Watch connoisseurs... requesting advice

[Connoisseur]

My wedding's coming up next year and, being Indian, it's tradition for the families to exchange gifts. Rather than the traditional gold bling which I'd never wear in public, my fiancee's family wanted to buy me a really nice watch. I'm completely in support of this and am really excited for my first "high-class" (at least for me) automatic timepiece. I wanted to see if anyone had recommendations on some great watches to consider. For reference:
Price Range: $3k-5k although i'd rather keep it on the lower end of that spectrum as much as possible
Style: I've always been a fan of the Breitling styles. I like those complex "chronometer" style pieces and am not really a fan of the minimalist watches.
Previous Watches: I currently own two citizen eco-drives which I enjoy thoroughly

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

And before someone speaks on the logic of the purchase, they're giving us cash separately for the wedding. By tradition, it's mandatory that they buy an actual gift rather than just giving us money. I'm certainly not a person who pushes for lavish gifts but at least this way I get something really nice that I otherwise wouldn't get for myself.

 

[Broheim]

leather or metal strap? not that it's THAT important just trying to get a feel for the style you like

 

[Connoisseur]

leather or metal strap? not that it's THAT important just trying to get a feel for the style you like

You know I've never owned a leather strap watch. It's always been metal strap. I guess i'd prefer metal.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

If you like Breitlings, look at Breitlings. Personally I am an Omega guy, but that's down to personal preference. Today I am wearing one of these (not my pic):

In terms of chronographs in that price range, the Omega Speedmaster is probably the most iconic (among other things, it enjoys the distinction of being the first watch worn on the moon).

As for a Breitling, I really like the Superocean Heritage.

 

[unixwizzard]

if you can, go for a ceramic strap.. I was recently given a watch, an Android which, by all means is not a high-end watch..

what I like about it is the feel.. it's very light as well. other pluses are not having to deal with a wet leather band in the summer and I don't have the expand/contraction problem I do with metal bands..

 

[Connoisseur]

Don Vito, thanks for the suggestions! I totally forgot about Omegas but i'm definitely a fan of their look too. I'm trying to get a good selection of watches to cross-shop before I pick one. Besides the occasional furtive glance at ads and other peoples' hands, I've never seriously shopped for this level of watch so I don't want to come out with any regrets.

Great suggestions btw.

 

[Connoisseur]

I was reading on the Omega watch and I realized they're manual watches. Are there any suggestions for automatic movement watches? I dunno how i'd feel about manually winding the watch every day. I'm terrible at scheduling.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I was reading on the Omega watch and I realized they're manual watches. Are there any suggestions for automatic movement watches? I dunno how i'd feel about manually winding the watch every day. I'm terrible at scheduling.

The great majority of mechanical watches are automatic. The Speedmaster is available in a manual and an automatic version.

 

[Connoisseur]

The great majority of mechanical watches are automatic. The Speedmaster is available in a manual and an automatic version.

Ahh gotcha. Any suggestions on the best places to purchase them? I understand that these are luxury goods and that I won't be expecting any deep discounts but any recommendations on where to shop for best bang for the buck would be great.

I looked at Tourneau's website but they don't appear to carry Omegas or Breitlings...

 

[ThatsABigOne]

I wanted to say, best of luck on picking a watch that is for you. I am a fan of Tissot and have been wearing my T-tempo everyday for last year and half. I love my watch. Very accurate time for an automatic; +2/-2 secs every day. The wear and tear on the watch is showing, but I will get it refinished in a year or two.

EDIT: Don Vito's Omega Speedmaster is a very good recommendation. It looks elegant and expensive. I would be too afraid to wear it everyday. :/

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Ahh gotcha. Any suggestions on the best places to purchase them? I understand that these are luxury goods and that I won't be expecting any deep discounts but any recommendations on where to shop for best bang for the buck would be great.

I looked at Tourneau's website but they don't appear to carry Omegas or Breitlings...

I think you'll probably find that Tourneau has, or can order, just about anything. Personally I have never bought a high-end watch new, and the only time I had any involvement in the process (exchanging a gift my mom bought me), it was a gray-market watch from authenticwatches.com. I think you'll find that all the authorized dealers probably charge the same prices, though in some cases it may be possible to haggle a bit.

 

[Broheim]

if you shop around you might be able to find a Jaeger LeCoultre master series at the $5k mark (most likely the Master control which is probably not your taste, but hey you might get lucky).

for a new watch in that price range going by list price, you're looking at a Breitling or Omega.

 

[makken]

Hmm, I've always liked the omega speedmasters and zenith el primero chronographs:

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Good call on the Zenith - those are gorgeous and very special watches.

 

[EvilYoda]

Zenith is a nice suggestion, especially now that the company's gotten past the drama and returned to a more traditional design line.

Tag Heuer also makes a few models that might fit your preferences.

And then there's always Rolex...Bell & Ross...IWC...Longines...

Watches are fun.

 

[zerocool84]

I guess I'm in the minority where I don't like metal straps. I love the look of leather straps, looks classier to me.

 

[Connoisseur]

the zenith looks beautiful. However, some research shows that it's waaay beyond my price range.

 

[Born2bwire]

Ahh gotcha. Any suggestions on the best places to purchase them? I understand that these are luxury goods and that I won't be expecting any deep discounts but any recommendations on where to shop for best bang for the buck would be great.

I looked at Tourneau's website but they don't appear to carry Omegas or Breitlings...

I don't like the automatic Speedmaster as much. It's a smaller watch. I think that the coaxial Speedmaster may be automatic while being the same size as the Professional (though probably just outside your price range depending on how good a deal you get). I love my Speedmaster Pro with it's very easy to read dial but there are a lot of different ones in the series that may be closer to what you like. I really like the idea of a Breitling, but I've always found them to be too busy.

 

[OlafSicky]

Get the HMT Sona

 

[Ayrahvon]

I know this is well below your price range, but I have several watches in various price ranges, and the one I always go back to is a leather banded Citizen Eco Drive. I love watches that do not require batteries to be replaced and it seemingly goes with everything I wear.

I personally couldn't justify the price range you're looking at, but as you are receiving it as a gift I think there are plenty of good brands at that range.

I like the Breitlings like another has suggested as well as the Baume & Mercier's. Then again I also prefer a leather band, to each their own.

http://www.amazon.com/Baume-Mercier-...807169&sr=1-75

 

[Connoisseur]

Get the HMT Sona

eww no. Cheap gold plated watch made in india. Nothing about that sentence makes me happy.

 

[jpeyton]

Stop confusing the man. If he likes chronos in the $3k range, the Speedmaster should be his first option.

 

[LegendKiller]

I like my Seamaster Pro, great watch.

One that I really like that has a nice amount of "flash" but doesn't overdo it (like Breitlings) is the Tag Grand Carrera like this one...

http://www.authenticwatches.com/tag-heuer-grand-carrera-cav511b-fc6231.html#.Uly9zGRNaHc

I have wanted that watch for a long time. But alas, I am nearly on my 3rd kid, just bought a house and need to build a 3 season porch. My watch buying has to be put on hold.

 

[Connoisseur]

Stop confusing the man. If he likes chronos in the $3k range, the Speedmaster should be his first option.

I'm going to head over to Tourneau sometime this week and try on the Breitlings and Omegas. I'm seeing the Speedmaster being promoted a lot but I wanted to check out size and fit.

 

[Crono]

If someone were buying me a $5,000 watch, I would want it to be a pocket watch.

If I'm going old school technology, might as well go for an older classic.