Watch Lovers, I need your help!

Guys, I need an advice from you...

I have to choose a gift from my girlfriend to me. We agreed that it should be a nice wrist watch (woohoo!). So, I have to find a reliable store to buy it online, a place with good prices, and reasonable selection. The price range is 600-700USD.

I am partial to automatic watches, but since I already own one, I think another one would be a chore to maintain, since I don't own a watch winder. So, maybe a mechanical manual wound, or a quartz one, we'll see...

Also, can you please recommend me a good watch forum as well, please?


thanx,
Nenad

http://www.timezone.com/

Do you know which type of environment you want to wear your new watch it? As in, have you thought of the style you're looking for, Day/date? Chronograph? Diverstyle, Pil-Mil style, Dresswatch? Really there are alot of choices you can make, so in my oppinion, the best option is to lead you to places where you can find/see new names/watches.

Personally my next watch will be a pilot homage from either Laco or Steinhart. But I greatly favour pilot and military watches.

If you have the time to browse a bit you can find various links through this site or this site that will lead to some nice watches in that range (and above).
The first one is the English speaking site that I frequent the most, both are watch forums.

Here's pictures of the two watches I spoke of. But as said I don't know what you're looking for and these are valjoux 7750(so not handwound, unless you want to), so this is just really to show some watch porn. First watch is going to be about 765 EUR of which the 19% vat is already included.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...dyzaza/st1.jpg

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...za/861462f.jpg

Wow, Chady, that is exactly the style I favor the most!! My current automatic is the Certina DS Pilot (ETA 2824-2), the non-chrono movement, but the chrono is almost the same as the two watches abowe!. Mine is black, and I was looking maybe beige, or probably another black. My preference is big, military/pilot, leather strap.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/208/5...adc8d320_o.jpg
http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/5821/cimg0524uu8.jpg
I am afraid I don't have much time to search for the links, since my friend is in the states, and she is returning soon, so I need a store with a descent selection, that I can search online...

I was looking at Laco as well, Mido, Oris, Tutima, etc...

Steinhart Watches - exklusive Uhren für Liebhaber - Fliegeruhren, Chronographen
Under Limited edition there's the one with gold covered movement. It comes quite handsomely packaged.

Stowa watches

ARCHIMEDE Collection

Junkers


Those are of the top of my head right now. But there are most assuredly a lot of other brands that make watches like it in that range.

I think Azimuth is a little bit more expensive. And their website sucks so I didn't include them. Hope it helps and maybe others can recall some other names. Most if not all of the actual old models that I've seen have black dials, which is why most of the replica's are that way. But since they all deviate a little (some more than others) from the original design you can possibly find another with a light dial.

Here's some info on the old Luftwaffe pilotwatches and manufactures if anyone is interested.

Pic of the packaged Steinhart LE:

For what you want to spend, if you want a manual wind it will be a Unitas mvmt or an ETA 2801 or 3 probably. In swiss watches look for a Hamilton, Zeno and Oris or look at Christopher Wards Website. Check out Princeton Watches.

Maybe at the high end of your scale, but you might want to look at Tutima. They're great watches.
Tutima Instrument Watches – Official Website

Oh yeah, and +1 on the Oris. Good suggestion Big.

Also, check out Fortis.

Nenad, razors are oh-so-much cheaper than watches. In the price range and watch type that you're talking about, the Russian watches have much to offer... big, aviators, divers, military, instrument watches, and so forth. They're pretty darned good bargains and are reliable. Go to www dot detente watches dot com and shop around for Russian watches (Detente Watches is the distributor for several brands). They have wind-ups and autos, black and colors and all sorts of goodies. If you can spend some more, go to www dot watchbuys dot com and check out the German watches. The mother of all watch-crazies sites is www dot timezone dot com, and you might consider buying used watches from there-- I bought many and have never been screwed on that site, though you'll see that most listings are way higher in price than your budget... still, there are some for $100 and up (be sure to go to the Sales Corner: less than $5,000 watches). Timezone has many good forums (fora) and a good search engine. Sign up there and ask your questions of the watch-crazies. Good luck with your next addiction... .

Bob

Guys, thanx for the recommendations! You really opened my eyes, and refreshed my memory about descent quality watches... I remember lusting about Laco, Stowa, Junkers e.t.c., but with time, forgot about them...

So, I think it will probably be one of the brands you recommended...

Chady, do you know where online can I buy a Laco??

thanx again,



cheers,
Nenad

IMHO there is only one important thing when chosing a watch- who it comes from.

I am very sentimental when it comes to watches. I am from the old school that believes in handing down watches through the generations. I would rather have a watch owned by my grandfather than a new fangled all singing all dancing watch.

For my 21st birthday my parents bought me a watch. Its not flashy or special, but it was they that chose it. It has had to be mended once, which cost more than replacing it new. But like I say, the watch means more to me.

This year for christmas I am buying a mate of mine a watch. He has had a really rough time of it this year, his marriage is on the verge of breakdown and the watch he owns currently was bought for him by his wife. They are currently not on amicable terms. I want to offer him this watch as a symbol that if he does want to drop the watch he has because it reminds him of his marriage then he has something to remind him of his friends.

He is my bestest mate. So yes, watches are a very, very sentimental thing to me. If you want my advice, show your girlfriend all the information you find out and leave the decision entirely up to her.

:o

Sandy

A quick update,

I went with the STOWA brand, Ikarus model, Automatic [2824-2 ETA, blued screws], Rhodium plated dial... I received it yesterday, and I am veeery happy with it.

Many thanx to Chady, for recommending the STOWA brand. I like the history behind the company, and the people at STOWA are real joy to deal with...


cheers,
Nenad