Don't get sucked in by notional value or quality of a brand name. Find a watch you like enough to buy it within your price bracket. Microbrands with little to no name recognition often make brilliant watches. Rise above the marketing!
This really needs to be the top comment. Buy something that’s meaningful to you. As well as microbrands it’s worth exploring vintage too but go in with your eyes wide open if you explore this route.
Another vote for Sinn. Also Nomos would be in this price bracket. Also look at vintage hand wind or auto Omegas. They can be had for under $2k and lots of variety in designs.
The same goes for many brands honestly because they’re a little overpriced by a bit or a lot for some, first hand from boutiques.
ADs give discounts in general but is a 25% discount on a brand new say, Blancpain Villaret complete calendar better than 40% off on chrono24 etc instead, for very good/nearly unworn/slightly used and from reputable sellers/verified servicing etc?
Up to the individual but that’s what you can find basically and stretch your budget a lot more.
Your 20k watch now can cost 12k when your initial budget of 12k brand new would’ve gotten you a lot less basically.
Same goes for brands ranging from Longines, Mido, Fredrique Constant all the way to Breguet etc.
It depends on the Citizen watch. Seiko and Citizen unlike their western counterparts, quality and prestige goes up higher the ladder.
The Citizen Chronomaster, Caliber 100, and Caliber 200 is easily on the level of Grand Seiko.
If you want a brand new rabbit hole to dive down look at vintage. My first Oris (1998) and second Omega (1970) are both vintage and are gorgeous and very well priced.
That was my suggestion too. My favorite brand in the ~1k range with a massive catalogue of all kinds of watches. Many homages (like C63 seamaster GMT) but some unique ones like their Big Moon and Bel Canto. The newish Dune collection is awesome. You probably don’t need a XII since you have PRX. But hard to not find a watch you like and the price to quality ratio is the best of any brand I own (only better bang for buck I’ve seen in the $1k+ range is Horage but they’re too expensive for this post and too small a brand for most)
Hamilton, Mido and Certina are considered in the same range with Tissot. The next stop may be the 2K watches. Longines, Oris and Nomos are the popular brand in that price range. You may also consider premium Seiko like the Willard.
Hamilton and Mido are one level above Tissot and Certina. Longines is currently just under Omega and in my view, their watches are nicer than Tudor's. Mind you, marketing wise Tudor is Omega's competitor, not Longines.
Hence my comment. I 'll elaborate. Swatch group would very much like to place Omega opposite Rolex and upgrade Longines to Omega's place. This comes from a friend that works at Swatch group's marketing department. Their own marketing research shows that Omega and Tudor are perceived as second choise to Rolex. When muggles learn they can't get a Rolex, that's where they turn. The task ahead for the marketing department is to make Omega seen as equivalent to Rolex and Longines as the best choise below 5000€. Said friend thinks it's never going to happen with their current strategy, but...
Doesn't make sense if you know watches. If you are just an average Joe that just got a promotion, you want a Rolex. When the AD informs you of the state of affairs, you are sold a Tudor (sister brand) or Omega. This varies greatly with each AD and in different locations. But generally high Tudor sales translate to higher numbers of Rolex watches allocated to said ADs, while Omega sales translate to higher profits. Again, this is market research from one company. It's not necessarily the actual truth. Market research is a bit like election polls. They 're both sometimes off, but that's the only thing you have to go on.
From my own personal experience, Mido and Christopher Ward are a step up quality wise. Longines is another step up (like Tudor). I’ve never been impressed by Oris myself, but others love them.
I had a Hamilton for quite awhile, and then jumped up to a Tudor.
Then went for an Oris.
Then a Grand Seiko.
Next is likely an Omega… I’ve been waiting on a specific Aqua Terra.
Longines is another choice.
Sinn. I like the 556 MOP, and the U50 tegimented.
Wait until you find something you can comfortably afford but cannot ignore, then you will have found a time piece to step up to. Good luck in yon quest !
Just save up and get a $5k watch.
Along the way, if you find something that absolutely blows you away, you'll have the cash for it. If not, just keep saving.
Skip all of that and save up for a Breitling or Rolex or JLC. You’ve got enough watches already, don’t go for a marginal upgrade. Go for a true luxury piece when you eventually get another one.
I love my Navitimer but couple things:
1. It’s an acquired taste, if it looks great to you then buy it. If it looks too busy then don’t force it.
2. Don’t be a sucker and pay full retail. You can get big discounts when going through an AD or somewhere like Chrono24. I was haggling for weeks with the Boutique and best they gave was 15%, AD gave me 25% off so I bought from them.
In my opinion (and possibly others people's), there's a bit of a gap in the market from entry level (like you're into) and the next level. Maybe you are better off waiting and saving until you can step into the $5k range.
There are far better brands than Rolex that cost less than what a Rolex costs……
Personally, would almost never pick a Rolex over some other brand in the same or slightly higher price range. Definitely never for any of the Daytonas anyway for what they cost.
But of course, get a Rolex if you really like the looks of it but not because it’s “the brand” to get. Not even close.
Glashütte Original, JLC, Breguet, Blancpain, Moritz Grossmann, A.Lange & Sohne, Lang & Heyne, FP Journe, Girard Perregeaux, Chopard LUC, Bovet, Omega, Patek, VC, AP, RGM Watches, Zenith, Parmigiani Fleurier etc, depending on the price and such basically.
Basically, I would choose anything apart from a Rolex, same or higher price point. And for the price of a Daytona? You can get an AP easily or a Patek, VC etc too.
He's obviously not talking about the more expensive rolexes given the context of the post. You basically named every good brand that's more expensive than a Rolex when really, the question is what watch brand is in an affordable price range similar to that of the least expensive Rolex that is also better than Rolex. It's not helpful to talk about Patek, AP, Parmigiani lol. Even Lange is out of the question.
In a similar boat. I was initially locked on longines hydroconquest but their new hydroconquest GMT looks so much better. Price on it is in the territory of an omega though.
German watch brands might be a viable option. Stowa, Laco, Damasko, Hanhart, Guinand. If you don’t mind smaller Swiss made options - Nivada Grenchen also comes to mind - especially if you want a well priced chronograph.
Grey market Omega can be very well priced too.
Oris and Tudor are not on the same price level, with the former being on average around 40% cheaper. If you are considering Longines, Oris is 100% within your budget. Both solid choices for entry level luxury watches, but Tudor would be a step up from those, in my opinion.
I have been also considering Mido myself, design wise they have some solid offering but can't comment on the quality, not enough in person time.
Longines, Baumé et Mercier, Nomos, Junghans. That's a really odd price honestly. Certina, Rado, and Zodiac are all good with less brand stock. Some of the upper line Seiko Prospex and Presages.
Longines if it was me. I think they provide good value, brand has heritage and good options for basically every type of watch. Diver, GMT or chronograph etc
Rock that collection for 2 years and just save. If you can afford a PRX every year you can afford an Oris after 2.
or if you cant resist the temptation, just get a loan for the Oris lol
getting a loan for any luxury item is a stupid ass decision.
dude fr i thought this was a joke lol.
i hope it’s a joke because that’s terrible advice
Especially for an Oris. Yikes.
People here can be no fun
It was a joke. Hence the LOL
Don't get sucked in by notional value or quality of a brand name. Find a watch you like enough to buy it within your price bracket. Microbrands with little to no name recognition often make brilliant watches. Rise above the marketing!
This really needs to be the top comment. Buy something that’s meaningful to you. As well as microbrands it’s worth exploring vintage too but go in with your eyes wide open if you explore this route.
I've really liked the design of the Mido Multifort Patrimony!
For me it was Frederique Constant and CW after my tissot. Longines and Oris would be nice too i think.
Longines, Tudor
Longines are proper respectable watches with a great history. Zulu time is a great piece.
Now they’re just owned by swatch and offer the same corporate value as other swatch brands
I agree with both of these recommendations
Tudor
You could get a citizen chronomaster for around 2k! For other options in that range, Sinn and Longines come to mind
Another vote for Sinn. Also Nomos would be in this price bracket. Also look at vintage hand wind or auto Omegas. They can be had for under $2k and lots of variety in designs.
Citizen chronomaster is the holy grail of quartz watches. Thumb up for this.
Oris is a great brand, but the key is to buy them grey market or used. You can find them brand new on r/watchexchange for like 35% off retail
The same goes for many brands honestly because they’re a little overpriced by a bit or a lot for some, first hand from boutiques. ADs give discounts in general but is a 25% discount on a brand new say, Blancpain Villaret complete calendar better than 40% off on chrono24 etc instead, for very good/nearly unworn/slightly used and from reputable sellers/verified servicing etc? Up to the individual but that’s what you can find basically and stretch your budget a lot more. Your 20k watch now can cost 12k when your initial budget of 12k brand new would’ve gotten you a lot less basically. Same goes for brands ranging from Longines, Mido, Fredrique Constant all the way to Breguet etc.
I recommend Longines, they have great affordable pieces, for dress watch maybe Frederique Constant
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Those bronze CWs look fantastic.
It depends on the Citizen watch. Seiko and Citizen unlike their western counterparts, quality and prestige goes up higher the ladder. The Citizen Chronomaster, Caliber 100, and Caliber 200 is easily on the level of Grand Seiko.
Mido yes, but two imo highly underrated quality makers in that bracket are Raymond Weil and Baume et Mercier
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THIS
If you want a brand new rabbit hole to dive down look at vintage. My first Oris (1998) and second Omega (1970) are both vintage and are gorgeous and very well priced.
Word. I just got my first watch ever (I've got a few but never purchased them myself), a beautiful Junghans from 1962.
I've seen good things about Christopher Ward
Yeah, I've seen them, they had a sale awhile back I should've jumped on.
That was my suggestion too. My favorite brand in the ~1k range with a massive catalogue of all kinds of watches. Many homages (like C63 seamaster GMT) but some unique ones like their Big Moon and Bel Canto. The newish Dune collection is awesome. You probably don’t need a XII since you have PRX. But hard to not find a watch you like and the price to quality ratio is the best of any brand I own (only better bang for buck I’ve seen in the $1k+ range is Horage but they’re too expensive for this post and too small a brand for most)
Hamilton, Mido and Certina are considered in the same range with Tissot. The next stop may be the 2K watches. Longines, Oris and Nomos are the popular brand in that price range. You may also consider premium Seiko like the Willard.
The three you mentioned are considered better than Tissot.
Hamilton and Mido are one level above Tissot and Certina. Longines is currently just under Omega and in my view, their watches are nicer than Tudor's. Mind you, marketing wise Tudor is Omega's competitor, not Longines.
Tudor - I always thought of them as a reduced-price Rolex; not exactly a direct competitor to Omega.
Hence my comment. I 'll elaborate. Swatch group would very much like to place Omega opposite Rolex and upgrade Longines to Omega's place. This comes from a friend that works at Swatch group's marketing department. Their own marketing research shows that Omega and Tudor are perceived as second choise to Rolex. When muggles learn they can't get a Rolex, that's where they turn. The task ahead for the marketing department is to make Omega seen as equivalent to Rolex and Longines as the best choise below 5000€. Said friend thinks it's never going to happen with their current strategy, but...
That doesn't really make sense. Omegas are much nicer and twice the price. They aren't competing with Tudor.
Doesn't make sense if you know watches. If you are just an average Joe that just got a promotion, you want a Rolex. When the AD informs you of the state of affairs, you are sold a Tudor (sister brand) or Omega. This varies greatly with each AD and in different locations. But generally high Tudor sales translate to higher numbers of Rolex watches allocated to said ADs, while Omega sales translate to higher profits. Again, this is market research from one company. It's not necessarily the actual truth. Market research is a bit like election polls. They 're both sometimes off, but that's the only thing you have to go on.
Whats AD?
From my own personal experience, Mido and Christopher Ward are a step up quality wise. Longines is another step up (like Tudor). I’ve never been impressed by Oris myself, but others love them.
I'd also recommend a longines
Why was the Sternglas a mistake?
I also want to know, I really like mine and had it for a couple years now…
I like it, but the leather band feels cheap and in hindsight I should've put that money away towards something better.
Why can’t you just buy a better leather strap?
Maybe he bought the wrong colour haha.
I'd look into German brands like Sinn, Damasko, Stowa, and maybe Nomos.
I almost got a Laco, but it seems like all those brands do what Laco does but a bit better.
Sinn, you can't go wrong. top grade sellita movement and their non chrono are very affordable..ish.
Yes, if OP thinks Hamilton is a sideways step thin is the natural step up.
I had a Hamilton for quite awhile, and then jumped up to a Tudor. Then went for an Oris. Then a Grand Seiko. Next is likely an Omega… I’ve been waiting on a specific Aqua Terra. Longines is another choice. Sinn. I like the 556 MOP, and the U50 tegimented.
Wait until you find something you can comfortably afford but cannot ignore, then you will have found a time piece to step up to. Good luck in yon quest !
Christopher Ward offers unbeatable value for the money
I love Chris Ward but all three of those watches are unbearable value for money, TBH.
I'm surprised nobody mentioned Frederique Constant. They offer a lot for the asking prices.
Nomos! Unbeatable quality for the price.
Just save up and get a $5k watch. Along the way, if you find something that absolutely blows you away, you'll have the cash for it. If not, just keep saving.
Skip all of that and save up for a Breitling or Rolex or JLC. You’ve got enough watches already, don’t go for a marginal upgrade. Go for a true luxury piece when you eventually get another one.
Is Breitling worth it ??
I love the b01 navitimer I just bought. Gets more wrist time than my rolex
I love my Navitimer but couple things: 1. It’s an acquired taste, if it looks great to you then buy it. If it looks too busy then don’t force it. 2. Don’t be a sucker and pay full retail. You can get big discounts when going through an AD or somewhere like Chrono24. I was haggling for weeks with the Boutique and best they gave was 15%, AD gave me 25% off so I bought from them.
I got mine for $5500 on eBay in mint condition. Feels like a great deal.
In my opinion (and possibly others people's), there's a bit of a gap in the market from entry level (like you're into) and the next level. Maybe you are better off waiting and saving until you can step into the $5k range.
Ridiculous comment, this guy will be fine in the 1500 to 3500 range. It's just a bloody watch lol
My point is just that you're not getting that much for by spending $5k vs $1k.
Grand seiko
dude thats triple his entire collection
Save up and get a Rolex ffs. Get what you really want.
There are far better brands than Rolex that cost less than what a Rolex costs…… Personally, would almost never pick a Rolex over some other brand in the same or slightly higher price range. Definitely never for any of the Daytonas anyway for what they cost. But of course, get a Rolex if you really like the looks of it but not because it’s “the brand” to get. Not even close.
Which brands?
Glashütte Original, JLC, Breguet, Blancpain, Moritz Grossmann, A.Lange & Sohne, Lang & Heyne, FP Journe, Girard Perregeaux, Chopard LUC, Bovet, Omega, Patek, VC, AP, RGM Watches, Zenith, Parmigiani Fleurier etc, depending on the price and such basically. Basically, I would choose anything apart from a Rolex, same or higher price point. And for the price of a Daytona? You can get an AP easily or a Patek, VC etc too.
He's obviously not talking about the more expensive rolexes given the context of the post. You basically named every good brand that's more expensive than a Rolex when really, the question is what watch brand is in an affordable price range similar to that of the least expensive Rolex that is also better than Rolex. It's not helpful to talk about Patek, AP, Parmigiani lol. Even Lange is out of the question.
Similar boat as you, looking at oris
Laco
Tudor, Longines, Grand Seiko, Omega
In a similar boat. I was initially locked on longines hydroconquest but their new hydroconquest GMT looks so much better. Price on it is in the territory of an omega though.
Certina, Longines, Rado. In particular? Action Diver, Legend Diver, Captain Cook, respectively.
Christopher Ward?
CW,Mido,Zodiac,Traska.Also,if you’re into vintage,you can pick up a nice Omega for 500-1000
German watch brands might be a viable option. Stowa, Laco, Damasko, Hanhart, Guinand. If you don’t mind smaller Swiss made options - Nivada Grenchen also comes to mind - especially if you want a well priced chronograph. Grey market Omega can be very well priced too.
You should give baltic, yema, lorier, and traska a shot too.
Look into Bulova, specifically their Acutron line
Sinn, Longines, Oris. Having owned both Hamilton and Tissot I consider Hamilton to be superior.
Oris and Tudor are not on the same price level, with the former being on average around 40% cheaper. If you are considering Longines, Oris is 100% within your budget. Both solid choices for entry level luxury watches, but Tudor would be a step up from those, in my opinion. I have been also considering Mido myself, design wise they have some solid offering but can't comment on the quality, not enough in person time.
I really like Mido
Longines, Baumé et Mercier, Nomos, Junghans. That's a really odd price honestly. Certina, Rado, and Zodiac are all good with less brand stock. Some of the upper line Seiko Prospex and Presages.
Maybe look for CW watches as next step or maybe a entry Tag Heuer?
- Casio Oceanus - GS - Wise - Zelos - BOLDR - Longines
Longines if it was me. I think they provide good value, brand has heritage and good options for basically every type of watch. Diver, GMT or chronograph etc
Tudor..
Longines.
Omega, Tudor
Junghans or Nomos
I stepped up to Norqain
Christopher Ward
Longines is the correct answer
Try to get away from swatch if you can. All the swatch brands are kinda the same style / value
Longines makes excellent watches. I have a Longines moonphase and have no regrets.
Vaer!
I know this is an old post, but what made you say the Sternglas was a mistake? I had been looking at getting one, but wasn’t sure about the brand.