Any ideas for a classic watch?

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My lovey PiLs want to buy me a watch for a big birthday. I would like something classic that could be a "nice" watch for evenings out. As I haven't found anything they have given me a cheque for £100 (in their minds this is probably worth at least double in today 'she money). I don't mind adding some money to this, as I would like them to like the watch and I would also like something that will last for years, maybe even for me to pass onto myDC. SO I am not asking too much am I ???? Given my ambitious aspirations, I haven't found anything, so please mumsnet help.

I like Skagen watches. They're quite timeless and excellent for the price point. Very reliable.

I have seen some nice skagen watches but didn't know the brand. I think I want a metal strap as my everyday watch has leather.

Fossil do some nice watches.
www.fossil.com/uk/en/sale/womens-sale/view-all.orderBy3.html?filter=xf_cas_f32_ntk_cs:Watches
We have bought a couple from an outlet village so got some good deals.

Metal straps tend to last longer. You can replace leather straps but unless you get the exact one that the watch came with it's often just not 'quite right'.

Give a metal strap a quick brush over with a dry tooth brush to get rid of any dirt/skin cells once in a while and it'll look great for years. Just make sure it's stainless steel and not plated or it will discolour. (Skagen watches are stainless steel so no worries there!)

Dh bought me a Tissot watch for our first Christmas as a married couple. 8 years later it is going strong and I expect I can leave it to my kids in the long run. It is Swiss made, simple design (steel bracelet, black square face) and elegant. Probably costs c.£200-£250 today.

I would definitely recommend the brand.

Fossil have beautiful watches in and around that price point.

Just checked Tissot website, my watch is now £310 - eek. Might be more than you are willing to spend. There are styles there under £200 though if you want to browse.

I have a Tissot but it was £450. I wear it every day and looks like new. I've had it 6 years.

uk.tissotshop.com/women/tissot-desire-small-lady-7.html

Any good?

I also have a Tissot watch which I wear every day. I've had it for about 10 years and love it!

Tissot here too. Wanted a 'classic' watch without spending £1000s on something ludicrous and very pleased with it

Have you looked at Rotary watches? They have some lovely classic styles. I have one with a gold edge around the face with small diamond studs. And it wasn't ridiculously expensive. I get compliments on it all the time!

Many thanks for the ideas - I will check out Skagen and Fossil. I had thought Tissot would be out of my price range, but I will look at the links. I am happy to add money because it is a lovely thought and they are lovely people.

Since my loved Tchibo watch broke (after accident involving freefall from some height), and I’m not sure, whether it could be repaired again, I’m looking around for a new device. Ththat Tchibo watch was originaly for about $ 100, but later price dropped to about $50…

And I’m facing a problem – watches seem to tending to be huge, ugly and/or expensive
Timex Weekender is also nice, but looks pretty big, and over-massively, somehow heavy. But Timex do have some watches I like so (except those HUGE numbers, IMHO there shouldn’t be any) or so (numbers again..)
Other manufacturer’s interesting stuff:
Skagen (lovely, only band IMHO shoul be plain..) or Stuhrling jonsguide.org/best-top-stuhrling-watches-reviews/ I like their male and female line

I love my Skagen - very simple, very classic and cost about £140. I bought it with my 25 years service vouchers from my County Council. It's very thin and goes with everything - metal strap too

Larsson & Jennings watches are lovely. My favourite: here
Classic design, some with metal and some with leather straps. They are quite minimalist in design with large faces (which I personally really like but know some people prefer a smaller face). They are very slimline though, not too chunky and I think they can be dressy without being too statementy! I found out about them when I admired a sales assistant's watch in COS one day as it was exactly what I was looking for and she told me it was from there.

Another vote for Tissot - a bit more than you might want to spend but look way more expensive than they are and the brand name seems "considered" IYKWIM

I have a Citizen Eco drive, cost £130 in a half price sale at H Samuel, I wear it every day and I love it plus it's not so expensive in afraid to wear it...

I have one of these clusewatches.com/model/cluse-minuit-rosegold-black-grey-CL30018 which is minimal and simple enough that it makes me smile every time I look at it!

If I had mega bucks i would buy myself a Cartier, I love them!

You didn't ask for minimal, you asked for classic and I extrapolated in my head...
But I still think that's a pretty classic style.

Thank you for all of the responses. I am planning an afternoon in John Lewis looking at the watches I "real life". I have a suspicion that this gift may cost me more than it cost them. Luckily I have some JL vouchers so they could cover the excess.

I must admit that My DH bought me a Skagen 2 years ago. I loved it at first, but then the metal strap broke. Then the glass broke (this was my fault). Then the 'time change' wheel fell off. Maybe I had a bad specimen? This all happened within 2 years!

I'm a big fan of Olivia Burton watches, classic but classy. Not sure the strap will last forever, but they're so nice. I also like Tayroc, the strap on my Tayroc feels like it'll last a long time.

thank you all for your suggestions. I added some vouchers and bought this lovely Tissot watch www.johnlewis.com/tissot-t52228113-women's-desire-date-two-tone-bracelet-strap-watch-silver-gold/p2677745]

Late reply but that is a lovely choice! I hope you get many years enjoyment from it