Afternoon all,
Having been out of the game for a few years either side of Covid now starting to seriously think about a new purchase.
The whole Rolex ‘circus’ was one reason I dropped out but on balance wasn’t a bad thing to start considering other brands.
A new design ethos and expanded ranges and materials at places like Breitling, Panerai and IWC have caught my eye recently.
Just interested in what the TZ Community thinks is the best watch currently available/attainable for under £10k?
There’s a been a few recently but very taken by this new more wearable 41mm Pilots Chronograph in bronze by IWC.
Also really liking the Breitling Heritage Datora which for £200 over £10k gives you a bit of Patek on the cheap!
Any other suggestions?
P.S. I’m not wedded to chronographs just happen to like these two. Very happy with a diver style watch.
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I think the JLC Polaris Mariner auto is a lovely watch and it's probably what I'd spend my sub-£10k on.
If I had that kind of budget, I'd be drawn to Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Breguet, L.U.Chopard, and Dornblüth as brands to explore further.
A couple of personal favourites -
Totally AgreeOriginally Posted by earlofsodbury
If I had that kind of budget, I'd be drawn to Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Breguet, L.U.Chopard, and Dornblüth as brands to explore further.
A couple of personal favourites -
Have looked at both the Blancpain and GO more than once.
Zenith El Primero has got to worth a look? There are a number of models at, or under, the £10K point.
Had the Bathyscape - fantastic watch and quality wise the best I've owned but lug-lug was a tad too big for me.
I'd go for a GO Panomatic or the Zenith Chronomaster Sport
These are both on my list to try on as potential purchases.Had the Bathyscape - fantastic watch and quality wise the best I've owned but lug-lug was a tad too big for me.
I'd go for a GO Panomatic or the Zenith Chronomaster Sport
Yep don't disagree with the suggestions and I really want to like the Bathyscape but never been able to love the squared off hands and what looks like really small markers.
Overall design is lovely and who can't love a BP but its just not quite there for me.
But hey I've not seen one in the flesh so might pop across the to WE for a look.
How about a variation of a watch that The Prince of Wales wears, a Parmigiana is a true work of art. This one is slightly over budget but what a watch.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275140977...MAAOSwXhZh8m5G
I'd be very tempted by some of the Bulgari Octo Finissimo range. Some of them just look really remarkable.
Another shout for the Blancpain Bathyscaphe.
Breguet Type XX 3800 Aeronavale is surely the thinking mans Daytona?
Lots of nice watches shown , only caveat would be to buy new with large discount or preowned as the value of almost all of those watches sinks like a stone (if that is a concern for you)
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About £2k less than £10k but I recently picked one up and am delighted with it.
Not so much discount scope (yet at least) compared to many Zenith but I think it is worth the asking if Breitling are asking similar for their latest chronos.
Zenith Chronomaster Original
Glashutte Original favourite watch by miles
Zenith Chronomaster sport https://subdial.co/products/zenith-c...rt-chronograph
IWC Pilot in rose gold https://subdial.co/products/iwc-pilo...raph-rose-gold
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms ceramic https://subdial.co/products/blancpai...scaphe-ceramic
The same but in blue https://subdial.co/products/blancpai...scathe-ceramic
Or if you want to push the boat out a bit there is a rose gold one for £13,790 which I think is pick of the bunch https://subdial.co/products/blancpai...rose-gold-43mm
Reading this and it’s mad that £10k is now the benchmark of how much you have to spend to get a watch that’s an alternative to one you want!
I know that’s not how the post is written but …….
It’s like the VW ad, it’s not a golf but it sounds/feels/smells like a golf!
Don’t read it like that at all. Just a thread about nice watches sub 10k.
Also you can get a Chopard Alpine Eagle 41mm discounted to around £10.5k
Breguet Type XX 3800 Aeronavale is surely the thinking mans Daytona?
Horse for courses but that looks like it came out of an egg at a seaside grab machine to me!
This discontinued 40mm Gerald Genta ingenuir
Actually I think if I had 10k to spend I’d go for a private 114060 or if into vintage a 16610 or 14060.
The Blancpains are interesting though, great looking watches. Very tempting.
Owning a 3820, I can assure you it didn’t. I wish the Rolex I own had the same depth of quality in the “small things” like the date wheel font for example.
Whaaaaatttt?
Imagine the best Chrono Omega, Rolex or Breitling make. And then instead of it being made in Switzerland by watchmakers, God made it instead. That's the Breguet Type XX.
Fantastic watch although best on strap not bracelet.
Helps if you like SUPER SHINY of course. I like Breguet but that’s really rather unpleasant on the bracelet imv.
Last edited by Gareth-W; 14th June 2022 at 20:59.
I understand the point and its not unreasonable but I'm lucky to still have a 16710, a Kermit and a Datejust Turn-o-graph so it was just a case of not needing to chase the brand any more and genuinely wanting a different look for the collection.
As to other suggestion I have been a big fan of the Brequet in the past and love the more recent faux vintage version (see link below) but would need a hefty discount and to other points about value retention it will be of interest as you never know in this hobby!
https://www.watches-of-switzerland.c...hoCTuAQAvD_BwE
It’s quite interesting how an ever increasing number of members on this forum seem genuinely fed up with the Rolex song and dance and are moving in a different direction. A slow but noticeable trend - perhaps their strategy is starting to wear thin
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Absolutely!
I'm looking for a decent 3800 as we speak-gorgeous watch but I also prefer it on a strap.
Yep-blue dial Polaris Mariner date is glorious.
Very good call, I’d almost forgotten that was another one I’d spotted over the last couple of years.
I even posted about it 1-2 years asking about possible JLC discounts just before it was launched.
Looks great in this shot…..
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The exam question was "watch you can actually buy" though
The poor guy in Harrods has been trying to flog the same one on bracelet for months know. Has offered it to three people I know.The exam question was "watch you can actually buy" though
Fiftysix on bracelet (4600E/110A-B487)?
I offered to buy one a couple of months ago, Harrods boutique, they wouldn't take my money. I did get a phone call and was told I was on a list, no guarantees, could be years. No attempts at cross-selling.
I can't quite work out what their angle would be on that one. Are you sure about the model?
Last edited by M1011; 15th June 2022 at 02:06.
Sorry the 4600E/000A-B487 which is in blue leather for £10,400 here https://www.vacheron-constantin.com/...000a-b487.html
Maybe ask to speak to Tim in Harrods. In all three cases he was the one who offered it. Two of the times were in May last month.
Ah OK, I guess that makes more sense, the bracelet version is a bit harder to come by apparently. That said, I didn't realise the non-bracelet version was so readily available, tempting.. Tim's the guy I was speaking with, seems a nice chap.
Not sure whether the OP stated style of watch - Diver, Pilot etc?
Divers - Another fan of the Bathyscaphe here - probably one of the last to leave my collection. If the OP can stretch his budget, there's a lovely titanium Fifty Fathoms on SC at the moment for £10.25k.
Definite quality also with the GO divers, should be within budget.
Chronographs - I've always liked the Breguet XX/XX1 range, a great buy pre-owned - again I believe there's one on SC at the moment. Also Zenith 1969 El Primero - 38mm or 42mm
Now looking through the watch box to see what I can let go. Loving the aesthetic of this plus the quality movement.About £2k less than £10k but I recently picked one up and am delighted with it.
Not so much discount scope (yet at least) compared to many Zenith but I think it is worth the asking if Breitling are asking similar for their latest chronos.
Zenith Chronomaster Original
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The GS Omiwatari deserves to be in there somewhere. While light blue and very shiny watches aren't really for me, it looks great from both sides, and in person feels both special, and distinctly modern. And yes, you can actually buy them, I saw one at the weekend. Not cheap, but well within the budget.
This is exactly what I was going to suggest. Looks like a lovely bit of kit. If I had a spare ten grand for a watch, I’d struggle to say no to one. That dial looks stunning.
reviews are questionable 🤨
Great look3 years agoI ordered this watch for my husband birthday and it didn't work. I returned it and ordered another one because my husband liked the look so much. When I got the second watch. It didn't work. To shorten the story I had to have a battery installed.
Twateast · Reviewed on evine.com
One to try first , I had it, didn’t last long with me. Quite big on, no micro adjust either
The JLC Polaris Mariner? It has a small amount of micro adjustment either side of the clasp-about 2mm each side I believe.
sorry you are right it did , but it’s a relatively crude solution compared to glidelock or similar, it didn’t feel special to me for some reason (and I’m a Jlc fan also have an 8 day perpetual calendar)
Lovely watch but as I said one to try on rather than buy blind.
Buy both and alternate the colours!
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
Fifty Fathoms
or a very nice Black Bay Pro and save a lot of money
Ive bought one of those two today…
It's just a matter of time...
There are some very good suggestions and a couple that I don't agree with but it doesn't really matter... just get this, for more reasons than I can be bothered to say. You will not regret it.....
"The whole purpose of mechanical watches is to be impertinent." ~ Lionel a Marca, CEO of Breguet
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