If you could buy any watch what would it be & why

[ElizaSchuyler]

I’m currently in the lucky position of having a watch bought for me. Maybe new, maybe pre-loved.

I already own a silver Longines & a gold Citizen. I want something special, a quality watch not a fashion/trending one.

ive looked at Cartier, Omega & Rolex so far. I have a small wrist and don’t want anything bulky.

I don’t like mixed metals.

Cartier Baignoire Mini, but I don’t wear watches so I’ve not bought it even though I adore it.

Any women’s Piaget.
They’re all so beautifully refined.

I have an Omega & a Longines. Looking at a Cartier tank next I think

I’m not really a watch person but I was with my sister when she bought her Omega and I thought the Omega Constellations were beautiful.
I also like the look of some of the Breitlings.

Cartier Tank. Would adore one.

A tag heuer ….bracelet just too small for me ,…I’m a big girl 🙁

Jaeger-Lecoultre Rendezvous Night and Day.

I looked at the Cartier baignore mini, I really don’t like the face. There was a leather strapped tank I liked though. The metal strapped tank I wasn’t sure if. They looked nicer on other people than me I think.

Piaget - not really looked at those. I don’t really know much about them so will take a look.

My Dad loves Omega watches. I saw one I liked a couple of years ago but went in recently & couldn’t see much apart from ones with a lot of bling/diamonds. I do like the De Ville but it looks too similar to my Longines.

My dad bought my daughter a Tag Heur for her birthday. She loves it but it’s not my style.

both me & my husband didn’t like the Jaeger-Lecoultre watches we saw yesterday although I know they are meant to be very well made watches. I’ve just looked on their website however and seen some I much prefer so maybe I need to look at somewhere with more in stock to see

I have a Tudor.black bay goes with everything
TAG Heuer Carrera rose gold lovely for summer
Both good watches hold there value and not to in your face you can wear them everyday

My mother in law has 3 Patek Phillip Nautilus watches. She is giving them to her grand daughters.

@ElizaSchuyler I don’t know if you realise, but Rolex watches are all automatic. Some Cartier watches are battery and possibly some Omega. My Omega is automatic but they do cost more. So the first thing to think about is what sort of movement do you want? An automatic chronograph movement or a battery?

If you want a watch to maintain reasonable value, do your homework. There’s a premier league of elite watches that might even make money. In 1991 my Rolex was £1500. I actually got a discount in it! Now - it would cost you around £4,500 if you wanted it as a used item. I have a Jaeger le Coultre Reverso duetto and that’s not lost money either.

A great classic watch with an auto or even manual movement is a fantastic thing to own. But choose wisely.

I have seen a couple of Rolexes I love. I guess what I’m partly trying to work out in my head is am I veering towards them because of the name? I will pay for quality, craftsmanship & beauty but not branding/logo alone.

ive been considering this for two years so not an impulse. My dad wanted to buy me an Omega two years ago but I didn’t find anything I liked.

Breitling all the way!

@ElizaSchuyler Well Rolex have strong resale prices, so that’s telling you quite a lot. If you are having difficulty understanding auto movements, and the fact they cost more, you don’t really understand watches. Firms price at what the market will stand. Look at Patek Philippe. Are they branding or a preeminent watchmaker? If you buy a fashion brand, you probably aren’t buying a decent timepiece. Unfortunately no decent automatic watch is cheap but some hold their value better than others. Depends what view you want to take on how sought after a watch is.

I’ve got a silver Tag with diamonds all around the face, it’s 15 years old, worn alot and looks like new. They still sell an almost identical watch.
I also have an Omega Constellation, I don’t think that has aged so well even though it was more expensive than the Tag.

I have an Omega Constellation. It’s a beautiful watch which I wear every day however a change of battery can only be done with a full service totalling £500 to £600. To be fair, my watch comes back looking brand new but, now I’m no longer working, it’s a lot of money to part with.

Just something to bear in mind when buying. Had I realised, I would have gone for the more expensive automatic.

My everyday watch is a vintage gold omega pie pan constellation - very understated but lots of people have commented on it - any serious watch nut always loves it. https://www.vintagegoldwatches.com/2023/09/what-is-the-omega-constellation-pie-pan/?srsltid=AU7gw4WVU2_SrjT2lKGL_RCA53EWSd7dg6uiVoN6t_DlFEDATTOCUJsa

For my next purchase I want a vintage cocktail watch for evening wear.

I’d have a Patek Philippe Aquanaut in taupe or a Rose gold Daytona 😀

Have you had a look at Chrono24? It’s extremely informative

https://www.baume-et-mercier.com/gb/en/watches/womens-watches.html some of these are nice.

This is my Omega Constellation with movement on show! It’s a chronograph - but changing the date is a faff! Diamonds on the navy blue face.

A Cartier Tank

I really wanted a Cartier tank but it just didn’t suit me so I went for a Cartier Santos Dumont which I absolutely love!

Tissot! Can’t beat a Swiss watch. I have a gorgeous chunky silver one with a mint green face. Love it.

I’ve just had a cartier tank with steel bracelet for a significant birthday and love it. I already have a steel Cartier panthere with diamonds as a dress watch - similarly besotted with that!

Cartier Panthere which I hardly wear. I wear a 25 year old Maurice Lacroix almost 24/7.