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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Wrist Watch advice please

13 replies

WelshMoth · 16/12/2023 07:44

I don't have much knowledge about designer brands and certainly don't have the cash for buying one. DD turns 18 soon after Christmas and she's asked for a watch. I want to get her something special that I can afford - £300 budget.

What kind of brands that are reputable can I look for? I don't really want to get her something from H Samuel if I can help it.

She likes gold coloured, oval shaped.

OP posts:

clpsmum · 16/12/2023 08:16

Have a look at fossil it's a good brand and they have a huge sale on and also do free engraving. I've bought some as presents and they are gorgeous even better than they look on website

Original poster

WelshMoth · 16/12/2023 08:23

Thanks @clpsmum ! I'll do exactly that!

OP posts:

SecondHandFurniture · 16/12/2023 08:29

Do you mean designer as in decent watch brands or designer as in a name she might know? As Ted Baker/Michael Kors/Olivia Burton used to be really popular for young adults, but I'd go for something like a Tissot, Citizen or Rotary in that budget.

https://www.watchshop.com/watches/ladies-rotary-balmoral-watch-lb02084-02.pdp?gadsource=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsvWrBhC0ARIsAO4E6f9lkyQCC-wAtxKZ_P35MQD3icCoI-gu-Zod4QvUyyyvY93thPajC1MaAiMSEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Original poster

WelshMoth · 16/12/2023 10:19

Thank you. That's really helpful.
Thankfully, she's not into brands as such so as long as it's a reputable make, she'll be delighted .

OP posts:

Iizzyb · 16/12/2023 10:23

I would give her an idea of your budget and ask her to have a look with you.

Honestly I wouldn't buy something without her input.

I still wear the watch I was bought for my 31st birthday (am 51 now) - still love it.

However for my 18th I wanted a gold bangle. Wasn't given a choice. Wore it for a while then put it away. Still sitting there now. I looked at it the other day & thought what a shame my dfather spent all that money on something I didn't like.

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 16/12/2023 14:51

I have a few watches, but one of the nicest (so comfortable you forget you are wearing it) to wear is my Bering, with a stainless steel strap. My Skagen, again with a stainless steel strap is a close second.

Mercurial123 · 16/12/2023 15:35

I have an Issey Miyake watch that was around your budget. It's good quality.

Squiblet · 16/12/2023 21:54

When I was about 19 my DM offered to buy me a nice watch for my birthday. We went to a few shops and eventually I chose one at a big department store. So I got a watch I loved (Kenneth Cole, still wear it today at age 49, never bought another one) ... but also, I remember the shopping trip we took together and it's a happy memory.

Original poster

WelshMoth · 17/12/2023 21:24

Squiblet · 16/12/2023 21:54

Actually, maybe we'll shop for it together. That's a lovely thought x

OP posts:

Dbank · 17/12/2023 21:50

I love the idea of shopping together.

My advice is

Avoid the non-watch fashion brands
Ideally automatic or Eco-Drive (i.e. don't require batteries)
Sapphire glass (very hard to scratch)
Metal straps usually last longer if she likes them.

Happy shopping

LinenMaxiDress · 18/12/2023 11:10

Agree with @Dbank re no batteries. I got a Citizen eco-drive a few years ago after finally getting fed up with how expensive watch batteries had become and how little time they seemed to last. Love it.

Dbank · 18/12/2023 11:14

I've had so many watches go wrong after a battery change, I gave up with them years ago, automatics are way more reliable, especially if you wear them all the time.

AgingDisgracefullyHere · 24/12/2023 10:24

Automatic ladies watches are more rare and will cost more. I have several and therefor they don't get worn enough to stay wound. Some mornings I can't be arsed to set the date.

I don't find it too expensive to replace batteries on my cheap watches, but I don't have to worry about getting them resealed and pressure tested. I have some Sekondas I can shower in (rated 50m)but they won't be worth resealing once the battery goes. I have a small watch tool kit and I can change batteries myself and I figure I'll try and seal one myself with silicone grease. If it doesn't work well enough to survive a shower, no big loss.

I have to get my arms wet a lot throughout the day so I invested in a nice Citizen Eco Drive for daily work wear - it's rated for it and won't need to be opened for many years. It's a lovely, classic watch with a good standard of finish.

I was looking at the watches in M&S the other day and I was gobsmacked at how cheap they looked. Absolutely flimsy looking things. For the same money you can get a lovely Sekonda. When I want an inexpensive watch that just goes with my outfit, I think Sekonda. They're perfectly good watches and they have a great range of styles to choose from.

For my posh watches I buy used or vintage. Men's watches used to be much smaller. A 34mm dial is now common for a ladies watch. You can pick up a classic Swiss manual-wind watch for peanuts on ebay. Change the strap or bracelet and you've got something gorgeous and classic and cool.

I got my Cartier Santos at a pawn shop. It's my most expensive watch but I've always wanted one. I put 10% down then payed it off in dribs and drabs. Got two lovely Omegas from the same Ramsdens. The three watches were a total of £3000 and were paid for over about 18 months.

I have told myself no more watches. But I keep looking at watches and drooling over them....

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