Actually, I forgot. . . if it comes shopping for a watch, you'll want to contact VladimirL. He has the hook-up.

 

I love watches! And, I would, respectfully, submit that you shouldn't pay attention to most of the above posts. There are so many great watchmakers out there, and most of the above suggestions are SO typical. Everyone has a Rolex (yawn), Breitling, Omega, Tag Heurer, et al. I say, pick up some watch magazines, surf the net, hit some stores, and educate yourself as to what's out there. Get something unique that you won't see coming and going everyday.

The first "decent" watch I bought was a Baume & Mercier Hampton, and I think it's junk, for whatever that's worth. My wife gave me a Chopard Mille Miglia as a wedding present, and I love it. http://www.thewatchery.com/watches.asp?Gen...le=Mille+Miglia My wife also recently gave me for our 4th anniversary an Armand Nicolet M02 Complete Calendar, and I love it. http://www.proworth.com/index.asp?PageActi...ROD&ProdID=8496 I can't say that I've ever seen someone wearing a Chopard or Armand Nicolet. Oh, and I didn't buy from those sites, so I'm not recommending them. I just linked them for the pics.

I would recommend checking out:

Louis Erard (probably one of the best values out there - get 2 for your budget)
Graham
Martin Braun
Daniel Jean Richard
Maurice Lacroix (a little more common, but a nice watch)
Carl F. Bucherer
Girard Perregaux.

There are a million other brands, including a lot of great ones above your budget. But, check 'em all out and buy what you like best. My $.02 worth. Happy hunting.

 

So if you buy a brand new Rolex, it will increase in value even if its a used unit?

 

um, if you know nothing about watches, why not start with something cheaper?

Do you want an automatic movement, handwind, or battery-powered quartz? Stainless steel, yellow gold, or something flashier? A sports/diving watch or a dress watch? Are you looking to impress other people who know nothing about watches, or are you looking for a finely crafted piece of machinery just to know what's inside? Is durability a factor, or is this for special occasions only? Do you take your current watch off regularly, such as when you wash your car or for a shower, or do you expect your watch to tolerate whatever your hands can tolerate?

I guess if you want to simply spend the money and have something to show off, get a Daytona. But there are so many watches out there that a person can actually find somehing that speaks to them. Some expensive watches are expensive because they are incredibly durable, some are expensive simply because they have expensive jewels stuck to them. Most are somewhere in between.

I have a Hamilton Khaki Action Auto on a metal bracelet that I wear every day, and my job is hardcore tough on my hands. The stainless case has numerous tiny scratches around the crystal, but the sapphire crystal is still flawless. A glass crystal would be scratched/cracked/broken in a day. A synthetic crystal would be scratched, but otherwise intact. It cost somewhere around $300, but it does the job, is maybe a minute off a month, and will never need a battery. It gets thoroughly abused over the past five years, but has never even hiccupped. It's no dress watch, but looks fine with a suit. The display back is slick and fun to look at and show people. The point is, you don't have to spend a ton to get a nice non-quartz watch, depending on what you want.

 

i'd get a panerai.
it makes a bold statement.
you can change the leather bands to match your style.
stainless steel bands are available too.

paneristi.com is a good place to start.

or get a reliable rolex.

forums.timezone.com is another good place for research.

 

been away from internet for a few days. thank you to everyone that has offered advice and opinions. i really enjoy that coming to the internet gives many points of view. to answer a few questions i want a watch for work purposes- I will not expect it to withstand much abuse nor would i plan on wearing it in shower/car wash etc situations. Im 20 and at this point have been moving up in my company (smaller business- do development and land use consulting) to the point where i have an interest in the company by means of stock and distributions. problem i face is that most people I deal with have a sausage head mentality and I have to prove myself to them before I can prove my work to them. I know a watch is not an end all and will not earn respect, but i want to look professional and feel a watch will help with that.

bjohnston the Armand Nicolet Gents MO2 Complete Calendar watch looks nice-thanks for the link.

I will be picking up some mags and/or surfing the web. I think when I narrow my search down to a handfull of watches I will come back and ask opinions.

Thanks everyone

 

My Armand Nicolet is a little different than the one in the pic. It is on a brown strap with an off-white dial and blue hands. The other piece of advice I would offer is not to buy a watch that you haven't seen in person. Seeing/feeling them in the metal makes a big difference, IMO. The Armand Nicolet really is stunning in person. Good luck.

 

no watch is going to change the fact that you are only 20 and just finding out that people's work is more important than what they wear.

Buy a nice watch because you like watches, not because you think people will notice.

 

The Nicolet's have a Patek like flair. I've decided that I won't wear a watch until I get one I'm very happy with and that's going to be a while

 

i fully understand that performance is more important than appearance. my company doesnt advertise, we dont have a website etc. our clients come because we get the job done and perform everything to a high standard. If we dont feel we can perform the task people are looking for up to a standard we're happy with- we dont do the job.

i do like watches. i find them interesting and unique. Just like my car is an extension of my person- i feel a watch would be a nice extension as well.