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I recently got engaged and my now fiancé has decided that as she got a ring, I get a watch, something I am not unhappy about.
I have looked around and am very much bewildered by the choices out there and so thought that STW may be able to shed some light for me. I have got the following criteria:
Something that will last and won’t age a huge amount, as an engagement present I would like it to last
Under £500
I like the idea of an automatic for no other reason than I haven’t got one already
Not too much, if any gold, I’m more of a silver fan
I know this isn’t much to go on but in honesty I am somewhat bewildered so if you can show me what you’ve got as well I might pick up some inspiration.
I just bought one of these:
[img] 
[/img]
http://www.christopherward.co.uk/men/aviation/c11-auto/c11-auto-skt.html
Which I guess fits your description? I love it anyway.
Found out about Christopher Ward from someone on this forum and am very impressed with their products and service.
Some lovely onese to choose from here:
http://www.christopherward.co.uk/watch-type/type-men/view-auto-s.html
I have a C9 GMT.
I dont think there are any on here! 😉
This one is a great watch, silver in colour but might be a bit over budget. Great watch for the money from a well respected company. I think it's got a display back as well.
http://www.sinnwatches.com/proddetail.php?prod=si110
Anyone have experience with Mondaine watches? I quite like the look of them, seem quite nicely different.
I got my watch for exactly the same reason... she got a ring, i got a watch - it seemed a fair deal 🙂
I got a mondaine automatic, and very lovely it is too:
[img] http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTKk2YKEEdLwXH8F2bibExeHnTjYXi3L6OhZvXChbrRQWYtw6G9kg [/img]
Dave
edit: wasn't actually responding to the above, just a very well timed post 🙂
my Dad got a Mondaine watch as a long service award.
it looks very nice.
Tissot do quite a few nice watches in that price range. I'm hankering after a Visiodate right now, perfect if you want something dressier - and thus ideal if you want something you can actually wear on your wedding day (and smarter occasions in the future). They do white or black face, and silver or gold case.
Else Sinn as mentioned, a [url= http://stowa.de/ ]Stowa[/url] Marine auto or Antea is just about in budget too, Christopher Ward have some nice things as well. Worth taking a look at the likes of Seiko and Citizen too, they make some lovely autos that are well inside budget.
For that you can have the choice of many watches from timefactors:
The Precista 300 metre Diver is their version of the old seamaster that people pay a lot for.
http://www.timefactors.com/precista.htm
the PRECISTA PRS-50-B looked fun but it is sold out - the 50 is still there though.
I would have recommended a Sinn but they seem to have shot up in price in the last few years since I looked - I like the 356 chronos on this page, which used to only be slightly above your budget:
http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/sinn_current_stock_2.htm
History of Sinn on this page:
http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/sinn.htm
Bear in mind that an auto will require an expensive service every 5 years. Also that leather straps have a life in case you get a flashy one. And they will also be less accurate than a non-mechanical.
sub £500 it's got to be tissot. way too many models to suggest one, just go online and take a look.
really durable, sapphire crystal glass is virtually impossible to scratch, i wear mine on the bike all the time. timekeeping is unbelievably stable.
How about a [url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/hamilton-Watches/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A328228011%2Ck%3AHamilton&page=1 ]Hamilton[/url]?
[url= http://www.swissarmywatches.co.uk/ ]Victorinox [/url]the Swiss army knife folks do some nice ones.
trailmonkey, Tissot are always my default option, I have one that is 15 years old and bar a battery change is still going strong.
Anyone have any experience with Hamilton watches? I have seen one I like but know very little about the brand.
Final bump before I go and spend some money...
You might just be able to get one if the sport rado watches for that. They don't make them anymore but there are a few about. Like this fella, if the link works.
I was asked the same question recently (although the watch was for a different occasion). Here were two watches I suggested:
[url= http://www.watchshop.com/mens-tissot-prc200-automatic-chronograph-watch-t0144271605100-p99930806.html ]Tissot PRC200 automatic[/url]
[url= http://www.watchshop.com/mens-hamilton-jazzmaster-seaview-chronograph-watch-h37512731-p99937375.html ]Hamilton Jazzmaster[/url]
If it was me, for that money, I'd probably go for Christopher Ward..
hth
Go vintage....lots of lovely stuff out there.
I'm with al, I'd take a look at vintage.
If you get one with a standard strap fitting you can change the strap to keep it looking up to date or just for a change.
Vintage leather strap Omega Seamaster. Understated, classic and cool. Modern watches are all gobby, gimmicky and massive.
I got a 1960's Seiko Bell-Matic in mint condition for £150 and I love it more than most £1000+ modern watches (in terms of style).
Whatever floats your boat though really.
Vintage leather strap Omega Seamaster
not for the budget though - the timefactor precista from my above link is a 'copy' of that watch but has better specs in case you want to go diving to 300metres.
I've just got a Phillipe Stark O-Ring watch, looks amazing, worth checking out.
All style no substance though - not even a light so useless in the dark - I knew this from reviews before buying though, still went for it.