Recommend entry level watch brand

[tpool]

I have a young graduate professional friend who is looking for his first entry level good watch. I’m only familiar with Rolex & he’s asked for some brand suggestions for $5k or below. A brand that is well respected & won’t be terribly devalued once he buys it. Appreciate your suggestions!


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[TswaneNguni]

Rolex .Start off right !

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Rolex .Start off right !

the budget is only good for a lady datejust!

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by rambo99

the budget is only good for a lady datejust!

Borrow and start of right .
I borrowed money from my wife for my first Rolex in 2001.

[Lew Archer]

I would suggest your friend explore the websites of Rolex, Tudor, Omega and Breitling. Rolex will likely have the greatest value retention, but the watches in the desired price range will be hard to locate, whereas the other brands offer greater availability.

Much depends on your friends style and taste. In mechanical watches, the simpler models, especially when worn on fabric or leather straps, tend to be the most affordable. Complications such as date, rotable bezels, GMT function, chronographs, are more expensive...but may be more appealing, depending on your friend's style.

Tag Heuer doesn't get much love here, but when I was a brand new lawyer, in 1995, a $600 quartz Tag Heuer diver was the first "good watch" I bought for myself, and it was stretch for me at that price. It was a classically styled diver, though, on a black leather strap, and a fine watch, for what it was. Prior to that, my dad gave me a Seiko Sports 100 when I was in high school, another diver type watch, and I still have that today. It was quartz. Seiko also offers some fine mechanical watches, including some nostalgic references. I've no experience with the Grand Seiko models, but they are well regarded by folks on TRF, as this thread demonstrates.

I think most of us are assuming your friend wants a mechanical watch, as opposed to something else, like an electronic/quartz watch. If that's not the case, there are more options still. I've got a Breitling Aerospace that's proved to be a very handy, often worn watch. Mechanical watches are more expensive, generally, and likely retain value to a greater degree and tend to be favored by watch aficionados, but they'e not the only game in town.

When I moved on from that quartz Tag Heuer to mechanical watches, I turned first to Omega, then Breitling, then Rolex, and have since alternated between those brands over the years.

[GolfJunkie]

Tudor, omega, grand seiko

[Oyster Sauce]

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

Tudor, omega, grand seiko

+1 Probably in that order, as well. If willing to go pre-owned, it’s really hard to beat a Rolex Datejust from previous decades.

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

Tudor, omega, grand seiko

This. Would also encourage others to consider Nomos.

[Rogerab]

Omega or Tudor. Every bit as good as Rolex except for brand recognition and status.

[robinmgb]

Originally Posted by Rogerab

Omega or Tudor. Every bit as good as Rolex except for brand recognition and status.

Omega yes, Tudor are good value but certainly not every bit as good as Rolex, a level below in reality

[robinmgb]

Originally Posted by Rogerab

Omega or Tudor. Every bit as good as Rolex except for brand recognition and status.

Totally agree that Omega is but Tudor are a level below

[Gekota]

A 5-digit Rolex DJ36 would be right in that ballpark!

[jimcameron]

Omega

[rmagoo57]

Omega or Omega. Either one is a perfect "first entry level good watch"

[jc_schmidt]

I just got my self a Seiko SKX013. Kinda hard to find, so almost like Rolex. Super cool watch with great readability and tough like Rolex. Can be found in a larger 007 edition also. Easier to get and great for a bigger wrist.

[CoolChris909]

I would recommend to dive right in and get a DJ. Traditional, recognizable and good value. Something they can hold on to or trade in the future as well if they are so inclined. I made the mistake of going with other brands (Tissot/Bulova) early on... Wish I had taken my own advice then.

[WestCoastS]

I always felt entry anything is a waste of time and cash. Whatever brand he really desires in the upper teir like Rolex, VC etc just save for that and wait

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by WestCoastS

I always felt entry anything is a waste of time and cash. Whatever brand he really desires in the upper teir like Rolex, VC etc just save for that and wait

Agree I also did this a little bit with I.e a tag just cost me more money in the long run.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by WestCoastS

I always felt entry anything is a waste of time and cash. Whatever brand he really desires in the upper teir like Rolex, VC etc just save for that and wait

I do agree with this philosophy. Not just about cost, but availability too.

4 years ago, I wanted a Submariner. None were in stock and it wasn’t clear if I would have to wait 3 months or more than a year.

I could have walked out with a blue dial OP 39 to scratch the itch.

Thank goodness I waited. I got what I really wanted about 4 months later.


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[Notepad12]

Omega

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[bremersm]

If he is just getting into watches I would suggest that he cut his budget a bit. I would start with Seiko or Hamilton depending on what he is into. The Hamilton Khaki Field Watch or the Seiko SPB143.

[rolexdd40yg]

rolex op 41

[rambo99]

i would recommend panerai for a lady, and an IWC for a gentleman.

[Pouring2010]

Originally Posted by rambo99

i would recommend panerai for a lady, and an IWC for a gentleman.

Great suggestions.

Or a Datejust for either gender


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[Krash]

Omega but you have to negotiate to get below $5k (which everyone does anyway).

Tudor or Tag Heuer are obvious choices.

IWC Mark XVIII Pilot is less than $5k. The blue dial version is really hot.

Also, Nomos makes great watches for under $5k too. Definitely check out Nomos.

Longines, Oris, Hamilton are other brands...


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[Trustmeimanengineer]

Originally Posted by Krash

Omega but you have to negotiate to get below $5k (which everyone does anyway).

Tudor or Tag Heuer are obvious choices.

IWC Mark XVIII Pilot is less than $5k. The blue dial version is really hot.

Also, Nomos makes great watches for under $5k too. Definitely check out Nomos.

Longines, Oris, Hamilton are other brands...


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^ This. Provided negotiations are done not to pay for any of these at retail, this should be in a watch bible verse!

[SearChart]

Pre owned Rolex Datejust, Air-King or Oyster Perpetual. You can get a pretty nice one for 4-5k.

[Theurbancommando]

He would be wise to take a look at German makes. Sinn is my preferred brand but there are many more good German watch brands also. I can't understand what people see in some of the tacky Swiss designs nowadays.

[CLTRolex]

Tudor


or a lady DJ in stock at a 50% discount


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[DM101]

My recommendation - Tissot Powermatic 80

https://monochrome-watches.com/tisso...-review-price/