Mechanical watches...

[Justmi]

The others have touched on ETA movements and price levels. It depends whether you want a sports watch or classic watch and whether you want the watch to be easily recognisable or a bit more understated. If you are travelling to a duty-free zone like Dubai or Hong Kong in the future, buy it there for a big saving. As a recommendation, a classic, timeless watch with its own in-house movement is the Jaeger LeCoutre Master Control.

Another thing, expect your mechanical watch to not be as accurate as your quartz watch. Mechanical watches just don't have that level of accuracy.

[OZCUBAN]

If it wasn't a Oris for me it would be an Omega damn fine watch excellent movement minus the wankiness you get with Rolex :-)

[Fuzz]

I wouldn't be too concerned about future value if you are wanting this as a heirloom piece for your kids.Definitely go for a classic design that can be dressed up or down.

I've had this Omega Aqua Terra for 6 years now:

Though I have been eyeing this IWC Portofino for the last 6 months...

[OZCUBAN]

I knew you were a man of exceptional taste Chris :-)

[asmith]

There is only one watch that you need an Oris.

If you are not going to get one of them stop stuffing around with the boys toys and go straight to the top and get a Harry Winston, Urwerk or a Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar if you feel like dropping a load of money on a watch

[Surucipe]

Don’t know what your budget is (“reasonably priced” is very relative ) or if you are looking for a dress watch or a sports watch. I find that sports watches are a bit more versatile in the sense that most sports watches are more than ok to wear with a suit, but it’s a bit hard to go water-skiing with a classic IWC Portuguese. One thing to also bear in mind is that all watches look great and shiny in the box but some models are more prone to scratches than others when you start wearing them (very frustrating!). If you find one you like, best to check on a few watch forums before pulling the trigger.

[Deodato]

Lots of great ideas here!

VC is my favourite manufacturer - along with Patek they are just classic and timeless. Vintage are as beautiful as new and are another option.

On the sportier side, my next watch will be a Sinn.

[Nino]

Lots of great ideas here!

On the sportier side, my next watch will be a Sinn.

Sinn ... makes sense :-)

Good choice !

[Jeremy Festa]

In all seriousness, Hublot aside, here is a great place to start --> http://www.manoftheworld.com/category/shop/vintage-watches.html

[Ghabanos]

In all seriousness, Hublot aside, here is a great place to start --> http://www.manoftheworld.com/category/shop/vintage-watches.html

How have I never run into this site?

[fkim119]

Think the Rolex Sub is a great versatile watch.

The base Panerai's are a good place to start (000,001 ,111,112).

The Omega Seamaster has been a lot of people's favorite due to the price point.

I would also recommend looking at the Chopard Mille Miligia base.

A secondhand IWC Spitfire can be had for 50% less then retail from reputable dealers.

Goodluck on your search. Watches have been as addicting as cigars for me...

[Cohiba Stevie]

Thanks for all the input guys!

I find myself very drawn to oris...

[CanuckSARTech]

I've been eyeing a nice Luminox one for work.

But if I had the coin, I'd definitely drop it on a nice Oris watch for dressing up.

[bugman78629]

I have had my Rolex Daytona since 2006, and it has seen plenty of abuse, and STILL manages to look good/retain its value without ANY problems.

[bugman78629]

My Bulova Precisionist is an excellent "Everyday" watch that will also take a beating, and clean-up nicely; keeping its value as well.....

[SCgarman]

i like longines, u should for it Stevie. Rolex watches is so faked u dont know if when u see real if its real or not and they look like €10

My Rolex is real, just like my Cuban cigars. BTW, this watch is 16 years old and gets worn every day!

[booya]

I got into watches a few years ago. My first purchase was a used omega seamaster 2254.50. i paid $1100 for it, it was in mint condition when I got it. from there I purchased various divers (i have an affinity lol) and eventually bought my first Rolex sub 2 years ago, used again, for well below market.

My point is that if you are willing to buy used and you look hard you'll find a good deal. If you are dead set on getting a new watch then you'll have to settle for a lesser known brand, if you're limited by budget and want new.

best of luck on your hunt! like they say in the cigar community, its a slippery slope.

[ZinZan]

That's a nice Daytona.

[MrGinger]

There are a tonne of nice watches out there. I really like some Ulysse Nardin.....they make beautiful watches, and not everyone has them. That being said, I love the 2 tone Rolex Submariner. It is a very versatile piece. You can wear it playing sports, with a tux, etc.

For lesser expensive watches, Omegas are a good place to start.

[markmurase]

I have had my Rolex Daytona since 2006, and it has seen plenty of abuse, and STILL manages to look good/retain its value without ANY problems.

Beautiful watch. I've also got a Rolex Daytona and I love it.

[Nino]

That being said, I love the 2 tone Rolex Submariner. It is a very versatile piece. You can wear it playing sports, with a tux, etc.

For lesser expensive watches, Omegas are a good place to start.

I personally love the "Tiger Eye" two-tone Rolex for its maduro-cigar coloured face, but coulnd't find it here for a good price .... bought a good replica in Asia a few years back and got it "snatched" from my wrist by my pharmacist ... was lucky to find one again in Bangkok last January - this one will stay :-)

Here's a pic of the GMT version, mine is the Submariner version :

[mk05]

Does anyone know how the name Rolex came about? No searching on the internet!

[dpodiluk]

Does anyone know how the name Rolex came about? No searching on the internet!

Someone needs to work on their google-fu: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolex

In 1908, Wilsdorf registered the trademark "Rolex" and opened an office in La Chaux-de-Fonds[/url], Switzerland. The company name "Rolex" was registered on 15 November 1915. The book The Best of Time: Rolex Wristwatches: An Unauthorized History by Jeffrey P. Hess and James Dowling says that the name was just made up. One story, never confirmed by Wilsdorf, is that the name came from the French phrase horlogerie exquise, meaning "exquisite clockwork" or as a contraction of "horological excellence". Wilsdorf was said to want his watch brand's name to be easily pronounceable in any language. He also thought that the name "Rolex" was onomatopoeic, sounding like a watch being wound. It is easily pronounceable in many languages and, as all letters have the same size, allows to be written symmetrically. It was also short enough to fit on the face of a watch.

[mk05]

Someone needs to work on their google-fu: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolex

Bro, work on your reading comp. The query was to guess why Rolex was called Rolex without searching on the internet. If you read the history of Rolex you posted, you might have realized why I asked inthe first place.

[dpodiluk]

Bro, work on your reading comp. The query was to guess why Rolex was called Rolex without searching on the internet. If you read the history of Rolex you posted, you might have realized why I asked inthe first place.

Opps, my bad. Some days I wonder if my brain is even turned on. Sorry for spoiling it for everyone else