What watch for ~$1000?

Does it have to be new?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-TUDOR-VINT-R0LEX-6694-DATE-MANUAL-WIND-MENS-WATCH-/280737043876?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item415d3b55a4

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-CARTIER-18k-Gold-Vermeil-Mens-Vintage-Watch-/130571988845?pt=UK_Jewelery_Watches_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item1e66b26f6d

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Collectible-CARTIER-18k-Gold-Vermeil-Mens-Vintage-Watch-/140600817489?pt=UK_Jewelery_Watches_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item20bc763751

 

Need more details. Do you want it sporty, daily, dress-up? Do you want any special functions? Do you want mechanical or quartz? Do you like oversize or regular size? Do like bracelets or straps? Do you want it completely different than Aquaracer or similar? Etc, etc.

 

A Hamilton AquaRiva is a good-looking, relatively well-built, large (44 mm) watch for about $1,000. Maybe a little gimmicky, but I like the Riva boat styling touches.
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You can get a similar model in black for even less money, but I hear you. I'm a huge yacht fan, so I think the brown one just pulls the right strings.

 

You might check out our buddy Chris' shop. the Junkers and Zeppelins always seemed very classy to me in straps with retro dial faces. Most are larger, but one or two might be closer to mid-size.

http://blog.valenciatimecenter.com/junkers/junkers/

http://blog.valenciatimecenter.com/zeppelin/zeppelin/

I've also thought the Swiss Army mechanical autos were good value with a combination of sporty and classy looks.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=swiss+army+watch&tag=googhydr-20&index=watches&hvadid=7738168605&ref=pd_sl_5t8uk7wfyy_e#/ref=sr_nr_p_n_feature_browse-b_0?rh=n%3A377110011%2Ck%3Aswiss+army+men%27s+watch%2Cp_4%3AVictorinox+Swiss+Army%2Cp_n_feature_three_browse-bin%3A2205662011%2Cp_n_material_browse%3A379287011%2Cp_n_feature_browse-bin%3A379300011&bbn=377110011&keywords=swiss+army+men%27s+watch&ie=UTF8&qid=1315710501&rnid=379279011

Even more classic/traditional are some Maurice LaCroix watches.

http://www.dexclusive.com/Maurice-Lacroix.html

 

I think $1k is sort of a hard price point for a new watch. The nicer high end type watches tend to start in the $2k-$5k range. If it were my money I would be looking into a mechanical Hamilton or Seiko that costs a few hundred and then save for a nice Breitling or Omega. Hamilton and Seiko both make excellent highly reliable watches that are true values in the industry.

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-H70555533-Khaki-Field-Black/dp/B000EQ0BM2

http://www.amazon.com/Seiko-SKX779-Monster-Automatic-Polyurethane/dp/B0006IHHN4
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Tourneau sells very nice pre-owned watches. The prices might not be the best but you will know you are getting an authentic watch and that is probably worth the slight premium. I am not sure if there are any Tourneau shops in your area though.

 

I have a B&M and love them. Great looking watches.
I personally really like that one.

 

I think they sell a pretty decent range of watches from Seiko to Patek. As for used prices I have only looked at a couple of watches and the prices seemed fine.

I personally would not buy one because they don't carry much brand recognition or status and the consequence of that is that they do not hold their value well. I do not buy watches to sell them later but I try to buy watches that I believe will be desirable in the future.

That is a great looking watch and they definitely make quality stuff but I think the issue with B&M is that usually they have ETA or Valjoux movements and are minimally decorated or modified. I should not call it an issue. The movements should be great they just less exciting to a watch collector. The movements in most high end watches start out as ETAs or Valjoux movements.

 

His budget is $1000 or so, I think it would be hard to find an improved ETA/Valjoux or quality in-house movement in that price range.

Here's another couple of possibles Sinn & Glycine:

http://www.watchbuys.com/store/pc/Sinn-556-I-on-Strap-18p731.htm

http://www.righttime.com/rt/glycine/3898-19at-lb9.htm

(BTW - I'm not endorsing any of these shops except VTC, they just happen to have pics and prices handy).

 

I agree, that is why I said $1k is a difficult budget for a new watch. I have heard good things about Sinn and its a nice looking watch.

 

Fortis, Tutima, Oris all make nice watches at that price point.

-dsd