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Cody Dawg · Dec 20, 2005, 08:02 AM

Okay, so I'm thinking of buying my husband an inexpensive Rolex. I know they're all pricey, but some are less so.

I'm not sure he'll even like it.

I've been working 65 hours a week for the last two months to save money for Christmas and now I have a little extra to spend on nicer items. He doesn't need or want any electronics, according to him, and he drives a nice classic older pickup truck that belonged to his dad and won't drive the new Beemer his company provides for him - he's not a guy that really likes fancy things (he grew up on a ranch and is more or less a cowboy type with the country western music and cowboy boots) so I'm not sure he'd really like it.

Would any of you guys like to get a Rolex for Christmas? It's a basic model, nothing special.

I don't know what to get the guy for Christmas, actually. Got him a personally signed screenplay of a certain movie (by the director - Spielberg) that is written to him personally - and a studio release (limited to Academy members) of the same movie but I can't figure out what else to get the love of my life. I'm thinking of getting him a freaking barbeque grill otherwise - I'm out of ideas!

Please, no sexual suggestions - we're all fine in that department, thank you.

Let me know what y'all think, will ya? Especially the chicks here (or "chick" as in andi*pandi).

starman · Dec 20, 2005, 08:11 AM

Speaking COMPLETELY out of ignorance, and what little I know about watches, I'll say this:

Seiko makes junk. Anything made in China is supposedly crap. Rolex may be a bit too extreme. A friend of mine told me that Tag Huer (sp?) is a good middle ground.

Please correct me if I'm wrong because I'm thinking about getting one myself.

Mike

cmeisenzahl · Dec 20, 2005, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Okay, so I'm thinking of buying my husband an inexpensive Rolex. I know they're all pricey, but some are less so.

I'm not sure he'll even like it.

Do you want a mechanical watch or quartz? Both are fine, I prefer the former.

I'm wearing an Omega Speedmaster Professional as I type this. Rolex are beautiful but a bit pricey. Also check out:

Omega (Seasmaster and Speedmaster lines)
Hamilton
Seiko
Citizen (Eco-Drive is great)

A good Hamilton dealer:
http://princetonwatches.com/

More good info, I'm often at these spots:
http://www.equationoftime.com/forums/watchdiscussion/
http://www.omegawatches.com/
http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...d=25&rid=3

BlueSky · Dec 20, 2005, 08:18 AM

Get him a freaking barbeque grill signed to him personally by George Foreman.

Insurgent · Dec 20, 2005, 08:20 AM

Seiko's are good watches, especialy the Kinetic range. Lorus, a Seiko owned company, are also smashing watches. They're also made in Japan.

If you do want to go with a European made watch. TAG Heuer, Tissot, Rolex, etc will do you good. Now, if you want a Rolex at a decent price, don't buy new. Have a hunt around any auctions that deal in jewellery, you'll be able to pick up something like a submariner for a few hundred bucks. You're probably running out of tiime if it's for Xmas, so the auction route might be out of the question. There's always the good old pawn brokers, as well as ebay (probably not get a great deal, but still something reasonable).

MaxPower2k3 · Dec 20, 2005, 08:26 AM

I'll second the recommendation for Citizen Eco-drive... mine is great

Cody Dawg · Dec 20, 2005, 08:27 AM

He does have a Citizen. Did I say that? It's a nice one, also.

cmeisenzahl · Dec 20, 2005, 08:27 AM

Be VERY careful with any Rolex (new or used) bought from anything but an authorized dealer. There are TONS of fakes out there, many of them surprisingly good looking.

As mentioned above Tissot is a good brand, as is Titoni.

Also see Mido at swisswatchesusa.com.

Gator Lager · Dec 20, 2005, 08:37 AM

I'd pass on the watch. Give him a gift card from Homedepot, lowel's, craftsman, snap on....etc.
TOOL'S RULE.

Does he like Nascar ?

.

Insurgent · Dec 20, 2005, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by cmeisenzahl

Be VERY careful with any Rolex (new or used) bought from anything but an authorized dealer. There are TONS of fakes out there, many of them surprisingly good looking.
.

Good point. It's very easy to be duped into picking up a fake Rolex outside of an authorized dealer. My dad used to be Rolex (amongst other watches) dealer, but also spent many years wandering auctions for any special items he liked. He can tell a fake in a few seconds (and he came across so many over the years), but he also had a good relationship with a few of the auction houses who would tell him straight up if something was iffy, so saving him the time.

Insurgent · Dec 20, 2005, 08:39 AM

Thing is, there's a wide variety of styles out there, so I guess you kinda have to discover what he'd like.

dav · Dec 20, 2005, 08:46 AM

a watch is nice, i also like pocket knives

Cody Dawg · Dec 20, 2005, 08:55 AM

Hmmm...

He's not a pocket knife kind of guy...

But, I'll think about it - thanks!

turtle777 · Dec 20, 2005, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Please, no sexual suggestions - we're all fine in that department, thank you.

Darn. The thread started with much potential, and then this. Bummer.

-t

fhoubi · Dec 20, 2005, 09:17 AM

Should it be that expensive? This is my favourite mechanical watch right now, but maybe to modern, and waaay less than a Rolex in price

Cody Dawg · Dec 20, 2005, 09:31 AM

That's a REALLY cool watch.

Where can I buy it? My son would love it, actually.

paul w · Dec 20, 2005, 09:39 AM

That's the one problem with Swatch watches - they're IMPOSSIBLE to find. If only they had a store....

fhoubi · Dec 20, 2005, 09:43 AM

Body & Soul from Swatch, it is a classic. Unfortunately this one is out of production (at the moment?), but I find it still in almost every Swatch Store. Either leather band or steel, approx. EUR/$ 120.

Only drawback, it is a mechanic/automatic. Regular Swatchs are dead precise over a year or more, expect this to swift a minute or more per week

cmeisenzahl · Dec 20, 2005, 09:45 AM

Very nice, that one's a classic!

fhoubi · Dec 20, 2005, 09:57 AM

You can look through the back too. I wear this. Only flaw, they scratch easily (no glass, but plastic). But then, easy to fix in a Swatch Store within seconds (& for free, thank you Stuttgart

).

turtle777 · Dec 20, 2005, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

That's a REALLY cool watch.

Where can I buy it? My son would love it, actually.

Check out the Swatch online store:

http://store.swatch.com/

-t

wdlove · Dec 20, 2005, 10:07 AM

Wishing you all the best in your decision Cody. I know that you will make the correct decision.

Mastrap · Dec 20, 2005, 10:22 AM

Wouldn't buy a new Rolex. There are so many fakes about, they've become a bit of an embarrassment.

Old Rolex watches on the other hand are beautiful. How about a classic 60's watch?

Link

Cody Dawg · Dec 20, 2005, 10:34 AM

You're right, Mastrap.

I'm not going to buy one.

It's pretentious and cheesy, I also think.

Thanks.

ANYONE HAVE ANY OTHER GIFT SUGGESTIONS? THANKS!

turtle777 · Dec 20, 2005, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

ANYONE HAVE ANY OTHER GIFT SUGGESTIONS? THANKS!

A weekend getaway package, all inclusive. Pick a nice destination. Pamper him.

-t

BigBadWolf · Dec 20, 2005, 10:45 AM

Rolex's scream out two words and the first is nouveau. If you want a similarly priced, but far better watch look at IWC, Patek Phillipe (a little more expensive), or Vacheron Constantine.

Insurgent · Dec 20, 2005, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

It's pretentious and cheesy, I also think.

Only if it's fake.

Cody Dawg · Dec 20, 2005, 11:59 AM

I think a watch isn't the way to go after all.

Now I'm fresh out of ideas. I've bought him two of them over the past five years.

Giving ANOTHER idea just screams, "I-got-you-this-because-I-have-no-other-gift-ideas-sorry."

paul w · Dec 20, 2005, 12:06 PM

There's always the special "between the sheets" gift.

Spice up your life with some toys for the bedroom.

osiris · Dec 20, 2005, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by starman

Speaking COMPLETELY out of ignorance, and what little I know about watches, I'll say this:

Seiko makes junk. Anything made in China is supposedly crap.

The ones made in Japan are great.

mdc · Dec 20, 2005, 01:04 PM

i just bought a new watch recently, but that swatch is so nice. there is one here on ebay for $85 right now with just under 2 hours left. if anyone is interested.

cpt kangarooski · Dec 20, 2005, 01:13 PM

I have one of these, myself.

wdlove · Dec 20, 2005, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

I think a watch isn't the way to go after all.

Now I'm fresh out of ideas. I've bought him two of them over the past five years.

Giving ANOTHER idea just screams, "I-got-you-this-because-I-have-no-other-gift-ideas-sorry."

I have confidence in you Cody. You will come up with something awesome.

Rob van dam · Dec 20, 2005, 07:04 PM

My 2 cents would be.Try and book a weekend away for the 2 of you.He will no doubt enjoy it more than gift which we end up in the back of the closet.You also say hes quite attached to his car which his father use to drive.Have you thought about having the car go in for a little makeover.

Also if you dont mind me asking,How much did that screenplay send you back.