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Re: Advice please

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 3:30 pm
by Viognier
Soporsche wrote: Wed Oct 09, 2019 10:30 am Hi, its really really hard to make a recommendation without a little more info so can i ask a few more questions to try and steer..
As this is a CW forum the advice is likely to be Christopher Ward focused. CWs represent really good value for very well made and designed timepieces in most categories Smart/Dress, Motorsports, Diver style etc.. it isnt however the most widely known brand of watch if that is important. It is well known but not as much as Tag Heuer, Omega and others that have high street distributors and long established marketing branding. It does also have the advantage of their 60/60 guarantee so if you give as a present and your husband decides he likes something else in their range more you can return it and purchase something else.
Some questions:
  • Would he be wearing it as a special occasion watch (dinners/meetings/social functions) or as his main watch most of the time?
    Is he active/sporty or casual or very smart or a combination of these?
    Has he previously been drawn to or commented on a particular watch or style of watch that hes admired (however expensive, it would at least give a sense of his taste)?
    Is he very brand conscious or prefers to focus on quality over brand?
    If he is going to be wearing all the time, is his job/profession manual/physical or office based?
    Does he wear his current watches quite large or smaller and refined?
I could go on but as you can see its really hard to advise without knowing the person.
Watches are very personal and if you cant find one in advance that you think 'perfect' maybe make him a voucher that says this entitles the recipient to purchase a watch up to the value of £x and makes some suggestions like Chr Ward, Hamilton, Oris, Certina to start the ball rolling... That way you can both have fun together picking 'the one'
^ This is outstanding advice all around from Soporsche, be it questions to answer ( for forum help), providing a voucher or ideally a trip into London for a private appointment with Declan at the Christopher Ward showroom where he can try on multiple watches!

Re: Advice please

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 8:36 pm
by JulesH
Thanks. I find it a bit unusual I can't try on a watch and would need to go to London to look so I may have to think about another make unless I can convince my husband to pop in when we are in London next without making it look to obvious unless i feel it is OK for him to choose anyway rather than me buying a surprise which he may not like. I may ask the Goldsmiths in town to see if they can get a Christopher Ward in to their store so I can look without going to London or just buy something else more easily. Its all a bit confusing with so much choice, I want something easy really. Thanks again for advice

Re: Advice please

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 9:57 pm
by Soporsche
Hi Jules
Christopher Ward are an online only boutique watch brand with no dealers, it is one of the factors that enable them to offer good quality for a competitive price compared to other brands that have a store profit margin to add on. Its also why they offer such a comprehensive no quibble return policy
Sorry if we have made it seem complicated, as watch enthusiasts we each like different watch styles, features etc. Its actually quite simple.. go to their website order one you like and away you go.
If however buying something of the importance and high cost online is a step too far, thats perfectly understandable and a store purchase may be your preferred route. Lots of great brands including: oris, Tissot, Longines, Tag Heuer (pushing budget), Rotary and more should be available in your budget from a High Street watch store. Definitely aim for an automatic rather than quartz though.
In any event i really hope you find the right one for your lucky husband.
You will find the great crowd of knowledgeable people on here willing to help or advise if any more questions. They are an invaluable resource as i have found.

Re: Advice please

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 11:26 pm
by Mikkei4
JulesH wrote: Wed Oct 09, 2019 8:36 pm Thanks. I find it a bit unusual I can't try on a watch and would need to go to London to look so I may have to think about another make unless I can convince my husband to pop in when we are in London next without making it look to obvious unless i feel it is OK for him to choose anyway rather than me buying a surprise which he may not like. I may ask the Goldsmiths in town to see if they can get a Christopher Ward in to their store so I can look without going to London or just buy something else more easily. Its all a bit confusing with so much choice, I want something easy really. Thanks again for advice
Sorry but I need to clarify something here for you. Christopher Ward are not based in London and no other watch/jewellery shop like Goldsmiths or Beaverbrooks etc will get (or be able to get) a Christopher Ward watch in for you to look at or try on. Christopher Ward do not sell via shops or watch Authorised Dealers which is 1 reason why their watches are good value.

Christopher Ward are based in Maidenhead, Berkshire. They have a showroom that is open each day Monday-Friday and have the occasional "Open Evening" after hours. In October, November and December they will be holding these Open Evenings. I can't see from your posts or signature where you live so don't know if Maidenhead is convenient for you to get to but their website shows all their range, prices, returns policy and warranty details. They will be giving discounts at the Open Evenings and will generally do so also if you visit and buy at the showroom.

The budget you have should enable you to buy a good watch that has a Swiss mechanical (hand-wound or Automatic) movement. I can fully understand your dilemma as there is so so much to choose from and understand and even on this Forum amongst people who know a lot more about watches there are lively discussions about whether various watches are good, bad, value for money etc etc.

If you chose to buy one as a surprise for you husband ensure that the shop/dealer will take the watch back or allow your husband to exchange it for something different if your choice isn't exactly to his taste.

Re: Advice please

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2019 12:40 am
by 0uatiOW
Hi Jules, welcome to the forum. As others have said, you won’t see CW watches in any shop. Anywhere. Unless it’s used. Some of the reasons many of us are here are because CW offers great watches at reasonable prices, and, this is the key, they offer a 60 Day money back guarantee if you return it in unworn condition- that means you can buy one, receive it, explore it and inspect it, then, if you don’t like it, return it for a full refund (as stated - it must be unworn).

How about downloading some pictures and putting a collage in his birthday card? Instagram has a great selection, or browse the CW of the Day thread in this forum. As a starting point, try one dress watch, one diver, one of the new HMAF range and perhaps the latest Apex. That’s a decent variety and would serve as a good starting point, then you can share the resulting journey together, whether it ends up with CW or another brand - others have mentioned Hamilton, but there’s also Sinn, Magrette, Zelos to name a few of my favourite brands occupying a similar price-point (give or take).

^ Edit: how could I forget Oris, another of the forum favourites!

Do come back and share where you end up. It’s always fun to read a story, indeed for many of us, the research, the temptations, the agonising over choices, the hunt, the miss, the catch, the waiting for the post .... these are the things which make a horological journey complete.

Re: Advice please

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2019 9:18 am
by JulesH
Thank you. There is alot of knowledge here I had no idea there was so much to watches. I understand Steinhart are online only to and cheaper that Christopher Ward so i will look at them with my friend too and he likes them. May be easier just to buy a nice watch in a store with my husband so he can choose. If i lived near London I would go to the store but its very complicated and maybe buy an expensive watch he will know about as no one seems to know about Christopher ward as it is for enthusiasts it seems. Thanks

Re: Advice please

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2019 9:45 am
by StrappedUp
If you're open to a dive watch, there is always the latest Longines Hydroconquest with the ceramic bezel.

You could get one with your budget after negotiating a discount as there is always a decent deal to be had on them. Aim for at least 15% off RRP.
I've walked into Goldsmiths and had this offered with minimal fuss.
The grey version looks excellent in person, but the blue and black are also nice.

If he's browsed watches in shops, I would expect him to have heard of/seen them and they have very decent brand prestige for their price point.
It is also what "we" would term a "dressy diver", loosely meaning that it would be equally as easy to wear with a suit as it would with shorts and t-shirt on the beach.

You also have the option of 41 & 43mm diameters.

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Best of luck with the hunt :D

Re: Advice please

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2019 10:08 am
by johnnysharp2
JulesH wrote: Thu Oct 10, 2019 9:18 am Thank you. There is alot of knowledge here I had no idea there was so much to watches. I understand Steinhart are online only to and cheaper that Christopher Ward so i will look at them with my friend too and he likes them. May be easier just to buy a nice watch in a store with my husband so he can choose. If i lived near London I would go to the store but its very complicated and maybe buy an expensive watch he will know about as no one seems to know about Christopher ward as it is for enthusiasts it seems. Thanks
If you go into somewhere like Goldsmith's some of the salespeople will have heard of Christopher Ward but maybe not come across any of their watches before.
It's quite common for guys on here, me included, to go looking in stores and get compliments when wearing a CW watch.
The disadvantage in your case is not being able to look at one before buying. I guess over the years especially on this forum that becomes less of an issue as you collect various watches of the brand,
In fairness you do get to appreciate the quality of any watch on a visual inspection.

I bought a Steinhart having never seen it in the flesh before so to speak, but I did so with reasonable confidence having looking at images and reviews of the watch I wanted. I have a white Ocean 2 Premium White I also got for a special gift from my wife , it's stunning and also very different.

I guess also at the price you are looking for you want to be sure it is something he will like.

Re: Advice please

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2019 8:12 pm
by JulesH
I have been discussing with my friend again who's been following this forum a bit and he said he'd be worried about buying a watch from Christopher Ward as there have been alot of problems with quality it seems, i hsvent had time to read this but he follows forums and social media stuff alot. It may be easier if he takes my account over or joins himself. We have shortlisted some makes to hopefully go and try on some at the weekend and buy soon, hopefully as a surprise. I like the look of the Longines photo. Thank you again

Re: Advice please

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2019 8:34 pm
by Bounce
Good evening Jules, welcome.
I can understand your dilemma not seeing the watch in the flesh, but as someone on here I believe has stated you do have 60 days for a full refund if your husband didn't like your choice.
I own a number of watches & have owned more than I care to remember over the years & can honestly tell you for the price Christopher Ward are one of the best, solid, good looking & reliable. My choice would be a C60 Trident as you can wear it anywhere.
Forget the problem stories they really are a minority.
Good luck in your search & I am sure he will be delighted whatever you chose.

Re: Advice please

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2019 10:44 pm
by nbg
JulesH wrote: Thu Oct 10, 2019 8:12 pm I have been discussing with my friend again who's been following this forum a bit and he said he'd be worried about buying a watch from Christopher Ward as there have been alot of problems with quality it seems, i hsvent had time to read this but he follows forums and social media stuff alot. It may be easier if he takes my account over or joins himself. We have shortlisted some makes to hopefully go and try on some at the weekend and buy soon, hopefully as a surprise. I like the look of the Longines photo. Thank you again
Good evening SallyB. :wave:

Re: Advice please

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 4:17 pm
by ItsAliveJim
I smelled a rat from the first post.

Re: Advice please

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 5:23 pm
by DanielDZ
Imagine having time to troll, “sigh”

Re: Advice please

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 7:50 pm
by smegwina
The frustrating thing is seeing how many members took time to write some extremely helpful and informative posts with the genuine intent on helping, when in reality it was a waste of time.

Sent from my Redmi Note 6 Pro using Tapatalk


Re: Advice please

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 8:26 pm
by DEV.Woulf
...And I thought I was just talking to a sweet lady trying to make her husband happy! In reality I believe was talking to this:

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:silent: