Gonna be real here not a single one of these pieces is a “starter” watch. A starter piece should be something with an entry level price point, good aesthetics, and a decent movement. All of these have amazing movements and aesthetics but the cheapest watch here was over 1000.
In my opinion this list is pure watch snobbery or at the very least shows that the author is hopelessly out of touch.
I’m going to add Vaer to the list- classic styling, very practical dive watches that are super reasonably priced. I don’t know how I’m not hearing about that brand all the time. I wanted a beat about watch I could get wet for eternity and not worry about and that is exactly what mine has been for the past three years. Can’t recommend it more.
I was most struck by the comment “wanted the full luxury experience” or words to that effect. That is totally legitimate.
Brands spend so much on their stores (sorry, “boutiques”, even if they are actually parts of large corporations) precisely because it is part of the mystique that made them seem so special. One should enjoy that at least once. Possibly always if that is all you really want.
If you pass a non-enthusiast/non-specialist or self proclaimed “vintage” used watch store front on 47th St. with rows of watches, or anywhere else for that matter not to pick on 47th St., and btw many of them have gotten better at displaying watches in their lovely original boxes when they have them, then the magic is gone and its just a watches. Rows of used watches. Unless you really know what you are looking at. And that is my point: brand magic, the feeling of exclusivity and pampering is really nice, but if you know what you are looking at, then you see the watches and will spot what stands out for you as special, valuable, maybe should be yours. Only, then, of course you would not be a person for articles on what my first or luxury watch should be. You are probably into at least the incipient stages of enthusiast, collector or trader.
If however you are immune to becoming an enthusiast or collector, then why indeed not start and stop at the luxury experience within your budget? A lovely experience, a nice object.
If one is smitten however, then what you can buy new is a very small and less than obvious alternative to what you can buy from the past, and there are so many makes and models that are as much a joy to discover and enjoy knowing about as to buy and own. Traders and dealers are a different model, of course. But even at the levels of this thought list of usual suspects, all those watches exist in so many versions and genuine history at small fractions of the price (as well as important historical examples commanding multiples and in many cases more of an investment).
Gonna be real here not a single one of these pieces is a “starter” watch. A starter piece should be something with an entry level price point, good aesthetics, and a decent movement. All of these have amazing movements and aesthetics but the cheapest watch here was over 1000.
In my opinion this list is pure watch snobbery or at the very least shows that the author is hopelessly out of touch.
I’m going to add Vaer to the list- classic styling, very practical dive watches that are super reasonably priced. I don’t know how I’m not hearing about that brand all the time. I wanted a beat about watch I could get wet for eternity and not worry about and that is exactly what mine has been for the past three years. Can’t recommend it more.
Seconded on Vaer. I'm a major fan of the brand.
I would also add Farer and Baltic to this list, from the Brits and the French, respectively!
good looking out, thank you!
I was most struck by the comment “wanted the full luxury experience” or words to that effect. That is totally legitimate.
Brands spend so much on their stores (sorry, “boutiques”, even if they are actually parts of large corporations) precisely because it is part of the mystique that made them seem so special. One should enjoy that at least once. Possibly always if that is all you really want.
If you pass a non-enthusiast/non-specialist or self proclaimed “vintage” used watch store front on 47th St. with rows of watches, or anywhere else for that matter not to pick on 47th St., and btw many of them have gotten better at displaying watches in their lovely original boxes when they have them, then the magic is gone and its just a watches. Rows of used watches. Unless you really know what you are looking at. And that is my point: brand magic, the feeling of exclusivity and pampering is really nice, but if you know what you are looking at, then you see the watches and will spot what stands out for you as special, valuable, maybe should be yours. Only, then, of course you would not be a person for articles on what my first or luxury watch should be. You are probably into at least the incipient stages of enthusiast, collector or trader.
If however you are immune to becoming an enthusiast or collector, then why indeed not start and stop at the luxury experience within your budget? A lovely experience, a nice object.
If one is smitten however, then what you can buy new is a very small and less than obvious alternative to what you can buy from the past, and there are so many makes and models that are as much a joy to discover and enjoy knowing about as to buy and own. Traders and dealers are a different model, of course. But even at the levels of this thought list of usual suspects, all those watches exist in so many versions and genuine history at small fractions of the price (as well as important historical examples commanding multiples and in many cases more of an investment).
There are more watch worlds to discover!