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 -
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
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!
Also you can get a Chopard Alpine Eagle 41mm discounted to around £10.5k
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.
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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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.
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.
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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.
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
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...
"The whole purpose of mechanical watches is to be impertinent." ~ Lionel a Marca, CEO of Breguet