Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

men's wristwatch - help!

23 replies

div22c · 28/11/2009 01:43

my hubby has worn the same wristwatch for the last 10 yrs, and we have gone thru some bad times together. Now that things are finally looking up, I thought I would buy him a nice watch for his big 4-0. I have a budget of £400 with a certain amount of flexibility. He is a very simple bloke, who doesn't wear brands, but is now reasonably middle-senior management with a bank in the City. Please help me choose something, which is in keeping with his age and personality...not too blingy or too obvious, if you know what I mean, at the same time something that is understated elegance and people will appreciate that it is an expensive piece (if 400 can be called expensive!). Sorry for rambling on - wanted to give you enough background that you had something to go on. Any suggestions much appreciated. Oh and leather straps only (allergies)..and something universal that he can wear to work with suits of varying colours. Please please help, the big day is barely 2 weeks off!

OP posts:
div22c · 29/11/2009 08:39

please help, running out of time!

OP posts:
VerityBrulee · 29/11/2009 11:18

My dh has this watch, he's a designer and v fussy about how things look.

It's considerably under your budget though.

I'll have a look for some more.

div22c · 29/11/2009 14:52

Thanks so much VerityBrulee! That looks nice, but more suggestions would be very welcome.

OP posts:
div22c · 29/11/2009 20:56

hi ladies with wonderful taste - including for their men! any other suggestions?

OP posts:
nickschick · 29/11/2009 20:59

My Dh swears by seiko and they do very nice classical watches that are affordable and tasteful.

Stylelostinlabour · 29/11/2009 21:24

If you could stretch the budget a bit an Omega watch is a classic gents watch, can get good priced second hand ones.

ABetaDad · 29/11/2009 21:53

I would say a nice classic second hand one would be good with a new leather strap on it.

There are fakes though so be careful to buy from a reputable dealer rather than Ebay.

Some off the miltary/aviator watches worn by officers are very well made and very affordable with a bit of history attached.

snowybaby · 29/11/2009 22:11

How about this??

square Tissot

jemart · 30/11/2009 00:20

Longines
or something from goldsmiths in the sale?

jemart · 30/11/2009 00:25

Brittons are a reputable watch dealer.

div22c · 30/11/2009 14:24

don't think will go for second hand one though...we've gone through bad financial times when all we could afford was hand-me-downs and charity shop stuff. want to buy him something new for a change.
thanks for the suggestions re dealers as well, as I had only thought of high street shops!
can't really stretch my budget much beyond £400 but all nice ideas - under my budget never a problem, i can buy him 2 gifts instead of 1(or buy myself something )...really like the square tissot...thanks for these, will keep looking and hoping for more suggestions.

OP posts:
tulpe · 30/11/2009 23:29

Verity - I was just about to suggest the same swiss watch .......my DH has it too

It really is lovely and very classic. DH is also v fussy. Likes elegant lines and doesn't do cheap n cheerful.

VerityBrulee · 01/12/2009 17:32

Tulpe, it makes buying presents so hard doesn't it? I'm tearing my hair out this year as I've run out of ideas!

OP hope you find something lovely for your dh. I know what you mean about not wanting a second hand one, but maybe a vintage style would be good. A lot of the watches I've looked at have been so 'bling' you'd need your sunglasses on to read the time.

div22c · 02/12/2009 12:30

yes bling is def out of the ques for him...i think he would like vintage style

OP posts:
VerityBrulee · 02/12/2009 21:40

I just came across this. It's very nice, just about your your budget, and he could easily change the strap if he wanted something more classic.

MarshaBrady · 02/12/2009 21:59

I absolutely adore this watch (am wearing one right now, love men's style watches).

OmniDroid · 02/12/2009 22:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

div22c · 04/12/2009 21:52

Can't open the link MarshaBrady, please could you post again. Mondaine, Seiko sound good, off to the shops over the weekend to look! Any other suggestions would be very welcome.

OP posts:
monkeysmama · 04/12/2009 22:19

Have you looked at the Armani watches? They have a really nice square faced one with a black
strap. Under budget but really classic. I'll ask dp When he wakes up - he has a watch "collection" .

Most City bankers I know wear Rolexes and Omegas with the odd Breitling for the flashier ones. There are some good offers on 2nd hand ones though I did hear you saying that wouldn't do. But with Rolexes at least, 2nd hand isn't a bad thing.

div22c · 06/12/2009 00:25

i agree - for City bankers rolex/omega/breitling/rado are good brand names, and second hand is not a bad idea. i just wouldn't be sure buying second hand - whether i paid a reasonable price, whether i got the real thing...? look fwd to hearing your dp's suggestions monkeysmama!

OP posts:
MarshaBrady · 06/12/2009 13:37

Does this work?

div22c · 15/12/2009 16:39

to give everyone an update, the watch I finally bought is Tissot PR50 2000 (£170) - leather strap, black face with steel case. i finally shortlisted my requirements to a swiss chronograph watch under £200...this fit the bill nicely :-)

OP posts:
div22c · 15/12/2009 16:39

thanks everyone for the lovely suggestions, they really helped!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page