Recommend your watch under $1K

[Deleted]

I really wanted a nice-ish watch for Christmas, but H delegated that gift to my ILs and they got me some weird shit that I don't care for at all. Anyway, I'm thinking that I'll buy myself a watch as a graduation present. I don't want a $$$ watch like Cartier or Rolex. What do you like in the $200-500 range? Maybe more if I absolutely love it.

[lishie]

I got a Michael Kors watch at Nordstrom that I love. Crystals along the outside of the band. Mix of stainless and rose gold. It was around $300 - 350.

[persa]

I really like my Movado. I have the Bold but I also like the movado esq origins. I haven't seen it IRL but the pictures make it look really pretty. I also like the coach and Marc Jacobs boyfriend style watches.

[Deleted]

I have this one: www.amazon.com/Michael-Kors-Midsized-Chronograph-MK5055/dp/B000XJ7GFK

And this one: www.amazon.com/Toy-Watch-Quartz-Plasteramic-Bracelet/dp/B001FXMG44/ref=sr_1_5?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1357747392&sr=1-5&keywords=toy+watch

[heliocentric]

Are you set on new? DH has been getting into vintage high-end watches. You can find deals on them and have them refurbed. He got me a fairly rare Omega from the 70s for the range you're talking. I like that it's vintage and more interesting than a new one, but is functionally just as good. DH has two vintage Girard Perregaux (one purchased, one from his grandfather).

[Deleted]

Jan 9, 2013 11:04:39 GMT -5 heliocentric said:

Are you set on new? DH has been getting into vintage high-end watches. You can find deals on them and have them refurbed. He got me a fairly rare Omega from the 70s for the range you're talking. I like that it's vintage and more interesting than a new one, but is functionally just as good. DH has two vintage Girard Perregaux (one purchased, one from his grandfather).

Hmm, I am not against vintage. I might be too lazy to search for one, though.

That's funny, H was just talking about vintage Rolexes the other day.

[Deleted]

This is my Movado- www.amazon.com/Movado-Womens-605853-Stainless-Steel-Bracelet/dp/B0015YCW38/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357747561&sr=8-1&keywords=movado+bela

[cilantro]

I really like Michele watches. I just got one of the deco ones from a reputable ebay dealer. Way cheaper than Saks. Couldn't be heappier.

[heliocentric]

Jan 9, 2013 11:07:35 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Jan 9, 2013 11:04:39 GMT -5 heliocentric said:

Are you set on new? DH has been getting into vintage high-end watches. You can find deals on them and have them refurbed. He got me a fairly rare Omega from the 70s for the range you're talking. I like that it's vintage and more interesting than a new one, but is functionally just as good. DH has two vintage Girard Perregaux (one purchased, one from his grandfather).

Not to hijack the post, but I'd be interested in knowing more about buying vintage watches. Does he just get them from estate jewelers? I assume you just have to research them and somehow make sure they're in good working order?

I'm not sure, actually. I'll have to ask him. It helps that we are friends with a guy who is really into watches and he gives DH advice. I know the Omega is from ebay, but I don't know the seller. I think DH also gets advice from the guy who does repairs for him.

Here is a link to an article about some old Omegas. Mine is like the one on the upper right, but the colors on the face are reversed (blue center).
www.hodinkee.com/blog/2008/12/16/the-dynamic-omegas-pet-project-for-the-last-40-years.html

[SJ]

My boss got me this Michele watch for Christmas:




I returned it and got this one instead from kate spade which is much more my style:

[kadams767]

Sarajoy, how much was that Kate Spade? Do you have a link? I really like that.

[SJ]

Jan 9, 2013 11:34:54 GMT -5 kadams767 said:

Sarajoy, how much was that Kate Spade? Do you have a link? I really like that.

Sure! It was $225

www.katespade.com/cooper-grand/1YRU0119,default,pd.html?dwvar_1YRU0119_color=022&start=54&cgid=watches

[Deleted]

I have a Citizen Eco-Drive, you never have to worry about needing a new battery (not like that's a big worry anyways...) You can get them on Amazon for under $200, and the diamond ones for under $400.

[liveintheville]

Jan 9, 2013 11:32:26 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

I really like that Omega. Personally, I've been lusting after a Constellation for years but can't pull the trigger.

Hey, Rock. Random but some of the jewelers around here carry vintage. My friend got one from EB Horn and I know Shreve Crump and Lowe does. Probably several others do as well.

[rikki]

Jan 9, 2013 11:57:57 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Jan 9, 2013 11:52:57 GMT -5 liveintheville said:

Hey, Rock. Random but some of the jewelers around here carry vintage. My friend got one from EB Horn and I know Shreve Crump and Lowe does. Probably several others do as well.

Thanks, lady! I figure they do but I've been too lazy (and cheap ) to look. I have to stop by EB Horn soon anyway to get a ring resized and re-plated so I'll take a looksie while I'm there.

Shreve, Crump and Lowe has a whole area on their second (maybe third) floor of their new location dedicated the pre-owned watches. For some reason I was invited to their grand opening. I didn't go, but I remember that the invitation mentioned that it was a particularly large collection.

[sicilygirl]

Michael Kors watches are my favorite. I love watches and prefer to have a lot to choose from, so I usually end up with Fossils that look like the more expensive MK ones.

[dragonfly08]

I own two Movado watches and honestly don't see myself wearing anything else. They go with everything and last for ages...my older one I've had for about 16 years and the only money I've ever had to put into it is for a couple of batteries. Retail they're each over $1k but I didn't pay nearly that much - I got the first at a jeweler that discounts them and the second from a Movado outlet store.

[Deleted]

I am really liking these Movados, but they are a little pricey for me. Maybe I should wait as H just bought me some gorgeous diamond stud earrings!

[CloudBee]

I bought this last January. Note that if you search "Gucci women's watch" on Nordstrom's website, they also have it with a black face, and similar watches for less $ if you go with a pure silver tone vs. gold and silver. shop.nordstrom.com/S/gucci-g-timeless-medium-bracelet-watch/3194491?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1143

I received this one from my husband for Christmas last night. This also comes with a black face if preferred. shop.nordstrom.com/S/burberry-rectangular-bracelet-watch/3329613?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1978

[Deleted]

Hmm, maybe I'll do something in the $300 range like Michael Kors or Kate Spade for now, and hold out for a Movado or the like later (tenure present? )

Thanks for all the great recs, ladies!

[CloudBee]

Have you ever looked at Skagens? I have two and believe both were under $200. I love them. Amazon tends to have good prices on Skagens.

[hski2349]

I have an eco-citizen watch that I love. They have a huge variety of styles. The eco-citizen watches are solar so no need to buy batteries.

[marylou]

Movado has a slightly more affordable line called ESQ. I got one two years ago on a Black Friday sale from Ashford.com, and I love it. My friend who used to work for Movado (but no longer, so no bias!) said that ESQ is still higher quality than Michael Kors.

Pandora also has some cute watches that are supposed to be high quality for the price point.

[chia]

There are definitely Movados for under $1K.
This one, for example, is $495:

www.amazon.com/dp/B0007P4B6M/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=krissfacepage-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B0007P4B6M&adid=1E55P22TG43HKWEZGFXP

[chia]

I don't know your style, but this Gucci watch ($395) is cute, too:

www.amazon.com/dp/B005GXPM3Q/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=krissfacepage-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B005GXPM3Q&adid=02N50YCXQYJEFB4Z47M2

[evans]

Jan 9, 2013 12:34:46 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

I received this one from my husband for Christmas last night. This also comes with a black face if preferred. shop.nordstrom.com/S/burberry-rectangular-bracelet-watch/3329613?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1978

Oh I like this one in black a lot.