A Good Watch For a $20k Budget | FerrariChat

A Good Watch For a $20k Budget

Discussion in 'Fine Watches, Jewelry, & Clothes' started by Shark01, Aug 14, 2020.

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  1. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    5,687
    Thanks to the "what watch are you wearing today" thread, I'm thinking of making 2021 the year I put all my play money for the year toward a watch. Maybe I can string together a little more, but not much more.

    I currently own a 1993 DateJust, dual metallic roman numeral with white pyramid dial, its been a real good starter watch.

    I'm kind of limited in taste, my current favorites are AP ROO, PP Nautilus (not that I can afford it), and a Daytona. I also secretly love Yachtmaster IIs, it's just really garish. I like more elegant watches, don't like excessively busy ones, skeletons, etc.

    My preference is a full gold watch, but other than a sub here and there nothing else I like is close to my budget....A used watch is preferred, hopefully something from the past 10 years.

    Also, are automatic considered as good as a manual?

    Thanks
     
  2. WPOZZZ

    WPOZZZ F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2012
    6,477
    Honolulu, HI
    What about a Breguet Type XXI?

    [​IMG]
     
    IloveGT likes this.
  3. poljav

    poljav F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 2, 2014
    8,464
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    Pol J.
    This an open ended question, I'd say narrow your picks down to style and material, what you want the watch to do? Then pick 6-8, from there down to 3-4 Once you picked the top 1-3, do a deep dive on each and/or get feed back from our resident experts here. As always, buy what you like.

    I prefer manual, just because I like being involved with the watch.

    For dress watches. 8 months ago I would have said look at F.P Journe but they're way above $20K now. Look at some A. Lange & Sohne. Good luck.
     
  4. cls

    cls Formula 3

    Jun 12, 2007
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  5. 09Scuderia

    09Scuderia Formula 3

    Nov 20, 2011
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    Max
    Why not a 36mm Day/ Date AKA president? The Daytona is a easy choice as well. Fun fact, Rolex uses solid gold not plated. 3.5 ounces of gold in a 36mm President. Gold closed today at around $2k per ounce. There are older Presidents on ebay for the cost of their gold.
     
  6. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    5,687
    Thanks for the comments....

    Did like the look of Breguet, understand they are highly regarded.....found a full gold (including bracelet) Royal Marine that was amazing good looking, but it was $47k.

    I need to go look at some IWCs

    The Rolex President can be had in my budget easy....but how to say this delicately....has an old man vibe.

    I'm hoping gold prices will go down by the end of 2021...
     
  7. flat_plane_eddie

    flat_plane_eddie F1 Rookie
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    Mar 30, 2013
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    A new or newer Rolex won't have more than a 1/3 of its value in gold, if that. You're primarily paying for the name.

    The problem with a gold bracelet is that pretty much all brands that offer something with a gold bracelet under 20k (except for Rolex) won't hold value. So you're better off buying something with a strap.
     
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  8. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    5,687
    The problem with myself and straps (assume you are talking leather or rubber) is sweat just ruining them quickly.
     
  9. flat_plane_eddie

    flat_plane_eddie F1 Rookie
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    The good thing about rubber is that it's fairly cheap to replace. Leather not as cheap but still fairly so. I would think rubber would hold up well if you wash it ever so often.
     
  10. mchas

    mchas F1 Veteran
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    Oct 5, 2004
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    Two-tone Daytona maybe? Not full gold but within budget.
     
  11. stardoc

    stardoc Formula Junior

    May 5, 2005
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    The big oven
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    K RA
    Personally for me it's the A Lane Sohne . They are brilliantly finished.
     
  12. WPOZZZ

    WPOZZZ F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2012
    6,477
    Honolulu, HI
    I didn't think they were that affordable. I just checked and was amazed at what was for sale.
     
  13. stardoc

    stardoc Formula Junior

    May 5, 2005
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    Many on ebay that have languished for months. I'm sure they can be had for significantly under asking.
     
  14. WPOZZZ

    WPOZZZ F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2012
    6,477
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    Damn you for bringing that up! lol
     
  15. Oengus

    Oengus F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    42mm audemars piguet
     
  16. hwyman

    hwyman Formula Junior

    Jun 25, 2015
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    Canada / Los Angeles
    Lots of choices for 20K, do you want diver or dress? You can get a PP Aquanaut or Calatrava msrp, or a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, or a Royal Oak, or Vacheron Overseas etc. etc..... or be ballsy and go vintage
     
  17. cls

    cls Formula 3

    Jun 12, 2007
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    Just a heads up, you can't get an Aquanaut at MSRP without divine intervention, Calatrava 5227 MSRP is $36K, The Royal Oak is also pretty tough to get at MSRP (which is $24K)
     
  18. flat_plane_eddie

    flat_plane_eddie F1 Rookie
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    For up to 20k I recommend a used A. Lange & Söhne like the Saxonia or 1815.
     
  19. Cigarzman

    Cigarzman F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    I would buy a used steel / ceramic or rubber AP Offshore for all around use. I have one in steel and rose gold that I really enjoy.
    Best , Kirk.
     
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  20. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    5,687
    So I'm seeing a couple of full gold PPs (5036 & 5037) that are like $27k used. Are there any issues with these models? I'm not sure I care about the diamonds but like the look of the watch
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  21. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    5,687
    Stentboy and Island Time like this.
  22. Jonny English

    Jonny English Formula Junior

    Jun 14, 2017
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  23. thphon

    thphon Rookie

    Oct 9, 2019
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    Leonardo Arias
    I get from what you are saying that you prefer time only watches, right? For that kind of money I would go with a A Lange & Sohne, if you like more dressy watches this is as good as it gets and I am factoring in Patek Philippe.
    I'm talking about used watches, for new ones the options are much more limited. Check out 1815 and Saxonia, they are very subtle but superb quality and what to say when you see the movement on the back!
    Automatics command a premium over manuals, everything else equal. The advantage of manuals is that you can get to appreciate the finishing of the whole movement while with automatics the rotor covers most of it. There are some with micro rotor but the only one that pops to me head right now would be a Saxonia Langematik.
    Enjoy the search as much as owning it afterwards, whatever it is you end up choosing!
     
  24. Drip_cassanova

    Jan 5, 2020
    8
    Really love the yellow gold Reverso grande date from jlc also has a 8 day power reserve and open caseback Image Unavailable, Please Login


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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