Replacement For Wife's Ebel

[Chiboy]

In about 1989, my wife got an Ebel 23 mm Wave stainless and gold watch with a mother of pearl face. It is very thin, very feminine and she loved it. She wore it for pretty much everything, as it was her only watch.

Of course now the 23 mm face looks very small, but that isn't the issue. About six months ago, she got her mother's gold Rolex President, in 26 mm. It is classic and beautiful. She was wearing the Rolex much of the time, but switching off to the Ebel when she was playing tennis, working out, or sometimes in very casual settings. All was good...

Her Ebel stopped recently, and since it had been about four years since she had the battery replaced, we assumed that was all it was. They have now replaced the battery and the watch still doesn't work and they say the estimate is $190 for the repair. Not the end of the world, but you can buy the watch used these days for $250 on eBay. Spending $190 to fix it (I still don't know what they think is wrong) doesn't seem to make sense.

So she is looking for a new, casual, sporty, waterproof watch. She saw an Ebel with a blue face online that she liked, and I found it new for $600 (9087321), but we see now that it is as thick as her Rolex, and she would like something thinner for sports so she doesn't bang it around.

So, with a lot of background, and a lot of words to ask....

What watches might appeal to her, given the above?

[themast]

I would suggest to look at Tissot, Citizen, and Seiko.

A while back, when looking for an affordable diver for my wife, I had considered a Momentum M1 mini but she was not sold on the design and we never bought it
http://www.momentumwatch.com/wp-cont..._SpecSheet.pdf

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by themast

I would suggest to look at Tissot, Citizen, and Seiko.

A while back, when looking for an affordable diver for my wife, I had considered a Momentum M1 mini but she was not sold on the design and we never bought it
http://www.momentumwatch.com/wp-cont..._SpecSheet.pdf

Thanks. I think she's looking for something more on the casual but elegant side than a rubber strap kind of watch.

[PJ S]

Have a look at pre-owned Concord and both new and pre-owned Pequignet.
There’s only one US retailer at the moment, which is Grenons in RI.
Another potential option (probably a direct import) is the Michel Herbelin Odyssee – albeit a bit over budget (pre-negotiations) even with the VAT deducted.
Similarly the Newport Yacht Club.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by PJ S

Have a look at pre-owned Concord and both new and pre-owned Pequignet.
There’s only one US retailer at the moment, which is Grenons in RI.
Another potential option (probably a direct import) is the Michel Herbelin Odyssee – albeit a bit over budget (pre-negotiations) even with the VAT deducted.
Similarly the Newport Yacht Club.

Thanks! Those are some great ideas. I did a quick scan of Concord watches and found one that she really likes.

[themast]

Looks like you found what you wanted. Just don't discard the first line of my post (I saw you commented on the Momentum stuff) because those companies offer a lot of alternatives for what you are looking for.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by themast

Looks like you found what you wanted. Just don't discard the first line of my post (I saw you commented on the Momentum stuff) because those companies offer a lot of alternatives for what you are looking for.

Agreed! We aren't by any means set on anything. I'd like her to see whatever she wants in person, or at least something similar before buying. We are mainly going by case thickness and other dimensions. She doesn't want anything as thick as her Rolex for when she does sports.

[Chiboy]

Well, she ended up going with another Ebel after all. Bought NOS on eBay. Should be here Monday. Thanks all.

[themast]

Very nice, what is the reference/name?

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

Well, she ended up going with another Ebel after all.

Not surprising, but if she fancies another watch, just for a change, know that Concord and Ebel are part of the same group – MGI Luxury, who also have their own branded watches, Movado.

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by themast

Very nice, what is the reference/name?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ebel-1911-...P/400334550886

[Chiboy]

It's actually Ebel 1911 Series Ladies Blue Dial Swiss Quartz Watch 9087221/14665P. It has the date and a second hand and markers on the rehaut.

And yes, I did google Ebel and Concord to see if their quality was still good, and see that they are now owned by Movado.

This isn't a Rolex type of watch, but should be perfect for what she wants it for. I wonder if she'll let me size it for her.