Newbie needs help! 1st dress watch: Seiko vs Longines vs M. Lacroix vs F. Constant

[Gregor Samsa]

Hi Lads,

I was on the verge of buying my first -- for my standards -- 'serious' dress watch, but then -- suddenly! -- I got stuck!
Regarding the visual appearance, I'm indifferent, maybe a slight bias against navy blue faces. But in terms of the clockworks I'd be glad to get your help. Which clockwork has the lowest deviation? Which one the best longevity?
Please feel free to suggest proper alternatives. Thank you.

1. SEIKO Blue Enamel Limited (SPB069J1, 1'100 USD):

+++ enamel dial
- dimensions (diameter 40mm, thickness 12mm)
- position of date display
-- clockwork 6R15D


2. Maurice Lacroix Les Classiques Tradition (LC6067-SS001-110, 950 USD)

?? clockwork ML155
++ very beautiful
++ dimensions (diameter 38mm, thickness ??)


3. Longines Présence Automatik (L4.921.4.11.2, 1'000 USD):

?? clockwork L619/888
++ very beautiful
++ dimensions (diameter 38.5mm, thickness ??)


4. Frédérique Constant Classics Roman Automatic (FC-303MN5B6, 950 USD):

?? clockwork FC-303
- dimensions (diameter 40mm, thickness ??)

PS: Order reflects my preference.

[Pmt2]

I love that seiko. That blue enamel dial is beautiful!

[Ruiz]

Go with Seiko. No doubt.

[regnant]

I think Seiko must be the sitting on top hear but I like Longines as a brand more than Seiko. Enamel must be giving more charm to the watch but how it would look after many years of abuse is beyond my guess. If it were so durable Rolex should have incorporated it in their watches

[Star Ferry]

You're at a tricky price point. I would take the Seiko out of what you listed, but not enthusiastically.

At a lower price point, I would happily buy a Cocktail time. At a slightly higher price point, I'd get a hand winder from Nomos.

[yannis]

I would opt for the SEIKO.

[cbondanz]

I second Nomos -- great watch, movement and a lot of street cred! Just make sure you try one on, the long lugs are not for everyone.

[skkali168]

Nomos


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[tyler1980]

of your listed choices the Seiko. However I agree with the above, Nomos. They are just cool watches and thats what i would get.

[SearChart]

Either that cool Seiko or a NOMOS.

[Jackey tam]

now that we've brought nomos in then for sure its a nomos for its quality

[scarlet knight]

Nomos. They make some new models (Campus Club?) that are a little more sporty than the traditional ones. I own a Tangente, no complaints. Even cheaper when I bought it quite awhile ago n

[Gregor Samsa]

Thanks for the inputs. Should the Seiko Blue Enamel still be available, I think I will go for it, even though it bothers me that they sell the same clockwork for 300 USD. But I just cannot resist its beauty!

Otherwise I will go for a Longines Record Chronometer with Roman numerals (clockwork L888.4, 1'900 USD). This surely looks like an ideal first dress watch (yes, I've fallen to the marketing trick).

The Bleau Modest Cream (Sellita SW-260-1, 875 AUD) has a very elegant, minimalistic beauty I've never seen before in this price range. But the fact that it won't be available until next March and that it is a new, unknown manufacturer deters me from pre-ordering it.

The Ludwig line by NOMOS is optically first class. I just don't know yet what to think of a hand winder.

Is there any objection to the Longines Record Chronometer (L2.820.4.11.2)? Or any last alternative suggestion? For what it's worth, the most beautiful dress watch is in my eyes the Calatrava (Roman numerals), with Saxonia (navy blue dial) a close second.

PS: When I started with traditional wet shaving, I couldn't at first see the wood for the trees, but finally I settled with a daily set-up (Puma, Plisson synth.), a weekend one (Filarmonica, Plisson HMW) and a travel one (Feather Wood Handle DE, Simpson Chubby 1 Manch.). Since then I keep calm, at least hardware-wise. But heavens above! Compared to watches, that was 'gnat shit'! I still have to contrive a system. I probably will keep not more than two (three) watches, a dress watch and a weekend one (and a special one). And in this manner I will work my way up. :cheshiregrin: