Nice watch under 2k......lots of questions inside

If it doesn't have to be new there are numerous possibilities.

 

http://www.valenciatimecenter.com/product_info.php?cPath=46&products_id=782

Many choices!

Ball is a VTC favorite

Most models fall into the price range you are looking for.
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VTC has a nice used Omega

I like Omega a lot.

-dsd

 

+1 on a Ball from VTC... although they are automatics.

LOTS of options at <$2k.

it all depends on what features you want, what style, what type of movement, chronograph or not...

some other popular brands....

Welder, Citizen, Hamilton....

some here may consider this heresy... but I really like my Invicta's. I've had them for years, they run like tops (quartz chrono movements)... the best part? <$200. They dont have the brand recognition or the snob appeal of other brands, but I get compliments on them all the time and I dig the style.

I hate to keep pimping this brand on F-Chat...but I REALLY like Lüm-Tec. Quartz Citizen/Miyota movements, blazing Lume, limited editions, great style, you can talk to the watchmaker directly.... Price? <$500.

 

I would first decide on the style and purpose of the watch, then go from there. I bought a Cartier Panther Jumbo 10 years ago and I have almost worn it everyday. They no longer make that style, but you could find a pre-owned one or maybe look at putting a bit more towards it.

 

NO TAG please. They are nice, but way played out, including the fakes. I cant stand seeing a guy wearing a TAG and the rest of his outfit is trash, not all owners but the ones that have spent 1-2k and think its a 10k AP or IWC or similar!

My choice would be ORIS. They have alot of racing inspired watches and nice divers stuff. Most are thicker cases with "manly" younger substance you mentioned. I have an ORIS that has gotten more compliments than watches I have double the price.
THey are all automatic but how hard is it to reset the time here and there?

 

A second on Oris
I've got a Oris TT3 and it's very nice

 

I would try to find a used Omega Dynamic on E-Bay.

 

I would stay away from Tag. Some of their models are very striking (Tachymeter), but they are poor in quality and are basically the 'Coach' of watches.

It really boils down to personal preference, however. Do you like pilots, divers? I think Oris makes great watches for their price-point. I'm also partial to Edox myself - gorgeous, well-built, rare (no AD's in the United States).

I suggest you purchase something lightly used with warranty, this way the original owner takes the depreciation hit and you get a good deal. Check out timezone.com or watchuseek.com.

Shopping for a watch when you don't have the luxury of purchasing multiple watches is a very tedious and painful task. I urge you to pick a watch, wait a month, and see if you still like it. Before I found my Edox, I had a new 'flavor of the month' almost weekly it seemed and went through two purchases before I settled on my Class-1.

Best of luck!

 

A lot of watch terms get confusing and misused.

A Chronograph is a watch that also has timing complications (such as a stop watch). Usually done with two or three sub-dials (compax). The Rolex Daytona and Omega Speedmaster are iconic Chronographs.

A Chronometer is a watch that has been certified by a timing institute such as the COSC. They certify that the movement/watch meets such and such timing specs.

Hope that helps.

-dsd

 

If you like Breitling like you said, I'd consider a slightly used one. They depreciate like a 430 and it shouldn't be a problem picking one up for under $2k. That being said, mine recently broke after having it for 3 yrs, need to send it in to be fixed :-(.

 

Tags are great watches in your price range. RayG (forum sponsor) on FerrariChat is an authorized dealer. Give him a call, you won't be sorry

 

Tags may start out as great watches but they have a rep for not holding their value and that might be important to someone buying their first good watch.
I'd agree with several of the recommendations here - Oris, etc but definitely consider a lightly used classic such as an Omega Speedmaster or Seamaster. I bought a used Speedmaster a few years back for $1K that came with boxes, papers, the original bracelet and an Omega deployant crocodile strap.
Of course it goes without saying to be very careful not to buy a fake - some of them are amazingly good copies!

 

Interesting please give an example of their "poor quality". Have you ever compared the finishing on the 7750 or 2892 in the TAG versus the Oris? TAG has much more work done to the movement whereas Oris does very little. Not knocking Oris at all just trying to clarify some things.

Now the Edox that you like is a fine watch as well but you will see here the picture of the Edox 7750 and the TAG 7750. The Edox is basic and unfinished whereas the TAG has Geneva stripes and perlage. So then why the poor quality comment?
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Because TAG is not snotty enough for the big ballers.

 

I'm going to be very honest when I say that when it comes to movement, I am 100% clueless. All I know is that automatic is good and quartz is bad. In that regard, you can compare me to the stereotypical Ferrari owner - he knows that his car is a fiesty Italian, but does not have the slightest clue about what's under the hood.

When I talk about the poor quality of Tag, I am basing this off the experiences of others on Watchuseek and Timezone. Before I settled on my Edox, I was considering a Carrera Tachymeter, but alas the reviews of the watch steered me clear of any Tag period because of reports of them falling apart, stratching easily, etc. It could all be BS, who knows. But quality aside, there is no denying that Tag is a very common watch, especially amongst non watch-enthusiasts and like I said, they are to timepieces as Coach is to handbags.

 

My wife will sell you a brand new IWC Portofino for 2K if you like it. This is a 3K watch retail. The one she has has a black face (like this) on a brown crocodile strap.
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Hmm..several things I'm not sure I agree with. I wouldn't say quartz is bad. It is more accurate than any automatic movement. It requires batteries, automatics require service. I think the issue is that (with rare exceptions) there isn't a lot of unique hand craftsmanship that goes into quartz movements--that is absolutely not the case with automatic movements. I think a more accurate statement is that automatic movements are more highly regarded among watch enthusiasts.

As to Tags--I own several. Extremely rugged, dead on reliable, no scratching or other issues. Perhaps they are inferior, but if so they are still damn good. As to TAG automatic movements--I think TAG does what a lot of other similarly priced automatic watch makes do--they use mass produced movements and then re-work them.

But I do agree that Tags are common--that may make them less desirable but it doesn't make them of poor quality.

 

She also has the big Ingineur, as well as Tags, at nice discount as well.....