Yoo-hoo - Dancing Fire and other watch enthusiasts!

[PintoBean]

I was hoping to get some suggestions! I'm looking for a watch. I prefer $1,000 or less, but the budget can be expanded (a smidge! )

I like a rectangular (tank?) style watch.
silver metal - stainless steel?
Pearly dial
scratch resistant face (sapphire?)
lots of diamonds!!!

I like this MIchele watch, but I was wondering if there was something better for the buck out there.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/michele...n=keywordsearch&fashionColor=&resultback=3815

If this is a good watch, where can I go to find it at a better price from a reliable/reputable vendor?

Although no one I work with or socialize with in my immediate circle has a Michele watch, they seem popular (based on a google search, and being sold at Nordstrom), and pricey. I suspect that the name, "Michele" inflates the watch's $$. If this is so, I'm open to suggestions for watches that are similar in look but give you more bang for the buck, quality-wise.

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[TravelingGal]

I suspect DF isn't going to know a ton about ladies quartz fashion watches.

Michele can be available at Nordstrom Rack, and sometimes places like TJ Maxx for much less. Also ebay store Oakgem has them from time to time. Also check Amazon for them...they mark hundreds off and also have no tax in most states. Like this for about 1K that looks similar to the one you like.

http://www.amazon.com/Michele-Womens-MWW06V000001-Mother-Of-Pearl-Watch/dp/B003UABQUK/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1343874124&sr=8-8&keywords=michele+watch

The diamonds on them shimmer but they are very small, and honestly kind of blah in my opinion. But I'm spoiled by PS standards.

Michele is a trendy fashion watch, IMHO. Plenty of women like them though.

Oh, found the one you like on Amazon for $1282 but it INCLUDES the steel bracelet. If you do buy from Amazon, make sure it is being shipped and sold BY Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Michele-Womens-MWW06P000099-Chronograph-Watch/dp/B005LVLY76/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1343874172&sr=8-14&keywords=michele+watch

 

[PintoBean]

I suspect DF isn't going to know a ton about ladies quartz fashion watches.

Michele is a trendy fashion watch, IMHO. Plenty of women like them though.

Trendy worries me. I wouldn't want to spend that amount of money and fine dated in a year or 2. Thanks for the tips and the links, TGal! I do admire your fine PS standard and taste, what would you recommend with that budget?

 

[VRBeauty]

I'm a vintage watch person, but I like the watch you posted (I have to admit I like the simpler one T-gal posted a bit more, though). My only suggestion would be to make sure you try on the watch IRL. There's a lot going on on that face, and it might be a bit busy in real scale.

They sell watches faces without bands? Really? I'm so far behind the times!

 

[PintoBean]

They sell watches faces without bands? Really? I'm so far behind the times!

Does that make it a newfangled pocket watch?

 

[TravelingGal]

VRBeauty, the "fun" of Michele watches is changing the straps. They are easily changed, I believe.

Pintobean, I don't really know how trendy they are...they've been around for a little while and like I said a lot of women seem to like them. I agree to try on the watch, as depending on your wrist it may or may not look good.

For 1K, I actually would get somemthing fun that I liked, as I figure the lifespan of wearing it would be about 5 years. There are plenty of watch brands in that category, but they may not seem as fresh. Depending on how old you are, in 5 years, your watch tastes will probably change.

See chart on this page: http://www.chronocentric.com/watches/brands.shtml

In my early-mid 20's, I bought my first "nice" watch, which was Gucci (they still make the style, or something similar today). I actually still wear it as my thrash around watch. Around when I was late 20's, I bought a Baume & Mercier Hampton, which I also still own (but the battery keeps dying.) I stopped wearing a watch in my 30's until I bought my Zenith last year.

My point is this probably won't be your last watch, so buy what you like for now.

 

[VRBeauty]

My point is this probably won't be your last watch, so buy what you like for now.

I agree! But since you've asked for other options to consider, and T-Gal brought up Baume et Mercier:

http://www.authenticwatches.com/8681.html
http://www.authenticwatches.com/8680.html

(BTW - no battery problems with my '80's vintage B&M! )

 

[Dancing Fire]

I suspect DF isn't going to know a ton about ladies quartz fashion watches.

true, i don't know much about ladies quartz fashion watches. i think Costco do carry some Michele watches.

 

[ksinger]

I have the round guilloche silver-faced diamond Masella in stainless, minus the chronograph features. It's been a very good everyday watch. Diamonds but not too flashy. They have it in various flavors of square and the prices are good on the line right now.

http://www.ashford.com/watches/bulova-accutron/masella/63R129.pid?nid=cat750036&so=9

http://www.ashford.com/watches/bulova-accutron/masella/65R141.pid?nid=cat750036&so=10

 

[PintoBean]

VRBeauty, the "fun" of Michele watches is changing the straps. They are easily changed, I believe.

Pintobean, I don't really know how trendy they are...they've been around for a little while and like I said a lot of women seem to like them. I agree to try on the watch, as depending on your wrist it may or may not look good.

For 1K, I actually would get somemthing fun that I liked, as I figure the lifespan of wearing it would be about 5 years. There are plenty of watch brands in that category, but they may not seem as fresh. Depending on how old you are, in 5 years, your watch tastes will probably change.

See chart on this page: http://www.chronocentric.com/watches/brands.shtml

In my early-mid 20's, I bought my first "nice" watch, which was Gucci (they still make the style, or something similar today). I actually still wear it as my thrash around watch. Around when I was late 20's, I bought a Baume & Mercier Hampton, which I also still own (but the battery keeps dying.) I stopped wearing a watch in my 30's until I bought my Zenith last year.

My point is this probably won't be your last watch, so buy what you like for now.

Thanks for the link! I'm going to pour over it and get my watch buying education on!
My first "nice" watch, after wearing my sweet 16 Seiko present for 10 years was a two-tone Movado Amarosa (sp?) from Jomashop in my mid to late 20s. My mom admired it, and I gave it to her. I replaced that with a gold Gucci horsebit with diamonds (specks) on the dial. She lost the Amarosa on a flight - it was in a make-up bag that she failed to put back in her carry-on (DOH! ) She was so sad, and asked me to point her to a replacement Amarosa. I gave her my Gucci, since I was relying on my cell phone more for time, and wearing a watch less. I made her promise that when she travels, the watch stays ON the wrist, not in a MAKE-UP bag! She was very with the Gucci. She likes these light, bangle-ish watches. The appeal of the tank style is that it's bigger, bulkier, and NOT mom's style, so I'd be able to hang on to it longer

 

[PintoBean]

My point is this probably won't be your last watch, so buy what you like for now.

I agree! But since you've asked for other options to consider, and T-Gal brought up Baume et Mercier:

http://www.authenticwatches.com/8681.html
http://www.authenticwatches.com/8680.html

(BTW - no battery problems with my '80's vintage B&M! )

Nice recommendations VRBeauty! A more timeless, sleeker version of the Micheles that I fancy!. As soon as I saw the 8680, I thought to myself (mom would like this!). That made me realize that I haven't gotten her a gift for paying for our upcoming wedding, and her birthday's a week before! I am seriously thinking about getting her the 8680 and the IDJewelry scalloped jackets for birthday and wedding gift.

And dad? his gift is when mom is happy, he gets a break!

Is this vendor you linked to reputable? Any experience with them? Maybe I can negotiate a good deal if I get my Michele AND the Baume et Mercier? (well, back to the real world, mom's gifts first, and Pintobean's watch later...? )

 

[PintoBean]

I suspect DF isn't going to know a ton about ladies quartz fashion watches.

true, i don't know much about ladies quartz fashion watches. i think Costco do carry some Michele watches.

Thanks DF. I will keep an eye out at Costco!

 

[PintoBean]

I have the round guilloche silver-faced diamond Masella in stainless, minus the chronograph features. It's been a very good everyday watch. Diamonds but not too flashy. They have it in various flavors of square and the prices are good on the line right now.

http://www.ashford.com/watches/bulova-accutron/masella/63R129.pid?nid=cat750036&so=9

http://www.ashford.com/watches/bulova-accutron/masella/65R141.pid?nid=cat750036&so=10

Thanks ksinger! Any experience with ashford as a vendor?

 

[VRBeauty]

Is this vendor you linked to reputable? Any experience with them? Maybe I can negotiate a good deal if I get my Michele AND the Baume et Mercier? (well, back to the real world, mom's gifts first, and Pintobean's watch later...? )

PB - I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about the vendor. (I haven't bought a new watch in years - my recent watch purchases have all been from ebay or a local pawn shop.)