luxury watch that can be worn at a startup
What are some nice luxury watches ($1k-10k) that are nice and compliment a business casual outfit at work (startup) but also don’t have bad stereotypes associated with it like wearing a Rolex.
Some I’ve been recommended:
- Cartier Santos
- Zenith Chronomaster
- Tudor Chrono
Thoughts?
65 Replies
Santos is a solid option. It conveys taste as well as restraint.
Go vintage, probably.
+1 on Santos or tank
Tudor black bay 58, Omega Speedmaster, vintage Cartier, anything Grand Seiko
There’s always Grand Seiko, which is an exceptional value and very under the radar. Unfortunately, a lot of people who start with this kind of goal end up at Rolex eventually anyway.
i don't regret buying a datejust
So just cut to the chase and get an explorer
Any vintage brand you recommendation I look at?
Sold a Tudor prince oysterdate and it was so pretty if you are avoidant of Rolex
vintage omegas are probably my favourite, bang for buck, it's very worthwhile.
you could get a reduced omega speedmaster pretty cheap, i think it falls on 3k?
vintage has more appeal for most people rather than buying new
Vintage can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Be forewarned. A lot of Frankenstein watches out there
a vintage jaeger lecoultre reverso might also be in your budget towards the higher end
this could turn into quite a thread. In short - a lot of this will be personal preference
$1k - 10k is also a huge range. That’s a solid Seiko / Tudor or as high up as a brand new Omega Worldtimer
Consider some things:
A. Type of watch. Chronograph? Pilot? Something with a simple face (dress watch) or something busy (chronograph or calendar)
Something that says the date? The day and date? The day, date, and month?
From there, focus on 1-3 names, which is what it seems like you’re after. Figure out what each watch maker calls the style of watch you’re after. They can vary
B. Price.
Do you want an investment piece or just a watch? My quartz Seamaster tells the same time as my Deville 🙂
^ this should govern your budget and may focus your search more. If you couldn’t care less then buy whatever you want to wear.
C. New or used
Do you want a new luxury watch full box papers and the white glove experience? It can be nice, but do YOU want that?
If not - Chrono24 is your best friend.
D. You gonna wear it?
I’m just saying, but a clunky 41mm datejust annoys me more than it gives me utility. The heavy watches sliding up and down my wrist as I walk around doesn’t do it for me. YMMV, but seriously think about it.
There’s some clunky ass watches out there. Still fancy, but a waste of $$ if you won’t give it the love it’s built for.
^ just my $0.02
keep in mind you basically can't buy new unless you have a good relationship with the AD
Yeah I want to hear more from @YokaiDan about what’s important in a watch. And what’s the beef with Rolex?
probably perception lol
Do you care about the internals at all, or just the design? If design is all that matters, just get a nice looking Orient or Seiko. Frankly, the number of people that can recognize watch brands outside of Omega and Rolex is very slim.
Obv want to feel like a million buck haha. I like more sporty watches rather than dressy. My daily driver right now is a Tissot PRX80 but want to upgrade
if there's anything that's going to make you feel really expensive it's probably a rolex lol
few luxury brands have that power hahahaha
Not the advice you want. But I’m going to recommend an explorer and you’ll save yourself a bunch of time dealing with mediocre watches.
Never out of place, smack dab business casual, faultless design. If anyone has a problem with an explorer, they are the problem.
Or a speedy pro, but it’s not good for water.
Explorer over Santos?
It really depends. I have a decent sized collection, so I have no need for an explorer. It’s a bit bland for me but I do have a santos, which was the original wristwatch (literally). But the santos is not as versatile. Lower water resistance and much less casual/incognito. If you want ONE watch that can be with you anywhere- to hell and back and then the boardroom - the explorer is it.
explorer 2s are nice, but frankly buying a rolex right now is a major headache unless used/gray is on the table.
Zenith el primero is gorgeous and hits that sporty classy look you are going for
Yeah true. But it’s getting better. Not as bad as a year ago.
how about something more interesting like Junghans? Max Bill is a classic and very versatile
Nomos
Nomos is cheaper, not loud, and has in-house manufacture clout.
If you want something mainstream that isn't a Rolex, and is more sporty, go with Omega Speedmaster
If you want a dive watch that isn't a Rolex, see if you can scrounge a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
Do not get a Hublot or a Panerai
+1 for nomos
if i see someone with a nomos i assume they know what they're doing
anyone can have a rolex
(i'm anyone)
I really like the max bill from Junghans, a truly beautiful Bauhaus design
I second (or third or fourth) the Speedmaster. Collectors recognize and respect it instantly and the general public may not know the specifics but it will always look nice to them.
Grand seiko leather strap
omega seamaster aqua terra 🔥
that's such a nice watch but too big personally
There are some 40 mil versions in recent years… https://blancpainblog.com/news/family-relations-the-six-40mm-ff-editions/
BLANCPAIN BLOG
The Blancpain Blog
Family relations: the six 40mm FF editions - The Blancpain Blog
A comparison between the six 40mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms editions with a focus on what they have in common and what differentiates them
ah ok
Nomos will indeed have cred with Watch nerds. Not sure that’s exactly what OP is looking for
what's wrong with aqua terra
Actually it’s a great option. Regret I hadn’t thought of it!
ah that's what you meant by thinking emoji
This would be at home anywhere
Its a startup, wear whatever you like and can afford. Source: I work in a startup and wear whatever I likeand like watches
cringe brand, associated with used car dealers and people who work in crypto
as general advice, avoid two tones, there's a reason they're on discount a lot
There's a 40mm 50f
Yeah that’s the problem when you have the most successful and recognizable luxury brand of all time. Kind of becomes all things to all people. I can see why that would be off-putting from a fashon perspective. Fantastic watches to own and wear though.
Depends on the start-up really I feel like the Bauhaus design would appeal to many people in the tech scene
Nothing wrong with wearing a Rolex if you like the designs
Overhated because it's popular
If you don't like the design that's fine, but they're timeless and classic for a reason
Cartier Santos is also great (I would personally recommend getting a smaller size though on that one rather than a bigger size)
New watch day for me actually. Just leaving the AD.
https://asset.bucherer.com/image/upload/f_auto,w_780,h_550,c_lfill/Assets/Watches/ROLEX/Rolex/Automatic/m116680-0002_MP_1.png
Timeless, classic utterly hideous
Man I've not heard David Gray in like 20 years
Ok the yachtmaster 2 is horrible, but the others are good designs
Explorer, sub, gmt master, yachtmaster 1, datejust, day date, op
ehhhhhh
I think cyclopses ruin any watch they're on, it's the only reason I haven't bought a Tsuyosa
Not a fan of the daydate at all, just messy
I'm definitely biased tho
That's kind of a personal preference, I like both the cyclops and no cyclops look
I know what I like and it's not that, yeah.
That's cool
All I'm thinking is that in real life, it's mostly just about what you're interested in because not many people are really paying attention to what watch you're wearing
Few people even wear traditional watches to begin with nowadays
Bit of a shame
Ohman yeah, NOBODY who isnt a watch nerd gives a shit about watches
Mostly it's just a thing that adds to your outfit but most people never point to or specifically notice - as long as it's not an Invicta joker or something it's good
Just about personal taste
Not true. Gold diggers care… 😅
You know it's an interesting question but somehow I feel like someone who wants to spend between 1k and 10k on a watch and doesn't know what they want themselves, feels obnoxious
Okay maybe this is off topic but surely this has to be Apple?
I'm assuming they meant specifically luxury watch brands, not luxury brands in general
Yeah technically they would be like number 8 after Porsche, LV, Chanel, Gucci etc
Thats a beauty!
I’m on the list for the root beer and rhodium Yachtmaster - debating on whether to get the Santos too
At least the santos is immediately available and I prefer the aesthetic to the tank
Santos is great
That looks sweet , is that the medium or large ?
I’m presuming large or XL looking at it now
Medium. Santos wears large due to its shape. It is generally advised to go with the medium unless your wrist is 7.5” or so