Help me choose a high end watch

[FluffyLuck]

For several reasons DH would like me to choose a really lovely watch.
I think I'm going to go down the second hand route. Have any of you done this?
I'm a bit worried that they might be either stolen or fakes but it seems that if you buy from a proper dealer that's unlikely.
These are in my shortlist, any opinions?

I have an Omega Constellation as well and I love it. It's been my dream watch for years and years and I'm so happy that I now own one. Having said that, I think since all of the watches you're considering are classics and of the two-tone metal design (as mine is), any one of them would go with everything and hold its value reasonably well. I think you should just go for the one that you love - you won't regret it.

Out of interest, the pics you put up for the Omega and Rolex have diamonds on, but the others don't - are they still of a comparable price to the first 3 pictures? I have no idea about the second hand watch market.

Good luck and let us know what you get :)

I have a Tag Huer which is silver with a pink face surrounded in diamonds. I've worn it every day since I got it about 7 years ago on the beach, in the sea, the pool. It's as perfect as the day I got it. Classic and goes with everything.

I get It serviced for £30 at our local watch shop when the battery needs replacing.

Second BusyBoysMum - I have the diamond Aquaracer as well and it's beautiful. Plus it's waterproof to 300m so I happily wear it swimming/snorkelling etc.

I have that exact Rolex.

I love it and as PP said, it gets lots of admiring glances and compliments.

Please don't buy one, lol 😜

Any other recommendations for dealers in pre-owned watches? I have a Tag bought in 1999 and it still looks as good as new but it's my 50th this year and I'm thinking of getting a special watch. Have always wanted a Cartier Tank but the comments about servicing costs, new straps etc have slightly put me off, as does the fact that watch buffs are a bit sniffy about Cartier watches 🤔 Hmmmm....

Have you looked on Watch Finder? Am never buying a new watch again after seeing the high quality second hand/nearly new Ines out there.
I have a cartier ballon bleu so that gets my vote

I also have a secondhand mid sized Rolex oyster perpetual, completely stainless steel and very classic and understated. I originally wanted the Cartier but preferred the Rolex as it wasn't the same as everyone else who was buying a nice watch was getting.

Constellation here. Every day wear for every single thing I do. It's only let me down when I fell down some stairs badly but then I also broke my hand and needed pins in that too so not the watches' fault.

A friend recommended me a watch guy in Queensway market. You would think he is mad if you just walked past but he fixed my watch for £100 and he has been doing expensive watches his whole life. I think he has some for sale too but you'd never think to go there by seeing the shop. It looks like he's a hoarder and needs professional help! He's brilliant tho!

This has been such a helpful thread, thank you. I can't really discuss fancy watches with my mates without sounding flash.

I'm no nearer to choosing, you've shown me some really gorgeous ones.
Maybe I'll show the list to DH and let him decide.

The Cartier tank. Classic and timeless. I find Rolex watches fairly chunky but then I like Ebel Wave which has a very slim profile.

I have a Cartier Tank Solo with brown leather strap and just love it.

DH bought me a Rolex for my 30th birthday - we got a beautiful stainless steel and gold Oyster Perpetual Datejust second hand.

It feels really solid, looks great with anything and should last me forever. I also love that its second hand and so has had a different life before it ended up on my wrist :)

Happy shopping!

I have the omega constellation - no gold bits but otherwise it's the watch in the picture. It's beautiful and light and looks classy and subtle.

Going to google 60's watches now though!

I absolutely adore my Rolex, so would go Rolex every time, although all the ones you're considering are beautiful - what a lovely choice 😊

I have an Omega mini constellation but without the diamonds. I don't like bling.

can you recommend any online sites to look at 2nd end watches?

You might also consider a Jaeger Le Coutre. They're manual i.e. need to be wound which I prefer over a quartz movement (which a lot of the cartier tanks have).

I have a solid gold reverso duo which has a plain "daytime" face which can then be flipped over to a diamond and mother of pearl "nightime" face. I will post a picture later. The reverso comes in stainless steel or gold with a leather strap which would be a bit cheaper (relatively speaking).

I purchased pre-owned from watchfinder. Blowers are very good too. Second hand is definitely the way to go if you're considering precious metals - it's substantially cheaper.

Try Watches of Wales

Try a reverso by jaeger le coultre?

You get a dress watch and then reverse the face (flips over) for a day watch
Mine has diamonds on the bevels on the dress watch side

Go to an established dealer for a used watch

I like the two Cartier best, but that's partly because I am not that keen on diamonds in watches. But lovely dilemma to have!

I have an Omega Constellation (with bling) which was a wedding present from my MIL. I love it, but the strap scratches really easily and it would put me off spending that much of my own money (!) You would think I was a mechanic from the state of the metal! It polishes out (mostly) but it does put me off tbh.

Another one with a Tag. 10 years old and as good as new and I wear it every day. I also have a Corum diamond watch but never wear it. If I was buying a high end second hand watch I would be looking for one that came with the official papers.

I have the omega constellation too. Beautiful watch but don't wear it as often as I should.

Jaeger Le Coutre watches are lovely. I have two , a very old 1930s one, and have a second hand reverso duo which I wear all the time because I like the idea that it is a day & night, everyday & fancy watch.

I like the round faced Cartier and the Rolex best from the pictures you shared. Enjoy, you lucky thing!