What Non-Rolex Watch Do You Consider a Great Value in Today's Market?

[lencap]

Greetings -

I'm not a collector, and buy my watches for personal reasons. I recently bought a new DJ 41 White Stick, smooth bezel, Oyster from an AD, and while I like it, I don't love it. It's not the watch's fault - it was a bit of an impulse buy at the time (Fall '23).

My current watches, all bought new through ADs, include a 1981 36mm DJ TT, black stick dial, fluted bezel, Jubilee (recently Rolex serviced and a watch I'll own forever), BB58 Black Dial (black dial) and the DJ 41. They give me 3 case sizes - 36/39/41 along with 3 different looks, and seem to complement each other well.

What is bothering me a bit, I guess, is that I'm a bit frustrated that I didn't take more time to consider buying a pre-owned watch instead of making the impulse Rolex purchase.

If I decide to replace the DJ41 I'd like to replace it with a non-Rolex watch. What would you suggest?

[kieselguhr]

Glashutte Original PanoMatic Lunar

[huncho]

cartier santos

[omar-rye]

Even though retail prices have crept up, the greatest value in today’s market is Grand Seiko without a doubt, especially when purchased in the gray market or secondary market.

[APhound]

I’d say this:
Great value used.


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[lencap]

Each of you have great taste!

I had the "Speedy", it didn't fit well on my 7" wrist, and isn't waterproof; I wore it less than I thought I would, but I still love the look and history.

I always liked Glashutte, but never saw one in person. Cartier is a good choice, but I lean toward the JLC Reverso as an alternative in size/look.

If the Sky Dweller were thinner and a bit smaller my search would be over. I love the integration of different functions and the elegant engineering that made it possible. When I bought the DJ the dealer let me try one on (sample, not for resale), and I was very temped to order it, but the thickness was hard to ignore. Before I bought the BB58 I bought the original BB with the larger and thicker watch. It fit poorly and was very uncomfortable, and the SD has similar dimensions, making me a bit cautious. I quickly sold the larger BB and replaced it with the BB58. The issue with that watch is the limited adjustability of the bracelet - I wound up getting an after market half size link, and it now fits very well. I was hoping the Sky Dweller adjustments would do the same, but it seems a bit heavy and unbalanced on my wrist. I admit the DJ 41 with the adjustable Oyster bracelet fits amazingly well. It's a bit larger/heavier than the BB58, but wears more comfortably - it's almost unnoticeable on my wrist. Rolex does bracelets very well.

EDIT: Since my reply I've looked into the Glashutte, and I agree. That's a lot of watch for a very attractive price. Thanks for the heads up!

[Bazil]

Bremont / Bamford
Grand Seiko make some beautiful watches but bracelets are not great
Garrick a lesser known model but with some great in house movement watches
And I also like Moser ..

[Submariner868]

Grand Seiko

[rootbeer7]

Girard Perregaux.

[GBdoc]

Omega Globemaster in both regular and annual calendar versions.

[lencap]

I've owned several GS watches. Love the dials and workmanship, but found they don't lie well on my wrist. Cases a bit too thick, and the bracelets are not very adjustable or comfortable. The leather straps are a bit more comfortable, but the complex design also doesn't seem to fit very well. Surprisingly, my DJ 41 Oyster has just as much case reflection and eye appeal, at least to me, as the Zaratsu polishing on the DJ. I also love a clean white stick market dial - only the DJ 41 currently has that option. I had the SBGA437 Spring Drive, and it had an amazing dial, but I just couldn't get it to fit comfortably. Also had the SBGR261 with an amazingly attractive "eggshell" dial and crocodile strap. Great look, excellent quality, but again too thick and not comfortable on the wrist. Perhaps a newer slimmer case will help, but the bands/straps still fall far below Rolex comfort levels, at least on my wrist.

GP is a fine watch, but it doesn't seem to "sing" to me. Maybe it's a bit like Rolex - the most popular models are wonderful watches, but seem to be everywhere.

I've had many Omegas, and they are very nice watches. I also have issues with the fit - they don't seem to lie comfortably on my wrist - Speedy and SeaMaster had same issue, and I no longer own either. I tried GlobeMaster at the AD and it also didn't quite work for comfort/fit. Still, all are fine watches and I admire the Co-Axial design very much.

[brandrea]

The Omega Speedmaster would be my choice

[Krash]

Originally Posted by brandrea

The Omega Speedmaster would be my choice

Yeah, me too. Also the Seamaster. I guess it depends how you define value, but I’d go with Omega, Breitling, Nomos, Damasko, and Sinn as brands that offer a lot of value. In terms of replacing a DJ, I’d look at Nomos or maybe a Cartier Tank.


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[m4rty]

GS brings quite a bit for not so much. I wish I could see or heck, even find more Rolex's locally..

[vesnyder]

I purchased a Tudor GMT for myself over the past year, and followed up that purchase with a purchase of the Tudor Black Bay 54 for my son. I love the watches - serious tool watches with in-house movements and timeless designs. And you cannot beat the prices. I woud give the Tudor line a serious look.

[rolexpatek363]

Grand Seiko knocks Rolex into a cocked hat for quality and value.

Have a look at a Night Birch.

[Harry-57]

The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra range is beautifully finished and presented for their price points but like everything else, their prices have crept up quite a lot in the past 3-4 years.



I got 16% off mine from the AD. Since the two previous watches I bought from them were a SS BLRO and a blue SS Sky Dweller, it was nice to start bartering again.

I used to consider Tag Heuer as good VFM and I still like their style, but in my view they are now overcharging.

[996marty]

Vacheron overseas would be my pick

[2000-NJDEVILS]

Under $10K/15K: JLC, Omega, Zenith..
$15-25K: pre-owned AP ROO, PP Calatrava.
25K+: AP RO, VC Overseas, PP Calatrava and Gondolo…….

[Giovannibravo]

I am really starting to get into Laurent Ferrier. Especially the Classic Origin White.

[enjoythemusic]

Well, there's the typical Omega, PP, ALS, yada yada stuff you see everyone else wear. Or you could decide to expand to H. Moser, Czapek, Armin Strom, etc. Find something that truly speaks to you. Guess it depends on you and your desire to go more 'out of the box' ... or not.

[cfree011]

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Flyback Chronograph

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[mps354]

Breguet, especially the marine 5817

[Guppydriver]

Grand Seiko SBGM221..

Find me a better value for well under 5g's...

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Well, there's the typical Omega, PP, ALS, yada yada stuff you see everyone else wear. Or you could decide to expand to H. Moser, Czapek, Armin Strom, etc. Find something that truly speaks to you. Guess it depends on you and your desire to go more 'out of the box' ... or not.

Don’t forget parmigiani fleurier

[ts3]

1990s and early 2000s IWC

[unknown]

Secondhand Breguet

[1William]

Grand Seiko in the secondary market.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Don’t forget parmigiani fleurier

yup

There are so many great timepieces from many manufacturers that it's impossible to name them all.

[ThePunter]

I think the Longines hydroconquest GMT is quite an amazing value at grey market prices ($2,000 new / complete.)
Pelagos 39
Sinn 556
CW 12 punches quite a bit above its weight