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Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 9:57 pm
by CW257
Hi all

I’m looking to treat myself towards the end of the year with what would be my most expensive purchase to date - around the £1500 mark.

I’m curious as to what brands you guys would consider for that budget. So far I’ve looked into the ‘usual suspects’, the likes of Longines, Tissot, Oris, Seiko, Hamilton, Frederique Constant, and of course Christopher Ward.

Are there any others I’m missing, in your opinion?

If it helps, I’m looking for something more on the dressier side, rather than anything sporty, and new rather than risking my dough on the used market. It’s also quite a carefully considered budget in terms of what I’m comfortable spending on a watch. I’m not in the “keep saving until you have Omega/Breitling/Rolex” money headspace at this stage in my life.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Re: Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 10:03 pm
by Amor Vincit Omnia

Re: Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 10:04 pm
by magicman
How about Tudor ?
Probably not on everyone's radar at this price point, but certainly a decent option in my opinion.

Regards Steve

https://www.tudorwatch.com/en/watches/1926/m91650-0012

Re: Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 10:45 pm
by JAFO
Personally I would look at Jomashop to get an idea of what could be had for that sort of money. Assuming you are in the UK, budget for 20% VAT, but don't prepay it as occasionally RM miss it, and it's probably cheaper to pay the VAT in the UK anyway. There's a good assortment of the brands you mention. Of course you take a slight risk with the warranty, but in my experience the saving is more than enough to compensate.

Re: Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 11:19 pm
by Victor88
magicman wrote: Wed Apr 07, 2021 10:04 pm How about Tudor ?
Probably not on everyone's radar at this price point, but certainly a decent option in my opinion.

Regards Steve

https://www.tudorwatch.com/en/watches/1926/m91650-0012
Second Tudor. The Royal starts around £1700 if the style appeals to you.

Sinn is another candidate. Their tool watches get all the press but their Classic collection has some options around this pricepoint https://www.sinn.de/en/Modell/1739_St_I_S.htm

Re: Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 11:39 pm
by gwells
a couple of other brands to consider that have watches inside that range.

Junghans
Sinn (there are a few that are "slightly" dressy, depending on how far you push that definition, like my 556i blue with raised indices)

Re: Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 11:48 pm
by Soporsche
There are so many even if the original RRP was beyond, sales/deals are frequent. As you say, Oris are great and in range, Longines have some nice pieces. Farer for leftfield, Damasko depending on style you are interested in. Also some attractive Tudors can be had for the budget esp when deals to be had.

Mainstream or open to smaller independent brand?
Movement preference?

Re: Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 12:11 am
by Bahnstormer_vRS
How about taking a look around the Forum's list of Watch Brands you might find something of interest.

Guy

Sent from my Xperia 5 using Tapatalk


Re: Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 12:20 am
by jtc
Don't write off the used market - £1500 sits quite awkwardly as a new only budget; consider letting someone else take the value hit, especially if you're looking for dressier watches that a) are generally less popular and b) will probably have been worn less than other sports/diver etc types.

Re: Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:58 am
by Lavaine
magicman wrote: Wed Apr 07, 2021 10:04 pm How about Tudor ?
Probably not on everyone's radar at this price point, but certainly a decent option in my opinion.

Regards Steve

https://www.tudorwatch.com/en/watches/1926/m91650-0012
The 1926 was the first thing I thought of for 'dressier' at this price point. Seiko Presage is another solid choice. 1500 might even buy a used GS quartz.

Re: Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 4:44 am
by tikkathree
jtc wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 12:20 am Don't write off the used market - £1500 sits quite awkwardly as a new only budget; consider letting someone else take the value hit, especially if you're looking for dressier watches that a) are generally less popular and b) will probably have been worn less than other sports/diver etc types.
Agreed: my first thought followed shortly by realising how little I actually know about this price point for new watches and even less about dress watches. Other than a sneaky interest which has never gone beyond "ooh nice!" for this:
Junghans Chronoscope Max Bill https://ebay.us/iGnF8P
Image

It's your call but what about pre-owned?

Re: Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 6:22 am
by watchaholic
With CW being an obvious value choice let me throw this one in. Straddles the line between dress and sport, great all around piece. I have NO affiliation with the seller.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Christopher-Wa ... 890.l49286

Re: Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 7:03 am
by Gar787
C90 Becketts (White face) on the Forum sales board takes some beating when it comes to value for money. I have no affiliation with the seller but I do think it’s a belter.👍 Also there is a nice Tudor BB41 on the sales forum which is well worth the £1500 being asked for. Again, no affiliation with the seller but what I will say is, be it watches or straps, anything that I have purchased on this forum has been in great condition and the members are top notch when it comes to ‘customer care.’ Good luck.

Re: Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 7:09 am
by Amor Vincit Omnia
MeisterSinger. There’s a good selection here within your budget.

Re: Brands to consider on a £1500 budget

Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 7:17 am
by StrappedUp
I second AVOs Nomos suggestion assuming you don't need to worry too much about WR.
They do have waterproof models, but they're generally more than the (healthy) budget available.

You should be able to find a Nomos with the sapphire caseback which would perhaps make it that little bit more special.
They have some lovely looking in-house movements, without eye-watering service costs.
I should mention that I have one and am therefore slightly biased :D

As jtc also suggested, perhaps give some more thought before dismissing pre-owned. Maybe just limit your search to watches that still carry part of the manufacturer's warranty?
Either way, I'm sure the forum will be on hand to help out were possible.