The opinion of 4 experts on best $10K watch.

That Time Revolution Asked Roger Smith, Kari Voutilainen, Laurent Ferrier, and Philippe Dufour What Watch They'd Recommend For Under $10,000 ? HODINKEE - Wristwatch News, Reviews, & Original Stories

 

I'm disappointed in their responses.

 

I actually kind of agree. For a first nice watch up to $10K, a Rolex would almost always be one of my top 2 or 3 choices. A newcomer should get one, not because everyone else has one, but so they can appreciate how a watch should just run under almost all conditions, through a moderate amount of torture, for years and years, and still keep good time. The Nomos and Parmigiani were kind of uninspired though.

 

+1 +1 +1 You read my mind before typing this. Very well said.

 

I think Nomos is a great choice. Not sure what Parm is under 10k though.

-dsd

 

I think the Rolexes were "safe" choices.
Parm was out in left field.
Nomos is one of those brands with great potential and lots of buzz.
In house movement which is quite rare.
IMO They would be better served if they went with the flow and increased in diameter.

 

Michel paid for that one... LOL

 

Rubbish.

 

Any watches recommended around the $10k price point besides Rolex or Pam?


Sent from my 16M

 

IWC comes to mind. They have some in that price range.

What Are you looking for? Sport,dress, chronograph, auto, manual wind, SS, gold, etc?

A little more detail and the someone here can probably suggest a few things.

 

At maybe not exactly $10k but very close, a Sea Dweller is an unbeatable choice.
The quality,practicality and just reassuring sturdiness of that thing has no competition at that price.
Anything even approaching that level of "good" cost multiple of it's price.

 

Yes I've been checking IWC's. The style I'm looking for is along the lines of an AP. I realize those push more to $15-20k. There seems to be so many different models, how does one sift through these?


Sent from my 16M

 

You can get a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms on a sailcloth strap for $10,300. PM me and I can connect you with my watch guy.

Mike

 

Very nice piece.
I do like the style of these



Sent from my 16M

 

Love AP as well. Got a smokin deal on my AP Diver last year. Do not pay anywhere near retail. And do not pay sales tax. Shop around and don't let ADs dictate price to you.

 

Besides IWC and Blancpain in a sport/everyday there is Zenith, Breguet, Glashutte Original and Vacheron Constantin. You might have to go used on some but the quality remains.

VC is considered to be a "Big Three" along with PP and AP.

 

Suddenly, skeleton watches have peaked my interest....been looking at Maurice Lacroix, Kudoke, Chronoswiss, but really interested in Benzinger though really hard to find in the U.S.



Sent from my 16M

 

I would look for a Patek - simply one of the best with a lowish production and decent resale. I know Rolex also have a decent resale but with a total production of near on a million it is not so exclusive. I also like Vacheron & Constantin, some beautiful watches (with their own movements) and production of around 40,000 a year.

I should add that these exclusive watches are not generally available for US$10,000 however there are some nice "newer" second hand watches out there at this price point. If you buy a PP or V&C (or any of the very exclusive brands for that matter) second hand, you will generally be able to get most of your investment back at resale and sometimes even make a bit.

 

Yes can't go wrong with PP or VC...I'm trying to understand and appreciate the styles of these brands. There's such a wide variety.


Sent from my 16M

 

Rolex are boring and overpriced watches, completely unimaginative choices. The two guys recommending them have very poor expectations of people.

 

I am considering these two watches:
Linde Werdelin or Hublot




Sent from my 16M

 

If you want a really exclusive hand made watch with hand made movement take a look at Roger W Smith watches. He trained under the great George Daniels who invented the co-axial escapement:

Roger W Smith Series 2 - Roger W Smith

The R W Smith watch uses the co-axial escapement, however there are only about 10 made a year due to labor intensive handwork. Price? I think I heard around $80,000 (about $70,000 over budget if you bought but they are exclusive and if you can get one a great investment and a wonderful piece to have on your wrist!

 

For a 'first' watch around $10k I would suggest:

Rolex, Cartier Roaster, or a Panerai Luminor

 

Beautiful piece!

I'd really like to start with an A. Lange & Sohne Grande Lange 1 Platinum
or an AP RO Automatic Skeleton....both in the 30k range

I'll probably start with the Hublot Classic Fusion Skeleton
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plastique - I have an AP ROO panda and love it. Looks great with almost anything (its on a singapore f1 gp strap - goes great with the panda dial).

for 10K imo its hard to beat a SS Daytona...