I was going to say if you're spending that much you want her to have what she really wants so make sure she can exchange it if what you select isn't her perfect choice
Help me buy my wife a watch!
- Thread starter cliresga
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I like this strategy best! I'm typically not a fan of receiving expensive surprise gifts. Perhaps make a short list of watches you think she'd favor, print out pics, fold up and wrap in a beautiful box, along with an itinerary for a lovely day out together to browse choices and have lunch at a favorite spot where you can mull the options. I'd be thrilled with this!
Keep us posted!
Yeah, I'm not at the point where I've actually gone out to a jewelry store to find out what the ordering and return policies are for these watches. So used to ordering stuff from Amazon I"m out of practice! But this will require a face to face interaction, and as I mentioned, any thought of me surprising her would necessitate the ability for her to exchange it if she doesn't approve of my choice. If that were not possible, I'd have to dispense with the surprise element.
Gourmetgal and tarheelap: love both of your suggestions too! This is getting harder, not easier
Yeah, I'm not at the point where I've actually gone out to a jewelry store to find out what the ordering and return policies are for these watches. So used to ordering stuff from Amazon I"m out of practice! But this will require a face to face interaction, and as I mentioned, any thought of me surprising her would necessitate the ability for her to exchange it if she doesn't approve of my choice. If that were not possible, I'd have to dispense with the surprise element.
Gourmetgal and tarheelap: love both of your suggestions too! This is getting harder, not easier
I would definitely get her a full gold Rolex datejust.
If you want to surprise her but also wish to be on the safe side of things, how about make an appointment with the jewellery store, ask them to prepare several watches you've chosen, then take your wife into the jewellery store as "a surprise"?
She can then try on those watches and see them herself.
YES, this! That would be my dream watch choice. What a lucky lady whatever you get her!
I will come out and vote against the Rolex. Yes, it's exceedingly popular and deservedly so, but there are so many other wonderful watch brands that are also worthy of attention. The JLC Reverso (or the Rendez vous) would get my vote, along with the PP Twenty~4. I would also suggest an Omega Constellation, but only if she likes smaller watches, it doesn't come in larger variations, AFAIK. The Cartier BB is also a good choice.
I actually prefer the Rendez Vous to the Reverso, but to each his own: https://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/ch/en/watches/rendez-vous/rendez-vous-night-and-day/3468130.html also comes in a larger version https://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/ch...rendez-vous-night-and-day-medium/3448130.html
A much less expensive choice but still quite elegant is the Ebel Wave, especially in the steel/red gold and diamonds. In support of the Wave, I can relate the story of a couple that came to visit us in Switzerland a couple of years ago. They are very wealthy and social (owning beautiful homes in Scottsdale, on the Main Line, and Cape May). The husband wanted to buy his wife a watch as a Swiss souvenir and gave her whatever budget she wanted. They shopped at Bucherer and Gübelin in Luzern and looked at several brands. She almost bought an Omega, then a Cartier, but decided she liked the Ebel with diamonds best. She gets tons of compliments on it and questions about where she bought it. http://www.ebel.com/us/en/shop-watches/ebel-wave-1216325.html only $3600, so you could also buy her a second piece of jewelry or fly first class to a birthday getaway at a five-star hotel and give the watch to her over dinner and champagne at a Michelin starred restaurant
I actually prefer the Rendez Vous to the Reverso, but to each his own: https://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/ch/en/watches/rendez-vous/rendez-vous-night-and-day/3468130.html also comes in a larger version https://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/ch...rendez-vous-night-and-day-medium/3448130.html
A much less expensive choice but still quite elegant is the Ebel Wave, especially in the steel/red gold and diamonds. In support of the Wave, I can relate the story of a couple that came to visit us in Switzerland a couple of years ago. They are very wealthy and social (owning beautiful homes in Scottsdale, on the Main Line, and Cape May). The husband wanted to buy his wife a watch as a Swiss souvenir and gave her whatever budget she wanted. They shopped at Bucherer and Gübelin in Luzern and looked at several brands. She almost bought an Omega, then a Cartier, but decided she liked the Ebel with diamonds best. She gets tons of compliments on it and questions about where she bought it. http://www.ebel.com/us/en/shop-watches/ebel-wave-1216325.html only $3600, so you could also buy her a second piece of jewelry or fly first class to a birthday getaway at a five-star hotel and give the watch to her over dinner and champagne at a Michelin starred restaurant
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I’m partial to the Cartier Panthere in gold. To me it’s timeless and goes with everything. It also comes in other metals in case gold isn’t her thing, and you can pick a style with diamonds if you want some bling.
I agree that Rolexes are ubiquitous (and often faked), which is why I wouldn’t want one. Another line to consider is Patek Phillipe.
I agree that Rolexes are ubiquitous (and often faked), which is why I wouldn’t want one. Another line to consider is Patek Phillipe.
My husband involves me in the progress of buying a big ticket item as he hates the exchange or refund process. I think it would be lovely to surprise your wife by telling her what you have in mind in a nice card and then start the shopping process together. There are lovers and haters of Rolex, major reason why everyone gets one is because they are such a classic, international warranty which is available in many cities and countries, superb resale value -you can literally get the same price back for what you’ve purchased years ago, the prices keeps increasing and it’s a great first luxury watch. She can then progress to other brand like Patek Philip etc.
Agree. I would 10000% prefer a good Swiss “big lady” watch over a modern Rolex which to me is too cliche. With their aggressive marketing, they turned into an expensive mass market. And I don’t like mass market items
P.S. that was a reply for Passerine123, somehow the quote did not attach
P.S. that was a reply for Passerine123, somehow the quote did not attach
Actually, on reflection, it's hard to make a useful recommendation without knowing the lady in question or her taste...does she wear only white gold, for example, or just yellow or rose gold, or does she mix metals? Does her taste in watches or jewelry in general run to more formal or more casual/sporty? Would she want something she could wear on a semi-formal occasion (dinner out at fine restaurant) as well as for everyday? Does she prefer round or square/rectangle watch faces? Does she like a leather or metal bracelet? Does she want a watch with a second hand? With or without dates? (I don't like watches with dates on them, the dates bug me, and I have no good reason to explain why, but I do prefer a second hand if I can get one).
Does she like having jewelry that's different from what everybody else is wearing or does she go with trends (and NO judgment intended either way, just trying to identify personal preference)
I agree that the Panthere is a beautiful watch and I would love it if my husband gave me one (rose gold with diamonds please
). And if I had the budget for it, this is the watch I'd buy, from a brand nobody has suggested so far, I really love this one: https://www.dior.com/fr_fr/products...ement-automatique-calibre-dior-inverse-11-1-2
I highly recommend the OP take into account his wife's choice of jewelry metals as well as her preference in watch styles and bracelets. If he can come back to us with those, we could give more targeted suggestions.
Does she like having jewelry that's different from what everybody else is wearing or does she go with trends (and NO judgment intended either way, just trying to identify personal preference)
I agree that the Panthere is a beautiful watch and I would love it if my husband gave me one (rose gold with diamonds please
). And if I had the budget for it, this is the watch I'd buy, from a brand nobody has suggested so far, I really love this one: https://www.dior.com/fr_fr/products...ement-automatique-calibre-dior-inverse-11-1-2I highly recommend the OP take into account his wife's choice of jewelry metals as well as her preference in watch styles and bracelets. If he can come back to us with those, we could give more targeted suggestions.
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My vote gets the Omega ladymatic, which was also already mentioned.
Many versions (two tone, leather, etc.) to choose from and it has a glass bottom where you can see the movement. A little detail that I like very much.
Overall, it is beautiful, classic, though unique, not on every wrist like a Rolex.
Plus the movement is also worth it, if you like the mechanical things behind a watch.
Many versions (two tone, leather, etc.) to choose from and it has a glass bottom where you can see the movement. A little detail that I like very much.
Overall, it is beautiful, classic, though unique, not on every wrist like a Rolex.
Plus the movement is also worth it, if you like the mechanical things behind a watch.
