Newbie assistance...

[Teleos]

Hello all. I have been lurking around the past couple months learning and researching. My previous watch was a respectable Bvlgari but ready to upgrade to something much nicer. Looking for something (non-Rolex) in the previously owned market with a 5k budget. I am interested in something unique yet stylish. Some brands that strike my interest are: Jaeger, UN, Zenith, Hublot. My main concern is reliability and maintenance costs. Not so concerned about resale value. Any advice would be appreciate. TIA. Joe

[nick c]

Welcome I will go JLC or ulysse nardin good luck

[PJ S]

Hublot Classic Fusion is slim and has a certain elegance about it.
UN Maxi Marine is a nice looking watch – especially the ltd edition Blue Surf.
JLC’s Master Control models are nice enough, but just don’t really do much for me – servicing issues/track record isn’t great.
Zenith have some nice enough models, but again, nothing that really lights up my eyes.

Depending on if you’ve a self-imposed size restriction or not, then Girard Perregaux Laureato Evo 3 moon and its successor, the Traveler moon, are worth a good look at.

Bremont have some nice designs, and if you’re not put off with them having ‘just’ an ETA movement fitted, then give them some thought too.

I’d love to suggest a Blancpain Bathyscaphe, but will be slightly over budget, even if imported from Italy with the VAT deducted.
Pre-owned titanium version.

[locutus49]

I'd buy a used Sub or Datejust for low maintenance and reliability.

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by Teleos

Looking for something (non-Rolex) in the previously owned market with a 5k budget.

Originally Posted by locutus49

I'd buy a used Sub or Datejust for low maintenance and reliability.

Anyway, OP you can't go wrong with JLC (never had any problems with mine) and there's a vast array of unique Zenith pieces.

[MTROIS]

OP, not that you need to or have to get a Rolex, but just this statement and the fact that you included Hublot in your list shows me that you need to do a bit more reading and digging around.
I would encourage you to consider Omega, Jaeger Lecoultre and other MontBlanc or IWC. You could even get a BNIB Grand Seiko for your budget!

Good luck.

[4vCoupe]

Originally Posted by MTROIS

OP, not that you need to or have to get a Rolex, but just this statement and the fact that you included Hublot in your list shows me that you need to do a bit more reading and digging around.
I would encourage you to consider Omega, Jaeger Lecoultre and other MontBlanc or IWC. You could even get a BNIB Grand Seiko for your budget!

Good luck.

I agree that you should consider Omega.


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[Fiery]

My take:



IWC Ingenieur 3239. Unique, stylish, and should be around $5K LNIB. If you prefer blue dial and/or LE models, go for the Laureus variant:

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by MTROIS

OP, not that you need to or have to get a Rolex, but just this statement and the fact that you included Hublot in your list shows me that you need to do a bit more reading and digging around.
I would encourage you to consider Omega, Jaeger Lecoultre and other MontBlanc or IWC. You could even get a BNIB Grand Seiko for your budget!

Good luck.

I agree with you on JLC and Omega, but Montblanc? Seriously? As unliked as Hublot is around here, you would pick a Montblanc and Seiko?

[malarky_hk]

Take a look at the Zenith El Primero chronos. Lots to choose from and great value for money.

[capote]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

I agree with you on JLC and Omega, but Montblanc? Seriously? As unliked as Hublot is around here, you would pick a Montblanc and Seiko?

Take a look at Montblancs Minerva chronographs and you might just change your mind. Handfinished inward angles en masse.

[Bafflingbs]

If it were me.... This brand new Omega Seamaster fits your bill, perfectly.
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=453525

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by Fiery

IWC Ingenieur 3239. Unique, stylish, and should be around $5K LNIB. If you prefer blue dial and/or LE models, go for the Laureus variant:

Hardly unique looking – it’s like the two other Genta designs that he penned for AP and PP.
If it weren’t for looking further, you’d be forgiven for thinking he was a one-trick pony.

Originally Posted by capote

Take a look at Montblancs Minerva chronographs and you might just change your mind. Handfinished inward angles en masse.

Might be difficult to get those for the OP’s budget, but you’re wasting your time on a brand snob – none are more blind than those who don’t want to see.

Originally Posted by Bafflingbs

If it were me.... This brand new Omega Seamaster fits your bill, perfectly.

Doesn’t qualify as “unique yet stylish”, as per the OP’s stipulation, but a Grand Seiko Spring Drive would.

[Bafflingbs]

Originally posted by PJ S

Doesn’t qualify as “unique yet stylish”, as per the OP’s stipulation, but a Grand Seiko Spring Drive would.

maybe not to you, big time, but to me, it's very unique.

[kilyung]

Can't beat JLC for value.

[MTROIS]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Can't beat JLC for value.

I agree with you... But all too often, there is something in their design that does not allow me to "seal the deal".
For example, on their dressy Master Ultra Thin line:
- don't like the asymmetric window to display the year on their perpetual calendar,
- the chronograph has a window date but especially poor contrast between hands and dial,
- etc etc.

May be JLC is just not for my taste, as much as I love the brand, its history and have utmost respect for its movements.

Sigh.

Sorry for hijacking this thread OP!

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by Bafflingbs

maybe not to you, big time, but to me, it's very unique.

That’s lovely, showing everyone your bum – at least we now know what you’re speaking out of.

Originally Posted by kilyung

Can't beat JLC for value.

Judged by what criteria?

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by PJ S

Hardly unique looking – it’s like the two other Genta designs that he penned for AP and PP.
If it weren’t for looking further, you’d be forgiven for thinking he was a one-trick pony.

And your suggestion of Hublot Classic Fusion is not a Genta afterthought? If we follow that logic, noone should buy any other dive watch than the Sub or the Fifty Fathoms, since they all derive from those designs?

And BTW, if we follow that logic, why would anyone buy a Nautilus? It looks way too similar to the Royal Oak, and we all know which one came to life first

[PJ S]

The OP had already posited Hublot, and the Fusion is about the only range you could class as stylish within the full gamut of what they offer.

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by PJ S

The OP had already posited Hublot, and the Fusion is about the only range you could class as stylish within the full gamut of what they offer.

The OP hasn't said Hublot is the one brand he's looking for, and that IWC is one brand he wouldn't dwelve into. What I'm arguing is that if we allow Hublot Classic Fusion (and Patek Nautilus 5711) to stand on their own merits, without trying to find similarities in design between them and the first luxury steel watch (Royal Oak), then we should also let the Ingenieur stand on its own merits. Especially if you consider the heritage of the Ingenieur, compared to the heritage of the Classic Fusion. I'm not dismissing the Classic Fusion by this, but I'd prefer to avoid dismissing any other watches either.

But, let's look at another interesting time piece, this time definitely not in the '70s Genta style, the Glashutte Original Seventies Panorama Date:

[PJ S]

Indeed, but let’s stick with watches that in and around the OP’s $5K budget.

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by PJ S

Indeed, but let’s stick with watches that in and around the OP’s $5K budget.

The Seventies Panorama Date starts at $5460 on C24 right now. And since it's not a popular model both brand new and on the 2nd hand market, I bet the ones going around $6K can be negotiated down to close to $5K. And in case the OP finds that reference intriguing enough, he might be able to expand the budget

[PJ S]

But not on bracelet, which for GO is a must have.

[mickyd329]

Quote:
Originally Posted by capote View Post
Take a look at Montblancs Minerva chronographs and you might just change your mind. Handfinished inward angles en masse.

Might be difficult to get those for the OP’s budget, but you’re wasting your time on a brand snob – none are more blind than those who don’t want to see.




Hardly a brand snob. I was just addressing the brand snob comment of another poster.


Originally Posted by MTROIS View Post
OP, not that you need to or have to get a Rolex, but just this statement and the fact that you included Hublot in your list shows me that you need to do a bit more reading and digging around.
I would encourage you to consider Omega, Jaeger Lecoultre and other MontBlanc or IWC. You could even get a BNIB Grand Seiko for your budget!

Good luck.

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by PJ S

Hardly unique looking – it’s like the two other Genta designs that he penned for AP and PP.
If it weren’t for looking further, you’d be forgiven for thinking he was a one-trick pony.




Might be difficult to get those for the OP’s budget, but you’re wasting your time on a brand snob – none are more blind than those who don’t want to see.




Doesn’t qualify as “unique yet stylish”, as per the OP’s stipulation, but a Grand Seiko Spring Drive would.

Originally Posted by capote

Take a look at Montblancs Minerva chronographs and you might just change your mind. Handfinished inward angles en masse.

I see what you are saying.

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by PJ S

But not on bracelet, which for GO is a must have.

Well, it depends on your personal taste. For me the Seventies Panorama Date looks a bit too blingy on bracelet, due to the PCLs (I don't like PCL in general), but on rubber strap I love it.

You can compare actual live shots of the watch on bracelet at:

http://en.lesrhabilleurs.com/glashut...port-shooting/

And on rubber strap at:

http://en.lesrhabilleurs.com/glashut...s-test-photos/

When I say "live shots", I mean photos taken of actual people wearing the watch, and not just shooting closeup wrist shots of it. On wrist shots the Seventies Panorama Date doesn't look all that appealing, but it looks awesome (IMHO) when you step back a little bit.

Anyway, let's hear the OP's opinion on the ideas circling around in the topic

[regnant]

I say Zenith but have read that 36000 vph may require more maintenance over 28800 vph movement counterparts. I would pick the Zenith at any cost though.