quote:Originally posted by mangiare:
I'm officially in the market for my first "serious" watch. The three that I really like so far are:
1. Panerai Radiomir 8 Day Pink Gold PAM197 (or white gold - just haven't seen one yet)
2. IWC Portuguese Automatic White Gold - its got an awesome grey dial that is contemporary yet timeless.
3. Patek Nautilus - tried all three watches on and this is the one I liked the least on my wrist. Kinda surprising but I have just started the process and in no rush.
Any Toronto gents have any recommendations? I'm also going to be in Nassau in September and S. Korea in October for a wedding if anyone has any purchase advice? TIA
The Pam197 is a really nice watch and has a JLC movement which is a huge plus in my books. It’s a very comfortable watch, understated and will hold its value. Can go with anything as well from casual polo shirt to suit.
I’m not a huge fan of the IWC, especially in white gold as you’re really paying for a material only you know is there (kind of like buying a white gold Daytona). It’s an expensive watch for what it is IMHO. It’s also not a great fit on my wrist so I may be biased… That and you see soooo many IWC Portugueses around.
I’m a great lover of the Nautilus but you have to get the right size and face to fit your needs and wrist. The jumbo is just a little too big on me and I’m a fan of the older face. If you don’t like it on your wrist what about an Aquanaut? Supremely comfortable, very versatile and you’re not going to see many other people wearing one.
In that price range I would also look at Jaeger LeCoultre. The AMVOX line is similar to what styles you’re looking at (I’m a big fan of the Aston Martin DBS Chronograph). If you like chronographs the Extreme world Chrono is a great watch (just again too big for me). As a proud Reverso owner, I have to thrown that one out as well. Such a great watch.
You could also go for a basic Royal Oak. A little clunkier, but pretty classic.
I’m also a huge fan of the pam192 Tantalium chrono, maybe one of the prettiest Panerai’s to my eyes. You might be able to get one in your price band.
If you stretch a little (or find a good deal) you’re almost in the range for a Lange 1, the Holy Grail for many and a really beautiful watch (Solaris at bay and front has one you can try on).
I would say though that if you’re going to spend that kind of money, and it’s your 1st big watch purchase I would go classic instead of popular at the moment. Classic will always be just that. You probably won’t get bored with it (which can be very expensive) whereas a, say Bell & Ross or Hubolt big bang or something like that has a higher likelihood of getting stale.