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 :)

You don't have to go high end. I've had a gold Rotary for over 20 years that I wear almost every day. It's never been serviced, I can barely remember a battery change and it looks pretty new. It's a classic design and I get regular compliments on it. Rotary offer long term guarantee as standard and the heritage speaks for itself.

I also have a Tag that I wear occasionally but I find it quite heavy.

When DH and I were looking for a special watch for him, but didn't want to spend a fortune on Rolex or similar, we got a watch by 88 Rue du Rhone. They're about £650 (for a gold strap etc) so nowhere near as expensive as other brands, which might put you off if you want a very high end luxury brand, but we were happy with that price. They're good-looking watches IMO.

Following with interest.

I have a few "jewellers" / designer watches - Tiffany, Gucci, Guess, Michael Kors, ellessee (very fashionable when I was 18 ) but would love a quality watch.

I bought DH an omega sea master and quite fancy similar or maybe a Rolex.

I tend to swap things around so not sure I want to commit heavily to one look.

Tissot here.

The designer watches may look nice but the inner workings are often cheap so you are right to look at Swiss watches.

Another tip is to invest in an automatic watch (i.e doesn't need new batteries) as sending off a watch for a new battery and reseal (it needs to be done properly especially if it is to remain waterproof) can cost £45 each time making the cheaper watches more expensive in the long run.

Ah but the auto ones need servicing (last one cost £400!). And that wasn't even going off to Switzerland (mine did as it was losing tinem and that cost me just over £300). A new battery is about £80.

Well, I've had mine over ten years and had one free service under guarantee and nothing since. I know at some point I will have to, but it is so reliable I just haven't got round to it.

I have a 14 year old Raymond Weil watch. I absolutely love it. HOWEVER. Part of the bracelet broke recently so I sent it back to RW for repair, only to be told there was nothing they could do. They don't make any suitable parts any more and that's that. Absolutely appalling customer service and purely on that basis I could never recommend them. Which is a shame because I adore my watch.

DH bought me a Raymond Weil for my last birthday, I love it. Sad to hear that their customer service hasn't been fab Diana
I had only ever had very basic watches before and wasn't that keen to get an expensive one, but it is lovely.
I specifically didn't want something "blingy", even to the point that when we were buying it, I said to the salesman "i don't like that one with all the shiny bits on the front". He did his best to keep a straight face when he said "you mean diamonds?"
DH got a rolex from his parents for his 21st, which is still going strong almost 20 years later.
MIL has a Patek Phillipe, she had to send it away (possibly abroad) for a service and it took something like 3 months. she was fairly irritated!

although I should say, my RW does have a slight mother of pearl face and little diamonds!!

Patek Phillipe
Omega
Cartier

I have all three. I wear none of them and use my phone now. Do you really want a watch?

Tag without a doubt - mines almost 20 years old!

I am lost without a watch on! I never look at my phone for the time.

To me, a good watch is one by which you can tell the time. Hence I don't even have one, as I use my phone, my Fitbit, the microwave, Sky+....

To DH, it's £3,600 worth of Tag Heuer.

My mum and dad bought be a Longines Dolce Vita for my 21st. I'm 36 now and it still looks as beautiful as the day I got it. I absolutely love it and have worn it every day (bar when it's having the battery replaced) since. The only problem with expensive watches is that they cost a lot of money for batteries etc. I have just had mine sent off and it cost £57

DXBMermaid my dad has just lent me his Jaeger La Coutre Reverso while mine is being repaired - I am in love!

I have two second hand Omegas - one is a 1950s Seamaster and the other is a 1970s DeVille. Both cost around £120 and are manual (wind up).

They are expensive to service (£300 or so to send to Omega) but it doesn't need to be done annually. Luckily, there is a local watch repairer who can service and do repairs much more economically.

I have an IWC and love it; also have my late father's IWC which my husband wears and loves.

Music, I am very jealous!!!

I am planning on asking for one for a big birthday... Still got a few years to go though!

DXB it is v old though - think wind up not battery! Beautiful though

Patek Phillipe if you want a classic that will keep its value. But go for quality second hand rather than new. If you ever want to sell, they have great re-sale value.

Not suggesting for you OP as it's in a "POA" bracket new! I think they are around £90,000 - £100,000 odd but I've always coveted the Franck Muller Double Mystery watch. It has no hands but just two rotating inset dials.

s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/41/99/0e/41990e80d1f9c85ac78bad7ed4cdafb9.jpg

Other Franck Muller watches are kind of fun but the fun element to me means they are not so classic. I think they are a bit like Vertu mobile phones - primary market is people with more money than sense. If I could afford it I would buy one I think - and by afford it I mean have enough money to feel OK if I lost it !!!

www.franckmuller.com/collection/#collection/ladies-collection/banner-cintree-curvex

I have a Rolex which is definitely one of the cheaper ones and no diamonds but is a limited edition one with flower design on gold face, very pretty.

Thanks OP I do love it! And the Dior Christal watch face is completely scratch proof which is great! Even after ten years of use there is not a single scratch on the face! Here's mine which is one the less bling/sportier ones... Having said that I wear it with everything!

omega - mine is 10 years old and looks at good as new
DH also has an omega and my brother wears my dad's which must be over 50 years old

I have a TAG, I didn't really research it, just bought it because I liked the look of it. It's never let me down in 17 years, I wear it every day.
I would love a Cartier tank though too.