The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello, all. I'm a long-time lurker but a very infrequent poster.

I'm looking to get my girlfriend of three years a watch for Christmas. Hoping to keep the price somewhere around $1,500 to $2,000 US. Nothing terribly ornate (she's not a fan of blatant bling) and nothing too sporty (e.g., diver). I'm thinking a nice 26mm tank in stainless is a good way to go.

I'm currently running into the dilemma most collectors run into when buying for the 'uneducated'. Since she's not a watch fan, it's probably best for me to go with a brand more recognizable to the masses so she can 'show it off' to her friends without having to know any technical specifics. The problem is that the watches available at this price under those brands (e.g., Bulgari, Cartier?) either don't exist or seem quite low-end (mainly because of the quartz movements). And the fanatic in me can't quite stomach the thought of getting a 'department store' brand since I know that there are better quality items out there that might not have the 'fashionable' recognizition.

It feels like my price range misses all sweet spots for the mass watch market - I'm either paying too much for subpar quality or don't have enough for a mechanical piece from a widely recognized brand.

Can anybody provide recommendations? Am I making too big a deal over the quartz movements and/or being too biased towards the quality I might find in a department store item (e.g., lower end Tags, Movados, etc.). Help!

To be honest, unless you go for something like a Rolex or Patek (which are both considerably more than your budget) you are 9 times out of 10 going to be looking at a quartz movement in a traditionally sized ladies watch. I say "traditionally sized" as some women can get away with wearing gents watches (not SA kind of size, but certainly up to 41mm in some cases), but most ladies watches are sub-35mm, and in most cases sub-30mm. Traditionally sized ladies watches tend to have quartz movements for two simple reasons - firstly, very tiny mechanical movements aren't very common, and secondly there is also some dispute about the size of the market for mechanical ladies watches (although the former reason may well be due to the latter reason anyway). Without being sexist, mechanical watches are invariably a predominantly male passion. Some of the women I know like nice watches, but the name and the look is more important than what's going on inside.

With that in mind if I was you I'd be looking at something like Longines, Ebel, maybe Tag..... those kind of brands. Obviously you may need to cut a deal to get a good price on some models by these brands, but they are well known (both as brand names and also in watch-making circles) and make some nice looking ladies watches. Obviously you could also go the more "fashion" route (like Gucci for example), but as a watch guy I'd always suggest sticking to "proper" watchmakers.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Watches are great for a wife/girlfriend and I have bought a few for mine, but one thing I've learned is that be careful not to put too much emphasis on what you want vs what she will use. I'm sure 90% of the guys here have to reset their wives dates, change the times for daylight savings, etc... My wife could never live with an automatic movement since she likes to change up between her Breitling, Locman, Omega and Longines on a daily basis and she would go crazy having to keep them set/wound. I think that's why most womens watches are quartz in addition to the other points. BTW, from your price range I can recommend Longines, they have a wide range of classy watches and are great value for money IMO. Best of luck!

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Pete in Sweden

Thanks - I am currently thinking that Tag is probably the best balance between quality and wide recognition as a 'luxury' watch brand. Not to mention that I'm a little leery of giving her anything in a Cartier box or from any brand that also makes engagement rings (for reasons you can probably guess).

Re: cutting a deal...I have been on the fence about getting something new for myself. Might be a nice opportunity to get a little leverage with the dealer.

you're a wise man!

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Men are from Mars, women are from Hell.

I'll put in another vote for Longines. I bought my girlfriend a stainless Dolce Vita, she's a fan of the tank shape, and it fits the bill perfectly. Quartz movement, but that doesn't bother her so it doesn't bother me either, and she won't have to reset the time if she doesn't wear it for a couple of days (which hasn't happened yet, however). It was excellent value for money, the finish and quality are great for the price.

Definitely quartz imho.

Have a look at Overstock.com if you're not looking to buy from an AD. Good for ideas if nothing else.

Tag
http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Tag-Heuer-Womens-Aquaracer-Stainless-Steel-Pink-Diamond-Watch/4388265/product.html

Movado
http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Movado-Collection-Womens-White-Gold-Diamond-Watch/2440781/product.html

Corum, Ebel, Gucci...
http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Womens-Watches/%281500,2000%29,/price,/3435/cat.html

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You guys are great! Thank you!

Don't leave Oris off of the list of possibilities. They make a great swiss watch that won't leave you poor.

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Breitling Steelfish(black)
Breitling Steelfish(silver)
Panerai PAM 312
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Phantom
Steinhart BreitlingSource LE #5/15

You can say that again!!! I'm in the same boat as you on that one! Except mines already picked out what she wants, a ladies Rolex Datejust in stainless and gold and very expensive ring. I told her to ask me She can buy the ring and I'll get her the Rolex.

The Tag sharkmouth posted doesn't look too bad.

I think for what your looking for Omega can def get into that price range for a quartz ladies watch. Also a little less known brand but a good price point for what you get is Tissot. As far as quartz/mechanical goes, I think reliability is an issue with most women they just want something that will keep great time and look nice and not take any maintenence and we all know thats usually a quartz. At least my gf is this way, she could car less if its quartz/automatic, in fact her father gave her a corum and shes hates how it sits and ends loosing all its power. I told her to get a cheap watch winder and she was like I dont want to thats a pain. It's kind of like cars to women, usually they just want pretty looks with no maintenence. Again, I say usually because I dont mean to be sexist at all.

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

Yes, I think you could find some nice ladies' Omegas in that price range. Also, don't forget about Baume et Mercier. Their Hampton Milleis line is, I think, a quintessential ladies watch. My wife has one, and it's gorgeous on her. Also, their Diamant line is similar but larger (more in the size range you quoted) and also quite nice.

http://www.authenticwatches.com/ladies19.html
http://www.authenticwatches.com/diamant.html

///M

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." --Dave Barry

Check out Jaeger watches. The lady Reversos look great and are reasonably priced.

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Certified watch nut.

I didnt bother to read all the responses, but Cartier and Gucci would be my choice. Obviously Cartier is the real watchmaker of the two, but youre gonna pay a lot for it. Gucci is always a hit with the ladies. Besides, most women arent expected to be wearing the kind of stuff we are, so they can get away with a fashion watch like that.

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-RJ

I just got my wife a used Rolex DateJust for her birthday and she loves it. It was in your price range. Very classy and an auto to boot!