[Watsey]

I'm shopping for a new (decent) watch, and would be interested in thoughts & recommendations - I'm sure many here will have made that investment and for all I know we may have collectors, or those in the luxury end of the trade, on the Forum that can offer expert advice.

Style : dive, sports, pilot; clean design. Definitely not dress watches, nor those with multiple secondary dials.
Operation & functionality : automatic chronometer, COSC certified, GMT (second timezone), date, unidirectional bezel (nice to have).

Currently considering :
Breitling Superocean II 44
Bremont Oracle II GMT
Bremont Boeing 1 Titanium GMT
IWC Big Pilot
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date (actually my least favourite, partly because "it's a Rolex" and partly because one of my closest friends repeatedly tells me it's the least accurate watch he's ever owned ! - yes, I know automatic watches aren't exactly accurate).

What else would you add to the list ? I am not interested in watches with a style that will date quickly.

Thanks.

[XAlp]

I'm always confused by uni - unisex versus unicycle - which is unidirectional?

[JustChris]

Omega planet Ocean?

[Cootie]

If you go down the Rolex route get in touch with a friend of mine who owns the Edinburgh Watch Company - he'll get you a good price on it.

[....,,,,..,,..]

I prefer Brietling, however it's a very personal choice.

The main thing is buy from a decent dealer / Jewellers.

Far too many quality fakes about.

[Ice Man]

How about something from the Tag Heuer Carrera range

http://www.tagheuer.co.uk/int-en/lux...car2a10-ba0799

[Rbrown]

Any reason why you aren't looking at an Omega? That's what I have and been a great buy. 13 years old, wear it every day and it looks brand new as long as you look after it, service it and give it a polish. In due course, mine will got to my son and wife's omega to my daughter. They will probably pawn them........

[Tengocity]

Unless you're planning on actually diving with it, perhaps looks at a GMT Master II? I have had one over 10 years and really like it. Utterly classic watch, and best of all it's more than doubled in value!

But I agree with your friend... least good timekeeping watch I've had!

I used to have an IWC Big Pilot's Chronograph, and absolutely loved it, but sold a number of watches and just bought the one Rolex. Do regret it a bit, though I couldn't justify two expensive watches at that time in my life. It kept much better time than the Rolex does.

Good thing about the GMT Master is it's cinch to change the time when abroad, and travel overseas more often than I dive so figured that was a more useful benefit.

Beyond that, I'd suggest you look at anything you're considering on Ebay and see what it's going for... look for something that really holds it's value. Whilst Omega, Tag, Breitling are nice watches, they just don't hold their value like a Rolex will. If you've got more to spend then even better, but stick to the classics that are made in limited numbers... maybe a Panerai or Audemars Piguet Royal Oak?

[Danny Fireblade]

I have one of these and its my daily wear.

http://www.omegawatches.com/watches/...3230465101001/

Really nice watch, a few nice features, and if you don't like the extra dials, you can get it without them too.

I also have a couple of Tags and a Nite watch too.

[Wills2]

I'd get a Rolex GMT II, lovely watch and holds its value I had one for 8 years and got £1000 more than I paid when I sold it.

I'd get the 116710BLNR model, looks great with the blue/black ceramic bezel.

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by Wills2

I'd get a Rolex GMT II, lovely watch and holds its value I had one for 8 years and got £1000 more than I paid when I sold it.

I'd get the 116710BLNR model, looks great with the blue/black ceramic bezel.

Impressed !!

Would never have regarded a watch as an appreciating asset.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Kal001

Impressed !!

Would never have regarded a watch as an appreciating asset.

That's the key benefit of a Rolex sports watch.. limited supply and ever increasing RRPs mean that you almost never lose money on them.

[bodtwo]

Another vote for the GMT II. Had this dilemma over my sons 21st, he wanted a Black and Blue but ended up with a Black.

Tag man myself but has started me thinking.

[Broncho]

Im also a TAG fan and bought one of these to replace the one I had stolen 12 months ago lovely watch and the style is exactly what I want, it's pretty understated, I'm not really into bling

http://www.goldsmiths.co.uk/TAG-Heue...FUyNGwodtVYKaA

Another thing to think about is the strap, chain straps are fine, I love the look of the black leather straps but....they can smell really bad, I go to Spain regularly and wearing it when it's hot is not the best idea!

[magicmerlin]

I have a sub. Date 2001. Rolex deep sea blue if you can get hold of one or Panerai luminor is !y next watch. You can wear it and it won't devalue unlike our cars

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Broncho

I love the look of the black leather straps but....they can smell really bad, I go to Spain regularly and wearing it when it's hot is not the best idea!

This is exactly the reason I sold my IWC Big Pilot watch, the alligator strap ended up getting replaced every year at £100 a time. It just wasn't meant to be work 24 hours/365 days a year like I wore mine. There was a metal bracelet option but I never liked the style, hence my move to the Rolex.

[Broncho]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

This is exactly the reason I sold my IWC Big Pilot watch, the alligator strap ended up getting replaced every year at £100 a time. It just wasn't meant to be work 24 hours/365 days a year like I wore mine. There was a metal bracelet option but I never liked the style, hence my move to the Rolex.

I don't wear mine all of the time, I have a different watch for work but I do find the strap an issue especially in hot climates but I genuinely wouldn't change it even though you can buy the same watch with a metal strap.

[Tengocity]

Here's mine... 12 years old, worn every day and still not a scratch to be seen on the bezel or glass!
Can't see it ever looking old fashioned, and works with anything from a suit through to shorts at the beach.

[gtsussex]

Had a GMT Master. Bought it with my first bonus in City aged 22. Then bought a bi-colour Yachtmaster a few years later. Sold them 16 years later to pay wages (for 4 times more than I paid) when we got shafted by a big deal that nearly bankrupted us. Always promised I'd get another but haven't got round to it. I just love the design and couldn't give a sh*t about what anyone else thinks. Oh and they never kept decent time

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

Had a GMT Master. Bought it with my first bonus in City aged 22. Then bought a bi-colour Yachtmaster a few years later. Sold them 16 years later to pay wages (for 4 times more than I paid) when we got shafted by a big deal that nearly bankrupted us. Always promised I'd get another but haven't got round to it. I just love the design and couldn't give a sh*t about what anyone else thinks. Oh and they never kept decent time

I never knew you'd been a city type, but I can just picture you now with the braces, the brick mobile and the guards red Porsche!

[Geo's comps]

Im surprised a Hublot has not been mentioned...

[Broncho]

Originally Posted by Geo's comps

Im surprised a Hublot has not been mentioned...

Or the Back to the Future Casio replica my wife bought me....