Are Movados... cheap?

[that_someone_special]

I'm looking at saving up (ALLLL BYYY MYSELF) for a movado faceto (diamond bezel with diamond markers) watch... but some of the places these watches are sold are in maul stores and now I'm starting to think Movado is a cheap brand that stores put a higher tag on...


Any thoughts?

ETA: this watch would be for FI

here it is on the Macys website http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=435031&CategoryID=29203

 

[texaskj]

Movados are part of
http://www.movadogroupinc.com/
Watch shopping can drive ya to drink.

 

[Dancing Fire]

cheap or not... $3000 is a lot of money for a quartz watch. JMO

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I think movados can be nice watches, but I definitely wouldn't buy it at macys or a mall.
I live in Philly, and there's a movado outlet nearby, the watches sell for 50-75% off in their clearance sections, which in my opinion, makes the purchase much more reasonable. They'll still be a few hundred dollars, but it'll be better value. So my advice would be to try to find a nearby outlet.

 

[that_someone_special]

Good ideas everyone! I will check an outlet.

Does anyone have any other ideas for watch brands then? Fi owns a lot of ~$500 range watches but they are all a bit more sporty looking. I wanted to get something for him with a little bit cleaner lines... that was cheaper than a Piaget Not in my budget for the next 20 years

 

[that_someone_special]

cheap or not... $3000 is a lot of money for a quartz watch. JMO

is quartz bad? I honestly have no clue. I don't wear watches and pretty much know nothing about them other than I like the ones with diamonds

 

[Dancing Fire]

cheap or not... $3000 is a lot of money for a quartz watch. JMO

is quartz bad? I honestly have no clue. I don't wear watches and pretty much know nothing about them other than I like the ones with diamonds

i wouldn't want say bad,but a computer chip has no soul,no craftsmenship.i'm just one those mechanical watch kind of guy...

 

[monarch64]

I don't think Movado=cheap at all. I think Movado does = mainstream. I am by no means a timepiece specialist, that would be DancingFire, and I wear a "crappy old" Tag Heuer that I love and has served me well for several years...but again, my Tag is super mainstream. If you don't mind just buying a watch that will fit your needs and purpose and you're not a "watch snob," then go for a Movado if you love them! No shame in that game.

On the other hand, if you want to buy your SO a watch that costs more than $500, just use Dancing Fire as a no-fee consultant. I'm sure he can guide you through the process and help you find something very nice in your price range. "\

 

[Arcadian]

If you're wanting something a little bit different you could try Oris. http://www.oris.ch/home.aspx

I have an Oris which I love and something you don't see around everywhere. There's the added plus of the seethrough back, and the fact they're mechanical. You do get a lot for the money IMO.

I always find it interesting that its mostly MEN that notice my watch...lol Its gorgeous though. I have the ladies Artelier date watch.

-A

 

[that_someone_special]

OOOO Those are pretty... and handsome!

Is that something I can find between $500-$3000? (would prefer more like $1000-$2200 but willing to go either way for the right product).

 

[Arcadian]

OOOO Those are pretty... and handsome!

Is that something I can find between $500-$3000? (would prefer more like $1000-$2200 but willing to go either way for the right product).

I purchased mine a few years ago but prices are still very good for what you get. I remember seeing the Ladies Artelier with diamonds for 1500.00 in my area within the last year. Bought from an Authorized dealer but worked them down a bit on the price since I did a higher trade-in (Rolex).

I know some folks think i'm nuts but I barely even wore the Rolex because it would bring the wrong type of attention. This is a watch I can wear and be comfortable wearing.


-A

 

[boredstiff]

In my experience, Movados are overpriced for the level of quality. It's priced based on its distinctive styling than actual quality.

EDIT: Unless he asked for it, don't buy a guy a watch with diamonds. I would recommend looking at a Hamilton watch with automatic movement. If you really want to spend $3K, get a simple Panerai, IWC, Zenith, etc. Those watches all have cache, but because of quality.

 

[boredstiff]

Unless he really likes mainstream "brand name" (e.g., Tag, Rolex), I would stay away from those. I think ppl who wear those brands look like they're trying too hard. Plus, you end up paying a lot for the name. Omega's are pretty good, but very mainstream. Obviously the best stuff, most ppl haven't heard of, but carry a ton of resale value and cachet. Panerai and IWC both offer watches in your range, but Patek, Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, A. Lange & Sohne etc. are out of your price range by a factor of 3-4.

Here are some suggestions from $2K -$3K:

http://www.finestwatches.com/iwc-pilots-mark-xvi-11535.html
http://www.thewatchery.com/Zenith/Watch/01.0451.680/02.C491
http://www.finestwatches.com/iwc-pilots-spitfire-midsize-11541.html

These are more:

http://www.finestwatches.com/panerai-luminor-base-pam-00000-11924.html
http://www.finestwatches.com/iwc-pilots-watch-chrono-automatic-11566.html

(Although the actual price is likely to be much less than what's listed.)

bottom line: If you are willing to spend $3K, do a lot more research!

 

[that_someone_special]

In my experience, Movados are overpriced for the level of quality. It's priced based on its distinctive styling than actual quality.

EDIT: Unless he asked for it, don't buy a guy a watch with diamonds. I would recommend looking at a Hamilton watch with automatic movement. If you really want to spend $3K, get a simple Panerai, IWC, Zenith, etc. Those watches all have cache, but because of quality.

Yes that was a major concern of mine!


I looked at the other ones you listed and I really like the first one. The only reason I was looking at diamonds, was because I wanted to do something with diamond markers, but saw the diamond bezel... I did ask about diamonds and showed him some styles. He is very picky with the diamonds.

I SUPPOSE I could go higher if I found something I really really really had to get him, but I am saving up from "spare change" (not actual spare change) kind of like what haven did for her husband and the bike (I love that idea!) I would love to save up a huge chunk of "change" and surprise him... but it will take a bit more time. Last 2 months I had $1000 saved over that time but had to spend it on my temporary temp "reset" since EVERY penny is going for this wedding now at least I didn't go over that budget.. anyway.. rambling..

 

[boredstiff]

I looked at the other ones you listed and I really like the first one.

The Pilot's Mark XVI is selling elsewhere for ~$2500-$3000. See e.g. http://www.watches-swiss.com/IWC-IW325501-mens-Pilots-Watches-Classics-Swiss-watch-p6921.html and http://www.prestigetime.com/item/IW...ource=GBase&utm_medium=fpc&utm_campaign=GBase.

I don't have personal experiences with these vendors though. There are a lot of positive reviews for the watch itself online. For example, http://drewsworld.blogspot.com/2007/07/iwc-mark-xvi-mini-review.html

 

[Dancing Fire]

dollar for dollar JLC will always be my #1 pick for high end watches. JLC are one of the very few "true manufacture" of fine watches in world. all JLC movements are made "inhouse"

 

[Arcadian]

dollar for dollar JLC will always be my #1 pick for high end watches. JLC are one of the very few "true manufacture" of fine watches in world. all JLC movements are made "inhouse"

Well of course! Oris of course dosen't make their movements inhouse. but its pretty inexpensive for the type of watch it is.

Granted, I could have said get a Orange Monster...lol Seiko also makes their own movements as well.

(so really how do you feel about seikos? specifically some of their higher end stuff?)

I would also add Glashutte. they're amazingly sexy watches.

However, I don't think I've ever seen a JLC 3K and under.

-A

 

[Dancing Fire]

dollar for dollar JLC will always be my #1 pick for high end watches. JLC are one of the very few "true manufacture" of fine watches in world. all JLC movements are made "inhouse"

Well of course! Oris of course dosen't make their movements inhouse. but its pretty inexpensive for the type of watch it is.

Granted, I could have said get a Orange Monster...lol Seiko also makes their own movements as well.

(so really how do you feel about seikos? specifically some of their higher end stuff?)

I would also add Glashutte. they're amazingly sexy watches.

However, I don't think I've ever seen a JLC 3K and under.

-A

never seen one IRL.

 

[Arcadian]

dollar for dollar JLC will always be my #1 pick for high end watches. JLC are one of the very few "true manufacture" of fine watches in world. all JLC movements are made "inhouse"

Well of course! Oris of course dosen't make their movements inhouse. but its pretty inexpensive for the type of watch it is.

Granted, I could have said get a Orange Monster...lol Seiko also makes their own movements as well.

(so really how do you feel about seikos? specifically some of their higher end stuff?)

I would also add Glashutte. they're amazingly sexy watches.

However, I don't think I've ever seen a JLC 3K and under.

-A

never seen one IRL.

Really? Got to see a Grand Seiko once when I was on a trip. Whoosah, it was gorgeous! Being I'm a chick it was not exactly the kind of watch I would wear, but I could see my husband in it.

You're a watch guy so I think you would really like it.

-A

 

[iLander]

I have a ladies Movado that I bought many years ago, and it has a moon phase, a little seconds dial, a hand that points to the day of the month arranged around the dial and a bunch of other stuff that it does that I can't identify. It is really awesome with all those antique-looking details. It looks nothing like the classic black face Movado. It's about 15 years old and still works great (needed a battery at one point). Interestingly I bought it at one of the outlet stores and I think they have way more options than a standard jewelry store would.

So, that's all I can offer for the quality question.

Here's my contribution to the men's watch part: Costco, specifically the website. If your DH doesn't like it (at any point, ever) he can return it. He doesn't need the receipt, but he needs to keep any paperwork and the box. Costco keeps a record of all purchases, so returns are easy.

An Oris watch was mentioned, here's one from the Costco site, as well as a Baume and Mercer that I like. Or you can just get him the Cartier Santos watch on Costco, those have some resale value.

Just thought I'd throw in my two cents . . .

 

[SB621]

I think movados can be nice watches, but I definitely wouldn't buy it at macys or a mall.
I live in Philly, and there's a movado outlet nearby, the watches sell for 50-75% off in their clearance sections, which in my opinion, makes the purchase much more reasonable. They'll still be a few hundred dollars, but it'll be better value. So my advice would be to try to find a nearby outlet.

If only cartier had an outlet...ohhhh a girl can dream

 

[Dancing Fire]

I think movados can be nice watches, but I definitely wouldn't buy it at macys or a mall.
I live in Philly, and there's a movado outlet nearby, the watches sell for 50-75% off in their clearance sections, which in my opinion, makes the purchase much more reasonable. They'll still be a few hundred dollars, but it'll be better value. So my advice would be to try to find a nearby outlet.

If only cartier had an outlet...ohhhh a girl can dream

how about Costco?

 

[Imdanny]

cheap or not... $3000 is a lot of money for a quartz watch. JMO

Sign me here.

And many of those of us who were watch aficionados starting in the '80's and having researched mechanical watches, watch houses, and the consolidation that occurred in the global watch industry, are, frankly, kind of shocked by much of what is being offered (in mechanical and quartz) and the prices that are being charged.

I've been following watches for 25 years, and, to be honest, for me to give my opinion about what is quality, and what is value, would take me an entire post, and a long one.

The easiest, and quickest, way I can put this is: buyer beware. It takes a lot of research to understand what you're buying when you're buying an expensive watch, and to appreciate some of what it is involved in owning an expensive watch (e.g. maintenance intervals and the procedures for determining the costs of maintenance).

Anyone can find all of this out on the internet, but as with diamond buying, it takes research, and research takes time and patience.

 

[SereneSolange]

Wow.. this is timely. And informative.
May I add my own question to the topic?
My hubby likes Movado and would like one of his own as a gift from me down the line (along the lines of Fiero, Eliro, maybe Valor). If I decided to look for something higher end, yet with that kind of clean, sleek look, what would you recommend?

Soooooooooooooo sorry to threadjack!

 

[sunseeker101]

Solange, how about Rado watches? It seems like some of the Movado designs may be vaguely related?

 

[dianabridetobe]

cheap or not... $3000 is a lot of money for a quartz watch. JMO

is quartz bad? I honestly have no clue. I don't wear watches and pretty much know nothing about them other than I like the ones with diamonds

I would check out the fossil outlet mall while your ate since they have many other designer brands, you'll be sure to find him a nice watch!

 

[jewelerman]

The watch you are looking at isn't cheap,but its very over priced!I'm with Imdanny and dancing fire on this one.Dont spend this type of money on a quartz and stainless watch!If you insist on a Movado brand watch go to places like overstock.com(you can get a solid gold case movado for $1500-$2500!!!)I sold this brand for 3 different retailers and in my opinion their retail value isnt worth the investment unless they are discounted very heavily(like 50%)Movado enjoyed a resurgence of popularity back in the mid-late 1990s and have been coasting on that branding popularity for years.The best Movados are from the 1950s -60s. take the money and put it toward a JLC,Rolex,Omega,Oris.