A community for watch & horology discussion.
Looking to purchase a watch for around 8k for myself. Currently looking at these 4 primarily but can’t decide. I am open to suggestion for other watches around 8k or below. Please let me know if any of these watches should be avoided for a specific reason. I am not really looking g to resell the watch later on so price retention or premium isn’t a concern for me. Thank you.
I like the monaco and omega. Flip a coin and let that decide
the Monaco is scratching something in my brain, looks good. more colourful option for it might scratch even more haha
Santos… in DLC!
I think the Santos is one of the GOATs, so that’s my pick.
I would choose the Cartier De Santos… however I would go with the gunmetal version.
Does anybody honestly like that TH?
I am in love with Monaco so that’s my answer, but omega is also cool, I personally would go for either the tag or the omega
Tag
I’d definitely go for the Cartier. (The bezel is a scratch magnet but you can get it brushed). The Omega could be an alternative depending on your wrist size, how you dress, and if you’re a very outdoorsy person.
Get the Santos then get a used or jomashop omega seamster to save some cash :)
The Omega is probably the best build quality. The Santos is the most iconic design.
I own the Omega, so this would be my recommendation as well. It works for almost every occasion, except black tie events.
Add a Milanese to it and it won’t look as spot on as the Cartier in such an event, but it could even do its job.
I own both. And I don’t think the Omega is any better or worse than the Santos.
Robust, yes but robust doesn’t equal better.
Theyre pretty comparable, but if anything I’d give the better build edge to the Santos.
Did you try all of these in person? It’s very different than deciding based on photos.
Smp 300 with stainless steel bracelet > santos medium
The breitling wears really nice but lacks the originality of the other three. Personally i would go with the Santos.
The Breitling.
As always, choose the one you most connect with. My advisor (wife) pushed me to the large Santos but the medium is truer to its roots. My opinion, if you want a Santos then your statement is, "I'm big enough to wear a small watch. The diver without the date looks great but it's titanium (?) and will not have the heft of steel. These may be linked by cost but fundamentally they're different beasts. Do you have a dive watch, a chronometer? Too many round,not enough square? Going or been to a Grand Prix?
I like the cartier the most. The omega is nice but it’s kind of generic, I just see a lot of people wearing it so I’ve got kinda sick of it
My personal taste is Cartier> Omega > Breitling > Tag.
I have the blue version of the Cartier. Only buy it if you are ok with scratches on the bezel. If you expect it to stay perfect it’s not the watch for you.
I have had an Omega Seamaster. It was an amazing watch but I ended up selling it to pick up a Submariner because to me the Sub is the epitome of a dive watch.
I have never owned a Breitling but was always intrigued by the Navitimer and like their current lineup, especially the Pistachio dials.
I used to own an older Tag but I passed it on to my son as it has a more youthful aesthetic imo.
All of the pieces on your short list are great watches though. You can’t go wrong imo.
If you’re not looking for investment then pick the one you like. I’d pick the Monaco. All 4 brands are respected w the Omega probably having the edge as #1
The omega may be the best bang for buck, even though this looks like the more expensive ceramic model. The Breitling is pretty, but really pricey. Like more than a speedy. The Tag is super thick and pricey. The Santos is great as long as the bracelet fits( no micro adjustments) and you can tolerate scratches. And I mean all the scratches.
The only real hitch on the diver is the helium escape valve, but that should get its own subreddit.
These posts are like when my girl asks me what she should eat for dinner…I dunno what are you hungry for!?
I'd go with the Omega, though for my money a Speedmaster to suit should be in that budget range.
The Cartier for me personally. But you can’t go wrong with the Omega either.
Technically, I think the Cartier is the nicest one of the bunch. But I don't think it fits my personality and age at the moment, so if I had to pick I'd go with the Breitling or Omega, but probably Breitiling. In reality, if I had 8k to spend on a watch, I'd not pick any of these specific ones, but that's just me.
However, I don't know your situation, that's my 2 cents on this topic. Maybe go safe with a blue Monaco
So are you too young or too old for the Santos?
There’s tens of thousands of watches we can recommend under $8K. What specifically are you looking for in the watch? Chrono? Date function? GMT? Diver? That price range of so broad you’re going to have to tell us something more specific about what you’re looking for in this watch.
Stock photo polls are really a thing now.
Omega
The Omega is the most robust of the three and if you get the bracelet could be a one watch GADA collection.
They're all pretty nice, but I'd advise trying them all on first. IYou'll especially want to check the Santos and Omega for sizing and the Monaco for the general feel. The Monaco looks and feels huge, and I hate how it looks, even though I thought I'd like it from photos.
Try them on, and then buy whichever one you prefer.
The Cartier!
Omega and Cartier are really nice, but the breitling comes in close behind… in my opinion.
I always thought the seamaster looked cool. Always wanted that watch.
Completely different watches. The Omega is a tank and the Cartier will still be cool 30 years from now. The Tag shows you're a different cat and look at this mofo.... and the breitling gives a "I like it, that's all that matters" vibe.
All are good... just depends on your lifestyle, clothing, and circumstances.
for 8k you could go slightly preowned and get a santos and a speedmaster. This two would take care of 75% of scenarios... obviously not swimming, but that's what gshocks are for lol
If it had to come down to these 4... I go Tag. Because fuk em, I like it haha
Cartier looks the best. Sat next to a guy on a flight with it and it’s so eye catching in the best way.
These are all very different watches. If you’re looking for a GADA watch, the SMP would get my vote. If you want a chrono, you could go with the top time, but I think the classic avi is better looking (and cheaper). You can also get a speedy for $8k, which would get my chrono pick, though I might also be a bit partial there. The Santos is a beautiful watch, but IMO less versatile than the others, that said it would be the easiest to dress up of the bunch that’s here.
The omega, but with the Milanese or the bracelet would be my pick.
Top left.
A Gallet Snow White. In my opinion it's the most perfectly executed chronograph I've ever seen.
For me the best out of the bunch is the Cartier, by a long mile
I like the Monaco. Classy.
Santos
Try them each on. Which ever looks and feels best on your wrist is the one to buy THIS TIME. Collecting is a marathon not a race.
Monaco, waltuh
Jk, whatever you like. Personally, I’d buy the omega if I had the resources
I would either go with the Omega or the Cartier. Probably the Cartier as I already have dive watches and the Cartier's design is kinda iconic.. and it's an iconic french brand and I'm french.
Of those shown, my vote would be for the Cartier. Of those not shown, have you considered the Zenith Chronomaster Sport? That model seems to fit in with the aesthetic of the two chronos you posted.
Disclaimer: I have never owned a luxury watch. I just browse these forums and youtube for the fun of it.
Try them on and buy the one you like. You have to be the one who enjoys wearing the watch, not us.
