I'm interested in buying an entry level luxury watch.  I'm not a banker, real estate tycoon, or a rich kid, so I've got's to spend carefully.  There are a couple watches that I'm looking into, on the higher end is the IWC Portugese and on the lower end is a TAG Carrera blackface, with a couple others thrown inbetween.  

So my question for you guys is.... Do any of you guys have experience with these two brands?  If so, how do you feel about them.  My second question is what's the best place to purchase these type of watches in HK.  I know there are lots of watch dealers in HK, but is there any you guys would specifically recommend?  Also.. what about 2nd hand watches, any good sources?

Thx

Scoot

I've always been a fan of TAG watches.  I've not owned IWG but a friend swears by them and the do look stylish in my opinion.

Not sure where to get the best buy in HK.

J

I remember there was a thread here talking about luxury watches.  A quick search reveals...
http://forum.sex141.com/eforum/viewthread.php?tid=24305
http://forum.sex141.com/eforum/viewthread.php?tid=40516
http://forum.sex141.com/eforum/viewthread.php?tid=34015

Go for the IWC!! Rather spent Some more money and appreciate your masterpiece every single day for the rest of your life then having bought a slightly above average watch.especially with a portuguese you cant do anything wrong. in my humble opinion an elegant and timeless watch.   in switzerland (where i live) the 3 most well known watch retail stores also sell 2 hand watches. you get the same watch with a 25 to 35 % discount. so i would go for a 2 hand watch if i were you. no one can tell the difference and you get a great masterpiece for a reasonnable price. when i was in hk i remember seeing 2hand watches in those highend 2 hand clothes stores. but since im not a local i can only suggest you; that you rather save up some money and take your time finding your watch otherwise you are going to regret it one day.

I don't want to share too much personal info, but I am a rather "avid" collector of vintage wristwatches... I own a few hundred of them which I rotate periodically so I wear every one I own.  The most modern watch I own came out in about 1980...so when it comes to specific new models I am rather useless.  That said, in general, I know that vintage IWC watches were much better than TAG... all else being equeal, that is.  If both are mechanical watches, then they both likely use a very similar ETA movement... though Tag does still use a few other movements inferior to the ETA movements as well as some quartz movements.  IF either movement is a quartz... then I'd suggest avoiding it all together and look for a REAL watch instead.  (And please do understand that when it commes to quality modern mechanical watches, the majority of all makers use proprietary variations of the SAME basic ETA movements... perhaps one of the BIG reasons that I like my watches from 1910 to 1960.)

UPDATE:  I just noticed that this TAG mentions on the dial that it has a Caliber 1887 movement.  If memory serves, thsi is because the Swatch group (which owns ETA and many watch brands) has stopped shipping as many movements to many makers -- including Tag.  Therefore, the Cal 1887 is a customized version of the Japanese Seiko movement.  While Seiko movements are okay, for $3000+ I would MUCH rather have a ETA Valjoux movement because I know that EVERYONE can fix it and locate parts if they are needed in 20 years. That said, I know that some people LOVE this Tag-customized Seiko movement... and might also say that the ETA ebouche movements are not as good as this movement.   Frankly, the original 1960s Tag Carreras came with an original 3 dial Valjoux (ETA) movement... so I imagine that the modern movements were held back for a reason.  IF you like this look, I'd suggest that you look for a vintage Tag Carrera with the Valjoux movement.

For more info on IWC and their movements, please see:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f35 ... plained-256887.html

For more info on the Tag movements used:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f25/tag-movements-217172.html

[ Last edited by  heymikey at 3-9-2013 11:25 ]

Thanks for the info, what I really should do is just steal my bosses Bovet ( giant gold minute repeater gaudy looking thing ) and call it a day haha.  

Since I'm new to this watch thing, I'm not too familiar with the history of watch movements.  The Tag that I was looking at does get a lot of flack for being a fake luxury watch from various websites.  A couple months back I was looking into some vintage IWC's, they were pretty sweet, but I was worried about being able to keep it maintained in China.

If you are in HK there are a couple of places that have nice vintage pieces rather reasonably priced.  One is a little watch shop in about a 4x8ft booth over about 3 blocks from the Peninsula Hotel... across street and down a bit from Langham Hotel.  (I will try to walk over and confirm it is still there.)  There is also a very nice vintage shop over in Central.  There used to be one in a gallary arcade beside the Sheraton but I THINK it was gone the last time I stayed there.  

As far as getting service in China, depending on where you are I would feel MUCH safer having an old vintage serviced most places than a new mechanical.  And if you do pick a ETA or similar movement from 1960-1990, chances are that just about anyone good can (and have) service them -- and getting a replacement movement if you ever need one is also not likely too difficult.  BTW, if you are going to buy vintage watches, I would suggest getting an extra movement in most calibers you own anyway since this will likely in the long run be a lot cheaper than looking for parts only some day.

How about the new Samsung Watch? Can take photos, surf the web, email ... a whole new level. More than just the time.. a lot more.

LOL beautiful asian, you ARE kidding, right?  The only watches I own with a battery came out in 1964 or before.  ;)

It's ugly as sin, especially that camera sticking out the strap... i'd rather just use my phone.

Haha the samsung is ugly! No way I would wear that!

IWC all the way in your 2 options. They are more stylish than the Tags (sorry but ai consider the Tags as too tacky....).

Def go for the IWC. Tag isn't even an option in my opinion.

A friend of mine collects watches per se invests in watches like other people invest in property. if you want to get a watch that will increase in value, and want to be able to say buy up, he would suggest Phillipe Patek, and about a 10000 US$ starting budget. He used to have the largest IWC collection in private hands and sold them to work on his current Patek collection.

So based on that I would stick with the IWC,

don't patek go for around 50-100K?
i don't think they have any watches for 10K

Go for the IWC bro, it's a solid watch which will only appreciate in value. Tag is OK too but no match for the IWC. I'm a collector and this is my advice.

Go for the IWC bro, it's a solid watch which will only appreciate in value. Tag is OK too but no match for the IWC. I'm a collector and this is my advice.

hi TS! Im a watch fanatic myself and before you ask yourself which to buy, i can see you love chronographs as well just like me, and prefer a clean dial with no frills on the bracelet or tacky leather.
if you are not a watch enthusiast, durability-wise you'd honestly not go wrong with either brand. they are both well made except of course IWC has far superior finishing with little here and theres.

I noticed however that your watch choices are in different price brackets. The IWC is pretty much 2x the carrera!
Thus id like to give you advice to ask yourself first:

1. Is this watch going to be a daily beater in my rough job?
        If you may get rained on, be in humid work places, bang your wrist here and there, you might feel scared about your IWC Portuguese.
        for a beater the carrera will fare better and try exploring bracelet models in case you work humid places.

2. IWC is like a "leftist" brand, that tries to evoke a "we are not mainstream", esp from their quite simple, yet elegant designs compared to say very distinct rolexes and flashy breits/Audemars, etc.
    The joy of owning an IWC is knowing not a lot of people know it and will recognize it but you know its special. Kinda works both ways as its not so greedy on the eyes. Altho they are fast growing as a brand now.

3. Tag is tried and tested a true workhorse watch. Great for everyday and servicing wont be as bad in case you need to. However doesnt hold much of a brand esteem vs all the others. You really buy it for its functionality

4. There are other everyday entry level luxury model chronographs you can explore such as:
           Omega Speedmaster 3573 - True Classic tool watch everyone knows and recognizes. a must as well in a watch collection. Manual-Winding movement also a joy to wind each day its like winding your hard earned $$
           IWC Pilot Chronograph 3777 - Very simple and bold at the same time. A bit flashier though because of its size but nonetheless a great entry level watch into the IWC world with a tried and tested movement as well           Zenith El Primero 36,000 VPH 42mm - Beautiful watch and you will get cheers from watch cllectors and horologic afficionados because of the legendary movement. However I feel it doesnt look too everyday-ish an                feels scary to wear wherever.
           

5. Buy from a boutique and/or canvas in all the big major store chains. Kenn Watches etc. In my opinion, the shadier stores only offer about 2-3k HKD max difference from normal stores and to me, that is not a risk worth taking esp for a luxury item that u want to enjoy your hard earned $$ for.  Dont buy something u cant afford as they say.

Do update me and you can IM me as well!