Superficial Christmas Gift Questions

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IrvineCommuter_IHB

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<p>I was looking for my wife's X-mas gift (watch) a couple weeks ago and it got me wondering about what is the most "luxurious" brand for watches?</p>

<p>Obviously, there is Rolex and Cartier but I saw other names like Audemars Piguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Patek Phillippe, Concord, Ebel, and Girard Perregaux. What do you guys think?</p>

<p>(i do not think I am going to buy any of those although I would like to know for future reference just in case I win the lottery or make a killing flipping houses)</p>

<p>(Yes, I realize that I forgot to put the right topic for this thread)</p>
 
<p>With brands like Piguet, Patek Phillipe, and Piaget, you really are talking another level of luxury. These watches cost in the 5 figures (I have never seen one for less than $15,000). I would say Girard and Jaeger are in the Cartier class, and Concord and Ebel a class below that from price standpoint. </p>

<p>I have a Rolex handed down from my dad and I must say the craftsmanship is outstanding. My wife and I bought a pair of Cartiers for our engagement a few years back and I'm not impressed. And I hold a special fondness for Mont Blanc watches, which I find to be classic looking and of typical Mont Blanc high quality. I also like Raymond Weil and Longine, both of which are fine brands at reasonable costs.</p>
 
I think Audemars Piguet, Jaeger LeCoultre, Girard Perregaux, and Patek Phillippe are all great. They are all great time pieces with great movements. Esthetically is important (to me at least) so I would go for the Jaeger LeCoultre. I would definitely avoid Mont Blanc and Cartier. Nothing wrong with those brands but they are not known for watches. Mont Blanc = pens. Cartier=jewelry. As I understand, some of Cartier's movements are of the same as Jaeger LeCoultre. So it is not about inferior craftmanship or movement. In addition, it seems that everyone I see wears a Cartier Tank or Santos. Don't see too many wear Jaeger LeCoultre.



Also, what does you wife like? Sporty type or more girly type? Audemars Piguet tends to be more "rugged" and "sporty" look etc. Jaeger LeCoultre is more feminine. Depends on what she likes. Regardless of your choice, make sure that you get a mechanical movement and not quartz. It would be ashame to spend so much on a quartz watch. Make sure that you negotiate to get a good deal. The more expensive the time piece, the more leeway you get. Aim for 15-20% off of the MSRP. Good luck and have fun shopping.
 
Here is the pecking order in horology of the list you noted:



1. Patek

2. Audemars

3. Jaeger lecoultre

4. Rolex

5. GP and Cartier.

6. Most other manufactuers dont make thier own movements (use ETA movements which are used ubiquitously in alot of brands) so they arent regarded as highly.
 
<p class="MsoNormal">Not sure if this is a trend, but quite a few of the women I’ve recently dated are wearing Michele watches. They look great and women like them because you can change the band out so with a different colored band it looks like a different watch. </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Surprisingly, Michele watches look very high end, yet typical cost is in the $1,200-$1,700. I know you can buy them at Nordstroms, may be worth checking out. </p>

The only reason I mentioned the Michele watch is because it looks so good on all these women.
 
<p>You didn't just mention watches... . I'm a WIS - Watch Idiot Sevant!</p>

<p>I would research as to what she wants. I've bought my wife several very nice watches and she ends up wearing the 1938 Ingersol Mikey Watch. I would also think about what budget you want, all the watches mentioned can get pretty pricey when you start adding precious stones to them. </p>

<p>I tend to like Breguet... alot. Unfortuantely they aren't very cheap. I would also direct you to Michele watches (very much oriented to ladies). I want to also add, that be sure you get something strong enough to withstand the type of wear your wife puts out. My wife tends to be VERY hard on her jewerly, so I get her stuff that a little bit "hardened" or ruggedized to put up with abuse. </p>

<p>I also prefer mechanical watches, but it seems to me that most women prefer quartz watches because they won't have the maintence issues. </p>

<p>good luck</p>

<p>-bix</p>
 
I like Baume & Mercier - i have an automatic (not a fan of quartz watches), certified chronometer - the watch is extremely accurate. Ive never bought a rolex since ive had several people tell me they are not very accurate (ie the automatic movement is not very accurate)
 
Wow. I have never even heard of those names, and did not know there were so many status type watches. I do not wear a watch, but if I did, I am sure it would say Timex or Target or Big Lots on it. And it would probably need winding every couple of days.
 
effie - You want to hear retarded? This is embarassing, but here goes. Oh man, I am going to get heat for this.<p>




For my two yougest daughter's Christmas present, I bought four tickets to see Miley Cyrus in Las Vegas. My wife and I are going to drive them out there, see the concert, spend the night, and drive back the next day.<p>


And to top it off, neither my wife or I can stand Las Vegas.
 
I agree with awgee. Why wear a watch when there are time readouts everywhere. I usually use my car radio or cell phone for time.



Lots of ways to get parted from your money!
 
Does anybody know what type of watch Warren Buffett wears. Myabe something that came free as a suprise with a Blizzard from Dairy Queen?<p>




It occurs to me that if I was wearing a $15,000 watch, I might not leave the house for fear someone would see it and want to steal it. Or maybe I would buy a knockoff, wear it, and keep the real watch in a safe at home.
 
<p>Thanks for everyone's input. . .very helpful. Where do Tag Hauer, Movado, or Piaget fall in? </p>

<p>Buying a $5000 Cartier is just as ridiculous as buying a buying a $2000 LV bag or $80K for a 7 series (at least for me. . . I do not even wear a watch). But it is for my wife for putting up with me and for my long hours. . .(I know I am compensating .) But like I said, I am probably not going to spend that much. </p>

<p>Besides, people spend tons of money on tiny shiny rocks that serve absolutely no purpose at all. </p>

<p>Awgee. . . the tixs alone must sent you back a couple grand.</p>

<p> </p>

<p> </p>
 
Tags are probably the most common watch of the higher end watches i see on people, probably because they are cheaper than most of the brands above. They are good looking watches, but they dont do it for me since they dont offer much in the form of automatics. But i would say both tags and movados are considered high end watches by most, just not in the same category as some of the others mentioned.
 
<i>"Awgee. . . the tixs alone must sent you back a couple grand."</i><p>


Actually, this is a nice story, boring, but nice. I went on line to see about getting some tix when they first went on sale, and found out what day they were going on sale. I forgot about it, and read later that tix were being scalped for hilarious prices. My supervisor at work buys and sells, (scalps), tickets and I was discussing the situation with him. A few weeks later he tells me some extra shows have been added and gives me the website info. I go online, figure out what time and time the tix go on sale so I can wait by the puter and press keys, but the timing doesn't work for our schedule and my wife says she doesn't have any desire to drive to Vegas, so I fogedabout it. Monday morning, my supervisor, who knows the little tricks to getting tix when they go on sale, tells me he got me four tix and I can have them for cost. Nice boss, eh?
 
IC - Have you heard about how much the tix are going for on Ebay? It is amazing. And what is attraction anyways? My girls are entralled, but I don't get it.
 
<p>Hey, Las Vegas is all good! But then, it's my hometown...</p>

<p>These are personal experiences from owning these: Rolex is very accurate and lasts for a couple of days without winding. And it is a tank, very sturdy and quality material. Mont Blanc tends to speed up a bit on normal wear, maybe 2-3 minutes per week. But, it also lasts long without winding, and are very pleasant to look at and quality craftsmanship. The Cartier is also very accurate, but it doesn't last more than a day without winding, if that much. And my watch winder doesn't work too well on it. I have, ahem, the Tank like everyone else, and it is also the most scratch-prone. The other two are highly resistant to scratches. </p>

<p>I don't know the others firsthand, but I do have a friend who owns a Ulysse Nardin, and that is also an outstanding brand. And so is Breitling. That IS a tank. I don't know anyone who owns a Piaget, Piguet, or Patek. Different circle than me.</p>

<p>I would have to say that watches are one of those things that will stand the test of time, and therefore spending some money on it is justified. I can't justify the $300 shirts, $1000 shoes, or the $10,000 stereos (though I do like them!), because they don't last, go out of fashion, become obsolete, etc. But watches, if properly purchased, will last a lifetime - yours and your kids'. </p>
 
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