Recommend entry level watch brand

[Master_Grogu]

Le pas cher coûte trop cher.

"The cheap is too expensive".

Don't look at entry level, look at what you like. It is fruitless to go buy what you can afford if you want something else. Was I in a situation where I would not have the funds for, let's say the Rolex that I want, I would simply not buy anything.

[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.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by tpool

I A brand that is well respected & won’t be terribly devalued once he buys it.

When does he plan to sell it?

[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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[Thuilln]

Anything but a Tag.

[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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[Fred48]

We don't know what he knows, so he might not be able to appreciate a Rolex right out of the box, and (heaven forbid) have it just for the name.

My first "luxury" watch was the speedy hesalite; brand new with big exhibition box for much less than $5K. Bought it for it's history and it's beauty, and still love it.

Later, I got an Explorer 1 39mm for the same reasons.

[ras47]

I wouldn't worry about the brand. Just find a watch he likes. There's something out there for everybody. Diving watches, chronographs, dress watches, etc.

[thenewrick]

Yea, for about $5,000 just get a tasteful new Rolex from an AD and then you'll know what that experience is like and be comforted that it won't crash in value. It's a good starting point.

For small wrist, Explorer 36. For larger wrist, OP41. If date is a must, DJ36.

[jed11]

One more vote for the Speedy


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[faaaaaaaasterrrrr]

Grand Seiko. The quality and value are very difficult to beat.

[58junior]

Tag Heuer Aquaracer Line. Rolex look and a substantial quality Swiss watch.
https://www.tagheuer.com/us/en/timep...1N.FT6177.html

[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.

[Boaters]

Tudor or save some money and go for a sub would be perfect 🥰

[JSCP]

Tudor new chronograph, A vintage Rolex DJ 36mm, Omega moonwatch Hesalite or Seamaster blue dial.

[Cagwolf]

I am joining the Omega train too the Omega or nothing.

[FatTuesday]

In no world is a $5,000 watch "entry level. That notion is so elitist it's vulgar.

There are hundreds of greats watches between a couple hundred dollars and $5,000. Your friend needs to do a bit of research and determine his criteria. Plenty of great brands recommended in this thread.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by ras47

I wouldn't worry about the brand. Just find a watch he likes. There's something out there for everybody. Diving watches, chronographs, dress watches, etc.

I agree Robert

[Gab27]

What type of style does he like? Diving, dress? Is he okay buying preowned? (Especially if drop in value is a concern, this is something he should strongly consider...)

You can't go wrong with a preowned Breitling IMO. You get a lot of variety, options for in-house movements, robust designs, and you avoid a terrible drop in value if preowned. My first really nice watch was a Breitling and I wore it for a decade. I love the Chronomat, Superocean, and Navitimer, although the latter is both their most iconic as well as one you either love or hate given the dial is very unique.

[m3tek44]

Omega/Tudor/Seiko/Rolex DJ

[JMtimes5]

If he likes Rolex, another $600, your friend can get one of the new OP36 (with a little bit of luck). He will have one watch he will love forever.
If not I’d steer him towards Tudor.

[peterpl]

Tudor and IWC.

[Robert Bruce]

Tudor.

[tpool]

Originally Posted by FatTuesday

In no world is a $5,000 watch "entry level. That notion is so elitist it's vulgar.

There are hundreds of greats watches between a couple hundred dollars and $5,000. Your friend needs to do a bit of research and determine his criteria. Plenty of great brands recommended in this thread.

Should I have said “first luxury watch?!”
....with top budget of $5k ?
Jeez, some people get so buttttt hurt over what?
I do really appreciate all the great suggestions from people that don’t think I’m vulgar. Thank you


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[GGGMT]

Oris. Total gorgeous sleeper





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[cgaites]

Said many times in this thread already because it is a good suggestion - Omega.

You should be able to pick up a new Seamaster 300M Diver for at or under $5K from an AD. You’ll be down 10-20% after you walk out the door (depending on the discount you negotiate), but after that initial hit value retention is good. 3 out of 4 of my Seamasters are now worth more than their original MSRP in nominal dollars. The exception is the new one I bought six months ago. With the rate Omega is increasing prices these days though I should be back in the black in ~3 years.

If you’re open to pre-owned, and water resistance isn’t a priority, you can’t go wrong with a Speedmaster Pro. Value retention and liquidity are similar to pre-2017 Rolex (i.e. before the shortage).

[tpool]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Oris. Total gorgeous sleeper





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That’s a beautiful watch. Thanks for sharing.


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[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by tpool

That a beautiful watch. Thanks for sharing.


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Huge value at $1500 ish for an automatic watch


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[EEpro]

I like Oris for a first mechanical watch also. For a little more you can get omegas from the ETA movement era.

[rolexjackson]

Omega