I was tasked with coming up with a short list of watch suggestions for employees' 10 year work anniversaries at the company I work - most are engineers, designers, other professionals. Based on the loose feedback I got, I've written up a set of guidelines. Could use your help with the requirements below and some watch suggestions.

The objective is to make this as standard as possible for current and future employees. We'd like the watch to become iconic within the company so that those who join the company can see it as an achievement symbol within our team.

Will make sure I update suggestions in this post so that this guideline can easily be used for others needing the same for their workplaces.

Thanks in advance for your help.

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Purchasing Guidlines
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Price Range: $1,500 - $3,000 USD.

Specs:
- Case Dimensions: Not important that it's available in multiple sizes.
- Diameter: 38 - 41 mm.
- Between Lugs: 20 mm.
- Case Material: Stainless Steel.
- Screw-in crown: Not required.
- Crystal: Sapphire.
- Caseback: Not important.
- Bracelet: Link/metal bracelet.
- Water resistance: 5+ atm.
- Anti-magnetic: Not required.
- Tachymeter/Pulsometer is fine.

Caliber:
- Caliber: Not important, as long as it mechanical
- Power reserve: Not important.
- Certified Chronometer: Not important.

Dial:
- Dial Color: Dark or light, neutral color.
- Dial Texture: Minimal patterns or textures.
- Dial Markers: should contain dial markers for every minute and hours.
- Numerals: Not required.
- Hand Color: Not important.
- Acceptable Complications: Chronograph, Date, GMT, Small seconds, or none.

Brand:
A recognized watch brand that's not considered a high-end, or niche watch brand: Tudor, Tag-Heuer, Longine, Frederick Constant, Nomos, Tissot, etc.

Collection/Model:
It is currently in production and will likely be available for the foreseeable future(I.e. Seamaster, Aquaterra, Speedmaster, etc). The watch model should not be a limited, anniversary, tribute, or special edition models.

Finally, the watch should have a gender-neutral design.

Updated specs 4/25/2018

 

Would Nomos also be considered niche? I know, not a Swiss brand.

 

Wow, that's quite a list! A couple of these guidelines seem needlessly limiting IMO. For example, I don't think there's any reason to limit the size to 38-41mm. I don't think the movement matters at all since most of the people that would be receiving this watch probably don't know or care to know anything about mechanical watches. If it must be available for purchase at an AD for less than $2,800 MSRP AND it must be a well-known swiss watch brand, that reduces your options to nearly zero. Also, I think it is important that it be available in multiple sizes. That way you can cater to the recipient's wrist size.

All that said, I can think of only one -- well, technically three -- watches that meet your guidelines: the Tudor Black Bay 32 / 36 / 41. Three case diameters to accomodate all wrist sizes, at $2,450 / $2,850 / $2,950 respectively. Available in a black or a blue dial. I've yet to see one in the flesh but I hear they're quite lovely. Definitely a cool look!



If you're willing to relax a little bit on the brand requirement, however, basically any Nomos watch would be a good choice, as already mentioned above.

 

You're looking at the Longines/Tag range here. You cant really get any Omega with all your criteria.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Nomos was the first one I thought off, but not sure how many people actually have heard of them in certain parts of the world.

My first choice and suggestion was the hesalite Speedmaster Pro due to its heritage and coolness. I've seen the watch be available for as low as $3,500 via gray market dealers.

The concern there is that they'd like to have everything legally in order and they told me they weren't sure what it actually meant not buying from an authorized dealer. Is there any issue buying from a legitimate dealer that's not an official reseller?

The list was this "strickt" mostly based on the feedback that I got initially: Trying to make this as objective as possible, since it will hopefully be a descion that will last for hopefully the next 5-10 years. What requirement changes should I tweak? Perhaps I am over engineering this and put myself into a corner .

That Tudor is an excellent choice.

I've been pushing to raise it to $3,800 but need a fallback in case purchasing doesn't approve.

(This has been a fun "project" this week. Have been diligently revising the requirements, but it's not an easy task - because I know my personal bias gets in the way.)

 

My only concern is that not a lot of people know about it from what I've hear. I only leaned about them as I started getting into watches last year.

 

Easy, job done what's next boss.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/value-propositon-tag-heuer-carrera-39mm

 

Wow. Hadn't seen that one. That's a great option as well! Thanks for the heads up.

 

I am not a bit fan of rosting bezels. Any thoughts on having one? Do people generally like them?

 

You need to go back to management and convince them that their requirements and budget are unreasonable. First, you won't be able to find a suitable watch within your parameters for $1.5k - $2.8k. Secondly, you should consider how this "award" will be perceived by the recipients. "I've poured my blood, sweat, and soul into this company for 10 years and they gave me a $1,500 watch (that I have to pay income tax on). Woohoo." They might rather have the cash or a shotgun. You can get a nice shotgun for $2,800.

That $1,500 to $2,800 equates to $150 to $280 per year of service. Seems to me that a more reasonable budget would be in the $5,000 to $6,000 range.

Just my $0.02

 

Agreed. Hence me pushing for the Speedmaster.

What watches would you suggest at the $5-$6k range?

 

Why not just create your own brand to match your company? I'm sure by creating your own niche will set a mark for now and in the future.Just have a custom watch made representing your own company.

 

I thought about that, but feels like it could be a pretty huge distraction but could be a fun project to work on.

 

Omega Speedmaster Professional
Omega Constellation Globemaster
IWC Mark XVIII Pilot's Watch
IWC Enginieur

Just to name a few.

 

Any Hamilton

 

The speedy pro 1861 or 1863 movement is not a certified chronometer either.

 

True, but it's the best option imo.

 

Longines... the COSC requirements going to hamper you. That price range plus COSC really makes it tough.

Longines is respected and still dumps a lot into marketing for sports. Fits the budget perfectly and the more then a few lines are gender neutral and come in multiple sizes. I’d look at the Record. Which is COSC.. I guess most Longines are COSCas fits their title for winning the most competitions for accuracy.

For the record in my industry people get swords, shields, and helmets for work anniversaries.

 

I just had to look up what industry rewards those things! A quick internet search comes up with you working at Blizzard? Or...a time traveling, technologically savvy, medieval knight. Please tell me you're a time traveling knight?!!

 

If it needs to be a globally recognized brand with that budget, then I think Longines and Tag Heuer should go onto the short list.