Need watch advice!

[sleepyx637]

Hi all, i'm looking into finally spending more than $200 on a watch. My budget is somewhere around $1500. I'm looking for something not too flashy, but not too boring. I'm 25, and I want a watch that I can wear with a suit, business casual, or jeans. I prefer a watch with a metal bracelet, chronograph and automatic movement. The watch I was looking at, but decided not to get was the Baume & Mercier Capeland 8683 (the bezel was too bubbly).

Does anyone have suggestions for a well regarded brand (I dont know if Baume & Mercier is well regarded) and model? I'm not looking for movados or other fashion watches. I'm looking for something with a reputation closer to IWC, but within my price range. Any suggestions on places to find nice, authentic secondhand watches in Southern California would be appreciated also. Thanks.

 

[mandira]

Hi,

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-BAUME-MERCIE...QQcmdZViewItem
Have a look on this watch , It is with in your price range...


Mandira
herwebshops.com

 

[TCN]

While I like the way some of them look, personally I wouldn't plunk down serious money on a B&M, but that's just me. I'd be more inclined to spend a little time on the Timezone forums and find either a gently used or grey market Omega or IWC in the $1500 range.

You could also find a vintage Rolex Oyster, perhaps a more recent Air King (cheaper to repair), that needs a bit of cosmetic work.

 

[Cantabrigian]

I'd skip B&M - they've never really appealed to me.

For a nice Chrono at a fair price, look at Sinn.

I've thought about a Sinn fairly often - don't know why I haven't picked one up.

 

[millionaire75]

never heard of these before but they look real nice....especially this one:

http://www.watchbuys.com/images/Sinn...tBlackDial.JPG

Have you heard anything about their quality or reputation?

 

[Cantabrigian]

My reading has always been the the movement, while nothing special, is serviceable and sturdy.

Cases are good.

Review of their 756 Chrono
Review of their mechanical dive watches
Review of their military style chrono - along w/ Tutima & Fortis

 

[sleepyx637]

Thanks guys, keep the suggestions coming. I forgot to mention that I want a round watch, not square. Also, I realize that B&M doesn't have the best reputation (anyone know why that is?), and there werent any other designs I liked anyway, so I'll probably shy away from them.

I would love to get a IWC, but price is about double my budget. For the used stuff on timezone, how reliable is that? think there are a lot of fakes floating around in that forum?

 

[farfisa23]

I've bought or sold at least six watches from timezone and have never had a problem. I would post a WTB with what you are looking for to start. There are some amazing deals there, just have to trust and have common sense - an IWC or Rolex at 90% off is going to be a fake or a fraud.

You can also go to watchnet.com, they have a place to ask if anyone has dealt with said seller there.

Also, http://watchseller.stores.yahoo.net/index.html and http://www.authenticwatches.com/ both seem to have good deals on preowned and new respectively. I've never dealt with either.

Watches, like clothing, becomes an obsession, especially when it comes to finding good deals.