Opinions: Best watch under $20k (used prices okay)

[829maxx]

As the title says, what do you think are the best watches in the sub $20k category? Pre-owned prices is okay and preferably not too dressy.

Obviously this is all just opinion but curious to hear yours.


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[enjoythemusic]

Two Rolexes :)

[ExplorerI]

116600 Sea dweller

[PBJ1925]

VCO - 4500v black is right around this target preowned. It'll come with 2 extra straps to change up the look / feel out the box

[gm58]

Originally Posted by 829maxx

As the title says, what do you think are the best watches in the sub $20k category? Pre-owned prices is okay and preferably not too dressy.

Obviously this is all just opinion but curious to hear yours.


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TONS of options around this price range!

for a one watch choice, probably would have to be a good daily and hence go for a stainless steel sport option (good water resistance and not too sporty or too formal).

Lots of options and in one of the hottest spaces = the integrated bracelet sport watch. In any case around the 20k mark you get:

1. Czapek Antartique
2. PF Tonda
3. Chopard AE
4. Rolex Sub/GMT
5. VC Overseas (as one person mentioned previously but prob not blue dial)

[buddenfan]

Rolex batgirl on jubilee
DateJust36 with palm green dial on jubilee
Datejust 36 palm dial two tone on jubilee
Rolex Oyster Perpetual tiffany blue dial
Cartier Santos
A datejust + a Cartier Santos lol

Ressence type 1
MAD1 Blue edition
Iwc ingenieur

[1William]

The Rolex BLRO or the BLNR. Always a Submariner and a hidden cool watch is the Explorer II in either black or white dial.

[RaZCaL]

Definitely the VC Overseas (silver or black). If you can push the budget, then definitely go for the blue dial. This can be a one watch collection since it is so versatile with the quick strap change system.

Other honorable mentions:

16710 Pepsi
TT Daytona
Submariner
Cartier Santos
Bulgari Octo Finissimo

[mps354]

breguet 5817 in steel on rubber strap...can be had for half the budget

[Pw92676]

I would probably go Sub and Santos for 20.

[brandrea]

Ed White 321
Submariner TT
BLRO

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by gm58

TONS of options around this price range!

for a one watch choice, probably would have to be a good daily and hence go for a stainless steel sport option (good water resistance and not too sporty or too formal).

Lots of options and in one of the hottest spaces = the integrated bracelet sport watch. In any case around the 20k mark you get:

1. Czapek Antartique
2. PF Tonda
3. Chopard AE
4. Rolex Sub/GMT
5. VC Overseas (as one person mentioned previously but prob not blue dial)

Your #5 has a US retail of about 26K and generally trades above that used.

[Top G]

BLRO for me

[enjoythemusic]

Won't last long, but Topper in California has a pre-owned Czapek Antarctique Passage De Drake with a lovely deep Blue dial for $20k.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Your #5 has a US retail of about 26K and generally trades above that used.

I’ve seen white/silver dials change hands around 20k preowned, black 21-22 and blue around 25-27k. They came back to reality quickly. I would agree a preowned silver/white 4500V is a sound pick.

[codecow]

I wouldn’t go for anything with high service costs or potentially long wait times if getting the 20k together is a stretch rather than a thought exercise.

[Rossww]

Originally Posted by PBJ1925

VCO - 4500v black is right around this target preowned. It'll come with 2 extra straps to change up the look / feel out the box

+1,000. This is what I’d get

[mongrelnomoad]

One all-purpose GADA watch?

Rolex Explorer I and pocket the change. They’re reasonably available, cheap (in the grand scheme of things) but will take you to the beach, up a mountain, or to the opera and you’ll not need to worry about it, ever.

Huge fan.

Anything I’d value above it would be out of budget, if not RRP, then on the open market.

[mongrelnomoad]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Won't last long, but Topper in California has a pre-owned Czapek Antarctique Passage De Drake with a lovely deep Blue dial for $20k.

This is another great option. (For the record, I own both Explorer I and Antarctique.)

[vandyologist]

I’ll say: Ed White 321, new Ingenieur, BLRO. But also consider you can get a 5196 or a vintage AP 5548 QP for under/around $20k.

[AEC]

[EdwardC]

116520 without box and papers

[Spectar]

Rolex Hulk 116610LV or 116600 SD4K Sea Dweller

[Jmaster]

Surprised no one said a used Royal Oak Offshore. Many models can be had under $20K.

[robinmgb]

I would say maybe AP ROO, bought a nice one recently for £18500.
Yesterday I traded my Submariner for a Bulgari octo finissimo s and would certainly say nothing from Rolex if you’re actually interested in watchmaking and horology.
Watches like the Bulgari and the AP involve hand finishing and decoration, horology wise on a different level to Rolex

[Madmoney]

Nipple dial 16753.

[MILGAUSS88]

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
Something in the Moser line.
VC Overseas Chronograph.
Numerous Glashutte Original options.

[KaVo8]

Originally Posted by PBJ1925

VCO - 4500v black is right around this target preowned. It'll come with 2 extra straps to change up the look / feel out the box

+1

The silver dial doesn’t get enough love imho. Legibility is what drawn me to this dial configuration. Simple 3 hands with date function and 3 different straps options.



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[ChetBaker]

JLC Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea (either dial variant)
Breguet 7057
UN Freak X

[7sins]

Green Santos, comes with easy strap change to change the look and save $13k. Second choice would be Sprite on jubilee.