First luxury segment watch

[dexson]

Dear MWF,

Good day to all members around Malaysia and Happy Friday !

As per subject above, I believe that you guys have already answered to many newbies prior to this on your 2cents.

But being the latest newbie on the block, I humbly request for your kind advise and sharing your wise knowledge to assist me on my first luxury watch purchase. 

To start, let me put down some details to narrow down your context.

Budget : Strictly not exceeding 20k (New/pre-owned)
Preferred brand by priority (preferable to least preferable) : Panerai, Omega, Tag, Ball, B&R
Do not prefer : Rolex, Longines, Oris, Tissot
Genre : Sporty mostly but it will be a major advantage if can double up as a formal watch when needed.(Oh, and I need a date)
Size : I have a large wrist, hence preferably 45mm and up. Or something that look bigger than it is on my wrist.
Currently wearing : CYMA Daydate Automatic & Garmin Fenix 3HR Sapphire (digital sport watch - Always on Base PAM watchface )

Currently I have researched, and still researching for :
1) Panerai PAM 111
2) Panerai Radiomir PAM 514 - I "think" it will be sporty with a rubber strap ??
3) Ball Hydrocarbon Black
4) Tag Heuer carrera 01 45mm

Will greatly appreciate on your sharing and cant wait to put a proper watch on my wrist soon !

Hope to hear from you guys soon,

Warmest regards,

[Cocas]

I will recommend Ball EHC Deepquest (DeepQUEST
DM3000A-SCJ-BK)!

[G.MAC]

Since you are not into Rolex, the PAM111 you are researching on is a good choice. Prices for pre-owned Panerai-s are not high at the moment.

[Everdying]

u mention omega as a preference, yet none listed.
so...planet ocean 43.5 / 45.5mm...
the 45.5 still wears slightly smaller than the fenix 3...but so too does the pams.

[ck77]

- Omega Planet Ocean 45mm
- Omega Speedmaster Professional aka moonwatch 42mm

[asimo]

Can also consider other entry level PAM eg 000, 005, 111, 112, should be below RM20k new watch ! 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[D'Andy]

Looking at your preferred brand list and with a 45mm dial size preference, you would do well with an Omega Planet Ocean or Speedmaster Pro. If James Bond could wear his PO with a tux, and also during combats in the field, you won't go too wrong with that option (since you mentioned preferably wearable for both formal and sports occasions).

[Timeless]

Luminor or radiomir are good.

[Canook]

In your price range for preowned you will get a Panerai luminor or radomir without a problem as it seems you are leaning that way in your initial comments.
Others to consider as mentioned above is :
- Omega Planet Ocean (preowned earlier generation is easily achievable in that price range)
-Tag Carrera,Link or Aquaracer are all in the 42mm range but wear quite well as a sizable watch and all within your price range
-B&R are a acquired taste and make a great second watch along with another but as a primary people tend to get bored with the look as a daily... 42mm very common 44 and up not so much and is more expensive vs 42 for obvious reasons
-Ball watches are built like tanks and very underrated most are 42mm and up in the Hydrocarbon range..

** note resale on Ball and B&R are not great so if you dont intend to keep it forever look at omega's and tag's

I bought a brand new Ball Hydrocarbon Spacemaster Orbital II a year ago for RM23500 wore it twice and now cant sell it because the price has dropped... so as a watch i dont wear or want to get rid of it now im gonna have to loose a bucket load of money on it or just leave it in the safe.....
So just think long term on your decision

[dexson]

Dear MWF,

Thank you for all of the great input.

With the high recommendation on Planet Ocean, I've tried the orange bezel in Amcorp which is almost reaching the top limit of my budget. That particular piece looks nice but the back casing is considerably scratched.

I do agree with @canook with Ball's resale value. Hence, Im leaning away from this brand for now unless im looking to keep the watch forever. Moreover, Tried putting on the Hydrocarbon black. It looks great on website but it looks so tiny on my wrist.

Alot of people also commented that a clean dial will be more timeless than a complicated looking dial such as the Tag Heuer Carerra Heuer 01. After a few more thoughts, I sort of starting to get the same feeling.

So it boils down to the Pams (or maybe im bias to pam ) - Got a big offer for the PAM514, brand new at just very slightly above my budget. Will likely decide on this.

Thank you again for all the feedback. and the James bond reference =D