thereabouts

DH and I both have Raymond Weil watches and I'd recommend them, they're lovely well made watches and the styles are pretty classic. I was going to recommend them anyway then I read down the thread and saw you asking.

I'd say they're mid price range, a lot of the others recommended are a lot more expensive, so it depends on your eventual budget.

Jeager Le Coultre Reverso Ultra Thin for Ladies is the ultimate watch as far as I'm concerned. I would consider buying one of these second hand rather then a new 'fashion' watch.

IWC midsize Portofino is also a great piece.

LOVE the new size Portofino

Midnight, I bought,y wife and I Rolex datejust story our fortieth birthdays. Both elegant and timeless in my view. Have a look on www.watchfinder.co.uk. They are very reputable and I doubt you would get better quality and provenance anywhere else. Prices are also fair.

They have a nice steel and white gold one on there with box and papers for just under 4

I have an Ebel like Rousette which I wore everyday for the first 14 years I owned It. I really like it but I fancied a change & wore a Chanel for a while. I still wear my Ebel if I am going somewhere formal. It has worn well & I've had it for nearly 23 years. I like Cartier watches too & I don't think a Cartier Tank dates.

I love Patek Philippe watches, but it's always going to be unrequited love for me.

The one I want is only £137,000 but for some reason DH doesn't want to remortgage the house so I can have it

Omega. I got this for a milestone birthday, it's classic and beautiful IMO. Looks even better in person. I wanted something timeless in style, that would last a long time and that I could pass down to my DD. Originally I wanted an Omega Constellation but when I saw it in person it looked quite old fashioned, and the sales assistant in the shop said that they do tend to be bought by an older woman. I tried lots of different watched including Cartier, Tag, Rolex. The Cartier watches are beautiful but I went for Omega as technically / mechanically they are considered the better brand.

www.hughrice.co.uk/products/omega-ladies-seamaster-diamond-aqua-terra-watch?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=7940736069&gclid=CKHE8MSYos0CFfUV0wodPL8LMQ

I've got an Omega Seamaster which II wear daily & love. It came from watchfinder. Co. UK which a pp referred to, they're very good.
I prefer Omega to Rolex but that's a subjective view.
Look at IWC, absolutely beautiful watches that you won't see many others wearing.

I've just had a look at several of the above brands websites- there are some dog ugly expensive watches going about!! Also amazed that my watch has doubled in price - doubt I'd pay that for it now!!