this post was submitted on 24 Oct 2023
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Good evening,

I'm thinking about picking up my next "big" watch brand. For context, I've got a Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 (arguably my best watch,) a Vostok, two Citizen Eco Drives, a Bulova Marine Star, and a Sternglas (which was a mistake.)

I've got a Seiko 5 Arabic on order.

I'm wanting to step up in brands. I feel like Hamilton is a lateral move from Tissot, but Oris and Tudor are too expensive.

I've been looking at Longines and Mido, but am open to suggestions.

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[–] internet_humor@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Just save up and get a $5k watch.

Along the way, if you find something that absolutely blows you away, you'll have the cash for it. If not, just keep saving.

[–] Disastrous_Ad_5421@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Longines makes excellent watches. I have a Longines moonphase and have no regrets.

[–] Attila_22@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Longines if it was me. I think they provide good value, brand has heritage and good options for basically every type of watch. Diver, GMT or chronograph etc

[–] Lsclancy9@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago
[–] WPT_NL@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I stepped up to Norqain

[–] aberdeja@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

For me it was Frederique Constant and CW after my tissot.

Longines and Oris would be nice too i think.

[–] stoic_dave@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I'd look into German brands like Sinn, Damasko, Stowa, and maybe Nomos.

[–] TheFriendlyPylon@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I almost got a Laco, but it seems like all those brands do what Laco does but a bit better.

[–] Thatfoxagain@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I've seen good things about Christopher Ward

[–] TheFriendlyPylon@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Yeah, I've seen them, they had a sale awhile back I should've jumped on.

[–] Shepinion@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

That was my suggestion too. My favorite brand in the ~1k range with a massive catalogue of all kinds of watches. Many homages (like C63 seamaster GMT) but some unique ones like their Big Moon and Bel Canto. The newish Dune collection is awesome. You probably don’t need a XII since you have PRX. But hard to not find a watch you like and the price to quality ratio is the best of any brand I own (only better bang for buck I’ve seen in the $1k+ range is Horage but they’re too expensive for this post and too small a brand for most)

[–] YoutubeRewind2024@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Oris is a great brand, but the key is to buy them grey market or used. You can find them brand new on r/watchexchange for like 35% off retail

[–] Feezbull@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

The same goes for many brands honestly because they’re a little overpriced by a bit or a lot for some, first hand from boutiques.

ADs give discounts in general but is a 25% discount on a brand new say, Blancpain Villaret complete calendar better than 40% off on chrono24 etc instead, for very good/nearly unworn/slightly used and from reputable sellers/verified servicing etc?

Up to the individual but that’s what you can find basically and stretch your budget a lot more.

Your 20k watch now can cost 12k when your initial budget of 12k brand new would’ve gotten you a lot less basically.

Same goes for brands ranging from Longines, Mido, Fredrique Constant all the way to Breguet etc.

[–] nevergirls@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)
[–] cardinalandgold@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Oris, Nomos, Longines

[–] GFCallsMePapi@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (3 children)
[–] ethanwc@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Longines are proper respectable watches with a great history. Zulu time is a great piece.

[–] laney_deschutes@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Now they’re just owned by swatch and offer the same corporate value as other swatch brands

[–] Logical_Half_1135@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I agree with both of these recommendations

[–] AznSparks@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

You could get a citizen chronomaster for around 2k!

For other options in that range, Sinn and Longines come to mind

[–] zzibby@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Citizen chronomaster is the holy grail of quartz watches. Thumb up for this.

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[–] Amazing-Plantain-885@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Sinn, you can't go wrong. top grade sellita movement and their non chrono are very affordable..ish.

[–] NoSocials5702@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Yes, if OP thinks Hamilton is a sideways step thin is the natural step up.

[–] goldblumspowerbook@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

From my own personal experience, Mido and Christopher Ward are a step up quality wise. Longines is another step up (like Tudor). I’ve never been impressed by Oris myself, but others love them.

[–] StreetVillage9755@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)
[–] Plenty-Sheepherder27@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

dude thats triple his entire collection

[–] naripan@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Hamilton, Mido and Certina are considered in the same range with Tissot. The next stop may be the 2K watches. Longines, Oris and Nomos are the popular brand in that price range. You may also consider premium Seiko like the Willard.

[–] Irisce@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I recommend Longines, they have great affordable pieces, for dress watch maybe Frederique Constant

[–] These-Spell-8390@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Save up and get a Rolex ffs. Get what you really want.

[–] Feezbull@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

There are far better brands than Rolex that cost less than what a Rolex costs……

Personally, would almost never pick a Rolex over some other brand in the same or slightly higher price range. Definitely never for any of the Daytonas anyway for what they cost.

But of course, get a Rolex if you really like the looks of it but not because it’s “the brand” to get. Not even close.

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[–] Dose_of_Reality@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I’m in the same position as you OP. I have a few Tissot (two PRX, a le locle dress and a seastar) and just bought my second Christopher Ward (C60 Atoll 300 in shark white and a C63 Bronze 100 limited edition). Really enjoy my CW pieces but don’t want to get trapped owning too much from one or two brands.

I’ve been looking at Nomos, Sinn, and Longines as my next “step up”. Just saving for now.

[–] Devildog_627@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Those bronze CWs look fantastic.

[–] BlastShell@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Why was the Sternglas a mistake?

[–] Hummdiner@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I also want to know, I really like mine and had it for a couple years now…

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[–] Feezbull@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Maybe he bought the wrong colour haha.

[–] Secure-Marionberry80@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago
[–] Happy_Boy_29@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Wait until you find something you can comfortably afford but cannot ignore, then you will have found a time piece to step up to. Good luck in yon quest !

[–] PetrolPower54@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Christopher Ward offers unbeatable value for the money

[–] fawkesmulder@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Skip all of that and save up for a Breitling or Rolex or JLC. You’ve got enough watches already, don’t go for a marginal upgrade. Go for a true luxury piece when you eventually get another one.

[–] alllh@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Is Breitling worth it ??

[–] DevoutGreenOlive@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Mido yes, but two imo highly underrated quality makers in that bracket are Raymond Weil and Baume et Mercier

[–] Notwerk@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Certina, Longines, Rado.

In particular? Action Diver, Legend Diver, Captain cook, respectively.

[–] Shepinion@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Christopher Ward?

[–] g_force76@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Don't get sucked in by notional value or quality of a brand name. Find a watch you like enough to buy it within your price bracket. Microbrands with little to no name recognition often make brilliant watches. Rise above the marketing!

[–] rockandrollmark@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

This really needs to be the top comment. Buy something that’s meaningful to you. As well as microbrands it’s worth exploring vintage too but go in with your eyes wide open if you explore this route.

[–] TheFriendlyPylon@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I've really liked the design of the Mido Multifort Patrimony!

[–] exxxoo@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I'm surprised nobody mentioned Frederique Constant. They offer a lot for the asking prices.

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