Please recommend a watch for my law school graduation present

[gelbergirl]

Raymond Weil
or Cartier Tank
or Concord

[elizat]

Originally Posted by claireZk

What about a Movado with small diamonds? They're professional and unpretentious, but still very nice watches...

I agree w/ this. I've been out of law school a couple years and I normally don't see young lawyers w/ really expensive watches, older yes, but younger not as much. I think it is great that they are paying for Barbri and this is not "fun" suggestion, but I'd do a little lower end watch, like a Movado in price and see if your parents would be willing to put the rest of the money into a high yield savings account as a great emergency fund start.

Bulova and Wittnaeur (I wear this brand) both do some nice watches too at a lower price point.

[kachesle]

Originally Posted by elizat

I agree w/ this. I've been out of law school a couple years and I normally don't see young lawyers w/ really expensive watches, older yes, but younger not as much. I think it is great that they are paying for Barbri and this is not "fun" suggestion, but I'd do a little lower end watch, like a Movado in price and see if your parents would be willing to put the rest of the money into a high yield savings account as a great emergency fund start. Bulova and Wittnaeur (I wear this brand) both do some nice watches too at a lower price point.

Can I ask where you practice? I wonder if this doesn't vary somewhat by geography... I didn't pay too much attention to watches, but it seems like the associates at the firm I worked at last summer in NYC were pretty well-heeled.

The problem is, I'm looking for something I can wear when I'm both young AND old. It's hard to pick out something that you'll want to wear in two decades, but I know that's what my parents would like to get me.

[kachesle]

Originally Posted by gelbergirl

Raymond Weil or Cartier Tank or Concord

Any suggestions on styles from RW and Concord? I tried on this Cartier tank in a local watch store, where they were selling it for $2400: http://www.thewatchery.com/Cartier-W...atch-3461.htm?

I liked it, but it seemed like a lot for a pretty simple watch. For those of you who are watch experts, can you explain what makes a given watch cost a certain amount of money? Is it just the name? The type of crystal?

[chanel-girl]

I would also recommend a pre-owned Rolex since it will last you forever and is a classic. I purchased a Rolex last year as my first nice watch and grad present. (I'm 26) Cartier is also classic, personally I feel the same as you when I tried on the tank. I think it may depend on geography since I have also seen a lot of younger lawyers in NYC who are very well dressed and wear expensive watches. I also like Ebel since I think you do get a great watch for the money. I have bought from the Watchery.com and i was very impressed with them. Movada also has outlets stores and I know that some of their outlets also carry Ebel. Good luck and congrats!

[jan228]

Originally Posted by kachesle

Any suggestions on styles from RW and Concord? I tried on this Cartier tank in a local watch store, where they were selling it for $2400: http://www.thewatchery.com/Cartier-W...atch-3461.htm? I liked it, but it seemed like a lot for a pretty simple watch. For those of you who are watch experts, can you explain what makes a given watch cost a certain amount of money? Is it just the name? The type of crystal?

Brand name, usually. Years ago these watches would have been thousands of dollars less, but with twice annual price increases and such, the prices have increased exponentially for the same product.

Usually if a watch is automatic, the movement will increase the cost, depending on the supply and demand. One movement could cost 50 cents, while another could be $1000. The metals used could also affect cost. While a watch can still be $15k and made from stainless steel, the same watch in gold would be $30k.

There's 2 kinds of crystal: sapphire and mineral. Sapphire is best for most people, as it's scratch resistant. Mineral crystal is not, but it doesn't break as easily as sapphire crystal, so this would be your best choice if you were diving or going rock climbing. I don't think this affects price too much.

Supply and demand is also a factor. It's like buying a popular car-- if you want the big seller, they're not going to give you much of a deal, but if you want something that's been on the lot for too long, they're ready to bargain.

My husband was telling me that when Panerai watches were first authorized for civilian use, they were around $1500-$2000 for the base model (or something like that) in the early 90's. Now the base model sells for $5300. If you had been so lucky as to purchase one of the models from that first year, their market value today (used) is anywhere from $15k-20k. The reason for this is that the company only makes so many watches per year. Think tens of thousands total for the world as compared to Rolex, who produces hundreds of thousands for the world. For rare models, dealers ask for $500-$1000 OVER retail because they were so hard to find.

[elizat]

Originally Posted by kachesle

Can I ask where you practice? I wonder if this doesn't vary somewhat by geography... I didn't pay too much attention to watches, but it seems like the associates at the firm I worked at last summer in NYC were pretty well-heeled. The problem is, I'm looking for something I can wear when I'm both young AND old. It's hard to pick out something that you'll want to wear in two decades, but I know that's what my parents would like to get me.

It does vary by region- I live in FL, which is a world apart from NYC, except for areas maybe like West Palm or parts of Miami. FL is very casual. I do see Rolex and Cartier, but usually on older men 45 and up that work the plaintiff contingency fee side. So, yes, area makes a huge difference w/ things like this. Heck, women in FL don't typically wear hosiery either on a daily basis and that is very different from NYC as well.

[kachesle]

Originally Posted by elizat

It does vary by region- I live in FL, which is a world apart from NYC, except for areas maybe like West Palm or parts of Miami. FL is very casual. I do see Rolex and Cartier, but usually on older men 45 and up that work the plaintiff contingency fee side. So, yes, area makes a huge difference w/ things like this. Heck, women in FL don't typically wear hosiery either on a daily basis and that is very different from NYC as well.

We only wear nylons in court--in D.C., however, it's nylons all the time. Now tights are another matter, but that's because it gets cold up here!

I am clerking for a federal judge after I graduate, though, so I will need to be especially conservative. Suits every day... and probably nylons too.

[missD]

is there a reputable place online to purchase a preown Rolex?

[elizat]

^ Oh, congrats! Maybe pant suits will become your friend, unless you've got a judge that is very traditional and objects. Some of my friends did externships and clerking for state and federal judges and found out that the judges were very old school for women's attire (usually older men). Good luck!

[kachesle]

Originally Posted by elizat

^ Oh, congrats! Maybe pant suits will become your friend, unless you've got a judge that is very traditional and objects. Some of my friends did externships and clerking for state and federal judges and found out that the judges were very old school for women's attire (usually older men). Good luck!

Oh, my judge wouldn't care (I worked for him the summer after my 1L year), but for some reason I have a hard time finding pantsuits I like. I always feel weird wearing the same fabric from head-to-toe... like I'm swaddled in a big blanket or something. It's just a me thing--I'm a skirt suit girl until I find the right pantsuit.

Actually, if I do get a cheaper watch, I might be able to talk my parents into a nice suit as well. Lord knows I'm going to get sick of rotating the same three suits around!

[Zisjen]

Congratulations on your graduation!

When I graduated law school in 2003, I also wanted a watch - specifically, my only "preference" was a watch with a "date" function - I was wearing a Movado Esperanza, and I basically couldn't tell time with it. I wound up seeing the Cartier Tank Francaise Midsize one night procrastinating studying for my bar exam, and fell in love - it had all of the requirements that you named (silver, wear to work, etc). And I wanted a watch that I could wear for a long time to come...a watch that didn't scream a "label", but was quietly understated. And I love it as much today as the day I got it 6 years ago. Granted, when I got it, we didn't pay much more than $2K for it - but it has gone up in price dramatically (I think the midsize is now well over $4K, right...ridiculous). My only Cartier complaint is the maintenance of the watch - I needed a battery replaced in May...and it wound up costing me $400, because the watch was due for service - now, I realize that the service is what keeps the watch running so well, but I kinda feel once you've made a watch purchase of that level, service shouldn't cost so much.

That being said, if the Cartier is out of reach, I think checking out a Movado Factory Store is DEFINITELY a great idea. They have some GORGEOUS watches there (and not only Movado!) that would definitely fit the bill. In fact, you might be able to score a very classic leather strap Movado for a steal and then have enough $ left over if you wanted to get a dressier/diamond watch in addition. Or a suit, etc.

I agree that NY has a tendency to have really young people wearing expensive watches, jewelry, etc. I'm from NY...and I'm a little ashamed that my friends and I kinda fit that stereotype.

Good luck!

[Hokaplan]

I think a Cartier or Rolex would be a fabulous gift. They never go out of style and are beautiful watches. Do you prefer bracelet in stainless or two-tone or leather band? I don't think you could go wrong with either one. An Ebel would be my 3rd choice!

[kachesle]

Originally Posted by Hokaplan

I think a Cartier or Rolex would be a fabulous gift. They never go out of style and are beautiful watches. Do you prefer bracelet in stainless or two-tone or leather band? I don't think you could go wrong with either one. An Ebel would be my 3rd choice!

A bracelet in stainless, definitely. I wear a simple ESQ watch now, similar to this one: http://www.ashford.com/esq-swiss-eve...dial-2855.html (except the blue face of mine is super shiny). I like it, but probably want something a little bit fancier with a more minimal design.

[suzyC]

kachesle, As a lawyer I think the Cartier you posted above is perfect, better than a Rolex unless it's a very understated Rolex. As for thewatchery.com, I have bought some Concord watches there in the last few months and they came with the beautiful Concord wooden boxes and all papers and wouldn't hesitate to buy anything from the site.