Help me pick a good starter watch?
- Thread starter lilian
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First of all, congratulations on your soon-to-be graduation! 
I noticed that one of the brands you have been looking at is Cartier. Have you seen the Must 21 or the Pasha? Those are my two favorite models. But looks aside, some other watchmakers you might want to look into are Baume & Mercier, IWC, Raymond Weil, Breitling, Longines, etc. There are many brands within and even below your price range--it all depends on what kind of styles you are interested in! I would just go to a specialized watch shop and just try them on. Sometimes, even if the watch isn't some mechanical masterpiece, if you like it and it looks good on you (and it is known to be reliable/last), it's still worth it. The most important thing before brand, etc. is just finding something you like and will still enjoy in several years. I hope you find your dream watch!
I noticed that one of the brands you have been looking at is Cartier. Have you seen the Must 21 or the Pasha? Those are my two favorite models. But looks aside, some other watchmakers you might want to look into are Baume & Mercier, IWC, Raymond Weil, Breitling, Longines, etc. There are many brands within and even below your price range--it all depends on what kind of styles you are interested in! I would just go to a specialized watch shop and just try them on. Sometimes, even if the watch isn't some mechanical masterpiece, if you like it and it looks good on you (and it is known to be reliable/last), it's still worth it
. The most important thing before brand, etc. is just finding something you like and will still enjoy in several years. I hope you find your dream watch!
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation, lilian! I know it's no small feat and you should be proud 
I hope you don't mind a bit of "flash" because, truth be told, these watches are status timepieces, some of iconic designs (i.e. cartier santos, rolex perpetual) which will draw attention from sophisticated colleagues. Which color/style you choose may help downplay the look-at me-I'm-an-expensive-watch factor. A choice in white metal (and probably not highly polished) is a good start. Traditional styling is another, e.g. tank or round dial. Also, keep the embelishments to a minimum. Personally, I'm partial to rolexes in both traditional and blingy designs 
I don't particularly care if anyone else notices - I simply enjoy wearing them!
I hope you don't mind a bit of "flash" because, truth be told, these watches are status timepieces, some of iconic designs (i.e. cartier santos, rolex perpetual) which will draw attention from sophisticated colleagues. Which color/style you choose may help downplay the look-at me-I'm-an-expensive-watch factor. A choice in white metal (and probably not highly polished) is a good start. Traditional styling is another, e.g. tank or round dial. Also, keep the embelishments to a minimum. Personally, I'm partial to rolexes in both traditional and blingy designs I don't particularly care if anyone else notices - I simply enjoy wearing them!Hi Lilian
I think you would not go very wrong with getting a Santos. Cartier watches (and the other great brands the ladies have mentioned) you will never go wrong with and it really depends how you pull it off!
I know this is adding in a wild card option however, have you looked at theCartier La Dona de Cartier this also comes in steel and would be in your price range. I love the Tanks and the Santos models, however, this gives a little bit of added personality in a watch whilst remaining true to Cartier roots. Another lawyer at work wears this one and she is mid 20's and it looks great on her!
I am a Lawyer and not that much older than yourself, and I have been lucky enough to own a few watches including JLC and Rolex. I would say that I have found my click with Cartier as for me (having a reasonably small wrist for a man) Cartier are not AS bad as other brand with the larger watch phase.
If you could go in and have a look at the La Dona de Cartier it would be great to try it on even if it is just to reinforce your thoughts on another model with Cartier or brand.
I have attached the link (from a website here in the UK) to give you an idea.
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Cartier/La-Dona-de-Cartier-Watches/W6600121-m17145-watch.aspx#
I think you would not go very wrong with getting a Santos. Cartier watches (and the other great brands the ladies have mentioned) you will never go wrong with and it really depends how you pull it off!
I know this is adding in a wild card option however, have you looked at theCartier La Dona de Cartier this also comes in steel and would be in your price range. I love the Tanks and the Santos models, however, this gives a little bit of added personality in a watch whilst remaining true to Cartier roots. Another lawyer at work wears this one and she is mid 20's and it looks great on her!
I am a Lawyer and not that much older than yourself, and I have been lucky enough to own a few watches including JLC and Rolex. I would say that I have found my click with Cartier as for me (having a reasonably small wrist for a man) Cartier are not AS bad as other brand with the larger watch phase.
If you could go in and have a look at the La Dona de Cartier it would be great to try it on even if it is just to reinforce your thoughts on another model with Cartier or brand.
I have attached the link (from a website here in the UK) to give you an idea.
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Cartier/La-Dona-de-Cartier-Watches/W6600121-m17145-watch.aspx#
Omega De Ville, or maybe the Breitling Superoceane Heritage?
You may want to consider practical things like.. if it's illuminated to read in the dark, double gasket feature for waterproofing, more so than eye-catching look.
There's a web site called TimeZone, you may want to check out. Do a search.
You may want to consider practical things like.. if it's illuminated to read in the dark, double gasket feature for waterproofing, more so than eye-catching look.
There's a web site called TimeZone, you may want to check out. Do a search.
Cartier or Rolex are classic and won't go out of style. I have a men's (I like bigger watches) gold & stainless Cartier Tank Francaise, and it goes with everything and is very classic. I don't think it looks too flashy, although I don't often wear it to work. (Today I'm actually wearing a men's Seiko kinetic.)
ITA with this. My husband has a Raymond Weil and an Omega and they are both very nice watches. An Omega Constellation is on my wish list one of these days.
ITA with this. My husband has a Raymond Weil and an Omega and they are both very nice watches. An Omega Constellation is on my wish list one of these days.
If you're buying a designer watch you're likely to get compliments as well as criticism. Most people probably won't notice and if they do they'll probably stay silent. Still, designer watches are fairly conspicuous. Follow Itsabaglove's advice and don't get a bezel with an unorthodox shape (ie Audemars Piguet or the Cartier Ballerine). Also, make sure the bezel's size fits harmoniously in relation to your wrist. And nothing ceramic, neither black nor white, or unnecessary functions on the face. Congrats on graduation!
From what you're already considering I'd say your taste already skews toward the classic. Trust your instincts on this one and you'll pick something to suite you perfectly.
From what you're already considering I'd say your taste already skews toward the classic. Trust your instincts on this one and you'll pick something to suite you perfectly.
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I really like Omega Constellation elegant design (minus the seashell print mother of pearl surface). Aqua Terra? is also nice. I like the one with white leather and the face is solid rose gold, thats why its quite expensive. Abt USD11k+
Rolex has some pretty nice watch too but i dont think the entry level is nice.
Patek phillips might be over budget
Rolex has some pretty nice watch too but i dont think the entry level is nice.
Patek phillips might be over budget
Lilian,
Being late to the party, I hope some advice may help you since unless you graduated in December; you probably havent made a decision. You have asked a great question for which there is no easy answer. The first question you have to answer for yourself will guide your other decisions as you have many fine choices in your price range. That question is what do you want to accomplish with your first quality watch? Do you want something most would recognize as a quality watch or do you want to fly under the radar and have the average person on the street never heard of or appreciate your timepiece? How conservative are you? Do you want a versatile watch or a very dressy watch? This will guide your decision. My advice would be versatile depending on how you answered question #1. If you want the watch a neophyte layman will notice and impress the greatest amount of people, you should get a Rolex of some kind (I would recommend all steel) such as a submariner, explorer, day-date, GMTII or sea dweller in that order (again, get what you like of these, not my preference). Just do not get an air-king. After that, I would recommend an Omega, Breitling or Longines in that type of watch.
If you want a watch that will really fly under the radar, I would take a close look at the Jaeger LeCoultre Master control watches (very conservative) as mentioned by others or possibly a Ulysse Nardin. There are some other great watches that I would place in that category but most will be above your 5k cutoff. Some other choices include Audemars Piquet Royal Oak, Vacheron Constantin or Patek Phillipe if you are willing to spend more (in some cases, much more). Browse online to see your choices, then look in person.
The good news is there are no wrong choices. Pick what fits your personality and your goals. Then enjoy it and wear it and you will notice you will have a quiet inner pride in the fact you wear a 5k+ watch that only 1 in 1000 people will even recognize (depending on your choice). Best of luck.
[FONT="]Bill[/FONT]
Being late to the party, I hope some advice may help you since unless you graduated in December; you probably havent made a decision. You have asked a great question for which there is no easy answer. The first question you have to answer for yourself will guide your other decisions as you have many fine choices in your price range. That question is what do you want to accomplish with your first quality watch? Do you want something most would recognize as a quality watch or do you want to fly under the radar and have the average person on the street never heard of or appreciate your timepiece? How conservative are you? Do you want a versatile watch or a very dressy watch? This will guide your decision. My advice would be versatile depending on how you answered question #1. If you want the watch a neophyte layman will notice and impress the greatest amount of people, you should get a Rolex of some kind (I would recommend all steel) such as a submariner, explorer, day-date, GMTII or sea dweller in that order (again, get what you like of these, not my preference). Just do not get an air-king. After that, I would recommend an Omega, Breitling or Longines in that type of watch.
If you want a watch that will really fly under the radar, I would take a close look at the Jaeger LeCoultre Master control watches (very conservative) as mentioned by others or possibly a Ulysse Nardin. There are some other great watches that I would place in that category but most will be above your 5k cutoff. Some other choices include Audemars Piquet Royal Oak, Vacheron Constantin or Patek Phillipe if you are willing to spend more (in some cases, much more). Browse online to see your choices, then look in person.
The good news is there are no wrong choices. Pick what fits your personality and your goals. Then enjoy it and wear it and you will notice you will have a quiet inner pride in the fact you wear a 5k+ watch that only 1 in 1000 people will even recognize (depending on your choice). Best of luck.
[FONT="]Bill[/FONT]